Mass Debators

[abaddonxi]

Thinking about the turmoil on the forum lately, I remembered this article,

http://www.informationweek.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=199600005

which is uncanny in its similarity to what is going on here.:eek:

Have a look.

See what you think.

Report back.:D

Cheers
Simon

[abaddonxi]

Curse that edit button.

The title, of course, should have read

MASS DEBATORS.

:D

Cheers
Simon

[Tango51]

As you all know, I am new here.
I assumed that the recent conflict with members leaving was because of prior differences on here, otherwise it seemed an irrational level of emotion over something trivial....to me.
I just don't get it.
As someone new, I find the General Chat 'controlled' and pretty unfriendly, I find it to be, well, stifling in political correctness.
It isn't so bad I would leave.
It is the cliche-iest site I have been on, I just assume it will take time for people to get to know me and get accepted.
I don't mind a good stoush, so long as it is productive, or laced with humour.
I have recognized some 'types' from the article Mass Debators<good one by the way> but am reluctant to make permanent judgements because it is easy to get it wrong with text.
I often have been very misunderstood so....it is easy enough to do.

[Tango51]

As you all know, I am new here.
I assumed that the recent conflict with members leaving was because of prior differences on here, otherwise it seemed an irrational level of emotion over something trivial....to me.
I just don't get it.

As someone new, I find the General Chat 'controlled' and pretty unfriendly, I find it to be, well, stifling in political correctness.
It isn't so bad I would leave.

It is the cliche-iest site I have been on, I just assume it will take time for people to get to know me and get accepted.
It isn't the atmosphere I would choose if it were my forum, but it isn't mine.

I don't mind a good stoush, so long as it is productive, or laced with humour.
I have recognized some 'types' from the article Mass Debators<good one by the way> but am reluctant to make permanent judgements because it is easy to get it wrong with text.
I often have been very misunderstood so....it is easy enough to do.

[rick130]

Interesting read Simon with some interesting proposals.

Had an interesting experience on another forum I'm a mod on recently where Admin banned a user, turned out they were a cyberstalker :eek:
Already been banned on various Nth American boards.

just like the 'real' world, you get all sorts in cyberspace.

[one_iota]

I thought that Tango51's comments about the General Chat being cliquey and controlled and politically correct interesting being the point of view of a relative newcomer.

I've been here for a while now and I know that it took me some time to summon up the courage to get involved. A bit like breaking into a circle around a camp fire. When I joined the active membership was probably about 100 now it is 25 times that! Different dynamics.Certainly the Moderators have had to adjust to the growth.

We have some fun here generally but on the odd occasion things get out of hand. The "troll" factor doesn't seem to have increased 25 times thankfully.

:)

[WhiteD3]

Thinking about the turmoil on the forum lately, I remembered this article,

http://www.informationweek.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=199600005

which is uncanny in its similarity to what is going on here.:eek:

Have a look.

See what you think.

Report back.:D

Cheers
Simon

Excellent post. Thanks. Disemvowling sounds like a good strategy if it can be automated.
Trolls? Yep, we certainly have them here. They're like employees, most are fine but you always get a few at either end of the scale, being deadwood at one end and psychos at the other.

IMHO there's only a few people on the forum that get in to these arguments and fewer still that take them to the extreme, so we should be careful not to make out that the problem is bigger than what it actually is. Also, it seems to me too that they're repeat offenders.

I assume I use the same strategy as most, in that when a thread descends to the point of nastiness or argument for arguments sake, I stop bothering with that thread.

Re the "politically correct" comment: I can't say I've seen it but I understand how it could appear that way. My view is that there's a lot of AULRO users who go out of their way to be polite or to politely correct someone. I see nothing wrong with this provided everyone's allowed to state their views politely, no matter how crazy they may be.

[waynep]

I assume I use the same strategy as most, in that when a thread descends to the point of nastiness or argument for arguments sake, I stop bothering with that thread.


You're right. Last few months, whenever I see certain people entering into a thread in general chat, as far as I am concerned it is dead - not worth wasting my time reading inane comments.
Some of the intelligent, clever, subtle, witty humour on this site is pure gold. It's what makes the site unique I reckon. Thinly shielded bigotry and aggression posing as humour is just mindless and immature. That belongs elsewhere.

[Ken]

Lately Ive noticed more and more objective criticism spill into a text brawl (Ive been guilty myself ):( I regret that I have lowered myself to this standard as I know better and 99% of the time dont get into frivolity
I have had a bit of a bad run as of late and have let it flow onto others within the forum (My deepest apologies)
Its good to have read this and I have a better understanding of why these things happen .I usually keep good counsel with myself and the way I address others as I dont like to be known for being a wally (its not becoming)
and sooner or later people just ignore the fact your there
I hope AULRO and the vibe of the place gets back to what it is an awesome place for knowledge and to meet likeminded people that love Land Rovers
I for one wouldnt like to be banned or for that matter not have anyone to go out for a drive in the bush with as it would suck bigtime

Cheers Ken

[stevo68]

Read this before and didn't have time to respond. I think one needs to put things into perspective in that considering the amount of people who frequent the forum, the amount of conflict is pretty minimal. Naturally also, at times people are going to butt heads, not express themselves in the most appropriate manner, funnily enough, just like in "real" life. On the whole though, I find most people here are pretty accomodating of that fact.

I would however disagree with Tango in that General Chat is unfriendly, controlled and stifling in political correctness. I'd be interested in some examples. For sure, at times I can be a little fiesty :D and for someone who has issues with "authority" find General Chat very friendly and think the Mods do a pretty good job. Been on here over 2 yrs now and those thoughts have never crossed my mind. In terms of "cliche-iest" site, that I feel is only natural until one gets to know people and people get to know them. I would think that is pretty normal again in most circumstances. That said, I think if a "newbie" becomes too familiar to early, that can backfire. Bit like in our club, one may take the mickey out of a mate, if someone new or a guest did it....would be a different kettle of fish as the relationship hasnt developed yet.

I'm sure there a few people who may even think I am a troll at times :twisted:, but would hope on the whole that if I am debating somebody on a topic, I play the topic not the man. However if they come at me, well I am Taurean, you will get the horns :p.

Regards

Stevo

[Tango51]

Read this before and didn't have time to respond. I think one needs to put things into perspective in that considering the amount of people who frequent the forum, the amount of conflict is pretty minimal. Naturally also, at times people are going to butt heads, not express themselves in the most appropriate manner, funnily enough, just like in "real" life. On the whole though, I find most people here are pretty accomodating of that fact.

I would however disagree with Tango in that General Chat is unfriendly, controlled and stifling in political correctness. I'd be interested in some examples. For sure, at times I can be a little fiesty :D and for someone who has issues with "authority" find General Chat very friendly and think the Mods do a pretty good job. Been on here over 2 yrs now and those thoughts have never crossed my mind. In terms of "cliche-iest" site, that I feel is only natural until one gets to know people and people get to know them. I would think that is pretty normal again in most circumstances. That said, I think if a "newbie" becomes too familiar to early, that can backfire. Bit like in our club, one may take the mickey out of a mate, if someone new or a guest did it....would be a different kettle of fish as the relationship hasnt developed yet.

I'm sure there a few people who may even think I am a troll at times :twisted:, but would hope on the whole that if I am debating somebody on a topic, I play the topic not the man. However if they come at me, well I am Taurean, you will get the horns :p.

Regards

Stevo

I'd like to give you some time to think about this post.
I'll check in later....oh, more likely tomorrow and comment then.
Tango

[stevo68]

I'd like to give you some time to think about this post.
I'll check in later....oh, more likely tomorrow and comment then.
Tango Mate thats a pretty patronising comment and not sure why? The only part I touched on was that you made comment that General Chat was unfriendly, stifling and smacks with political correctness....I disagree. In 2 yrs have never found General Chat even remotely falling into any of those categories. There's no need for me to think about my post nor have some direct that I should do so....at anytime, I haven't got to where I am in life because I am an idiot. Not sure if you are trying to start a "barnaby" but not interested,

Regards

Stevo

[Ken]

I like jam and peanut butter on toast Its Good :angel:

[B92 8NW]

I like jam and peanut butter on toast Its Good :angel:

You haven't lived until you've had Vaseline on toast... by god its good:D

[Ken]

You haven't lived until you've had Vaseline on toast... by god its good:D

What just plain vaseline no vegemite :D

[WhiteD3]

Troll attack me thinks

[Ken]

Troll attack me thinks

Trip Trap Trip Trap (Who goes there) :D:D:D

[stevo68]

Ok, now the missus sometimes calls me "dozey" :) and other times mates poke fun..cause I dont "get it" but what is it with peanut and jam on toast...or even worse vaseline on toast, its making me gag even thinking about it :o. Feel free to PM to prevent public humiliation ;)

Regards

Stevo

[Ken]

If a tree fell in the forrest and no one was there to hear it would it make a sound ?

[rovercare]

If a tree fell in the forrest and no one was there to hear it would it make a sound ?

How'd you know a tree fell down? were you there?:p

[abaddonxi]

Trip Trap Trip Trap (Who goes there) :D:D:D

Oh dear, here come the three billy goats gruff.

:D:D:D

Cheers
Simon

[Ken]

Yay whited3 rovercare abaddonxi you all get a gold star and can go to lunch early
The rest of you will stay in after class and write I must be good when Im visiting AULRO :D:D:D

[Ken]

B928NW gets a gold star too :D

[Panda]

:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:
Yay whited3 rovercare abaddonxi you all get a gold star and can go to lunch early
The rest of you will stay in after class and write I must be good when Im visiting AULRO :D:D:D

[Tango51]

Let me clear up a misunderstanding
When I commented on the general chat atmosphere I wasn't referring to the Mods but the dominance of certain groups of members.
I feel the mods are very lenient.
When I have seen unfamiliar nicks join in I see their post completely ignored too often, while banter continues around them and this is a form of exclusion.
A technique of exclusion we all experienced in schoolyards and hoped we wouldn't have to feel again, along with the sharing by others of some 'in' jokes and banter.
Childish maybe, but it is effective.
As a newbie watching on, the overcompensating posters of swaggering certitude or arrogant aggressively intimidating or threatening posters are a formidable barrier, it makes for an act of courage just to attempt participation.
It also makes for a large group of people deciding 'I'm over this, who needs it' and they rarely participate.
I realize the members who assume those positions currently are the ones who have things as they want them and will offer the most hostility but a shift in attitude would be so beneficial to others I think risking alienation by them is worth the risk.
I also realize that the dynamics are further complicated by relations between members and all seeing mods, but I hope fair play will result :)

[Tango51]

Mate thats a pretty patronising comment and not sure why? The only part I touched on was that you made comment that General Chat was unfriendly, stifling and smacks with political correctness....I disagree. In 2 yrs have never found General Chat even remotely falling into any of those categories. There's no need for me to think about my post nor have some direct that I should do so....at anytime, I haven't got to where I am in life because I am an idiot. Not sure if you are trying to start a "barnaby" but not interested,

Regards

Stevo

Stevo68, we disagree on the point of that sentence asking for reflection being patronising.
I wasn't commenting on how YOU found the general chat, buy on how I saw it....and there is very good evidence on where our different views come from.....reflection on these posts?
Stevo, I don't know you so I can't comment, but as a general comment on society isn't it true that it is common for people to do well DESPITE being idiots?<Financially>
I think you mean a Barney, but I'm not familiar with the term barnaby so correct me if I have it wrong, and no, I just want to help improve the atmosphere of the General Chat.
I'm happy as to leave it here.