Yeesh, I just clicked on this thread for the first time just now. I admit I haven't read every page, but a few thoughts (if anyone cares
)...
This is the best forum I'm currently on. In most forums I've visited in the past, no matter the subject, it always seems like the newcomers/inexperienced/children/whatever make up the majority of the forum, and the serious people with a lifetime of experience behind them are few and far between. Since there are so few experts to go around, disinformation spreads like wildfire as people eagerly parrot what they've heard and read (and never tried) to answer each other's questions... the blind leading the blind.
This is the only forum I've been on where the ratio is completely flipped around. More experts than you can shake a stick at and real tried-and-tested information in spades. It's great. When I join one of those other forums knowing little about whatever hobby it is, I find my knowledge exceeds that of the general membership within a few months, and I end up having to search everywhere online for answers to my advanced questions. I started here almost a year ago knowing very little, and still feel like I know very little compared to most of the people here. And that means everything.
I also don't see the big deal with some of the "inflammatory" threads here... because frankly they're incredibly tame compared to some of the other forums I just can't stomach anymore. Maybe I haven't been paying attention, but I've never seen drama here anywhere near as severe as what's commonplace on other forums. And I think somehow the aforementioned ratio is the reason for this.
Anyway... regarding running the forum. I can't speak for the owner and moderators, but this is how
I think any good forum should be run:
-- As people have said, the forum is a gift. You're welcome to go somewhere else.
-- The forum is a private endeavor, and members are entitled to
nothing whatsoever. The owner/moderators listen to your suggestions and complaints because they're being generous, not because you're entitled to be heard. You're welcome to go somewhere else.
-- You have free speech and other privilages solely due to owner/moderator generosity. This isn't a democracy. You're welcome to go somewhere else.
-- If your thread gets locked, suck it up. Even if it was locked at a whim. Even if it was just because the moderator doesn't like you. It's not your forum. You're welcome to go somewhere else.
-- You probably benefit from the forum more than it benefits from you. You're welcome to go somewhere else.
Again, just my personal opinion. And the above may sound fascist and harsh, but it really isn't. I think it makes a lot of sense for a forum owner who cares about the quality and integrity of their forum. By some magical process, this take-it-or-leave-it formula results in a top-notch forum I think (it sounds like Phil is already employing it, and if you ask me that's why this place is so great). If someone who likes causing problems has a complaint with the forum, that's a good thing. It means they're more likely to go somewhere else. Catering to them will only cause them to stay longer. The respectful members who have things in perspective and know they're owed nothing will naturally remain content and will stick around.
It's just simple forum darwinism. If you let members ruin your forum, people look for a better one. If you let moderators ruin your forum (not a problem here), people look for a better one. This forum
is the better one people look for, and I really want us members to know our humble places so it can stay that way.
And lastly, I really would like Tony on the forum as well. Like I said I come here for the experts, and I don't like the idea of losing one of the best. Unfortunately the people who appreciate him and others like him most are typically not as vocal. For every member that drives Tony crazy, I'm sure there are five who admire and respect his knowledge and are thankful to have him.
That's another good thing about the guidelines above... they encourage the least valuable members to leave first. When the troublemakers are allowed to think they're entitled to something, usually it's the most valuable members you're more in danger of losing.
Just a couple pennies on the pile. Hope it isn't too redundant with what's already been said.
EDIT: Argh, I've written another novel. Sorry guys.