PLease.....let's try to stay more on-topic

[electra225]

We don't moderate Chat and Other Toys really tightly. But the "regular" "business" topics need to stay on-topic. I don't like editing and deleting posts, I really don't. You guys don't get snarky and beat on each other, which is one of our many strengths. Going off-topic is a tradition with our group, but we should be respectful of our guests. We have a topic that got political so I locked it. FYI.....

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Thank you Greg, for that important reminder.

It is frustrating to start a thread for knowledge sake,
and see all sorts of unrelated tangents thrown in.

And I'm sure I have been at fault at this, also.

[electra225]

There is an individual who is not a member of this forum, doesn't want to be a member, but they contact me on a regular basis, griping about something we are doing or are not doing to their satisfaction. This person makes no contribution to the forum whatsoever, outside of his coaching of my administrator skills. Not only does this individual feel I am possibly the most incompetent site administrator in history, he is constantly griping about forum integrity. So, this morning, I blocked his email address. I don't need to hear from somebody who makes no contribution, but just wants to mooch and gripe.

My greater concern is for people who take the time to take pictures, do research, and are good enough to share it with the forum. It is rather rude and inconsiderate to take his hard work and his topic off-topic. Everyone is free to post their own topic if they want to go a different way. We need to be respectful of our posters and our guests. Like I said earlier, I don't set really hard on Chat and Other Toys. Those boards were developed for more casual conversation, and casual conversations can go almost anywhere as long as they are nice and abide by the rules. I realize I'm the biggest duck in the puddle when it comes to going off-topic. I ask that we all work together to keep off-topic conversations to a minimum. The best feature of this group of members is that they are friends and respect each other, so we don't have any snark and sniping at each other. You guys may not realize what a blessing this is. Sometimes my job is not all beer and skittles, this is one of those times. Thank you all for your participation and for your understanding and cooperation.

[Dr. Radio]

Sorry Greg/Gang.

I should have been more vigilant of how I wrote things. It was not meant to be political. To clarify, I was trying to state that with the "changing of the guard", things change regardless of your political viewpoint.

As far as the outsider telling you how to run things, the first thing that came to my mind was, I'm thinking an individual who frequents a site who's abbreviated name sounds like a dog barking....

[electra225]

No biggie, Doc. Like I said, I'm as much into veering off-topic as anyone. I catch myself doing it. The person who lurks and reads but doesn't contribute suffers from what I call the George Marshall syndrome. There is a story in that, maybe for another topic if anybody is curious......

I appreciate all the effort you guys put into the forum.

[TC Chris]

what I call the George Marshall syndrome. There is a story in that, maybe for another topic if anybody is curious......

Are you kidding? I'm endlessly curious. Do tell.

Chris Campbell

[walyfd]

Yep, I know the type... I admire anyone willing to be a moderator. I can empathize and pity you at the same time!!!

But remember how great the pay is!!! That alone should make the job more tolerable.

[electra225]

There is supposed to be a delicate balance of being considerate of posters, yet being considerate of those willing to participate in those posts. I have people complain about lack of forum integrity and I have people complain about enforcing forum integrity. There has to be a happy medium somewhere, but, as hard as I look, I haven't found it. It seems like we go too far one way or the other.

[19&41]

We could develop the habit of starting a new thread with the newer direction for the discussion. Put a link in the original thread so folks can continue on it. Then nothing stops.