Coming Eventually, the New and "Improved" Super Forum

[gyrafoam]

O.k., I'll be fine with no religion, no politics.
Using the Super forum for public notices such as birthday announcements and obituaries, as well as small appliances, detergent talk, etc. is fine with me.

 

[aquarius1984]

That clears that up, I didnt realise that Paypal had subscription services, however for those who dont trust Paypal (I still have doubts about mine) and dont really wish to use it complicates things for them.

Thanks though Robert for the heads up about subscriptions I didnt know I could such things on PP, I do wonder about currency conversions and the possibility of non american members paying more for the privilege.

This is really getting into the nitty gritty of it I suppose and I dont want you feeling like im nit picking and finding objections to all suggested so il shut up LOL

I really do feel so let down though by some idiots that its come to this for everybody.

Hope it all turn out good.

 

[58limited]

I agree with what has been previously proposed: a fourth forum for miscellaneous homemaking and non-washer related posts. That way, the public can readily see posts about refrigerators, mixers, stoves, recipes, detergents, etc. I read and searched the Super forum for many months before I joined and began to participate. I was able to use it as a resource even before I joined.

The Lincoln forum that I belong to opened up a "War Room" a couple of years ago to keep political discussions separate from the Lincoln stuff. There is no charge, but you have to be approved by the forum administrator. It has worked well. What happens in the War Room stays in the War Room. It is private - non-members cannot even see the topic titles - and it does not appear on Google. I do not think it is a bad idea to charge a fee to be a member of the forum. I think it would help Robert defray the costs of the entire AW.org site.

BTW - I like the name Soapbox Forum for this

 

[toggleswitch2]

War room?

Fascinating. Maybe if there ever were to be a 4th dimension (room/forum) it could be called the UMS room (Ugly Mood Swings). After all, you can't call it the PMS room. Not politically correct.

Folks this is not a democracy. The Qu--- ....er.....king rules. Luckily he's fabulous!

 

[rickr]

I have been around here for almost 7 years now, and enjoy this site very much. I have seen many good changes in the 7 years I have been here, including the threaded system. It seems to me, that we have a few people that just want to rant and rave all the time in the Super Forum, and they never have much to add to the group in any other way. My opinion is that they should take their endless rants and raves elsewhere. Leave the Super Forum for those that something worthwhile to add to it.Endless insults, accusations, and ranting and raving (that sound like a broken record anyway) does nothing to contribute to this forum.
By the way Robert, I do not mind the idea of contributing to the cost of operating this site. Perhaps that would help to keep the forum more as it was originally intended anyway.

 

[gadgetgary]

Automatic Washer.org

Is really for what has brought us all together. I believe that there is absolutely no need for other 'off color' topics and subjects since anyone(of any age) can read them.
What has gone on in the past is really not pertinent to this website, and I think we need to get back to:

The Super Discussions Forum for topics relating to all laundry detergents and additives, old and new, as well as off topic. conversations such as other vintage appliances and vintage electronics, etc.

 

[58limited]

I hadn't read all of the posts when I posted above, I just skimmed them and did not see where Robert noted the time and effort required to create a fourth forum. In that case, my vote is to keep the Super forum for only non-washer appliances and home related posts, no politics or religion or personal problems.

Personally, I do not have a vintage washer or dish washer (I would like to find some in the future - I love the old styling) because they are hard to find in my area of the rust belt. Therefore, I spend my time almost exclusively in the Super forum since I do have several stoves, fridges, and small appliances.

I don't mind paying a fee to be a member of AW.org, but I think the Super forum should remain open to all for the reason I posted above: it is a good resource for non-members (potential future members) to find info on other vintage appliances.

 

[westtexman]

Thank you, Robert, for your time and dedication to this site. I have been a member here since 2005 and I have thoroughly enjoyed this site, and most of the content here. I fondly remember the "old days" when there was more fellowship and less bickering, and I believe that is it possible to return to that type of culture here someday.

I initially liked the idea of the 4th forum, but after realizing that it is not possible, I'm all for more strict regulations of content in the Super Forum. I personally enjoy talking about detergents, small appliances, recipes and other "off topic" discussions - as long as they stay clean and maintain a civil tone. I realize that it may be difficult at first to determine what is and what is not appropriate, so perhaps it may be better to state what is NOT allowed as opposed to what IS allowed? Just a thought.

It seems that most of our problems stem from the topics of politics, religion and lewd sexual comments/content. I would say that if we had a strict policy banning those topics, then we might be able to control most of the problems. For those who choose not to adhere to these terms, they can easily be weeded out through the "Report This Post to Webmaster" feature. I would then think that a "three strikes and you're out" policy would work for any "bad eggs" who choose not to play nice.

It seems like for the most part we have a pretty good group of people and can probably police ourselves pretty well, so hopefully that will eliminate many of your headaches.

As far as a fee is concerned, I am happy to pay a fee to access this great content, and am also in favor of a “donations” button if that seems better.

Thanks again or all of your hard work, and your passion for keeping this site going for all of the appliance lovers out there!

 

[cadman]

Sounds like I'm not alone....

People do a pretty good job posting in Deluxe and Imperial, probably because the definitions are so well spelled out. Super really has become the place for literally -everything else-.

A ban on political, religious and flamer threads in Super sounds good to me, even if it has to be explicitly spelled out these days. Anything that restores the "spirit" of what the Super forum was originally would be welcome. It's not everyday folks find a rare Lady-K, but kitchen smalls, vintage TV's and the like pop up frequently enough to give one something to share and chat about in a positive way.

Whatever happens, I think a Tip Jar would be a great idea!

 

[may63]

I would like to see the Super Forum to be purely for discussions about detergents, refrigerators, stereos, remodeling, holiday decorating and so on, as well as support seeking/giving posts such as passing of loved ones and birthdays. As previously mentioned, there's only one AW.org. There are plenty of places on the internet for the other topics.

Waterfalls, puppies, rainbows and butterflies for all! Yea, I'm a dork.

 

[mysteryclock]

Non-controversial topics

I think Super should still be the "everything else" forum but I think it should be for non-controversial topics. That being said, I understand that subjects such as "Which detergent is best?" can readily start a flame war around here, but those should still be OK.

No politics, religion or randy subjects. There are plenty of other fine places to post those.

And I love the idea of a virtual tip jar!

 

[ronhic]

Robert,

I've only been using the site for about 18 months and wonder how I managed without it - It certainly manages to be informative, entertaining and, to a small degree, controversial at times. This is what happens when people from a variety of states(US) and countries, all of whom may have different morals, values and beliefs come together around a common topic as has happened here.

There are going to be differences of opinion and the topic itself will depend on how strongly those opinions are put forward and defended. Acceptance of others opinions as equally valid (to them) as the one we may hold is paramount in learning about others and why they think this way. Unfortunately, some don't know how to do this particularly well or when to stop adding fuel to the fire.

So, where am I going with this?

I like the idea of a 4th forum called 'Soapbox'. It rings my bell, but I would never ask anyone to invest so much time in something that may open up other things to bugs. So how about trying one of the easiest solutions here? How about redfining what should/should not appear in the SUPER forum at the entry point? More specifically, adding text along the lines of:

'In addition to those areas previously mentioned, topics based around National and/or International Current Affairs are welcomed on this forum, HOWEVER, those that are contentious and polarising by nature such as war, religion, politics and those of an overtly sexual nature are actively discouraged. Threads that exhibit these traits may be deleted in their entirity without notice and posters provided with a warning as to acceptable content. Posters who continue to ignore both these guidelines and warnings will be removed.'

Maybe this is all people need?

Additionally, is it easy/difficult to add a 'pop up' on entry to a specific forum that asks something along the lines of:

'I agree to the spirit of AW.org and will post forum and topic relevant comments. Y/N'

Click 'Y' and you get in. Click 'N' and you go to a news site or some such thing...

 

[rp2813]

I belong to other forums that don't allow any political, religious or other controversial content, and members are cordial and get along fine.

I think that since the Super forum never had any restrictions, things got out of hand a long time ago and as a result this site has lost some valuable contributors. I'm fine with placing rules around what can be posted on Super and leaving it at that. Less work for Robert. How this would impact things like gay pride threads each June, I don't know. It's up to Robert to decide how to handle such gray areas.

Part of my reasoning is that even though I have started threads about subjects that belong in Imperial or Deluxe, I chose to post them in Super because I have a sense that Super gets more hits from more members. If Super were to become a restricted zone, far fewer members would even navigate there.

I say, leave everything the way it is and lay down some clear guidelines. Other sites such as Antique Radios and Rotary Telephone have moderators for the various forums who keep people in line. That might be another option to consider. Only the Super forum would require one since Imperial and Deluxe topics are well-defined. Moderators and their decisions are generally respected, whereas leaving those decisions up to a random group of members leads to problems, as we have all seen.

 

[petek]

I think Louis' idea way up there is the best. A separate but sister Yahoogroups forum for all the political/sexual/religious stuff. Open only to members here who want to join it, otherwise it's off the radar totally.

I think the WACEM mixer collectors group does that, they have a separate yahoogroup from WACEM to discuss other topics and call it Perco-talk-alators or something.

 

[qsd-dan]

No politics, no religion, no conversations or photos of a sexually suggestive nature in the Super or any other forum. All discussions of a personal nature should be restricted to private email. If it doesn't have anything to do with detergent, other appliances etc, then don't post it. People that continue to do it should have their privileges suspended."

Best suggestion yet!

 

[mrboilwash]

I believe any fee no matter how small would mean the end of the Super Forum, because I think too many members who only post seldom but valuable info won`t pay. I have learned a lot about laundry habits and detergents from all over the world, or for example where to go thrifting for a vintage Mixmaster on my next vacation. Never took this site for granted.
I am grateful for a wonderful time I had on this site and am happy with whatever will come in the future.

In othe words I would "vote" for strict rules and a donation button to keep this community alive as we all know and love it.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Robert -

THANKS very much for taking the time and consideration to ask members what their preferences are as to the Super Forum in the first place. You could just as easily tell us what you're doing and then it is what it is after that. So again, thanks.

Let me share a little story that I think goes hand in hand with what a lot of others have said here:

Most people who know me at all eventually get told by me of my lifetime interest in washers. I have a couple vendors here at work who I have worked with 8 to 15 years or more, and they already knew of my hobby. When I found the washer site, I shared my good fortune with them by "suggesting they check out this cool site, you'll see there are actually more like me!". A couple of those folks have been fascinated by my hobby, and asked me a lot of questions, etc. and have spent time looking for cool machines we might like, they've searched the site in-depth, and otherwise really taken an interest. One of them even came back a day or two later and said "let me guess, just by looking at the profiles, I bet you're KenmoreGuy".

Twice I have had to explain to the appliance "uneducated" folks what the Super Forum is all about, and they've understood clearly, but have said "Seems a little heated and racy in there! What does this stuff have to do with washers?"

I whole heartedly support limiting the Super Forum to non-political, non-sexual, and non-confrontational subjects, and this seems to be a predominant suggestion among the replies above. If you simply change the rules that apply to the Super Forum, you could avoid the code overhaul, and change little more than notes about what the forum is intended for. While I do read and post in the super at times for the near-topic posts, we're too small a group to have polarizing discussions that crack our foundation. We sometimes fail to remember how fortunate we are to have this entire site in the first place. Let those who want to use this site for other uses find another site better suited for it. Even Craigslist has a "rants and raves" forum.

Those of us who value this site can help police the policy by leaving the "report this post" feature intact.

One final note - One of the most touching posts I've ever seen on here was posted a few months back by a regular poster who had lost his beloved pet cat. I was touched to the point of soaked shoulders by that thread and the linked video, and I was proud to show my friends that it had been produced by a fellow AW.org member. That sort of non-threatening personal post could be left on the forum, just not the in-fighting abusive bilge that permeates here on occasion. I think we are all adult enough to police ourselves on that one if we re-define the Super's rules.

Thanks again Robert,

Gordon

 

[goatfarmer]

I also have no problem paying to keep enjoying AW.org.
I think the Super forum should be kept open, but eliminate the political and religious krap that always seems to get out of hand. I really don't think anyone's mind will be changed, by what I or someone else post's, no matter how many names I call them, or how loud I scream.
I enjoy the Super forum for refrigerator, range, and other small appliance talk.

kennyGF

 

[jmirawm]

Super forum rules !

I do not post a whole lot here. But I love the recipe exchanges and all the fun posts about small electrics, detergents and off topic subjects, etc... I would whole heartedly agree with going back to what the Super Forum is really all about. I am wondering one point though. Would banning heated topics exclude posts like pictures from high holiday parades etc... ? Living in Arkansas I do enjoy those posts also. <p> At any rate, I am sure what Robert decides from all of our input will be wonderful. <p> all for a paypal chip in button too.

 

[mattl]

Hmmm, I don't know--

The issue I have with limiting the Super forum is that there is too much life experience available among all the people who visit here, I'd hate to loose that. People here have been great help with my ongoing problems and I'd hate to have that gone. Plus, it's VERY hard to jump into a new forum/group and learn everything all over again only to find it's not for you, so going somewhere else is difficult for me.

I'd much prefer to keep things as they are, but if that is not an option, I have no issue paying $15-$20 year, but I can see where it would limit the forum since that might be a hardship for some.

My suggestion? Dual memberships. When people sign up they could check a box if they wanted to be included in the Super Forum, a no holds barred place. I'd grandfather all current members, but on the member info page give everyone the right to opt out. Clearly indicate it's an over 18 area. The Super forum should be hidden so it does not show up with Google searches.

I'd hate to see the Surer forum neutered and turned into an old ladies recipe swap room - it's one of the things I love about this group...