Coming Eventually, the New and "Improved" Super Forum

[perc-o-prince]

Its now or never if you are going to speak up and state your

Hey Robert,

First, I add my thanks to you. Without the forum I (I won't speak for Rich anywhere in this post) have been able to meet with some very nice people, virtually and personally.

I understand not wanting to get involved with a 4th forum, and won't even suggest anything near it.

I would agree with the various other folks who stated that people should be able to monitor/censor themselves. That, or certain subjects should be avoided altogether.

As far as subscription to an uncensored Super Forum, I would not be there (again, not speaking for Rich at all). Super is the only forum I use, and at least 50% of the time it's somewhat off-topic. Nothing generally considered controversial, but off-topic nonetheless. If it was to become an uncensored forum where members could exhibit ignorance and bitterness as I have seen shown to others in the past, and was shown to me last week, I have many more important things to do with my time.

My suggestion would be to leave the forum just as it is, with the report button changed to an email notice as you suggested, and with the caveat that politics and religion not be discussed. Other appliances, recipes, stereo equipment, Christmas tree or pet pix threads, et cetera... fine. Someone delves into the forbidden, and they're warned. One time. They do it again, Sam waves her wand and they disappear. Let people be responsible for themselves, and responsible for their own actions.

That's my two cents.

Chuck
p.s.- more than willing to pay the buck a month to belong to the sandbox as it sits.

 

[sudsmaster]

An alternative idea.

The software has already been altered to allow forum members to flag posts they find offensive. I'd like to suggest that once a certain threshold has been reached (and perhaps seven is too low), then the post simply vanishes, with no tell tale messages as to where or why it's gone. If it's the first post in a thread, the entire thread vanishes.

What is gone can no longer be so easily the focus of controversy, you wee.

I think you were on the right track with the report button, Robert, it just needs some refinement.

 

[sudsmaster]

Er, yeah, second the suggestion for an edit button.

I meant to say, "you see", not "you wee"...

!

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Just my 2 cents:
Maybe not having a super forum is best. Then the AW site would just be based on Washers and dryers. Limiting the super forum to not having topics on religion, political, sexual stuff is good too. Even better yet, closing the forum to all unregistered users, and requiring people to be valid members may help keep the bad people out. Would I pay a fee? yes, I would but it can't be too much, i'm still in college.

 

[brisnat81]

I think a ban on Sex, religion and politics in the super forum is a good idea.

There are lots of other forums to have that sort of discussion and its not relevant to do with this site whatsoever.

Keep it to Household objects and associated objects and get rid of the other crap that is perpetuated by a few people.

That way there is no extra coding, the delete after 7 presses can stay and nearly all of the issues that have made opening a post in Super a Tentative process go away.

 

[mixfinder]

Mute Button

I have watched threads begin innocuously enough and then grow to a heated boil when one or two posters refuse to back down and insist on the last word. Apologies, mea culpa, let it go, this is the last I'll say, etc. have no impact after the pit bulls get a taste of fresh blood. Perhaps there could be a mute button that pre-empts any further posting that is redolent with vitriolic rhetoric.

 

[oldhouseman]

Robert,

Please just regulate politics and religion out of the forum. Make an exception for Gay Pride month about the things the boy's do so those who don't like it can take a holiday.

I have only posted in the Super forum but have followed the other two close and have found and enjoyed learning about vintage machines.

Please don't start a fee service site. I enjoy posting things from time to time about my 213 year old house that George Washington's doctor (during the Revolution) built and the input and helpful advise I get from members about the restoration. Your advise has been more than helpful.

I hate to see things come to this. Sadly one of the most important things said in the 20th century was by Rodney King..."Can't we all just get along?"

Please just regulate the forum.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

I'm with Gordon...

Posts relating to sex, religion or politics can find another home. The super forum as it was initially intended is great. While I do collect washers and dryers, I also enjoy collecting other types of appliances that tend to go hand in hand with them. Seeing restored kitchens such as Paul's is also wonderful. And as we are like a big family, I don't have a problem with the posts looking for/giving support. The zot button is there to keep those who won't follow a reasonable AND SMALL list of rules honest. Less fuss and less mess for Robert... I'm also willing to use the 'contribute' button as this site gives me great joy.

RCD

 

[yogitunes]

MY 2 CENTS....

New members have no idea what the rules are, until they cross the line, and then get chastised for it....

How about a set of RULES or AGREEMENT, to be checked off, and agreed to whenever you become a member and everytime you have to "SIGN IN", as a reminder....

NO sex, politics, or religeon, or any topic of an obscene nature

What is allowed?
What is not allowed?
And the penalties for violators?

and then your controlling the GRAY area of abuse by members who feel they have a right to post whatever!

PUT IT IN BLACK AND WHITE....and then ignorance can't get in the way!

WE are missing out on a number of members, who wish to join, but don't want all the BS.....if you think there aren't any out there....guess again

I have gotten emails from people who DON'T want to join for noted reasons.....and WE have lost members for same reason...

There are many more out there like US, who are missing out on a GREAT site, and GREAT people, and helpful knowledge and interest to be shared!

 

[danmantn]

Keep detergents out of it...

...I'm for starting a "new" or separate "Hot Topics" as others have discussed. I have no interest in reading some of the non-related issues. This is the only place that I've found where I can get appliance and related products discussed on an on-topic basis. If there needs to be a trash section, then so be it...that 14 year old may be interested in detergents, ranges, and toasters, too!

 

[hydralique]

Maybe add a "Super-Duper" forum?

Perhaps the Super forum should be for only laundry and appliance related posts, with an additional one for other posts as has been noted above. While this is an appliance site, I really enjoy the fact that people here can open about other parts of their lives.

 

[thomasortega]

Well, I don't think a 4th forum is necessary

maybe in the future, we could split the super forum in 2, 3 or more different forums, like one for dishwashers, other for stoves and other for recipes. but I'm sure it would take thousands of hours and could be done slowly within the next years.

For now, I think the best solution (Robert, can you remember I gave you this idea years ago?) is creating some "rules and standards"that everybody should follow to avoid a ban. It works very well on the brazillian community.

There's a small and very selected group of operators that have some "extra power" to delete a post and accept a member or remove him/her from the community.

As the website's name says, it's about automatic washers and everything related to them. this is NOT automaticprayers.or or automaticprejudice.org so, let the of topic talk to other communities and groups.

If people want to talk about sex, hot guys, etc, there's manhunt.net, xtube.com and thousands of adult content websites. the same is valid to talk about religions I'm sure all religions have online groups, most of them much bigger than automaticwasher.org.

What about our vintage and modern washing machines and other appliances, recipes or other off topic threads that are enjoyable by all of our members (like the christmas tree thread)? we're the biggest group around the world. I just know this group, the french group and the brazillian group (which is only a drop in the ocean)

Doing that wouldn't need more than a few minutes to write the "internal constitution" and create a small code to post it on the main page, next to the Frigidaire.

It could even look like a vintage instructions manual.

I also believe you could just close the whole website.
maybe put a trial period (like 3 or 4 days with some functions deactivated) and then allow access for those who agree to pay.

Sending a single cent from Brazil is really difficult, even using paypal, but I would trust one of the good friends I met here and send at once money enough to pay for two or three years.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Looks like a great many votes for a 4th forum. But maybe if it is an income-generator, it may be worth all the (extra) work it entails.

(Hints ever so gently and nicely, as one never likes to demand anything of Samantha. It's just not civil. And besides, she can turn a person into an artichoke............)

 

[frigilux]

I also hate to see the Super Forum restricted to paying members. This is a great place to talk about many topics not related to politics, religion or sex. Yes, I have certainly chimed in on some of the threads regarding politics and religion, but I wouldn't miss them if they were deemed too far off topic for the scope of AW.

I also think an unregulated forum would lead to a greater number of insulting and counterproductive threads and posts. In case you haven't noticed, none of us has really changed our political positions from participating in those threads. You're not going to change anyone's mind!

Not that Robert is asking for 'votes' here, but I would rather ban the three aforementioned topics from the Super Forum. I think unregulated post and lead to even more personality clashes. It would most likely become an ugly free-for-all, and one would have to navigate the minefield threads in order to enjoy the threads about laundry detergents, small appliances, phonographs, food and cooking, pets, etc.

I would rather see a fourth forum with a different name (Politics, Sex & Religion) be added as a members-only option. Or just ban those three topics. Would either of these options be a possibility, Robert?

 

[rapunzel]

Go for it Robert!

I support your decision, because it is intelligent, well-considered and fair.

It is my opinion that, by charging a fee, we can all help you out with the financial cost of running this site. I'd be more than happy to pay a couple of bucks a month. If that puts the onus on members to take responsibility for their own feelings and opinions, regarding the Super Forum, and makes things a easier for you, that is a good thing.

Your concerns about under-age members is right.

I also reckon that a set of guidelines or an agreement to govern participants' conduct is not a bad idea. Things like staying topic related in the Deluxe and Imperial fora, not using lewd, threatening, insulting or inflamatory language that is directly aimed at other members/paritcipants and adhering to general civility could be part of that.

Kind regards

rapunzel

 

[jeffg]

Robert, I'm firmly in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp. How many hundreds of users does AW have, and how many of these accounts are causing the ongoing problems?

A while back I asked about an 'ignore user' function, and you said we already have one built into our heads.

Bingo. Sage advice. Rather than make all these changes to the Super Forum, why not come up with a canned "if you don't like it, don't read it" response to complaints?

 

[perc-o-prince]

I find that the more I read the angrier I get...

How dare Robert be put in this position and innocent, well behaved members need to be punished(paying for the opportunity to participate) just because a couple/few people were obviously raised by WOLVES!!! And how dare the major offender have the unmitigated gaul to offer "suggestions" That just blows my mind.

Robert, you are way too kind.

If anyone was to enter my home and act the way these few offenders act then they would get a first time, private warning and if they had the audacity to do it again then their butts would be quickly and firmly escourted out the door! If you can't have respect for the host and guest then you have no business being allowed to stay. Making exceptions and excuses for them is just enabling them.

Robert, I have no problem with helping to pay for this site but I can say that if the only reason to pay was to "keep the peace and pacify the rude, crude and abnoxious then you can count me out. I won't pay for someone elses lack of manners and bad behavior. I don't think anyone else should have to as well as YOU shouldn't have to go through all of this extra hassle. A set of guidelines with a penalty for abuse should be all that is needed.

I realy love this site and have made some very good friends here. Chuck and I so enjoy hosting get-togethers and bringing people together in the spirit of friendship and comraderie and hope to continue doing it for a long time. We truly hope to meet more of you and have great hopes that this whole mess will be straightened out with minimal effort

Just my two cents.

Sorry for the rant

RICH....not Chuck

 

[spiceman1957]

This is a great idea Robert

I so glad to see someone act responsible and looking out for children; plus other members who at times don't want to see objectionable material

 

[strongenough78]

Wow

This thread filled up fast. Well I for one am probably contradicting myself but everything mentioned on here seems to make sense. I just find it sad that there would have to be a limit on what can be discussed here. I agree subjects such as religion and politics should probably be avoided since it does cause conflict, I just think there shouldn't be restrictions on talking about such topics if everyone can be mature in what and how things are said on here. Now I know the occasional outsider will see a topic and jump all over it with his/her opinions and judgement. But as for the rest of us, come on, we're all adults here, as far as I know. I don't know if there are any minors that are members here and if so, we need to acknowledge that.
I know that running a website can be hard work, but I think lately, things are starting to get harder for Robert than they should. I think having the Super Forum a members only Forum is a great idea. I also think it's pretty easy to distinguish an outside party from a regular member. I feel we should have some sort of adult discussions on here since they are a part of everyday life, but just done with tastefulness and tact. I'm not saying we should openly discuss sexual encounters, what we like to do in situations like that, no, but when the subject of homosexuality, religion, politics, basically everything we or most of us have to deal with on a daily basis, should be able to be talked about as a group. Now when the cussing, name calling and belittling starts, as I have seen it, that's when we're making more trouble for Robert, and making him feel like he has to watch over us like children because someone said something someone else didn't like. That's sad. If a discussion becomes heated in a forum, and if you have that much of a problem with another party, take it to an instant messenger, or email each other if you want to. Why put the rest of us through the drama that I'm sure most of us can frankly do without.
Now the idea of a monthly, or yearly fee for chatting in the Super Forum, I think is the least we can do for Robert. As long as the price is reasonable for us members, and also for Our Webmaster, so neither of us feel cheated or taken advantage of. Running a website can get costly at times, not to mention be a total pain the butt, especially when having to deal with numerous complaints, and now the people who get trigger happy with the "Report this thread to the webmaster" button. I was wondering how soon it would be before that would be over-used.
So come on everyone, lets help each other and especially Robert out. I say, lets make the Super Forum a members only, 18+ forum, (sorry underage members), pay our $12 a year or however much Robert feels is fair, and continue to enjoy chatting with one another. If there's conflict with you and another member, instead of running to Robert with it, keep it between you and that member. Now if a member is pretty much bashing all of us, then it would be a good time to inform Robert, but for a small squabble about a touchy topic, be an adult, and handle it like one, even if it means turning the other cheek, and walking away from it.

 

[toggleswitch2]

~Your concerns about under-age members is right.

Well the search-engines' and Google's ability to "See" the sand-box can be killed to start with, n'est-ce pas?

That will at least keep those who dont know of this site from finding our "saucy" sand-box and part-time litter-box.