I am asking for your help....

[Unimatic1140]

RE: The Thread Called "This Is Just Plain Disgusting&quot <br
Before I say this, I want to make it clear that I am not blaming Allen (Whirlcool), even though the This Is Just Plain Disgusting thread was started by him, because we've had 100s of threads like this before, so Allen did absolutely nothing wrong. He was just doing what so many others do. But I will say it's threads like that that made me decide not to archive the Super Forum anymore. <br
So here goes, the 7th email just came in complaining about the thread "This Is Just Plain Disgusting" not being appropriate for our washing machine website, and I can't blame people for that because I have to agree. So now I have 7 more emails to answer which I really don't feel like doing to be honest. I've really been very busy these last few months at work and I would like to have as little extra work made for me by this website as possible. To be honest I am sort of getting tired of running it and having to baby sit. While I have thought about shutting the website down, mainly due to my lack of time at the moment, but that would be a big loss. Maybe we should think about closing the Super Forum, moving detergent discussion to the Deluxe forum and be done with it? <br
Either way I am sick and f&^%ing tired of getting complaint emails about one thread or another. I don't want any of you who sent the emails to me to think I'm mad at you or that you did anything wrong, I actually appreciate your help, but right now I just don't have the time <br
So what I want to know now is what are all of you going to stop me from getting complaint emails? I am only open to suggestions that require no programming work at this time. Translation: what are all of you going to do, not what am I going to do. Any suggestion that requires me to lift one solitary finger is out, so it’s up to all of you to figure out something. I’m listening, but that's it <br
Please don't email me personally about this, if you have something to say, say it to everyone in this thread <br
Like Linda Richmond would say - DISCUSS

 

[jmirawm]

one easy rule.....

No one email Robert and complain. If you do not like a thread, ignore it. <p> Maybe everyone should stick 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. <p> I am guilty of posting current events. I can stop that now.

 

[panthera]

The sandbox

is fun, but this is Robert's gift to us and if we are abusing our host's hospitality, then it is time to go home...or may just do the laundry
My suggestion
There is no way folks are going to stop complaining to Robert about this, that and the other thing. It is just the way people are
So I guess it's time to close up the Sandbox
I, for my part, promise to work very hard not to go off topic or let my feelings get carried away from me on the rest of the site
Samantha, I do apologize. Whatever you decide to do is fine with me. Thank you for all you do!

 

[whirlcool]

I will admit to a lapse in taste......

When I posted the thread in question, I seriously wondered if that was the right thing to do. But seeing other posts with suggestive content, I thought others wouldn't mind.
I will be the first to admit it was in poor taste. I actually heard about it before it was published in the newspapers. So when it did get some space in the local news, I put up the thread.
Since there have been compaints about the thread (and I honestly don't blame the complainers!) I won't be posting such improper content anymore. I will limit my discussions to laundry accessories and appliances in the future. <br
Apologetically
All

 

[dalangdon]

I think that unless it's a technical issue, Robert shouldn't have to deal with complaints about content (although in the interests of full disclosure, I should note that I did complain to him once years ago when I got my panties in a bunch about something stupid). :- <br
But that's the nice thing about the internet - no one is forcing you to read anything. <br
The thing that I like about the super forum is the (mostly) convivial atmosphere, but also the ability to discuss appliances other than washing machines. While I understand that this site is primarilly about washers, and I respect and admire the people who collect them (as well as the machines themselves), the real value for me is the information that I get from the super forum about ranges and small appliances (which are my area of interest). I am not a mechanical minded person, so it's great to come on here and ask a question and get several knowledgeable answers.

 

[goatfarmer]

"No one email Robert and complain. If you do not like a thread, ignore it. &quot <br
That is some of the best advice I've seen in a while. Everyone should take heed. If you don't like a post, IGNORE IT! Or take it up with the originator of the post, in an Email conversation <br
kennyG <br

 

[zipdang]

Many of the members here have become good friends, and as such the Super Forum has become a sort of "meeting place" to discuss even very off-off-topic ideas. I think that's great. I personally find many of members here are entertaining, enlightening, and very interesting, and I often look forward to reading their posts just to understand their viewpoint. That said, some of the off-off-topic ideas can be potentially offensive, while others can be silly fun. Either way, what I find offensive may not be offensive to all, so rather than react defensively I just choose not to reply to the thread. We can all make that choice, and it might just keep the good harmony going <br
Just because there's brussels sprouts in the buffet doesn't mean everyone has to eat them.

 

[westytoploader]

Hi Robert <br
While that thread was quite hilarious and I had no problem with it, the nature of it *was* disgusting and I could see where others would be grossed out. As someone who (for a 6-month period at least) experienced the old Applianceville board and was around when you created the Discuss-O-Mat back in '04, I'll be honest when I say that most of the s**t has really taken place over here in the Super forum, and there is generally no problems in Imperial or Deluxe, save for a tiny bit of mudslinging (which is rare). <br
For me, it's about the APPLIANCES (as well as what goes along with them like detergents, etc.), which is why I joined in the first place 3 years ago. It's also what this site is about as well. Personally I would be happy to do without the political statements and other off-topic stuff I see that has nothing to do with what we came on here to discuss. Since we are such a diverse group to begin with, someone can easily take it the hard way, which leads to divisiveness as well as turns friends into enemies. The picture threads are quite fun, however, since most of us have met one another at some point (or have been on long enough to see previous picture threads), we all know what each other looks like so in the end even those aren't really that important. If it comes to a point that the Super forum has to be closed to eliminate this, that is fine. Like many of us have said before (and recently), do whatever you have to do. Considering the great, enthusiastic people on here, I *highly* doubt this would happen, but if some don't agree with that decision, chances are they aren't really here for the appliances in the first place.. <br
As for off-color humor or discussion, there's nothing wrong with it, however, but it has to be in the right place. I partake in a lot of it on the VCA vac club forum (that I also moderate), because there is a common personality in the group. None of us will get offended by it and we all have fun. Not here, though, it's just too diverse. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but things that some of us may not have a problem with might offend others, and vice-versa. So a short-term solution is to really watch what we post as far as creating potentially controversial threads are concerned. I know it makes Robert's job of watching the site a LOT easier. <br
Austin W.

 

[petek]

People just have to stop and think for a second before they hit the submit button. Many many times I've written responses, sometimes lengthy ones, sometimes critical of a poster(s) for some reason or another usually because they deserve a good slap across the head for what they've posted, but I end up deleting them rather than tossing more into the mix. Sometimes you just have to keep your mouth shut. Sometimes you have to think,,do people really want to read this? Sometimes you just have to get over yourself. Self-censorship is better than censorship from on high and it shows a level of maturity. <br <br

 

[peterh770]

We need to enforce the true reason for having the Super forum, to wit: <br
"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." <br
Note that this is an appliance website and the purpose for the Super forum is for everything appliance related. If pic posts, breakup posts, weather posts, political posts, etc. decease and desist, then we don't have to worry about it. I know there are a few moderators out there and they should be given authority to simply delete all non-appliance starts. <br
We can have a open discussion forum on Yahoo or another site to chat about whatever it is on our minds... <br

 

[danemodsandy]

Individual Responsibility

First, let me say that I am sorry if people were offended by that thread <br
However, the thread was generated by a legitimate news story that has been all over every major print newspaper, TV, radio, and the Internet. Whirlcool's interest in it seems to be that it was not only about his industry, it was about someone at his company <br
No one in the thread got any more explicit than is customary in newspaper and TV reports, which is to say not explicit at all. If such a subject had to come up- and in today's world, such subjects will come up once in a while- then I felt those who posted stayed within the bounds of reasonable propriety. <br
It may be that there are those who didn't want to read it. That is what the address bar in one's browser is for- to take people to some other place that meets their personal standards. Had explicit language been used, or an adult-rated photo been posted, or had this story originated from some obscure, sleazy source, I could see complaining. Did anyone complain to the Associated Press? <br
It's the twenty-first century, folks, and it's turning out very differently than we thought it would when we were watching "The Jetsons" back in the day. There are some very grown-up, crazy, vile, stupid, comic and icky things going on out there, and I personally value a place where they can be discussed, with some reasonable regard to taste and discretion. <br <br <br

 

[oxydolfan1]

"Either way, what I find offensive may not be offensive to all, so rather than react defensively I just choose not to reply to the thread. We can all make that choice, and it might just keep the good harmony going.&quot <br
thank you, zipdan
in the entire time i've been her
never have i felt the nee
to cry foul to the webmaste <br
but sometimes the ones that claim to b
the most toleran
are actually the most intolerant of al <br
i confess to weaknes
when i lost it over inefficient lightbulb
prison gang rape as a punishment for ipod pilferag
and the self-designation of a few as "thought police&quot
and this i acknowledg <br
but collective punishment is never fai
not to lose an australian sunris
the image of a man proudly stroking a beloved pe
and product recommendations for below-grade linoleu <br
because a political comment offends the
or someone beefs on the personal characteristic
of an obnoxious public figur <br
robert i would not miss you if you were gon
i'm not capable of bobblehead duty in my dotag
but i do respect that you shouldn't have to pla
peacemaker for every little arro
that gets shot in someone's directio <br
there is something to be sai
for gentle needling and ribbing as an effective too
that we could use with one another, spoken with affectio
think "aw geez, sis, not the pervo priests again!&quot <br
as opposed to, i've been here longe
and i occupy the higher moral groun
and i have bigger and better filter-flos to trad
and i can make a wash-in a misery for yo
so love me, and shun him/he <br
it's the distinction between a private clu
and an open, ecletic communit <br
all that needs to be clarifie
is if this is aw.org the club, or aw.org the communit
and i predict you'll see a lot less tensio
far fewer instances of potshots and passive-aggressivenes
and a whole lot more respect and patienc <br
i couldn't tell whirlcool what i really though
about the in-flight wanker threa
because whirlcool has always been respectful to m
even though we've been instructed, texans stick togethe <br
this has got to sto
if your friend is wrong, he is as wrong as your adversar
i've been guilty in the past, of cherry-picking outrage
based on my perception of the instigato <br
and i think that behavior on my par
may have served to heighten certain division
and for that i am sorry

 

[jmirawm]

pic posts......

I would hate to see the pic posts done away with. It is fun to be able to see the other members and put a face with a screen name. <p> I think if some members have a get together they should be able to post pics of it. I enjoy reading and seeing those posts. <p> I do not think there is a bandwidth issue, it is an appropriateness issue. <p> I fully agree with Kenny - It would be much more grown up to email the person posting what you think is inappropriate, rather than filling up Roberts inbox.

 

[rp2813]

I agree that if you don't like something, move on. No need to complain. Just like changing the channel on the TV. I also think that not responding to a thread is the fastest way to kill it, so if you don't like the content, don't respond to it. Also agree that appliance-related topics are what this site is all about. Poor Robert needs some relief and we can easily provide it by curbing the urge to post a topic like "I Just Lost My Job" or "My Boyfriend Just Dumped Me" etc. While it's easy to quickly get a sense of community from this forum, it's best to seek consolation with less of a buckshot approach than posting something here in Super. Robert has stated that the size of threads like the face pix isn't an issue. But we can still all do our part to make sure any pictures we post are of a size that's dial-up friendly. Even with DSL at home it took way too long to open the face pix thread towards the end. These are all modified behaviors that are easy to adopt and still allow us the opportunity to discuss appliance related topics that don't fit in on Deluxe or Imperial. I hope Super can continue to provide this necessary forum option and that the waaaaaaaay off topic and provocative threads can be posted elsewhere. That would be a win/win and reduce Robert's motrin and pepcid expenses dramatically. Just my $.02. Or did I go over budget?

 

[oxydolfan1]

"We can have a open discussion forum on Yahoo or another site to chat about whatever it is on our minds...&quot <br
pete
the problem is, that an actual community of peopl
has developed HER <br
if you are for dissolving that communit
than say that, instead of making i
an issue of bylaws and legalism <br
because that's what it i
dissolving a community of peopl
because you're uncomfortable with the messag

 

[DADoES]

Until and unless there are moderators appointed or given access to edit threads, there is no way for anyone but Robert to actively catch/prevent/deal with anybody posting inappropriate material or posting something that is appliance/washer related but in the "wrong" section according to vintage or modern or whatever. All of the "regulars" can understand and follow the rules ... but that doesn't address the potential for drive-bys, or slip-ups, or new members not accustomed to the environment. Someone must be the responsible party in those cases. Been there, done that, as pseudo general manager of a small-town ISP <br
Part of the problem here is that the site code is custom-written by Robert. It's not a commercial BBS package with management functions accessible by log-in of designated administrative personnel.

 

[laundryshark]

Don't Curse the Darkness; Light a Candle.

As an experienced computer user, emailer, and list participant, I fully understand the value of self-discipline and respect for a particular group. After all, common sense tells me to enter a list forum or email discussion group for purposes of that specific place without making my welcome worn. Therefore, it is not that difficult for me to skip past those topics of no interest while reading and replying to such information exchanges that satisfy my appetite for washer related curiousity. Kudos to Robert for his hard work in managing this worthwhile project. And for all the good reads that I could sift out of the stack, many thanks to all of you. With much appreciation, Laundry Shark

 

[58limited]

First, thanks Robert for setting up and maintaining this site. It has helped me out tremendously <br
I don't read, or post responses to, threads that don't interest me. I've been guilty about posting some non-appliance related threads, but I stopped that with the New Year although I respond to them if I have any valid input. I think pictures and humor are OK, just remember that what is funny for some is offensive to others - the few times I've been a little offended, I moved on. I did not complain to anyone or post a derisive response. Some times its just best to be quiet. And remember: we do have some young members here reading our posts <br
There have been several times that I have written responses and decided not to post them: Sometimes what we write can be misunderstood - the way we emphasize a word or phrase in our head as we write may not be the way the reader emphasizes it and this can lead to misunderstanding. Besides, my sense of humor is a little dry and weird, and I sometimes worry that people will take it the wrong way. <br
I don't currently have a vintage washer, but hope to one day. My interest in appliances is vintage refrigerators, ranges, and small appliances. I like vintage electronics too. I would hate to see the Super forum disappear since I have gotten a lot of help here for my fridges. If Super does go bye bye, then I hope that it will be OK to post in the other forums about my fridges.

 

[jmirawm]

*Ahem*

"If Super does go bye bye, then I hope that it will be OK to post in the other forums about my fridges.&quot <br
<p> I am afraid you will have the "keep on subject gestapo" on your tail.