General Chat

[asimov (John)]

I knew what you meant L.

I don't see us as superior to other animals, just different. In a way we are inferior, after all we are the only species on the planet that can't adapt to our evironment, we have to adapt the evironment to us.

On a more light hearted note, we are only the third most intelligent species, behind dolphins and mice

[stinky]

Lately heard discussions with nazi in it - now discussions about race - you guys are scaring me!

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Keep it on topic please.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

If I can make a suggestion, I see many posts in general chat that should be moved to other sections. General chat imo should NOT be the place for astronomy talk. That way people don't have to wade through spam or off topic discussion to find an astronomy related topic. At the same time the specific astronomy topic sections should have a zero spam policy. This way it relaxes the general section for off topic discussion on cloudy nights and keeps the specific astronomy sections spam free. This idea works well on other forums.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Constructive suggestions are always welcome

[BerzerkerNerd]

Agree with Janoskiss and Stu, short redefinition in title might add clarity to the intent of the section from the beginning. General chat can mean absolutely anything to most punters, might help reduce cross threading with astronomy related topics. The other option is to ban outright any topic not directly related to astronomy.. Dont know how that would go down with members new or old.

[stinky]

Do you dare to draw the line as to what is and is not related to astronomy?

[rumples riot]

Half the contributors will leave the site if they cannot talk about something not astronomy related. Maybe that's the plan to get rid of the long term members who built the site and when it has sufficient numbers, just p*ss them off. Maybe thats what the super nerds want, so they can just talk astro crap to each other, their only thing in common.

Not interested in that idea at all.

[BerzerkerNerd]

No stinky, it would be impossible - that is the point. Tolerance at many levels will be needed between moderators and members. A little bit of fear policing can bring people into line, but that line of understanding is a fine one, hence the communication problems and barriers that are inherent in indirect communications occuring in forums. With new people coming and going constantly, learning the ways of the forum, and older members perhaps feeling intolerent of their postings, it will be an ongoing issue.I think what is hapening is interesting, like the forum is evolving to a next level and that process is one of trial and error and finding what works best- good stuff.

[slice of heaven]

Originally Posted by rumples riot

Half the contributors will leave the site if they cannot talk about something not astronomy related. Maybe that's the plan to get rid of the long term members who built the site and when it has sufficient numbers, just p*ss them off. Maybe thats what the super nerds want, so they can just talk astro crap to each other, their only thing in common.

Not interested in that idea at all.

Where did that notion come from?

[matt]

Paul.... maaaaaaate!!!!

What's this conspiracy theory about trying to get rid of long-term members from the site?

Why on Earth would they want to do that and what purpose could it possibly serve?

[BerzerkerNerd]

Hi rumples, I apologies if my post was misinterpreted . I have a little more than astrocrap to discuss, as do you and all others. Dont get cranky with me yet please. I have no problem with anything you have posted and enjoy your more experienced perspective!

[rumples riot]

No problems Berzerker, just getting a little suspicious of where this forum is heading. I find it difficult to decide what is spam and what is not in the General chat area. I see that there is a thread in there about insect repellent and would personally consider this to be spam. I just cannot see the understanding as to what is spam and what is not.

Don't get me wrong, I know what spam is. I just think that if you define it as pointless dribble, then most of what goes in the general chat section is point less. A good example is when we congratulate each other on making a certain number of posts. Or the Palindrome sequences that I have posted. Why was that allowed? Yet a thread of what sort of custard you like is not allowed.

Matt, I am not saying it is a conspiracy, just starting to look like one. I am questioning the rules. That's what intellectuals do, they question power. As you know, absolute power corrupts absolutely. We all have a say here despite the site being owned privately. We all make it what it is. The rules are one thing, but banning someone for starting some stupid threads is taking it all a bit far. Other forums I have been on have banned people for threatening violence. Not this trivial offence.

Paul

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Originally Posted by BerzerkerNerd

.... The other option is to ban outright any topic not directly related to astronomy.. Dont know how that would go down with members new or old.

Like a lead balloon me thinks. Members need somewhere to hang out, relax and talk about other stuff.

[BerzerkerNerd]

Post from rumples from rumples ;
"I find it difficult to decide what is spam and what is not in the General chat area. I see that there is a thread in there about insect repellent and would personally consider this to be spam. I just cannot see the understanding as to what is spam and what is not. "

The relevance-
Members sharing experiences of products out in the field, quite related to their practical experience of astronomy and making it safer/easier ????

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Oops posted same time as you Paul.

I'd like to see mosquito repellent and custard like topics discussed in General Chat. I don't see that as spam but as a sort of getting to know ya kind of thing. It's harmless really and kind of makes the forum more homely? I liked the Sponge Bob cartoons and the other fun members got up to. Be sad to see it end.

But if Mike wants astronomy only, well, I'll still be around. It's why I came here in the first place, but probably not as often since we probably won't see the sky again until May with this wonderful big wet we are having.

[matt]

Paul

I'm as questioning as the next bloke and I'd like to think that I qualify as an educated and intellectual type of lad. I am, after all, a senior journo with the country's larget commercial radio network...

I'm simply "questioning" whether all this is a bit over the top?

Cheers dude

[asimov (John)]

Even Mike said he loved my bob & B1 in the general chat forum, so yup...expect more stuff like that from me. I'll respect his wishes & not post that crap in the image competitions etc. though.

[rumples riot]

Well if it is relevance, then what about the guessing competitions we had this time last year. We had people putting up pics with lots of faces in them and having to guess how many you see. Nothing was done about that. How is that relevant to astronomy? This is my whole point, there is a huge inconsistency in the application of the guidelines.

Sure I can see where something is really stupid, but even still, if it is confined to the General chat area then let us be. We are not hijacking someones thread. Now that is spam. I see that a lot here, where someone takes the thread off into another tangent completely unrelated. Sometimes someone will say lets back on topic, but most of the time it is not.

While this discussion is unlikely to change the status quo, I think it is important to voice our opinions.