Posting topics in General Chat

[iceman (Mike)]

Originally Posted by Hagar

If this is not knee jerk then what constitutes a reaction without knowing the facts.

The fact is the rules were changed without being implemented across the site. A reaction to one thread while leaving the gate open to stop others. No wonder I don't usually post in General Chat. It is often full of pure dribble (Check out the AB Machines post) Comedy maybe but I doubt that was the intention.
Anyway I have had my rant, Falls on deaf ears anyway.

Doug, for someone who admits it doesn't affect you, because you don't usually post in General Chat, it's strange that you're the most vocal about it.

You keep saying "rules were changed" and "new rule".

Read my post again. It's very clear. There is no new rule. There are no rule changes.

It was simply a request for people to stop posting so many off-topic threads that push the boundaries of the TOS, as has been happening over the past few weeks.

Nothing more, nothing less.

[xstream (John)]

Originally Posted by PCH

John,

I'd imagine it was my post in this thread that you're referring to that was edited. In my post I quoted, verbatim, what was posted by a longer serving and probably more valued, certainly stronger (clue?) member.

I'd be interested to hear why you didn't edit it in it's original post by said person. My earlier comment stands about selective moderation. But hey, I can live with that. However, it is one of the reasons I don't post all that often.

Just my 2c

Paul,

It wasn't your post that I edited but yes, I can see that it had been.

As for selective moderation, that is utter tripe. We are human and do make mistakes just like you do. Sometimes it would be nice if the few of you who like to criticize gave us a bit of slack.

I'll re emphasise we do not make, "Fish of one and fowl of another"!

[marki]

I think the moderators do a great job around here. You don't know they are around 99% of the time. It is only when these inflamatory threads are locked and usually after a warning is given that you know they are here at all. If a thread is getting people hot under the collar it should be locked if a resolution is not found quickly. Around here that equates to anything involving politics, religion, racism and it seems global warming.

Mark

[FredSnerd (Claude)]

Well from what I’ve seen in the last 6 months and earlier when I was a member in 2006, it was never the case that “general chat” was limited to astronomy related matters. Indeed out of the top 30 topics on today’s list, this is 19 (two thirds) of them.

Dangers in doing the right thing
I sure miss Australia...
Happy Bithday Quark
Just a Poll but no Posts on Global Warming
My new offroader
Who wants to know what there last name means?
Collecting Fossils
Hi all
Derivatives- say what?
AB gadgets ....
CSIRO Gagging Climate Debate
Bird (Australian edition)
ABC1 Sunday 8th Nov 7:30pm – Darwin’s Brave New World
ffloods again
Should we allow the greedy to rule the earth
Boat Refugees
Heads up: Movie "Amelia" hits Nov 12th
What is the best and worst employment you ever had
Spontaneously Combusting Elephants

In theory General Chat may be exclusively about astronomy related stuff but that’s not what it is in practice (as the above list demonstrates) and it never will be. Sure maybe in the next few days the “non-astronomy” related stuff will fall off a bit but soon it will revert back. Because at the end of the day its like Fred (Bassnut) said. This forum isn’t just about astronomy, its a social gathering as well and people like to talk about what they want at social gatherings and not just look on with obedient admiration at what the clique wants to talk about. And if you think that’s an exaggeration, what’s really irksome about the above list is that two of the topics were started by a favoured member of the forum who at the same time angrily complained that someone else’s thread was not astronomy related.

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Its not the range of topics its the ones that are going to bring out strong feelings that are bound to morph into heated debate that causes arguments and bad feeling. I just looked through the TOS and it says:

Posting Topics

• Avoid topics about race, politics or religion. These can be very sensitive topics and it can be very easy to take things the wrong way, creating arguments.
• Please keep threads on-topic and avoid spam or "chit-chat" within the specialised forums. The "General Chat" forum should be used for all off-topic posts that don't belong in the specialised forums. Off-topic means posts about stuff that isn't related to astronomy.
• "Spam" is a post with no useful content, no purpose except to get other people to reply with spam, and to increase your post count. Spam is not welcome anywhere on the forum.
• When creating a new thread, please ensure the thread title is descriptive of the content of the post.

[PCH (Paul)]

Well jeepers, one point stands out there - "avoid spam or chit chat".

I have noticed that very many posts on this forum would probably count as spam or chit chat.

OK that's it - you're all banned

In fact, I'd be so bold as to suggest that one or two quite popular people pretty much only ever post spam or chit chat. Yet I can't recall seeing any warnings telling them to take it more seriously and improve their content.

It doesn't bother me at all I must say, and I welcome all posts, but all I'm pointing out is that if we have to follow rules, they should be uniformly applied to all who post here. And John (Xstream) the point I made in my last post in this thread is not tripe. A mistake or 'bad day' is where you miss something once. Selective moderation is where you don't 'see' it every time it happens over a period spanning months, as the point made here should have demonstrated !

Buy hey, none of this is a biggie to me, I just think I'm right on this point.

Cheers

[matt]

Originally Posted by PCH

In fact, I'd be so bold as to suggest that one or two quite popular people pretty much only ever post spam or chit chat. Yet I can't recall seeing any warnings telling them to take it more seriously and improve their content.Cheers

Wow! Then we'd really be living in Stalinist Russia

Honestly....

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

avoid spam or chit chat within the specialised forums

[Dennis]

Some interesting tactics being employed here it seems! A bloke builds a nice house and invites some friends to a party and later issues a general invite for like minded others to come and have fun too. He built and furnished the house from his own pocket.

After the party has been going for a while, a minority turns up, for free, and wants to redecorate the house (not their house) and at the same time demand what music should be played at the party (not their music system) and then heckles the DJ.

The house builder and owner clearly expresses what will go on in his house, what décor he likes and what music he and his friends prefer to listen too!

I admire the patience and humor of the house owner – if it were my house, by now, I’d probably be escorting a few people to the door, suggesting they start their own party, elsewhere!

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Some interesting tactics being employed here it seems! A bloke builds a nice house and invites some friends to a party and later issues a general invite for like minded others to come and have fun too. He built and furnished the house from his own pocket.

After the party has been going for a while, a minority turns up, for free, and wants to redecorate the house (not their house) and at the same time demand what music should be played at the party (not their music system) and then heckles the DJ.

The house builder and owner clearly expresses what will go on in his house, what décor he likes and what music he and his friends prefer to listen too!

I admire the patience and humor of the house owner – if it were my house, by now, I’d probably be escorting a few people to the door, suggesting they start their own party, elsewhere!

Cheers

Dennis

Nice analogy, Dennis. And very true.

And it's interesting to see those that get escorted to the door return time and time again... . You gotta laugh.

Ah well...such is life.

[Hagar (Doug)]

It is amazing how two of the loudest voices on this thread had nothing to do with the original thread in question. You have to question if they are just here to stir the Pie.

Keep escorting the minority and very soon it becomes the majority and you don't have a party anymore.

Some balance and equality required.

[matt]

Originally Posted by Hagar

It is amazing how two of the loudest voices on this thread had nothing to do with the original thread in question. You have to question if they are just here to stir the Pie.

Keep escorting the minority and very soon it becomes the majority and you don't have a party anymore.

Some balance and equality required.

I can only speak for myself, but I chose nothing to do with it for the very obvious reasons which have unfolded since.

And no, I'm not here to stir the pot.....Mr Kettle Black

By the way, what minority/majority? You gotta rid yourself of this persecution complex, Dougie. It's killing ya!!!!!

Onya

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by matt

I can only speak for myself, but I chose nothing to do with it for the very obvious reasons which have unfolded since.

Onya

A pitty you didn't do the same with this thread and mind your own business.
Myself and others see your comments as inflamatory and an attempt to keep it going.

I'm finished wasting my time with you anyway.

[matt]

How is this thread any more your 'business' than anyone else's...including mine? Who are you to tell me or anyone else which threads we can or can't post in?

Mate....as for what you and 'others' think about my comments? Speak only for yourself. The arrogance is blinding, otherwise, and it looks a little sad if you need to refer to 'others' to bolster your own argument. I'm man enough to keep what 'others' say about you to me to myself.

See ya....Myself 'and others' would like to wish you well in having nothing more to do with me.

[MrB (Simon)]

tick tick tick... BOOM!
It had to happen eventually.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Hagar

It is amazing how two of the loudest voices on this thread had nothing to do with the original thread in question. You have to question if they are just here to stir the Pie.

Doug,

In your signature you have the words, in red, “Feel free to comment” and I took you at your written word.

But, as you have correctly written, the specifics of your grievance have little to do with me, so thank you for pointing this out – I do appreciate these mid course corrections.

Whilst I am a member of this community and post accordingly, I have nothing to do with the management and running of the Forum. Equally well, I have little to do with what seems to have aggrieved you and if my posts have trivialized what is concerning you and others, then please accept my apologies.

Mike and mods – please also accept my apologies for contributing to a thread that has little to do with me other than exercising my perceived sense of responsibility for wanting to keep our sand pit a happy place to visit and play in.

I hope that everyone manages to sort everything out and can start the new week ahead a little fresher and more inspired.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman (Mike)]

All this over a simple request to post less controversial topics in General Chat?

Seems that more is being made of this than there needs to be. Honestly guys, there are bigger issues to worry about.

The majority of our members simply don't care about the opinions of the vocal minority on either side of the fence.

They're just here to enjoy the community, and enjoy talking about Astronomy.

There's been no change of rules, no introduction of new rules, no change in the TOS or what can or can't be talked about. It was a simple request, really nothing can be read into it.