I'm not a mod, and nor would I want to be with you 'orrible lot. But I think it's important, especially for our newer members that we have a little re-cap on why this place was set up and what it means to be a member here.

For me, personally, it's all about respect and treating each other as adults. There will be times when we have opposing views and I think that is a good thing. It makes for a diverse and interesting 'community'. I would like to see this place grow bigger and better (and it has been by the day) until it offers something for everyone.

What I would not like to see, is the kind of bickering and name calling that has gone on at other places.

For me, the forum guidelines are very clear and so far, we as a community, have been able to roughly stick to them and not descend the way of other forums. And we have achieved this with very little moderation required so far too, which I also think is commendable. We also have a very sensible 'clean slate' policy in place for anyone who wants to join, which means that issues that may have arisen between certain members elsewhere, should be forgotten or at least resolved while you're here.

It could be that the success of this place makes it a bit of a target, for whatever reason. It could be that some members join up here specifically to cause trouble and incite disagreements amongst us. I just think it important at this juncture to bear that in mind, is all. The only advice I could possibly offer to anyone who is concerned about this, is that if you think you have identified someone who maybe has a hidden agenda, leave them to it. A fire cannot spread without appropriate fuel.

This is the mistake other forums make. We are better than other forums. By all means debate and discuss issues, but it may soon become apparent that particular members are actually only here for aggro and to annoy people. These are the folks I'm talking about. We're all very intelligent and sensitive people here, so I know I don't really need to point this out. I'm only doing so for our newer members who may not be aware of just how we roll over here.

This is our community and it will be whatever we make of it.

Lots of love,
Abs

nice post abs ty

I agree that the key to our success will be in respect and treating each other as adults - differing views are defo to be welcomed - cant beat a good debate - however it is the good bit that will require the effort and the time.

my experience here so far has been brilliant - I have disagreed with people, given a viewpoint that maybe others do not share but have not once felt belittled or unwelcome because of it - loves it i does!!

anyways agree with your post entirely - would only add that it may be that people who are not aware of the ethos of this place or why it was set up may bring with them the sort of posting style that they may or may not have had to adopt elsewhere so the clean slate and some leeway is awesome - if we are the change and all that then hopefully our 'style' will rub off on others with no need to impose rules or let the mods out of their cages

hugs to all

I totally agree.

Nice post, one quibble though if we recognise someone as being here to shit stir then yes, we shouldn't let them have the pleasure, but I don't think ignoring them in the hope they go away sends the right message either. It suggests we tolerate such people rather than confront them. But maybe that's just me, if it is just send them to me for a confrontation, we're all happy!

I reckon the message is simply, "it's ok to disagree, (even vehemently), on a topic but if you make it personal or vindictive you're on the wrong site."

oioioi wrote:
I only meant ignore them in the sense that it isn't always necessary to respond to posts, once you're a bit clearer about what they're up to. In my experience, this soon takes the edge off posting for the sake of posting and people usually get bored and move on.

I'm not talking about not challenging posts either. And I agree to not do so would send the wrong message. In fact, I'm glad that there are posters with your spunk here to do just that! I personally, just tend to walk away if something doesn't interest me, which is how I know that they eventually get bored and sod off too. Just be aware of it is all I'm saying as a response and continuation of a theme may be just what they're looking for.

Great post abs

... so when you coming home where you belong lad?

oioioi wrote:
Fuck off oioioi... you ain't getting 'em all to yourself

psketti wrote:
I never left, the sketters. But in case you hadn't noticed...



...I do like to watch.

feather wrote:
I agree.

To derail a thread on the DIF someone used to deliberately make it personal and start a flame war.

That always hacked me off.

feather wrote:
In a nutshell...

I have a very real issue with the OP

It's fekkin incite not insight!!!!

Other than that, as you were

dubmeup wrote:
Yeah, let that grammar nazi out dub

dubmeup wrote:
It was only a matter of time before ze spelling nazis arrived

irrepressible wrote:
I didnt see your post as i was replying...but damn you got in before me with the pun

novum wrote:
Ragnarok once said "he's quick that irrepressible"

Somebody MUST have a way of reaching ragnarok. He wasn't made of fairy dust.

irrepressible wrote:
I was merely attempting to lure you back into the light Kamerade

psketti wrote:
Nope, he just suddenly dropped unannounced off the edge of the internet.

Not looking good imo.

irrepressible wrote:
No one has ever said that about me

diamondgeezer wrote:
It's a worry. I hope he's okay.

Part of me thinks he's just thought fuck it and quietly slipped away out of the back door The other part thinks something a bit shit might have happened

I'm stunned that nobody seems to have his email address or something.