To Don >>>> Just A Suggestion !!!

[marcus]

also, whats going on with the hidden ngirly pic thread?
there hasnt been a new post in ages. bumfluff and others were putting some gems in there. then nothing. i turned a blind eye to it as i saw it as harmless fun.

[chrisb]

Don,

(1) I suggest that realsurf adopt a ratings system similar to that used by "youtube" or "imdb" where one votes on whether they like a particular post and/or find it useful. Those votes accrue onto the posters profile establishing a reputation.

(2) Limit the number of forum headings to 5-6. No need to rehash as previous posters have established a near-consensus.

(3) Have an efficient "search" function on the forums so that old topics can quickly be found. The present one is good but could be better eg. be able to filter the search results according to categories such as relevance/posting date etc.

(4) Give new members the "benefit of the doubt" and respond politely. I asked a naive question once on the "lonelyplanet" forum and was accused of being a troll. I elaborated and then received many useful responses. However more sensitive people may have taken offence and not returned.

(5) On the other hand I have discouraged new posters that place free "backdoor" advertisements via forums without previously contributing to the site. I don't mean posters such as "Pridmore" who have contributed greatly with useful posts (and the occasional ad).

(6) Do not charge for forum use but have a user-friendly advertising feature that for private sellers charges a small advertising fee with an extra fee for more than one accompanying photograph plus a percentage fee based on the successful sale price.

PS: I like your early morning ABC surf reports.

[Beanpole]

I guess I'm dumb but apart from design and travel information what possible criteria would make someone have a reputation?

Does that mean everyone must pay attention to people based on how popular they are rated?
Are you going to give out awards for popularity?

I guess it is getting like twitter, facebook and reality tv.

[Grooter]

smnmntl was a tyrant in there I agree, if you had the ability to ban his posts then it was probably justified but friendly banter should not be grounds for hysterical responses either.

He was merciless BUT he was fcuking hilarious.

True he was damn funny

I just tried to do a search for some of his gems but found I've been banned from that forum

[daryl]

^
Deleting posts and blocking people like Rockin Ron and smmntl was unforgiveable

[jimmy]

^
Deleting posts and blocking people like Rockin Ron and smmntl was unforgiveable

I agree Daz. The only reason I signed up was because of the likes of smmntl and chookosaur. Deleting posts is akin to censorship and the last time I looked we aren't living in China.

[Skipper]

For what it's worth, I don't understand why much restructuring is required.
But I'm definately opposed to any ratings/rewards/brownie points system.
That sounds way too much like fecking primary school. And if you go on most posts so far, an idea best left
out in the corridor, or in the corner, with it's snotty nose, and time to think about nuffinc much imparticular.
Save for condensing subject threads and the like, and a better search function - cause for the life if me I havent been able to find out what caused 220! Users to be on line at 1.30pm on Tuesday June 26 2007! - it seems agreed that the current ebb is all part of the cycle, and sure, let's be a little more magnanimous wif da newbies.
the big question seems......... ah fck it. There isn't one.
No, maybe it's ...will the forums regain the heady cleverly funny banter- smmntl's and the like- that supplements the bread and
butter business of surf related chat.

[marcus]

^
Deleting posts and blocking people like Rockin Ron and smmntl was unforgiveable

I agree Daz. The only reason I signed up was because of the likes of smmntl and chookosaur. Deleting posts is akin to censorship and the last time I looked we aren't living in China.

ok smarty pants
what would have you done?

[marcus]

^
Deleting posts and blocking people like Rockin Ron and smmntl was unforgiveable

huh? are you on drugs?
they were fucking up the forums.
they wouldnt obey the rules.
what would you suggest?
f#ck it
see ya.

[Skipper]

Is that lights out?

[Skipper]

took out something i got wrong.

[jimmy]

^
Deleting posts and blocking people like Rockin Ron and smmntl was unforgiveable

I agree Daz. The only reason I signed up was because of the likes of smmntl and chookosaur. Deleting posts is akin to censorship and the last time I looked we aren't living in China.

ok smarty pants
what would have you done?

Marcus. I have showed my support to you as I hope you remember.

The point I'm making is that whatever craft you choose to ride there is always gonna be people who will vilify it for what ever reason...

If you choose to ride a booger and think that it is the best wave riding device then fair play to you. I am no Roy and am not going to tell you what to ride..

My point is Marcus that you need to not be so sensitive. If you are comfortable with how you ride a wave then who gives a shit? Free speech my friend. Free speech.
If someone pisses you off you ignore them and get back to being a family man!!

[marcus]

Don they dont want moderators

no mods then

whats the point of having moderators?

cant delete posts, ooh thats censorship.
ask them repetedly nicely, doesnt work.

cant stop them f##cking up the bogers section, its too funny.

cant block them, this isnt china

free speach is in the US of A mate
not orstraya

skipper, i dont know what your talking about, ask one of the other mods or admin that help out every now and then with deleting shit.
try emailing them, you may get a reply in a few months.

[jimmy]

Mate. Lie down on the couch. You are taking this way too seriously.

What is the last thing you had to moderate ?? Serious question here

[Trev]

Don't let's get too far off track here (or maybe we aren't).
Let's fix a few things and monitor how they go.

Rationalise the number of threads for starters.

Take steps to increase the number of moderators. Simple. So no one is embarrassed, just ask for interested parties to pm Don. And Don might consider pm'ing a few he would like to see involved.

Develop and publish the guidelines for posting and for moderators.
Not proposing bulk censorship here but I've always gathered Don was looking to maintain a family oriented site - which seems to have gone by the wayside with the reduction in the number of active moderators.

[Johnno]

Don they dont want moderators

no mods then

whats the point of having moderators?

Well that would be like not having a Police Force, Government ect for without rules and having a means to police them you have chaos.

So mods are needed.

Ask a crim if we need a police force ??????

[Skipper]

skipper, i dont know what your talking about, ask one of the other mods or admin that help out every now and then with deleting shit.
try emailing them, you may get a reply in a few months.

Sorry Marcus. MY MISTAKE.
It was in the " Other ....hate" thread.

Just gor miself a little sunstruck today.

I'll go back and delete it.

[Skipper]

What was the dining at the y pic of?

I was wondering if a new thread of
"what are you masturbating to today?" will be deleted?

example.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9uBlOY4q1g

Guard, a little confusion back there re deleting or rather depleting (memory, in my case)

It was the "Dining at the Y' thread i had been given a link to. Looked in the wrong place for it.

Now .....Everyone get back in your seats!

(personally i love it how some threads get sidetracked, like a conversation in the dementia ward)