This is a strange subject for a car forum, but where have all the regular posters gone?
Have cars stopped breaking down?Is everything good in the world?have i missed something? im missing the Lacey brothers wit and sometimes reasonable advice, Mr Woolards Xantia whats happened to it?its like someones axed Eastenders come back everyone your sorely missed i know i hate diesels but i still enjoyed reading all the posts and perhaps sometimes putting in my 2pennethworth
Dave
|
|
Heard of the expression voting with your feet till the site revised?
|
|
|
Fun ?
Ah, yes, I remember. I'll report it when it happens ....
|
|
|
Mary had a great big goat,
Which ate her bed and pillow.
That is why she swapped it
For a tartan armadillo.
Well, she had to use her Morris Minor to shift them....
|
|
|
Dave
I think a lot of the regular posters have done what I'm going to do if this site doesn't improve - take my ball and play somewhere else.
I'm fed up with time wasting jokers. I don't like the latest trend in authors' names, where you might be tempted to reply to a posting but can't really tell if it's one of the twerps you want to avoid.
Why can't people use their proper name, or at least a sensible "handle" that they stick to?
I miss the regular posters and I welcome newcomers who have something to contribute (even if it's a question), but if they're not here then what's in it for me?
Ian
|
Ian is right. What started out as a valuable resource with some enjoyable social spin-offs has turned into a bearpit full of timewasters. Most sensible people will be asking themselves why they bother to come here any more.
Quite apart from the rabble who pitched abuse at one another over the speeding thread, and those who in turn consigned, first the entire world of Islam, and then the USA, to the fires of retribution, there has been the ridiculous spectacle of a sad individual who doesn't know truth from fiction and who depends upon the recognition of others to support his affliction. Replying to him only encourages him, and there are those here who derive a lot of pleasure from seeing him make an even greater fool of himself. In the short term, that's fun for them. But the long term consequence is that the majority of visitors to The Back Room -- those who contribute, and those who only come here to browse and maybe to learn -- are slowly being driven away. As usual the few are taking their pleasure at the expense of the many.
I hope I can change that soon. But I'm going to need all the help I can get to turn this around.
Martyn
|
Martyn
Whatever you can do to recover "our" site to its former state will be most appreciated. If there's any way that the rest of us can help then please let us know.
I belong to several other forums (or is that fora?) where it is necessary to register and log in, before even reading the message board. Does that sort of approach offer any opportunity for controlling the rubbish we are being bombarded with? Or is the internet so uncontrollable? A genuine question - I'm no expert in these matters.
Best of luck
Ian
|
Registration is an option. We looked at it when I began the forum (yep: fora is the correct plural ) but decided against it. Now we're having to re-think. Part of the problem is that the software we use (Phorum) has a registration front-end that is automated, and so doesn't really work in the way that we'd like it to. To overcome this we need to write a bespoke registration module, and that is expensive in both money and time. I could opt for a halfway solution, but I'd prefer to do the job properly, in one go, so as not to disturb the free running of The Back Room any more than is necessary.
Of course, even with registration, anyone can still say what they like unless we have the type of close moderation under which every post is vetted before it goes up on the board. And apart from the time that would take, it's my opinion that it would kill the forum stone dead. After all, who wants to read censored stuff all the time? Who wants to feel that what they're contributing is being 'approved'? (If you were to look back, you'd find that the only times I've stepped in to remove a post or block a contributor has been when someone has complained about an excessive level of abuse of offense.)
Thanks for your support.
Martyn
|
|
|
|
|
That's the sound of the "bleedin obvious" whizzing right over the regular contributors heads.
> "I think a lot of the regular posters have done what I'm going to do if this site doesn't improve - take my ball and play somewhere else."
Instead of here?
> I'm fed up with time wasting jokers.
They *CAN* be ignored you know"
> "Why can't people use their proper name"
Because they will open themselves up to junkmail and worse - it's standard practice on the net NOT to use your proper name.
> "or at least a sensible "handle" that they stick to?"
Probably because it has been banned for RECEIVING attacks and abuse from those regulars who have an irresistable pathological urge to read and reply to everything that they hate reading and replying to, and then calling for it's bannng. A bit like those people whose sole purpose in life is to watch and complain about post watershed TV, or to buy and complain about "top shelf" magazines.
> "Ian is right. What started out as a valuable resource with some enjoyable social spin-offs"
In crowds do usually laugh at their own jokes, and rarely notice that no one else is sharing the "joke".
> "has turned into a bearpit full of timewasters."
Try looking at who the bear is, and who are the dogs savaging it45
> "Most sensible people will be asking themselves why they bother to come here any more."
*EVERYONE* thinks that *THEY* are the sensible ones.
> "Quite apart from the rabble who pitched abuse at one another over the speeding thread,"
Check them out. Who were trying to discuss speeding. And who were hurling the abuse.
> "and those who in turn consigned, first the entire world of Islam, and then the USA, to the fires of retribution,"
Which crowd started this highly contentious political/religious non motoring thread? Which crowd hurled (OK it was often polite hints at the abuse being mentally hurled, so that's quite alright, as long as it's not in print, just meant, and communicated?!)? And who OK'd it?
> "there has been the ridiculous spectacle of a sad individual who doesn't know truth from fiction and who depends upon the recognition of others to support his affliction. Replying to him only encourages him, and there are those here who derive a lot of pleasure from seeing him make an even greater fool of himself. In the short term, that's fun for them."
And again: which crowd were doing the encouraging, and abusing, and when the "sad individual" struck back caled for his banning?
> "But the long term consequence is that the majority of visitors to The Back Room -- those who contribute, and those who only come here to browse and maybe to learn -- are slowly being driven away.
No one left to abuse and ban perhaps?
> "As usual the few are taking their pleasure at the expense of the many."
But the "few" seem to have a major problem recognising themselves
|
In my humble opinion, what was formerly a genuinely interesting sounding board, generously supplied and maintained by Honest John and Martyn, has been spoiled by the minority who would like to be witty, but lack the credentials. (Some might say the same problem afflicted Top Gear, following the departure of JC).
Certain postings have advocated free speech. What we appear to have forgotten is that the Forum is provided by HJ. If we do not respect his wishes as to how it should be conducted, I cannot see why he would wish to continue to devote his energies to support it.
I believe this is the most interesting and useful motoring site on the web, unfortunately some of the postings here let down the standard to merely boorish post-pub nonsense. You get better conversations over the counter at Partco.
A web site is only as good as the sum of its parts, (bit like a car?) this is the only amateurish part of a great site, and it's our fault. I don't think the buffoons will leave, every response feeds the problems -yes, I count me in.
If HJ thinks submissions are rubbish I strongly suggests he deletes them, retrospectively if easier.....PS: If my reply doesn't feature I'll know why!
|
|
|
|
After my last little spat at Chris Watson on his new premises thread I apologised to Martyn in addition to the general apology contained within the post. Such temper will NOT happen again and I mean that.
I think that some posters think that other visitors are short of memory. Like posters who change their name and forget to change the email address, and then deny all knowledge of the earlier name. Randolph was correct, tell the truth its so much easier, might be more boring, but that's life.
No angel here either in the occasionally bolshie attitudes but I too would like a return to the quieter old helpful days, though we did get some abuse from the crowd who think they are the dogs wossnames just because they inhabit other more argumentative sites and thought we are a load of girls. (Does that mean I include Carole, Rebecca et al as being one of the boys, oh I give up you know what I mean)
As for sites which demand registration and then posts to be via a moderator are so stilted its impossible to get the banter going, but they are *very* well behaved.
Martyn if you want any help just ask and its yours.
|
|
|
|
hello i am the upper class friend of coco the clown....rococo :-)
|
|
|
So we stick to motoring and maintainance questions and answers, add the occasional dose of humour to oil the wheels, and don't respond to obviously daft submissions.
Simple, nuff said?
S.
|
|
|
HJ does not have direct control over this part of the site. The Backroom was Martyn's idea and Martyn has control. If HJ wants Martyn to remove something he has to send an e-mail request, but would prefer to leave moderation to Martyn who is doing a good job. Coco the Clown and Judge Justice Pickled Onion can be very funny. But unfortunately any information posted by Coco tends to be as reliable as a Triumph TR7. See the Mini thread (if you have time to waste).
HJ
|
|
i am sorry about the mini thread. i will research the information before i put it on the forum.
|
|
|
|
Maybe a change from Phorum software completely is needed. I know of alot of message boards, one which has upwards of 5000 members, that use the vBulletin message board software . I'm not sure of the details re cost, bandwidth etc. but I've found it easier to navigate/use than this Phorum type.
Just a thought, as it would solve a few problems.
|
|
|
I'm still here, and always contribute on A/C and Ford problems. Trouble is, now summer's over, no-one wants my advice on A/C, and Ford must have improved their quality lately.
Wait till next spring though, everyone will want to be my friend thenn when they're getting all hot and sweaty.
|
> Wait till next spring though, everyone will want to be my
> friend thenn when they're getting all hot and sweaty.
Dear Martyn,
Please admire me. I am biting my tounge like you can't believe.
Mark.
|
|
|
|
My younger sister keeps muttering something about:
"Got a point to make...............
...............your chance to make yourself heard. Join the discussion, contribute your opinions, comment on Latest News............."
I'm sure I've seen it somewhere, but you know how we old dears can get so forgetfull. Can anyone remind me where?
By the way, just in case any of you young and available batchelors have received the wrong impression: I'm not in any way related to Judge Pickled-Onion, certainly not by marriage.
How about you young Mark, you saucy young thing you: you know quite well what:
"Please admire me. I am biting my tounge like you can't believe."
is meant to communicate.
Did you learn that little trick at law school, like all your other cheeky little comments, on on the front row at prep?
Objection!
But I've no doubt that that too will be overruled.
|
|
We can do without all the sexual innuendos, young lady. Trying to use this site as some sort of dating agency? The thought of all those young, sexy mechanic types, with big oily hands, pulling your bonnet release and poking about underneath, too much for you? You'll be wanting them to do a home service next, where you can pamper them with cups of tea and compliments, then ask them inside to look at your drawers (that are sticking). Or am I just dreaming....again?
|
|
|
|
I agree that there are some irritating and fatuous comments/threads on this bulletin board, but it is not necessary to read everything!
I can generally tell what is likely to be worth reading from the topic/author,and if it is a waste of my time I leave it.
I feel that the site is pretty well OK - like a pub there are odd people to avoid, but you can always (metaphorically) drink at the other end of the bar - they add local colour to what was a very earnest site in its earlier days.
|
|
That's what I want to hear!
|
|
|
|
