All,,,,,

[slowrev]

HVAC guys can be the most egotistical flamers you've ever seen with the sparky's running close second. I'm qualified to say that, as I am both a licensed electrician and HVAC contractor. Just go to HVAC-Talk.com and ask for some do-it-yourself advice and watch the sharks attack. I don't participate there anymore.
//

I wondered if anyone else had had that experience I have not been to that board in a couple of years I guess and don't miss it either.
Ben

 

[MN_Bob]

beenthere,

Interesting that I should be mentioned in your post on one of the rare occasions I choose to check in. I know my username now is MN_Bob, but I could not get back in under Bob_In_MN so I had to re-register. Thanks for mentioning me by name.

Anyway--as with most people I have my reasons for coming around less. They are:

1. Time--I'm now running the company I used to work for and that is taking up considerable amounts of time. I still try to check in, but posting takes a considerable amount of time (this will tie into point 3).

2. Typical Lifecycle of websites--We've all seen new members (myself included) who tend to post quite a bit at first and then fade as time passes. How much we post is a function of our time and how much we enjoy the site.

3. General Attitude of the Site--First I will say TBN remains one of the best managed and least hostile sites I've seen. As a matter of fact I've only seen one other site where there is more respect/less arguements.

That being said--there has been a change on this site and when my time is limited I have a choice to make about posting. If I feel the need to defend many of my posts then I'm not going to take the time to post in the first place.

I will also say that I was not "driven off" this site by any one person or group of people, but I do see a change. I feel I could be most helpful to the new person considering a tractor for the first time and quite honestly those are the threads that can get out of hand quickly so I tend to stay away from them.

So--ultimately it's point number 1 (time) that has taken me away from TBN and it's point number 3 that limits when I do post.

Also--I'm not the group hug type of guy. I enjoy a good arguement based on FACTS as much as the next guy. But the threads that tend to keep me away rarely are good arguements and almost never are based on fact.

Bob

 

[PineRidge]

I'm delighted to see a lot of different ideas surfacing here and all without argument. Maybe we could all learn something from the friendly exchange of ideas that this thread has generated so far........

EDIT: I guess the first part of my post was amusing to some as I have since been informed that threatening PMs are still being sent to certain members in the background.

 

[beenthere]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( We are losing too many key members leaving mad. )</font>

How do we (or you) know who the key members are that are leaving 'mad' ?

I suspect that many, like MN_Bob who just listed 3 things, are just that - too busy, other things to do, not interested in sorting through the great 'traffic' that this board now has on a daily basis (sure sign of success IMO).

I don't want to see rules on number of posts. I agree with you that this is a privilege, not a right, to post here.
I vote for going forward 'status quo'.

Good thread here, and I've posted more than once, which is crossing my own 'line' or rule of "just posting once in a thread and then 'leave it alone' ".

Everyone, have a great day. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( How do we (or you) know who the key members are that are leaving 'mad' ? )</font>

Some have PM'd me with such news.

All,,,, help me out. Some have been mentioned here above.

Eddie Walker, you said it best yourself "admit when I'm wrong" is what these problem folks can't do.

Believe me, these long term posters/moderators DO have thick skin and luckily most have persevered. But for how much longer?

 

[TonyV]

I've read all of the posts in this thread with much interest. As a newbie here, I do more reading than posting, preferring to try and learn from the old-timers something about the culture of this site, as well as much about tractors. Not being around that long, I'm in no way qualified to state why someone has left, or how the site has evolved over the years, but I thought you may all like to here the perspective a newbie to this forum.

Of the 3 or 4 forums that I frequent, I've found this site to be about the most civil of all of them. I've often admired the patience of some of the regular posters who answer for the umpteenth time "what kind of tractor do I need", etc.etc. I've not personally witnessed any of the nastiness that some have eluded to, perhaps because I havn't posted enough for anyone to get nasty about, or perhaps I don't visit the discussions in which this occurs. In any event, my time spent here seems to me to be time well spent. I've learned much from many of you, and hope that in time, I can pass a little of that learned knowledge along to others. Make no mistake about it, this is a great site, with great members. It is, however, understandable that some that have been here since the beginning are becoming frustrated...and I think that frustration stems from the fact that this place is no longer the small town atmosphere, where everyone knew everyone else, that it once was. This is unfortunate, but you all have yourselves to blame for making this such a great site to begin with. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

If you believe that you still have something to offer to this site, then offer it and da** the torpedoes. I think most here are intelligent enough to figure out who has it right and who is full of it. Please don't stop posting just because you think so and so may give you a hard time. For every one of them, there are a hundred others that appreciate the varied opinions and facts that are posted here. Ok....I believe that my verbosity is causing me to pontificate....(one of the hazards of being a teacher I guess)....so just allow me to say in closing...to all of you old-timers....Keep up the Good Work!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

...Tony

 

[RoyJackson]

"Although I have only posted twice, I feel imposing a limit on newcomers before being eligible to send a PM would not be in the best interests of TBNer's"

I agree...newcomers may feel a bit intimidated posting publicly at first. I've received and answered a few questions from newer TBNer's with no problems.

Anyone who sends abusive PM's or posts an abusive response (but one must be careful defining "abusive") should be suspended...or banned.

But, this place may not have 1st Amendment rights, but I sure hope TBN continues to act like it does.

 

[btolle]

Not sure what program this forum runs on but on some of the forums I have seen there is an option where users can block forum messages from specific people.

If I found somone whose messages I did not want to read I could click on a button and would no longer see any of their posts. Leaves a few gaps in threads once in a while but that has never really been a problem.

That would be a nice option.

Bill Tolle

 

[beenthere]

I agree with your post (other than the implied obscene words***) and feel much the same way. I don't notice what some are saying, and offer my opinions in a caring way - but sometimes maybe a little too 'matter of fact' than some want to hear. I have not had any PM's complaining, but doubt I would change if they did.

About the *** words, I think there are enough acceptable words to describe anything needing said, without them (or is that 'pontificating' in some way or another? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ).

 

[TonyV]

I see your pontification and raise you a *****. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sorry if I offended you Beenthere...certainly no offense intended. I tend to post the way I'd speak....yeah...I suppose I can be a bit of a potty mouth..blame my Deeeetroit upbringing. My neighborhood was tough...I mean it...in school one time the teacher asked a kid to prove the law of gravity, so he through her out the window...(perumpumpum.) /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

We now return to our regular scheduled program.

...Tony