Off-Topic Section Removed

[Nathan]

Sorry for collectively lumping all people who visited the OT forum together, I choose my words poorly in that regard and should have clarified that some people were acting that way.

I will consider pruning the annoying posts out and returning the OT forum afterwords sometime this week. However, while I have let things slide on the political stuff somewhat in the past, that time is over.

How about an "Aviation Related" topic for non-warbird i.e. Space Shuttle (there I said it ) and other aviation type stuff? Just a thought... I'm glad to see the political stuff go...

There is one for general aviation though it is part of the Air Racing, Aerobatics forum.

And I decide to start a section for Non-Aviation Military discussions, past or present military. This will be a good place to discuss armor, infantry, navy, and coast guard stuff that doesn't pertain to aviation.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... m.php?f=25

Hi Scott,

I wouldn't bring back the OT forum at all. I am guilty of chatting about that religious nut thing too. You as the owner have the right to do what you see as fit and what you did I think was the right move. I think maybe the off topic stuff should be looked after a bit more. I am guilty of it too and I will try and talk about aviation related things only from now on. As it happened lots of heated rants where on the OT board. Something this place doesn't need. As being a moderator myself I know how off topic stuff can ruin a website and take away the orginal content of the boards. That is something that should be prevented at all costs. So what if some people don't like what you did...tough!


If you want votes. Well, I vote on not bringing back the OT board.

Happy moderating,
Nathan

[rwdfresno]

I will consider pruning the annoying posts out and returning the OT forum afterwords sometime this week. However, while I have let things slide on the political stuff somewhat in the past, that time is over.

If I can be frank with some constructive critique. I think that is where you ran into trouble was letting it slide. It was the policy for some time not to have political arguments yet it was allowed to creep it's way back into the mix. I enjoy debating as much as the next guy, however I never started a political debate as I knew it was against the forum policy. I did however comment on threads if they were allowed to continue because I was of the opinion that if you don't care then I don't care. If you would have simply deleted the threads as they showed up then most likely they would have vanished only rearing their head on occasion. If you allow the posts to go on, then only end them sometime down the line after you get complaints about how out of control they are, then people will continue to push your limits. It is much like raising children or being in any other leadership role. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Be respectful, firm and consistent.

You as the owner have the right to do what you see as fit and what you did I think was the right move.

We all know you are the creator, owner and leader of the site and we appreciate how much work and money you put into the site. I also realize the importance of keeping the site marketable to as many people as possible to hopefully garnish as much support as possible.

I'd encourage those of you that would like to see the site succeed for the long term put your money where your mouth is and commit to an annual financial donation.

[Django]

I think general discussion area can be healthy and useful IF the political/religious content is left for other forums. I visit several other forums where the politics and religious stuff is verboten and it is zero tolerance. Works well and people respect it. The ones that don't, get the warning and then the suspension.

That said, I come here for the warbirds, but I do pop into the general area if I want to share some of interest but not necessarily warbirds. For instance, had I not posted pics from our hot rod shop, I might not have become friends with Gary and might not have gotten to paint the nose art on the B-24. I've gotten several pms about the car stuff too. Pretty cool since that isn't why I came here and people seem interested in that aspect of my life.

Whatever you decide though works for me.

[Junkyard36]

Scott -

I'm glad you initiated a strategic pause on the Off-Topic Forum. To be honest, I was getting turned off by the political rants and the religion bashing.

That being said, I still think there's a place for the Off-Topic section, albeit a more controlled version. WIX represents a broad cross section of folks from around the world. As an online community, it is natural to explore other aspects of life we have in common.

On the other hand, with the upcoming elections, it will be harder to keep the political stuff from creeping in.

Scott, this is a tough decision, however I for one would like to see it back.

Mike

[skydaddy61]

Why is it so hard to have civil discussions about the things that really matter - one's relationship (or lack thereof) with The Eternal (assuming it exists), and how human societies should be structured and governed?

If we can respect each other's differing opinions regarding the relative merits of the B-17 and the B-24, why can't we converse like grown-ups about more important topics?

[muddyboots]

^here we go again^

are we ALL sure it matters? Then let's stick to the subject, whcih is things that move rapidly through the air, and sometimes suddenly stop.

[O.P.]

Thanks Scott!

That place was nasty. Good bye and good ridance to it.

[JDK]

Personally, I'd rather that the mods spent their time and energy on the warbird forum (which is why we are here) that other areas.

Recent discussion on the dropping of the atomic bombs in 1945, for instance, could have been dragged into current world politics; in the warbird forum I tried to keep my posts to the period - and avoid the current situations.

There's a place for an off topic forum, but it's always going to herding cats, with views on gun control, tourism, local cultures, US foreign policy etc. coming up, even under blanket bans on politics and religion. If people can accept differing views and argue with the point, not the person, maybe it'd be OK. Doesn't seem to happen, sadly, with some. Others retain my respect even if I don't agree with them. Some posters certainly have given me food for thought. Generally I steer away from the OT Forum though.

For instance, had I not posted pics from our hot rod shop, I might not have become friends with Gary and might not have gotten to paint the nose art on the B-24.

Django makes a very good point, and there is a wider community here than 'just' warbirds of course.

[glyn5]

Looks as if I shall never find the stalling speeds of the J2F Duck now. At least I could pose the question in the very thread that has now been closed.

[Bill Greenwood]

I believe "Skydaddy 61" said it best "why can't we have a civil discussion like adults about important topics"? In my mind who our next president might be is a little more important than what cartoon is painted on the side of a plane. But apparently the concept of free speech, free press and the open exchange of ideas is a real threat to some people. One person wrote that he never reads the off topic stuff, but he is sure it should go. I'll bet he is a nice guy, probably loves planes and would help another pilot or owner out, but frankly that view doesn't reflect much intellectual integrity. And this is not a personal attack, I said his view, not him as a person. Anyway here is my suggestion. It is Scott's forum, if it was a restaurant he'd have the right to serve only yogurt if he wanted. I think he has done a fine and important thing by creating WIX, but if he wants it to be Pablum so be it. If he wants to reinstate "Off Topics" I won't even write on it for 30 days, about anything. If someone believes NASA deserves $16 Billion because they invented Pyrex and you guys are happy to swallow that, who am I to raise a discouraging word. I need to spend less time on WIX anyway and more tending to things in the real world.

[Scott Rose]

I have reopened the off topic section on the condition that I will be enforcing the rules more strictly. If you need to know the rules then check here.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?p=15#15

Lets keep this place enjoyable for all.

I'm sorry about have to be this strict but this place is not like the real world. In a restaurant if two people were screaming at each other most people would probably leave, the restaurant suffers and more than likely ask them to leave or call the cops. For the most part I am the cops as well as referee here. I want people to be able to speak their mind but they have to be civil about it and that goes for responses too. I made the no politics rule in March and tried to let stuff slide but people insisted on being disruptive causing problems. We are a community here and we have to have some rules to avoid this site self destructing like so many others. If your unhappy here then remember that attendance and participation are not mandatory

[tom d. friedman]

thanks scott, you made a very valid point, & drew your line in the sand. let's hope all the gang know where that line is, & respects it. now..... what can i do to piss somebody off

[Bill Greenwood]

I have said I will not use the Off topic site at all for 30 days so I will keep to that. There are only a few, perhaps 4 others, who have written much that Scott might prohibit. It might be good idea if they took a break also.

[Broken-Wrench]

We'll Bill, sit down, cool off, Exhale, and drink a cup of Kool Aid and see you in 30 Days Buddy.

Last edited by Broken-Wrench on Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Nathan]

I think I will avoid the off-topic section for awhile. Lots of problems seem to being going on. I think the best thing for everyone else to do is lay low for awhile.