Interesting Observation on GW sites

[azsandrider]

There once was a very enjoyable, informational Goldwing related discussion forum that had a few out spoken individuals. The site was active and fun to view. Then bans started happening, usually the most knowledgeable but most outspoken members were banned. These people were not trolls like some, but had strong opinions.

Now there is an alternative site that most of the miscreants from the previous site have gathered. I wonder why there is no sign of the 'problems' from the previous site on here? Is it too new? Or just the flaming trolls have not found us yet to stir the pot?

I think we are all getting along pretty well.


Oh yeah, what oil is best. :p

Just kidding....

[Cruiseman]

There you go with that inflammatory "oil" talk! Here is an interesting statistic:

There have been ZERO (0) members banned from this forum.

[strotter]

Not sure I understand banning members....... If I was the admin, I would do everything to increase membership an involve members...... that's why we are on forums..... right?

[RaConnol]

All the cool kids get banned.... I never get banned... I think I need a hug?!?!

Rick

[azsandrider]

Maybe we aren't trying hard enough yet....

[orangecrate]

I need a hug.

[hparsons]

There once was a very enjoyable, informational Goldwing related discussion forum that had a few out spoken individuals. The site was active and fun to view. Then bans started happening, usually the most knowledgeable but most outspoken members were banned. These people were not trolls like some, but had strong opinions.

Now there is an alternative site that most of the miscreants from the previous site have gathered. I wonder why there is no sign of the 'problems' from the previous site on here? Is it too new? Or just the flaming trolls have not found us yet to stir the pot?

I think we are all getting along pretty well.


Oh yeah, what oil is best. :p

Just kidding....

Believe it or not, I'm going to defend them (just a little) on this one. Let me give you a made up (but very typical) example:

User 1: I think using Farkle brand car oil filters on the Wing is a good, inexpensive alternative. If you want to give it a try, it's Farkel Oil Filter #DontDoDat
User 2: The Honda manual clearly states that only Honda filters should be used

So far, all is good. Just folks posting information. Let's even say this similar set of statements happens a few dozen times over a few months (because new users come on board and ask about using car filters, and the same two loyal (and opinionated users) answer.

Then, one day, when one or both are having a bit of harried day, and one or both are tired of repeating the same information, this occurs:

User 1: I think using Farkle brand car oil filters on the Wing is a good, inexpensive alternative. If you want to give it a try, it's Farkel Oil Filter #DontDoDat
User 2: The Honda manual clearly states that only Honda filters should be used
User 1: You know, Honda says that, but it's probably because they want to sell more Honda filters, and as a CYA measure
User 2: Or, maybe their engineers know what they're talking about, and the Honda filters are engineered specifically for Honda motorcycles

Still not bad, but they're getting slightly testy

Then, the next few days, the thread begins to go like this:

User 1: Nah, they're not engineered any differently, it's just Honda pushing Honda.
User 2: Oh what, you've broken both open and looked at them?
User 1: No, I've just read up on oil filters when I was looking for an alternative
User 2: Ah, so you think reading something on the internet makes you an engineer, huh?
User 1: No, I never said that, I'm not an engineer, I just have the uncanny ability to actual READ and UNDERSTAND
User 2: Well, you're right, your no engineer, you're an idiot
User 1: Oh yeah, well your mother is a MOTHER!!

And so begins the process. Unfortunately, when you develop a "corporate policy" of no warnings on bans, decisions are final, and made by one individual, you end up with the above type situation turning into a ban for whichever person that individual moderator believes is the perp (or if the moderator particularly likes one of those involved).

The above situation usually only starts with the members have been on for a while, and get tired of seeing contrary responses from the "usual suspects". We haven't been at each other here long enough for that to begin. It will happen (eventually) even here, at least the early part.

So, how does a forum not get bad when things like the above example begin to happen?

It requires pro-active moderation. When User2 said "Oh what, you've broken both open and looked at them?", a moderator might need to step in and privately tell the user to tone it down a little. Nothing bad yet, so that intervention is sort of a "maybe do it, maybe don't bother". But, when User2 said "Ah, so you think reading something on the internet makes you an engineer, huh?" that's when a moderator should step in and (again, privately) step in and say "Need to tone that down some", and maybe even delete the response (while letting the user know).

However they step in and de-escalate, it requires pro-active moderation. In addition, no user should ever be banned without another mod being brought in for his/her opinion.

[530ktm]

Well I was not discussing farkles, snake oils or anything else and I am now officially banned on that 1800 forum. Geesh, when will it end?

[hparsons]

Probably when they've banned all the users the mods don't want. They don't have a valid reason, so they don't give a reason. Just ban them.
Of course, it might end when the vendors notice there are fewer "click throughs", revenue drops off, and someone that actually gives a ######## about what's going on. (that's my redaction, btw, not the systems).
I'm not counting on the latter resolution.

[Westdc]

They get rewarded by "HITS" -eyeballs visits - It doesn't matter if you hit on any ad links (they do get extra for that) if their wasn't money to made then none of this would be possible -Nor would that site or this site would have the possibility of every being sold* "that what a Change of ownership really means.

[orangecrate]

Well I was not discussing farkles, snake oils or anything else and I am now officially banned on that 1800 forum. Geesh, when will it end?

How dat happen?

[Cruiseman]

How about this for a T-Shirt with the "TheGLForum.com" logo?

Free at last...
Free at last...
Thank God Almighty, I'm Free At Last...
Dr. Martin Luther King

[530ktm]

How dat happen?

I sent a "Private Message" to another member in a spelled out code mentioning this forum and that he may be interested in visiting and the next thing I know is that I was permanently banned. It was not even a web address so I don't know how their automatic site blockers would have picked up on it. Anyway, I have been blocked, as have many others. I personally think they act like children by banning members like they do just because we mention another name. We are not giving away nuclear secrets to another entity, just spreading some information. I am curious if I mentioned Steve Saunders Forum if they would ban me as well?

[hparsons]

... I am curious if I mentioned Steve Saunders Forum if they would ban me as well?

Likely not. I don't know the exact "owner/operator" relationship, but Saunders' forum (which is still very good) is part of the Verticalscope system. Don't know when they bought into his site, but it happened.

[kniterider]

I got a second temp ban for contacting the honchos directly and copying a post by bartman badmouthing a member. and wondering why I got banned for it.. Well next thin you know instead of investigating my complaint of unethical enforcement of the rules by bartman and jeffy. I get notified by jeffy that I am now banned forever for doing what every other banned member member has done used one of their other screen names. I then went to a third name just because I still had friends and folks on their that I was either buying items or had sold something to and still needed to contact them... Whamo another permanent ban because kniterider had circumvented His Lordship rulings and managed to sneak back on...