[Closed] Is it just me or is this place boring?

I think you might need to look a little deeper, plenty of opinions, less ranting.

maybe CZ. I don't come here that often anymore.I do like a good rant though!

Beware the mod that is Cougar... 😉

Door / arse interface should be avoided upon exit etc...

I believe there was a thread yesterday regarding a washing diary for technical clothing?, if that's not ripe for a few good natured opinions to be thrown about to open the debate up i dunno?....

I liked it the way it was, but I prefer it this way.

The 'Banned' would often become so argumentative and self- rightious that their ideas were perceived as agression. TBH, I believe that often it was, it was properly nasty at times.

The site is great for bikey and random ideas and odd questions. If you want a truly aggressive argument though I'd hope that you'd go elsewhere.

That is all.

I will refrain from saying anything else. I am right of course. 😉 I think somafunk has it.

Miss TJ

Perhaps to appease the trolls/serial arguers someone could develop a self replying thread that just picks posts up from the archives every time you post.

You guys abuse too many hang bags that's why.

He is a nice guy just that you take his ideals too seriously.

He usually gave up debating with me after a while for whatever reasons ... Might just be the Dear Leader he gave up on. 😆

It's complicated, shouldn't have started this. I just want to see a bit of comedy and banter and less of the boredom... ooh my wheels are so big!

If you find yourself thinking that everyone in a place is boring, remember you're there too 😉

But yeah I think it used to be better. But then everything used to be better.

Kevevs - Member

It's complicated, shouldn't have started this. I just want to see a bit of comedy and banter and less of the boredom... ooh my wheels are so big!

There should be some serious debates on certain topics but deep down you just need to keep things open minded, after all this is not a "public" forum but own by STW and they have a reputation to keep. We need to respect that. 🙂

I never find this place boring but (actually the opposite very interesting with weird characters all over) again perhaps I have not much to say or keep things simple ...

yeah whatever.......

So you wish to be entertained but do sweet FA yourself to make it more interesting other than whinge that it isn't entertaining any more?

Well let us all rally round and sing and dance for your delight then 😕

ignore! I suppose I'm a bitch for old interesting stw debates.

Yep. It used to be better. These days I can barely be bothered to log in and post a repl

I suppose the pub analogy really works quite well here.

1) popular pub with a few regulars
2) regulars get a bit too comfortable
3) a few too many complaints come in about a couple of regulars and the landlord asks them to leave as they're putting people off
4) repeat (3) a few too many times and soon the atmosphere that attracted people to the pub in the first place is gone
5) people go to another pub

Getting (3) right is always going to be difficult to avoid (4) & (5).

The pub analogy is a pisspoor one imo. Unless of course your local is a meeting place for open discussion and exchange of ideas. In which case I would avoid like the plague. The thought of ill informed opinions being generously lubricated with alcohol sounds particularly unappealing to me.

There's still those that chooses to go on personal tirades, as happened to me yesterday. I just tend to ignore it but it does spoil the threads.

There's quite a bit if good discussion here though.

I thought that one of the best things about a good pub was the wide range of opinions of all types well informed, ill informed and just plain daft that you might hear. However I also think pubs used to be better than they are. I suspect that it is mostly due to the high cost of draught beer 🙂

You [i]are[/i] traffic.

It's definitely too PC/heavily moderated.

Pfffft.

It's so boring, and the sun is shining. So, I'm off to the Surrey Hills instead. Bye!

I liked it the way it was, but I prefer it this way.

its the minority view but I'm in this camp, I used to bob in then go for months at a time, I realised in the last few months I've stayed...

You are traffic.

Yes, but we have been forced into cycle lanes

Still keeps me from doing my work!

I have always had good advice on here and some entertainment too, cant be bad

Pfffft.
It's so boring, and the sun is shining. So, I'm off to the Surrey Hills instead. Bye!

That will make it a little less boring today then. 🙂

It's still good for random meaninglessness 🙂

Fred now offers a subscription-only service where he can abuse you via the medium of the text message.

You can use my account if you want. The password is 'Suarez' 😀

Generally good, I do miss some of those but not when they would use any discussion to descend into petty name-calling which is just tiresome. It still happens occasionally and I just stop reading the thread when it does.

A few too many egos remain on here though, for me. For instance, anyone daring to mention that there is something that they find difficult on a bike can be leapt on and derided by someone who apparently has super-human skills.

Beware the mod that is Cougar...

Give over, I'm lovely. (-:

However,

It's definitely too PC/heavily moderated.

I'm genuinely staggered that you believe that. Anyone else?

I don't really want this to descend into another discussion about moderation or another Fred and Barney debate, but really, moderation is pretty gentle. The ratio of stuff that actually gets moderated to the amount of reports we receive (often for frankly daft reasons) is quite small. We let lots of stuff go, the recent risqué music video as a random example. We try and keep things civil, but you can't seriously think that's "excessive" can you? Do you want the forum to be another Mlehworld?

The most argumentative users were banned a little while ago because they proved unable to self-moderate their behaviour despite continual requests and warnings. Whilst I don't personally agree with all of those decisions, I believe that overall the forum is a better place for their departure. It's a lot more welcoming and friendly.

And if you can find me an example of moderation due to political correctness, I'll give you my bike.

As a lurker turned poster more recently, I don't think the place is more boring, it is definitely slower, there are 10 hour posts on the front page which there didn't used to be.

It is definitely very heavily moderated, I had an email yesterday accusing me of trolling and threatening a ban when I'd asked a question that I guess some might have thought was obvious and pointless, but the answer to which I genuinely didn't know on the Glencoe thread.

There are also some very argumentative pedants here that expect accuracy in an environment that frankly shouldn't expect it.

I think the simple solution would be an ignore poster feature that other forums have, less work for the moderators and a boon for those allegedly easily offended.

Humour cannot always be humour without offending someone or other can it?

Shouldn't a forum be like the sort of banter we engage in on a ride, or in the pub afterwards, I can't say I've been on many rides without a healthy dose of piss taking, on everything from what I'm wearing to what other folk are riding, isn't it what makes the world go round?

This thread could get interesting, amusing, then have a very short life which kind of sums it up really.

I think STW has changed since the ban hammer went into full effect. It might be a subtle change but change non the less.

I preferred the more anarchic days but I am still drawn here like a moth to a flame.

Mods IMO is just, just, on the right side of caution. It's your forum so you can manage that, we on the other hand will manage nothing important other than a topic or two..

Whilst I miss the likes of Fred et all, I too do find on occasion it's a little lean on here but hey, it's primarily a bike forum and there are some fantastic folks on here.

Wouldn't have known about SSUK and met all those fellows now would I..

Cougar - Moderator

And if you can find me an example of moderation due to political correctness, I'll give you my bike.

Really? What kind of bike is it whilst I find you my two emailed examples...

Er would you be kind enough to clean it first? 😉

10 hour posts on the front page

possibly a sign the weather has improved and more people are out riding

It can be a bit dull ( but then so if my fav cardi) 😆

Mods on this site are better than some, and some sites seem not to need it ( or no one gets in a huff about it) I do find it a bit weird when I get banned for talking about straight people and I see posts all the time that say "that's so gay" double standards much??

It's A LOT less "14 yr old bedroom" in here now ( loads less T and A and kicking doors in) which is v cool

possibly a sign the weather has improved and more people are out riding

It's always like that in the morning but once people are at work or done their morning chores it sorts out, look now oldest is less than an hour.

No.
Yup.

It's nowhere near as entertaining..

The passtime of polite debate and exchanging of ideas and opinions that is enjoyed by a small minority of folk of a certain disposition has definitely won this corner of the internet.. they have grown strong from behind the safety of their keyboards and have found a voice and an audience..

The meek have inherited the earth, and turned it into a pair of beige nylon slacks with comfortable velcro fastening shoes

Drac - Moderator
possibly a sign the weather has improved and more people are out riding
It's always like that in the morning but once people are at work or done their morning chores it sorts out, look now oldest is less than an hour.

Nope still 11 hours here (haven't checked the bike one, will take your word for that.)

Has the other chap gone to get my new bike?

Are you both in the same office?

Have a yell through and check he's cleaning it... 😉

Nothing wrong with arguing your point especially if you are accurate and can do it with a bit of humour It is the name calling and stereotyping that is dull

Static from my beige slacks is giving me gyp 🙂

and me.. 😳

I preferred the more anarchic days but I am still drawn here like a moth to a flame.

In the vein hope that the anarchic days will return... 😀

I actually have a pair of comfortable shoes with velcro straps...

Damnit.

Nope still 11 hours here (haven't checked the bike one, will take your word for that.)

Ah you're not on the front page, you're in the chat.

Are you both in the same office?

What office?

Either there's way less fun on here than there used to me or else it's me,
getting old, bitter and misty-eyed.

The most argumentative users were banned a little while ago because they proved unable to self-moderate their behaviour despite continual requests and warnings.

I disagree: I think the banning of TJ was particularly unfair, given that he never dished out any more than he received.

Aye, there was goodness in TJ alright.

Did his baiters get banned, too?

OP - you have an open playing field to engage in interesting and humorous banter. GFI. Show us what us missing.....Make it a funny 10 pager at least.

IMO, cougar hit the nail in the head. Moderation is a balancing act and done pretty well here (although I have no idea what is/isn't acceptable with swearing or more importantly swear avoidance!). People were banned because they couldn't follow the rules despite lots of warnings. What is there to complain about? There are other forums where their behaviour is more tolerated. We can all join them there if we want to.

In the meantime, let's enjoy it here.....

Did his baiters get banned, too?

A few have since, yes. Hopefully a few more sometime soon.

Drac - Moderator

Are you both in the same office?
What office?

I assumed you were all in an office surrounded by a mountain of Fresh Goods, a miserable boss, demanding the heads of any offender likely to reduce the hit count, and breaking only to take a wheelbarrow full of money to the bank and that there were lots of you.

So does this mean you don't know if he has got my bike ready to send then?

I think the banning of TJ was particularly unfair

TJ was (and still is) not a bad bloke. The problem is that he has trouble keeping control of his arguing. Fact is, nice bloke or not, he struggles to put his point across in text form without pissing people off. And sadly that has negative consequences on the forum and by association the mag.

I tried to help him understand what he was doing but it was impossible. I'm a bit surprised I didn't get warned either as I too struggle to let it lie when I should sometimes.

Anyway - a lot of those threads weren't 'interesting discussion' they were pages of bitter mud slinging, and I do not like that.

The mod are doing fine considering the idiots that post on here. Hmm 🙂

I've been think hard about this, well for about 11mins & 34secs give or take..

It's quiet, cos everyone's out on their bike or painting or building sheds or Chimeras, could be cos folks are "enjoying themselves outdoors"

Dunno, seems reasonable to me.

Now then, where's my shades?

I tried to defend the monarchy by drawing a parallel with Nazi-occupied France, and got asked if I was drunk.

That's got to count for something!

Oh and I'm very happy with the modding on here, so have some praise mods.

What molgrips said about TJ is pretty much spot on.

Nothing wrong with arguing your point especially if you are accurate and can do it with a bit of humour It is the name calling and stereotyping that is dull

Pretty much my stance. I'm all for a bit of "lively" debate, it's when it goes all ad hominem that it's going to get stood on.

I disagree: I think the banning of TJ was particularly unfair,

You can disagree that he couldn't amend his conduct despite repeated requests, but you'd be wrong. The second half of that comment I fielded already, in the post you partially quoted from.

I have no idea what is/isn't acceptable with swearing or more importantly swear avoidance!

This is probably worth clearing up, as it's a grey area. A while ago, people sometimes got warnings for obfuscating words that weren't actually filtered (eg, "p!55"). This was acknowledged as a mistake / misunderstanding on our part, and it doesn't happen any more.

a lot of those threads weren't 'interesting discussion' they were pages of bitter mud slinging, and I do not like that.

Quite, and I believe that's what was needed to be curbed.

Say something funny Cougar, for God's sake.

There used to be a few imaginative characters on here who made time and participation on STW worthwhile. I don't know why, but IMO a lot of the inspiration has left the building.

You can disagree that he couldn't amend his conduct despite repeated requests, but you'd be wrong. The second half of that comment I fielded already, in the post you partially quoted from.

I didn't say that you hadn't asked him to amend his conduct. I'm saying that banning him was unfair, because his conduct was no worse than several people who you chose not to ban. His big fault was not being able to resist rising to the bait, but the root cause of that problem lies elsewhere.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/come-up-with-a-genius-name-for-my-business

Get over there is you think this forum is boring.

TJ was like an aggressive ill-trained Pitbull who couldn't prevent himself from bullying his way into everyone else's business.

Fred just liked the sound of his own voice and spoke more and more sh1t particularly towards "the end".

Good riddance to both IMO.

"TJ was like an aggressive ill-trained Pitbull" he is a poodle in real life.

Better now, IMO.

It's A LOT less "14 yr old bedroom" in here now ( loads less T and A and kicking doors in)

It's a shadow of its former self.

Anyway - a lot of those threads weren't 'interesting discussion' they were pages of bitter mud slinging, and I do not like that.

I agree - it's a nicer place to be now, though also a bit less interesting.

TJ & t'elf weren't ALWAYS horrile - they were frequently helpful, polite and most often very interesting.
It's a real shame that they couldn't stop themselves.

deadlydarcy - Member

Did his baiters get banned, too?

A few have since, yes. Hopefully a few more sometime soon.

Pigface - Member

there is one "big hitter" who should feel pretty bad about how he went after TJ.

He's not a big hitter, he's a very naughty boy.
And he does come across as vaguely human these days.
Makes a nice change.

"TJ was like an aggressive ill-trained Pitbull" he is a poodle in real life.

I can believe that.

Likewise Fred might well be a decent bloke too.

I'd happily do some miles with either of them and share a pint after. I just think they're best left to the real world and not the webternet.

I'm saying that banning him was unfair, because his conduct was no worse than several people who you chose not to ban.

I'm limited as to how I can respond that as it was before my time. I genuinely don't believe that it was personal though, and plenty of others got the bullet at the same time. What the exact process was though, I'm afraid I don't know.

Fred is decent yes.

There's still an amount of casual racism that is left un-modded. Given how careful the owners are regarding the perception of this place I'm surprised.

There's still an amount of casual racism that is left un-modded.

Can you give us some examples please? As I think that's utter cobblers

And I do mean examples of actual racism. Casual or otherwise. Not some soft-arse, just-itching-to-be-offended, PC over-sensitivity.

glupton1976 - Member

It's a shadow of its former self.

I disagree.

I find that this is the most consistent forum for help, entertainment, and (sometimes) decent discussion anywhere going.

A shadow of its former self? When are these glory days you allude to?

This place is boring, but when you allow keyboard warriors to spout constant bollox then this is what happens.

What happened to The Southern Yeti?

he always seemed to be cheerful as I recall, there are a few like him missing, I first joined up last year, I travel a lot and not always in good internet regions and it's a bind using mobile devices, but coming back it's a vastly different place to this time last year and I'm under a ban threat already without so much as a swear avoidance or alleged 'ism' of any persuasion, so where is my bike? 😉