defending a thread from flames

Hi Mike
Sorry to hear that you are fed up at the moment with how some threads are going. I think it is more to do with the fact that the Forum is in the doldrums at the moment.
It seems to me that a lot of people are keen to have a discussion, and make a contribution, but IMHO the hifi thread has not had many interesting topics lately. Sorry - they are just a bit samey - either newbies wanting some basic information, and then often not bothering to thank you if you suggest something. Or people wanting advice on upgrade directions - and there is a finite number of possibilities of this. Or people wanting to discuss the more contentious subjects like cables, sockets and tweaks. And this attracts extreme and fixed views. Which can be boring, and by definition, don't change.

As I have said before I feel this forum has temporarily lost some of its fun and camaraderie. I suppose I am at the point of tiptoeing away. I find the padded cell more interesting these days than the hifi one (the discussion on the postal strike has been first class and most informative). For the first year I followed the Naim forum I hardly visited the padded cell once.

Perhaps some of the regular contributors, myself included, ought to stand back a bit. Perhaps also some more of the many lurkers who rarely contribute should feel they should give a bit more, and post more replies. Perhaps all of us need to limit the "me too", "right on!", "rubbish" inputs which tell us more about the writer than the subject.

I hope I have not offended anyone by the above. I am trying to be constructive in the observation that some folk are becoming frustrated and upset. It is only a hobby. No-one pays us to use the forum. Nothing is worth grief.

Don, overcast downtown York

I have enjoyed this forum a great deal, and hope to continue doing so. Many interesting topics have been discussed.

The Music Forum and the Padded Cell are the best, but I did get some good advice with pleasing results from the HiFi Forum.

It's interesting and fun to talk about HiFi topics.

I have been trying hard to keep a civil tongue, and stay on topic, with varying degrees of success. Problem is, that view is not a universal constant.

It's almost impossible to keep a thread on topic.

As an excercise, I am going to try to learn to do so right here on this forum. But the HiFi forum is a problem.

The first thing I want to master is keeping a flamer from ruining a thread. There must be non-offensive techniques that can mitigate the damage these fellows do.

One thing I have noticed is that Munch always appears before an attack. A little like the buzzards circling. I can't help but wonder "Where is the pleasure in that?" Not sure I want to know the answer :-)

I think the forum remains a wonderful place. This is the only forum I visit and, apart from an occasional comment on Boing Boing, this is the only place I post.

The best, nay, ONLY way to defend against flamers or trolls is to ignore them altogether. Without the reaction, they just stop. Don't even post things like "This thread has gone to rubbish, I'm out of here". Either post on topic, or don't post. Don't "defend" against what appear to be personal attacks. Let them slide. They will go away. It isn't personal. Remember, on the internet, no-one knows you're a dog.

Think about using the "ignore" list if you have an issue with a particular forum member's posts. Apart from when others quote them, it will seem like they don't exist. Some threads might make less sense though.

Good advice Winky. Let's see if I can do it.

This is the only place I post too. I don't want to loose it.

Staying on track is not a strong point around here.
I have a theory, not having PM facilities means "conversations" tend to take place within threads.

I plead guilty to that , I'm not being "holier than thou"

Use the "ignore poster" feature, Mike.

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
I have a theory, not having PM facilities means "conversations" tend to take place within threads.

a little conversation is always good, it's why we post here. But when it distorts the thread or turns nasty, that's what I want to avoid.

Hi Mike an'all

Its activating as I guess you were genuinely trying to get some sense out of that post for your own benefit, (did I read 30,000 ?? #### lucky basket)

I guess its life as it is these days and the foible's of the human species & sub-species.
Don makes some good points, but its the new order & www twitter facebook mentality
.... newbies not bothering to thank you
.... advice on upgrade directions - and the finite number of possibilities
.... contentious subjects like cables, sockets and tweaks with fixed mia culpa (sometimes) views

What does p##### me off is the "smart" throw away remarks that are not saying anything other than a crass and/or stupid "funny" that gives (I hope) more amusement to the sender than the readers.

I guess the ignore facility is the way to go, or just smile & ignore. I have an ongoing problem with graphoman who seems to have a hate me campaign going for whatever obscure reason. I guess his beef is his interpretation of my style of writing. I am watching & waiting with silent amusement.

YES my style is a bit "my way is the only way" but is honed as the normal way to communicate during a lifetime of survival at the sharp end of industry where only the fit & able survive. I am well able to communicate in this style and can fully understand - without offence - those who do the same. But it seems I do not go down well in some quarters, am I bovered ??? Nah.

Don't give in or worse, its only a forum.
I look forward to exchanging banter in the future.

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:
The first thing I want to master is keeping a flamer from ruining a thread. There must be non-offensive techniques that can mitigate the damage these fellows do.

Mike,

This is easily handled in two ways:

1) You can "Ignore" any members you want. Then you wont even see their posts in any thread. I have done that it the past for a member who only posted pictures as responses.

Simply click on their name and you will see an option to ignore posts.


2) Just don't reply to their (my) comments. Just don't fan the flames so to speak.


Also, a thicker skin can help a little.

In defense of anyone rubbing you the wrong way, that is life. We are certainly not all meant to get along. As an adult I think you know that and can handle it. We encounter those we disagree with or outright despise everyday. Some are co-workers and bosses, some are even family members. I don't think the Naim forum will go against the grain on this one.

In my case, I found the Forum a fairly acerbic place when I first entered, and I dont share in the opinion that the climate here has changed at all. The former forum moderator, Adam, while ultimately fully competent, was probably the one of the most caustic person around. Although he was also downright hilarious.

I was offended at every turn when I first joined and have become accustomed to the general climate of the forum. If I asked a stupid question, I was given stupid answers in kind.

Keep in mind, we rarely come across as we intend, yourself included. Many times people simply respond in kind to how they are interpreting a person's thread or post.

For example, you find me to sound angry and in need of pills. I don't feel that way, but I can easily see how i could be misrepresenting myself.

Maybe you come across to others here in a fashion you are not aware of. Just a thought. I know I do from time to time, as we all do.

In the final analysis though, I would put good money on the fact that most of us would get along pretty well under more personal circumstances, e.g. having a pint together, listening to music, etc....

But if we did it everyday, we might wear on each other a bit. Perhaps we are spending too much time in here.

I hope I have not already been ignored so you can read this...... if you care.

Take it easy,
Patrick

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
I hope I have not already been ignored so you can read this...... if you care.

Take it easy,
Patrick

I like this side of you much better.

I am making a concerted effort to never become angry. I believe this will make my life better in every way.

At the moment, most of my mental faculties are focused on soft shell crabs and gumbo. Three more hours, and that's what will be sitting in front of me.

Meanwhile, I'm monitoring test jobs abd peeking in here.

You'll have to scream at me more than once to get on the ignore list. Don't enjoy writing anyone off. Except for Munch :-)

There is something I have always tried to get my head around - soft shelled crab. Never eaten it or seen it being prepped.
Is it eaten whole - shell and all as whitebait or treated in some way first - and just how big are they?
Oh - by the way - I adore seafood and cant get enough of it. Paella here tomorrow - just wish I could get some king crab legs for that.
Not flamed - but taken off course i'm afraid. Speaking of chatting in a thread 'n all that.

I am going to make an exception, because it's soft shelled crabs.

They come in all sizes, as the crabs shed their shells every so many months as they grow. The crab is cleaned (i.e. remove the guts and lungs) then lightly dusted with flour and fried up in a skillet with butter. Add a little lemon, and it's heaven :-)

They are eaten whole.

Mike,

I don't pull threads unless I absolutely have to. The one in question was getting pretty personal and quite frankly agreement or consensus was never going to be reached. I have moved it out of the Hifi Corner to review and see whather anything can be rescued from the flames.

p.s. As for fellow members who are moderators, there is a list of who moderates at the head of each forum. Overall "god" of the forum is Naim MD, Paul Stephenson. These are the only people with moderator privileges.

Cheers Mike, appreciated.
It was the bit about getting rid of the 'dead mans fingers and the stomach I was concerned about - I use peelers here as bait often, now some may end up on my plate instead of bass bait. Sure sounds good.
Back on topic - keeping a thread on course - even serious ones takes one hell of a lot of doing, and one that could be contentious / contain much in the way of 'immeasurable' artefacts - good luck. It could be worth it if light could be shed on the issue.

I know I shouldn't BUT................


There are some people here who wind me up the wrong way and plenty I do the same to.
I sometimes post threads I regret and sometimes take umbrage at what is said to me. I have posted on a thread that mikeeschman and munch had a spat as it had the whiff of handbags at 50 paces. It's quite OK to ask advice about flaming........

............but it is bullying to name someone in a thread such as is done here. Responding is one thing but as a basis for a thread it's another thing totally and I don't like it.

I trust Munch is robust enough to withstand this type of attack and has enough intelligence to ignore it.

However you never know how someone "is".
You never know what "SJB is a bollox" will do to my psyche.
You can't underestimate how much harm personal attacks can do.


For all your erudite and sophisticated appreciation of music you are acting akin to the schoolyard bully.

And yes if a similar post picked on you I'd find it equally distasteful.


SJB

Well, that wasn't my intent. Nothing would shame me more than being thought a bully.

Munch has gotten under my skin. But for naming him here, I apologize.

Tomorrow is a new day.

munch is a funny guy with a unique writing style. I must admit that sometimes he can really make people laugh.

I think we should all undertake an amount of self moderation. Before posting something its not a bad idea to think about what you have said and ask yourself, would I like to hear that myself

Moderating a forum is a thankless task and much harder than most people realise. Its often a case of you are dammed if you do and dammed if you dont.

I think the Moderators here do a great job of letting conversation flow and its up to us to make conversations interesting and to maintaining an open forum.

One of the best bits of advice is that if you don't like the way someone posts, don't read their comments or threads. The forum is a big enough place for us all to get along nicely and as the BBQ proved, we are all good mates at the end of the day.

Mike tomorrows another day, put today behind you and enjoy tomorrow,

Regards

PB

PolarBear,

I have been trying to self moderate, with varying degrees of success. That sort of thing is not going to work perfectly on this forum.

I am taking Winky's advice, and am looking forward to a new day.

Mike, that was a general comment and wasn't aimed at anyone in particular. There are many people on many forums who post without any thought as to how someone might view their posting. Forums would be a much better place if we all took a little more care with our postings,

Regards

PB

quote:

Originally posted by Polarbear:
Forums would be a much better place if we all took a little more care with our postings,

Regards

PB

Fora, Nigel; Fora...

So at least for some, new standards have been agreed :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Lacey:

quote:

Originally posted by Polarbear:
Forums would be a much better place if we all took a little more care with our postings,

Regards

PB

Fora, Nigel; Fora...

Isn't that a kind of margarine Mike?

quote:

Originally posted by Polarbear:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Lacey:

quote:

Originally posted by Polarbear:
Forums would be a much better place if we all took a little more care with our postings,

Regards

PB

Fora, Nigel; Fora...

Isn't that a kind of margarine Mike?

???

Wikipedia definition for fora :

The Argentine Regional Workers' Federation (Spanish: Federación Obrera Regional Argentina; abbreviated FORA), founded in 1901, was Argentina's first national labor confederation. It split into two wings in 1915, the larger of which merged into the Argentine Syndicates' Union (USA) in 1922, while the smaller slowly disappeared in the 1930s.

Mistaken identity :-)

Many posts here offend me. There are many here who happily throw around thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars on bits of electronics.

I think this is obscene, especially when I've been laid-off for five-months and am trying to figure out how to prepare for the arrival of our first child in January.

I drive older, used, mid-level Olive and CB gear. My upgrade plans/dreams are modest (a 282 one day), it may not even happen.

Then after I think about it for a minute, maybe I'm the one who doesn't belong here.