Is the forum in need of an overhaul?

I don't post in the Hi-Fi Corner because I live so far away from most dealers that stock NAIM products and I haven't heard any new Hi-Fi in years that I don't feel I can offer an opinion

Well I just posted a new Elvis Live album cover that I picked up yesterday. Why do I listen to Elvis? I don't know, why does anyone? It's live, and I generally prefer live music.

As for why Bach one day vs. Blondie on another, all I can say is I don't know, but I never would have wanted a roll in the sack with Bach!

Forums go through life cycles. As do contributors. I get busy with other things, or bored with talking about HiFi, answering the same questions. Then I get interested again.  Sometimes you need some time off.

JamieWednesday posted:

I remember a time when it was full of Mana, as if from heaven. Loads of childish spats about inconsequential stuff. And quite a sniffy attitude from some. 

Glad that's all finished...

Couldn't have put that better. After a couple of years of joining in I went right off the forum for a few years. After Adams clear out I drifted back and delurked.  Same with other forums. There's another HiFi one which is a shadow of its former self which we should not speak of here. It all goes round and round. It's a bit like the English weather. If you don't like it just wait a little while.

Like you Harry I was a member of another forum  but on Music and the importance of SQ of any particular piece of recorded music, also which was the best version currently on the market. It went through a sea change and a lot of contributors left because of it but if still forges on. Forums change and so do we.

So where's the OP? Good ol' post a picture in the "What are you listening to (without the WHY)" Tony2011?

A view from a very new member, about a week. Last year when I took my first steps into ripped audio with a HDX, I was struggling to work out some things, and Google regularly brough tme to this site, where I consistently found the information I was looking for, some in ancient threads, some in very modern threads. I also found some of the discussions very interesting , and started lurking. I'd have stayed as a lurker, but I noticed a query about a specific NAS mode with Muso, and as I use it for my Qbs felt I could actually help the poster out, given that I'd gained so much from the forum I felt I should,  so I signed in and a few days later when I noticed  the confirmation in Spam folder was able to answer.

To me as a new poster, the forum seems pretty active, I'm sure for long lasting posters some of the threads look terribly familiar, but to me they're all new and interesting. The music thread is good, it's not massively busy, but gives a lot of food for thought. All in all I like this forum, helpful people, lots of insight, mainly courteous debate. I've moderated internet fora over the years, most are now closed, the activity on most died off a lot as people moved onto social media sites, this seems to me to have a good balance of content and posters and is more active than most small sites I have seen.

I rather like this forum and the fact that the padded cell provides an opportunity to share interest with others - particularly the photo thread. Every now and then I've  been fairly activ in the music thread, but as much as I love music it hasn't been possible to listen much the last 6 months. I suspect this will last for some time. When things change I will surely participate in the what are you playing now-thread

The Hi-Fi section is a no go area for me. I'm content with what I have and won't be tempted to upgrade. So I'll continue lurking in the padded cell for now.

Out of interest, the apparent boasting about material goods have escaped me. Has this been a defined trend lately?

I go to 'Classic Rock' website where there are threads for 'Rate this song above you' 'Rate this song in a different music genre' and 'Rate this song in a different language'  The procedure is someone starts off the thread with a posting of a song from You Tube the next person gives in short their reason why they liked it or not and give a score out of ten then posts their choice of artist & song from You Tube.  For me through this involvement in these threads I have discovered new music from all around the world (not just Western music which can be limiting and so predictable) and the participants are from all around the world.  Apart from listening to media, buying music never have I discovered more exciting music/artists than from involve ment of these threads.  I tried to start of a similar thread in the Music forum of this Naim forum and I was hoping it would take off and be rich vein of music info, but no no one was interested to my dismay.  The thread 'what are you listening to and why would anyone be interested' had good intentions but I feel the people who post on this thread just want to show their interests/artist but not really caring for other peoples interests.  With the above 'Classic Rock' threads it compells one to listen to the posted song and gives you an opportunity to voice your opinion and rate it and then post your choice.  So many new exciting material I have discovered. I still think the Naim Music forum needs something similar so as to involve people and to exchange music.  A living thread rather then a thread to just to show off your musical interests.

ewemon posted:

Frank F posted:

It has become boring.  Bring back Berlin Fritz and Fredrik Fiske at least they goaded people into action. 

One of them told me that they were moderated to death so what was the point.  I do understand and maybe that is the problem - too much protectionism and Focal in return.

FF

A few years back I got moderated for what seemed at the time was petty things and I know that two other members who got the same level of moderation took exception to it and left which was a great shame.

I still get moderated every now and again.

I only ever moderate where I have to - i.e. something is typed that is going to cause widespread offence, is potentially extremely dangerous, breaks the law, or breaks forum rules.  The rules are there for good reason and what may possibly appear "petty" may in actuality have far reaching consequences that may not seem relevant to you or may not be immediately apparent. I moderate very carefully - I will only moderate a post once I have carefully considered all the these factors.

Some members just don't get that the forum is not their own personal vehicle to say whatever they like or push forward their own agenda.  They tend to fall under moderation pretty quickly.  

I've been moderated a few times, generally when trying to tip someone off where they can get hold of something they are looking for, while knowing it's against the rules. It's Naim's Forum and I'm happy to live with the rules and without wishing to appear in any way sycophantic I think Richard does an excellent job. 

I wish the nanny software was less nannying though. As a Guardian reader I'm used to the actual words being used, unlike other papers that spout hate but won't print a four letter word lest it upsets their readers delicate sensibilities. 

dave marshall posted:

Personally, I find the "What are you listening to etc." topic among the most useful on the forum.

With access to Tidal for many of us, it has become so straightforward to have a first listen to something new, rather than make a "to do" note for later.

I've been introduced to so much music that would otherwise have passed me by, and it's quite satisfying when a forum member posts to say that they've enjoyed one of my recommendations.

It's all about the music.

I've just been reminded that, as well as introducing each other to "new" music, the topic also serves to encourage all of us to dig out some of those forgotten albums which lie unplayed in our music collection.

That "I haven't played that one in ages" moment, of which we're all guilty. 

Quite agree Dave - that thread is always my first port of call and gives me some inspiration when i'm deciding what to listen to. i've found some great new music from that thread too. As a non Naim user these days the forum is not quite so relevant for me but there are plenty of interesting threads to read and contribute to still. Agree with HH, Richard does do a great job of keeping the peace so it's good place to waste some time 

dave marshall posted:

dave marshall posted:

Personally, I find the "What are you listening to etc." topic among the most useful on the forum.

With access to Tidal for many of us, it has become so straightforward to have a first listen to something new, rather than make a "to do" note for later.

I've been introduced to so much music that would otherwise have passed me by, and it's quite satisfying when a forum member posts to say that they've enjoyed one of my recommendations.

It's all about the music.

I've just been reminded that, as well as introducing each other to "new" music, the topic also serves to encourage all of us to dig out some of those forgotten albums which lie unplayed in our music collection.

That "I haven't played that one in ages" moment, of which we're all guilty. 

+1

I do like the "What are you listening to..." thread, even though I haven't posted there for a while.

George's "Nice Photos" thread is always enjoyable to look at, but i'm finding the artistic and technical qualities are now far beyond my capabilities and that might be putting others off contributing as well as myself.

The Hi-fi, Streaming and Home Theatre forums are always full of good, useful information, even if you do have to filter out slight bias and a few cable myths from time to time.

The Padded Cell is aptly named, but generally good-natured. It certainly provides a variety of different points of view. and opens the eyes, if not the mind !!

I have found more than a little new music on this forum. I do think so areas are a bit pedantic and esoteric, but that is some people's choice where hi-fi is a greater part of the hobby they enjoy than music, and that is OK..."horses for courses" (AN expression I have learned from the forum. I can also now "fettle" with the best of them!)

Music is my main interest by a long, long way. And the forum has turned me on to a fair bit. I am pretty busy, so I barely have time to look much these days.

On equipment threads I will contribute if I have experience; I have had a fair amount of Naim kit through the years, although nothing near the likes of some folks here, and when technical issues arise, I have found the forum to be a pretty helpful place, both for myself and others.

Chaps,

This forum is fine to me so long as my Community Ranking is #1.

Don Atkinson posted:

George's "Nice Photos" thread is always enjoyable to look at, but i'm finding the artistic and technical qualities are now far beyond my capabilities and that might be putting others off contributing as well as myself.

 

Funny you should say that Don but that is what kind of thought I get when looking at the Hi Fi pics thread. I almost get a little intimidated by the quality of some of the other members system.

ewemon posted:

Don Atkinson posted:

George's "Nice Photos" thread is always enjoyable to look at, but i'm finding the artistic and technical qualities are now far beyond my capabilities and that might be putting others off contributing as well as myself.

 

Funny you should say that Don but that is what kind of thought I get when looking at the Hi Fi pics thread. I almost get a little intimidated by the quality of some of the other members system.

These things can be an issue but I have to say my favourite system pics are always those of the simpler systems I find pictures of stack and stacks of Fraim quite boring where as an arty black and white photo of a 3 box Chrome Bumper system is a really beautiful thing.

kuma posted:

Chaps,

This forum is fine to me so long as my Community Ranking is #1.

Kuma, at over 150,000 points your position at No. 1 is safe for quite some time.  I'm at No. 2 and I've only just crossed the 100,000 point mark...

Richard Dane posted:

kuma posted:

Chaps,

This forum is fine to me so long as my Community Ranking is #1.

Kuma, at over 150,000 points your position at No. 1 is safe for quite some time.  I'm at No. 2 and I've only just crossed the 100,000 point mark...

Richard

Idle curiosity, no ulterior motive I promise, but please would you explain to me the rationale behind this 'ranking' system? I struggle to understand why anyone should be interested in how often individuals post, given that quantity quite obviously has no correlation to quality!

Tim

Tim, no rationale really, just a bit of fun from Hoop La.  I did find out the formula, but in the spirit of keeping things  fun, I'm keeping quiet...

Richard Dane posted:

Tim, no rationale really, just a bit of fun from Hoop La.  I did find out the formula, but in the spirit of keeping things  fun, I'm keeping quiet...

It's how many times you use the letter "a" raised to the power of your birthdate taken as an offset from 1900 multiplied by the ASCII values for all the characters in your National Security number added together isn't it?

Phil

Phil, nice try but I'm keeping schtum.

Richard Dane posted:

Tim, no rationale really, just a bit of fun from Hoop La.  I did find out the formula, but in the spirit of keeping things  fun, I'm keeping quiet...

Sorry Richard, I wasn't enquiring about the formula, simply why there is any form of ranking at all? I did waste an hour of my life that I'll never get back(!) conducting a brief survey of the posting activity of some of the highest ranked contributors- as I said earlier, no discernible (to these eyes) correlation between quantity and quality!

In my view anyone who uses +1 should drop ten places automatically, anyone who uses a grocer's apostrophe should lose 20, anyone who puts an apostrophe before the s in a plural should lose 30 and anyone who posts that they are listening to prog should lose 40. Anyone liking The Smiths should, naturally, go up 10 places every time they mention them. I'm sure Richard could get the algorithm altered...