3201. anomie - 1/7/2009 3:03:09 AM Thanks, Wonks. I really don't take sides on the issue. I just don't want to see interesting and good members like you, Mago and David go away. To me, online discussions are just that, and I scroll past the obnoxious stuff, which often includes Jex's posts. And while I may not ban a poster, I do see how exasperating it could be if I were responsible for the tone and quality of a thread or site. Jex does push it, wouldn't you say? 3202. wonkers2 - 1/7/2009 6:05:18 AM Sometimes. However, without naming names, others put up quite a bit of stuff that's not of general interest. I apparently do so myself. So what? I've been reading and commenting in several other sites. They all contain a majority of pretty low quality and obnoxious comments. But the sites are into banishing participants so far as I've seen. My impression is that the sites and Mote threads in particular work best with a minimum or even zero supervision. Over-supervision is a bigger problem for me at least than under-supervision. I can remember when Pelle got bent out of shape and threw a hissy when somebody got off the topic of a thread. We didn't need that. Now, several of the thread hosts haven't been heard from for months. Yet the threads seem to function satisfactorily. I'm liberal politically but libertarian so far as Internet comments are concerned. The sites that "moderate" comments are a turnoff for participation. The ones that post rules but don't moderate get more participation. 3203. judithathome - 1/7/2009 7:37:25 AM First off, I'd like to thank everyone for their comments and concerns about my recent loss...I appreciate every single one of you for the true friends that you have been to me and remain still. Friends are definitely what all of you are even though some of us have never met.
I just want to say that I know what can happen to online forums when disagreements happen and steps are taken (for whatever reason) to remedy those disagreements: I had a wonderful and vibrant forum at AbleMinds...our forum started from TableTalk and generated to the Atlantic Monthly forum and eventually evolved into Atlantic Refugees at a site Mark Richer set up for us (AbleMinds)...a wonderful, exciting place that some of you may or may not have visited.
A rift occurred at my forum and several people left Atlantic Refugees because I refused to ban those with whom some in the group didn't see eye to eye...they left to create their own forum, quite successfully, at World Crossing.
Since that rift, my forum has died....oh, we still have people posting to some degree but I feel they are mostly "pity posts" from people who are somewhat loyal to me, not necessairly the forum.
I can respect the decision made here by those in charge but still wish to ask them to reconsider...the Mote has survived many upheavals but I am not so certain it can survive this one...just check the number of posts made by those who are so "offended and outraged" by Jexster's posts. How many of those old posters have returned en masse since Jex has been away?
Oh, they were quick to return a few weeks ago and condemn him but where is everyone now? I, like a few others, have learned to skip the posts of Jex's that didn't interest me but evidently others haven't the patience to try this technique. Yes, it's too bad we don't have an "ignore" filter. I have employed this function at WC on a poster with whom I simply cannot get along. But here? I've learned to scroll when I am bored...it's a great knack to cultivate.
I fear eventually the Mote will suffer the fate of my forum at Ableminds...people might check in on occasion but will gradually reduce their participation and soon, the Mote will fade in to obscurity. These things happen with such ephemeral entities as internet forums...it's sad when it happens but perhaps all these "sites" have a shelf life and are destined to be fondly remembered by those of us who have participated over the years.
Things change...shit happens....and life goes on. 3204. magoseph - 1/7/2009 1:03:05 PM Ali, let's have a "Ignore option” and end this nightmare, please!
3205. wonkers2 - 1/7/2009 5:49:50 PM Arky, I beg to differ. I reviewed the posts, and no decision was ever announced by wabbit. If I missed a post to that effect please point it out to me. You are in my opinion being very petty, narrow-minded and officious on this matter. And why don't you let Ms. No speak for herself? 3206. wonkers2 - 1/7/2009 6:09:21 PM You and a couple of others have poisoned the well. 3207. anomie - 1/7/2009 7:22:34 PM Perhaps it's not a well but a barrel of apples, most of which can be salvaged. 3208. Ms. No - 1/7/2009 7:52:00 PM I have been speaking for myself. I just didn't feel any more comment needed to be made. I've never been shy. If I'd disagreed with the decision I'd have said so.
3209. Wombat - 1/7/2009 10:54:57 PM It is too bad that there is no way to allow the Jex who has always been entertaining in the History thread, while banning the bile and filth-spewing Jex of the Politics thread. 3210. arkymalarky - 1/8/2009 12:46:37 AM Jex knew his choices and he made them. Judith's forum story is very apt; it's damned if you do, damned if you don't. Things will run their course here, as elsewhere. People will leave if you don't act and others will if you do.
Wonkers: as moderators we don't function in isolation. As long as you've been here you should know that I don't speak for anyone. I provided you pertinent information so you could share your venom with the others responsible besides Wabbit.
And on a much more pleasant subject, congratulations to Irv! 3211. Jenerator - 1/8/2009 2:11:24 AM I could have sworn you all said Jex was returning Jan 20th!!! 3212. Jenerator - 1/8/2009 2:14:40 AM Jex says he's coming back on Jan 20th 3213. dandillon - 1/9/2009 12:40:45 AM Wow. So may familar faces here. Nice to see you all. And happy new year! 3214. vonKreedon - 1/9/2009 12:43:54 AM Happy New Year to you! 3215. wabbit - 1/9/2009 1:13:36 AM Hey dandillon, Happy New Year to you! How've you been, how is the family?
PP, please pass my congrats to Irv! 3216. Jenerator - 1/10/2009 1:04:16 AM DAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3217. arkymalarky - 1/10/2009 7:55:50 PM Hey DanD! How's the fam? 3218. thoughtful - 2/5/2009 12:23:47 AM i miss jex and wonks...will they be able to return from purgatory ever? 3219. arkymalarky - 2/5/2009 2:27:09 AM Wonks left of his own accord. 3220. robertjayb - 2/5/2009 2:45:02 AM Wonkers in an Accord? I don't believe it.
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