QuoteEdit, by CapnK: Right now, there is no debate. Just the implementation of a couple easy-to-understand-and-follow rules/policies intended to bring more civility to the discussions here at the CPYOA forum.. :)
Most of you know me and know that I try and keep out of others business and respect their opinions. As moderator, I often can't keep out of the fray, and there have been a fair amount of people lately who have gotten their feelings hurt in the group. So I am proposing rules for the group with consequences for repetitively not following those rules. I look at it this way:
I really don't care what we discuss as long as we are civil. But it has been shown on this group as well as others that people get rude when they discuss guns, politics and religion. People feel like they can say things on line that they would not say to someone face to face.
Something most of you probably don't know is that I am a moderator on a large sailing forum. I have learned from their actions and reactions and hope to take the best of what I have learned to make this a better forum- but the bottom line?
It is each one of you that make a quality forum...
And that is why keeping it civil and friendly is so important to me. I want to keep you as friends and fellow sailors. Every one that loves Compacs should have a place in this forum.
Soo....
Please give me your input as I draft a set of standands for the posts. I want them to be your rules and not just mine. And then everyone will have the same expectations...
Newt,
I love this form.....almost as much as I love my boat! Ironically, I would even bet that I spend more time on this forum than on my boat. I do not want to see it go away or be band from it. So please, if what I am about to say is out of line, please just delete my post I'll consider it a warning and I will not post anything like it ever again.
We have an "all others" forum. If we cannot post "all other" information than remove the forum and let this be a Com-Pac only forum. But if not......
This is America, where we have freedom of speech. and I am offended by all this politically correct nonsense. I am tired of people's intolerance of other people's intolerance.
The same people that have no problem bashing our former President get offended when someone bad mouths the present one and vise versa. Can you say double standard??? And for the record I didn't vote for Bush and i didn't vote for Obama.
And why would people be offended by someone else's opinion. It's just that, an opinion. If anything I am offended that I can no longer speak my opinion. I am offended that I cannot share my religion with others for fear of offending them. What could be more important than religion? But I digress. Are these the same people that demand 19th place trophy's and do not keep score at little league baseball games? What is this doing for our future, and we wonder why this generation feels so entitled. While we're at it, let's quit giving grades in school and just give "participation diplomas".
I heard a funny quote the other day, "If a conservative doesn't want a gun he doesn't by one. If a liberal doesn't want a gun he tries to outlaw them." the same could be said and reversed for abortion. But the last I checked, we do have the right to bare arms and freedom of speech. There will always be conflicts.
While I do feel that "personal attacks" should not be tolerated, everyone should respect everyone and their opinions as well. That is what MADE (not makes) this country great. Forms that are started and made to be attacks or to ruffle feathers should not be tolerated as well.
I understand the need for moderation, and language is not necessary to convey a point. In fact while I am not offended by bad language, I do pity those who cannot converse with out using foul language. But we are sailors and sometimes a curse word can be appropriate. If people are easily offended they should stay out of the "all others" forum. Plain and simple.
Billy. I believe your being influenced by newt too much.
I say, no rules on Off Topic topics. Don't like it, don't read it.
skip.
I answered newt, but it got lost, so I will repeat myself...............this was settled a long time ago, don't open or visit area if you are a offended..........I need to post before newt decides to block and remove me ,if NEWT RULES I think its time to move on......this site has been a real joy but I will not submit to the thought police, ...............Phil
While I seldom participate in the OFF TOPICS, I do love Skips rants and the replies from all the others. We truly have a diverse group. If we want "only think like me's" around us, go join a yacht club somewhere.
Face it, you are already a different bird just by owning a non-racing sailboat. Let's keep our differences, and our freedom to view or not to view the off topics.
Newt - my vote is to allow the off topics unless they get personal. refrain from locking a topic - moderate the offender's post with an explanation to the offender.
FWIW tg
"moderate the offender's post with an explanation to the offender."
newt did. He told me in private he 'Locked This Post'. That's OK with me.
He did not 'spin his collar around' and consoul me before locking the post.
Or what ever the proper terminology is. I told him power corrupts.
But I don't have my finger on the trigger. Or button or anywhere but on these keys.
The pen is mightier than the sword.
Well if we need to be tamed so be it. We have the right of free speech, we do not have the right to be heard. That's called tolerance/different opinion/ or some other thing, dab nab it all anyway.
skip.
Tim I like the way you think .... I'll go with this one........my vote is to allow the off topics unless they get personal. refrain from locking a topic - moderate the offender's post with an explanation to the offender.
"Hold on.....There's no crying in baseball"
I see where this going guys- and I am the first to get out of the way of a sailor and his boat. BTW-Newt never ruled...He was trying to keep the spambots and the hard feelings out of this forum. I withdraw myself from your company. Fair winds my friends.
Newt - No one is asking you to quit - at least not me! I think a moderator is a good thing, and is a crap eating job. I just think deleting a post is better than locking a topic. If you ever need help or a second opinion on an unruly poster, send a private message to me & I'll respond asap. Be glad to help out.
Respectfully, TG
I'll second the sentiment that you should not leave. Being a moderator can be a thankless job. I for one would like to thank you here and now.
The Off Topic section has seemingly kept some of the rhetoric out of the other topics that I really come here for. If it does, then it's of some use. Maybe it just needs a bold warning under the heading.. "Beyond here there be Dragons" :)
mel
Newt no disrespect to you was intended on my part. Being a moderator is a thankless job like some of the others have said. I have never used that section, but respect the rights for others who want to. The main point I wanted to highlight was to not let any of the post become a personal attack.
"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend."
Don't leave Newt, try to remember that we are all here because we like our little boats and the off topic is just a place to voice opinions .
I talked to Capt. K tonight. He owns this site. He will be taking back moderation duties for a few days. Those that have been flaming me with email can address him directly.-it is his site I have tried to maintain, not my own. I think I will go up on the bow and watch the sun set for a while:) Man I love sailing...
Rules should be simple:
No name calling, either directly or indirectly. Directly i.e. directed at any specific individual that contributes to this group. Indirectly, i.e., verbally demeaning a group, of which some members of this forum will invariably be part of.
No lying, i.e. either making up things or referencing irrelevant information and submitting same as "facts" for the purpose of advancing ones position in a debate.
As an old debate judge these two rules are essential to the exchange of ideas, no matter how spirited the process is.
I also believe that off topic means off topic. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THERE. Even "new posts" identify the post as off topic, and it is not necessary for anyone to go there.
I've more or less stopped participating in the political off topic. This forum is the same as others in that those that hold to a different ideology than mine will not be swayed by my words so it is more or less a waste of time. With regard to those that agree with my ideology, that is preaching to the choir.
Newt, while I wish you would stay, if it really bothers you there is no reason to suffer that. While I would vote to keep the off topic and allow a civil discussion of political matters, the real value of this forum is the exchange of information and ideas about the boats. I've learned so much in a little over a year from having access to the combined experience and wisdom of those who have had their boats for much longer. So whatever is necessary to maintain that exchange is OK with me.
First:
I stand with Newt/Mark 100%.
Second:
This forum is for Com-Pac Owners and enthusiasts.
Starting today, that is the scope and limit of the discussion here. Yep: No More Politics.
If you wish to discuss politics or post links to political things or whatever, there are plenty of places online where you can do so.
Just not here.
This is non-negotiable, and MY decision alone. If you want to grief about it, send me a PM. But the decision has been made, and that is how things are now.
It does not even merit further discussion. No prior postings will be deleted from the database (all member post counts will remain the same), but that area of the forum is temporarily locked, and will likely go out of public sight in the very near future. I will keep you informed about these changes as they happen.
Third:
Be Nice To Others.
I don't need to explain that.
That's all for now.
fair enough. I love these boats!
Cap't K and Newt:
I will go with whatever you deem correct. In the past, I have participated in the Off Topic posts and I think a healthy exchange of conflicting ideas is ok, bit I'm just a guest here. I have seen things turn ugly and have also seen grown men humble themselves and apologize for thier careless words. 'Nuff said.
Newt:
As a fellow 23er, I would ask you to stick around but whatever you choose, let it be known that I appreciate your work here. If you ever make it back east, you have a standing invitation to sail and, yes, even steer "Koinonia". No politics will be discussed and I'll bring along the beer. Now, that's something we can all agree on, eh?
Bob23
Of all the forums I've participated in this has always been the most civil. It's like purring kittens compared to some.
Seems to me the issue wasn't the content rather the sensitive people who read it then complain to staff.
Oh well, it was fun for awhile.
I am hoping this can still be an excellent forum to discuss sailing and Compacs in particular. I just don't think we can be everything to everyone. This is just a sleepy little harbor with a few neighbors...Perhaps we could all work together to keep the bay clean and the dock pristine...
To whomever is in charge:
There is an "Off Topic" section, make another one called "Uncharted - Enter at own risk".
Quote from: bmiller on September 02, 2010, 11:16:14 AM
Of all the forums I've participated in this has always been the most civil. It's like purring kittens compared to some.
Seems to me the issue wasn't the content rather the sensitive people who read it then complain to staff.
Oh well, it was fun for awhile.
I agree. Both the initial poll and the theme of this particular thread had the same result. The majority of participants wished to allow civil off topic discussions of whatever, in a section that would clearly be labeled as off topic. Seems like I've spent my whole life watching folks caving to and greasing the few squeaky wheels. It worked again......
I've "caved" to no one. :) *That* concept, my friend, is laughable - and if you knew me better you would certainly understand... ;)
I have made instead a decision based on experiences and knowledge, mostly regarding the apparently different definitions of what exactly constitutes "civility", and how a small few here took excessive liberties with the freedom that had been granted them until now.
Specifically, griefing a VOLUNTEER forum moderator, vilifying them particularly and personally in a rude manner whether publicly OR 'privately' (yes, it was done, though y'all may not have had to be the brunt of it), does not meet MY definition of "civil" discourse and/or conduct.
Thus, an end to the thing which apparently made some think that that sort of behavior is OK...
It is not. I was raised by very 'old-school', 'conservative' parents. The way of personal conduct they taught me may well be near to being a lost concept for most of our society, but I still stand by it, even online. You could sum it up as "If you wouldn't say it in front of, to, or about your own Mother, then - don't.".
My mother, and probably as well, *your* mother, would be shocked and ashamed at how some few people conducted themselves out of the public eye with your VOLUNTEER moderator Newt.
If someone thinks that they can do that and there will be no consequences, then that someone has been proven wrong. And if/when you feel tempted to pine for the 'good ol' days', understand that it is for that type of BS which you can blame those few for the consequences we have now.
There is no lasting anger nor acrimony on either my part nor that of Newt (which should tell you all something about him...) - just a slight change in how things are around here. Nothing too much to ask, no civil liberties being impeded, just a new limitation on PUBLIC discourse regarding a topic that has little if anything to do with Com-Pac sailboats. You are totally free to share your political discussions, links, or whatever via the Private Message system here.
There will be a new "Off Topic" area soon, where the community can share things which may not be strictly sailing- or Com-Pac- related, but it will be there to be used with the understanding that it is NOT for political posts or other types of postings of a type which would fall outside the pale of the "Golden Rule".
Simple enough?
Last - I want to reiterate that Newt acts with my authority here. When nobody else would offer to help, he did. And he has. And he has done a great job of it. For that, I owe him my Thanks and loyalty and understanding. Perhaps some others should do the same.
For clarity: where I might be considered the Captain of this ship, he would be the First Mate. As such, when I am not on watch, he is your Captain, and so commands your respect, or at the very least, deference.
If you have an issue with him, then you bring it to ME to get handled. It will, as fairly and honestly and as transparently as is needed. I've demonstrated the ability to do that in the - what, 7, 8, or more years - that I have been providing the CPYOA website to the community.
So, carry on. have fun, enjoy yourselves while talking about and sharing information regarding your sailboats, and be nice to one another...
Doesn't sound so bad to me...
With all due respect, Capt K., you have decreed that there will be no more political posts and that there will be no debate on the issue. So be it, I don't intend to debate the decision.
But since you responded specifically to my post, I find it mildly insulting to be admonished as if I don't know what I'm talking about. What I've been told is that a few people have abused the privilege of posting in the off topic section in some manner. I also have been told that a few people have complained about it, the inference being that the complaints themselves might have been abusive in nature. As a result of that, the privilege of having civil off topic discussions, free from topic restrictions has been revoked for all.
While you might consider that the right thing to do, it is what it is. Instead of dealing with the offending parties, the privilege was revoked for all. The loudly vocal minority prevailed.
This will kind of be a boring place when the boats are put up for the winter :)
Capt. K
I back your decision to ban politics and religion here suitable topics.
Well, I can't say it's a shame that it has come to this, cause it has been on this course for some time. I enjoy and learn from debates about policy that concerns me and I have my opinions as well as any one, but there does seem to be a group here that are on a campaign to annihilate any opposing views instead of learning from them and so that's just plain ole fighting. Though I don't feel that we should be intimidated by a minority of boisterous voices, this is after all primarily a sailing forum, and most sailors I know wouldn't go to a rowdy bar after a day of sailing. Funny thing is these disruptive tactics are the same basics used by terrorists that some self proclaimed conservatives claim to loath.
I don't debate religion because it doesn't effect me and everyone is entitled to practice it in the fashion they find suitable for themselves, and yes my friends that does include Muslims and Hindus and Budhists and Jews.
If you can't have civil debate on policy then it's no more than a waste of time. People with dogmatic opinions don't respect other's views anyway.
NEWT - don't take it personal - there are plenty of jerks, but there are even more nice people - especially in Com Pacs.
Thank you,
Ron
This whole thing is kinda funny because my politics (which i do not share on the web) are basically conservative. But cannot stand by people being rude for any reason. Capt K and I have had a few discussions on this. When he first put me in as moderator, he told me to give lots of leeway and basically let the forum develop. Only when things got critical did I ask his help- and help he had done....many times in the past and also today. He has forgotten more about running a forum than I will ever learn- and puts alot of money into keeping this forum alive.
A few of us tried to help financially in the past, only to be refused.
To say I have a high opinion of him would be an understatement.
Now as to me being a moderator- I would have to admit that I could do things better. This is something that comes after my family, business and boat. But I am trying to be fair and keep the community welcoming. "Be Nice" is probably the most important thing we can do to each other. If you want my viewpoints on the world, your going to have to sit down with me and a pizza...
Thanks Newt, and Capt K. Oh yes, I like the pizza idea!
Newt: You buy the pizza and I'll buy the beer. But you'll have to come back east for the best pizza- nobody makes it like us!
Brack: This ain't gonna be a boring place if I have anything to say about it! And for you nay-sayers- just wait till I start posting pictures. And wait. And wait. And keep waiting!
Bob23
Quote from: brackish on September 02, 2010, 04:35:19 PMBut since you responded specifically to my post, I find it mildly insulting to be admonished as if I don't know what I'm talking about.
Admonishment towards you and your post most definitely *not* intended... :) But I did want you - and anyone else who might consider it such - to understand that I don't "cave in". Don't, won't, and haven't.
QuoteWhat I've been told is that a few people have abused the privilege of posting in the off topic section in some manner. I also have been told that a few people have complained about it, the inference being that the complaints themselves might have been abusive in nature. As a result of that, the privilege of having civil off topic discussions, free from topic restrictions has been revoked for all.
While you might consider that the right thing to do, it is what it is. Instead of dealing with the offending parties, the privilege was revoked for all. The loudly vocal minority prevailed.
Perhaps I was not clear enough. This is not directly due to any abuse of the off-topic postings or posters. This is ENTIRELY the result of those who took it upon themselves to get personally 'ugly' in how they deal with Newt when he attempted to keep that section on an even keel and to keep that from happening.
I can most certainly let others have their opinions. Even when they are wrong
(lol, and tongue in cheek :D ). But abusing my bud Newt, that went over the line, and as the
root cause was
friction which developed due to off topic postings, I elected of my own will to
kill the problem at its root. Saves me and Newt lots of time and trouble and consternation. Comprende? We both have other, much more important things to deal with...
For the record: There really has been no minority or majority on the whole "Off Topic" subject. Trust me in that the numbers are pretty much the same, in that as many people didn't want it, as did. I have received lots of input and response via PM, beyond that which was indicated by the poll which I posted a long time ago.
As long as it didn't cause problems, I elected to let it ride. When problems started, I killed it. Simple as that. No hard feelings, no judgement, just a "business decision" of sorts.
QuoteThis will kind of be a boring place when the boats are put up for the winter :)
That's up to y'all. But I doubt it. :)
So, brackish
(are you Don Bracken from way back when?): My apologies for not being clear and as a result causing you to feel that I was busting your chops personally. That was
not my intention at all.
Potcake/Ron makes a good point that I've brought up before, having noticed it while living aboard these last 7 years in a marina which gets lots and lots of visitors from all over the country and even world at times:
folks who've just met on the dock don't talk politics. They talk about boats, mostly. Or anchors, weather, charts, etc... I'd even venture to say that politics in that sort of situation is avoided; I really don't care what they think about WRT politics, and they certainly don't care about mine. I AM interested in their trips, experiences, gear, etc... and vice versa. THAT is what is most important to us as sailors, as a community, out in "meatspace", the REAL world.
Food for thought...
Good food, CaptK...I'll chomp on it a while. I think this is gonna be an interesting change for the site. And while I participated in the political discussions of the moment from time to time, I also didn't appreciate the hostility that reared it's ugly head occasionally. I wisely refrained from opening my big mouth recently because it seems that these days, political discussions seem to divide more than they used to.
In re-reading your post, maybe we all owe you a debt of thanks for redirecting us back to reality, aka the Real World. Perhaps political "discussions" are akin to comparing the different dog-shits we have stepped and insisting that mine doesn't smell as bad as yours. Just some early morning commentary- more food for thought!
We experience a pertinent event at family gatherings. My father-in-law, 91 and has sailed for 75 years and my brother in law are both quite intelligent with opposing political views. (For the record, I am not quite as intelligent as either but some readers will remember that I am an amateur genius). A fun thing that I used to like to do is to utter just one line of political commentary and then just step out of the picture while the two of them go at if for the next 2 hours. I've stopped that practice because it often turned ugly with neither party willing to listen to the other.
So ends an era and begins a new one! I'll be sticking around for a while.
Bob23- off to grind the beans to make the coffee that makes Bob go!
(are you Don Bracken from way back when?)
No, the pseudonym is a shortened version of Brackish-at-best which came about from many years of fishing with my Brother in Law in the backwaters of the Mississippi Gulf. The ever variable salinity of the water tends to indicate where and how one should fish. My BIL would always ask "You think this water is salt or fresh?" I'd always reach down and taste a little, and the normal response was "Brackish-at-best". Just a pseudonym, real info is on the registry.
The goal of protecting Newt, our valued volunteer moderator from an onslaught is a worthy one. I would have used a different method, but I'm not in the hot seat. No offense taken.
CaptK, Newt,
In my humble view, you've made exactly the right decision. This is a useful and interesting forum, we should respect each other as sailors and Compac owners, and leave religion, politics and other inflammatory yet unrelated aspects of our lives somewhere else - not because these topics should not be discussed at all, but because they easily lead to all-too-heated discussions in this anonymous setting and poison the camaraderie. Thank you for doing the right thing!
So, are the Seattle Seahawks going to have a great season?
We could also debate and understand more about the Racing Rules of Sailing.
http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/RRS2009-2012-%5B5950%5D.pdf
It is disappointing to have been forced to have to post the following...
I have had to temporarily ban a member here due to the choice they made to post content in a direct and consciously-made violation of the 'no politics, no religion, be nice to each other' rule we now have for the community.
This one ban is 'temporary' for a single reason, and that was my mistake in that I did not say what will be the consequences of making such postings. So here they are:
The consequences of willfully violating the policies and peace of this forum will be anything up to and including complete, immediate removal of the violators PRIVILEGE to participate here by deletion of their account, and subsequent permanent banning.
There are no "3 strikes" allowed, no warnings promised. There is a certain amount of compassion and understanding on the part of myself, Newt, and other folks who will join us in moderation in the near future. Evidence of this is that the person who is temporarily banned has not had their privileges here summarily revoked as of this morning.
No member is exempt from the above. I would hate to do it, but even if a person has made thousands of posts over the years and made lots of contribution, they are still subject to the rules and policies, just like the rest of us. As such and being adults and their own people, they can make the choice to do the things which will force me to terminate their membership, or not. If they do, That would be a shame, but - it is that persons choice to abide by a few simple, easy rules, or not. This forum is not, and has never been, either a democracy nor meritocracy; it has always been, and will be, a benevolent dictatorship. As such, I will lose no sleep over doing the things I need to do to make sure that the large majority here continues to find this a place to enjoy discussing Com-Pac sailboats and related topics.*
I do not want to be a hard ass. I will be one, however, when needed. That will only be in response to the choices made by some other individual.
Play by the rules the rest of us here follow, have fun, and the above will never need apply.
Last, and most important, perhaps: My Most Sincere Apologies to the 99.999% of you who have absolutely 0 to do with this, yet are being subjected to having to witness it.
-----------------------------
*For those who must post political topics on a sailing-oriented website, I suggest either the sailinganarchy.com forums, or in the "Bilge (http://www.seafaring.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=8&sid=a9752a2bdd69fb64365191bc78f52828)" area at the latsnatts.com forum.
In re-reading some of the above posts, I believe that CaptK noted that there would be an off-topic section in the future. Well, that's gonna be interesting. Sorta like we've been given a clean slate to start over with...nothing wrong with that!
BTW, Capt: What do you sail and where? Other than your moderator contributions, I really don't know much about you.
Bob23
(Although there are "no warnings promised", I believe you are a fair man and in the interest of civility and common courtesy, you'd probably issue a personal message of warning before removing a participant. You really don't have to answer this...just more of my rambling, I suppose.)
Hi Bob -
We'll get the new OT section going this weekend. It will be there for Off Topic/non-Com-Pac-related posts, within the guidelines of the "no politics, no religion, be nice to one another" policy. A clean slate, as you say, and an overall nicer one, as well. :)
My background, a short version :) - I've been immersed in sailing of all sorts - cats, monos, windsurfing, etc... - for over 25 years now. Starting back in '01-02, I used to own a CP23(D); "Epiphany" I named her, she was hull number 26 (her old, no longer exising website can still be seen in part here (http://web.archive.org/web/20021005234428/http://www.liquid-epiphany.com/)). She was a *great* boat. Though she started life as a CP23 mark/version 1, laid up in the fall of '79, by the time I bought her she had been modified up to "CP23D/III" status. Her second owners were the fellas up in NC at The Sailboat Company, and they upgraded her massively - added the bowsprit when Hutchins came out with that, and 6 bronze opening ports, and a Universal M2-12 they exchanged for a guy with a CP27, etc etc... We had many adventures and great times during 3 1/2 years together, up until I decided to move aboard and wanted a boat with standing headroom and a bit more of a 'bluewater' design, as I love to sail in the ocean and have an eye on distant shores. I don't know where she is now, last I know of she was up in NC with the folks I sold her to, but I think she may have been re-sold again since then.
These days I have a '67 Pearson Ariel (http://www.pearsonariel.org), hull #422. I live aboard with my CrewDogs Molly and Buffett in Georgetown SC while I'm getting her ready for some long distance, offshore work. She's a classic Alberg design, full keel, the 'little sister' of the Triton. Sails like a dream, and is pretty much everything I have ever looked for in a boat. :)
I've been running the CPYOA website - for better or for worse ;) - since '03, IIRC. I took over from Mike Quigley, a guy who did the most incredible, thorough, and beautiful restoration of a CP16 I have *ever* seen. There may still be a pictorial record of that at the Yahoo group. Mike later got a CP19, then more into racing with a Beneteau First 235 (IIRC). At any rate, since then I have been the chief CPYOA Cat Herder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8). ;D
WRT the 'no warnings' provision of the rules for posting - that is always a possibility and an option, but it is one I hope we NEVER have to use. Nonetheless, I thought it wise to reserve, keeping the well-being of the community in mind.
2 things about the new policy:
1) In the interests of transparency: the member who I had to temporarily ban (for having immediately posted 4 different political, non-Com-Pac posts less than 2 days after the above rules came into effect) has not responded to me or my request that he give me his word not to post such topics here again. I sent him an email stating that if he would give me his word not to post that sort of thing, I would lift the ban on his account and he would be able to participate just as fully as he had done before. Besides that email, every time he has attempted to log in to the site, he receives a message asking him to send an email to that same address (which is register.cpyoa AT gmail DOT com ) in order to get the ban status changed. I am sad to say that he has not replied despite the several different ways which I have used to try and reach a point of accord regarding his membership here and the fact that we no longer allow such postings. That is all I have asked, or expect, from him, in order to get the ban lifted. With regret on my part, but determination that the well being of the community is priority #1 in regards to this topic, that ban is on Permanent status now, and will remain so until such time as he chooses to play by the same rules as the rest of us here. That is certainly not too much to ask...
2) In the first 8 days of this month, since the new rules went into effect, forum participation more than doubled from that of a month ago, with regard to both the number of New Topics and New Posts. I hope this is due to the fact that people are finding this place more enjoyable when it is focused primarily on the one thing we all have in common, Com-Pacs. :)
Well, the wind is puffing up, and the forecast calls for 20's this afternoon, so it is time to rig up and get out onto the water... Have a great day, everyone! :)
Thanks for that reply...now I feel like I've met the captain at last!
Too bad about the banee...I think you are being quite reasonable to say the least. The ban caught be off guard becasue I hadn't read the offending posts but to insult the great and humble Newt, well, I agree that was the last straw!
See you on the water or the site...have a great sail!
Bob23
(Glad to hear you are an ex-23er. I love mine...she's just perfect!)
(ps: "Cat Herder?" That was great!)
Although mostly redundant, I'm just going to add my two cents.
HORRAYYY for the change in rules, and kudos to CaptnK for doing it. While I didn't read the offending posts, (I guess I avoided them instinctively), I did pick up on some of the backlash and overflow. Even though they are certainly valid topics, and I hold fast to everyone's right of free speech; I don't think this forum needs the complications of political or religious debate. The primary reason for that is what has already been said, it's not the topic, or exchange of ideas that is the problem; it is the effect of online anonymity, or simply poor manners, which results in some people escalating such discussion to a shouting match with the loudest, or most obnoxious contestant "winning". In fact everyone looses in that situation. I have seen it happen in other forums. I understand everyone has the option to read or not read such topics and discussions, but even if one chooses not to; the venom leaks to other areas and poisons the entire site.
I say, if we want to have contests, let them not be those of a shouting nature; let them be of a sailing nature!!! Let's have a big regatta... no soap boxes needed!
Although my history might paint me as a newbie, I was a very regular participant in the "old" forum in the period following and just prior to my purchase of "Dog Watch" (CP 16III). I spent many hours on the site back then, (when I probably should have been working, LOL), but then hove to for a while, and didn't log on for a long time. When I "returned", I found the site had changed, and had to re-register and my old history was lost, (not that it matters at all.) I'm just glad to be back, and that the forum continues to improve and provide an excellent resource for us all, not to mention a great way to once again procrastinate all the work I should be doing. ;-)
"Time and tide wait for no man."
Definitely redundant at this point but I'll also express my support for the rule changes and my gratitude to CaptK for putting them in place. Keeping it brief. Now back to discussions of sailing.
I am am a newbie to the forum and a very new owner of a Compac 19. I want to pst a question but for the life of me I can't find a post button.
Thanks
Oliver
Go to the forum you want to post to. You are looking for the item named "New Topic". That button is located just above the blue line with the items labeled "Subject, Started by, Replies, Views, Last Post".
What a great way to end this topic. Welcome aboard, Oliver!
My "thanks" to CaptK and your wisdom, Newt, Bob23, Salty19, and all the rest that make the forum the best place to be, short of sailing.
Dave
omoore,
Welcome aboard.
The guys gave you good advice, just click on the subtopic area you want to post in and click New Topic to the upper right above the white window. Admittedly it's hard to find..sorry you're having trouble.
For example, if you have a CP16 you might want to post in that forum area if you need to ask something specific about that boat. Or to just ask general stuff , maybe the Lounge or Boat Modifications area if you're looking to add something.
I;m new here but I agree and sure hope my ignorance or lack of total knowledge on sailing would and do make me and easy target. I joined the forum as I share with the rest of you a love of sailing. Criticism wise I have thick skin anyway I guess thats a good thing. In saying that I know as you should to that wise crack answers are from insecure self rightous people trying to prove something what I don;t know. Is there ANYONE out there in calif. area that has and eclipse sailboat?????
This forum is about sailing and Com Pac sailboats. There are plenty of other places to discuss world events, politics, religion etc.
Keep Calm-Sail On! Matt
Blue D--Welcome!
In no way should anyone here target you for any type of ill-will based on your lack of knowledge of sailing, or for that matter anything else. Being abusive to other forum members is not tolerated here.
The ribbing on this site is all in good fun and not spiteful, although it may appear to a newbie as such. Many of us have been here for years, have met, drank grog and sailed together, or otherwise have "bonded" on the forum. So when you see us make fun of each other...trust me, it's just good natured joking around among friends.