Forum rules change

[Caboose]

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

[CaptK]

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" area at the latsnatts.com forum.

[Bob23]

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.)

[CaptK]

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). 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, 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.

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!

[Bob23]

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!)

[GlennB724]

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."

[curtisv]

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.

[omoore]

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

[marc]

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". 

[Citroen/Dave]

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

[Salty19]

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.

[blue duck]

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??

[HideAway]

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

[Salty19]

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.