| Author | Message | ||
| Ryan Alexander (Ryalex)
Junior Member Username: Ryalex Post Number: 115 Registered: 8-2003 |
I'm not an owner yet, but participating here has already given me plenty more info and contact with people I wouldn't have enjoyed otherwise. I don't think letting non-owners in is the problem, but I definitely think people coming to a Ferrari site should respect the feelings of the group as enthusiasts - you don't go and walk into a Catholic Church and start bagging on the Pope. You come here to talk Ferrari's, perhaps some related issues and some off-topic banter. Occasional debates about other cars will arise, but I don't expect people to walk in and tell me why my favorite cars suck. I don't want to hear it. | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 467 Registered: 11-2002 |
Frank, I understand how you feel about non-owners on the site. However, I think it can be good to have non-owners post. As a matter of fact, my first post on F-chat was as a non-owner, where I was asking about buying a 308 GT4. http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/251280/162320.html?1037417758 I got lots of great advice, and great leads, and just a short while later, I purchased my GT4. I found the car thanks to 2 f-chatters that mentioned the existance of the car, and that it was a good car. If I had been unable to post, I might never have found my car. Dom | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Advanced Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 3419 Registered: 6-2001 |
Frank, i understand why you may not want non-owners here, but one great part about Fchat is it helps people become owners. There have been so many people who came here, researched and then bought a car and then said that this site made it much easier for them. There are hundreds of informative posts and posters that would be helpful to someone shopping for any model of ferrari. Thses posts and the people who write them can guide someone in the market for fcar, and even save them alot of money and hassle. Would it be right to not let someone who truly wants to own one have access to that just because they dont own one yet? For anyone who is interested in driving away trolls, simply dont respond to them no matter how tempting it is. The only reason they post is to get a reaction, so dont give it to them. this includes posting the same pictures over and over and over again. | ||
| Ken Thomas (Future328driver)
Member Username: Future328driver Post Number: 597 Registered: 12-2001 |
I can understand Frank's position about non-Ferrari owners. But, I am a non-owner and definitely not part of the riff-raff. A solid user's policy is the way to go so that Rob can kick people off that raise trouble. | ||
| Ken Thomas (Future328driver)
Member Username: Future328driver Post Number: 596 Registered: 12-2001 |
"Why don't you charge 250.00 a year that will get rid of the riff-raff." - Green Great idea. Will $250 get your stupid ass of the board? Those of us that are here for the valuable information and comraderie would like to go about our interests without meddling little punks like yourself wasting our bandwidth with drivel. | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 358 Registered: 8-2003 |
Thanks,Rob. I really do appreciate that. Part of just about every aspect of life includes diversity. And diverse opinions. If everybody thought exactly the same,what kind of world would that be? Pretty lame! I am never afraid to express my own Opinion...never back down,after all it's only MY opinion,right? And someone has the option to agree or disagree. I can live with that! As,I have the choice to agree or disagree with someone else's. But,some people constantly berate others on this format,and what is really gained? By anyone? Yeah,one or two find it amusing.Thats about it. And,by all means,I wasn't trying to "belittle" any "Non Ferrari owners". But,just trying to express my opinion as to where most of the riff raff-not all-but most of it comes from. When you have an open format on the internet,it could be a great thing,and sometimes it can back fire. But,once again,in MY opinion,I think that all in all everyone pretty much behaves,and a good time is had by all. And,once again Rob,thanks for this oppotunity to allow all of us to be able to express our opinions,help other owners,point future owners in the right direction,and generally,have a fun time doing it on your site. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 6392 Registered: 12-2000 |
Good to have you on the site Frank. With much diversity and oppinions, I just try to meet the needs of everyone. If we're all Ferrari enthusiasts and have some basic manners I don't think we can go too far wrong. | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 356 Registered: 8-2003 |
Rob,you have a really great thing here. Wish that I had discovered it a long time ago,but didn't. Hope I haven't annoyed you,and will concentrate more on just asking real Ferrari questions,and stuff,instead of trying to catch up to DES on posts!  Thanks for a great venue. I know that I really appreciate it,and despite all of the uneccessary junk,have learned alot about Ferrari's on your Ferrari Chat site. Thanks again!. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 6391 Registered: 12-2000 |
For awhile I had some great ideas beyond FerrariChat.com and I would need capital for that along with a staff. However, it would have to be a perfect situation to go forward with those ideas. Right now I think everything I want with FC can be achieved without outside infusion. Really, money isn't needed to make FC better, just time and in order to have time I need to replace my current income. | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 355 Registered: 8-2003 |
Guys,please don't get me wrong,here. I am NOT trying to say anything like,"Ha Ha. I actually own a Ferrari and you don't" Hey,I've said it before,and I'll say it again. Up until 3 years ago,I was a non owner,too! Almost became an owner twice before,several years ago,but,it's probably a good thing that I didn't,because I would have lost the car when I got divorced. You know how that Bullsh*t goes. All I am trying to say is that if you STARTED out with actual Ferrari owners,on the Ferrari chat,that would be a good start. As,MOST,but not all,ACTUAL Ferrari owners are MORE interested in talking Ferrari than other crap. To prove my point. Check out the regional sites. MOSTLY talk shop-"where do you get your car serviced","wanna go for a drive Sunday","There's a car show next week",stuff like that.Not all that B.S. about,"you suck!". "Get off this thread,you stupid kid"," That guys a real moron".,"What do you like on your pizza?" and so on,and so on... And,the best way that I can think of to keep it real,is to have actual Ferrari owners,AND perhaps some proven,real Ferrari enthusiasts,right? If you want to talk sh*t,use E-mail,or some other chat room. This site says,FERRARI CHAT. Lets talk Ferrari! And,most of the non owners CAN'T talk about THEIR Ferrari driving experiences.Where they get THEIR Ferrari serviced. What new parts they got for THEIR Ferrari. What show they entered THEIR Ferrari in.Because they don't have one. That doesn't neccessarily mean they aren't passionate about Ferrari's. Or,don't know anything about Ferrari's. So,some talk sh*t,only because they got nothing else to talk about on FERRARI CHAT. An idea. Why not make some threads for owners only,and some open to all-? That would be a good way to gauge the difference. I am not saying that actual Ferrari owners don't talk crap,too. Seen alot,and am guilty myself. Only because I tried to get into an "off Thread" and expressed my OPINION. But,have decided that,after this philosophical babbling, I am just going to post Ferrari only queries. How else can you "pick and choose" who gets to play,and who doesn't? Start with actual Ferrari owners,add real Ferrari enthusiasts,and take it from there. You can't really,in this day and age,exclude anyone from a "publicly offered site". Too many lawsuit happy people,and too many ambulance chasing type lawyers who will probably try to sue for discrimination or something. Also,someone else mentioned something along the lines of if somone screws up X amount of times,they're banned. Would that be equal to a guy who just happened to discover this site,and only has,say 72 posts,and a guy who happened to find this site awhile back,and has 4,000 or 6,000 posts? Its got to be equal. Unless you make it a "private club" or something.(can you do that on the internet?) I don't know just my thoughts and opinion. But,probably,would have alot less grief with just REAL Ferrari owners,and enthusiasts,in FERRARI CHAT. My opinion,you're welcome to yours. | ||
| Adam (Fasttalk)
Member Username: Fasttalk Post Number: 275 Registered: 8-2002 |
Rob, I think your goals are very modest (and smart at this time) I have spent the last three years liquidating the assets of a couple of thousand dot.coms that only had money, but no idea of what their business was or wanted to be. You are ahead of them already. With the user base that you have, I am sure you can get all the free business/legal/personal advice that you need or want, but the question always is, will they put their money where their mouth it. The most successful ventures that I have seen, have only taken investments from private angel investors that add value to the business while leaving the controll with the company, and not trying to re-invent anything, just grow it. If you are ever interested in going down that path, I would be happy to discuss this further. I think you have a great business opertunity, and the right attitude. Perceived value is only how you package it, you have to get them to see what you see. Adam | ||
| Horsefly (Arlie)
Intermediate Member Username: Arlie Post Number: 1485 Registered: 5-2002 |
Ferrarichat sure has changed through the years. Back in the early 60s, we had to sit in front of a binary encoding panel and enter our postings with bat handle toggle switches. And of course we had to deal with the racks of heat producing 12AT7 vacuum tubes that routed everything to the ferrite memory cores. Remember when we had to load photos on our rotary facsimile machines and send them to each individual member? And remember the day when those first computer "punch cards" arrived that allowed Rob to store his member list inside a shoe box? And how about the time that Rob sent everybody a Christmas greeting using the characters of the alphabet to make a "prancing horse" picture on our old Teletype printers that we used back then. Those were the days. | ||
| G. Green (Mr_green)
Member Username: Mr_green Post Number: 375 Registered: 8-2003 |
Why don't you charge 250.00 a year that will get rid of the riff-raff. If a guy can spend 50k to 250k for a car what's the big deal about dropping 250.00 a year for the price of admission. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 6388 Registered: 12-2000 |
Everyone will have to accept as they reregister on the new software. However, you don't have to pay any money at least! | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 783 Registered: 3-2002 |
On the proposed Code of Conduct: Can the old farts ( people hear over a year ) be grandfathered from having to sign and notorize the paperwork ? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 6387 Registered: 12-2000 |
Adam, Simply... YES. My goal is to do this full time. I don't even want to make alot of money at it. Just about what I'm making now as a "about to be off-shored" IT employee. However, I've had a few people interested in buying FC, the problem is I like to be 100% in control and my perceived value of FC is much more than anyone that has come forward. My value I put on FC is that it will be the #1 online Ferrari community in the world for the rest of my life. I enjoy working on it and my finanical goals are only to have it support me full time, nothing more. | ||
| Adam (Fasttalk)
Member Username: Fasttalk Post Number: 274 Registered: 8-2002 |
Rob, Have you ever considered taking some patners/investors to help implement some of these ideas, and to allow you to do this full time? Adam | ||
| Thomas I (Wax)
Member Username: Wax Post Number: 376 Registered: 7-2003 |
"You own a Ferrari,and want to ask OTHER Ferrari owners about THEIR experiences with the car,what THEY do/did to correct it,whatever,and don't need a non owner injecting his "opinion". - Frank Wiedmann I disagree - there's been several instances where I've dug up pre-69 and unusual Ferrari info others haven't found - including acknowledged experts. The same can surely be said for other non-owners. "Or some Porsche,Lambo owners who just want to rip Ferrari's." - Frank Wiedmann I agree entirely. 1.A simple code of conduct I'm going to work with Mr. Hart on a code of conduct and legal agreement that you must accept before registering. - Rob Lay I've got a Code of Conduct/Registration Agreement I'll send to you via email, so you gentlemen can refine it to your liking. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 6385 Registered: 12-2000 |
Frank, I think you're way off base on your opinion for allowing Ferrari owners only. From day one I've said I want Ferrari enthusiasts only. That includes many non-owners and excludes several actual Ferrari owners. For example, Wayne knows more about Ferraris than 95% of users on this board, yet he doesn't own a Ferrari. I appreciate his knowledge and passion. Wayne adds much value to our site. That's what is important. Each person must have their own filter for the threads they participate in. On a personal level I love the bikini thread, but I know others might despise this. To each his own, FerrariChat.com is a diverse community and each user can take and give as they wish from it. | ||
| Dr. J C928 (Attitude928)
Junior Member Username: Attitude928 Post Number: 89 Registered: 11-2002 |
F-chat is fine the way it is. There are enough cops on the road. | ||
| Joe (Jts)
Junior Member Username: Jts Post Number: 94 Registered: 8-2003 |
Frank - while I agree with you on most of what you wrote, I really have to comment on your desired "Ferrari Owners Only" policy. This is certainly not the first time you have proposed this "owners only" set up; seriously Frank, you sound like you have a fleet of Enzos or something. I understand the desire to keep out the trolls and the idiots, and Rob has several ideas on "gating" this community - but to say that only owners can participate is an almost childish attempt at creating some kind of exclusionary club or clique - an act which I do not believe is in the spirit of this community. There are a lot of non-owners here (like me) who are only here because they have a love and passion for the marque. How do you think we even found FChat? One of my goals in life is to own a 550 Maranello and I hope to accomplish this within 24 months. So as per your rules, I can post to FChat on that glorious day but not before? Let me put it another way (and I apologize in advance for any offence): There are FChat members that have millions upon millions of dollars worth of Ferraris in their collections and if they can tolerate us non-owners, maybe you can too. | ||
| James Dixon (Omnadren250)
Member Username: Omnadren250 Post Number: 423 Registered: 7-2001 |
It was a lot more fun when we used to argue about Supras....no childish name calling, just hardcore car guys arguing about cars. | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 782 Registered: 3-2002 |
Can we give him his own section where he can DEScribe the vehicles in detail ? etc.... Mark can post the Pics ! Given the fact that he is on his way to 10K posts. What is beyond F1 World Champ ? LOL | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 354 Registered: 8-2003 |
Check out the FCA site, Hardly any B.S. and bantering. And,not to "pick on" any Non Ferrari owners...I was one once,myself. But,if I am going to get into a discussion with someone about Ferrari's I personally prefer to do it with a fellow owner. Someone else who EXPERIENCES the driving,the care,the expense,and the passion that can only be known by another owner. Sure,I truly believe that some non owners can provide some valuable input. Before I got my car,I read every book,watched every video,etc...that I could find about Ferrari's. First checked out the FCA site,and think it's great.LOTS of good info.(like here) but without all the bullsh*t. Found out about this site,and at first thought it was like the FCA site. But,then saw all the B.S.,off topic stuff in a thread that was intended and dedicated to a real subject. And,it comes from everywhere. Established members AND new members. I tried to inject some humor into some of my posts,because I am a very easy going guy who tries to find humor in life,and laugh everyday. Unfortunately,not everyone found humor in what I posted,so,I policed myself,and apologized to anyone that I may have offended. I've been offended myself,by a long time member,too. So,you can't really pick on new guys. I really think that there's a place for humor,but,only on a thread thats intended for that. If someones trying to get some information that they need,and someone else gets the thread going on a different subject,or posts disparaging remarks about another guy,just because they got a hard on for that person,thats a bunch of Bull. Need to keep the real info threads real. If you want to chat with someone else,then E-mail them. In my opinion,you should only allow posting by actual Ferrari owners. After all this IS FChat,right? Allow anyone to view it. And,when they get a Ferrari,can join in. Ferrari Chat is supposed to be just that,right? Talking about Ferrari's! If you want to shoot the sh*t with someone,or call them an assh*le,them E-mail them.And,I am sure that there's going to be alot of non owners gonna blow me some sh*t,but I don't care...I'm a big boy and can handle it.But,thats what I think some of the guys are complaining about.You own a Ferrari,and want to ask OTHER Ferrari owners about THEIR experiences with the car,what THEY do/did to correct it,whatever,and don't need a non owner injecting his "opinion". Or some Porsche,Lambo owners who just want to rip Ferrari's. But,this is a FERRARI Chatline,I believe,if I'm not mistaken,was probably intended for actual Ferrari owners to chat with OTHER ACTUAL owners,about each others Ferrari.Nuff said. But...thats only MY opinion. If there's 100 people on FChat,you'll probably get 100 different opinions. That is what the world is made of.And everyones entitled to their own opinion. It is America! | ||
| thomas daniels (Castex)
Junior Member Username: Castex Post Number: 97 Registered: 6-2003 |
Pay money?!!  | ||
| Randall (Randall)
Member Username: Randall Post Number: 685 Registered: 1-2003 |
I think a small fee ($10 a year) that allows you to post would help eliminate some of the troublemakers. Reading through the posts would still be free, just posting would cost. Could even grandfather some people based on their time here, sponsorship or whatever seems appropriate. I've noticed lately all the trash talking and it does get pretty tiresome to read through, especially when it's in areas other than here (Off Topic section). | ||
| Gordo A. (Gordo)
Junior Member Username: Gordo Post Number: 148 Registered: 2-2003 |
Bobd, Thats nothing, we are used to good old BSE aka Mad cow over this side of the water | ||
| Ed P. (Ebp)
Junior Member Username: Ebp Post Number: 241 Registered: 12-2002 |
Rob, I think you have some good ideas here. I like the idea of various levels of access based on subscription or tenure. That alone will weed out a lot of the trolls, not to mention increase the value of the site in the eyes of potential sponsors and advertisers. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1536 Registered: 3-2001 |
Gordo, just be careful... we've had some bad meat here... salmonella type stuff. | ||
| Gordo A. (Gordo)
Junior Member Username: Gordo Post Number: 147 Registered: 2-2003 |
Dom, As a new user I would love to be able to READ the meat but perhaps I shouldnt be entitled to write to it. Might be useful in encouraging new people by seeing the value not just the fun? | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 466 Registered: 11-2002 |
Rob, how about view most/some parts of the site without registering, but pay to get to the meat (i.e., tech section, bikini thread etc.) and to post messages. I've never deemed it worthy to subscribe to an internet site, but this is the first site I will subscribe to. I have saved thousands of dollars thanks to ferrarichat, and I have no problems paying some of that back. Dom | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 6382 Registered: 12-2000 |
I'm going to work with Mr. Hart on a code of conduct and legal agreement that you must accept before registering.
Well, after I get back from Indy I will be close to switching to the new software. There will be a one month period that all users can register for a free year subscription. After that month expires all registrations will require a $9.95 a year fee. If trolls want to pay the $9.95, get banned and then keep paying the $9.95, then that's up to them. Right now if I ban them, they can just easily reregister. I can't block most IP's as AOL, Hotmail, and Yahoo use dynamic addressing. If I blocked one of their IP's, I would be blocking hundreds of other users too. I am also expanding what FerrariChat.com offers. I will start bringing experts in various areas into paid positions. This will take time, but the goal is to reward those 1% of experts in various areas that are so valuable to the community.
The experiment with Wayne being a moderator has worked out great. I told him my moderating philosophy, it's just too big of job for one person. I will look at expanding the number of moderators.
You will have to register in order to see most parts of the site and post to anything. Still considering various levels based on both subscription fee or tenure on FC. --- Rikky, It really scares me to think there would be more users on FC. I would love to see more experts and I would love to see more enthusiasts reap the benefits of FC, but I just don't know how we can handle the load. 95% of our problems today are just related to the mass number of users. I'm hoping one of two things happen with subscriptions... #1: It keeps the community small and at a level of high quality. #2: If FC does grow, then the revenue of the site will be in correlation and will provide me the resources to keep it at a high quality. Either way, it's a win win for the community. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Advanced Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 2623 Registered: 6-2001 |
I've been here since May of 01. There has been heated discussions since I started. Occassionally people will call each other names, but it never seems to go too much beyond that. Enjoy the logic of the varying groups of people. Its all in good fun. Art | ||
| Gordo A. (Gordo)
Junior Member Username: Gordo Post Number: 145 Registered: 2-2003 |
whart, Point taken. As I said so much of it is just hilarious but my point is somewhere if someone dont respect the priviledge maybe they shouldnt enjoy it. This is a great site that has saved me a packet, and I would like to think in my short time here I have helped out a few too. OK, maybe I should just lighten up eh? | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1650 Registered: 12-2001 |
Gordo: I've been here for a while, and the more things change the more they are the same, too. Don't hold on to the negative stuff, get what you can, and enjoy. Its a far better site than any other one i frequent and there are any number of people here who would give you the shirt off their back if necessary. | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 926 Registered: 2-2003 |
Having to filter through nonsense posts is like receiving telamarketing calls, http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/132929/320037.html?1064433230. Its free (mostly), we love it, Rob deserves to be commended constantly, but "personalizing" F-Chat is something I would immediately pay money for. Even by hand picking users and charging membership, people will still raise the cry to be able to block out people they find offensive, annoying, rude, and any other adjective you want to throw in. Enforce the terms of use. When membership reaches 5,000 users, or 10,000 users, what will the content be like? Suddenly, trolls become a lot more than an annyoance, they become a resource drain. How many moderators will it take to control the trolls? If a user has something important to say, they create a thread. Just because someone may pay money to post on the site doesn't mean that permission can't be revoked, quite the opposite. If they sign up again, block the IP. Where would companies be today if they couldn't filter or block traffic coming in on their network? Whats that worth? I may be a troll to some of you being a non-owner. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. We pick on each other enough to keep it entertaining, we don't need their inane chatter. Sunny | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 355 Registered: 5-2002 |
Well, I still don't agree and pretty sure that I won't anytime soon with a subscription fee. It just doesn't seem like the outstanding userbase is enough. Adding a fee will only deter new users from joining. I am not really a part of any community concerning Ferrari's, so this is my only view of the "Ferrari World." To me it seems as though every Ferrari owner posts or visits this site. Why wouldn't they? I don't really have a picture in my mind of someone who owns a Ferrari that isn't here. I obviously understand that this isn't true - 1500-2000 active members here vs. 5000 Ferraris made per year! Same story with however many are out there in total. To me it seems like Fchat should be attracting more, and the best way to do that is not through a fee. I could be wrong though Back to the point - I think that this is a messageboard trend. Things get casual - tempers flare - and there will always be the occasional trolls. I think people like Allan are great, sure he is over the top but the arguments are fun and they aren't hurting anyone! Ok some people could stand to be a little more mature about the whole issue, but for the most part no one gets hurt. As the forum grows more mods will come about and people will start getting banned. I can think of a few in particular (ahem) on whom it would be nice to test this feature. Ferrarichat as great to me as the day I found it. Even more so, many new additions I feel-especially this off-topic section- that brings the community closer together, as well as showcasing our wide variety of views. | ||
| Gordo A. (Gordo)
Junior Member Username: Gordo Post Number: 144 Registered: 2-2003 |
Mr Doody, Subscription is as you say probably more trouble than its worth, but policing by the senior guys here could be possible couldnt it? At any given time it seems several are here contributing. Maybe posters are also not given full group access to start but again I guess thats a tough one to put in place. G | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1778 Registered: 11-2001 |
i think a subscription fee is fraught with all sorts of perils to the community. i'd happily fork it over personally, but i think it'd be detrimental to ferrarichat in the long run. IMO, what fchat needs in short order are policing tools. the "penalty box" idea is a rational one, but implementing it carries some risks. moderators who can move off-topic and stupid posts to "off topic" and "stupid" forums don't introduce detailed editorial control, but can constrain the conflagrations (and i for one can tell you i'll ignore, with extreme prejudice, all the threads that end up in "stupid"; i already ignore a lot of the posts in "off topic"). an "ignore user" feature would go a long way towards weeding out the very small number of trouble-makers. doody. | ||
| TWS (Au_fan)
Junior Member Username: Au_fan Post Number: 55 Registered: 5-2003 |
I agree with Gordo, but would add one caveat. Subscription fee levied following an appropriate probationary period as a newcomer. Acceptance of fee would be contingent upon behavior during the probationary period. In the event that a newcomer puts up a good front for the probationary period and modifies behavior following acceptance of subscription fee, it could be refunded and their IP address could be blocked from posting. Subscription fee could be used to support the race team and help Rob begin to meet more of his personal goals. I realize that these suggestions are wrought with all kinds of issues, but chat rooms can be used very effectively for brainstorming valid solutions to problems (i.e., rogue posters). I also must agree that this is an awesome site with a wealth of information and great people. Its just a shame to see the village idiots striving to corrupt the site. TWS | ||
| Gordo A. (Gordo)
Junior Member Username: Gordo Post Number: 142 Registered: 2-2003 |
Thomas, Agree entirely. It may nothing can change, but when I see a new guy today calling Rob everything under the sun it is incredible. These people dont deserve to be here surely? | ||
| Thomas I (Wax)
Member Username: Wax Post Number: 373 Registered: 7-2003 |
I observed F-Chat from a distance for quite some time before joining. As is the case in other forums which I allow to consume by free time, the banter that "works" has a certain 'je ne sais quoi' about it, whereas those trolling - well, they're just spiteful. However, for those who are earnest, there are most certainly going to be differences of opinion and expression thereof - same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as... For instance, a discussion on Lamborghini is as good as can be until Lambo weighs in with one of his multiple disparaging comments about Ferrari. In the most heavily trafficked Ferrari discussion site on the planet earth, F-Chat. That's going out of one's way to stir trouble, and as such, is wrong in so many ways. It's somewhat akin to being a door-to-door missionary hell-bent on making sure no one converts to your religion. The vast majority of Ferrari-owning members are kind to non-owners, though a very, very few rotten apples tend to dismiss non-owners such as myself with weak Have/Have-Not comments. Even when non-owners have valid observations, moreso than the aforementioned rare offending individuals who display their egos moreso than the merits of the pure unadulterated joy of rolling art. I could cover each aspect of the message you are trying to convey, but after years of seeing this, that and the other on many a chosen forum (and I choose carefully) the Bottom line is - I find that those who get the brunt of hostility, earn it. | ||
| G. Green (Mr_green)
Member Username: Mr_green Post Number: 365 Registered: 8-2003 |
Are you trying to make F-chat a hockey game! | ||
| Adam (Fasttalk)
Member Username: Fasttalk Post Number: 269 Registered: 8-2002 |
How about a "penalty box" where repeat offenders can be suspended from posting for a while. | ||
| Augustine J. Staino (Azzuro328)
Member Username: Azzuro328 Post Number: 448 Registered: 4-2003 |
I joined in April and I absolutely love this site. I too have noticed a change since then. I know that I can, at times, get caught up in all of the drama. Some of the time it is for humorous reasons. At other times, I get involved because I choose to defend my friends. I have met and gotten to know a lot of great people as a result of this site, and I don't like to see some punk that just registered start insulting them for no good reason. It's just a shame that there are people that come on to try and ruin a great thing. I don't plan on giving up though. I still get a lot out of this site. | ||
| Gordo A. (Gordo)
Junior Member Username: Gordo Post Number: 141 Registered: 2-2003 |
...and Policing could be done by any number of the reputable longtime users here of which there are many, so the responsibility need not fall to just one person. 2 cents! | ||
| Adam (Fasttalk)
Member Username: Fasttalk Post Number: 268 Registered: 8-2002 |
Tillman, I agree. It takes 2 to tango and there are some "F1 Veterans" out there that just fuel the fire. | ||
| Gordo A. (Gordo)
Junior Member Username: Gordo Post Number: 140 Registered: 2-2003 |
Rob, I hear you I am not intending to complain. Suggestions solutions: 1.A simple code of conduct 2.Subscription perhaps only token but a statement of intent from each individual 3. Some form of policing 4. A probationary period for newcomers perhaps limiting what they can do Please accept the mail in the spirit it was intended. It is an OUTSTANDING site, I as a user want it to stay that way. Cheers | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
Member Username: Tillman Post Number: 967 Registered: 11-2001 |
I'm just waiting for the "ignore user" feature. There's some real trolls on here, and it's not just the new guys. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 6381 Registered: 12-2000 |
I'm always looking at ways to improve the site. Solutions tend to help me down that path more vs. complaining. A big community will have more little idiots. The small communities of FC tend to avoid the flaming and with the new software I hope to introduce more smaller communities. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Advanced Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 3416 Registered: 6-2001 |
Welcome to the internet, Gordo. | ||
| Adam (Fasttalk)
Member Username: Fasttalk Post Number: 266 Registered: 8-2002 |
I agree, unfortunatly it seems to be just a handful of people that are causing this. It is truly a shame. Adam | ||
| Gordo A. (Gordo)
Junior Member Username: Gordo Post Number: 139 Registered: 2-2003 |
I know I am relative newcomer to F-chat, only been a member since the end of last year and I have never not had the opportunity to meet any of you gents. For the most part I have alot of fun here and have learned a tremendous amount about my F and others. For this I am eternally grateful! I do not proport to know everything about the cars, infact I have realised here how little I do actually know, but I do have a passion for the cars and appreciate being able to read and post here. Somewhere along the way however things have changed. It does seem more recently that the amount of flame posts have gone through the roof, as discussions degenerate into slagging matches at the drop of the hat. Many people, newcomers in particular it would appear dont seem to appreciate the fact that this is not only the best F site, but that it is free... A percentage of argybargy is to be expected but to a relative newcomer it in away discourages contribution for fear of retribution. I don't mean to sound like a whinning idiot, I love it here but has it changed or is it just me? |