Admin Evaluation of New York Tri-State...

LOL...good one Rob.
I agree with Noah and Emil.
In addition, I can see how an older guy with a garage of ferraris new to NY can be convinced to not be an active member from a quick skim through many threads that having nothing to do with ferraris. The solution to that, in my opinion, is an OT sub-forum (as you said). With regards to a few of you posting that members may not be amenable to welcoming newcomers...I am in disagreement. New posters do get "welcome to Fchat" responses, invites to events... and the friendliness I have seen towards new guys at events is beyond decent.

With regards to new mods.... Sam is an awesome guy and gets the job done well. Traditionally (since I've been a member for 1.5yrs), the Ny-Tristate has had two active moderators. Sam and Vik. A lot goes on here...and it is very difficult for one person to constantly keep track of the flow of posts and threads. Vik is unfortunately not in the US at this time...so the addition of another mod until that dude is back would not be bad.
On the other hand.....it may be good to just have one...that way the not so safe pics stay on for a while!!! LOL

 

Alright, well, I'll toss a considerably less tongue-in-cheek two cents into the pot.

Clearly, the fact that this thread exists has more to do with a few people whining about content in the NYTS to the mods/admins than it does potential fallout from advertisers getting emails about titty pics. So, that likely being the case, I have a question: What happens if a NY-Off-Topic subforum is created, and the same kind of people whine about the same (relatively speaking) content? Is the answer going to be "Too bad, it's OT, if you don't like it don't read it", or is the answer going to be "We'll deal with it / ban people / delete threads"?

If it's the former, I can see the reasoning behind creating a subforum and would say it's probably not a bad idea, with the caveat that doing so would likely move a very large chunk of the "tri-state" discussion to the new NY-OT subsection, thereby turning the existing area forum into something of a dead zone. In that event, I'm not entirely certain what the advantage would be short of mollifying the get-off-my-lawn-you-damn-kids crowd. Personally, I always thought that the regional forums were off-topic in nature given that they're targeted towards specific groups of people living in specific areas for general "ferrari-esque" and other conversation, which in my mind makes the concept of a subforum pretty redundant and silly.

Now, that being said, if the answer to further whining will be the latter, I don't think the creation of a NY-OT serves any purpose what so ever, and the continued nannyisms regarding strongly held opinions and "New York-isms" is only going to serve to drive people away. I understand that the forum has rules and that if they are broken, people need to be warned not to do so again, or have action taken with them if they continue to do so, however if we're going to turn the place into a utopian mash of touchy-feely "diversity" nonsense where people get the boot every time some newbie's feelings get hurt, then I think a lot of people will soon find other venues to chat. I know I for one won't be renewing my subscription if this becomes the case.

So, I guess you can put me in the "it's fine as it is" column. I do enjoy being involved in discussions here, and I've had the fortune to meet some really great people who I've come to consider good friends, as well as have no small amount of laughs and general camaraderie, and I'd hate to see that destroyed all thanks to the mewling of a handful of discontents.

 

OMFG haha, look what I have missed!

 

i dont like the idea of an OT section. I completely agree with Clyde above. Dave I still need to respond to you PM. That is it from me tonight. Shivam signing out from San Francisco!

 

I've been on fchat for 5 years. I don't post with frequency but really enjoy the community. The current frequent posters are great guys having a lot of fun and there isn't one who should be banned or censured (other than temp ban for technical missteps). So it remains a great community, but as far as being an open and welcoming place for new users -- it's broken. For example, many people don't drive 200mph on the street and, further, there are many that are pretty strongly against it. The tendency is to to think that this is old vs young -- I would say that, if there is any generalization that applies, it is those that have kids vs. those that don't. Regardless of how the lines are drawn and personal opinions aside, these high speed run discussions are fairly intimidating to a newcomer, or even an fchat veteran, who, for example, wants to organize a leisurely run. Rob's comment about the Annapolis thread is an excellent example -- a response like "too far for me" would have sufficed rather than making the poster, who provided info that might have been of interest to some, feel like a jerk. Another sign that things are broken is to look at how often guys with vintage cars post. There are many local vintage owners that are very active in other parts of fchat but won't step foot in NYTS. There isn't even much posting from 308/328/etc owners. It's true that there is absolutely nothing preventing them from posting, but it just isn't a welcome environment currently. The OT sub-forum will solve all of this -- none of the current edgy discussions should be reduced or suppressed, but they should be in a sub-forum to make the general NYTS forum a cozy place that is welcoming to all enthusiasts.

 

Even an OT sub-forum is gonna have rules.

Look at the OT forums here now. There still is SOME order to what goes on in there. Still no nudity, no bypassing the filters, etc, but the wild, hairy assed threads that tend to intimidate could be moved there, cleaning up the NYTS and making it an, um, more welcoming place.

I don't want to be misunderstood on this. I think there are some folks here who make a very concerted effort to make it a private playpen in here, where noobs are not welcome, and where inside jokes rule the day. That's just not productive. If you want a private playground, go start another EC or hang with the EF guys on their forum. Most of the guys here are pretty reasonable, but some of you are not looking to let new guys into your circle, and make that clear with the way you post. (BTW, it's not just here, but it sure is more prevalent here.)

FerrariChat.com, at least in my observation, is a place for Ferrari enthusiasts. While the regional forums tend to broaden the subject matter quite a bit, it still should have some occasional Ferrari flavor that doesn't include bragging about going 2,000,000 mph or getting strippers to tit-wash your cars. I like the OT concept, or maybe a NYC sub forum instead, where you cyber-psycho NYC guys could hang out with a LITTLE less supervision. It would probably be the only regional sub-forum here that would need a NWS warning.

Ok, on with the discussion.

Dave M

 

Simba has valid points. I can easily see a new "dead-zone" being formed with an active sub-forum having the same flavor as the current main forum. I'd hate to see that happen.

 

True - but the "Welcome to F-chat" usually includes the offer of participating in one of three things 1) A bikini car wash 2) Scores 3) A run where we hear stories of folks are driving double or triple the posted speed limits (by their own admission)

Some of us are "past" the chick stuff, and just want to do the "car" stuff. As far as large organized runs go - I'm concerned that it may be dangerous on several fronts. One is from a legal standpoint where the entire group might be held responsible when/if one jerk does something really stupid and the group is painted as Fast and Furious jerks - with expensive cars. No - I don't need a group speeding ticket because I was close, or part of a group acting dumb. Yes, I speed, but I don't do triple digits+ on public roads. The other is for my personal safety. I don't want to put my car in a place where I would be "collected" into an accident. Stories of driving up to 180mph on public roads make me want to puke.

Flame suit on - but I guess that that would be what Rob has observed will happen.

 

So when can we expect the new subforum to be up?

 

Since it seems the sub-forum is going to happen, it seems to me it needs a name.
I don't believe it'll be the "Dead Zone" so that would be a misnomer and was already taken.

All you NewYawkers...what's the current lingo for the NY sub-culture?
(This may be time for a new thread)

 

Good idea Clyde.

Hopefully Rob will agree to let us name the ot sub forum.

Lets get some suggestions and then make a poll.

I will start with:

silver lining
–noun
a sign of hope in an unfortunate or gloomy situation; a bright prospect: Every cloud has a silver lining.

 

Bad apples - pun intended

 

+1

 

As far as the runs being welcoming/for everyone goes, on the Exotix Run, my driver was hung over, and we weren't really going all too fast, but we still managed to have a blast, not everyone needs to go flying through these drives....

Anyway what I was wondering about is, it seems like most of the topics we talk about here in the NYTS area would fall under what would be the "Off-Topic" forum would hold, so.... If there is a split, I guess most of us would be going straight to the Off-Topic area? Except for maybe the, this event is happening here on this day/time posts?

 

I think most of the comments are productive and leading in the right direction. The issue here is that we see a clique of good old boys. It’s like entering a party where you don’t know anyone. Some will dive right in and join the crowd, while others hang back or get intimidated. But this is not a private party. This is a public forum, so I agree we have to make it a little more welcoming.

I have seen very little genuine violations of the rules. It is more the "atmosphere" that needs addressing. Yeah, not everyone likes Evos (thank God ) strip clubs (amazingly) and driving 200 mph. So anything that makes the section more welcoming, to a diverse group, I favor.

 

Frontal Nudity isn't what's wrong with the Tri-State section, so the "sheriff coming to town and shooting the first drunk" is a pretty lame tactic. Sam has done a fine job (he never got sufficient credit for chasing that other mod out of the country). I would agree that having a sub section isn't going to solve the problem. I hate to admit it but if you don't like the Tri-State section for what it has become, stay away. I am critical of it at times because I know it has been much better in the past. Sorry for wanting to see more comraderie, relevant Ferrari discussion, and interesting topics. When Rob can make a change that restores that, I'll be happy but I doubt he can. There isn't one choice in this poll that will change the situation.

 

totally agree with you...i think you put it best "sheriff coming to town and shooting the first drunk"

 

I doubt things will change with the ot sub forum. What will change though, is the initial look at the NYTS forum. Once newcomers see a clean relevant forum, they have an option of venturing into the "Bad Apples" Ot section (love the name).

 

Frankly, I think that's a load of crap. I have never once seen a post about an event or an outing in which all were not welcome. The answer to "Is my car cool enough for this event?" is almost always "hell yes, bring a fire truck if you want". In fact, the one or two times there have been exclusionary mindsets (like horsepower limits), it's exactly the people you seem to have an issue with who stand up and say "that ain't right".

This sounds like a bunch of sour grapes over a lot of people having a bunch of fun, that for whatever reason, a select few don't wish to participate in.

The only "newbies" I've ever seen get hassled are those who show up with a chip on their shoulder and actively and personally attack other members. And even then I don't see said members running to the mods and whining about it.

 

Actually I hvnt seen you and Ed P post here together in ages

 

ONE NOT GAME HERE

 

Originally Posted by tuttebenne
Frontal Nudity isn't what's wrong with the Tri-State section, so the "sheriff coming to town and shooting the first drunk" is a pretty lame tactic.

Rob. I appreciate your interest in getting the section back on track; late as it may be. Of course I "get it".

- frontal nudity was never mentioned in any complaints.
- the Tri-State section has had problems or perceived problems for quite a while
- the Administrator takes a look into the situation and a poll is posted
- a seemingly regular contributor is isolated and banned at approximately the same time.

How else is this supposed to be perceived? If you weren't picking on Joey (someone I don't know and have absolutely neutral feelings about) why would you choose that time to ban him? It was a bad decision.