Pot calling Kettle....."Hello?"

[jstuedle]

I agree the forum isn't what it once was, I mentioned that in a recent post. Some things better, some not. The bashing is most objectionable, and the political remarks before the "real" answer a real turnoff. I spoke up a few times, but didn't seem to matter. This is my fav forum, but all things do change. I think maybe this one is getting too big to run efficiently/effectively. I don't know, but it used to be a polite place, hope it returns to be so again.

 

[zendianah]

Agreed... on all your points.. But then I would get critized for being to agreeable. It seems that some people on here just want to be rude. Even though I know that the same question has been asked 1000 Kagillion times it gives us no right to be rude and ignorant. I am not a pro and never confessed to be. I try to give an answer to the best of my ability. It seems like people have run off. I havent seen Rayna for awhile... Maybe she got sick of the crap. I needed a break from the insaults. Not saying all where directed at me but I dont enjoy people verbal assaulting someone else. This isnt a frat house. Its a place to learn. Even the pros can learn something from us beginners. Maybe we have a fresh look at things. Maybe we dont. Be open to others.. KARMA is a ***** !

 

[zendianah]

Oh and ALSO... Off topic.. Sorry Cindy. -- How about putting our level of qualification below our signature?

 

[elsaspet]

Oh and ALSO... Off topic.. Sorry Cindy. -- How about putting our level of qualification below our signature?

I do that, but I'm one of the few.
I think people without qualifications have reactions that are valid. It just depends on what you want. Are you asking for a PPA judge or are you asking for Joe Photo, who has a voice too.

 

[elsaspet]

Oh and ALSO... Off topic.. Sorry Cindy. -- How about putting our level of qualification below our signature?

One thing I'd love the Mods to do, is ask members for a website. It could be a photobucket gallery for all I care. I just would like to know who is giving me "advice". I think we all do. But that has been a bad subject in the past that almost got me kicked out, so needless to say:
I'd rather be here to help people.
I rock, yay! just kidding.

 

[zendianah]

Oh and also... It seems like -- OR maybe its just me. People arent commenting on peoples photos anymore. Well.. It could be just my photos.. Maybe people are being kind and not saying.. DAMN girl you suck. Thank god for Delete. Maybe you should trying knitting or macromae. OR maybe just sit there cause you suck at everything. OK sorry Im in a funny mood.

 

[terri36 7]

Ok, I'm prolly not the best person to be saying this given my past behavior

But irony is always so much fun, Cindy! Now, I mean that as a total joke and I hope you know that.

This forum is in a different place now than it was in its infancy, that's for sure. Part of the blame for the "louder tone" is easily attributed to growth - we all don't know each other as easily as we did when it was a smaller place.

You guys are encouraged to put as much out there in the way of photographic qualifications as you have. I'm not sure it will keep our Joe Newbie from getting slapped for asking innocently: "So which camera is best?" though.

I don't see more moderators being added in our current state, really. Nor do I think that just seeing people's names in green logged in here keeps a jerk from acting like a jerk, so constant vigilance by moderators isn't really a cure.

I think I will sound like a broken record myself by repeating: use the "report post" feature - and use it whenever you see fit - it's not there just for spam. We have some kind of language in the guidelines (I wrote it long ago and can't quote it now) about how it is impossible for the mods to read every post, so we're going to miss snipes and slaps - no question. BUT we can certainly respond to a reported post and take appropriate action.

So please remember, while we can't let you count on us to stumble across every nasty exchange, you can definitely count on us to respond to your reported posts. You can even PM one of us to voice your concerns if you'd prefer. The "report post" feature sends an automatic email to ALL of us so it's probably quicker, but you should never hesitate to use a PM if you'd rather. We're here to help.

Cindy, I like the idea of the video and the wiki - I've seen them in action and they can indeed be cool.

That being said..I'm working on a small 'project' to try to address most of the frequently asked questions so that if a newb decides not to read the thread/article, someone can politely point them to it for the answer to their question(s). My intention is to have it posted in the Beginner's forum and get it stickied. Once I get it in a draft form, I'll be needing help to polish it up..can I count on your help? ;-)

JDS: this sounds great. Would you mind letting me see the draft when you have it ready? We can put it in a couple of forums, if need be. Thanks for wanting to help!

As an aside: I'm all for seeing the forum grow and have direction, but I'm at a loss as to what folks seem to want. This is not directed at anyone in particular, but I had in mind a new "Educational" forum where these types of ideas were to be launched, and the new critique forum was intended to be step one towards that goal. (However, the way we wanted to approach photo critique as a learning tool required moderation and the membership let us know this was not what they wanted. So it's reverted back to what it was in the past.) I certainly don't bring this up to rehash past hurts, just to offer up an explanation of sorts as to why certain things have appeared to grind to a halt in recent months.

Back on topic: I'm not certain there is any way to stop rude comments, but with everyone helping by reporting what they see, we can certainly crack down more on repeat offenders. The membership is what keeps this place alive and the friendly tone going. Your input for new ideas is always appreciated.

Thanks, all!

 

[Photovision]

Has anyone noticed how cumbersome forum searches can be? Words come back as too common,too short etc. Tried for example H1 (too short). I added Sony+H1 and got every topic that mentioned Sony! And each new search requires you to type in a new number verification to get started. Most of these things are typical of all forum search engines. Chances of finding what you are looking for can be quite slim.

 

[Mike Jordan]

One thing you will find, is that any site you are on, there are always people that are going to say they remember when it was better than it currently is. And that the forum over the hill is a much better forum than the one they are one. It's human nature for people to look at the past in fondness (even if it wasn't) and look ahead for something better (even if it isn't).

On any active, healthy site, there are always going to be those that are friendly, helpful, errogant, rude, funny, encouraging, demeaning, thick skinned, thin skinned, serious, unforgetable, you wish you could forget, experts, full of knowleage or just full of it. Not necessarily in that order and more than one of the above could apply.

It's just the nature of the internet. Although there comes a time when putting up with what you don't want to put up with becomes too much, a lot of times too many people are just too thin skinned to be on some forums. Your time on a forum like this is what you make it. But it's like a marriage (well, maybe a commune) and it takes some work from everyone to make it work.

Frankly, for those of you that haven't gotten around very much, this site is a whole lot better than many out there. It's got room for improvement (and it did 2 years ago as well when I was active and then wondered off to other places) but it still has a better class of members than many out there.

As for answering the same newbie questions over and over... I have a terrible memory, so I have trouble remembering the last time I answered a question... so it's not so annoying to answer it more than once. Of course if you are going to ask the question, you should be prepared to hear the answer. Nothing drives away people willing to help or give suggestion than having what they say ignored, critisized, or thrown back in their face. Now that I have seen on here by newbies. You don't have to agree with the answer or follow the suggestion, but don't just dismiss the person that gives it either because you didn't like it or don't feel it's very helpful. As my tag line says, don't forget to take the lens cap off when you seek help.



Mike

 

[TCimages]

Ok, I'm prolly not the best person to be saying this given my past behavior.
However, I'm a little disturbed at the amount of people yelling at new people for not looking things up, reading the rules, etc.
A lot of them are just plain mean, and it's coming from a same team mentality. I cringe sometimes just reading replies to beginners.
That's sad. It's like the people who should be most beneficial forgot their beginnings. Anyhoo, I think there are MUCH nicer ways to get the point accross.
Yeah, you get tired of saying the same thing over and over and over, but no one put anyone in charge, except those who are moderators. Moderators aren't do this. But they don't seem to be stopping it either.

Just a guess on my part, but I'm pretty sure that forums work like this:

More members mean more advertising. More advertising means more dollars. More dollars mean more cool stuff for us.

Running people off, being mean, being superior, doesn't help any of us. I'd love to see this forum get video, and other new forum trends.

I KNOW that you see the same questions come up over and over. I can't recall for sure, but I think I've been here for 6 years nows, and I know I've seen them come up over and over again. But I don't understand why we can't just be nice. No one makes ANYONE answer them.......certainly not with answers like "Look it up loser. That's been asked a zillion times lazy person". Not an exact quote but pretty damn close.

If you don't want to answer it.....if you think the person is lazy.....hey....don't answer. The person might just be really eager to learn. There are other people dying to try out their "helping" teeth.

Bottom line is we could have VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!! LOL. Just a nudge to the owner!

Am I alone in seeing this disturbing trend? (That I have also been party to)

I'm new here and I couldn't agree with your comments more. I read some of the responses and cringe as well. I normally don't say anything because it would only hijack the thread and the original poster would get nothing from that either.
Anyway, it's a real shame that new folks trying to learn can't get a question answered because those with the knowledge would rather spend more time rudley commenting on rules.
BTW- It's not just about rules, but also terrible nonconstructive comments about the overal picture or worse, comments about the model or subject (which should always be a rule NOT to do).

I'm no expert, but I welcome anyone to hit me up with questions.

peace out

 

[Corry]

Unfortunately I don't have time to read every word of this thread, but I tried to skim it the best I could.

I would definitely like to reiterate the 'report posts' comment.

We honestly try our best, but it's not possible for the mod team to read everything on the forum. Don't worry about us getting mad about you reporting a post....if you think it might possibly be offensive (or it might possibly be spam) but you just aren't sure, report it and say something like "not sure about this, but thought I should bring it to your attention" in the comments section of the report post page.

Trust me, the mods are not just letting people get away with mean, degrading remarks....if there is one sitting there, a mod has most likely not seen it. So, make us see it. Please!

Yes, things are different than they once were. No, they won't ever be the same again...forums are forever growing...you can't make them stay the same.

That doesn't mean they will always become bad....just not the same.

With the general membership working together with the mod team, we can still have a smoothly running forum.

I've personally only had ONE post/thread brought to my attention (other than spam) in recent times, and I took care of it.

I do want to say, though, that I do understand what all of you are saying....and I'm not disagreeing with any of it. But, again, I'll emphasize....with all of your help, the mods will be able to do a better job and giving you what you want.

 

[TCimages]

Thanks Corry. For me personally, my post wasn't about pointing the finger to the mods (you can only do so much), I guess I was hoping that the frequent posters that provide assistance would read this thread and consider being more compassionate to the newbies looking for help. Maybe they need to consider not posing as a moderator and use the report comment feature.

 

[elsaspet]

Hi Terri and Cory,
I in no way intended this to be a bashing moderator thingie, and I hope you guys don't see it that way at all.

Basically, I was trying to get us to police ourselves whenever possible. If we quit being mean to one another, we might be able to get some really cool stuff.
Corry, I hope your Grandma is doing better. Hugs......

 

[Chiller]

Hi LP,
You have been here a long time too. Yeah, I'm not sure what's up with the gang beatings...... That's why I wanted to put it out there.

Thank you for bringing this up Cindy. I used to post here a lot more then I do now, and was almost done with TPF a while back, but I still have a lot of friends here, and a few newbies that I have met. Im not sure how many people are left from 2003( I think 4 of us) but this forum has had its growth, plus its down moments.
I have dissaggreed with thie gang/bullying as well. I have seen newbies bashed for simple mistakes.
The mods have a lot on their plate, and being a mod on another forum, I know what goes on behind the scenes, and it takes a long time to get little things done, especially with a full time job.
It is up to the members to conduct themselves and show some respect for other members. If somebody is having a problem..help them, or pm them.
If an image is not up to the "professionals" on here...dont reply with..."this does nothing for me" try to help them. Im sure all of us were in this position of "newbie" at one time. Sh**, I remember my first post here, and if it were not for the people who helped me then, I probably would not even own a camera now.
We are all here for the same reason, and with 15000 different personalities, there is going to be conflicts, but I feel it is better to help each other along them push them aside.
Sorry...just my 2 cents. Going back to my coffin now.

 

[PNA]

Hey, hey.....here we go again!!

In my book, "please and thank you" always worked........

My $.02.

Chiller....doesn't it get dark in there?????