As an ex-Mod of an earlier Critique Forum I'll just put in my two cents if I may.
Any Critique Forum needs a strict set of rules or guidlines to define it's use, how you post and what you post. If you do not have these guides then the Forum becomes just another place to put up pictures.
People never read the rules/guidelines so they never conform and the Forum begins to fall apart. It stops being able to do what it's supposed to. So if it's going to work you have to apply the rules rigorously at the start to get people to toe the line. People may well be mature and adult but they still can't play the game according to the rules - if they did there would never be any speeding tickets or parking fines handed out.
Apply the rules strictly always gets people's backs up. It's human nature.
When I set out to get the Crit Forum working I had to post rules. I got a lot of attitude from members about them as they weren't popular - even though I kept them as simple as possible.
I, and my fellow Mods, got attacked a great deal for our 'draconian' approach. If I post didn't comply we moved it to another gallery with a note as to why it was moved. But we did it so many times a day we ended up just sticking 'read the rules' on everything.
For a month or so it was cr*p but it eventually settled down as people got used to the rules.
Now the Crit section has gone off the rails and needs to be put back on track. They are only doing the same things I did for the same reasons (hopefully).
Yes it will seem harsh and unfair at times. But it has to be. The rest of the Galleries are pretty free and easy but the Crit gallery must be different from necessity.
So give it a chance.
If you don't like what is going on in there then don't go in there. Post elsewhere. There is nothing to stop you seeking (and getting) a crit in another gallery.
The Crit Forum is being run by people who have their view of how to run it. If you disagree with their approach then it is your problem. The owners have the right to run it how they choose - and if you want a Board run differently then I'm afraid you either find one or start your own.
But just remember - this is the Internet and not real life.
Personally I don't have a problem, but then I don't ever post in the Crit section.
But I do understand and appreciate that some will not be happy. My advice is to stop getting so worked up and think calmly about how you want a Crit section to work. Then make suggestions. Chase will listen and take it on board even if he doesn't always reply.
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