Opinions-did this contribute to the trouble around here

[Wayward Clam]

Ok, having read and heard everything I seem likely to be able to read and hear about the trouble these last few weeks...

Seems to me that there were a few different issues, but one of the things that almost everybody agrees on is that there were a lot of clueless and impolite new people. (I'm sure there were smart and polite new people too, but this didn't cause the trouble). Moderators were getting flamed. Scott was being criticized. Helpful people were getting roasted for trying to be of service. In the threads AND in the chatroom.

Now it occurs to me that a while back Scott did NOT have the links to the forums and the chat room obviously displayed front and center on the Windrivers home page.

Before this was the case, to get in here, people had to have at least minimum amount of web savvy and an actual desire to find some help rather than just goof off.

Impolite people still made it in, but there were less of them, and less people altogether, and it was easier for the mods to keep the 'culture' of Windrivers together. Nowadays, with so many new 'recruits' appearing who don't know what Windrivers has been like before, people have entirely different ideas of what it is "supposed" to be like. Different not only from the "old" members but from each other as well.

Perhaps this is all growing pains, and if there were fewer new members, they would start to shake out in time.

Anybody think there is anything to this idea? I'm perfectly willing to hear opposing opinions.

[BC GREEN]

i think the water is clearing up a lot now.
and things are geting back to normal.you can tell a lot of new mem. havent read the RULES.
and our MODS. ARE TOP SHELF . W/D k/a!!!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[In The Wind]

I know that I don't post much and mainly in the lounge, and I'm one of the new people. I don't ask much because I learn best by hands on and read read read. I don't post much because by the time I get to a topic, there are usually several good answers waiting there already. I don't need increasing number of posts and a label to make me feel good, NOT that this is what I see happening. This is relaxing to me, exchanging a post with someone who has a common tie to what I do, wrestle electrons into sumbission. Just look at the member numbers. Go back even a year and compare. Growth is normal and healthy, but can be uncomfortable for all. Changing goals and jobs mean people move on in interest and personal development. All very normal. No body should take this process as personally aimed at them, it just feels that way, because to be part of a thing that is special is enjoyable, but ongoing change means it may not stay the same as experienced by the individual. Again, very normal. I am not part of what was special in WD, just an observer, but the change has a certain uncomfortable feel even for me. You all just hang in there, and remember that in life you can only do one of two things: one, help; two, hurt. The best that I/we can do is to consistenly try to help, if possible. Doesn't always work out the way intended, but we're not perfect, either. Rather long winded of me, BEST TO ALL.

[condor]

Here are my thoughts:

I agree that too many new users flamed a lot of the mods and people who tried to help but unfortunately many of the people here cooperated with those flamers answering to those threads. by giving this attention they only gave the flamers what they wanted and "added fire to the fuel" so to speak.

lately there has been a massive decrease in the amout of users here and in the chatroom - a lot of the flamers got bored and left but this time it was not without a price - many of the helpful people here left as well leaving a big empty space..

I know that this is just a phase and things will pick up in while - as they always do but for now I think that each and every one of us should learn his lesson.

I know some people don't agree with me and say that some of the guys here were just waiting for a good excuse to leave. I have to say that no one can prove it but if someone spent here 4-5 hours a day minimum they did not want to leave..

there's no use in debating who did what and why..

right now we need to focus on maintaining the forums and helping the people who come here and to the chatroom the best we can.

eventually some of the people who left might come back or others will take their places slowly..

like everything in life this site is ever evolving - and no evolution is without growing pains <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

so best of luck to all of us..

[MacGyver]

I had to chuckle when I saw the subject line: Opinions-did this contribute to the trouble around here. LOL Of course! Opinions everywhere cause trouble. Just look in Genoa Italy today with all those riots. The protestors opinions differ from those of the summit participants and look at all the trouble!

As long as free thinking human beings propogate this board, there will always be opinions and there will always be conflicts. The rising popularity of the Internet is obviously a factor, just as the rising popularity of the automobile was a cause in the rise of traffic accidents! But that's why we have moderators and traffic lights - to keep things in line.

Scott has every right to popularize this site as he sees fit, and don't forget Scott doesn't own the site so the owners have their say to. The site has to make money or they'll shut it down. Cruel reality of business. We're all worried about touchy-feely stuff and Scott is worrying about making money.