oberon

OK, I suppose in a lot of cases I could have put more thought into a post.

I asked about shaving cream some time ago and couldn't come up with a better place to post it than GD... and I was dying of curiousity.

Besides, TFP doesn't need to have nontrivial discussions all the time. We are all students of life and not everyone knows the same things.

That's one thing that makes TFP great: the vast variety of knowledge possessed by its active members.

__________________
"There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

billege

Blah
Blah blah,
blah blah blah
blah, whatever Halx says, blah blah,
Blah blah blah, bleet little sheep.

My impression of the site is not like many others, and I'm taking your invitation to say so.

Well, I tell you what. I don't like where this is going.

First of all,
I've always respected and appreciated the work done for me here. The upkeep, mods, etc. That's why I post, and donate.

But this is getting to me.

I do not consider myself a guest here, I claim an ownership. If the users make the community, I have every right to claim ownership.

The rules are set by the mods, fine, no problem. But those rules have grown more and more constrictive over time, and I'll be damned if I'm just going to agree with it. I don't like it, and I'm saying so. Loudly and clearly I hope.

I've been around a little while now, not nearly as long as some, but people should remember me being all the heck OVER the last board. (For those of you that would judge my by my post count, my current # isn't even a third of what I had on the last version. Yes, I'm proud of my high post count there. I really felt I contributed to a lot of threads, started quite a few, and was able to hold my head high when the chips were down.)

Now I post an average of 2-point-crap/day. Why?

Because the board isn't there for me now. I can't post <i>this</i>, without following <i>these</i> rules. I can't say I don't like <i>that</i> because it'd be wrong; I should use my back button instead. I can't disagree. Do you see that? I can't even say I think a thing is ugly. I should "use my back button." What is there if all I can do is agree?

I just can't follow this drive for further restriction. Nor do I understand the ready compliance by a large number of members. If this is the place where people fall right in line, with no discussion, then I think the TFP has turned from what it's supposed to be: a place for the expression and exploration of humanity.
It's seeming more like a place to follow the rules, agree and salute.

Two word posts aren't cool anymore, so there goes that. Thanks, really. What if my two words would be <i>funny?</i> What if I make my contribution that way?
That IS how I made my contribution when I was new. I eased in to the TFP by testing the waters and running away… Now everyone has to write a damn dissertation, with a freaking bibliography before posting. Are you going to want footnotes too?

I’d also like to add that anyone can take that self-righteous crap about me having the nerve to “complain” and shove it.
If you consider this a complaint, and think I have no right to say it, then YOU need to remember what this place is supposed to be.

I’ve never complained that a mod was a jerk, that the server sucked, or that the work put in by the staff was substandard. That’s the type of complaint that has no place here.

I’m disagreeing with the direction MY community is going, and I have every right to.
I associate a lot of value with the TFP. It’s too bad that’s all fond memory.

It's like having a conversation with a gag in my mouth.

__________________
I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence:
"My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

JadziaDax

Communities change. When we don't like what's going on in OUR community, if an element of society starts buying up all the property around us and moving in and we don't like it, we move out.

No one forces you to stay at TFP. We appreciate what everyone has to contribute, however there are certain things that will not be tolerated. We do this so that we don't become one of those boards that everyone says shit about. We made rules because it's easier to say "read this so you know what is not allowed". As I see it, most people enjoy the fact that they can come here, post their feelings about something, and NOT be flamed for it.

Do you live in a community now where there are no laws? Are you allowed to openly urinate on your neighbors when it's not asked for (some people like that, so watch out)? Can you walk over to your neighbor's house and intrude on his property whenever you like? Rules/laws are a necessity for order.

And if you're upset because we won't let you flame or talk negatively about anyone, then that's a serious problem. There are many places out there where you can insult people. TFP is not one of them.

If people want to flame, insult, or just be plain rude, then there are some places they can go. On the net, try http://www.becauseyouareacunt.com/ and in RL, try Ed Debevic's in either Chicago or Phoenix. You can get all the insults you want there.

Just my 2 cents.

Halx

*puts on a smirk, folds his arms across his chest and tilts his head, gazing at billege*

So let me get this straight.

You think we dont allow you to disagree?
Well, my friend, you can disagree all you like. Just be mature about it. I think that's always been a rule. From day 1.

Meanwhile, what *further* restriction is there being placed? If you're referring to my bit about criticism, then I urge you to read it again. I never said stop doing it all together. As far as the two word post bit, the same thing stands. Other than that, I haven't a flying clue what you're yackin' about.

Personally, I think anyone who feels *restricted* by our rules needs to seriously consider their own stability and self-esteem. There is nothing in our rules that says you cannot argue, squabble, bicker, or bitch. You just have to do it in a mature manner.

Now, honestly, is that too much to ask? Am I intruding upon your integrity as a unique human being by asking you not to include personal insults in your repetoire of debate?

Your plight seems silly and misdirected to me, sorry. Whoever writes your speeches should do a little more research.

__________________
You have found this post informative.
-The Administrator
[Don't Feed The Animals]

phredgreen

billege, take five minutes and spend some time on the fark forums. any one of them will do. now come back to the tfp and thank your lucky stars we don't allow the same kind of idiocy that you see on a painfully regular basis over there. now i respect you and the contributions you've made to the tfp, but you should understand that we appreciate people who contribute to the betterment of the community. we are working towards a de-farkification of the boards. we don't need a squad of nitwits fuxoring our discussions, so this is a heads up that if that is the only thing they're here to do, they are not welcome.

we want quality, and we're willing to do what we need to do in order to maintain the level of quality we've had. i appreciate the quality that you've given us, and hope very seriously that you continue to be an intregal part of our community.

__________________
My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.
- Thomas Paine

IC3

I like TFP...What billege said is the way I feel also.

I don't see anything dramaticly wrong with TFP and when there is something...The Admins, Mods or Halx himself will fix it.

People not agreeing with eachother is one of the things that make this board interesting...The mods are always being complimented about how well & fast they are to straighten out the guys who get out of line. So that is working.

I don't have a problem with the rules...I have never been warned or PM'd about stepping out of line...I am not saying this board is perfect...But as far as the rules go, I think we have enough and from what I have seen the majority of the members here follow them. The ones that don't, They get warned or booted.

I just don't see how much better you can make a board that is already awsome...Ya, inviting friends and welcoming newbies and stuff like that will make them feel more welcomed.

I remember when I first came here and I made a "Hi I'm new here" thread...I expected the usual guys acting like it's time for my initiation or just being plain assholes. But what I found was everybody welcoming me to the TFP...I knew right then that this board was different. It still is different than any other forum I have or do post on.

If it aint broke then don't try to fix it.

Thanks Halx and everybody else who makes this board run...It's much appreciated.

__________________
"To win any battle, you must fight as if you were already dead" -Musashi

GuttersnipeXL

I've been a member here since the crash as GuttersniperXL and before the crash as Jaun Dos Dedos. From day one, I couldn't believe what was going on here, "Community"!!! In every sense of the word. This place never ceases to amaze me. I can find out anything I want to know about, and learn about things that I would have never dreamt of...from people who care to take time out of their day to explain. Really, where else can you go for something like that? Sure, you'll run into people during the course of your day that would go out of their way to help you out, but here that helping hand is concentrated. That's what keeps me coming back. I'm all for progress and positivity. The TFP is the greatest resource of general information I've ever come across...it's like the encyclopedia of life. Hey my two cents, take it for what it's worth.

__________________
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

OFKU0

Now that's rich.I like that.

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

WhoaitsZ

... bileage. to try to lighten the following message i will start with a joke. i admire your balls! I like people who can say 'umm. no.'

I consider myself to be one of the guys here who tries to go with the flow without being ruled over. However, I have something I call respect. it is something your rant seemed to not contain.

the thing is, Halx didn't say "You will do This, This, and This". in fairness he did say we are to use our heads some and quit posting bs in the wrong boards.

why is that a problem?

you say you can no longer post this or that. who said it, when was it said? unless you are posting a flame towards another user or race or person type, you can post whatever the fuck you want. Go to Nonesense. They made the fucking thing for people to be goofy for god's sake!

if someone wants to flame, do us all a favor and just fucking leave. if somebody has hate and flames for people or people types then they are 100% unwanted. go home.

i've not seen any 'new and strongly enforced rules' in weeks.

i strong admire your stepping up and saying what you think. I wish more people would. but you really need to work on making clear points instead of whining.

everybody here has done stupid shit, including me and hal and everyone else. we are fucking human. let go.

if you are over eighteen you can join here. this pretty much means being over the maturity age of 18 as well. if you can't state problems and move on then you are an unwanted nuisance.

i've had problems here. the mods worked with me to fix them. i got impatient once, hanx kindly told me to chill, i did so, the problem resolved.

these people use so much of their tiny bit of freetime to make us happy. should we complain? I think so! should we complain nonestop or whine over the woes of your thread not making it? fuck no.

if it were my board i'd tell ya to try again and maybe stsart in nonesense. if you felt the need to complain further i'd simply throw your ass out. there are too many people trying hard to make this place good than take all times to focus on someone too selfish to watch his style.

pathetic.

billege

WhoaitsZ, I don't understand how my thread showed a lack of respect. Dissent does not denote disrespect.

I have never used personal insults in my discussion here. The implication that I am dying to flame people blows me away.
I've never done that, so it's seems obvious to me that the right to piss on people is not what I'm after.

I don't feel anyone here is even attempting to see my point.
I may be touching on something here...
However, I have been summarily dismissed as wrong, and now the group may move in the direction it was already going.

Such is the state of the TFP, and such was my point.



Edit
Okay, I think I've crystalized my feelings. They are:

I think the attempts to ensure poster quality are infringing on poster style.

But you've decided I'm (to use your words) a pathetic person whose self-esteem and stability are in question.

I see little capacity for conversation with attitudes like that.

__________________
I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence:
"My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

joe100

I think the moderators are way too anal.

People get in trouble for not posting using the proper standards. They get in trouble for questioning a moderator.

But hey if that is how you guys want to run things I choose to not participate.

I will post occasionally and view a little bit but sometimes I don't post because I am just not in the mood to be questioned by the all powerful.

I fully expect a private message telling me to cool it or else.

phredgreen

it's simple. we provide you with the tfp, and in return we're expecting a higher level of usership than just some fuckjob who will post a meaningless or nonsensical reply every few weeks. for all that we give to our members, we're asking them to give a little of themselves back, or just hit the road.

__________________
My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.
- Thomas Paine

WhoaitsZ

i am trying to see your point and i am failing. btw, the followinf is not rude or disrepectful:

"Blah
Blah blah,
blah blah blah
blah, whatever Halx says, blah blah,
Blah blah blah, bleet little sheep.
"
?

when a person, that person being you or anyone, is making a post expecting a little more maturity and they see such a response is plain rude. no ifs ands or buts. they offer a service and someone just says blahblahblah as an opening?

wha confuses me what is your complaint other than please don't post stupid shit outside of Nonesense... ?

has someone specificly said to not post something? specificaly to You after you posted the thread?

if you've broke no rules then what the hell is wrong? we have said over and over if you just wanna be silly by all means be so in nonesense.

hell. if i started my cult in GD i'd be chastised too... GD is a semi serious board. 'general discussion'. not tag or nonesensical posts.

as far as mods disagreeing and closing it or what not i've seen it done like twice in almost a year. it didn't happen again.

most everybody here have a couple of main things in common: we like silly stuff, a lot of us like serious stuff, a lot of us just like porn. we all disagree vastly and a couple of users i'd enjoy beating with the sharp side of an axe. buuuuuuut we tolerate. we observe and try to practice the rules. we try to respect each other, everything else beside. sure there are bad apples. oh well.

we politely ask for nonesense to go there. look at bones, unclephil and flyman. sure they may post a sillyish thread on a board but they mainly stick to nonesense because it's why they're here. they do not feel the need to interupt other boards.

if someone does feel the need, then tough. they do their damndest. if someone insists on being a dick, fucking ban their ip and bubye.

now, bileage, if i am way off key, tell me politely. i simply do not see your problem other than not liking rules.

i fucking hate rules. but this is a place given to me. when you visit one's house you do so in respect. if not, more power to them for dislodging you.

i'm trying to get the idea.

Halx

This is simple to see. billege is trying his hardest to feel victimized in order to backup his point. Sorry dude. I'm still not seeing much validity.

You're still working in theory with your accusations, and you're not providing solid examples.

To everyone,

So I guess we should set some ground rules for you all right here and now.

The TFP is not *yours*
The TFP is *ours*
I'm the commander in chief.
The rules enforced on the TFP will be for the intended comfort of the general public with respect to MY goal of creating a community where everyone can feel free to share their life.
The moderators will be held in check by ME, so if you have any complaints about them, you must speak with me exclusively or else you'll never be truly heard.
Since so much revolves around me, your loyalty to the TFP then depends on your trust for me. If you do not trust my judgement (which I can only try to assure you is as objective as possible at all times) then the least you can do is make a quiet exit.


Now, after all that, if you fail to see the reasoning behind my request for (generally) MORAL LEADERSHIP, which was exactly what my original post called for, then you, my friends, are not trying to understand ME. You are being selfish. You are not as concerned as I am for the direction that this board is going in. Pay more attention.

If you're worried this will turn into an impotent Orwellian universe of drones, you've gotta up your dose of Prozac.

That is all.

__________________
You have found this post informative.
-The Administrator
[Don't Feed The Animals]

uncle phil

After reading Hal's initial message and the ensuing postings over the past couple days, I have come to the conclusion that I fail to see what the problem is with a simple set of directional guidelines. We all know, or should know, the basics; Hal has, in my mind anyway, reinforced those guidelines and suggested some new ways to help the Forum grow.

Pax vobiscum...

__________________
"We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done."
- Robert S. McNamara
-----------------------------------------
"We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches...
We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles."
- Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message"
-----------------------------------------
never wrestle with a pig.
you both get dirty;
the pig likes it.

WhoaitsZ

well said

it's bad when people fail to understand what the word 'community' means.

you're doing good, guys.

two Z's up!

spectre

I'm going to go through the list and give my interpretation so I can try and figure out what this big arguement is about.

Being friendly to new members, as long as I have been around, this hasn't been a problem. Lately, I've noticed many members (several who have posted in this thread) letting someone know that they did something that was rude or just not allowed. This seems to be a nonissue since I've witnessed it before the creation of this thread.

I like to occasionally leave a quick, smartassed quip. It may not be as good as something that marco, bones, or phred come up with,but it's fun occasionally. But just don't make it the only thing that you do. I don't see that as much of a problem, just keep it at least a little balanced, occasionally adding something more than a quick joke in a thread.

Let's face it, many of us, myself included, don't want to go into a thread, then have to click on a link to an article where we get stuck seeing popups/unders when the article can easily be copied into the thread. Also, if you are posting a thread, there is a direction that you probably want the thread to take, it doesn't take much to add one's opinion to the article.
There really isn't much room for discussion when the thread is just asking for a list. A thread like that just seems very boring to me.
As long as I've been here, Hal's been trying to get more people into chat. He had to drag me in there just to tell me that I was going to be a mod. Now, I'm constantly in there. It's just an extention of the board that helps the members become better aquainted with one another.
Again, this is something that has been stressed for a while now. If you like something, let the poster know. There's nothing worse for a poster than putting for the effort and the time trying to do something for the enjoyment of others and not seeing any positive feedback.

The way I see this is basically "don't be a dick." Who wants to post a thread only to be flamed because someone else didn't like it or just felt like being an ass? Is Hal saying we aren't allowed to disagree? No, not at all. He's just asking all of us to show the other members the same respect that we would show to someone who was sitting across from us having the same discussion. Disagreement is what makes actual discussion occur. Being an ass and flaming is counter productive. If you've been here for a while and you are a recognized name (and you know if you are), your words mean more to newer members than you think they do. We don't want people coming here and seeing those who are the "regulars" here flaming and doing the things that are against everything the tfp isn't.
I know this isn't the easiest thing for everyone to do. We're not asking you to stand in a mall, holding up a sign with the url, but if there's a friend that you know would like the site, just give them the url, you don't have to tell them your username.

If we didn't like being questioned, don't you think that we would have deleted this post and just banned you? We would like nothing more than just kick back and browse the forum without having to worry about policing it. I would love to never have to warn anyone about flaming, but, as long as people continue to do it, the mods and admins will continue to try and stop it.

To me, it's very simple, by joining the site, you agree that you are mature enough to be here. You can be silly, screwy, or whatever, as long as you show enough respect to others on the board to just be civil in your discussions.

And from what I read in Hal's initial post, he isn't asking for anything different than he has before.

__________________
"Fuck these chains
No goddamn slave
I will be different" ~ Machine Head

OFKU0

Why should you think you will receive a pm? You are stating your opinion as honestly as you can. What is wrong with that? Isn't this where people exchange ideas and opinions in the ever evolving tfp?

Or is it that you expect a rebuttal since your opinion may not match the opinions of those that make the rules? If that's the case, you have a mind of your own.

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

ARTelevision

statements like this are a problem:

"Blah
Blah blah,
blah blah blah
blah, whatever Halx says, blah blah,
Blah blah blah, bleet little sheep."
.................

This is rude and lacking in respect, of course. It is also irrational and uninformed. The typist is not aware of the extent of discussions that lie behind policies made here nor is he aware of the degree to which Halx engages in constructive dialog and works democratically with his staff behind the scenes.

Referring to those who have a part in Forum Leadership and the many members who happen to be in agreement of their own accord with official policy here as "little sheep" - is exactly the type of unconstructive rhetoric that lowers the level of discourse we are exposed to.

Good community citizenship is either respectful of other citizens or it is not good citizenship, is it? All this boils down to each of you taking responsibility for the level of dialog, discourse, and debate here. To hold you to account for the manner in which you handle that responsibility is a large part of what we are committed to in terms of positive site evolution.

__________________
create evolution

OFKU0

ART I commend you as an authority her at tfp for being respectful in your responses and leading by example. Sometimes some admins and mods don't practise what they preach concerning respect which I believe is the reason why some people get discouraged by the double standard.

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

ARTelevision

OFKU0, I understand what you are saying.

I tend to see the quality of communities in terms of the degree to which individuals take responsibility for their own best behavior. You can police major infractions but incremental evolution toward more positive and constructive participation is the responsibility of each member.

The most direct way to effect improvement is for each of us to take a renewed interest in upgrading the quality of our citizenship. This sort of thing is accomplished by making a decision to take more personal responsibility for the tenor and tone of our contributions. We have more direct access to ourselves than to anyone else.

__________________
create evolution

OFKU0

Makes total sense to me.

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

billege

The "sheep" portion of my post was a late addition.
It would have better served me if I'd not thought of it. Or, I had further thought that people agreeing, after posting why they did so, did certainly not make sheep.

It <i>was</i> disrespectful.
For that, I apologize.

__________________
I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence:
"My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

OFKU0

We're all human. That's what sets us apart from the tfp world and the world of Stepford. You made some good points in your post.Points that should be looked at more closely by those in charge.

Rules and regulations are required in any community.We all know where the lines are drawn.It gets sticky though when we have to constantly look at the lines before every step we take.Control is good.That is why alot of members do self policing.Too much control and the balance slips one step closer to Stepford.No one will favor that.

If we all agreed on everything,wouldn't it be a boring static world.

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

WhoaitsZ

live and learn.

besides... sheep don't don't say blah! (they type it!)
neeeeeeeeeeeext

billege

RULES. That's what I needed to get this out. Thanks.
That's what is making me uncomfortable.

If I post a top five list, by which I may learn about my fellow memebers through thier choices, am I going to see it deleted because it's "not discussable?" Or, should it simply be put in a forum such as nonsense? I am unclear.

I understand the need for some rules, they make this the civilized place I've never completely left. There is a powerful attraction here, even if it wanes.

Is it necessary to make it a "rule" that an article will be linked, quoted? We all know that a post which does that is a better post. But is the rule necessary? Won't posts live or die by their quality and the response they invoke, or fail too?

I need clarification on this point: If I was to refer to an article, and NOT link to it, not quote it; would you guys delete it? Is that what the new rules mean?

What about new people? How do you think a demand for such high quality affects them? Granted, it's good that things are of such quality, but is it worthwhile for the mods to have all these rules to enforce, then also make them qualify the rules for those still learning them?
Has that been discussed among staff?

Are the rules "rules," "guidelines," or "demands." To what limits will we go in the persuit of what, perfect posts?

Those limits are what I'm worrying about.

__________________
I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence:
"My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

OFKU0

I'm starting to feel tingly all over. Finally a shot of humor.Thank you WhoaitsZ

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

WhoaitsZ

first off, i am no mod... but i try to do what i can. if i'm wrong i'll be corrected.

i'd assume since there is a label thats says "post ANYTHING.." by Nonesense that would mean that, since I assume a top five list would indeed be an "anything", that yes you can. in nonesense.





Yes, I personally believe posts posted from other places on the net should be submitted with the link. as for being quoted, it looks better and it is undoubtfully known that you are not the author.

i would assume the main reason is this: it annoys people fuckless to click on a thread and see a URL and nothing else. i can't begin to speak of how many times i wished to thwack someone for doing that.

as for having the link also, to me, is only right. someone works and puts these articles out. links let us check and clarify and acknowledge an author. believe me, authors seriously need recognition.

as for 'will it be deleted if i don't quote..' i doubt it will be out right deleted, especially if other people have started adding to the thread. a lot of mods , i've seen Spec and Sec in particuliar edit them properly. so if you slip, don't sweat. edit it, fix it. if you purposedly posted it out of the manner they want then, well, i don't know about the thread but the offender could very well be removable.

we all make mistakes. fuck man, i probably have two billion typos above. i almost always edit and my images never work until i point them out to enough people to be thoroughly embarressed.

te difference is when we can do a good job and we do not because we are lazy. that is just pathetic and selfish for people who rather see good posts than half assed ones.

only a jerk or flat out asshole would jump all over newbies. when i began and didn't get things quite right I got pms saying 'see?' and i learned. i've even had an admin who helped me once without my asking.

i have a feeling if someone lost their mind and devoured a newbie halx or an admin would give them a serious piece of their mind.

we want you guys to post in good taste. the mods do so. so, naturally, they understand that learning the ropes means many slip ups.

i'd not worry about the newbies at all unless you saw what apeared to be a mod gone crazy, at which time, as halx stated, you should PM him. and when you do it may take days, so have patience.


.... this is probably getting redundant for some. if it is and art or someone gives the word i'd be glad to try and explain things some more via PMs. just message me.

Cynthetiq

I just found this and thought it deserved to be bumped up...

**bump**

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

analog

Damn straight. I bitch ALL the time about all kinds of things!! Perhaps one day, if not already, I shall become famous for my rants! lol...

People disagree all the time. Debate is encouraged here. Note that "debate" does not include calling people names, flinging insults, etc. Debate is an intellectual process.

And as far as two-word posts go, there's no need to be Cpt. Literal about it. He said don't do it so much, because it's not constructive. That means don't make 8 out of every 10 posts "YEAH! LOL!!" or some such nonsense.

I have never felt the rules of the TFP coming in around me- in fact, I have noticed that the longer and more you contribute here, there is a sense of leniency- probably because while your words may not fit the mold, the mods know you well enough to know your heart is in the right place, and you mean no real offense, and understand what you're trying to get at. Mods please scold me if i'm a bit presumptive on this.

I won't call out names, and i'm not citing any one person (especially from this thread) but it seems like the only people I ever hear complaining about the "restrictive rules" of the TFP are those who somewhat regularly engage in those fundamentally wrong things the TFP serves to protect it's community from. How seriously can we take your gripe when you don't follow basic, simple rules that are established for your own safety and happiness?

To anyone: If you don't like it, leave. For every wise-assed, too-good-for-this-place person who leaves, there is at least one person out there somewhere who would LOVE this community, if only they knew it existed. 30,000 members and counting... i'm sure the next true believer is somewhere in the ranks of the Rookie tag, just waiting to truly blossom. Make some server space for them.

*gives TFP a hug*

Silvy

Good one, reminded me once again to the join chat (haven't been there in a long while...)
/hangs head in shame/


edit: Chat seems not to work here...
(possibly blocked as I'm using the CS dept. educational PC's I'll be checking in more regularly...)

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"Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace. "
- Murphy MacManus (Boondock Saints)

cowudders14

Even after reading all of the above, I'm with Hal, and phredgreens post. I've been told off by the mods once or twice - fair enough. I seem to remember phredgreen having a bit of a go at me a while back, but that's life. If you want to be in a place, you need to abide by the regs. If you don't like the regs, either go elsewhere or speak up and ask why the regs are there, say (in a calm, constructive manner) that you think the regs could do with a change or that you disagree with tem, but be prepared for the answer of "no" to come back.

Personally, I feel that the TFP is a great place - I love it and spend far too much of my time here.
I have one rule I disagree with - the complete ban on posting pics with kids in them. I think it is taking things a bit far. But, I rasied the point when it was introduced, it was debated, and (although I can't remember the exact wording of the reply I got), I was told that the rule was not going to get changed. I was told it had been thought about a lot before it's introduction and it was needed as the privilage was being abused. Fair enough - there are some idiots around who cause rules to be imposed on everyone, even though they may prohibit perfectly legitimate/legal etc actions. That's life - shit happens! If every human on the planet behaved really well and with consideration for everyone else on the planet all the time, there would be no reason for mods and the like, but they don't - thus you have to accept it.

My god - I went on a bit there! Anyway - well done Halx/all the mods for making the TFP great, and I support your rules/regs, even if I don't fully agree with them - you had your reasons for introducing them and I respect that as I want to stay here. I truly in my heart want to stay here as it's a great place!

Lastly, IMHO a mod should make this thread a sticky - it's sometimes too many pages down for people to notice it - I went all the way through the pages because I was bored!

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Moo! I'm mooey!

Giltwist

I definately agree the spam-esque posts that dominate teh nonsense board need to be toned down. And how long do these sort of threads need to be archived? It would probably restore a lot of space if some of the boards were pruned a little bit. A lot of them would work BETTER in the chat room. If people were actually in the chat room. I've been on the chat room for about a week, and I see the same dozen people all the time. THere HAVE to be more active TFPers than that.

Also, it is a lot more fun to read a paragraph long post than a single sentence or even monosyllabic one.

ChrisJericho

I joined the TFP in the summer of 2002. I lurked for awhile... then got banned, which I deserved. I then signed up again and participated in the Titty Board and the Links section. Let me say that I really do miss the pr0n, but it has forced me to check out the other areas of the site as well. I have become involved in the General Discussion forum as I feel there's lots of good topics that people won't kill each other over. The Paranoia forum is keen as well. I really appreciate all the hard work that Halx and others put into the site.

However, I do think there are some difficulties with the moderators. A few months ago while the TB was still working someone posted a thread under the "Amateur" catagory with a misleading name. I wrote a reply that said "Why did I look?" and I was warned by a moderator. I did not get into a big argument with the mod as I felt that the issue was not worth me losing my access to the TFP community. I think repectful disagreement is alright, but this place is Halx's and the mods are appointed by him. He makes the rules and I will respect that.

All in all, the TFP is a great place to come and have some fun. But I do miss the pr0n !!

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"A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche

etla

This is basicly just polite behaviour on the net. You should never join up and start posting. To do so is to risk looking as foolish as the twits who post computer hacks to rec.games.roguelike.nethack (this Usenet group is for the discussion of a swords and scorcery type role playing game).

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Subvert the Dominant Paradigm

Strobs

The TFP is just the place to be. I miss the TB (not to mention the 'wayside') but do enjoy reading the other areas. Love the debates over nothing (comes natural when you are pissed) and even the occasions where you do truely get educated.
Haven't tried the chat rooms though as the thought scares me a little. I haven't used a chat room ANYWHERE!! (and wouldn't know where to start).