Does everyone like having this place to talk about warbirds?

fritzthefox · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:31 am

Personally, I think ALL net forums are at the mercy of trolls and other boorish behavior until the day people abandon all pretense of privacy on the net (it's an illusion, guys...nothing you do on the web is a secret) and start using their own names. People are more likely to bite their tongue if everyone knows where they live. That's why people in small towns are so much more polite than those in big cities.

Arguing politics or religion is generally as pointless on the web as it is on the street. People are impressively irrational regarding these issues, so there is little to be gained by being drawn into a debate about them. But few can resist the temptation to speak out when some thoughtless troll poops all over their heartfelt beliefs, and the little monsters feast on all that attention.

As a moderator, I think the best tactic would simply be to create a specific forum for such venting, and then pointedly ignore it. The trolls have a place under the bridge to hang out, and everyone else can go about their business unmolested. Any troll who wanders out into daylight can then be redirected back under the bridge, or face exile.

As for Scott, I think we should all chip in and and throw him a party. Being a webmaster is a thankless and frustrating job, so it might be good if we all reminded him from time to time how much we appreciate his efforts.

PinecastleAAF · **Joined:** Fri May 25, 2007 4:50 pm **Posts:** 1028

Other sites have the anonymous moderators so they are not open to direct email abuse. It could work for this site also.

daveymac82c · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:15 am

Anonymous mods sounds like a good move.

Saves everyone a lot of grief.

Cheers,

David

Glyn · **Joined:** Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:23 am **Posts:** 321

[quote="daveymac82c"]Anonymous mods sounds like a good move.

Saves everyone a lot of grief.

I agree. There are only a few on WIX who enjoy causing trouble. These are inadequates seeking attention and I will be glad to see the back of them.

Airplanejunkie · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:24 pm

fritzthefox wrote:

Personally, I think ALL net forums are at the mercy of trolls and other boorish behavior until the day people abandon all pretense of privacy on the net (it's an illusion, guys...nothing you do on the web is a secret) and start using their own names. People are more likely to bite their tongue if everyone knows where they live. That's why people in small towns are so much more polite than those in big cities.

I am a member of at least one forum that requires real names. I know many of the participants personally. Some folks still behave unvelievably badly there, and it doesn't keep the trolls away.

Some really seem to lose their sense of what's appropriate when hunched over their computer keyboard wearing a tinfoil hat instead of engaging face to face.....

FWIW,

Steve

fritzthefox · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 3:48 pm

That's scary. Guess it's just not the same as having to say something to someone face to face.

Maybe if we introduced peer-to-peer tasering?

Oscar Duck · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:46 pm

Unfortunately good manners and respect for other people's opinions seems to have been lost on society.

We're on here to share our passion for warbirds and associated stuff while others, under the veil of anominity, use these forums as some form of "Coward's Castle" - they wouldn't have the guts to say these things to your face!

"Public" personal attacks is a form of pi$$ poor behaviour from people with an inferiority complex - they need to grow up.

As my grand mother always said 'bite your tongue if you don't have something positive to say otherwise you'll regret it!'

For the rest of us let's :partyman:

enjoy some great pics/news/info/new friends here...

Canso42 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:35 pm

Well said, Fotobass. I would miss this site if it closed. The learning experience has been super but the friendships in the warbird scene that I have made here are what really made it for me.
Unfortunately there are aggraviting people everywhere. Just don't stoop to there level if they light your fuse.

GREAT JOB-GRET SITE SCOTT! Keep it up and hang in there. Ditto all you mods.

Now and airplane question that I was recently asked and couldn't answer.... Including recently recovered wrecks and partial airframes, how many P-38 airframes are now known/displayed/flown.?

Doug Ratchford aka'Canso42'

Airplanejunkie · **Posted:** Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:06 am

fritzthefox wrote:

That's scary. Guess it's just not the same as having to say something to someone face to face.

Maybe if we introduced peer-to-peer tasering?

LAMO at the idea of peer to peer tasering, that's funny!!

In fairness, I know that some people struggle with a writing style that doesn't reflect their "speaking" style. I struggle with this myself and have to be very careful when I post or email because I screw it up, a lot.

"Bombastic" and "Concescending" are words that have been used to describe my writing style when I'm not careful. Given that pain is a powerful teacher, maybe the taser would help me!

Mostly, I think you're right about the lack of "face to face." The impersonal nature of the internet makes it the ideal forum for some to practice their lack of social skills without consequence. It seems that being flamed in return provides interaction and attention that they can't otherwise get, probably because nobody will talk to them "face to face..."

In any event, best to not feed the trolls.....

Steve

(waiting for the low overcast to lift so I can fly)

gary1954 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:47 am

I'm afraid I missed the initial verbal altercation that started all this, and deracts from what is perhaps our primary interest on the internet. I really don't care to know what it was either, as it did not concern me, not that I know of anyway. It is unfortunate, that personal opinion with regard to politics, religion, abortion, race, and other crap should be done via the PM or direct email. This is why, I try to stay away ftom these subjects, as my onl interest is the Warbirds, and expanding my "friends", and warbird knowledge base.
It would be a significant loss to the Warbird Community (which is a small though workd wide community) if this site was shot down like a B-17 over Berlin. We as a "Community" must check ourselves and pull back on the throttles before the fingers do the walking across the magic keyboard. Scott has his hands full, and I would support a Stealth BlackWidow Moderators, as I would a paid annual membership (which would have to be reasonable as I am a poor man). There are enough headaches in the world, without having them here, where we should be as one with the warbird. Simply, if someone attacks someone in this form, suggest they take it somewhere else, and make no other entries, and let them duke it out and don't get wrapped up in the CRAP.
The only part of politics I would actually care tp discuss:
Tax exemption for "ALL" warbirds and aircraft produced or pressed into service for the WWII effort, as these are educational examples.
Victory over the TSA
Gary is done now thank you
have a safe flight bubye

PinecastleAAF · **Joined:** Fri May 25, 2007 4:50 pm **Posts:** 1028

Anonymous moderators would take care of many problems. If they can't or don't want to be anonymous then have a moderator only account they can post from so the users don't know which moderator moderated. This would prevent ridiculous comments about nationality and garbage like that.

Also when people complain they would have to email the generic moderator account, which goes straight to the trash bin unread. That way the moderator does not have to read about what suzy said to johnny or vice versa and what is he going to do about it.

Mudge · **Posted:** Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:45 am

I like the anonymous moderator idea. Problem is, we already know who our moderators are so unless we get a new crop of masochists to do it, the stealth mode wouldn't work here. I also like the idea of a "generic" moderator email address where all messages are automatically sh_t canned.
If someone knows their "pi$$in' & moanin'" is not gonna' be read, they're less likely to send it.
On the other hand, I don't think the anonymity of the mods. would last very long. The first time a someone heard about his/her "transgression" from a mod., the cat would be out of the bag. The "wrist slapping" PM/email would have a sender's address on it.

Just my thoughts.

Mudge the thinker

Ztex · **Posted:** Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:40 pm

Modanon?...hmmm..

I would have no problem with anonymous moderators on this site...and Iff someone else wants to step up to the plate and take this job they are welcome to it, like they say...I'm not married to it.

I am a volunteer. It really sucks when someone is just trying to do the right thing and gets a mouth full or crap in return form some guy in his basement with nothing better to do. I'm just a warbird wannabe anyway. Some days it's just not worth it.
Sorry if I sound angry but I have never seen a group of grownups act like some do here on WIX. It's ridiculous.

I wnat WIX to continue because it is like having all the warbird magazines delivered to my door step on a daily basis. I have met a few real nice folks through this site. That's a major bonus!

If everyone would think just a bit before hitting the submit button this would be a better place.

Think!

PinecastleAAF · **Joined:** Fri May 25, 2007 4:50 pm **Posts:** 1028

Hang in there Zane. All the moderators on this site do a fine job and it cannot be easy. I do have another observation regarding the moderator task. Moderators should generally not explain why they took a certain action. If a post is offensive or crosses the line it should be deleted without explanation to the poster. Trying to explain the reasoning behind deleting or moderating posts might give certain posters the idea that a debate is in order. It is not. That is not part of moderating as I would see it. I think a few simple changes can make the moderation less odious for those willing to step up to the plate and do the job so more time can be spent on the subjects we all share interest in which is Warbirds and WIX. I'm certainly not perfect when it comes to posts, I was warned once about a political post by a modertor here. I didn't take it personally or feel the need to respond, plus he was right I stepped over the line. Many of us have probably done that from time to time so I'm sure this can be worked out and something positive can come from it.

Canso42 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:43 pm

Zand and Mods-hang in there. Y'all do a great job too!

Doug Ratchford aka Canso42

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