The tone of this forum is hurting the site..

[ccrunner]

For what it's worth..

Let me first say that I'm directing this at the small 5% of the members that I've picked up a 'vibe' from since joining the site just a short while ago..

I paste this recent thread as an example of what I'll try to explain:

http://www.sunbeamalpine.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21069&page=2

Here's a new member with just 39 posts looking for help- he may or may not be familiar with the nuances of his needed part... it takes just 3 replies for egos to get involved and what was a simple question/request becomes a pissing contest..

Please know how this looks to new members such as the OP and myself.. It is such an incredible turn off .. We new members come here to learn, and heaven forbid bring new energy to a model/make that could frankly use a bit more love, and it's this sniping that comes up over and over.

Take it or leave it, but here it is.. when we new members buy our first Alpines and want to post our unique contributions/ideas on how we can ultimately grow the marquee, we can come here; choose a forum where ideas and experience is gracefully exchanged; keep our experiences to ourselves; or maybe move onto a marquee with less cliquish members..

Again, these thoughts are only directed at a small percentage of members here, but please know it's those that are reflecting badly on everyone..

Flame away as you wish, and defend your behavior if you are an offender of bad manners- but know that you might have learned something (imagine that!) from those that your actions turn away..

-ccrunner

 

[Series6]

I'd like to help with this but when I click on the link I see an inquiry for window pieces. Can you either post what section or reference the exchange in a pm to me? Please.

 

[anduril3019]

I'd like to help with this but when I click on the link I see an inquiry for window pieces. Can you either post what section or reference the exchange in a pm to me? Please.

Here's the rest of the exchange in question:
http://www.sunbeamalpine.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21069&page=1

 

[Tom H]

CCrunner,

I'm inclined to agree with you, but I often find the petty stuff to be almost humorous and I think the other 95% and especially newbies actually get answers pretty completely and quickly. In almost every question, including the one in your linked thread, the questioner got a pretty good answer quite quickly with no barbs aimed at the questioner. Now if the newbie or questioner got "flamed" then I'd get concerned.

You do have a point and I too would prefer less of this, but I also think it's pretty easy to ignore.

Tom

 

[Bill Blue]

CCrunner,

You do have a point and I too would prefer less of this, but I also think it's pretty easy to ignore.

Tom

Yes, but there is no reason to have it. Those guys should either cool it or entertain themselves via e-mail.

The problem is deeper than CCrunner noted. The "Donation Time" flag is way too common. I think there is a reason for that. Don't know about the others flying that flag, but I'm seriously considering dropping out altogether.

Bill

 

[Series3Scott]

Notice it always seems to be the same handful of people stirring it up. It's not a common theme throughout the forum or membership in general.

I'm curious to know if the same flare ups occur on other Sunbeam club sites? And if so is it the same handful of people?

Or do they just reserve their special magic personalities for our forum?

 

[Cactusmasher]

Forum faux pas

Something over a year ago I got sucked into an on forum debate regarding the differences between Alpines and Tigers that escalated into a urination contest. The source was later found to be, as I am told, another forum member using a second name and identification who thought he could get away with it and remain relatively anonymous. Board members put a stop to it but I am not aware of all the details. I got a permanent "flag" for bad conduct or whatever they called it. I am told it cannot ever be removed, which I think is unfair. I am making note of the current back and forth between members and find that the circumstances are nearly identical to mine, yet it continues. Where are the Forum monitors?? Why doesn't the Board put a stop to it? (Like they did in my case ). I admit I let the other party egg me on and I got pretty steamed about it, and I agree the Forum is not the place to air these things out. I think I have served my penance and should have the "permanent" flag removed from my profile. I feel less inclined to donate to the cause, especially when I see others apparently getting away with what I got hammered for.

One man's opinion.

 

[Cactusmasher]

Forum faux pas II

P.S. I rarely post anything anymore unless it it to help out someone looking for an answer that I have the knowledge to be of assistance. I am not in the habit of picking fights with anyone, let alone anyone on this forum. I ask for forgiveness for a momentary lapse in judgement over a year ago and hope the Board or whomever did it will reconsider and remove the flag from my profile.

 

[Series6]

Thanks for reposting as I had not noticed the continuation. My fault. More later.

 

[Hillman]

I rarely answer queries since my Sunbeam knowledge is restricted to cloudy days (those without sunbeams). However, it would be nice if we all play nice. If I can contribute I will. If not, I keep quiet. Mostly I'm quiet.

I don't like reading the threads that are described as "urinary competitions". We are all (or most of us) adults here. Why not act as such.

 

[65beam]

site

there was a discussion on the STOC forum in the uk maybe a year ago that got heated at times. it concerned rebodying tigers. it seemed like it lasted for weeks.

 

[DanR]

In reference to catusmasher's comments and "a "Flag" being assigned to him (his profile). I fine him a very decent and fine correspondent to this Forum.

He has never abused any thing that I can see that warrants a permant "handle" attached to him that would cause the Club to want him discharged or restricted him from participation if that being the case.

I think the Club Officers should exam closely the most recent posting and the sequence of the remarks and where they began. Then act accordingly.


DanR

 

[John W]

I hate being the last person to post on that particular thread. I think I'll just say publicly what I wanted to say privately and I hope I don't offend anyone. I enjoy this web site almost as much as I enjoy my car.


This is a really rough outline from a book, but hopefully it'll make some sense. Dr. M. Scot Peck was a psychiatrist who passed away the same day as Sunbeam man Don Adams. In a book he wrote called The Road Less Traveled, Dr Peck gives credit to a man he worked for as having taught him one of life's great lessons. As a young psychiatrist, Dr Peck had been working with a group of other shrinks for a few months and was becoming more and more aware that he seemed to be working harder than his colleagues. So one day he goes to his boss and complains. His boss nods in agreement and he leaves the meeting with the satisfaction that things are going to get corrected. After a while, nothing happens, and it was just like it was before where Dr Peck is doing his job twice as good as everyone else and so he goes to his boss again. His boss nods in agreement, yes, you're doing twice as good a job as everyone else. Dr Peck complains - then why aren't you doing anything about it! His boss says, how can you say I'm not doing anything! Maybe you're not listening, I said I agree with you, and I'll say it yet again – I agree with you, you're doing twice as good a job as everyone else! And there it was. One of life's great lessons. We all contribute in various ways, some of us far exceeding the capacity, efforts, and willingness of others. That we give less of ourselves or expect more of others is a delicate matter. There's no better entertainment than when the guys that know Sunbeams and a whole lot more go the edge of understanding. And it's like the best and the worst thing is the same thing when, albeit most always right, otherwise intelligent guys head off a cliff with a thread and everyone willing to blah blah blah into the abyss. Sometimes I wish some of my favorite posters on here would just let go and stop at the edge of understanding and let others have their say, not matter what they have to say. That said, I'm sure I'm the dumbest cookie in this jar. So thanks in advance! lol.

 

[Series6]

I will bring this up on the Board side and hope to come up with something we can live with.

Speaking as a club member (set aside my exhaulted title) I get tired of the snippiness that comes up once or twice a year. Geez guys, we're an online club. Think about what you post before you type it. If we were sitting in a parking lot with our cars would you say the things we post on the forum? Or would we escalate the way it does? I doubt it. Not every comment is an affront (Did I spell that right?) worthy of throwing down the verbal gauntlet.

I used to hang out at a bar in Dallas. It was called "The Quiet Man" and was styled after an Irish Pub with a definite Texas flavor. In the 60's it was the center of the Free Speach Movement as well as the center of most of the mercenary activity in Dallas at that time. On the wall was a plaque. It read: "The Quiet Man is dedicated to those who make drinking one of life's pleasures rather than one of it's vices. Who remain Gentlemen, even in their cups." There were plenty of different opinions there. Plenty of animated discussions but we all remained civil. And friends.

 

[DanR]

Nick, That is a very good Motto!

Wish I could live by it!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too all!

 

[Tom H]

Bill Blue said:

The problem is deeper than CCrunner noted. The "Donation Time" flag is way too common. I think there is a reason for that. Don't know about the others flying that flag, but I'm seriously considering dropping out altogether.

I don't think the "donation time" flags are up to date. I think the officers and moderators are working on it. I know my donation was sent several weeks ago and yet I still have a "donation time" flag. This is not a problem for me, unless others are weighing their decisions based on some of these flags.

I'll continue to participate and contribute to this forum and hope others are able to work past objectionable posts. There's too much good stuff happening here to let the 5% have a negative effect.

Tom

 

[Thor 1211]

The tone

Well, I've been on and off this forum daily for 3 years now and, in truth, it's just like any other forum. A few guys do most of the talking, a few guys give most of the help and a few guys are ready to fly off the handle any time. Most of the time, the guys that fly off the handle (I have had some spicy blasts from one in particular and usually in a private message) simmer down and come back nicer in a day or two. However, I find the Forum is a valuable resource and so much so that I just donated for the very first time! Overall it's just a good thing to remember why we're here.

 

[DanR]

I would not worry about a "Donation Flag" being up for a long time!

My only concern would be if I had donated and my time ran out and then was unable to post or PM for an extended time period.

I am not complaining! I like this Forum too much to see squabbles destroy our GREATEST ORGANIZATION WE HAVE FOR THE SUNBEAMS.... I'm sticking! Like B'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby! I appreciate the Management keeping us going and any improvements they have been able to accomplish! Remember they are "Volunteers" for us!

DanR

 

[Series6]

Tom H

In some cases I have to wait until the information on who recently posted their dues is forwarded to me. Then I manually make the change. This is my first go round doing this so I may be slow. I'll get it right.

I got a list with members on it but in some cases the Forum name was missing and when I looked it up by email, sometimes the email address had changed and the new one had not been forwarded to us.

I would recommend that you check your profile and see if your profile has the correct email attached. If you think your status isn't right, PM me and give me your forum name and correct email address. I'll check it and get back with you.

For everyone that contributes to SAOCA, thanks for your support. I'm at the end of my first term on the Board and I can advise you that the Board members spend a bunch of time trying to figure ways to add value to SAOCA membership.

 

[Alpine 1789]

I have two suggestions on how to deal with the issue of members arguing and/or flaming each other on the site. The first is simple and may not actually work, but it is modeled on the Politics/Rants section of the forum. That was created 5 or so years ago (IIRC, by Scott Christie) because a few members insisted on bringing politics into discussions about cars and car repairs. I always liked the password Scott created for access to that area: wastemytime. I checked that section out once shortly after it was created and never went back again. But, other than a couple of minor infractions, there have been no political discussions on the rest of the board since. Perhaps all we need is a "Take it Outside" section, where those who wish to debate who knows the most about our cars can argue to their hearts' content and leave the rest of us out of it. I even have a suggestion for the password: "mineisbiggerthanyours".

I don't have faith that it will work, so here is my second suggestion. Let's just all agree that while honest debate about our cars is welcome, any personal attacks or criticisms will be deleted. Then let's empower a few additional members as editors, with the power to delete specific posts. Yeah, there will always be a fine line between what is acceptable and what is not, but I suspect that unacceptable posts are like pornography: most of us know it when we see it.