An open letter from Sheriff Jim

iis612

Member
Thanks for the kind comments... We try to keep The Gauge civilized and family oriented. :D

It's mostly a job that no one sees because we do most of our work behind the scenes of the day to day operations here..

~~~ Thanks!!!!

I beleive that I owe a great debt of gratitude to all of the moderators as well as Peter. If not for the work that all of you do it would be easy for a handful of people to turn this place from the brilliant respit it is into something else entirely. By no means am I trying to insinuate that there are members here with a propensity for causing problems, but merely that if not for the Mods and Admin people could join to cause problems.
My hat is off to you Moderators and Peter. Thank you for making this my prefered internet location, for fostering a family environment, fostering a positive place to exchange ideas and share a cup of coffee.

Matt
 

tetters

Rail Spiking Fool!
snipBy no means am I trying to insinuate that there are members here with a propensity for causing problems,snip

Matt

Where as I eagerly await the opportunity to have another thread deleted from the board. :p :twisted: :rolleyes:





:eek:ops:
 

N Gauger

1:20.3 Train Addict
I beleive that I owe a great debt of gratitude to all of the moderators as well as Peter. If not for the work that all of you do it would be easy for a handful of people to turn this place from the brilliant respit it is into something else entirely. By no means am I trying to insinuate that there are members here with a propensity for causing problems, but merely that if not for the Mods and Admin people could join to cause problems.
My hat is off to you Moderators and Peter. Thank you for making this my prefered internet location, for fostering a family environment, fostering a positive place to exchange ideas and share a cup of coffee.

Matt

Thanks... We Appreciate that!!! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:
 
I beleive that I owe a great debt of gratitude to all of the moderators as well as Peter.....
My hat is off to you Moderators and Peter. Thank you for making this my prefered internet location, for fostering a family environment, fostering a positive place to exchange ideas and share a cup of coffee.

Matt
Likewise. It is very hard work keeping a site working smoothly and ensuring people are behaving themselves without coming across as a tyrant. I've been a member of other forums and one I am on came dangerously close to collapsing entirely due to a lot of nonsense from people who would just come in to cause trouble by trolling etc.

It's great to know there are people out there who are big enough to keep making peace (like jmarksbery) and yes we should concentrate on our common interest like enjoying this great hobby.
As for expressing opinions or stating truths, no problem with that but no need to be rude about it.
 

jambo101

Member
I was under the impression that moderators could delete posts or threads, so just delete posts or threads that arent in keeping with the general theme of the forum,dont worry about hurting peoples feelings if they post crap or meaningless drivel that has no relation to the intent of the forum just delete it.
I find some of the best forums i visit have very strict moderators who dont tolerate meaningless posts.
 

Mountain Man

Active Member
I was under the impression that moderators could delete posts or threads, so just delete posts or threads that arent in keeping with the general theme of the forum,dont worry about hurting peoples feelings if they post crap or meaningless drivel that has no relation to the intent of the forum just delete it.
I find some of the best forums i visit have very strict moderators who dont tolerate meaningless posts.

Using what guidelines? If you are going to start wholesale censorship, why even have the forum in the first place? Ideas are often controversial by their very nature, as are opinions.

The trick isn't rigid control by the admins, but simple self-control by the members, and the simple principle that you get what you give. Respect = respect in return, period.
 

jambo101

Member
Using what guidelines?
I'd say the guy who puts up the money and time to set up and maintain the forum has the last word on what guidelines he wants to adhere to.
I'm sure the mature nature of the members in this hobby probably wouldnt present a problem but some forums have been ruined due to juvenile forum members whose only contribution would be lots of meaningless posts so that they can achieve the highest post count,these are the posts and threads i would delete,I think meaningful discussion about various aspects of this hobby should be tolerated even if it gets a bit heated,but its not my call.
 

Mountain Man

Active Member
I'd say the guy who puts up the money and time to set up and maintain the forum has the last word on what guidelines he wants to adhere to.
I'm sure the mature nature of the members in this hobby probably wouldnt present a problem but some forums have been ruined due to juvenile forum members whose only contribution would be lots of meaningless posts so that they can achieve the highest post count,these are the posts and threads i would delete,I think meaningful discussion about various aspects of this hobby should be tolerated even if it gets a bit heated,but its not my call.

Well, since we recently had a lengthy discussion re the shortage of young modelers in this hobby, that wouldn't seem to be a problem. :cool:
 

RonP

Member of the WMRC
Well, since we r4ecently had a lengthy discussion re the shortage of young modelers in this hobby, that wouldn't seem to be a problem. :cool:

Many young modelers find that playing trains with old people that think they know more and will always know more then you restricts old peoples exposure to young modelers. This in no way says that young modelers are in decline, just that they don't have time for the politics.

I talk very often by email with modelers around the world that are young. I am 32 and young to me is 29 and under.
 

Mountain Man

Active Member
Many young modelers find that playing trains with old people that think they know more and will always know more then you restricts old peoples exposure to young modelers. This in no way says that young modelers are in decline, just that they don't have time for the politics.

I talk very often by email with modelers around the world that are young. I am 32 and young to me is 29 and under.

32?! sign1
 

sumpter250

multiscale modelbuilder
First, Jmarksbery, Thankyou. You are most welcome to return here.
I was under the impression that moderators could delete posts or threads, so just delete posts or threads that arent in keeping with the general theme of the forum,dont worry about hurting peoples feelings if they post crap or meaningless drivel that has no relation to the intent of the forum just delete it.
Moderators have that power.
Using what guidelines? If you are going to start wholesale censorship, why even have the forum in the first place? Ideas are often controversial by their very nature, as are opinions.
The trick isn't rigid control by the admins, but simple self-control by the members, and the simple principle that you get what you give. Respect = respect in return, period.
Guidelines: The moderating staff, and Peter, regularly discuss the "guidelines", taking into consideration all the benefits, and consequences of actions taken here, by the staff. The Guidelines are not cast in stone, but do require considerable debate before they are changed. "Respect given = respect in return". Absolutely!, and that also enters into consideration, when discussing "guidelines".
It is so easy to lose control when people think they are exercising freedom of speech on a forum.
This is something which is not limited to forums. Anytime "subjects of passion" are raised, there can be hard feelings. It is very "Human" to rigidly defend our own personal views. These times, more than many others, require a "referee", someone who has the authority to throw the yellow flag, as a means to remind us that our passions are getting the best of us.
The-Gauge, has changed. It's not the same forum I first came to visit, but I am still here, and I still feel comfortable being here. I guess if there is to be a rule of thumb, it probably should be " an opinion shouldn't be a "put down". It should be factual, to the point of the discussion, and offered without animosity. What we want to avoid here is, the "Hey!, let's you and him fight", or the "Hey!, let's you and me fight" situations.
Helpful support, Technical clarification, building/weathering/detailing techniques, and all the other things that allow all of us, new and old, to get more enjoyment out of our hobby. These are important. There have been many suggestions here that I have tried. Some I have found far better than the way I was doing things, some, I couldn't make work for me. They were here, and I tried them. I think that's what we should continue to "be about".
 

RonP

Member of the WMRC
If you think you're old at 32 - have you got some surprises coming. You have so much to look forward to! :rolleyes:

Being so close to being legally blind constitutes me feeling old. I am glad there is allot to look forward to, especially seeing my kids grow up, well for as long as i can at least.
 
Top