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".
