Peter, Dave, Andrew, Is there a way?

[peter]

I think there is some sort of age validation option in this board. Don't know how it works.
There are options most likely but I must get back to work. Members only is one where you would have to request membership but then the members would have to be approved (more work, more time) there is probably a simple answer out there.
google --- vbulletin age requirements or something. But even with the age requirement I don't think we want a bunh of racist stuff from any race or about any race and that would not stop that.

Any ideas?
Peter

[mhall]

It certainly wasn't my suggestion that we got ape nuts and start slinging profanity and racial slurs guys....As stated in my original post stay within the constraints that are presently in place. Also I don't want to create work for people and if it's a big deal, Bag It, it was just a thought.

I also don't want extra work for Peter or anybody, I'm not a Puter Head by any means, and sometimes what I think might be simple for somebody may actually be bid deal.

I didn't see the rest of the Pitino thread obviously it got kinda racey, and it is dealing with a very sensitive subject, that alone may have been the deciding factor on canning it.

[peter]

There may be an easy way to do it. Will take some research. Andrew may know of another board where this is done and we could learn from that.

[apb]

.... But even with the age requirement I don't think we want a bunh of racist stuff from any race or about any race and that would not stop that.

I agree. Those kind of posts would still be deleted. As would any post that used profanity or was an out right attack or threat against another member.

I think what Mark was refering to was that some of the discussions can get heated and that may cause things to be said that momma would have washed your mouth out with soap for saying. Given that we are all grown ups and, I believe, we know better than to take any of this serious, some leeway might be appropriate here that would not be appropriate for one of the other forums here.

An anything goes forum is out of the question.

Andrew

[Dave Stewart]

Here is how I look at this issue in a nutshell:

This is a website that is by it's logo a fishing related website. Fishing by nature is a familiy oriented sport and this website has always promoted this site to be family oriented.

I am one of many folks in the fishing business that have ties to this website. My clients and I am positive the clients of the many other fishing related businesses that have ties to this website serve the public...that is, people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations.

Since I consider this website to be one of the best websites on the internet for folks to get fishing related information, especially for those that fish on our lakes and rivers here in Kentucky (no matter what state they reside) and because it is a website that basically has a "G" rating in accordance with the rules, I know my clients can come here and browse this site and not get personally offended as is the case on some sites. With this thought in mind, I am always recommending this site to my clients and even I have on many occassions promoted this site as such to folks all over the country over the years when I have traveled to do fishing seminars. Here are a few of the places I have spoken to large crowds over the years to give you an idea: New York, Massachusettes, Florida, Alabama, Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky, Louisiana and more.

I can tell you as a fact, the folks in the audiences that I have spoken to either doing seminars or one on one between seminars are made up of every race, religion and political affiliation. These folks were not there to debate politics or any other topic..they were there to share and learn more about fishing.

Now, as far as the "Off Topics" board here...I do not see a need for a change other than folks need to just abide by the rules if they want to continue to debate these controversial subjects. In my opinion, if the folks that visit the "Off Topics" board cannot keep their comments at a "G" rated level then the "Off Topics" board needs to be totally eliminated. I think Peter is giving you folks that visit the "Off Topics" board a chance to police yourselves to keep all aspects of this site as family oriented...that means all families of any race, religion or political affiliation.

Getting all fired up in these controversial subjects and losing control once in a while and then apologizing later is not good enough in my way of looking at it. I don't want my clients seeing your over the top posts before a moderator has a chance to see it and delete it...time and time again. It is not good for my business, nor is it good for the business of this website or any of the other fishing related businesses that are affiliated with Fishin.com

Here is my suggestion:

Do away with the Off Topics section and keep this site fishing related and family oriented..for all families.

If enough of you want to debate this stuff...then get together and pay Peter to host your own website that is politically oriented etc....that way you could go at it all you want with no holds barred and the folks that come to Fishin.com to discuss or share fishing information can do so without being offended by some of the things that get posted on the "Off Topics" board.

[mhall]

Wow, didn't mean to start Armageoden (spelling), heck kill the board I wouldn't want to put anybody out of business. Personally I had no idea this board had reached that level in some's eye's, I never really thought it was all that bad, I'm done and I'll say no more.

[Dave Stewart]

Certainly not trying to run anyone off....opinions were asked for and this is my opinion, not Peter's or anyone else's...sometimes we all don't look at things the same way nor should we.

[DJD]

I don't think I have ever challenged the Moderators or Peter since I really try and respect others, their work and their opinions.

I understand that this is a fishing website but we all do more than fishing and we all have opinions on various subjects.

Killing the board would be a mistake IMHO. I visit the site multiple times a day and post on many boards not just the off topics board. I have purchased a Kayak, Trolling Motor and Tackle from the Community Tackle Box before which helped other members and myself.

I guess my point is...isn't there room for all boards because we all get something different from each board. I say post within the rules and leave it alone.

[HURRICANEBOB]

I'd vote to leave the board as it is, no changes, and we the members just "CLEAN UP OUR ACT". And I say that knowing that I'm no better than anyone else, and that I own my share of the problem. Buck stops here for my part of the problem and responsibility to do my part to make it better.



Wow......I gotta quit this.....you guys might think I'm getting responsible or something........

[slippedcork]

Wow, didn't mean to start Armageoden (spelling), heck kill the board I wouldn't want to put anybody out of business. Personally I had no idea this board had reached that level in some's eye's, I never really thought it was all that bad, I'm done and I'll say no more.

Betcha 5 bucks I can make you say something!

[MrSplitshot]

Fair enough. My opinion, as someone who was on staff with another national fishing related website that went through this exact same issue with their "Off Topic" board...

Yes, this is absolutely 100% a fishing website...but killing the "Off Topic" board is the absolute quickest way to set your whole forum back about 100 years. Putting too many rules in place will yield the same result.

Leave it be, expect folks to abide by the simple rules already in place, and use common sense. You guys are exactly right that it's a business, and a business takes work. That means a commitment to moderating. It takes a lot of time and babysitting - Trust me, I know exactly what you're dealing with. The good news is that this site has some of the best Moderators I've seen - I mean that sincerely.

----

(1) You want people to come here for Fishing information....your clients, people who find the place on search engines, see ads, etc. It generates traffic, sells ads, keeps the page ranking up. Of course, you don't want them offended by a bonehead post about something crazy. That's why you have moderators.

(2) For those new visitors to get good information, there needs to be a lot of people here posting good fishing information and answering folks questions...sharing their experiences. You have that now.

(3) THE KICKER. Those good people posting good information and answering questions get BORED hashing out the same things over and over again. That's just a fact. They will still do it, because after all they are anglers and we like to talk...but if there is not a place where the old timers can get together and jaw with each other about life and the general state of things in a mildly restrictive manner (like it sits now), they will not participate as much...and will eventually leave.

I would almost guarantee that the Off Topic board now gets the most traffic, but the fewest unique visitors. It's the back room of the baitshop where the old timers hang out. Leave it be, but it won't police/run itself...there will be infractions, no matter how hard you try to preach common sense...so ya gotta moderate it. The answer is not taking it away, I promise you.

Just my opinion.

Thanks to all for their work with the site.

[ironhead70]

oh no dont delet the off topic board i would not know what to do with myself if i could not see what geo had to say every day lol it get pretty boring here last week when he was gone


on the 18 or older board would be nice i have had a few jokes to post that is boarder line but ill stick with the clean ones