When did it become ok to flame people who post in the advertising forums? When did it become ok to point out who a reseller is and talk about things that is absolutly none of the flammers business?

I agree that when someone posts the unlimited word, then a flame is in order, but saying someone is a rackshack reseller or that TimPD sucks big time is just uncalled for.

Rackshack, this will quickly bring your forums to a close. Allowing people to do something that Matt originally said couldn't be done is doing nothing but hurting your reputation. I have had many users come to me asking if WHT has changed from a friendly place to a place where flames and wars are ok. I originally said no, but my answer now is yes.

All I ask is that you stop the flames. I think that everyone has a right to post in the advertising forums, without fear of retribution from others. If you want to flame, take it to another forum.

I totally agree with your Mike. It seems its just a place to bad mouth people nowadays.

Ah.. when i was a lad... :)

You get the picture. It has changed.. something should be done to get it back on track.

Craig

I have had many users come to me asking if WHT has changed from a friendly place to a place where flames and wars are ok.

i agree, i don't come here half as much as i used to. Its all a bit bitchy.

This place is just busier. And it's not just busier with honest people; it is busier with those that are on the other side as well.
I believe it is the responsibility of forum members to help newer members understand who they are considering doing business with.
I wouldn't consider it all flaming.

Mike, why do you think rackshack is responsible? The moderators are still running the place as before; with the only difference that Matt has stepped down.

I don't consider those flammings; its just pointing out things that should be clear on.

And you should search about TimPD's history. There is a reason why people flamed him.

Peter

a possible reason is that it doesn't seem to have such an active moderator group as it used to.

Originally posted by thebyp2
a possible reason is that it doesn't seem to have such an active moderator group as it used to.
I noticed that as well.

For example, I just did a search: teck and kunal hasn't posted in 2 - 3 months. And now Matt is stepping down as well.

It seems that Chicken is taking up most of the work, plus BC and xstrike.

Maybe rackshack should start paying the moderators?

Peter

i don't think they need to pay anybody. there are probably plenty of the 'old skool' wht'ers that would be very good at the task.

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
This place is just busier. And it's not just busier with honest people; it is busier with those that are on the other side as well.
I believe it is the responsibility of forum members to help newer members understand who they are considering doing business with.
I wouldn't consider it all flaming.

But is it your responsiblity to tell everyone who Tim is? Have you ever hosted with him or had any dealings with him or are you basing it on what others say? I agree you should help other newer members, but posting attacks in an advertising forum just isn't the way. Hopefully, if the new person is smart, he will ask others what they think about such and such. Then let the flames begin.

I guess my point is, if you want to tell everyone how bad someone is, do it in the appropriate forums, NOT the advertising ones. Everyone has a right to post in there without fear of being attacked. Also, if you have never hosted with the company, you have no legs to stand on, so don't post (this isn't directed to you software, just in general).

It's not necessarily Rackshack's fault, but it did certainly change when they took control over it. I don't know about paying moderators, but maybe adding a few new ones might help. I mean 3 or 4 people to manage a site that has at least 60 members online at any given time is just nuts.

Luckily I doubt I'll ever get flammed. I run a good company and have a good name and would never do something to get myself flammed. But I still think it's wrong. It's ok to post questions or answer questions or give suggestions to an ad, but downright attacking the person is just plain WRONG.

Stepping off the soap box now.

Well, either get new moderators, or pay the existing moderators so they can afford to spend more time on webhostingtalk.com.

Sometimes it takes a while for some threads to be deal with. For example, there is an alleged spamming case in the main forum that started yesterday, but no moderator has time to investigate yet, so the thread is still open, and the offending member (ok, innocent before proven guilty) is still free. I have also personally started reporting threads (I used to just post) in the hope that that will save the moderators from searching through.

Peter

Yes, Mike, I agree with you to some degree. While I personally think that if a certain member has issues that is not entirely dealt with, others have the right and responsibility to point that out (even in the offer forum). However, some of those posts are less-civil than they should be.

Of course, Mike, you run a good company; you will not get flamed. :)

Peter

I don't believe I have talked about things I do not have first hand knowledge of. If I do; I attempt to point that out.

I think SWR was just pointing out things that he knew were true from other previous posts. He is very civil in those things.

Although some other members are a bit less, uh, forgiving, when they get involved.

Peter

I'm not pointing the finger, trust me. I just wish that in that particular forum only posts related to the topic are posted.

I think some people should be flammed, just not in that forum. Some people out thier are just plain idiots and the rest of the world needs to know about them. I just don't think the advertising forum is the place to do it.

I see what you mean, Mike.

But how do you think we can help the unsuspecting newbies coming in for a purchase?

This is a very tough situation: if only all people would search the forum archive before they make a purchase decision. On the other hand, I also dislike how some members just jump on the offer and act immaturely. This is why personally I never do anything "pointing" (as far as I can remember).

Maybe the forum could ban this, but then require a member to post a public statement on any previous "offense" before being allowed to post in the ad forum? (I know, I am just throwing out ideas).

Peter

Freedom is the keyword, but in addition let the people share their experiences with FAIR comments. :)

Someone mentioned that the problem seems to reside with the newcomers and that we need to help them out. I disagree with this i see more and more flames from people who have been on this board for years. The flames have even grown above what your use to from me :) theyve got so bad i cant eve stand to be on here, and if you get to that point you know its got bad :)

Perhaps an idea would be to put a sticky thread at the top of the offers threads titled 'before you buy, read this' or something. could just tell them how it is in a brief message, then let them make up their own mind.

oh, and on the old members flaming thing, yep. definitly. i have seen some long standing members come out with comments recently that have changed my viewpoint on them completly.

There also seems to be a bit of a race to get a high number of posts. I have been here a very long time now, but my post number is quite low.

I can see what you mean. (I hope you don't consider me one of them. :))

As for post count, let just say that sometimes I am a bit disappointed at the content (or lack of) of some of the posts.

Peter

by the way, what is a Java monkey?

To be honest, I don't know. :blush:

I am a java programmer, and one time someone teased me with that, and I remembered it. I think it was some kind of movie character? Or monkey in java.

Peter

OH MY GOD, I wanted to comment numerous times on how stupid some of these posts are, some are as stupid as "yea i agree with you" or say someones talking about a bad host, youll see a post like "yea thanks for letting us know about that host, it helps others in the future". Just stuff that absolutly rediculous and provides no information.

I wish the mods would delete all those post and ban the users.

No, I don't think the flames are worse than they ever have been (we've had some periods before), however if you see something, instead of posting this thread, please *report* the thread and someone will look at it. Sometimes it is only a matter of hours before a thread becomes 3 pages or more, so even if you see it, it may not be there next time.

Anywhooooo, don't feel as though you have to report things, it just brings attention to a possible problem, directly to the thread. Very helpful...

I've notice lack of moderation lately too; i.e., posts in wrong forums that used to be quickly moved. Yes, the moderators here should be paid!

Originally posted by chrisb
I've notice lack of moderation lately too; i.e., posts in wrong forums that used to be quickly moved. Yes, the moderators here should be paid!
Don't the mods get a slice of the action?? Or it is just for the glory?? :eek:

Or rackshack can appoint me as a moderator, i'll do a good job trust me :D But i'll have ta ban a few people first ;)

So who are you now to judge the content of everyones post? Neither you nor a moderator has the right to do so!

Originally posted by cbaker17
OH MY GOD, I wanted to comment numerous times on how stupid some of these posts are, some are as stupid as "yea i agree with you" or say someones talking about a bad host, youll see a post like "yea thanks for letting us know about that host, it helps others in the future". Just stuff that absolutly rediculous and provides no information.

I wish the mods would delete all those post and ban the users.

Doesnt take a genius to realize those examples contain no information at all, and are simply people trying to raise their post count. Of course you do have an awful lot of posts in a short amount of time hmmm, if i remember correctly your one of the people i am referring too... Dont blame you for getting mad :)

I agree with Charles; some of the posts contain no information. Not only do they waste my time to read them, simply getting a notification in email and then loading up the page, only to find someone has posted a worthless post, is maddening.

I suspect either those posters simply can't help themselves to post needlessly, or they are trying to raise their post count in an overall-worthless way.

Peter

I agree.

I agree.
Me too!!

Oops.

Er, maybe I don't agree too much. It's a place to chit chat, no? Why get all uptite about it. The obvious flaming that goes on can be annoying, but also enlightening. I know such postings have saved me on at least one occasion.

:D

Okay, my previous sarcasm aside; I don't see a lot wrong with some short posts.

If you're annoyed by email notification; turn it off. I did; a year ago.

Some of the posts that have been referrenced; like, "Thanks for sharing" serve purpose to encourage the poster that their post was of some value, so maybe they will post again.

Sometimes, a simple, "I agree" is all that's needed. Sometimes it's about all the original poster wants. Someone to say whether they agree or disagree with their statement.

Let's lighten up some. It's a public forum; and we're not all going to agree on whether a post has value or not. But, if it was important enough for the poster to write, no matter how short, it's important enough for me to read.

Well, Scott, its not that Chit-chatting is not OK or that we all have to make acadamically-rigous post, but sometimes there are certain commen sense on whether to post.

For example, the lounge forum is the perfect place to chat, but in the main forum, people should be careful, becase there are others (like myself) who expect serious discussions.

I am not saying that we should turn webhostingtalk.com into webhostingaccademy.com, but how many times have you follow, say, a serious discussion on P3 vs P4, and someone posted some off-topic/chit-chat post that's entirely worthless?

If you think that's distracting, just think about how your receive in your email a notification, loading up the page thinking that you could see some interesting content, only to find that someone has said something like "I hate it too" or "yeah", which contain absolutely no information.

Peter

Short amount of time? i have been a member since March 2001, what are you talking about? wow flamers unite ckpeter and charles.. :stickout

I agree with SWR that posts encouraging someone to share experience is appropriate, because then that person will be more inclined to share the experience later; thus benefiting the whole forum.

A lot of seemingly-non-informative posts are actually appropriate, but every so often I see a post that is so off-topic/worthless that I can't find any reason why the poster posted except to raise post count.

Peter

Originally posted by ckpeter
. . . . . . . . thinking that you could see some interesting content, only to find that someone has said something like "I hate it too" or "yeah", which contain absolutely no information.

Peter Seems like they do contain information.
Seems like they say that someone agrees or disagrees with the information posted.

If you or charles don't like that way people post you can leave..

Who cares :P

Originally posted by ckpeter
I agree with SWR that posts encouraging someone to share experience is appropriate, because then that person will be more inclined to share the experience later; thus benefiting the whole forum.

A lot of seemingly-non-informative posts are actually appropriate, but every so often I see a post that is so off-topic/worthless that I can't find any reason why the poster posted except to raise post count.

Peter

Originally posted by edude
Short amount of time? i have been a member since March 2001, what are you talking about? wow flamers unite ckpeter and charles.. :stickout
Me, a flamer? (or worthless poster?)

Let me just say a lot of times I choose not to comment on worthless posts. But that doesn't mean I didn't notice them.

I don't like to point finger at a specific person (or a few people); maybe I am trying to be nice?

Peter

I left a while back ago :) i just come back every now and then too see how bad the forums keep getting :)

Originally posted by edude
If you or charles don't like that way people post you can leave..

Who cares :P


Me leaving? I didn't spend all those time writing mostly useful posts only to leave because of some worthless posters.

I don't leave; I complaint; I agitate, and I do whatever I can to make things right.

Maybe that's the way you handle things; but not me.

Peter

They aren't that bad, just a little messy now and then. I wouldn't blame the forums. There have been quite a few recent SNAFU's that really got under a lot of peoples skin.

Originally posted by edude
So who are you now to judge the content of everyones post? Neither you nor a moderator has the right to do so!



Kind of ironic how this thread turned into a flame and by edude no less ;) heh

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
Seems like they do contain information.
Seems like they say that someone agrees or disagrees with the information posted.
Maybe, but it depends on the content of the post as a whole.

First of all, I didn't say those post that disagree. Ususally, people give reasons for disagreement, and those reasons are useful information (why I should not purchase a product, etc...)

Other times, people give supports to their statements. Those supports are useful information as well. (why I should buy a certain product/service, etc...)

I am only referring to when people post something like "I hate it" or "you get what you pay for", etc... which contain no useful information. (and I am talking about cases where there is only one-line; with no other useful content given).

Peter

Oh please Charles, i remember and i can even show posts where you have flamed Joe and other people..

I think the flaming comes by you so called "quality posters" judging peoples posts, if it makes you angry don't waste your time writing these so called "quality posts"...

Wheeee Heeee . . . . . .

Now we be gettin into some flamin!!!

:flamethr: :flamethr: :flamethr:

Who started this :flamethr: thread, anywho?





:D

Never said i havent flamed before :) hehe, you just cant let these flamers get to you :)

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
Wheeee Heeee . . . . . .

Now we be gettin into some flamin!!!

:flamethr: :flamethr: :flamethr:

Who started this :flamethr: thread, anywho?





:D


Welp, time to break out the asbestos boxers :D

I agree with Peter. Useful info to follow... :) ... what really irritates me is when a followup is just a smile or one of those other faces.

I really miss MattF. I liked him as a moderator cause he was a little crazy yet also fair, IMO.

I guess Robert won't tell us whether the moderators are paid or not, but as members of the forum, I think we have a right to know. If he's not paying them, he could always raise the price of a rackshack server enough to pay them a fair wage... just a thought.

Edude as a moderator?... LOL I'm afraid I'd be banned if Edude or SWR were moderators.:( I vote for ckpeter. He appears to be nice, fair, and non-confrontational.

Let's not forget Chicken who has worked hard and done a wonderful job moderating this forum. Glory? I see no glory in being a moderator or having a high post count... unless you're getting paid for it.

cbaker, I don't understand you. You posted a while back that you thought the forum had basically gone to hell, and you would not be back, didn't you?

Originally posted by The Prohacker



Welp, time to break out the asbestos boxers :D Yes. I think this thread is calling for drastic meassures.

Here's mine:




:pimp:

Full Frontal
Linguistical
Attack
Mode
Engaged


*Leaving to brush up on some esoterical words.

lol chrisb i agree, cbaker said that in the post when rackshack brought wht lol..

i said i wouldnt be visiting here much and i havent been, sometimes its amusing to visit now and then though...

If I may, though a recent addition to the community. I think everyone has made good points here (I read the entire thread - most annoying when people don't). It can be distilled to moderation - more of it is needed. Chicken is the only one who (for whatever reason) steps in and cracks the whip. In the ideal world everyone would police themselves, however, the most active posters, for the most part, appear to be quite young - the level of maturity necessary isn't there. My humble opinion, have a nice weekend. <removed>

Originally posted by Rotifer
My humble opinion, have a nice weekend. <removed>.

Level of maturity, you really sure you want to go there?? Just curious? heh

Originally posted by chrisb
... what really irritates me is when a followup is just a smile or one of those other faces.
:eek: :eek2: :eek3: :) ;) :D :stickout :cartman: :laugh:

Couldn't resist. ;)

Oh, did I forget a sense of humor? That helps as well.