View Poll Results: Should we keep the Social Issues forum?

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  • Yes.

    66 49.25%
  • No.

    68 50.75%
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Results 26 to 50 of 314
  1. #26
    Quote Originally Posted by cywkevin View Post
    I voted yes. I remember what it was like with that crap in the lounge.
    Quote Originally Posted by SoftWareRevue View Post
    One thing to note though, if we remove the Social Issues forum, that wouldn't open up the Lounge to those types of discussions.
    So that won't be a problem.


    Alex
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  2. #27
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    While I don't often post in the Social forum I do read it on almost visit to WHT.

    From a business point of view I think the Lounge and Social forums are actually quite useful as you get to learn a lot about the other business owners you might be working with.
    Steve
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  3. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by trau View Post
    If this is business and to be equated with a business meeting, then I would have to say the entire lounge area needs to be removed. In keeping with the business simile it is as if you have a breakroom but do not want the employees to actually ever leave the conference rooms. If you want the employees to "eat at their desk" and keep working then the breakroom has to go away.
    In a similar fashion if all discussion is to be restricted to hosting then the lounge itself needs to go. As long as it is there to allow non-hosting discussion the moderators will be busy banashing discussions that stray across the line.

    If on the other hand you want to have a break room to discuss "non-work" related topics, then social issues is as valid as a post about my dog died and I feel sad.
    If the social issues forum was a welcoming, friendly, positive and good place for friendly debate, I would agree with every word you just said.

    My problem with the social issues forum isn't to do with the topics that are created. My problem lies in the manner in which those threads are discussed. It's not welcoming, it's not well mannered, and at worst it's damn right insulting and rude.

    WHT is just one of many forums that has tried to keep social threads and do so in the hope that those issues will be discussed in a civilised manner. As others have found out, and as we're finding out right now, it's an almost impossible task to have social discussions on the Internet without somebody insulting somebody.

    Quote Originally Posted by SWR
    Are all those threads really about "hatred regarding religion, political views or people"?

    Don't we learn by discussing the issues that get discussed there?

    I see some enlightening discussions go on in there.
    Absolutely, Dennis. I would learn a heck of a lot from that forum, as would others, if only the topics were discussed with respect for each other. The lessons in the threads are overshadowed by arguments, insults, lack of common sense etc.

    Find a way to make sure each thread is discussed without the bad feelings and without putting undue strain on moderators, and I'll happily take part in the social issues forum and see it as an asset to this community.

    I would offer a suggestion, but I don't have one. That's why I voted for getting rid of social issues, because I can't see any other way to remove the insults from WHT.
    Last edited by Jamie Harrop; 11-17-2007 at 12:40 PM.
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  4. #29
    Quote Originally Posted by SoftWareRevue View Post
    Are all those threads really about "hatred regarding religion, political views or people"?

    Don't we learn by discussing the issues that get discussed there?

    I see some enlightening discussions go on in there.
    Personally I'd rather not have to wade through a cesspool of crap to find a few drops intelligence.

    I'd like to see many of the topics in that forum stay, but I'd prefer a level of decorum in the discussions.

    Many times the posts get out of hand and its allowed to go on.

    Slang and derogatory terminology and hate speech finds a safe haven under the guise of "if you don't want to be offended than don't read it", but than the forum at the same time gets credit from staff saying its not all bad and it has good merits.

    I just don't see how it can be both ways. You can't tell people its a good forum that you can learn from, and promote its use, and at the same time allow the rhetoric of hatred and misunderstanding to run rampant.

    If people want to debate social issues thats great. I'd just make it known that posts that contain text thats written to demean or belittle others, especially using slang terms, will be deleted and continued harassment or hate speech from a member would result in their account being suspended.

    I think a lot of topics should be discussed intelligently like civilized adults. If they're not, than there is no place for them.
    Last edited by bodhisattva; 11-17-2007 at 12:39 PM.
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  5. #30
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    I voted no. I actually had complained about that forum in a thread there, then the thread was removed (due to something else probably).

    There are a few guys who continuously post their hatred there. The main problem is not the Social Issues forum, the problem is those guys who come up with the same discussion everyday.

    SWR, of course not all threads are about religion. But we all know what threads we are talking about, and who keep those active. I wish there was a way to democratically ban some people from these forums. But in any case there is no rule for saying "we don't like you there, so you are banned". Thus no one can ask for banning certain members. Closing the forum altogether is a more fair way.

    Yet we must protect the Lounge from similar threads, there should be some rules for disallowing people open "my religion is better than yours, you loser!" threads anymore.

    But I definitely agree with Vortex-Steve about "knowing the members". I already marked a few guys in the "keep away" list.
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  6. #31
    Easy fix to that because there's a common pattern, someone diss's the US therefore the dogs are unleashed upon them. Make a rule - you diss a country or leader, you are banned from the forum. Same rule as member to member, just expanded.
    Last edited by page-zone; 11-17-2007 at 12:48 PM.
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  7. #32
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    I'm inclined to say no - it creates spats that I have seen spill out or reflect in threads inside of the main hosting forums etc.
    .
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  8. #33
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    I will say YES, we should have social issues forum, in fact Social Issues Forum do belong to WHT.

    Most of the companies today have place for stressing out, some have indoor games, meditate or other means of recreation.

    WHT is also a working place where people are busy with web hosting business, majority of these people are spending most of their time online in front of their PC, so a social issues forums is like venting out their buildup stress, a great place for interaction, a good place where you learn more about global social issues which other wise you won't get elsewhere considering the time constraint.

    Just a thought.
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  9. #34
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    It is good to have a social issues forum, just not the way it is now.
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  10. #35
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    a big handsome NO
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  11. #36
    Which is why the disrepect rule needs expanded to everyone instead of member to member. It's that loophole that causes the most problems.
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  12. #37
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    Quote Originally Posted by SoftWareRevue View Post
    I see some enlightening discussions go on in there.
    I don't read it (pretty sure I read somewhere you don't either). I don't discuss religion, politics or hatred in my normal life, so why would I do so here? Enlightening discussions can happen anywhere, and to say the social forum is a good thing because it occasionally happens there is frankly ignoring that the bulk of the posts/threads are not. The law of averages would explain the occasional gem.
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  13. #38
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    As far as religion or insult related threads are concerned they are not permanent kind of activity in there, social focus changes with time situation and mood.

    Now a days I am myself (I must be a marked member already) is quite active there but it had not been like that some time back, and who knows few month ahead I won't be visiting that section for days or months.

    Who knows after discussing hatred for some time, indulging members will be fed up and forced to discuss some positive mutual collaborative future.

    If you will notice even reviews about hosts contain hatred and direct threats, like "I am going to sue" or most of the elite members themselves will be suggesting to take them to the court, or raise a charge back etc etc. One bad review by a new comer or existing member and all the established members will be bashing the reported host. All this is also hatred and insult.

    I have made some good friends on that section only after heated discussion that you would term as full of hatred and insults.

    BTW how will you experience the taste of sweet until you have tasted salt or chili/pepper.
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  14. #39
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    If the social issues forum is closed, people will starting talking about politics and religion in the lounge. I don't want to see these topics in the lounge.
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  15. #40
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    Well (surprise, surprise) I voted YES, but with some reservations.
    (I simply believe the benefits outway the drawbacks, that's my view, and am more than aware that it's a minority view).

    If it did not exist in the first place, that would be fine, but to remove it because it's sometimes a little heated is just not right. (should we ban the houses of parliament here in the UK ?)

    Modifying the rules to something that is acceptable and workable to all seems to me the right way forward.

    How about something realy simple (even volentary ?) , like
    "Mock, but don't Knock".
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  16. #41
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    I thought at one point topics relating to religion and politics were banned in the lounge. Maybe they still are?

    When I come here I normally click on the "most active threads" link to see what's going on. It's constantly infested with "The Quaran says this!" or "The Bible says that!" or "My Torah is bigger then your Torah!" The people starting these threads are either religious nutjobs or Hippies.

    My vote is no but if you decide to keep it then why not set it so the posts don't show up in the "Active Threads" list. that way to have to actually go into the forum to see what the wierdos are puking up.
    Aaron Wendel
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  17. #42
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    Quote Originally Posted by vinsar View Post
    If you will notice even reviews about hosts contain hatred and direct threats, like "I am going to sue" or most of the elite members themselves will be suggesting to take them to the court, or raise a charge back etc etc. One bad review by a new comer or existing member and all the established members will be bashing the reported host. All this is also hatred and insult.
    I'm not sure how you can compare apples to oranges here? The main hosting forums are a place of business, and those comments you pointed out that do occur from time to time in the main forum (God knows I've dealt with them) are not 'hatred' related in anyway. It's customers dissatisfied with a service or a product.

    Not someone constantly talking about how an entire RACE or CULTURE is sub-par in comparison to their own race.

    I think WHT is a place of business, and I like the lounge (it's clean and a good place to vent, have fun, etc), but the SI forum is like that little dark area in the video store with beads hanging down in the doorway and a sign that says 'Over 21 Only!'. Like ub3r said, there's way too many trolls hanging about, IMHO.
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  18. #43
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    Quote Originally Posted by bodhisattva View Post

    I just don't see how it can be both ways. You can't tell people its a good forum that you can learn from, and promote its use, and at the same time allow the rhetoric of hatred and misunderstanding to run rampant.
    yea! Those that want that can go to the advertising forums!!!
    Aaron Wendel
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  19. #44
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    My vote is no.

    There's no need for such controversial discussion on a web hosting forum. There's already a lounge for off-topic random threads, and that's enough.

    SWR: First, thanks for the open discussion about this issue. I understand that in your defense (which you're probably trying to invoke some thoughtful discussion over this topic) you make the points of "why read it if you don't like it" and "don't we learn by discussing these issues?" and talk about small groups would get together any way in real life... Realistically though, I would hope that WHT is not trying to please everyone. Going along with what you said, why not create exclusive forums for Toilets, Garage Doors, Plumbing, and Sewing? Hey, if you don't like it, you don't have to read it! Besides, we learn from discussions about toilets and garage doors anyway!

    It doesn't belong on Web Hosting Talk.
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  20. #45
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    I voted Yes.

    This is because I think that the forum should be preserved as it is a place for us to "waste our time" in WHT.
    It also contributes to the liveliness of WHT as some of us may lurk there when there is nothing more to do about web hosting.

    However, the forums should be controlled with rules regarding religions, believes, politics, etc.

    Local Moderators should be appointed to handle and clean up the forum based on the local rules. These moderators' power are only bounded to the forum of social issues.
    This will not only reduce the workload of moderators of WHT, but the local rules will also teach the posters there to be more disciplined and civilized.

    I strongly believe that the Social Issues forum should be preserved and be kept lively. However, there should be limitations of the contents posted by the members of WHT.

    The freedom of speech is good only to a certain extent, there must be a limit for everything(which includes hosting plans .
    So boys & girls, please Know Your LIMITS.
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  21. #46
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    I voted No because there's nothing constructive there, it's a "my political party" or "my religion" is better than yours because.... or "your religion" or "your political party" is a joke.

    I think some people tried to make it constructive but for every constructive post you have 20x that are not. I think if you want to keep it you need to change the name from the social issues forum to the insults forum, this is what it's about.

    Hindu's starting a thread against Christians or Muslims, Muslims starting a thread against Christians or Jews, Atheists stating a thread against Christians or Muslims... Christians starting a thread against Muslims etc...

    It's sad because even political talk will lead to religious ones, especially when we're talking about American politics (Republican vs Democrat) and the middle east (Israel vs Palestine). So even if you renamed it to Political issues... we'd find ourselves back at square 1.
    Jean-Pierre Abboud / I'm the TekGURU
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  22. #47
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    Social forum is providing a place to chill out. If its closed down, the topics that are put there are going to be opened in lounge forum.

    I take it those who say nay are probably people sitting on various sides of the political/religious spectrum and probably not able to stand other views being voiced. Therefore they are voting no, but by having the mislead opinion that closing down of this particular social issues forum is going to prevent such discussions from being made. It is not as such. They are just gonna move to lounge. And then there is going to be a clutter of threads there.

    Better keep it, so that lounge will be tidy, free of serious, weighty discussions.
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  23. #48
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    Quite right also that one who is being bothered by that forum, and threads within should just not go in there and read them. Since people cant be that stupid not to realize this, your vote is rather being taken as in some other meaning than intended im afraid.
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  24. #49
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    One thing to note though, if we remove the Social Issues forum, that wouldn't open up the Lounge to those types of discussions.
    I didnt see that.

    And what is the lounge going to be used for ? For utterly pointless threads that go like "how often do you fart each day ?"

    Many people, including me wouldnt actually use the lounge as a place to chill out, if it happens as such. There are many forums that people can find such stupid content, there is no need to check out an industry forum for that.
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  25. #50
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    It's sad because even political talk will lead to religious ones, especially when we're talking about American politics (Republican vs Democrat) and the middle east (Israel vs Palestine). So even if you renamed it to Political issues... we'd find ourselves back at square 1.
    so, people then just shouldnt talk. because they will get back to square one.

    in case people who think like this have missed that, there are no preconditions in no country's constitution or no declaration about free speech that state "free speech and exchange of ideas are allowable only when it is certain that a conclusion can be reached".

    People who dont want to read such threads, ( i cant even believe someone actually has to say this ) just should NOT read threads they dont like. And, thats about it.
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