Rules Forum

[Captain Jean-Luc Picard]

This is probably a dumb question, but where is the rules forum? :blink

[Geekyfanboy]

We have never had the need to have them... that is one great thing about these boards.

What is your question or concern

[Bryancd]

This is because I PM'ed him suggesting, for the second time, that his posts were a bit argumentative, which is fine by me, I'm always up for a good argument, but might be a little too aggressive for others. Now he's searching for clarity...aren't we all ;).

[Captain Jean-Luc Picard]

Bryan's right, I was looking for the rules so I could read up on what is and is not acceptable since I've had a few people tell me my posting style is too agressive.  It's hard to follow the rules when I can't find them.  :blink

[Geekyfanboy]

Well as I have said.. since the boards existence we have never had the need for rules.  People tend to respect one another and just use common sense when posting. If you need rules laid out that will be a Rico thing since he is the forum owner. Rico ??

[Ktrek]

CJLP,

It seems to me that if a couple of people have mentioned your posting style then it seems reasonable for you to put more thought into how you come off (or sound) to others on the board. I've known you long enough to know that you are not being mean spirited or anything but that you just enjoy a good debate. Unfortunately some people take your style as argumentative. Perhaps that would be tempered a bit if you used the quote function less and just referred in general to posts or comments above? I don't know but it seems reasonable. :thumbsup

Kevin

[Captain Jean-Luc Picard]

Ya know, you're right.  Maybe the post shredding is what's bugging people. :laugh: I'll try to do less of that unless I'm responding to an uber-post. :thumbsup

[Dan M]

It seems aggressive to me, but not hostile. 

Honestly, if someone doesn't want their post "shredded", then they shouldn't post it.  People should only post things that can stand up to the scrutiny of someone like Captain JLP.

Otherwise, any nitwit would feel free to post the silliest thing without fear of being called on it.  That's fine some places I guess, but that's not generally how adults I know converse.

If Bryan, the latest "victim", doesn't have a problem with it, I'm not sure there is a problem.

Still, it's probably a good idea to use that technique less often if that's the issue.

[Rico]

Ok, lets see if I can help here.  There are rules to this place.  There is also a registration agreement you have to approve when you first sign up (I can repost that here if needed).  I try to keep the place open for interesting discussion, but there are limits.  The basic premise is to respect the other members.  Also, I sometimes see certain threads and discussions going nowhere.  It's just one person's opinion versus another.  Which is a never ending cycle at times.  In certain cases, myself or a moderator may step in and try to give the thread a "nudge" or in rare cases close the thread.  This doesn't happen very often, but it is our way of keeping things running smoothly.

One thing I also see from time to time is someone stating their opinion as a fact.  Example:  "Movie ABC was great!"  I think the better way to state this is:  "I thought Movie ABC was great!"  It may seem like a fine line, but I really think it helps.  There really is no way to argue against a personal opinion of taste.  At least in my view.

I'm hoping this helps.  One last word or two of advice.  Try for the most part to make a post, state your views and move on.  Unless you have some new information to add to a discussion, having a back and forth exchange doesn't really do much good for anyone.  Feel free to PM or email me or Kenny if you ever have specific questions or concerns about anything that goes on here.

[Bryancd]

Yeah, I'm fine with what he does and I don't think he is hostile at all, I just was trying to make him awatre that others might take exception. When I realized he and I were not going to come to terms ont he topic of Chekov in that other thread, I said I was done discussing it and he still tried to force the issue, so we took it to PM's, ass it was clearly derailing the thread and of no interest to anyone else. :)

Now, if he could just get his hand around the concept of canon vs. continuity, everything would be fine.... ;) I kid, I kid!!

[Ktrek]

Try for the most part to make a post, state your views and move on.  Unless you have some new information to add to a discussion, having a back and forth exchange doesn't really do much good for anyone.  Feel free to PM or email me or Kenny if you ever have specific questions or concerns about anything that goes on here.

Now, Rico I strongly disagree with this statement. That is your opinion because perhaps back and forth discussions don't profit you. Maybe you think that all you or anyone else has to say on a subject can be said in one or two posts and I think you're wrong. Discussions do not work that way. If you were to look at some of the discussions on my board they seem to go on forever. Even if I am not involved or could care less about the discussion I am certainly not going to step in and stop it. The board exists for the enjoyment of the members and not just me and the other administrator. I feel that if a discussion does not interest you then don't follow it unless someone PMs you that things are a problem. Message boards are much like telephone conversations, the difference is that each party cannot immediately respond and so topics may drag out and sometimes for weeks. As I said I see nothing wrong with that. Now, of course, you can run the board the way you want but then it really becomes the Rico board and not Treks in Sci Fi. I state all the above respectfully.

Kevin

[Rico]

You maybe misunderstand me Kevin.  Discussions are just fine and dandy when new things are being brought to the table.  But I am not always seeing that.  Lately I see some of this, "It's rabbit season."  person one says, no "It's duck season." person two says.  And this continues between just two people over and over.  I even sometimes get sucked into this type of situation.  I just don't see the point of this.  Especially when it relates to personal opinions and not facts.  I think this is where the phrase, "let's just agree to disagree" comes from.

But even with all that said, you will notice I have done very little to step in and stop any threads.  I can only think of one thread in the recent past that I closed and archived.  So I don't really think I'm turning this into the Rico board.  At least I hope not.   ;)

[Ktrek]

Well...al I can say is..."it's duck season!"  ;D

Thanks for the clarity.

Kevin

[Locutus]

Rabbit seas ... wait, what were we discussing?

I agree with Rico that many discussions devolve into the "But, I'm right!" "No, I'm right!" school, especially on message boards and forums. And yes, there are very few threads that have been closed, and not for that.

However, I wonder Rico, if your objection to this is that you want these boards to remain friendly, so you would just like to avoid the devolution of conversation, or if you have a more personal agenda, insofar that these types of discussions offend you personally and you won't have it in your house? (This is an actual question, not a criticism.)

I only ask for this reason. I have seen, on other boards, where discussions have gone on for 20 - 30 pages, some of which are "Me!" "No, me!", but, with enough time, not only get back to the point at hand, but expand on the point. I think people get tired of that kind of back and forth after awhile, and then others come in to resuscitate the thread.

Of course, if you have a very ordered idea of how things should go, I personally have no issue with adhering to that. I enjoy it here, and even though I don't comment on everything, I do read quite a bit, and find everyone intelligent and respectful. I just think a certain amount of back and forth is to be expected, but that we are a closer group than many other boards, and that type of thing would not last long.

[Captain Jean-Luc Picard]

I have a solution to derailed threads: spin-off threads!  :biggrin