Experts ?

[saltshaker]

I have an idea. Again I think Mr Rosenthal does the difficult job of moderating very well. I think the best moderator would be one who is not known to anyone a man behind the curtain without a personality. One who never contributes but only monitors and steps in as needed. Of course it could be a member just Un identified as a moderator. That way there is no one to be mad at or wonder did he do or not do that because he likes or agrees with someone or doesn't.

I'm not sure that would work. That would only hide the moderator's identity, it wouldn't change his/her thoughts or bias. A good moderator needs to be fair and impartial regardless of their personal views. Moderating needs to be based solely on forum guidelines. I don't think the moderating on this site has been an issue lately. There was a time when things got out of hand with inappropriate language and post. Then the moderating went way overboard. Too many post were zapped and members were banned, some justly but many unjustly. If we want this site to improve we need to get past this and move things forward. We've lost valuable members and potential new ones from our past actions. I think it's time to put it to rest and move forward. If we can do this maybe some will return and this site can be what most of us want it to be.

 

[sportfish 45]

Bias is always perception and perception is often wrong. Your right being anonymous doesn't change a persons own bias if they have one. But the perception of bias would be largely eliminated with a ghost moderator who's not contributing or befriending anyone. It would be a new beginning eliminating the past moderator you mention who caused so many problems. That may very well bring some back into the discussion.

 

[saltshaker]

Bias is always perception and perception is often wrong. Your right being anonymous doesn't change a persons own bias if they have one. But the perception of bias would be largely eliminated with a ghost moderator who's not contributing or befriending anyone. It would be a new beginning eliminating the past moderator you mention who caused so many problems. That may very well bring some back into the discussion.

It could work but how do you get a moderator to volunteer but not participate in the forum discussions? Moderating shouldn't be needed unless things get out of hand. I think we're all smart enough that we should be able to moderate ourselves. When we aren't that's when a moderator should step in. Simple self control by the members and moderators is all we really need.

 

[sportfish 45]

Well sure but with a forum this size a moderator is needed sometime. It could be someone who is a member and contributes but no one knows it. We might be looking at this diffrently. I think this site is currently being moderated properly. The problem is that even with a good moderator it seems like there is always some one that feels they're being picked on and a new discussion gets started about the moderator. It's hard to get mad at a ghost or acuse him of limiting one person and not another because he might be friends with him. So I think it would make things easier for the moderator and eliminate some arguments but it won't necassarily lead to better moderation which IMO isn't necassary anyway.

 

[captddis]

Could I nominate soon to be ex president Obama for moderator?

 

[Boatsb]

I've seen forums that don't use much moderation in fact most of the moderators have never spoken up.

Its the self proclaimed experts that get upset about being challenged by the real ones.

 

[LUV'N LIFE]

Its the self proclaimed experts that get upset about being challenged by the real ones.

Scott, We get it. You consider yourself one of the experts. Lord knows you remind us enough. This thread was settling down and you had to throw another jab. Let it go.
I came to this site on the recommendation of a Broker. My 47 Atlantic was designed by Jack Hargrave for Atlantic based on his series 1 48 Hatteras. This site has been an invaluable wealth of information, and Sams has proved to be a great help. It is frustrating at times to be following a thread which is enlightening only to have it deteriorate because someones ego gets bruised.

 

[krush]

I consider Scott an expert. He knows his stuff and has been very helpful to me in the past. He doesn't regurgitate from wikipedia or a manual either.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Is it time to come out of lurking mode? Howz come boats for sale for me?? I wanna be the spelling and grammaw moderator! I know for a fact that no longer being a Hatteras owner carries no weight. OOPS... cats' outa the bag.

ws

 

[Canuck Dennis]

Now there is an expert that is missed, very knowledgeable individual.

 

[Boatnut]

As long as the rudest, and most offensive person I have ever encountered in any forum regardless of subject content, remains a moderator on this forum, I can't see how you will ever get the most knowledeable people to come back wholeheartedly.

There is a lot of truth in what my Dad taught me, "You do not have to like someone to learn from them".

There is another saying that I do not know the author of but it goes something like; People will forget what you said to them, they will forgive what you did to them, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

I wish I had an answer to this delema, my only suggestion would be a couple of moderators that are just that, moderators, not contributors. The moderators need not be involved in technical discussions nor verify the accuracy of the content, they should be there to keep things civil.

In the past on too many occasions posts were deleted, threads closed or moved (at the whim of the moderator when someone disagree with the moderator), and people banned, merely because a moderator did not agree with them. Thankfully these things seemed to have stopped. Confidence needs to rebuilt in the forum to gain trust that such unfair treatment does nor recurr.

 

[sportfish 45]

Now there is an expert that is missed, very knowledgeable individual.

Yes how true. I read through the old threads a while ago and couldn't remember the name he was one of the guys I was referring to as lost. The idea that's it's ok to lose his input in the interest of absolute civility and perfect manners is just beyond my comprehension.

 

[saltshaker]

I was reading an old thread last night. I was amazed at how many of the post were from members who no longer post here. Not just the obvious ones either. Many who have just gone away quietly.

 

[MikeP]

People leave forums because they are no longer interested in participating for any number of reasons. Maybe they have exhausted whatever input or "output" they wanted, maybe they are no longer interested in the hobby/subject, or perhaps they are upset because someone routinely disagrees with them.

Most of the questions asked here have been answered, often many times, in the past. Some people quit participating because they have "seen it all" and don't care to go through it again. Their reaction to many of the questions, at least mentally, is "Geez, do a search!"

I don't personally believe that there has been any more than the usual coming and going that occurs on a forum. I am on 5-6 other forums and even on those that generally never get into name-calling or internet "fights," people come and people go. I don't think that disagreements cause most "leavings," though I'm sure it happens occasionally.

I think the moderators do a good job here, walking the line quite well.

 

[madhatter1]

This place is gold compared to RV forums. I have a big 5th wheel camper and found a forum on toy haulers (camper with garage area). I did find a lot of helpful information in this section. Then on the main site there is a section on tow vehicles. God forbid you post a question about your brand of truck. By page 2 it is already a Dodge vs Ford vs Chevy vs Tundra (apparently they can tow anything) vs gas vs Diesel vs 1500/2500/3500/4500 vs dually vs long bed vs short bed vs 2wd vs 4wd. Nice one is a gas vs Diesel sticky. I am an expurt thare! Gotta go to Egmont now.

 

[Boatnut]

People leave forums because they are no longer interested in participating for any number of reasons. Maybe they have exhausted whatever input or "output" they wanted, maybe they are no longer interested in the hobby/subject, or perhaps they are upset because someone routinely disagrees with them.

Most of the questions asked here have been answered, often many times, in the past. Some people quit participating because they have "seen it all" and don't care to go through it again. Their reaction to many of the questions, at least mentally, is "Geez, do a search!"

I don't personally believe that there has been any more than the usual coming and going that occurs on a forum. I am on 5-6 other forums and even on those that generally never get into name-calling or internet "fights," people come and people go. I don't think that disagreements cause most "leavings," though I'm sure it happens occasionally.

I think the moderators do a good job here, walking the line quite well.

I have no idea what other forums you are active on, but I can find most all of the lost experienced people on other forums. Obviously they have not left for most of reasons you give.

 

[krush]

This threadis really good, but man we're knee deep in...

And left high-n-dry! (took these pics yesterday BTW)

 

[krush]

I have no idea what other forums you are active on, but I can find most all of the lost experienced people on other forums. Obviously they have not left for most of reasons you give.

I hardly ever ask questions on HOF (this place) anymore because I just go straight to those that do...which amazingly have congregated together other places on the internet. I hardly think this is a coincidence.

But I'm just stating my observations and possible causation. Everybody here can go "good riddance" and "who cares?" and that's perfectly fine. But I think that is really freakn' STUPID when the causes of the mass departure is very obvious.

Kinda sad, but human nature is human nature. Civilizations rise and civilizations fall. We pay taxes,grow older, pay more taxes, then die--and pay even more taxes. At least we can all laugh at the internet experts together.

Now I'm off to go boating with those that want to get out on the water.

 

[sportfish 45]

People leave forums because they are no longer interested in participating for any number of reasons. Maybe they have exhausted whatever input or "output" they wanted, maybe they are no longer interested in the hobby/subject, or perhaps they are upset because someone routinely disagrees with them.

Most of the questions asked here have been answered, often many times, in the past. Some people quit participating because they have "seen it all" and don't care to go through it again. Their reaction to many of the questions, at least mentally, is "Geez, do a search!"

I don't personally believe that there has been any more than the usual coming and going that occurs on a forum. I am on 5-6 other forums and even on those that generally never get into name-calling or internet "fights," people come and people go. I don't think that disagreements cause most "leavings," though I'm sure it happens occasionally.

I think the moderators do a good job here, walking the line quite well.

Well there is really only one moderator who's moderating right now and I agree it's being done very well. Mike your absolutely right people do come and go for a whole bunch of reasons. This is a little different. What Boatnut is saying is hard to argue with. When I first asked this question a while ago I got a PM from a member who no longer posts. He directed me to the thread I mentioned earlier. If you read it and see what happened and look at the posting history of some that were treated badly you can see that it was a turning point. The way some frequent posters were treated then I don't blame them at all for calling it quits. The sad part is it was all UN necessary had it been handled correctly by the moderator at that time it all could have been avoided.

 

[saltshaker]

This threadis really good, but man we're knee deep in...

And left high-n-dry! (took these pics yesterday BTW)

Gotta watch out for those freshwater tides! Who'd a thought you needed to pay attention to the tide when you're 150 miles from the ocean.