I think we should step back a bit

[reeferaddict]

Good thread - and I share your sympathies. I had been a regular poster for quite a while and felt that by sharing my experiences I could spare others some of the same pains... for the most part I was right, but the flamers eventually drove me off. Now about the only time I post is when I see somebody being a real *edited*but even that doesn't seem to be a constructive use of my time - so now I just sit back & read for the most part.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by reeferaddict

Good thread - and I share your sympathies. I had been a regular poster for quite a while and felt that by sharing my experiences I could spare others some of the same pains... for the most part I was right, but the flamers eventually drove me off. Now about the only time I post is when I see somebody being a real *edited*... but even that doesn't seem to be a constructive use of my time - so now I just sit back & read for the most part.

Thats pretty harsh. We do have some problems but certainly not the flamers that some boards have or allow. For the most part we shut them down.

Canreef is a good board, with lots of good info and interesting topics. We, as staff, have to try to ride the line between editing or removing threads or not. Gets a little upsetting after awile, being called everything from a censor ******* and various other assorted body parts.

[fishface]

i dunno, i've been around this board for a few years and haven't really experienced too much anger, or maybe i just ignore it if i see it. guess i'm just lucky.

[Moogled]

This whole thread sounds like some sort suggestion for a get-together and have a group hug.

I embrace the idea...but conceptually impossible. This is why we have Democracy/Communism, Liberal/Conservative, Pro/Anti Homosexuality, and Tangs in a 50g/Tangs in a 100g.

I don't particularly feel abashed that these thread wars are showing up, since opinions are personal and oftentimes very sensitive.

To say that it's become a place for people to "flex their keyboard muscle" is presumptuous. If that was the case, I'd be an ________ for getting angry at someone who flips out at a thread for no reason, and some other regular members would be jerks for pointing out Mik_101 and bv_reefer's spelling flaws with their sarcastic ruthlessness.

That said, moderators can certainly do what they've been posted to do, but you have to treat a forum just like real life:

If you don't like something about human nature, ignore it and chuckle about it with a buddy over a beer.

GG.

[Doug]

Geez, I just edited your thread again, same comments as the other thread. And you guys wonder what my problem is.

You just cant go around posting, calling other members derogatory names. And why pick on those two for spelling. Would you like a reference to all the posts from other members with terrible spelling, not to mention other things.

[Quagmire]

I haven't been on much recently,mostly due to summer and keeping busy with other things,so I haven't noticed much of a problem.Other than a recent incidence in the lounge that was handled fairly quickly.But I think a lot stems from there being so many different ways to have a successful tank,with more than a few of these ways working for some people but not for others.We need to keep that in mind when we read something being suggested,that in our experience didn't work.As an example I think we all for the most part,mix our water a day in advance.But a couple years ago I was at a guys place,who used to be on this board but is no longer with us.He checked his salinity,added salt to a jug or water,shook it up and added it to his tank.My jaw almost hit the floor,but he had a couple very nice healthy tanks.I never said a word,I wouldn't try it,but it works for him.

[Snappy]

Being a mod is a thankless job and I think we all need to remember they are volunteers just trying to help us out and make this board a better environment for learning and the sharing of ideas. Fact is they are human too.
I have said this several times before in threads similar to this but part of the problem is that with the written word "emotions" and "tones" are often very ambiguous and people can take offence where none is meant. Things are often stated very "matter of fact" and when read they generally sound worse than they were intended to be. Now because that is the case we should proof read our responses and confirm that we have actually said what we are trying to say, and yes maybe even catch the odd type-o.
A wise man once said " never attribute to malice what can be attributed to stupiity." Now that doesn't mean people are stupid but that people are often self-absorbed and don't think about how they might impact others with their actions. Most things shouldn't be taken personally.
I think we may all need a little thicker skin and do our best to treat other people the way we would like to be treated. There should never be a need to try and publicly humiliate anyone, if you feel that strongly that something must be said, send a pm and work it out between the two of you. I think the old saying "consider the source" can apply more often than not so a nasty reply is most likely unnecessary.

[rigger11]

pms dont work youll still get banned if ya say the wrong thing

[Moogled]

Untrue.

Mods here are much more respectful and mature than other sites, but it's always a problem because sometimes they won't always understand the intentions behind your written word, as Greg finely stated.

This may potentially lead to banning because you don't conform to what their values of mannerisms are. What may be offensive to them may not be to another person.

Moderating is not like the law but their impression makes it out to be.

[Snappy]

Originally Posted by rigger11

pms dont work youll still get banned if ya say the wrong thing

Then say it in a civilized manner. There is never a need to be rude. When I coached soccer I would tell my players they were not allowed to swear, for one I don't like it but mainly it is a sign of a lazy vocabulary. Swearing is saying what comes easy without having to put any thought into it. I am sure that if a pm was sent that got a point across in a mature manner there would be no reason for a ban. Now that said, I had really hoped that readers of my post would not take the pm statement as the point I was trying to make. (no offence) I guess I must not have explained myself very well.