10-03-2015, 04:25 PM
(09-03-2015, 08:57 PM)Yorkie Wrote: Being a chatterbox and drifting off topic on this forum won't result in a moderator swooping down on you like an avenging angel - if it was that way, I'd be a goner by now!
If a thread goes right off the original topic, obviously it makes sense to split it or start another thread, but no-one's going to fret about it. I'd put it like this: If we were meeting in a bar say, and having a chat about radios, then someone mentioned re-wiring his house, and someone breathing down your neck (let's call him Mr Moderator') said; "hey, stop that - you're sat at the radio table - you've got to go and sit over at that table - that's the house-wiring table", we'd think they were nuts, and we'd be right. Life just isn't like that.
A forum is a place where like-minded people meet to exchange ideas and chat about topics of mutual interest - it is not a house of correction or a place where 'keyboard warriors' slug it out to stroke their egos or to impose their will on others. The dictionary defines 'moderate' are 'within reasonable limits - not extreme'. On here, people try to keep things into perspective - it's a hobby, and it's worth repeating that hobbies are about the enjoyable and relaxing use of scarce leisure time - not one more thing in life to get stressed out about in a troubled world.
If a forum becomes anarchic, where anything goes, the lunatic take over the asylum. One the other hand, if it becomes too censorial, people think "oh be blowed to it - I won't post anything - I'll just lurk and send PMs no and then", then bit by bit, the fun goes out of it and the forum becomes moribund. I think this forum comes closest in spirit to what a forum (on any sphere of interest) should be and I think we all value that and try to maintain that ethos.
I hope that doesn't sound puffed up or pompous!
Waffled and dribble Yorkie - duty windbag.
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I agree with you. Of course, I'd never mention any website by name and I guess the way it is with me is if I figure I don't fit I just quietly disappear. The other website in question did have very friendly posters but I just thought the censorship was over the top. To give an example, I once replied to a vintage radio post and used the quotation option. 10 minutes later I found my post had been edited but what amazed me was the reason for edit had been spelled out. It said "pointless and meaningless quotation of former text." I think the guy was trying to say he figured I should have picked up more of the points on the post I'd quoted or not to quote at all but it kind of struck me as "rigid". So after a few similar experiences I started to look for a more relaxed site.
The longest site I've been on is a canal boating site that's a pretty big one. Must have been 12 years now and I still join in on occasions. Radio electronics and boat electrics seem to go well together - the same Ohms Law required.
Anyway, rest assured I'm friendly and polite and genuinely love working with vintage electronics so a warm welcome to all.
