4500 members~!!

[53flyingcloud]

Congrats to doggidaddi for becoming the 4500 member~!~

(if not, then welcome anyway`!)

ciao

[Silvertwinkie]

4500....wow...a bit over a year ago we were around 1900. I wonder how many really active folks we still have. I mean outside the types that want to sell something, post 1 or 2 times and walk.

[smily]

By the current stats, approximately 480 members have posted more than 20 posts, less than 11% of the membership

Smily

[thenewkid64]

Currently there are 2280 members that are not considered active. An active member is one that has posted at least once.

The one thing our forum allows that others do not is anonymous browsing. There are many "guests" that surf here daily that are utilizing the forum as a research tool, but are not members. That is a good thing too. Some of those 2280 members are likely doing the same thing.

All of the forums I am a member of have a percentage of members that do not post. This seems to be the norm.

[Silvertwinkie]

Thanks for the info Brett...so if I read that right, it actually is closer to 50% active?

[thenewkid64]

Yep,

Go here for details.

Go here to see the members that spend way too much time on the forum, myself included .

[jaco]

Yep Eric but don't forget the many who perhaps
came, didn't appreciate the non AS related ** and took a hike, or those that tried but were treated condescendingly (in actuality or just in their minds) and limped off to nurse their wounded psyche, or those just too intimidated to test the waters. Not to mention those that have disappeared under mysterious circumstances perhaps a "philosophical cleansing" of the rolls.

IMHO the powers that be around here spend way too much time gloating about the thickness of the "phone book" they've created and near none developing ways to recover and retain lost sheep and disconnects. Maybe a kindly registrar who does bed checks is needed , or maybe just a membership retention committee.

Numbers mean nothing from my vantage point, I'm looking for warm bodies with good answers and good questions. (preferably with senses of humor who like guns, God, dogs, Reagan, common sense, scotch and the old American Way).But good answers trump most of those and beer drinkers are fine too.

Oh and before I am dutifully reminded, I already know the mantra...
"we're all just volunteers and Andy's real busy"

Wonder if this is gonna move me to the top of the "mysterious circumstances " list..?

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally posted by thenewkid64
Go here to see the members that spend way too much time on the forum, myself included .

I hate to think how many keys I pressed to do all that!

[85MH325]

That's pretty amazing how many folks have come here at LEAST once for info on Airstreams; and that over half of them have been here in the past year alone! And of those, how many have been at least active a little...

I guess the popularity of this product must really be skyrocketing.

Congrats to Andy, all of those of you who serve as mods, and to the collective membership who posess all of the knowledge of the universe regarding Airstreams! This is THE place to go for info!

Roger

[jaco]

reference unanswered questions still.



http://www.airforums.com/forum...&threadid=9667

[thenewkid64]

Originally posted by jaco

Wonder if this is gonna move me to the top of the "mysterious circumstances " list..?

Moderator hat on..............

The members that had their membership revoked were in all cases warned privately that their continuing attitude and attacking posts would not be tolerated. They had a chance to reform and play nice. They chose not to and were kicked off the "playground".

The posts that were the last straw in most of these cases are not in the public section of the forum because the detract form the community and were usually in violations of forum policies.

Wanting something, asking for something, that is not an issue. Demanding that one members special needs be addressed because that member thinks it is important will quite often be ignored. Much like a 4 year old throwing a tantrum.

Moderator hat off.........


I don't see the 4500 member mark post being an issue of gloating, I do think it is a great achievement based on how long the forum has been in place.

[jaco]

Originally posted by thenewkid64

I don't see the 4500 member mark post being an issue of gloating, I do think it is a great achievement based on how long the forum has been in place.

Yes it is quite an accomplishment....my sincere congratulations, .....but then so was Rome, and Troy, and Sparta, and Enron, and Braniff, must I go on? Some were unprepared for the competition, some imploded from deceit, others rested on their laurels. But all had one common shortcoming, none listened to their citizenry, their employees, their "members" ideas, they only heard the accolades and applause. What are they hearing now???

I hope that just because I didn't arrive on the first boat to this site and grab one of those hats you so loudly and proudly wear doesn't preclude me from thinking or opining here. Does it? Search as I may I just have not found the policy that says I must (as one of your subjects) agree to any or all of what you say.
It does say that I must respect you. So I will.

Perhaps you might show me the same courtesy. Although I'm aware it is not required in the policies.

........................
Quote---Brett (moderator) wrote:
Wanting something, asking for something, that is not an issue. Demanding that one members special needs be addressed because that member thinks it is important will quite often be ignored. Much like a 4 year old throwing a tantrum.

Brett see what I mean,.... about condescending attitude. If the above is directed at me, as I must suspect since you quoted me at the outset of it and since it immediately follows a post of mine. then have the fortitude to put it plainly and point out any demand that I have made and any tantrum that I have thrown. (rant? occasionally..tantrum? never).
I do think that my question about privacy of the messaging system deserves an answer from someone who knows that answer. You are on record as saying you don't know the answer. I read that, but someone does know that answer.
I nowhere demanded anything. In fact I have been quite patient awaiting an answer. Here is my prior statementJaco wrote: "If this is a community as the staff so often refers to it , then we are citizens here and we should be shown the decency and common courtesy to at least have questions about services and features that we are encouraged (by staff) to use to be fully and honestly answered."

In absense of that answer I must only presume that eavesdropping can and does occur.
EDIT: as of late Fri afternoon 3-26-04 this has been answered by Organic Andy. He states that the PMs are private and that he strongly believes in privacy.

That has not curtailed my use of the PM feature. But I do like to know what and whom I am dealing with or writing to. So I write with multiple eyes in mind.

Now as for the old oft used retort and device of aparently trying to embarass members into a particular way of posting by referring to 4year olds throwing tantrums, can you give us a few examples of this occuring? I read most of this forum and do not recall any such activity. Yes there are occasional childish conversations but no tantrums that I recall. I have found the most childish (and boorish) conversation on the chat room portion of this site. All 3 times I have visited there you have been there so I know you can relate to my opinion, whether you agree with it or not. I have primarily gone there seeking Andy to among other things address the aforementioned question. I have not found him there.

In other (plain English) words Brett and with all due respect, what exactly are you talking about and why exactly are you talking at me about whatever it is?

Have a nice day
jaco

[jaco]

As for revoked members so be it if they would not conform.
the ones I read and appreciate and miss and am talking about are all still on the membeship list. I have e-mailed or PMd one or two with no reply. Maybe they have died for all I know, except for a few I see on other lists.

Perhaps you should list the revoked ones so no one will mistake who to wonder about. I haven't been here long enough to have a clue who was revoked, expelled, hung, walbenized or whatever yall do to em.
I do know that a hell of alot of good common sense sounding posters have disappeared. IMHO the forum can't afford to lose that kind, jst because they happen to be a bit brash. Or should I say pithy. I and Bill O'Reilly like Brash & Pithy. Does he have an Airstream?

jaco

[COLORADO_CAMPER]

Jaco,

I get that you have a beef with this site and the community in general. How would this site be different if you had all the power to control its content? Would you moderate every thread to weed out those that made any reference to anything other than Airstreams? What would your retribution be for members who seemed to post with an "initimidating" attitude, such as yours may be perceived by a new member?

Constructive criticism is one thing. Jumping in with both feet and landing in the middle of someone simply to "make your mark" is not constructive nor does it compel one to give your thoughts any consideration whatsoever.

[Silvertwinkie]

You know, to me, it's all about choices. If this forum were not to my liking, I know that there are other games around.

The fact is that I like this forum. Have I always been polite? No. Have I felt the branch creek? Sometimes I have and rightly so-- when I was called on it, I was out of line. It's one thing to disagree, but it's a whole different story when you try to swat a fly with a sludgehammer. Why bite, when a simple growl will do?

I can only assume that the folks that were let off at the next stop were let off for a very good reason. The idea that folks have to agree is nonsense. Heck, the off topic thread is living proof of that fact and it's clearly what it says, off topic (meaning doesn't have to be Airstream related). The key is to keep the conversation at an adult level and not to give someone both barrels.

Anyway, like I said....it's all about choices. If it ever got to the point were I had to post how disgruntled I was with this forum, it might be best to reallize what other choices there might be that would satisfy my need or desire to participate in a public place. The other option would be to start my own forum and set my own rules and policies that way I could say what I wanted, censor everyone that didn't agree with me and continue to build my user base. It's all about choices.

[jaco]

Colo camp, you are mistaken.

No beef with the site, small beef with the treatment of members who ask the hard questions. Nothing more. You have misread.

I was only defending myself. I will always do so when unfairly attacked. As I am now doing. It is impearative IMHO. I don't enjoy having to do it.
Why didn't you address this to the other party they made the erronius claims, and you want to reinforce them, why? That is how misinformation multiplies....exponetially.
I have not ever suggested limiting the content of this forum. I only expect to know how private "Private Messaging" is. I did not name it Private Messaging someone else did. and I hope it is private.

I do believe that off-topic discussions such as you and I were recently involved in regarding national politics belong there in this Off Topic forum.
If the management states statistics that are incorrect I reserve the right and obligation to ask why? If a member makes a mistake as I often do, I think it should be corrected, not to embarass but to insure the maximum accuracy of this exchange.

If I come off to you as intimidating then all I can presume is that you are a bit too sensitive. I am exactly what I am. Direct. Although I often attempt humor, I think the only way to behave is to be straightforward and honest in all opinions. Of course that must be tempered with decency and kindness.
Some of the information exchanged here can be life threatning if mis-stated or mis-applied. I take this place and it's assets very very seriously.(same with politics in their respective place).

You should believe that I have been very reserved in my postings. However I will never pander, on the other hand I see no need to ever talk down to anyone that shows me the same common courtesy. I think they call it the "golden rule".

Nor will I attempt to give you advice on how to behave, breath, dress, or think, as you did just attempt to give me.
I'm not here to "make my mark" but if I am ever marked I hope it is as a straightshooter.
There is a function where you can put me on your "ignore list" if you feel the need. Do as you please, I would hope you would do alot more searching and reading before painting anyone into a particular corner but you are not my responsibility .

And Twink, thanks but no thanks for your repeated again advice to move on. I'll consider following you if you don't mind. I have miles to go before I sleep. I wish you'd read a little closer before jumping on the bandwagon, but we all gotta do what we gotta do.

[thenewkid64]

Originally posted by jaco

Perhaps you might show me the same courtesy. Although I'm aware it is not required in the policies.

Jaco,

The point I was trying to make with some levity was that there have been members that have gone off on a number of things and have sounded much like a 4 year year old. I will not name names, I will not show you examples. We all have a different opinion it seems regarding adult behavior. Fine. The "condescending attitude" was not directed at you, if you think it was you are wrong. IF I wished to personally take a swipe at you I would have sent a PM. I will grant that I have not read a post of yours where I felt I was reading a tantrum, possibly a rant. But even then as long as it is within guidelines, as a moderator I have no issue with a rant.

I agree that your question on Privacy of the PM system should be answered, have you PM'ed Organic Hosting?

Now as for your oft used retort and device of apparently trying to embarass members into a particular way of posting by referring to 4year olds throwing tantrums, can you give us a few examples of this occuring?

If I have used this often, or attempted to embarrass members of the forum, as you are implying please show me the posts. As I have said before I will not get into naming names, that is not beneficial to the community.

I understand that the chat was not to your liking. I am there sometimes and not there others. Chat is chat. There are no rules as to what can be discussed. If you would like to setup a tech only chat night go for it. Start a thread, the room is available 24X7.

I guess it really boils down to just that. If you want to cover a topic on the forum, start a thread. If there is not a section on the forum you want, start a thread. If there is enough interest in a topic, or an issue that justifies its own section we can do it.

Jaco, I hope this explains it. If you felt I was singling you out and condescending to you I apologize. That was not the case.

[smily]

Welcome Doggidaddi

I think you will find this a place very diversified

Many talents, much experience, kind folks, caring folks, helpful folks...............................



............AND PIT BULLS! ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys kill me!

Smily

[jaco]

Brett I appreciate your reply, Nuff said.

I will look for the other statement regards tantrums. If I cant find it I will retract or rephrase those words. EDIT Brett I have changed the statement from "your " oft used device,to "the old" oft used device. It is often used by debaters and webmasters and wordsmiths, I stand corrected as to you having previously used it as far as I can find.I beg your pardon.
I have not PMd Andy, I know that he is often on site and must presume that he has seen (or been alerted to) my posts regarding privacy. I think that answering it for all of the membership would be helpful. That is why I didn't use the PM.


That golden rule really does work in most all cases. I don't know who dreamed that up but he sure knew what he was talking about.

jaco

[Silvertwinkie]

Jaco, I can't find anywhere in this thread where you have been personally attacked. Can you please quote what you're talking about?

I can find where you have been really beating on folks that run the forum and I guess I just don't understand why, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Also, in regards to your post about telling you to move on. I think you read into it too far. I was saying that there were choices, I don't believe that I came out and said Jaco, you should go, but if you are that unhappy here, I guess my question would be why prolong the tourture?

I'm not looking to get into a flame war here, I am trying to understand why you feel the way you do and why you are going about it in the manner in which you've chosen.

Eric