Lounge Content?

[SuperFudge]

Just in relation to the poor fellas accident thread that was closed.

Is theyre actually a limit to the topics and content to be discussed in the Lounge?
images/smiles/icon_sad.gif
Within Reason of course images/smiles/icon_wink.gif.

Marc.

[ 25 November 2001: Message edited by: Fudge ]

[Acro]

mark perhaps marko should have said that he was on his way to a aquarium store when he got in the accident, then perhaps it would have been ok images/smiles/icon_wink.gif

[Acro]

oh I was thinking about my aquarium when I wrote this

[ 25 November 2001: Message edited by: Jamie Cross ]

[titus]

Hello,

First, thank you for those who are bringing this up.

I did want this board to be a lot more casual than the other ones. This is reflected in the creation of the Lounge and the Vendor's Announcement area, etc. And I'm quite happy to see that many people here are so much closer to each other, like offering to pick up buddy from the island to goto a LFS. So yes the Lounge was indeed intended for casual social messaging.

The recent post on the meteor shower, however, was a bit off topic. Afterall it has nothing related to aquariums at all. But seeing that this is more like a once in a life time opportunity and some people were quite excited about it, I didn't want to spoil the moment.

I noticed that Marko stated he forgot who was in the insurance business. But perhaps by sending e-mails to other members that he has met in the meetings about this matter, he can get some names. I also tried to use a easier tone like "May I suggest..." in order to make it sound less harsh.

Afterall, I do have to worry about people getting looser a little bit each time and eventually the Lounge area becomes just about anything under the sun. Then topics like "buying new computer parts", or "where to find a good auto mechanic" will come up. So by this action, I try to set the rough guideline as how the other moderators can remind fellow members of off topic discussions.

Titus

[Acro]

Titus I'm confused I don't see a problem with people just being people sharing a common intrest which is the aquarium hobby what is the harm in talking about other things? with the people that share a common intrest.

[titus]

Hello Jamie,

The focus of this "Lounge" is any topic "aquarium related", but does not belong to the other discussion area.

Posting a topic related to an auto insurance policy is no where near aquarium related.

Afterall, it does not serve those who come here to discuss aquariums to only see off topic issues.

Titus

[cvrle1]

I'm sorry but I think that your explanation does not make any sence. Yes this is a board for reefers and that is precisly why I put my question in the lounge area and not in any other areas. I mean how can I contact whoever it is if I don't even know their names or e-mail addresses. I mean I'm not going to send out 70 e-mails to all members saying, oh sorry I'm not sure if you can help me out but this is my problem... That would just **** people off and I got better things to do than to send 70 + e-mails in a day.

Besiedes as Jamie said if it is of intererst of other people, which I think this is, then I see no reason not to post it.

Well since this is "your" board then why don't you make an are for questions like these since there oveously are people who have something else to talk about then reefing.

Thanks

[smokinreefer]

i guess i didnt read the fine print.

i always assumed that the lounge was for "loungin" around in. for stuff that was non reef related. hmmm...my mistake...and maybe someothers misinterpreted or misread as i did.

but i suppose, this board was not made by the people, but for the people, so if that is your wish then i guess we must abide.

well how about a new forum for the (non-reef images/smiles/icon_wink.gif ) insignifiacnt things in life.

that way if people only want to read reef stuff they can just skip that forum. and at the same time us boardmembers can get to know each other better, share other interests and converse about other things.

just a thought. images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

[SuperFudge]

I agree,

I believe and am glad to see that alot of people have gotten closer becuase of this board and your efforts Titus..(and those other funny lookin moderators images/smiles/icon_wink.gif),and i think your right in that regard,but with that comes more communication...and on different levels.

I get a little confused when i try to understand your point,if the question pertained to aquaria then it would belong in the proper Reef/Fresh forums,i cant think of any question one may ask,that would be aquarium related that should "not" go in the latter forums...

I think if the Lounge had to still relate to aquaria topics,then soon the forum would have no traffic.

Just some thoughts,and im sure new boards always got to work some bugs out...

JMVHO,Marc.

[ 25 November 2001: Message edited by: Fudge ]

[titus]

Hello,

Okay things that are aquarium related but not belong to the other areas would be the topics already posted in this forum, minus the auto insurance and meteor shower ones.

For example:

1) Jamie posted free entry to the Vancouver Aquarium one time. This is aqurium related but does not belong to reef dicussion, DIY, or buy/sell/trade, etc.

2) Andrew posted a message one time when he's about to leave letting other members to know. This way anyone waiting for his replies would know they have to wait. This is for the benefit of others but does not belong to reef dicussion, DIY, or buy/sell/trade, etc.

3) Darren asking if Marc had gotten the aquarium pictures he sent. This is aquarium related but does not belong to reef dicussion, DIY, or buy/sell/trade, etc.

4) Silverfish posted a message about the bulletin board's time offset. This was important for the administration of this board but does not belong to reef dicussion, DIY, or buy/sell/trade, etc. And mind you, I'm still working on this with the hosting company.

5) Steve posted a message about directions going to J&L. This is hobby related but does not belong to reef dicussion, DIY, or buy/sell/trade, etc.

Once in a lifetime meteor shower is definitely off topic but alright, this is once is a lifetime post.

Posting auto insurance topics, or insurance related questions. Going as far as bringing in the history of the auto accidents may provoke a lengthy discussion from people with different opinions on the accident(s).

And Marko, I'd have sent an e-mail to a few of the other members who were in the meeting. You don't have to send 70 e-mails. If you still can't find an answer after having done that, then send an e-mail to one of us moderators. This will prevent people registering on this board and start posting all sorts of issues with their stolen computer due to a break in, marriage and divorce counselling, bad experience with the airline(s), etc.

I hope this clear up anymore confusions.

Titus

[SuperFudge]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Titus:
I hope this clear up anymore confusions.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Errr..nope,only made it worse.

Its ok tho..Ill live images/smiles/icon_wink.gif.

Marc.

[cvrle1]

Wow

Someone is very anal and it aint helping at all. I see why so many people said that there is no chance that we can make a club because there will always be certain few who think that they are "special"

If that is the way things will go than I am out of here. I got better things to do than to argue about this. One last thing titus, how in the hell am I supposed to send e-mnail to people when I don't even remember their names???? Ah yeah I want to send e-mail to that girl who has dark brown hair and she is my height, oh yeah she likes saltwater aquariums as well, you know which one I'm talking about right??You know what you'r talking about man...

Thanks to all who helped me out, and hopefully I'll talk to you over e-mail or something like that.

[ 25 November 2001: Message edited by: cvrle1 ]

[ 25 November 2001: Message edited by: cvrle1 ]

[Acro]

[ 25 November 2001: Message edited by: Jamie Cross ]

[titus]

Hey Marko,

Listen up. If you can't follow rules as simple as "don't post your personal accident history on an aquarium board", I don't know what else to do other than to close the thread. Plain and simple. And yes all of us have better things to do then to argue over this. Keep in mind I don't make money running this board, nor do I take membership fees to cover the cost.

I offered to have members letting one of the moderators know prior to posting "out of topic" messages, if situation is desperate enough. Only messages given the green light will be able to post without being closed. A sense of courtesy here is what I'm asking. You don't goto someone's place and start running things on your own. If you are told certain actions are not allowed, then go somewhere else to do this. I'm sure you have more than just aquarium friends, right?

Titus

[Acro]

well titus on that last note I'm gone too see you guys on another board it sure is funny that the one thread in the lounge that is not aquarium related is getting the most replies and here we sit a agrue with the one person who has a problem about non aquarium related issues about a non aquarium issue good bye Jamie

[Troy F]

Hi everybody.

Titus, what everyone is trying to get across to you is that on other boards the lounge area is for off topic threads, ie. non-reef related. I can totally understand that you don't want all the b.s. that goes on at reefcentral's lounge but that does have something to do with the sheer size of their board. An off topic forum allows members to take full advantage of all the individual talents. For instance, Marko is a computer expert and Andrew is one of those shady insurance/snake oil salesman images/smiles/icon_wink.gif. This is one of the great advantages of pulling our particular community together.

Your board has been the accellerant that has brought the local reefers together. It would be a real shame if we all got our skirts bunched up over this. I'm sure that this can be worked out without having members quitting.

Before this gets out of hand (and I have to send Marko around to everyone's house to give a cuff upside the head) why don't we at least listen to Titus' reason for not wanting an "all out" off topic forum. I'm sure you've all been to Reefcentral, Reef.org and Aqualink and have witnessed the overall lack of respect the ensues after certain subjects are breeched. Or maybe it is a lack of space on a hard drive somewhere. Could it be the more size we take up the more our board costs? I don't know just trying to keep this reasonable.

[reefburnaby]

I am sure almost every user on this board has posted a message that does not pretain to aquariums...even Titus.

I don't like it either, but Titus is the boss...I guess we'll have to live with it or do something about it. It a shame that the forums may slowly wither because small differences like this. From the number of posts per day...sounds like this board is really growing.

Those interested in starting a new online group hangout...you may want to look at yahoo or as a special subforum in rc, reefs.org or others. I've notice some very small enthusiast groups have boards there. Actually, I think our group meetings are pretty big compared to others.

BTW...does this thread have anything to do with aquaria ? Hmmmmmm images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

- Victor.

[SuperFudge]

Hi all,

I was hoping too that it was something as simple as too much work from someone who has already done alot on our behalf,but after seeing all the topics that Titus has found "not" to belong in certian forums,i realized that is not the case.
For the simple reason that it is More work to actually differ(and moderate) between the subjects that he has deemed as unfit in the catagories mentioned earlier.

Personally,with those threads(#s 1-5 posted above)i could not/nor care to sit and decide wether they belong somewhere else.

While I agree that the sump and the other lounges are way outa control,but everyone being local and but a fraction of the member base,i highly doubt that it could ever become that way,even without any moderation at all in the lounge.

Can someone email me when the next meeting is?....seeing that it shouldnt be posted due to strict guidelines and being off topic.....or is it?


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Titus:

I offered to have members letting one of the moderators know prior to posting "out of topic" messages, if situation is desperate enough. Only messages given the green light will be able to post without being closed. A sense of courtesy here is what I'm asking. You don't goto someone's place and start running things on your own. If you are told certain actions are not allowed, then go somewhere else to do this.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Whoa! images/smiles/icon_eek.gif
I dunno,all seems too much like Kent(not the salt images/smiles/icon_wink.gif)! ...and even more like it for your moderators.

Take care guys,Marc

[ 26 November 2001: Message edited by: Fudge ]

[canadawest]

Well considering I was a contributor to the original "evil" thread, I'm gonna throw my two cents in here too.

While I don't personally agree with having a restricted lounge area, I do respect the fact that this is Titus' message board, and as such people must adhere to the rules laid down by him.

With that said I have a couple things to clarify:

Marc, I am actually a computer guy as well, who just happens to work for an insurance/snake oil broker. (BTW do you have insurance for your shoes, if not then I think we should talk....)

I know that I occasionally post "non-aquarium" related items, that's just my personality coming out in cyberspace, but I don't want to contribute to unrest here on Titus' board. Because I believe that every message board goes off topic every so often, and that designated areas like a "lounge" or "sump" are for anything goes discussions, I too will respectfully focus my future posts to Aquariumpro's Forum (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/index.php) as it's a more relaxed atmosphere, and still Canadian. See you guys over there, or RC, wherever.

[christyf5]

Well crap. I can't believe this is happening. Quite frankly Titus, I hope you reconsider what goes in the lounge according to your user group or it looks like you will have no one left using this board.
Really, think about it. I can totally understand your point about the insurance thing, we really didn't need to know all the details there (unless they were really juicy images/smiles/icon_wink.gif )but isn't it okay that he just puts it out there to find the right person to talk to and then they could take it to personal emails back and forth??
Some of us, strangely enough, have found friends in the people here at the board and have found that they can chat about other things besides reefing and do-it-yourself projects, there are other topics out there ya know images/smiles/icon_razz.gif. I think a certain amount of freedom should be allowed in the lounge. After all it is the lounge ya know. Its supposed to be a more relaxed area to talk about whatever. Now I do believe that some restrictions should be placed on what to talk about (as with other boards) but really, shouldn't we be allowed to talk about non reef related stuff? According to your rules, technically Andrew should have really sent out 70+ emails to everyone stating that he was going on vacation, after all that had nothing to do with his aquarium. Shouldn't Darren be contacting Marc directly via email instead of stating to all that he had something for him? If we had it your way the lounge wouldn't even be used. And now it certainly looks like it won't be from the number of people that are exiting the board. Bummer, since things were just getting good. I'll stick around, I'd like to see how this all turns out.

Christy images/smiles/icon_smile.gif