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Post by catmandewe on Mar 15, 2012 9:33:50 GMT -5
I am a member of both forums, the other one is more business oriented, this one is more like family.
I agree with Helen that the 50 post rule does not really fix anything. You can make 50 posts relatively easily, so anyone looking to scam people could easily get around the rule in a few days just playing around. If someone really wants to scam someone else, it will probably happen. The 50 post rule sure didn't stop dougy as he scammed people on both forums.
Tony
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nuevomundo
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Member since March 2010
Posts: 222
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Post by nuevomundo on Mar 15, 2012 13:20:49 GMT -5
There is a very good reason for the 50 post rule. It was implemented specifically BECAUSE of Dougy. It is all well documented on both forums in case you weren't here for that saga. The 50 post rule is helpful IMHO because you can tell how quickly the person worked up to 50 posts, and whether they were contributing anything or just 'ooohing' and 'aaaahing'. Both forums are a powerful platform that has (in the past) been used to hawk stolen goods and rip folks off. Using the site to promote your business is fine, we just want you to be an active, contributing member. There are not many rules, but there are reasons for those that exist. Nobody is going to comb through and delete your cuss words. I have better things to do. I welcome everyone to participate, but if common-sense rules are going to make you malign the entire board as 'untrustworthy' and make you walk on eggshells, I just don't know what to say...
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Post by helens on Mar 15, 2012 14:36:09 GMT -5
Nuevo, I'm not criticizing the other forum! Please don't think that. I am pointing out why I like this forum, and what makes it special to me. The question made me puzzle about it for myself, and my response was thinking out loud.
Unclestu, there can be the rotten apple anywhere you go in society.... but you can't ruin your own happiness by distrusting everyone because you encounter a rotten egg. It's like never wanting to meet another person because you had a bad date your first time out as a kid. Or never wanting to find another job because your first boss was a jerk. We learn, we move on, we do it again. One person is not the same as another person, and there are many good people you can't meet if you hang on to the anger over someone who made you mad.
As for post count telling you anything, maybe I'm being defensive here, but I personally worked up to over 600 posts in less than 2 months. The guy who posted above me, herchenx, made nearly 500 posts in less than 2 months, he joined after I did. I have observed at least 5 very active posters SINCE I have joined in those less than 2 months, who have posted as much if not more than I do.
Grant you, none of us are selling anything on the forum, but the point being that longevity and posts don't really tell you much. When you are new to a hobby, you are going to post like gangbusters, because you want to catch up knowledge wise. You read everything. You comment on everything, you ask questions. 50 posts in a few days is easy on a really interesting forum.
So having this rule doesn't help, it just makes people feel distrusted. But say someone posts a sale after 50 posts ... are they trustworthy now? Not really. You still have to use your own common sense about how to pay for something, and whether to buy from someone. Dougy had to have 50 posts or he couldn't have posted a sale on the other forum right?
I answered this post because I actually started wondering WHAT about this forum made me like it so much. On the surface, the other forum is better because you can upload images directly for one. The information is different because the 'crew' is slightly different, that's got a more jewelry orientation, this one's more a tumbling and rough orientation. And... I'm more jewelry oriented than I am tumbling and rough.
So why aren't I there more than here? (and I DO post there every now and then - am NOT insulting the forum!!!). And when I ask myself that question, I have a tough time answering, so I look at my behavior and find to find the reasons. And those were my reasons.
I am not suggesting you change the rules. Your forum, your rules. I am only telling you my perception of those rules, and how they may have affected my behavior. How they affect MY behavior doesn't mean they affect anyone else's the same way.
I know that at least some of your members LIKE the fact that there's a little bit of censorship on the forum. I frankly didn't know there was (or that this forum did not), until one of the members pointed that out in a post here. I EXPECT censorship on a forum, so I was surprised when told there was none. You mean we are free to say ANYTHING we want here? You can't even tell, because people are so civilized anyway!!
As for hawking stolen goods... all that was before my time, but I read the 'Dougy' threads. What a jerk. But he's no longer around. I don't know what he gained, but it could not be worth the anger and distrust he brought on himself. But once he did a bad thing, he lost all trust, deservingly, and whatever he gained, he lost perhaps years worth of business that could have amounted to a thousand times more money. It's not a big community, and that credibility is a big deal. If he did show up again, everyone who remembers the incident would remind him, and everyone else, what he did.
I guess my point is, that I prefer the self regulating environment, while I KNOW that there are others who prefer a more regulated environment, and it's NICE that there's a choice. I just have a preference.
Anyway, Nuevo, I know you just took over the forum, you have done a wonderful job, and I didn't mean to put you on the defensive about it. I liked Taogems as well, even though I did not get a chance to really talk to him. You did a great thing for the community by keeping it going, and I know a forum can be a lot of work.
If all this rambling makes you think I dislike that forum, then I missed the point myself. I do like your forum! I just gave the reasons why I like THIS forum best. Most people read both forums when they have time, they both add so much to the entire community!!
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nuevomundo
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Member since March 2010
Posts: 222
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Post by nuevomundo on Mar 15, 2012 14:59:52 GMT -5
Helen, I didn't mean to come off as defensive. I think you hit the nail on the head when you say some prefer a more or a less regulated environment. The MO that George adopted, and that I try to follow, is that it is a resource that needs some degree of curatorial care. Not much. Keeping relevant topics stickied, starting contests/polls, and yes, putting out the occasional flame. And while I visit both forums regularly (have for years) I have made the other my home. Like you said, some folks prefer one environment over the other. I like to discuss rocks and gemstones without raising my blood pressure ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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Post by Roller on Mar 15, 2012 15:48:16 GMT -5
Ive been checking it out and did a few posts there as well .. some really good info for faceting .. one thing i didnt like much is that the replies need to be approved .. just seems to slow things down alot ..otherwise very informational especially with the faceting stuff
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Mar 15, 2012 15:51:34 GMT -5
Helen you are totally missing my point. Having restrictions placed on new members selling items has nothing to do with an anger sign. The purpose of these forums first and foremost is the free and open exchange of information about a hobby that we all love. Selling is secondary. If a new person is put off by the restrictions it is most likely because they only joined to sell their stuff. That is ok but lets not allow this forum to become a supermarket for every person that has something to sell. If you make a new person wait a while before selling and require him to be an active member with meaningful posts jot oohhs and aahhs it creates a barrier of entry for the dirt bags to overcome. I don't care what method of restrictions their are as long as their are some. As I said I was lucky with Dougy I was an early buyer and to make matters worse I had done business with the person whom he stole from. Unfortunately many of the pieces that I purchased from Dougy had been given away or they would have been returned to the rightful owner. One other point that has not been addressed. Most clubs or organizations have an initiation period be for you become a full fledged member and no one thinks their rights have been violated. Stu
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nuevomundo
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Member since March 2010
Posts: 222
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Post by nuevomundo on Mar 15, 2012 16:26:58 GMT -5
.. one thing i didnt like much is that the replies need to be approved .. Not sure where you got that idea...? Replies don't have to be approved...
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