Rexone
an ordinary American
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2007
- Messages
- 3,366
- Reaction score
- 424
So before the news, I'll answer the question many probably are wondering. Why the hell do I bother? Frankly its for the membership. It's not for Hotboat (or any other website I might moderate), it's not for the exposure (although that's not a bad thing), it's not for the revenue I might get by being present. The people are why I continue to do it and spend sometimes many hours a week doing behind the scenes stuff that is rarely seen. I've made many friends and developed some great relationships with the people, the members, with a few exceptions. I've been drawn back to racing from being involved on the forum, which is something I enjoy being around. That is why I bother. There is no other reason that would lead me to continue moderating any forum. And that is why I've taken on this task.
Now on to the news. Some unfortunate things happened yesterday (from the moderators perspective) with regards to people being banned. Frustration from ownership swelled to the point of explosion. Basically the drama factor. I've had a conference call today with Todd, Havasu Hangin and myself, discussing on what needs to be done. We are all in agreement that yesterdays events were unfortunate for both the membership and for Hotboat. Ownership wants some changes. HH and I related our views on how things were handled in a misguided attempt yesterday. Darrin and his investors want the drama factor significantly reduced. We all agree that this is doable with a simple set of new guidelines and that yesterday's bannings were an inappropriate way to achieve any positive change.
So I've volunteered to create the rough draft of those guidelines. I have a pretty good idea I think of what the members want and what ownership wants. It will be my job to meld the two (which are really not that much different for the most part) into a workable solution and one that "most" will probably find acceptable.
With that said, we hope at this point to have this in place within a day or two and get the site back online. It is all of our recommendation (myself, HH, and Todd) that all bans be reversed and that the moderators will control the content and ban accordingly based on the new forum guidelines. I will be surprised if this does not occur. Those who know me know I seldom like the Hitler approach to things and don't ban folks until am really pushed. My experience is though that "most" situations can be solved with simple warnings and communication vs dropping the ban hammer without notice.
The kinds of things you won't likely see as being acceptable going forward are threads like the relationship drama arguments, threads that are sexually graphic in nature, excessive profanity (misspelled or otherwise), just as a few off the top of my head examples. Hotboat want's a more professional and more boating related image. I think we can get there and still have fun in the process. At least that is my hope and goal as we continue on. Change is usually somewhat painful for some, less so for others. I don't think the change necessary here is enormous in scope.
I will keep you posted on any other news since Hotboat is presently down still. The above is not set in stone as fact yet but is what I expect will likely happen.
Now on to the news. Some unfortunate things happened yesterday (from the moderators perspective) with regards to people being banned. Frustration from ownership swelled to the point of explosion. Basically the drama factor. I've had a conference call today with Todd, Havasu Hangin and myself, discussing on what needs to be done. We are all in agreement that yesterdays events were unfortunate for both the membership and for Hotboat. Ownership wants some changes. HH and I related our views on how things were handled in a misguided attempt yesterday. Darrin and his investors want the drama factor significantly reduced. We all agree that this is doable with a simple set of new guidelines and that yesterday's bannings were an inappropriate way to achieve any positive change.
So I've volunteered to create the rough draft of those guidelines. I have a pretty good idea I think of what the members want and what ownership wants. It will be my job to meld the two (which are really not that much different for the most part) into a workable solution and one that "most" will probably find acceptable.
With that said, we hope at this point to have this in place within a day or two and get the site back online. It is all of our recommendation (myself, HH, and Todd) that all bans be reversed and that the moderators will control the content and ban accordingly based on the new forum guidelines. I will be surprised if this does not occur. Those who know me know I seldom like the Hitler approach to things and don't ban folks until am really pushed. My experience is though that "most" situations can be solved with simple warnings and communication vs dropping the ban hammer without notice.
The kinds of things you won't likely see as being acceptable going forward are threads like the relationship drama arguments, threads that are sexually graphic in nature, excessive profanity (misspelled or otherwise), just as a few off the top of my head examples. Hotboat want's a more professional and more boating related image. I think we can get there and still have fun in the process. At least that is my hope and goal as we continue on. Change is usually somewhat painful for some, less so for others. I don't think the change necessary here is enormous in scope.
I will keep you posted on any other news since Hotboat is presently down still. The above is not set in stone as fact yet but is what I expect will likely happen.