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Post by sezzy5889 on Jan 2, 2007 22:00:47 GMT
the thing is Brian, its ok saying we've got 491 members, but how many of those actually log on daily or in fact visit here at all anymore, bet ya life not all of them...in fact i bet not even half of them, and i'm not trying to make the forum sound bad or anything, its just i know on every forum there are many people that log on just to ask 1 question or advertise something.
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Post by 2dreamer2 on Jan 2, 2007 22:13:09 GMT
::)dreamer me and luke got band for nothing and no 1 likes us they being mean and paul wont tell me why i have been band part from some tink about posts and i don't no what that is i bet you will get rid of this post to!
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Post by deadmansfinger on Jan 2, 2007 22:15:13 GMT
totally agree. we have lots of people sign up, ask a question, get it answered and don't come back till their next problem but with so many new members we also have many new active members and with this we need more rules as it is mainly the new members actions that are causing us to have to rethink the rules (pms asking for snails etc, posting wildly around the forum and resurrecting old threads such as classifieds or obituaries) which lead to longer term members complaining. We then put rules in force to stop this and then the people who did the complaining about the problems started complaining about the rules that were brought in to solve their problems. We can't win!
I dont believe anywhere I said all 491 member logon daily so I don't really get your point. We have figures that say the number of visitors to the site is up dramatically. In January 2006 we had 2000 unique visitors to the site, in November 2006 we had 6500!
That is alot of people looking at our site for information and it has to be in some sort of order and we can only do this by "enforcing" our rules. Being honest is it really too much to ask?
Brian.
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Post by deadmansfinger on Jan 2, 2007 22:20:03 GMT
::)dreamer me and luke got band for nothing and no 1 likes us they being mean and paul wont tell me why i have been band part from some tink about posts and i don't no what that is i bet you will get rid of this post to! I will keep this post but any others will be deleted. you were banned for a reason and you know what it was and I know for a fact Paul emailed you regarding it and you didn't reply. If you want to mess about here it is for everyone to see:- read this as it was aimed at you dreamer:- petsnails.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=forumnews&action=display&n=1&thread=5566&page=1the IP address of a guest poster putting up derogatory posts/threads matched the IP address that you logged into the forum with. Please don't mess about anymore. Any posts on here coming from you will be deleted from now on. Brian.
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Post by Paul on Jan 2, 2007 22:40:28 GMT
I don't understand the negative reaction to the changes. It seems to me that there are 2 main concerns:
Classifieds
The classifieds are easier to see now it's much more accurate because old threads don't get ressurected and people don't get mithered unnecessarly as much as they did. It should be indexed by search engines more accurately and regularly and it is linked to from this forum with a url that is much simpler. So it's better on at least 5 counts. Just bookmark it.
Fun on the forum
Nothing much has changed regarding this. You can chat in any section not specifically designated solely for information purposes. Loads of repeated one words posts is tantamount to trolling anyway, so we ask that you don't.
Now, why do people find that a problem?
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 3, 2007 17:54:16 GMT
I have been watching this thread since it started and thought I would add my two cents worth. Yes, there are fewer posts with the enforcing of the posting rules, but there is alot less drivel to troll through in the information sections to get to what you want to know. To me, that is a good thing. In the classifieds, the only part I miss is the ability to see pictures of the snails for sale, but on the whole, it keeps the classifieds short and sharp with the relevant info displayed about said snail. If I am interested enough, then I will just ask the poster of the classified to send me a photo. We can still have a laugh and lark about on the section for that purpose. Having run forums before myself, I can see the need for these rules, and the enforcing of them, and I for one welcome the changes. Can you imagine the chaos if people just posted what they wanted wherever they wanted, regardless of the content of that post? That would definately drive members away.
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Post by Paul on Jan 3, 2007 19:28:09 GMT
You can add urls of pictures to the classifieds currently and it turns them into links, perhaps I should make it actually display the picture...
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 3, 2007 20:25:23 GMT
That would be great Paul, it might make it easier for people, and saves time for the sellers by not having to keep e-mailing photos.
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snakelady
Achatina fulica
"To err is human; to slime,sublime." D.G.Gordon
Posts: 6
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Post by snakelady on Feb 13, 2007 18:19:18 GMT
Hi Everyone,
I just found and read this thread, and I must say it was pretty upsetting.
First off, you all know I'm brand new here, and probably don't know enough to comment - But Brian and Copigeon have both mentioned that the forum has many new members - so maybe a word from one of those new members is called for.
As I've only be here about two weeks - I can't comment on how things have changed, or if the forum is less fun than it used to be. And I should point out, I never read the thread that started this discussion.
I came to the forum in a state of great distress, desperately looking for answers to try and save snakelady's life. I freely admit I didn't do a full search to try and find the answers I needed - I was far to upset at the time. But I did read the care section, and the disease section, and couldn't find answers - so I posted for help.
I was never "told off" for doing that, and Arno came on my thread explaining that I hadn't given enough info, to allow people to help. I think that was excellent moderation. He then helped me identify snakelady - and advice and help started pouring in - again excellent moderation.
Brain exchanged several pm's with me - always being friendly and helpful - once again - Excellent moderation. I've seen several threads where Brian's advice has been sought, and then he has been abused for giving honest answers, that take account of the animals welfare above the members "prickly" feelings. But I must say - how can anyone argue with him on these points - the animals come first. It seems this is a situation Brian has been in many times, and I don't know how he remains so patient and helpful - but again -excellent moderation.
I've only had limited contact with copigeon - but my experience is that she is a lovely, caring lady, and has certainly been a help and inspiration to me - excellent moderation.
Paul has been an outstanding support and help to me, both in his replies to my post, and pm's. And he has overall responsibility for the whole forum - excellent administration.
If there are any other Moderators I've missed - I apologize - but I couldn't really comment anyway, as I've no experience with them.
I'd also like to say, many of the members have been really nice, supportive and helpful.
So, in a forum with multiple age groups, probably multiple languages and cultures - not to mention personalities - there are at times dissent. Is there any wonder?
But, it seems to me, if we're all mature, and all willing to give each other the benefit of the doubt, and take pleasure in learning about, and discussing these little creatures we all love, then the forum has a great future.
Let's bear in mind - Paul and the Moderators are offering us all a free service - IE this forum. They have a heavy work load, and do it all for free. If it weren't for their effort and good will, we wouldn't have a forum at all.
As has been said - you can't please everyone, all the time. Moderation is a difficult job, and the future of the forum should be at the forefront of our concerns. I think we should support the efforts of the people who run this forum for us - many forums are chaos, people are abused, and bullied, and many forums collapse due to lack of moderation, or poor moderation.
Members may not like changes that have been made, or need to be made in the future - perhaps a section dealing with future proposals would help.
But, I must say, I would much rather be gently corrected by a moderator, if I inadvertently do something against forum regulations - than not know, and carry on making a fool of myself, or causing chaos to the forum.
With such a large group of people [and growing all the time] let's appreciate what we have, and those who provide the service for us. And let's recognize we are on the whole friends, and though some members may be more friendly than others, we are one group - that means no exclusions or ostracizing - if you don't get on well with a particular member - then don't correspond - give each other some breathing space. The concept of agreeing to disagree, is almost a prerequisite in large groups.
These are just my thoughts on the matter, and are certainly not meant to cause offense to anyone. I just hope any anger or hurt feelings can be put aside - and we can all work together to enhance and enjoy the forum.
Thanks for your time, Your Friend Snakelady
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sandie
Achatina achatina
Posts: 44
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Post by sandie on May 11, 2008 8:19:45 GMT
The problems that you seem to have experienced is common to almost all Forums, no matter what their themes or subjects.
I only joined this forum yesterday because I was astounded that keeping snails as pets is so popular.
I thought I was a "weirdo" because I like these creatures. I do not know personally, anyone else who does so.
My first snails that I bought last year were from a lady who works in my local flower shop, whose son keeps them.
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Post by baconman on May 14, 2008 21:14:34 GMT
Hm, I suppose this should be taken into account, but then again;
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