Semper Vaporo wrote:.... I assume when a post is deleted a message is sent to the offending person explaining WHY it was deleted; such as offensive language or too far off topic, etc., so that the offender knows better what is expected of them. ....
I assume when a post is deleted a message is sent to the offending person explaining WHY it was deleted; such as offensive language or too far off topic, etc., so that the offender knows better what is expected of them. ....
No, this is not happening on a regular basis and it can be rather puzzling. I understand though that if a post that I have responded to by quoting (like this one) is deleted, then my post will also be deleted. Maybe something to do with the forum software?
Stick around and have some fun on this great site. I guess I am lucky with no real troll attacks. One member and I had at it last year but in his own way it was trying to help and he did. Mainly made me mad so I went out of my way to make things work that he said was a waste of time. But I all so learned from what he said.
If you don't like what the trolls says don't answer it.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
This is the real Jim, as Tom stated. Let me just say that a forum of this size shouldn't have to be self-policing any more than a city should (or can be) self-policing. Would you like to try gently reminding the guy with a gun poked in your ribs at an ATM that that's really not very nice and maybe he should reconsider? That's what some of you are proposing.
Every time we post,we jack up the overall view numbers. That's what Kalmbach uses to set advertsing rates. All of you who say just ignore the troll and keep posting are contributing to Kalmbach's revenue. When there are 24/7 moderators with sufficient powers to keep this kind of thing under control, I'll be back. Until then, I'm not going to contribute to Kalmbach's revenue while having to wade through not only sewage posts, but posts which threaten actual violence and rape. Al is getting more and more psychotic and he will do something bad one of these days. 25 years of police work tells me that. As long as Kalmbach does NOTHING about it, I refuse to be part of this forum. That's my last word on this. To those of you who wish to wait until next weekend, when it starts all over, more power to you. There are better forums out there and that's where I'll be until things change here.
tstage wrote:Varnet,Nobody's hacking into anyone's account. It's the real Jim (UP2CSX) speaking...Tom
Varnet,
Nobody's hacking into anyone's account. It's the real Jim (UP2CSX) speaking...
Tom
I thought so, but it was worth mentioning. I've seen it happen on other boards, sometimes with distasterous results.
Well, this is where I'm at.
I'm on dial-up, no other viable options, and when I wake up, I get some coffee, check a few news forums, check a few...well heck, black rifle forums, check a few outdoor forums, and finish up with a few MR forums.
When I see a huge pile of BS on the front page of ANY forum, I just click right on past. I could get a second cup of coffee, wait while sevewral pages of BS load, hoping to find a nugget of gold amist a lot of childish behavior, but I don't have to do that. I can get what I want, without the BS, so I do.
I'm not leaving, but the amount of time I spend here or anywhere else is a function of how productive that time is to me. Productivity levels here, over the course of about two months now, are dropping rapidly. I adjust accordingly. If MR wants to clean up the trash, I will adjust to that. if not, further adjustments in time spent here will occur. There are forums I use only for back-up, when the trolls temporarily or permanently take over my first line choices. Maybe this site will become one of those.
I have no right to tell Kalmbach, or anyone else what to do. I only have the right to choose for me, and that is a right I exercise frequently.
I think Bergie, prior to the last 8 weeks or so, has doen a great job keeping the signal to noise ratio high here. I think that recently those efforts have not been enough to combat a concerted effort on the part of one disgruntled bannee, and one or two self important, self elected arbiters of good taste and modelling in control. I don't blame Bergie for this, I think he needs additional tools and support to put a stop to this.
I think Kalmbach's professional pride will give Bergie the tools he needs to clean this place up to former standards, eventually, and when they do, I'll probably be more active here.
In the meantime, I practice my own damage control measures, without burning any permanent bridges.
Not really much more to say about it.
Pathfinder wrote: Semper Vaporo wrote:.... I assume when a post is deleted a message is sent to the offending person explaining WHY it was deleted; such as offensive language or too far off topic, etc., so that the offender knows better what is expected of them. ....No, this is not happening on a regular basis and it can be rather puzzling. I understand though that if a post that I have responded to by quoting (like this one) is deleted, then my post will also be deleted. Maybe something to do with the forum software?
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
Sheesh!
No offense, but do something already! Stay or Go! PLEASE! I'm not saying get out - that's a personal decision. But I'm am saying do one or the other! And please knock off the trashing of our hosts either way. It's extremely bad manners!
I HATE long goodbyes!
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
R. T. POTEET wrote: I have had responses which just mysteriously vanished into the vapor; today, however, good ole' Bergie accompanied his deletion with a nastygram.
I have had responses which just mysteriously vanished into the vapor; today, however, good ole' Bergie accompanied his deletion with a nastygram.
Me too, but at least you get the "courtesy" of the nastygram. I get not explaination.
TA462 wrote: ...If I was them I would just shut the site down every weekend. Or how about this one, ONLY PAYING SUBSCRIBERS can have access to it, PERIOD!
...If I was them I would just shut the site down every weekend. Or how about this one, ONLY PAYING SUBSCRIBERS can have access to it, PERIOD!
I'M GLAD IT'S NOT UP TO YOU!! I guess you don't see the benefit of allowing non-subscribers the freedom to use this forum. If a non-subscriber uses this forum on a regular basis, and they like what they see (when things are running smoothly), they might actually become subscribers. I wonder how many non-subscribers are now subscribers because of the good experiences they've had on this forum and on the website? So what would be the benefit of only having subscribers on this forum? As far as shutting down on weekends goes, again, why would they choose to do that, especially when the weekend is probably the peak time these forums are used.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
Brunton wrote: Sheesh!No offense, but do something already! Stay or Go! PLEASE! I'm not saying get out - that's a personal decision. But I'm am saying do one or the other! And please knock off the trashing of our hosts either way. It's extremely bad manners!I HATE long goodbyes!
I just fly over troll stuff. This website has too many good people to just give up and leave.
UP2CSX wrote:I've had enough. Apparently, there's no moderator here again today. This site is a disaster and a terrible thing for Kalmbach's image. You can be sure I will not be renewing any Kalmbach subscriptions. There are a great bunch of people here but I don't need this grief. If anyone else wants to know a better site, e-mail or PM me and we can meet over there.
If you leave the troll(s) win.
For myself, that is more than enough reason to stay.
George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
Does anyone have any idea what you are talking about?
I think this post should be deleated because it is just BABBLE.
I have reported abuse many times and it was deleated. I also sent in a report and it was rejected.
I am very sure you do not work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and know everything that is happening.
I agree Jim. Though I am a new contributer I have read alot of these forums. It is a hobby that is supposed to be fun for you no matter what someone else thinks. Read the idiots crap, scoff at it and move on with YOUR fun. I know it can be hard when someone might be bashing you but why give up on friends you have made over the years. Please reconsider as I need all the advise I can get from more experienced modelers.
mike
alco's forever!!!!! Majoring in HO scale Minorig in O scale:)
Hey,
what if you think you know there is a troll on the website posting now, yet no one knows about it but you, what do you do?
TA462 wrote: I'm not a subscriber either but lets be realistic here. What benefit does MR get out of hosting this site? The way I see it they get none.
I'm not a subscriber either but lets be realistic here. What benefit does MR get out of hosting this site? The way I see it they get none.
I am being realistic. If our hosts decided to shut down this site every weekend, I can only imagine the number of people they would lose as regulars. As I said in my earlier post, one of the many things they get is potential subscribers by providing this feature (free forum) on their website. Obviously, this isn't their only objective, but it is a big part of their plan. The ads you see plastered throughout the website aren't free either. Any company being advertised on the site had to pay to have their name put on this website. So money is another thing they are getting out of the website. Can you imagine how many companies would pull out if the site was shut down on a regular basis? Maybe not a lot, but a little would probably hurt Kalmbach some.
TA462 wrote:They are constantly being bashed because of how the site is run, they have people threaten not to use any products that their advertisers produce, they are constantly bombarded with e-mails saying how poorly the site is moderated and constantly bombarded with emails about inappropriate posts.
They are constantly being bashed because of how the site is run, they have people threaten not to use any products that their advertisers produce, they are constantly bombarded with e-mails saying how poorly the site is moderated and constantly bombarded with emails about inappropriate posts.
As I said above about the money Kalmbach gets from companies advertising here, the threat of people "boycotting" anyone advertising here is a serious enough "threat" that they may look into the problems at hand. I don't think Kalmbach would risk losing some of their bread and butter, so the person who said, let's not buy from whoever advertises here, might want to reconsider their words if they weren't being serious about the idea. They better be sure they are not just throwing an empty threat around, because if Kalmbach does decide to make changes to the forum, they may elect to make changes that might not be accepted too well by all of us. In other words, careful what you wish for. I too want a change in how things are moderated here, but I'm in no position to tell our hosts what to do.
TA462 wrote:They have to listen to members argue, complain, make fun of and bully other members almost everyday. They have to listen to people say what ever they want because they think its their right to freedom of speech.
They have to listen to members argue, complain, make fun of and bully other members almost everyday. They have to listen to people say what ever they want because they think its their right to freedom of speech.
The arguments and complaints are always going to be there even if we are provided the best moderated forum on this planet. As long as you like this and I like that, there will always be some sort of argument. Sometimes things get taken out of context by somebody and that's when all hell breaks loose. As long as people can be civil about their opinions, then most opinion based threads will remain entertaining and informative. I feel you should be able to talk about what you want, as long as you play by the posted rules. For example, if I wanted to talk about one of the "tabu" subjects like why a modern box car should have some form of graffiti on it, the thread will get deleted in no time because some members will find it offensive. Not offensive in the words used, but just because they don't like graffiti. Now how is talking about graffit breaking any of the posted rules? "Tabu" subjects should be treated like troll posts, if you don't like it, or have any interest in the matter, skip it, plain and simple.
TA462 wrote:They have to listen to people bash the magazine, they have to listen to people tell them how the magazine should be run and how the website should be run and how they, the member can do it better. I can keep going............I enjoy coming to this site and I check in almost every day but over the last few months certain members here are ruining it for everybody. Its not just the trolls that pop up from time to time. Some members here have huge atitudes and huge ego's and they seem to think they can do or say what ever they want.
They have to listen to people bash the magazine, they have to listen to people tell them how the magazine should be run and how the website should be run and how they, the member can do it better. I can keep going............
I enjoy coming to this site and I check in almost every day but over the last few months certain members here are ruining it for everybody. Its not just the trolls that pop up from time to time. Some members here have huge atitudes and huge ego's and they seem to think they can do or say what ever they want.
I know you can list a lot, because I've seen this too. I'll just say what many have told me when I don't like something and I give my opinion on it. They should go start their own forum. These "high and mighty" types are the ones that push the report abuse button like it was a candy dispenser. These are also the people that try to set rules that they feel the rest of the community should abide by. There are too many chiefs (self proclaimed at that) that sometimes it takes the enjoyment from this forum. Let's see what static I get from this.
TA462 wrote:Making fun of people is a cowardly act and shows that they don't have any "stones". Constantly making fun of people just shows they were brought up wrong. As for the moron trolls that come here once in awhile? Who cares, the way I see it they are the least of MR's worries. We should really clean up our own backyards first, stop fighting, picking on , bullying making fun of members, stop bashing MR and their website and then MAYBE Bergie and the MR crew might actually start paying more attention to the website.
Making fun of people is a cowardly act and shows that they don't have any "stones". Constantly making fun of people just shows they were brought up wrong. As for the moron trolls that come here once in awhile? Who cares, the way I see it they are the least of MR's worries. We should really clean up our own backyards first, stop fighting, picking on , bullying making fun of members, stop bashing MR and their website and then MAYBE Bergie and the MR crew might actually start paying more attention to the website.
I agree with you on all of this. The internet makes it easy for anyone to be a "man" here. In real life, and face to face, I know that most of these cowards will be just that, cowards. Kalbach should take care of the problems at hand, after all it is their reputation on the line. We'll see what happens.
CPRail modeler wrote:Hey, what if you think you know there is a troll on the website posting now, yet no one knows about it but you, what do you do?
Report it to the mods using the abuse button. Do not respond directly to the troll in a PM or as a post. That is what I would (did this weekend) do.
CPRail modeler wrote: Hey, what if you think you know there is a troll on the website posting now, yet no one knows about it but you, what do you do?
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Pathfinder wrote: CPRail modeler wrote: Hey, what if you think you know there is a troll on the website posting now, yet no one knows about it but you, what do you do?Report it to the mods using the abuse button. Do not respond directly to the troll in a PM or as a post. That is what I would (did this weekend) do.
You sure? because so far, besides posts of complete nonsense, he hasn't done anything bad like this weekends troll attack. He is actually a common troll to these forums, mainly using multiple SN's to say stuff about Bachmann track
Anyone know who I'm talking about?
CPRail modeler wrote: Pathfinder wrote: CPRail modeler wrote: Hey, what if you think you know there is a troll on the website posting now, yet no one knows about it but you, what do you do?Report it to the mods using the abuse button. Do not respond directly to the troll in a PM or as a post. That is what I would (did this weekend) do. You sure? because so far, besides posts of complete nonsense, he hasn't done anything bad like this weekends troll attack. He is actually a common troll to these forums, mainly using multiple SN's to say stuff about Bachmann trackAnyone know who I'm talking about?
Both I and Jeff (more so I think) went through the troll wars this weekend, I am not feeling too charitable towards anyone who wants to troll. A troll is a troll. They want attention, do not give it to them and try to get them off the site. My tonnie anyway.
I don't have much experience in MR or this forum venue stuff. I just started using this forum in the past few weeks. Frankly, this is the first time I ever heard of trolls. I have been helped by this forum so much that the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvanatages. I haven't been attacked personally by anyone, but even if I was who cares.
I think people are right when they say that if you leave or respond to attacks, then that only provokes further attacks and nonsense. Stay with the forum and just ignore the bull@%#&. I have seen so much helpfulness and genuine interest from 99% of the people on this forum. I would probably have made $500 worth of mistakes if it weren't for your help.
Thats my
One of the other forums I belong to is a Classic Movies Forum, which is also well Self-monitored. It has a feature that really might help this forum if it were implemented, which is an IGNORE button. You simply hit that command, and the Troll is deleted from your personal message board. Frankly, if this forum had that option and we all INDIVIDUALLY hit it when this person (or persons) began their rampage, then they could do whatever damage they thought they were doing--only their posts wouldn't appear.
It's worth considering, IMO.
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
loathar wrote: Don Z wrote: Jim,Don't give up just yet....Bergie is in the house! Maybe things will get cleaned up quickly....Don Z.No he's not. Today is a holiday and he's not in the members list.
Don Z wrote: Jim,Don't give up just yet....Bergie is in the house! Maybe things will get cleaned up quickly....Don Z.
Jim,
Don't give up just yet....Bergie is in the house! Maybe things will get cleaned up quickly....
Don Z.
No he's not. Today is a holiday and he's not in the members list.
Loather,
Yes, yesterday was a holiday... for some. But not at Kalmbach Publishing Co. I was in the office all day yesterday. Now, does that mean I spent every waking hour in the forum. No. That's not my job (nor anyone elses, for that matter). This forum isn't some big money-making machine as some have suggested. Far from it, in fact.
We rely heavily on our users to help us police the forum. I'm confident that if everyone would simply use the Report Abuse button instead of egging on the likes of Al Mayo and other notorious trouble-making trolls, the forum would be a much better place.
Long-time users of this forum can attest that the troll problem has gotten much better over the course of time. When we redesigned the site in July of 2006, we added the Report Abuse feature which helped point out problems. We recently added non-Kalmbach moderators who have done a great job thus far. But at the end of the day, we need your help. Ignore the instigators and simply hit the Report Abuse button.
In the future when Al Mayo of Connecticut shows up to insult and verbally abuse our other members, maybe I'll just leave it up on the site and make sure to add his real name next to the trouble he has caused. That way, when future employers are looking for background information on him, the Google power of Trains.com will pull his actions on Trains.com near the top of the rankings. I suppose in hindsight that deleting all of the Alfred Mayo posts just lets him get away with his antics. If we leave behind his trail of garbage maybe he'll grow up and realize that he might be hurting his future.
In the meantime, please, please, please, use the Report Abuse link and stop talking about trolls after they've popped up. Imagine what a newcomer would think of that. Aside from the occassional troll like Al Mayo popping in to cause trouble, this is a great place to meet and share information on our hobby. We don't want newcomers to get the impression that nothing good ever happens here.
Again, please use the Report Abuse button or e-mail me at editor[at]trains.com
Thanks for all your contributions. I greatly appreciate the input of all our users... especially when it comes to policing our forum.
Thanks,Bergie
smitty311 wrote: I don't have much experience in MR or this forum venue stuff. I just started using this forum in the past few weeks. Frankly, this is the first time I ever heard of trolls. I have been helped by this forum so much that the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvanatages. I haven't been attacked personally by anyone, but even if I was who cares.I think people are right when they say that if you leave or respond to attacks, then that only provokes further attacks and nonsense. Stay with the forum and just ignore the bull@%#&. I have seen so much helpfulness and genuine interest from 99% of the people on this forum. I would probably have made $500 worth of mistakes if it weren't for your help.Thats my
Well put, smitty.
This is what I'm talking about. Sometimes I think the regulars bring more attention to the troll than the troll does himself. DON'T FEED THE TROLLS. It's a cheesy old saying, but it's true. Don't throw gas on the fire.
I don't want to sound like I'm coming down hard on you guys, because we rely on your help to police this forum. However, when someone takes the time to write something like "Looks like we've got another troll on our hands" within a thread that's going to h-e-double-hockey-sticks, you could have just as easily taken the time to hit the Report Abuse button (in the lower right corner of each and every post) and told the moderators about the problem.
These occassional troll problems might be apparent to the long-time users, but they're not to newcomers. Don't make the problem even worse by highlighting it.
Thanks, fellas.
Bergie
That's why most people join forums. And to tell you the truth it's a really good way to keep yourelf out or alot of trouble. Its almost like having a home away from home(or it that the LHS)lol. i am part of several forums and I have found out that each one is different. eahc one has it's pro's and cons. This board itself is very helpful, alot of information, as long as you ask. It is also one of the largest boards and therefore you get quick responses, usually. When I forst joined this forum, we rarely ever saw trolls, and if we did happen to see one, we ignored it like we should do every time.
-Smoke
Bergie wrote: loathar wrote: Don Z wrote: Jim,Don't give up just yet....Bergie is in the house! Maybe things will get cleaned up quickly....Don Z.No he's not. Today is a holiday and he's not in the members list. Loather, Yes, yesterday was a holiday... for some. But not at Kalmbach Publishing Co. I was in the office all day yesterday. Now, does that mean I spent every waking hour in the forum. No. That's not my job (nor anyone elses, for that matter). This forum isn't some big money-making machine as some have suggested. Far from it, in fact.We rely heavily on our users to help us police the forum. I'm confident that if everyone would simply use the Report Abuse button instead of egging on the likes of Al Mayo and other notorious trouble-making trolls, the forum would be a much better place.Long-time users of this forum can attest that the troll problem has gotten much better over the course of time. When we redesigned the site in July of 2006, we added the Report Abuse feature which helped point out problems. We recently added non-Kalmbach moderators who have done a great job thus far. But at the end of the day, we need your help. Ignore the instigators and simply hit the Report Abuse button.In the future when Al Mayo of Connecticut shows up to insult and verbally abuse our other members, maybe I'll just leave it up on the site and make sure to add his real name next to the trouble he has caused. That way, when future employers are looking for background information on him, the Google power of Trains.com will pull his actions on Trains.com near the top of the rankings. I suppose in hindsight that deleting all of the Alfred Mayo posts just lets him get away with his antics. If we leave behind his trail of garbage maybe he'll grow up and realize that he might be hurting his future.In the meantime, please, please, please, use the Report Abuse link and stop talking about trolls after they've popped up. Imagine what a newcomer would think of that. Aside from the occassional troll like Al Mayo popping in to cause trouble, this is a great place to meet and share information on our hobby. We don't want newcomers to get the impression that nothing good ever happens here.Again, please use the Report Abuse button or e-mail me at editor[at]trains.comThanks for all your contributions. I greatly appreciate the input of all our users... especially when it comes to policing our forum.Thanks,Bergie
Thank you
The only thing Al has popped up a lot more the last three long weekends. Can he not be stopped from creating new identities somehow. It is very frustrating for me (and obviously others) to continue to endure his garbage. The level of frustration he is creating here with his actions is very great. I to agree if we ignore him he will lose his fuel and stop clogging up this forum but is it not about time to explore other controls for his kind?
Kevin
My thanks to Bergie and the other mods. You are doing the best that can be done with what you have to work with.
Any chance we can get a button?
Bear "It's all about having fun."
"In the future when Al Mayo of Connecticut shows up to insult and verbally abuse our other members, maybe I'll just leave it up on the site and make sure to add his real name next to the trouble he has caused. That way, when future employers are looking for background information on him, the Google power of Trains.com will pull his actions on Trains.com near the top of the rankings. I suppose in hindsight that deleting all of the Alfred Mayo posts just lets him get away with his antics. If we leave behind his trail of garbage maybe he'll grow up and realize that he might be hurting his future."
By golly Bergie, that is an outstanding idea!