Somebody recently posted that another trains.com user's posts are going to drive the few remaining decent posters away. If you're a decent poster, could you please let us know if you're on the verge of getting driven away?
Patrick Boylan
Free yacht rides, 27' sailboat, zip code 19114 Delaware River, get great Delair bridge photos from the river. Send me a private message
Not sure if I am "decent" (whatever that means). Although Raymond's posts are disruptive, I try to ignore his alcohol-scented ravings since it seems the moderators are not taking any action (so far).
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
gardendance Somebody recently posted that another trains.com user's posts are going to drive the few remaining decent posters away. If you're a decent poster, could you please let us know if you're on the verge of getting driven away?
At least have the courage to say who it was. Yes, it was me.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Patrick, I appreciate the postings of the intelligent posters so much that the postings of the immature/childish will not drive me away.
I am pleased to see the posts of serious people who do want to learn about the magnificent world of railroading, and I am glad that there are many of us old heads who are willing to help them--I even give a little help myself, from time to time.
Several years back, a young boy who said that he was going to be an engineer (I think he is now a dispatcher) began posting, and he was helped in several ways by one old head or another.
Johnny
Zuggmann, I have no courage at all, I cower behind a monitor and keyboard just like any other scaredy cat.
Whatever.
Totally.
YES. I have quit several times for a week, or a month, or more, just to let the snippy idiotic posts slip off the 1st page so I can mark everything read and start over. I find it quite depressing for people to make snide remarks about other posters, accusing them of being "trolls" or worse. I don't see how some people can keep coming back when they are the targets of such stupidity.
But given my lousy memory for names and a short term memory that will have a hard time remembering what I just wrote, when I come back after a short hiatus, because I can't remember who the idiots are, I appreciate the helpful comments from everybody and I consider all questions to be presented as serious inquiries from someone that wants to learn from those that are in the business or know something about it... and when someone who doesn't know the business and has only a glancing knowledge of it makes a comment that another questions or corrects, I accept the criticism as being worthwhile, until it drops back into the aspersions and stupidity, then I stop reading that thread for a while (at least until I forget that I was not going to read it, which sometimes is too soon and then I remember to stop frequenting the forum altogether for a while so the bickering and snide remarks can go by the wayside and off the 1st page).
But, then I am not someone that is really "in the know" and I only have book knowledge about some very limited aspects of railroading.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Semper Vaporo, we seem to have this much in common. I too question whether I'm "in the know". I know a few things, and if I feel I can help I'll share what little I know. I also am much more disturbed at the posts AGAINST a supposed troll. The best way to handle a troll, as others have said, is to ignore them.
And I too have a swinging pendulum, I bounce between wanting to participate, and feeling I should take a healthy break from the computer.
Nah - why quit? It's usually more fun to watch them self-destruct (or to help them do so).
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
When it comes to so-called trolls, their posts usually don't bother me. I read them and go on. But when other kids on the playground start jumping on them, I find that kinda amusing. Don't take things so seriously.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
No. I have made a few friends and learned a lot from the forum. It is usually better than what is on tv.
And as maybe the only posting female on this forum, I like to think there are some people on here that don't mind my questions and others that think I am a nuisance. It's ok - it is all an experience. But I do wish people wouldn't feed the trolls.
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
A friend told me about his past participation on a RR oriented forum (not this one). Someone asked a question about a subject in which he was extremely knowledgeable. He saw that some answers were naive, speculative, poorly informed, incomplete, or just plain wrong. So he posted the correct answers. His comments were roundly dismissed. He says as far as he knows, those folks are still trying to find the information he spoon-fed to them a long time ago.
True story: When I was about 12 years old, the N&W was still operating steam locomotives. My friends and I were building a model railroad. As we worked, someone brought up the N&W and called it the North Fork & Western. He was living a rather sheltered life and had never heard of Norfolk, Virginia. I corrected him, and I was promptly told that there was no such place as Norfolk, that Norfolk was a stupid and meaningless name, and I was absolutely wrong. To prove his point, he called for a vote. Nobody else in the group had heard of Norfolk either, so Norfolk was voted down and the N&W became the North Fork & Western. Majority rules, and the majority can't be wrong. I gave up. That describes some situations I see here. When somebody is immune to learning, or when I conclude they have nothing from which I can learn, then I stop wasting my time and I move on.
Tom
Mookie No. I have made a few friends and learned a lot from the forum. It is usually better than what is on tv. And as maybe the only posting female on this forum, I like to think there are some people on here that don't mind my questions and others that think I am a nuisance. It's ok - it is all an experience. But I do wish people wouldn't feed the trolls.
If one is really bothered by something posted they should click the Report Abuse (yellow triangle) link at the bottom left of the post and let the Monitors handle it.
Note others may or may not agree with your assessment. Also sometimes even a real Troll posts something useful even if that is not their intention.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
DSchmitt
2 things come to mind, "out of the mouths of babes" and "even a stopped clock is right sometime".
For example, I bet many of you would agree that http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/743/t/252434.aspx "I cant get the porter to Microwave my TV Dinner" is a rather silly thread, but I feel there are some interesting comments in it.
wanswheel, I finally clicked on your "Jesus was a capricorn" video. I generally don't click through on things with no description, but those with no description generally are less of a waste of my time than those that tempt me with "this is the greatest", or "you'll be amazed", or lists whose headers say "and number 5 will amaze you". But that turned out to be a pretty good song, and kind of applicable to this thread.
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/kriskristofferson/jesuswasacapricorn.html
Jesus was a Capricorn He ate organic food He believed in love and peace And never wore no shoes Long hair, beard and sandles And a funky bunch of friends Reckon we'd just nail him up If he came down again [Chorus:] 'Cause everybody's gotta have somebody to look down on Prove they can be better than at any time they choose Someone doin' somethin' dirty decent folks can frown on If you can't find nobody else, then help yourself to me Eggheads fussin' rednecks cussin' Hippies for their hair Others laugh at straights who laugh at Freaks who laugh at squares Some folks hate the Whites Who hate the Blacks who hate the Klan Most of us hate anything that We don't understand
Jesus was a Capricorn
He ate organic food
He believed in love and peace
And never wore no shoes
Long hair, beard and sandles
And a funky bunch of friends
Reckon we'd just nail him up
If he came down again
[Chorus:]
'Cause everybody's gotta have somebody to look down on
Prove they can be better than at any time they choose
Someone doin' somethin' dirty decent folks can frown on
If you can't find nobody else, then help yourself to me
Eggheads fussin' rednecks cussin'
Hippies for their hair
Others laugh at straights who laugh at
Freaks who laugh at squares
Some folks hate the Whites
Who hate the Blacks who hate the Klan
Most of us hate anything that
We don't understand
ACY ... I was promptly told that there was no such place as Norfolk, that Norfolk was a stupid and meaningless name, and I was absolutely wrong
... I was promptly told that there was no such place as Norfolk, that Norfolk was a stupid and meaningless name, and I was absolutely wrong
I too think that Norfolk Virginia is a stupid name, its only purpose is for the pesky conductor to holler that sleeping car passengers are not allowed to engage in amorous activities if one of them is named Virginia.
ACY When somebody is immune to learning, or when I conclude they have nothing from which I can learn, then I stop wasting my time and I move on.
When somebody is immune to learning, or when I conclude they have nothing from which I can learn, then I stop wasting my time and I move on.
But have you ever felt, or are likely to feel, that moving on should entail never participating in the website again?
ChuckCobleighThinking back, I remember a couple of other distaff forum members that have seemed to move on, or at least I haven't seen them post for quite a while.
Can't forget Nora, whose "Stupid Question" thread was anything but... Last I knew she was working for a railroad, too.
I know about that "we've never heard of it" thing - probably lost a trivia game once because no one else playing had ever heard of Reykyavik, Iceland...
While it may be falling into a troll's trap, I find it hard to let go by a downright false statement. If I feel the ol' dander rising, though, I usually let it go, at least for a while.
As is written often on many fora - if you don't like it, don't read it. I care little about the Sunset Route, so generally skip that thread. I usually read "troll" material, though, just to be amazed at the depths of dumb that sometimes show up, but responding is another story.
I was a troll, to some Yoopers. (Cuz I lived under da bridge.)Some people who have seemed like trolls when they started posting eventually grew up. I'm glad we don't have too many of the flame wars that we used to have here. They made things interesting, but we can now go to Facebook for that maturity level if we wish.Interesting that you mentioned K.P.'s Sunset Route thread, Larry. I don't get into it any more. Not that I'm not interested (in fact, I traveled the length of that route this past spring, and noticed many projects going on)--it's just a little hard to keep track of at times. But I sincerely hope that K.P. doesn't give up on us...because when things get done, it's conceivable that with a bit of editing, there's an incredible reference book in these thousands of posts.If there's a question that I can answer (my unique experiences and expertises have to count for something), I'll do it. I'd even venture to say that they give a level to my speculation that exceeds the average (once given the facts). If I can't answer, theorize, or have an interest, I'll shut up and read.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Patrick (Gardendance), if I had decided that I would never participate in the forum again, I wouldn't be on it today. However, there are some threads that I consider ancient history, better forgotten.
ChuckCobleigh[snipped - PDN] . . . Thinking back, I remember a couple of other distaff forum members that have seemed to move on, or at least I haven't seen them post for quite a while. One is CW and the other was our CSX fan (can't remember her name, just the handle CSXforevah, I think) who actually ended up going on the job with CSX, as I recall. . . .
"LORD HELP US ALL TO BE ORIGINAL AND NOT CRISPY!!! please? Sarah J.M. Warner conductor CSX"
Interesting post near the bottom of this page:
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/t/200788.aspx?page=2
Nothing posted here by her for a few years. I hope she's doing well, what with all the recent closures at CSX.
- Paul North.
I don't go away per say.... Just "keep my head down" so to speak. (If you count me as decent. Just don't ever call me normal. That is an insult! )
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Ricky: You are a unique individual... just like everybody else.
Wanswheel --- Thanks. Now and then we need a reminder of Kris' deep belief that there is dignity in everybody, no matter how humble and no matter how many troubles that person may have. He always struck me as a humble man. He is an adequate guitar player, with a voice that's distinctive, but not great. His great strength is that he is one of our greatest and most moving poets, and his lyrics always express a deep love of humanity. This country needs more of his attitude, now more than ever.
gardendanceSomebody recently posted that another trains.com user's posts are going to drive the few remaining decent posters away.
That sounds like a rather trollish comment to begin with. Obviously they were trying to provoke a reaction. You fed the troll by falling for it.
Let's not overlook that this is a internet forum! Not a church service or a court room. Troll's exist - get over it.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Locomotives? Luxury, we were lucky to have handcars. We had to get up at 9 o'clock, half an hour before we went to bed, clean the handcar with our tongues, have a breakfast of cold poison, work the railroad for 25 hours and pay the road foreman of engines for the privilege. When we got home our dad would kill us, cut up our bodies and dance a jig on our graves.
But you try to tell the young people of today that and they won't believe you.
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