I am fed up!!! Rant Inside...

[Matt Monson]

Hello:
I am getting really tired of people being dicks to each other on this site. Maybe I am all alone in this and everyone else thinks we should just slap every noob looking for some help with a "do a search" post. This doesn't work for me. When I joined here, people were very very nice to each other. It doesn't feel that way to me anymore. I came here because while I am a very respected and early member on places like NASIOC, I tired of all the fighting and the egos and the chest thumping. Of late, it feels like this place, which I consider one of my internet homes, has lost that feeling of togetherness.

When a noob joins, even if they ask some stupid questions, we should bring them into the fold. And I want to be clear that I am not above reproach here. Recently a guy from Middle East with less than perfect English skills joined, and I didn't do a very good job of making him feel like one of us. From my keyboard, that sort of thing isn't going to happen again. Even though we may be repeating information to people, it let's us get to know them and they get to know us. It's the basis for forming our community in my mind.

So, that's what I've got for today. Speak your peace. I don't expect everyone here to agree with me. If Dave and Josh don't agree with me, I will gladly turn in my moderator hat and let them run the site the way they wish. They have final say and make the real rules here. I'll just stop posting and find somewhere else to hang out with passionate Suby people.

But until they say otherwise, I plan to start using the delete button in tech when I see asshole posts and sending PM's to the offensive individuals.

[legacy92ej22t]

Here, here!!

I'm not as active anymore so I'm unsure of the specific threads you may be referring to but I've noticed a lot more attitude from some of our newer members (and I mean members within the last few years). I actually had a discussion via PM a while back with another old skool member where we talked about this and that the BBS just didn't have the same feel that it used to.....and that it was a damn shame.

[kleinkid]

If you post, you should do it as if the person you were addressing was standing right in front of you. Not hiding in the ether of the internet or the miles separating. Be courteous. If you can't say it nicely don't say it. A smart _ss remark might seem funny to you at the time, but can be received wrong.

The gentleman in Iraq--maybe we can kind of adopt him and really help him out. How could we ship him parts?

[Legacy777]

You've got my vote.

[Matt Monson]

The gentleman in Iraq--maybe we can kind of adopt him and really help him out. How could we ship him parts?

We need a soldier on the ground we can use US mail to ship to an APO address. I think it's the only way to get it past homeland security...

[evolutionmovement]

They look at all that stuff that goes to the soldiers - what you need is someone working as a *ahem* contractor for an organization like Black Water. But, then I wouldn't want one of them visiting that poor guy's residence. If it didn't cost me anything, I'd ship him something I don't need.

But anyway, I've noticed a lot more of the jumping on people of different opinions lately myself, which is the kind of thing that led me to take a brief leave of absence from here. Boredom, lack of a better car place, and some old friends brought me back. If someone is asking the same question that's been answered a hundred times before, I'll just ignore it or try to help them as I try not to be a dick in life. Any more at least.

Perhaps people are on edge due to the sharp divisions this country has created between people and the general bad attitude of a polarized industrio-governmental media complex that either normalizes such behavior or pisses off otherwise somewhat level-headed people to the point where they are extra jumpy, taking every little remark as the sign of an impending attack. Maybe its a sort of xenophobia in regards to 'immigrant' members. Maybe it's because many of them are young and think they know everything (proving they know little) and have an aggressive attitude from the hormones. Maybe they're just assholes.

[New92]

As one of the newly inducted members of this fine community, I can say with out any doubt that this is the BEST (yes I used caps, who's gonna take a wack?? LOL) online forum Ive ever participated in. I was intrigued by my recent purchase of a very exciting and at the time unfamiliar platform and naturally ended up here. What kept me here was the attitude of the more experienced members and the fact that I could post here without fear of being discounted or shot down. I just told my wife the other night that if, heaven forbid, I should ever sell the tleg I dont think I could stop visiting and participating on this forum.

I think that Matt is on the right track with addressing each offender on a personal basis. This is a unique environment and new comers should be made aware of how special it is and should be advised of the fact that the founding AND (darn caps again) supporting members of this community are in fact very passionate about preserving its unique nature.

Having said all that......as a newb I would like to thank all of you veterans for caring about this community and for making it part of a very positive change in my life as I continue to learn all things subaru!

[Adam West]

Perhaps we draft a code of conduct - what we stand for i.e. mission statement? So when some rudely posts we can forward it to the offenders.

Things change and people evolve and move on BUT if we clearly stand for being say the "friendliest, most knowledgable" board out there then we're standing for something that people have to step up to.


Whatever the values, we should let people know...or perhaps we should be the "snarkiest bunch of garage geeks" Whatever, it should be clear.

I'd like these...

+polite to vendors that post
+welcoming to new members
+references to age and race irrelevant
+differences of opinion welcomed
+personal attacks not welcomed
+etc.


AW

[tonflo]

I see your point, but new people need to realize that the car is only new to them or that their problem or question is likely only new to them. Chances are it has been covered before & probably in multiple threads. I think better use of stickies for common how tos & problems would help, but only if somebody reads them. I strongly think a sticky on how to search with screen captures with arrows & circles drawn on would help. The search here is not that intuitive or user friendly. However, the fact that you can't attach a pic & have to host it somewhere impedes this.

Seriously, how many threads for broken coolant tanks & how to fix one are there? How many more do we need? At least a sticky with links on all of the known threads on coolant tanks would cut down on "dumb" questions. This is just 1 example.

If it makes you feel any better, it happens on other car forums too. Both the dumb questions & curt responses.

[farfrumwork]

Absolutely Matt.

Chest thumpers, and unsupported egos need not apply.

I do really like Nasioc for the wealth of information, even if I have to filter it for what is relevant for my Legacy, but the amount of BS that flies there can be sickening. There are some really cool and seemingly unique discoveries that happen every now-and-then on there.

Legacycentral is, and Should, be different than the other "big boards" in relation to general attitude (intention breeds action). We are generally more cohesive in our interests and issues than the other boards.

I will usually only rail on someone if they are being the A-hole (rarely happens), but I (we) should take a slightly different tact and take on more of a Shepard role rather that of a wolf.

Can I get a chorus of Kumbaya!!!!.... anyone

-Chad

[ericem]

If you post, you should do it as if the person you were addressing was standing right in front of you. Not hiding in the ether of the internet or the miles separating. Be courteous. If you can't say it nicely don't say it. A smart _ss remark might seem funny to you at the time, but can be received wrong.

The gentleman in Iraq--maybe we can kind of adopt him and really help him out. How could we ship him parts?

ya awisids I will send him the spark plugs, wires, and fuel filter. Been chatting with him hes a cool guy

[DLC]

I agree. Some people are bringing poor attitudes, and they need to be reminded that we don't put up with it.

I don't read every thread, but I look at every new thread and try to jump in on some long-running discussions to see what's going on. In the case of a recent suspension post, it was way past the point of no return.

Search on the version of the forum software is not that good, and I'm noping that 3.0 brings massive improvements, but it's not going to be absolutely intuitive. If you want a different search option, try the Google site search in the top right corner.

This is a fantastic place, and it's still light-years ahead of alternatives. Let's keep it that way.

[evolutionmovement]

It really does remain a good site. What I like most is that I haven't driven my wagon in over two years (and may never again), yet still find plenty of conversations here, non-Subaru and non-car even. Some people get out of hand on occasion, but I think the fact that we can notice it shows just how little trolling and dick-swinging we really get here.

[Fkyx]

A recurring question here and there isn't a bad thing, in my opinion. If we could find everything we wanted to in a search, the forum would die. If everyone looks at new threads as keeping the community thriving, then hot-heads might cool down a bit. Honestly, if it's something everyone feels has been discussed over and over again, throw a FAQ together and sticky it in the appropriate forum. Some of the stickies I've read are incredibly helpful, but the content is far from being "complete" as far as what a Legacy rookie would need.

I try not to post too many new threads, and I've noticed that even when I search, I might get some pertinent information, but I always feel like something's missing... like I didn't get all the information I would have wanted to.

My personal opinion: if you're going to tell someone to search, post something that might help them with their problem, too. Otherwise you'll end up just scaring them. It's all about being the nice guy, I think. But that's just how I was raised.

By the way, thanks to the admins for keeping a great community running. I love to waste my free time waiting for new threads to show up.

[AWD_addict]

It's been a while since I joined so I don't remember, but are new members forced to read (or at least scroll through) a FAQ or welcome message? Maybe something that explains searching before starting new threads, be nice, etc. Remember this?

Google Video: Posting, and You!

If we know everyone has already been informed to search, then we don't ever need to tell them. That way responses to new members can stay less bitchy and more constructive.

[jeffast]

i have to say that i think Matt is right.
although i have to admit, this is still a much happier more welcome forum then allot of others on the net

[DLC]

No, new users are not required to run a gauntlet of "read this first" or an FAQ. That's something to consider, but it's not built into the software, so it'd be a hack-in.

I'm giving the General Forum Rules a shot. Have a look:

General Forum Rules

[206er]

Here, here!!

isn't it "hear, hear?"

[555BCTurbo]

I agree Matt...

When I joined this forum, it was a place of endless fun and not an ill word was spoken.

I miss the 'ole days!

[jamal]

I just save all my jerk tendencies for nasioc.

Funny... I have like twice as many posts over there.

[legacy92ej22t]

Here, here!!

isn't it "hear, hear?"

Yeah, but you can't really hear much on a text based forum so, "Here, here" seemed more appropriate.

[evolutionmovement]

Read, read!

[Matt Monson]

Read, read!

and listen...

[TheSubaruJunkie]

I'll be nicer if people start being smarter

[evolutionmovement]

That's the attitude I had. My stress level's dropped off now that I just avoid anything alive as much as possible. And tea. I drink lots of tea.