The temperature of the water...

Hi all,

Since Usenet is (again) eating up too much time (in my case), and somehow
I keep getting stuck in "flame-wars" / "troll-fests", I've decided to
leave Usenet (again), and probably won't come back

*insert the sound of a thousand weeping girls*

However, I consider some (more than you think) of the regs good friends,
and would hate to get out of touch (again).

So... I was thinking, who would be interested in a lighter version of this
group [0], on a web based forum [1]. SEO / web development will be on
topic, but also a lot of off-topic stuff that goes on here, and we can
think off :-D.

Based on my experience with another board I would say that at least 20 (!)
active people are needed to keep such a board from dying

I want to see if it's possible to get 20 people, and if we can get a more
mellow version of this group, without spam / trolling / flame fests /
hating / short tempers, etc.

I already admin one board, and so far everything stays quite peacefully.
If there are just a few people interested, I might consider inviting them
over, but not sure if they want to fit in.

Anyway, just testing the water. If no one is really interested, no
worries. You can always drop an email just to say hi / or with a question
on .htacess or whatever.

[0] I wanted to include aww as well, and all holds for aww as well, but I
figured if the water here is cold, it might be frozen in aww :-D.
(no offense)

[1] phpBB, hosted somewhere cheap, I have no problem taking care of that
part.

--
John Bokma http://johnbokma.com/

On 12 Apr 2008 03:30:56 GMT, John Bokma <john (AT) castleamber (DOT) com> wrote:

Hi all,

Since Usenet is (again) eating up too much time (in my case), and somehow
I keep getting stuck in "flame-wars" / "troll-fests", I've decided to
leave Usenet (again), and probably won't come back

*insert the sound of a thousand weeping girls*

However, I consider some (more than you think) of the regs good friends,
and would hate to get out of touch (again).

So... I was thinking, who would be interested in a lighter version of this
group [0], on a web based forum [1]. SEO / web development will be on
topic, but also a lot of off-topic stuff that goes on here, and we can
think off :-D.

Based on my experience with another board I would say that at least 20 (!)
active people are needed to keep such a board from dying

I want to see if it's possible to get 20 people, and if we can get a more
mellow version of this group, without spam / trolling / flame fests /
hating / short tempers, etc.

I already admin one board, and so far everything stays quite peacefully.
If there are just a few people interested, I might consider inviting them
over, but not sure if they want to fit in.

Anyway, just testing the water. If no one is really interested, no
worries. You can always drop an email just to say hi / or with a question
on .htacess or whatever.

[0] I wanted to include aww as well, and all holds for aww as well, but I
figured if the water here is cold, it might be frozen in aww :-D.
(no offense)

[1] phpBB, hosted somewhere cheap, I have no problem taking care of that
part.

I can have a look. I'm sure you'll always be grateful for my technical
input :-)

BB
--

http://www.kruse.co.uk/
http://www.fat-odin.com/
http://www.here-be-posters.co.uk/

On Apr 12, 5:30 am, John Bokma <j... (AT) castleamber (DOT) com> wrote:

Hi all,

Since Usenet is (again) eating up too much time (in my case), and somehow
I keep getting stuck in "flame-wars" / "troll-fests", I've decided to
leave Usenet (again), and probably won't come back

*insert the sound of a thousand weeping girls*

However, I consider some (more than you think) of the regs good friends,
and would hate to get out of touch (again).

So... I was thinking, who would be interested in a lighter version of this
group [0], on a web based forum [1]. SEO / web development will be on
topic, but also a lot of off-topic stuff that goes on here, and we can
think off :-D.

Based on my experience with another board I would say that at least 20 (!)
active people are needed to keep such a board from dying

I want to see if it's possible to get 20 people, and if we can get a more
mellow version of this group, without spam / trolling / flame fests /
hating / short tempers, etc.

I already admin one board, and so far everything stays quite peacefully.
If there are just a few people interested, I might consider inviting them
over, but not sure if they want to fit in.

Anyway, just testing the water. If no one is really interested, no
worries. You can always drop an email just to say hi / or with a question
on .htacess or whatever.

[0] I wanted to include aww as well, and all holds for aww as well, but I
figured if the water here is cold, it might be frozen in aww :-D.
(no offense)

[1] phpBB, hosted somewhere cheap, I have no problem taking care of that
part.

--
John Bokma http://johnbokma.com/

And exactly, what kind of criteria would you apply to determine what
is SPAM, "flame-wars" or "troll-fests"?
Who will be the moderator?
And who will moderate the moderator?
And who will moderate the moderator that moderates the moderator?
....

"John Bokma" <john (AT) castleamber (DOT) com> wrote

So... I was thinking, who would be interested in a lighter version of this
group [0], on a web based forum [1]. SEO / web development will be on
topic, but also a lot of off-topic stuff that goes on here, and we can
think off :-D.

I wish you well, and hope it comes off ... I'm the last person you'd want to
join, however, as I enjoy spitting on spammers, laughing at scammers and
poking the eyes of idiots who think they own usenet ;o)

But my experience of forums suggests that there's already plenty out there,
and if yours is too mellow, it'll simply dry up - many of the 'best' do.

Your best bet is to read around a few, find one that suits (you will); with
your record and abilities, it won't be long before you get invited to mod
.... then you can have the duty of removing the ne'erdowells with one click -
which is, of course, much better than squabbling with them.

Sadly, the 'right' of free speech does not work unless there's a 'duty' of
integrity to go with it. I don't like censorship - but those out to abuse
can - and should - be invited to exercise their 'rights' elsewhere.

Good Luck
--

Andrew
seo2seo.com
sick-site-syndrome.com

Regarding your leaving: John reconsider your leaving as your insights
are welcome.... or never say never regarding your return.

Regarding the forum: Your forum idea is noble but I think the regulars
(about 20 lets say) come to this usenet to learn, write but also to
promote their SEO services in a subtle way. Therefore, people might
say 'yes' to your new forum idea, but latter lose interest. However,
it does not mean the idea would fail, but rather it would be another
private SEO forum which the net has a lot of and originality dries up
if there is not new blood and a critical mass. I hope this does not
take the wind out of your sails, but it is just want I think.

Regarding the usenet I have been on since 1997 because its a simple
and direct way to exchange ideas. There always has been flames of war
- and spam, but the same goes for anything else. I do not refrain
from driving because of all the traffic, people who do not follow the
rules of the road, or people who fail to act in a cordial way. It is
mildly irritating but its also fun to drive. The usenet is 50% fun
(many times at each of our expense) and 50 % serious. But i think
the balance is what has people coming back.

Either way I am grateful to you and best regards,



Mark
----
http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:15:17 +0100, "Andrew Heenan"
<andrew3 (AT) heenan (DOT) net> wrote:

I don't like censorship - but

There's you in a nutshell Andrew.

BB
--

http://www.kruse.co.uk/
http://www.fat-odin.com/
http://www.here-be-posters.co.uk/

1001 Webs <1001webs (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:

And exactly, what kind of criteria would you apply to determine what
is SPAM, "flame-wars" or "troll-fests"?
Who will be the moderator?

I already admin a board, and I rarely have to moderate (the last time was
when a bot started to drop viagra spam, IIRC 2 years ago).

--
John Bokma http://johnbokma.com/

mbiernat (AT) hotmail (DOT) com wrote:

Regarding your leaving: John reconsider your leaving as your insights
are welcome.... or never say never regarding your return.

Heh, this is my second coming so to speak, and I am now 100% sure.

Regarding the forum: Your forum idea is noble but I think the regulars
(about 20 lets say) come to this usenet to learn, write but also to
promote their SEO services in a subtle way.

Maybe the experience of others differ, but I am quite convinced that one
can't catch big fish here. Ages ago I got most of my programming work
via Usenet, but IMO that time is long, long gone.

Therefore, people might
say 'yes' to your new forum idea, but latter lose interest.

Think of it as the watercooler: a place we can hang out, stay in touch,
now and then talk about SEO, but mostly talk about other stuff. Movies
one enjoyed, how the kids/pets are doing, etc. The small talk that
happens here now and then. Not the constant being on the look out for
possible job, or being outsmarted by others.

However,
it does not mean the idea would fail, but rather it would be another
private SEO forum which the net has a lot of and originality dries up
if there is not new blood and a critical mass.

I was not thinking about a SEO forum. More a small talk forum. Most
regulars know stuff about the others that has nothing to do with SEO.

So in short, I am thinking about a kind of virtual watercooler, where we
*can* talk about SEO, web development, programming, new business
oppurtunities, etc. but it will be mostly not about those things (at
least that's how I see it).

OTOH, I also see it as a kind of networking. The atmosphere will be
(hopefully) more friendly, and give space for getting better business
relations.

I hope this does not
take the wind out of your sails, but it is just want I think.

No, like I said, I already *know* that I need 20 highly active regulars,
and I had already the feeling I wouldn't find them here. My second
option is/was aww. But since the climate here, IMO, is a bit friendlier,
I decided to ask here first. If I can't get 5-7 people here, I probably
won't get even 2 in aww.

Regarding the usenet I have been on since 1997 because its a simple
and direct way to exchange ideas. There always has been flames of war
- and spam, but the same goes for anything else. I do not refrain
from driving because of all the traffic, people who do not follow the
rules of the road, or people who fail to act in a cordial way. It is
mildly irritating but its also fun to drive. The usenet is 50% fun
(many times at each of our expense) and 50 % serious. But i think
the balance is what has people coming back.

Yeah, but the question I've been asking the last 2 years: do I *have to*
drive? Or: do I have to be on Usenet? Am I not better of with instead of
writing 2 hrs on Usenet, to write 2 hrs for my blog (or even 1).

And if I have to ride: do I ride in a city or do I take a nice road
through the hills, and enjoy the trip?

Either way I am grateful to you and best regards,

Thanks,

--
John Bokma http://johnbokma.com/

"Andrew Heenan" <andrew3 (AT) heenan (DOT) net> wrote:

"John Bokma" <john (AT) castleamber (DOT) com> wrote
So... I was thinking, who would be interested in a lighter version of
this group [0], on a web based forum [1]. SEO / web development will
be on topic, but also a lot of off-topic stuff that goes on here, and
we can think off :-D.

I wish you well, and hope it comes off ... I'm the last person you'd
want to join, however, as I enjoy spitting on spammers, laughing at
scammers and poking the eyes of idiots who think they own usenet ;o)

Yeah, been there, done that. I've noticed that it occupied me also when
the computer was off. I mean, trying to fall asleep while in your head
preparing replies to assholes on the Usenet...

But my experience of forums suggests that there's already plenty out
there, and if yours is too mellow, it'll simply dry up - many of the
'best' do.

Nah, a current mellow forum I admin is alive and kicking for 3+ years (
Our users have posted a total of 65684 articles. ) It has 150 registered
members, of which 30 post at least a few times a week, and 10 daily.

Your best bet is to read around a few, find one that suits (you will);

In a way I already have found one, but I have no idea if it's wise to
invite some regs here there so i can stay in touch with them. Also,
because it's mostly a-technical I miss some of the action that is here.
(Or was here).

with your record and abilities, it won't be long before you get
invited to mod ...

That's the last thing I am looking for. Like I already wrote in a
different reply: I rarely moderate. Some time ago we had a very heated
discussion, and I locked the threads, and after some time moved them to a
"hidden" part of the form. Oh, and when bots could get through the weak
CAPTCHA of phpBB, I had to moderate a spammer or two away. But that's it.
Most of the time the people on the board try to solve issues by talking
about it. It's so not comparable with Usenet. I sometimes still act like
it is Usenet, and make an ass of myself :-D.

Sadly, the 'right' of free speech does not work unless there's a
'duty' of integrity to go with it. I don't like censorship - but those
out to abuse can - and should - be invited to exercise their 'rights'
elsewhere.

It hasn't been a problem at all on the board I admin. If someone says
something very out of line, people voice their thoughts, and the thread
dies. It's in no way as violent as Usenet. I've been on several other
boards, and Usenet is a breed in itself.

--
John Bokma http://johnbokma.com/

Big Bill <bill (AT) kruse (DOT) co.uk> wrote:

I can have a look. I'm sure you'll always be grateful for my technical
input :-)

Heh, like I wrote somewhere at the beginning, I am looking for a more
mellow input. There is place for technical input/output, I mean on "my"
board people also ask how to start a blog, which program to use for a
certain task, but it's mostly about how their life is going, their pets,
the issues at work, and fun stuff found on the Internet (a lot of NSFW
stuff as well).

--
John Bokma http://johnbokma.com/