An important message from the Management

brettw22

My point is to say that they could go crazy and create hundreds of other littler forums and to what point? The problems here are personality driven, not because we don't have a youtube forum to create our youtube posts into.

Serendipity

brettw22 wrote: »

My point is to say that they could go crazy and create hundreds of other littler forums and to what point? The problems here are personality driven, not because we don't have a youtube forum to create our youtube posts into.

Then:
1. Attitudes/personalities need to change, or
2. Take away the Clubhouse.

nadams

BobMcG- Nice to see you again! Haven't seen you around lately. Pity it has to be in a thread like this...

Roy Munson

George Grand wrote: »

The "Ignore" feature is a tool provided by the management, which over the last couple of years has allowed me to peacefully co-exist here. That is my opinion, I could be wrong. I think more people should employ it.

It was do or die, as Al had just had a personal, face-to-face "discussion" with about 10 of us "old-timers" about this very problem, almost two years ago at PolkFest.

After five years here I had to put a member on "ignore", I didn't really want to but after being called an **** by this guy because I voiced an opinion just rubbed me the wrong way. I've seen it happen hundreds of times to others and I think GG has the right approach about using the "ignore" feature. I also agree more people should use it because there are several people here that are serial offenders that seem to be at the center of many of the threads that turn bad.

This is really a great forum for audio related discussions and a lot can be learned here not only about the technical aspects of audio but the fun parts also. And dare I say there's a bit of camaraderie that makes it enjoyable to hang out at CP and it would be a real shame if the forum were to be closed down because of trolls that want to do harm to the forum or people that come here only to buy or sell something.

I think we definitely need more moderators to watch over the forum to facilitate swifter action when called for. This would probably displease some of the members here that have been here a long time but if it helps save the forum then so be it. We have rules about political discussions yet they aren't followed and this leads to many threads turning into flame wars and bad feelings. It seems to me that some here just can't post without injecting their political slant and it needs to be dealt with..either ban political discussions and police it or start a political section and let the chips fall..I personally think a political section would be a bad thing.

Something needs to be done about the flea market in regards to new members wanting to buy or sell gear. Perhaps having it restricted and not visible until a specific amount of time or posts would be appropriate. This wouldn't make it 100% safe to purchase here but it would help keep people away that only come here to sell and then disappear never to be heard from again. I think this causes ill will and makes members feel used.

brettw22

Serendipity......you're fixating on the 'need' for 5, 10, 20, whatever subforums solving the problems......taking away the Clubhouse isn't going to solve that, because the Clubhouse type of threads will end up in different parts of the board (this is how it was before the Clubhouse was ever created).

The ENTIRE point of this thread is that Attitudes need to change.......and if they don't change, they need to be walked to the door.

Serendipity

brettw22 wrote: »

The ENTIRE point of this thread id that Attitudes need to change.......and if they don't change, they need to be walked to the door.

Ok, thanks. I wasn't really clear what this was about at first.

brettw22

Perhaps I misspoke there........that may not be the entire point of the thread........but what causes the problems is the personalities and how people handle themselves.....adding or subtracting different sub-forums doesn't solve the problem of someone who's out to be a putz being allowed to act like a putz.

BobMcG

Hello Noah, It's been a while. Good to see you're still on board.

Yup, I leave this place for a while and it goes to hell in a hand-basket.



AND BTW: I did forget in my previous post to say that Gman is spot on with the ignore button. Powerful little button there. Some people would be best served to use it more often. It's worked wonders for me in the past.

kcoc321

First I have to say, I was not personally aware that things had gotten so bad. But then I tend to skip threads that I have not interest in, so therein may lie my ignorance.

But if the VP of marketing of Polk thinks it is a problem, then there is a problem. I think some good ideas have been raised. And some bad. I agree with the sales time condition, with the limits on post length ect. I do not agree on the "wiping out the post count" I use it to help gauge someone's input. If I have any question, I look back at what they have posted. And I think the "old timers" deserve there credit for all they have contributed.

I second (or 30th) the three strike rule. Especially in what is a 'transitional time' Things are changing, people need to have a chance to adapt.

I have also seen 'sanctions' work effectively in conjuction with 3 strikes. If someone is just being a 'troll for a day', strike one is they get limited in what they can post, for say a 1-2 week period. Strike two they are reduced to only being able to reply in threads, not create new ones. Stops them from being able to start fights. Strike three, bye bye.

More Moderators would also help. It does not need to be a paid moderator, several people have already volunteered to assist. I don't see the need for Polk to spend money on something that we can do ourselves.

Another thing I have seen on Forums that grew to need more 'policing' was a "toilet" and a "war zone". Threads/ posts that get off line can be moved there, if they still have some merit. The war zone give ppl a place to vent, in an approved location.

I hope that things can be resolved such that this place can continue to be such a treasure chest of information. I have been a Polk fan since 1984, ever since I bought my first pair and I will continue to be. Club Polk adds to what are good products and makes it great. Where else can you find this level of support? Virtually no where.
THANK YOU POLK.

Fireman32

Lets not turn this thread into an argument. Let everyone vioce their opinion and Al will decide what to do.

concealer404

Serendipity wrote: »

Then:
1. Attitudes/personalities need to change, or
2. Take away the Clubhouse.

The Clubhouse alone isn't even close to being a major part of the problem, though... i think that's the problem.


Whoops. Brett beat me to it.

mhmacw

what im meaning concealer is the old saying "when in rome be a roman". if a new member comes to the forum and reads for a few days or weeks before posting and sees the 15,000 post members being absolute jerks then thats the idea he has for how the forum is and whats allowed. if your allowd to stick around long enough to amass 15k posts and call some one a d'bag then it must be ok to call someone a d'bag. by resetting the post count you in essence put a big ! on the rules as there are no examples of condoned bad behavior.

dorokusai

Just FYI, no one is paid to moderate here aside from Patrick C.

CCNJ

I joined this forum a few months ago to increase my knowledge on HT and Two Channel listening. I only posted a few times but I have always received very thoughtful responses from the members. That coupled with the vast amount of information in past threads makes this a great resource for those of us who enjoy audio and Polk products.

I really do respect most of the long time members on the forum as this place would not be as valuable without the knowledge and experience they share. By visiting just a few times you know who the experts are for tubes or solid state gear or integrated vs separates advice. I am grateful for their experiences and their willingness to share their journey with others.

I have an open mind when it comes to audio and people. This is a very subjective hobby and there is rarely a right or wrong answer. People will have varying opinions and it usually boils down to personal preference or budget considerations. Differing opinions should be respected even though you may not agree. I amazed that people will engage in pages and pages of flaming responses rather than simply ignoring the person. I also feel that threads should be shut down when they start to get out of control.

I am a long time POLK fan and customer and hope this forum is around for many years to come.

PS…Love my new LSI9s

Chris

Systems

Poof...

xj4094dg

concealer404 wrote: »

Because video games have sound...

So do cars.:)

steveinaz

Al
To fix a problem you have to first identify the real issue. The real issue here is lack of moderation. Ask for some veteran volunteers, and if they meet your standards, make them mods.

Everyone else
There was a period last year where I quit coming here for the reasons listed in the OP. This place was getting stupid---and surprisingly, at the hand of veterans (usually). It was embarassing to be a part of it quite frankly. We've lost a number of great members for the same reasons---FrankZ comes to mind right off the bat.

We need to start policing each other. It starts with our problem "veterans" and you know who you are. Look at any Emotiva thread and you'll find 3, right away. They are the same three I've watched over the last 6 months, who just can't seem to let it go--they have to get their dig in every time; then the fireworks start. It's petty, immature, and straight up stupid from grown men in their 30's, 40's and 50's.

If Polk Audio were your company, and this forum was suppose to represent a company forum for owners---wouldn't you want it to be more customer (or potential customer) friendly?

brettw22

Lorthos, those types of threads eventually get handled........do you see anything in the thread that you posted that would result in the VP Of Marketing creating a thread saying check your attitudes or we need to close up shop?

concealer404

xj4094dg wrote: »

So do cars.:)

Absolutely.

shadowofnight

dorokusai wrote: »

Just FYI, no one is paid to moderate here aside from Patrick C.

No one said it had to be money....what do assless leather chaps go for nowadays ?

treitz3

mhmacw wrote: »

If a new member comes to the forum and reads for a few days or weeks before posting and sees the 15,000 post members being absolute jerks then that's the idea he has for how the forum is and whats allowed. if your allowed to stick around long enough to amass 15k posts and call some one a d'bag then it must be ok to call someone a d'bag.

That's a very good point. More so when it comes from a moderator. This has happened to myself recently and though I had a thick enough skin to let it go like water on a duck's back, others may see that this kind of behavior is acceptable and endorsed.

concealer404

mhmacw wrote: »

what im meaning concealer is the old saying "when in rome be a roman". if a new member comes to the forum and reads for a few days or weeks before posting and sees the 15,000 post members being absolute jerks then thats the idea he has for how the forum is and whats allowed. if your allowd to stick around long enough to amass 15k posts and call some one a d'bag then it must be ok to call someone a d'bag. by resetting the post count you in essence put a big ! on the rules as there are no examples of condoned bad behavior.

I still don't understand how post count justifies unacceptable behavior. It doesn't.

Roy Munson

concealer404 wrote: »

The Clubhouse alone isn't even close to being a major part of the problem, though... i think that's the problem.


Whoops. Brett beat me to it.

You're right the Clubhouse isn't the problem but there are several people here that seem to be at the center of most of the fights...and it also seems that they are NEVER dealt with at least that's what it looks like. So I would agree with whoever said that "Attitudes/personalities need to change" or things really won't change.

Roy Munson

steveinaz wrote: »

Al
To fix a problem you have to first identify the real issue. The real issue here is lack of moderation. Ask for some veteran volunteers, and if they meet your standards, make them mods.

Everyone else
There was a period last year where I quit coming here for the reasons listed in the OP. This place was getting stupid---and surprisingly, at the hand of veterans (usually). It was embarassing to be a part of it quite frankly. We've lost a number of great members for the same reasons---FrankZ comes to mind right off the bat.

We need to start policing each other. It starts with our problem "veterans" and you know who you are. Look at any Emotiva thread and you'll find 3, right away. They are the same three I've watched over the last 6 months, who just can't seem to let it go--they have to get their dig in every time; then the fireworks start. It's petty, immature, and straight up stupid from grown men in their 30's, 40's and 50's.

If Polk Audio were your company, and this forum was suppose to represent a company forum for owners---wouldn't you want it to be more customer (or potential customer) friendly?

Well said Steve!

Systems

brettw22 wrote: »

Lorthos, those types of threads eventually get handled........do you see anything in the thread that you posted that would result in the VP Of Marketing creating a thread saying check your attitudes or we need to close up shop?

Fixed it:)

Jim Shearer

I visit here often, but you can tell from my post count that I don’t say all that much--why bother wasting band width if I don’t have anything useful to add?

Here are my thoughts:

1) The For Sale and Club House sections should only be visible to registered members.

2) Polk owns the forum and has every right to moderate it heavily.

3) If there is serious desire to clamp down on spam and trolling by ‘passers-by’, then limit access to those who register Polk products or who are willing to pay a modest registration fee--maybe $10 or so. This will filter out the people who join only to cause trouble.

4) I belong to some forums which require that you state your real name in order to join/participate. Behavior tends to improve when folks know who you are!

Cheers, Jim

Serendipity

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it!!

brettw22

lol....i was just asking the question......but i agree that people whose initial post or two is an ad should be nixed (but I think they currently already are)

shack

Serendipity wrote:

I think the following should be a rule:

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it!!

That is unrealistic...and highly subjective.

Serendipity

shack wrote: »

That is unrealistic...and highly subjective.

Ok, gotcha. Never mind.