General Chat and Forum Upgrades

[The_Hawk]

As you may have noticed, the name of the General section is once again General Discussion. I think we can all agree that we do not want to have the sort of ill will in the community the changes caused.

The SuperMod's, Mod's and Admin are here to make this community a better place for everyone, changes are not made simply to irritate people, choices are made and things are done because it is perceived that it's in the best interest of the smooth running of the community.
As in life, sometimes these decisions don't pan out as well as they were intended, at these times we need to be big enough do stand up and acknowledge that and move on. While we all have different opinions of what should and should not be covered in our forums, the reality is that as a community we do have to cater to many different people.

In acknowledgement of this General Chat will once again become an open forum and the ability to post comments has been re-introduced into the classified sections.


In other news the version of the software running our forums was updated last night, the next few weeks will see the introduction of some of the new features we now have available, for example you may have already noticed the prefixes in the classifieds areas. Some other minor changes like individual spotted threads may also make a comeback. If you have any suggestions on amalgamating sections or new sections please head over to this thread and leave your suggestions.

[quozl]

Good to see common sense has prevailed, just as I was typing my farewell post. Now if you can cut down your team to a sensible half a dozen from the 40 or so you have currently you will be in good shape. Until then I'm not holding my breath for the draconian moderating policies to rectify themselves any time soon.

[DubSteve]

I'm sorry guys but I think that alot of damage has been done to alot of the long time members, it was great while it lasted

[brad]

That's a really good decision (all those reversals). Thank you Mod team.

I'm confused why you would delete the two (three?) threads discussing the issue. It's not like you can give us all mind altering substances so that we forget it ever happened.

[Rocket36]

Good to see common sense has prevailed, just as I was typing my farewell post. Now if you can cut down your team to a sensible half a dozen from the 40 or so you have currently you will be in good shape. Until then I'm not holding my breath for the draconian moderating policies to rectify themselves any time soon.

That's a really good decision (all those reversals). Thank you Mod team.

I'm confused why you would delete the two (three?) threads discussing the issue. It's not like you can give us all mind altering substances so that we forget it ever happened.

Couldn't agree more with both these posts...

First thing I noticed was that some very serious, and for the most part constructive, threads have been deleted for no good reason. Why cant they still be there? Lock themm if you like but people should still have a chance to read them. Hence what quozl has said above regarding the draconian moderating is still very much a concern. Will see how it pans out but in my opinion, whilever there are around 40 moderators (far too many for ANY forum) there will never been decent moderation. The moderation team needs to be small and work closely together...

Hopefully things will improve but really, only time will tell..... But I don't recommend anyone holds their breath.

Cheers,
Kris

[gregozedobe]

..... General Chat will once again become an open forum .....

Thank you all, I believe that is the right decision.

[Preen59]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. Let's see how it all pans out, eh?

[Manaz]

Regarding the decision doing damage - give the site admins a break - they tried something they thought was in the interests of the site, that trial has proven to be not so popular, so they've reversed the decision because they realise that the community had different ideas. We all make mistakes, it'd be nice if we weren't all punished until the end of time for them...

Regarding deleting posts - with the rule reversed, I don't actually see the point in keeping the threads that argued for that reversal. To be honest, there were some nasty things said in those threads about the admin and mod teams when they were just trying to do the right thing, I really don't think it serves anyone's purposes to have them lying around keeping the wounds that have been caused open longer than necessary.

[Rocket36]

Fair enough... Although I disagree regarding nasty things being said.

[VW Convert]

Regarding the decision doing damage - give the site admins a break - they tried something they thought was in the interests of the site, that trial has proven to be not so popular, so they've reversed the decision because they realise that the community had different ideas. We all make mistakes, it'd be nice if we weren't all punished until the end of time for them...

Regarding deleting posts - with the rule reversed, I don't actually see the point in keeping the threads that argued for that reversal. To be honest, there were some nasty things said in those threads about the admin and mod teams when they were just trying to do the right thing, I really don't think it serves anyone's purposes to have them lying around keeping the wounds that have been caused open longer than necessary.

I'm sure the changes were made in good faith and with good motive and reversing the changes was a sign that the people were heard.

I don't have a problem with deleting the thread but the problem I see is that any wound requires treatment to heal, simply pretending it is not there will only cause it to fester.

There were some quite inappropriate comments made that will not be forgotten by the recipients (not myself) and some on this site have damaged their standing in my eyes. I wonder will they man up and make amends?

A sad couple of days for this forum, I hope we can get back to the way things were.

Cheers

George

[VW Convert]

Fair enough... Although I disagree regarding nasty things being said.

Something's wrong Rocket, second time today I've found myself agreeing with you!

Cheers

George

[Rocket36]

Something's wrong Rocket, second time today I've found myself agreeing with you!

Cheers

George

LOL!!! Over the last two days I've had so many people say similar things to me...... I guess I did start out on the wrong foot regarding how people perceived me but I believe that's changed (or is at least changing).

Here's to only improving this community from now on I say! It has potential, but it needs to be left alone sometimes to find its own way.

Cheers!
Kris

[Swallowtail]

There's been a lot said, both in the general forums and also behind closed doors in the mod sections, that needs to be now forgotten and put behind us all.

It's not been an easy time - a decision was made that as mods and admins we have to take 'credit' for, and the response has been loud and clear. The response of the admin and mods has been to listen and change - please take that as it is intended, which is a desire to continue for this to be a good online community where all veedubbers and those with related interests can come and socialise, enjoy sharing knowledge and interests, and help each other.

There is a forum for suggestions - please post there if you have ideas.

There is a great expression that I was reminded of the other day - "if you are not prepared to be a part of the solution, you forfeit the right to complain". If you don't like something - tell us why, and what you would like to see. Clear, reasonable and constructive comments will be taken on board.

The reason this is all happening is because the mods and admins are genuinely interested in making this place better, and some things do need to change. These changes will happen. Some will work, some will not. But the reason they are being made is because the admins want to make the place better, not sabotage it.

Happy dubbing....

[maca]

LOL!!! Over the last two days I've had so many people say similar things to me...... I guess I did start out on the wrong foot regarding how people perceived me but I believe that's changed (or is at least changing).

Here's to only improving this community from now on I say! It has potential, but it needs to be left alone sometimes to find its own way.

Cheers!
Kris

And i'll agree with you also.

This place is a community and the community has a right to decide how the community is run. As it's been mentioned - something was tried and it didn't go down well, so it was put back to the way it was.

Also, when we have "40 moderators". I don't think people realise that they are all dedicated to a certain section of the forum. For example, I can only moderate the Mk5 sections and nothing else. Only a handful of people moderate each section...

[Golf Loon]

Regarding the decision doing damage - give the site admins a break - they tried something they thought was in the interests of the site, that trial has proven to be not so popular, so they've reversed the decision because they realise that the community had different ideas. We all make mistakes, it'd be nice if we weren't all punished until the end of time for them...

Regarding deleting posts - with the rule reversed, I don't actually see the point in keeping the threads that argued for that reversal. To be honest, there were some nasty things said in those threads about the admin and mod teams when they were just trying to do the right thing, I really don't think it serves anyone's purposes to have them lying around keeping the wounds that have been caused open longer than necessary.

Thanks Manaz. Sensible words.
It would be good if we can just accept that this was a time of flux and to decision of the users has been followed.
Hopefully now we can move forward with a happy and friendly VWW.

Also, when we have "40 moderators". I don't think people realise that they are all dedicated to a certain section of the forum. For example, I can only moderate the Mk5 sections and nothing else. Only a handful of people moderate each section...

Thats a true word and by having a couple of people on each section it means no-one has to work too hard and burn out and sections can be moderated by those with an interest in that section, the users.