The Future Direction of AZB

[JB Cases]

You make a good point but it's not unreasonable for the membership to ask questions of the management from time to time.

I doubt any of us know what the long term plans of the owners are, but they would be foolish not to take the views of the users into account.

Anyway, what will AZB look like in 5 years time? Can it survive the competition from FB?

Mike posted the stats for AZB on one of my FB threads. It's very well positioned. The internet is HUGE. Millions of pool players and only 40k accounts on AZB, plenty of room for growth.

I have said before that FB has it's place and AZB has it's place for different reasons. Each one has it's good points and bad points.

One of the main reasons why the forum is better than facebook is that the forum is indexed in Google and all the search engines. Thus IF someone is searching for information they will often be presented with AZB forum links. That is the gateway to the forum for many people and a invaluable source of information. That is not possible as far as I know on facebook. I don't think that it's possible to search by topic in facebook to get to a particular discussion. You can only put in a topic and if there is a group dedicated to it you will find that. But you have to be on facebook to get that as FB is not indexed by google. At least I don't think it is.

So to me it's a coexistence because these are two distinct platforms. I don't see the forums going away any time soon but I sincerely hope that the quality of content improves to levels previously seen. My other views are well known.

 

[336Robin]

Direction of AzB

For myself I note that there are only 40k plus members of the forum and many of them don't visit real often so if I had a hope here it is.

I would hope that pool merchandisers have ways to promote their products here to people who are looking for help with their games, equipment etc. That relationship just seems perfect because the customer gets what he came for and the seller gets more experience promoting his product which in turn allows him to be able better sell his goods and services, all of which have chances and recruiting players.

The more exposure the better the chances of picking up a new player who is just sort of standing in the wings with someone else watching the world turn.

What I would like to see more of here are discussions about what we can do as a community to recruit more newbies into the sport. New people = better everything and finding a way to stream in new people through tried and true methods that become a new baseline to how things are done would be awesome and pool would grow.

 

[classiccues]

What are people's thoughts on how AZB should progress over the next few years?

Also, what is AZB actually for? What is its role to you?

AZ is at times a haven, at times a pool hall, at times a mud wrestling contest. There are certain people that have to be right about everything, they must force their opinions down your throat, even when you disagree with them, even when they are wrong. In a hypothetical situation, they must be right, or come out on top. I do not understand these people, however there is a medical term for them.

Narcissistic personality disorder....

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder-symptoms/

Go ahead and read it.. it is self explanatory....

But the reality is not everyone gets along, not on a playground, not in school, not in work, not in anything....

Depends on how far you need to take it, because that is how far it will go.

AZ will always be here, you should worry about billiards in general, that is hurting.

JV

 

[JC]

To easily find MemberX's most recent 1,000 posts (without going through the Search function):

• Go to any post by MemberX;
• Click on the MemberX screen name at the upper left of the post;
• Click on "Find all posts by MemberX" on the drop-down list.

(You probably knew this, jeffj2h, and it is not exactly what you are looking for, but I mention it just to make sure all readers are aware of it.)

There should be some kind of highlight marker for the mods to use to show which actual post got the person banned. It's not always their most recent post. Since that's what people are mostly looking for when they search a person's posts it should stand out

JC

 

[takeitdown]

The direction? Obviously is straight downhill.

Most topics of late are not even at a 6th grade level. If somebody else asks if pool is a sport may this forum erupt into flames.

 

[poolhustler]

Sure, protect ALL of them from defamation and trolling. I am totally down with that.

Agreed, and members of any status should be able to maintain some semblance of civility and refrain from being argumentative. Some can and some cant. I agree that AZB could benefit from better moderation, or more moderators if possible.

 

[JB Cases]

AZ is at times a haven, at times a pool hall, at times a mud wrestling contest. There are certain people that have to be right about everything, they must force their opinions down your throat, even when you disagree with them, even when they are wrong. In a hypothetical situation, they must be right, or come out on top. I do not understand these people, however there is a medical term for them.

Narcissistic personality disorder....

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder-symptoms/

Go ahead and read it.. it is self explanatory....

But the reality is not everyone gets along, not on a playground, not in school, not in work, not in anything....

Depends on how far you need to take it, because that is how far it will go.

AZ will always be here, you should worry about billiards in general, that is hurting.

JV

Which disorder is marked by telling blatant lies and criminally defaming others to "win" arguments?

That's a behavior I don't understand.

That people don't get along I understand. But deliberately lying and impugning another person's character and livelihood with those lies is probably symptomatic of some sort of disorder.

I am not a doctor however so I don't accusations of mental issues based on copy/pasted definitions. I do point out the blatant lies and defaming insinuations when I see them though.

It seems to me that a person who is arguing with truth on one side has very little chance against a person willing to lie on the other side when the audience has no way to verify either side's statements. The liar has an unlimited arsenal whereas the person being defamed and lied about only has the truth to repeat over and over.

Perhaps you can give us your opinion of how a person should respond to a liar's attack in a public space such as this. I would be genuinely interested since I am the victim of such people from time to time.

 

[Solomon]

Complain about the present and future of pool. Disagree on anything related to pool.

^^^^^^^^^^

 

[trinacria]

The direction? Obviously is straight downhill.

Most topics of late are not even at a 6th grade level. If somebody else asks if pool is a sport may this forum erupt into flames.

I don't mean to sound like a smartass, or well, smart, but the metaphor "it's all downhill from here" actually means that it will get better or easier, as in the steep climb was hard, it's all downhill from here, so I think you are using said metaphor wrong. you want to say its an uphill battle. :thumbup:

 

[pt109]

I don't mean to sound like a smartass, or well, smart, but the metaphor "it's all downhill from here" actually means that it will get better or easier, as in the steep climb was hard, it's all downhill from here, so I think you are using said metaphor wrong. you want to say its an uphill battle. :thumbup:

English can be confusing....
...if you put your money up, you're gambling.
...if you put your money down, you're gambling.

 

[classiccues]

*yawn*

Your lies someone elses' truths, and vice versa...

The unlimited arsenal arises when one's history is so pungent with the smell of deceit, underhandedness, and victimism, that the other person only needs history and proof which can easily be obtained by using the *search* function.

I've read some pretty good lies in the last 24 hours, I've responded just fine, by not responding.... you should try it sometime. By not responding there are many people in this forum that should be thanking me. I am responding now because it is YOU that couldn't stay away from ME.

Do you know whom else claimed to be a victim? Manson, Bundy, Gein.. Just a factoid of the types of personalities that have done unspeakable acts and claimed they were the victims.

Perps / victims.. the line on the internet is a fine one, but not indistinguishable.

I answered the OP's statement, and YOU felt the need to come to me. You have posted ad nauseum since your reinstatement, we all know whom you are inferring to, but how many times did I reference / responded to your post? So whom is stalking whom? That is right, I have your victim card, so when the excrement hits the rotary oscillator, and you cry you were the one stalked, and picked on, and targeted there will be YET again proof of the person who couldn't stay away from the other. Just like 90% of the other times.

You can't help yourself, you can't not respond. If I say I have a white dog, you'll post just to say you have a black dog. If I say I saw a plane, you'll post you saw a bigger plane or I saw a helicopter.... You just do not know how to walk away, you want the fight but when it comes, "report post, report post, report post" you try to hide behind Mike's apron.

John, I will help you with your last question (Direct reply to a question John asked)...

JB hater (could be 1 of many)... "JB Cases employs children"
JB: No I don't....
JB Hater: China ok's child labor
JB: Some places in China do, but I don't....
JB Hater: You know you do...
JB: I have said all I have to say about that. If you think I employ children don't buy my case....
JB hater: OK I won't...

Probably end of discussion. Will it be bought up again, sure, but deal with it. The fact is you're in a land where human right violations ALWAYS make the news and there is NOTHING you can do about it. Its not bigoted, its not racist, its in the NEWS and its part of the globalized workforce fabric. Globalizing the economy is going to expose a lot of things.

Could Mike step in, maybe, but what is his proof you don't use child labor? Just because you say so? How does either side prove their argument? You cannot be serious to say that accusations must be proven, because that opens a can of worms up FOR every statement made on AZ. What a waste of time.

JV

Which disorder is marked by telling blatant lies and criminally defaming others to "win" arguments?

That's a behavior I don't understand.

That people don't get along I understand. But deliberately lying and impugning another person's character and livelihood with those lies is probably symptomatic of some sort of disorder.

I am not a doctor however so I don't accusations of mental issues based on copy/pasted definitions. I do point out the blatant lies and defaming insinuations when I see them though.

It seems to me that a person who is arguing with truth on one side has very little chance against a person willing to lie on the other side when the audience has no way to verify either side's statements. The liar has an unlimited arsenal whereas the person being defamed and lied about only has the truth to repeat over and over.

Perhaps you can give us your opinion of how a person should respond to a liar's attack in a public space such as this. I would be genuinely interested since I am the victim of such people from time to time.

 

[JB Cases]

*yawn*

Your lies someone elses' truths, and vice versa...

The unlimited arsenal arises when one's history is so pungent with the smell of deceit, underhandedness, and victimism, that the other person only needs history and proof which can easily be obtained by using the *search* function.

I've read some pretty good lies in the last 24 hours, I've responded just fine, by not responding.... you should try it sometime. By not responding there are many people in this forum that should be thanking me. I am responding now because it is YOU that couldn't stay away from ME.

Do you know whom else claimed to be a victim? Manson, Bundy, Gein.. Just a factoid of the types of personalities that have done unspeakable acts and claimed they were the victims.

Perps / victims.. the line on the internet is a fine one, but not indistinguishable.

I answered the OP's statement, and YOU felt the need to come to me. You have posted ad nauseum since your reinstatement, we all know whom you are inferring to, but how many times did I reference / responded to your post? So whom is stalking whom? That is right, I have your victim card, so when the excrement hits the rotary oscillator, and you cry you were the one stalked, and picked on, and targeted there will be YET again proof of the person who couldn't stay away from the other. Just like 90% of the other times.

You can't help yourself, you can't not respond. If I say I have a white dog, you'll post just to say you have a black dog. If I say I saw a plane, you'll post you saw a bigger plane or I saw a helicopter.... You just do not know how to walk away, you want the fight but when it comes, "report post, report post, report post" you try to hide behind Mike's apron.

John, I will help you with your last question (Direct reply to a question John asked)...

JB hater (could be 1 of many)... "JB Cases employs children"
JB: No I don't....
JB Hater: China ok's child labor
JB: Some places in China do, but I don't....
JB Hater: You know you do...
JB: I have said all I have to say about that. If you think I employ children don't buy my case....
JB hater: OK I won't...

Probably end of discussion. Will it be bought up again, sure, but deal with it. The fact is you're in a land where human right violations ALWAYS make the news and there is NOTHING you can do about it. Its not bigoted, its not racist, its in the NEWS and its part of the globalized workforce fabric. Globalizing the economy is going to expose a lot of things.

Could Mike step in, maybe, but what is his proof you don't use child labor? Just because you say so? How does either side prove their argument? You cannot be serious to say that accusations must be proven, because that opens a can of worms up FOR every statement made on AZ. What a waste of time.

JV

So your answer is what? That it's ok to lie about someone if the lie can't be easily disproven?

So you would be ok with people posting stories about how a cue salesman ripped them off even if those stories were not true?

I am totally serious about the need to prove allegations.

Otherwise someone could simply post ad nauseum about how you ripped them off. Even if it weren't true. I am sure someone could come up with a plausible sounding story.

You equating the reports of child labor in China to me using child labor is not logical. It's like me saying there are murderers in New Jersey therefore everyone in New Jersey is a murderer.

And for the record, just to answer your question about how would I prove I don't use child labor....I would have the people on this forum who have been at my shop testify to that fact.

It's highly unlikely that all those people would lie for me to cover up any use of child labor.

Also the burden of proof is on the accuser. If you make the statement that I use child or slave labor then it's on you to prove it. You shouldn't get to squirm out of that obligation by adding "in my opinion" or that you speculate that it's true.

If you say it then PROVE it.

My shop doors are open every day that we are open.

And a couple other things, if I want to reference you by name then I will. If you FEEL that anything I said was aimed at you then perhaps you are taking responsibility for the action I was describing. I am not stalking you Joe. I have no need to stalk you in any way shape or form. I have never created a thread to harass you as you did about me.

Yes, you CREATED a thread SPECIFICALLY to call me and Matt Carter liars. Do you deny that?

Although you do not have any proof, although you are NOT a lawyer, although you only have one side of a story which you don't know the legality of, NONE of that stopped you from creating a thread and making a STATEMENT OF FACT in calling myself and Matt liars.

That you aren't banned is a miracle. I don't hide behind anyone's apron strings pal. Maybe you should make that comment directly to Mike if you believe that.

Do you need his email address or can you PM. Your accusation that I bribed my way out of bans is equally ludicrous. You accuse the owner of the forum of allowing me to break rules and not be punished, yet, it seems as if you love to also make a point of speaking about how many times I have been banned. Seems I have been punished many times so either my "bribes" aren't working or I need to spend more. OR maybe like so much else you are dead wrong.

You on the other hand break rules ALL THE TIME and have not been banned.

What's your secret?

 

[JB Cases]

also Joe, when I report something you said it's because I was asked to. I know nothing will be done UNLESS I take it to Mike outside the reporting function.

I know you don't believe me but when I am NOT banned I don't report you outside the forum. I report you because that is a record of your rules violations and I think at some point you will get the censure you deserve.

I also have no problem defending myself against your comments. Comments that have contained outright lies, defaming comments, ad hominem attacks, incivility, and been harassing. All rules violations.

I don't need to walk away, you just need to stay away. We don't like each other. So don't comment on my posts with your attacks. It's that simple.

You have tried every possible tactic to "hurt" me on here. It isn't working so perhaps you should just stop.

 

[trinacria]

you are exhausting and you drag everyone here down. you're pathetic. :ignore::ignore::ignore::ignore::ignore::ignore:

 

[RRfireblade]

I don't mean to sound like a smartass, or well, smart, but the metaphor "it's all downhill from here" actually means that it will get better or easier, as in the steep climb was hard, it's all downhill from here, so I think you are using said metaphor wrong. you want to say its an uphill battle. :thumbup:

How about.... "$hit runs downhill"

And of course you can then imagine what it's like down there after awhile of that.

 

[JB Cases]

you are exhausting and you drag everyone here down. you're pathetic. :ignore::ignore::ignore::ignore::ignore::ignore:

Everyone?

Care to bet on that? I didn't think so.

For someone who is such a stickler for accuracy don't you think you should be more precise in your statements?

 

[JB Cases]

How about.... "$hit runs downhill"

And of course you can then imagine what it's like down there after awhile of that.

I agree. When someone uses the phase "all downhill from here" they could mean it's easier from here OR the crap is all going down from here.

tricaria could benefit from using a little google-fu before posting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/11/magazine/11ONLANGUAGE.html

Ten seconds could have saved him from an embarrassing grammar-nazi faux pas when he realized that the phrase can be used both optimistically and pessimistically.

Sorry trincaria, didn't mean to bring YOU down. But at least you can be where everyone else is according to you.

 

[tonythetiger583]

For myself I note that there are only 40k plus members of the forum and many of them don't visit real often so if I had a hope here it is.

I would hope that pool merchandisers have ways to promote their products here to people who are looking for help with their games, equipment etc. That relationship just seems perfect because the customer gets what he came for and the seller gets more experience promoting his product which in turn allows him to be able better sell his goods and services, all of which have chances and recruiting players.

The more exposure the better the chances of picking up a new player who is just sort of standing in the wings with someone else watching the world turn.

What I would like to see more of here are discussions about what we can do as a community to recruit more newbies into the sport. New people = better everything and finding a way to stream in new people through tried and true methods that become a new baseline to how things are done would be awesome and pool would grow.

From my experience getting into pool, I don't know how I did it. There seems like a lot of barriers getting in the way of making it easy to pick up pool seriously.
1) The game is super hard.
2) Table time isn't cheap, and renting table time just to bang around balls with friends is a deceptively easy way to not become a pool player.
3) I don't think new players are experienced enough to know to want training tools and products, nor would they necessarily benefit from them.
4) Finding concrete answers to questions isn't the easiest thing to do on here (possible due to the fact that pool is a very individual and personal thing).

After writing all of this, I feel like the major problem is that pool is fun enough even if you have no idea what you're doing. I'm from Canada and there's no rich history of the coolness of pool where I'm from. It's just something you do if you've exhausted the idea of movies, restaurants, go karting, and laser tag. The game is entertaining and enjoyable enough that no one takes it seriously. To take it seriously, is actually inviting a whole world of frustration.

I think unless the stars align and you're got that competitive and obsessive bug, actual pool can seem very unappealing.

Did I mention it was hard....like really hard.

I think if there was a game in pool that was MUCH easier to excel at, there would be more players. It seems to be all about making pool harder, at the top levels. Bigger, tables, tighter pockets. 10 balls instead of 9. I've met players who've played for years and have never run out a rack of 8-ball.

I've been playing for 9 months straight, and despite all the effort, I've only run out maybe 7 times.

How can we get new players, if the idea of playing a perfect game is not even a thought that would occur to them? Something where playing a perfect game should be somewhat attainable, but playing a perfect set is difficult. I think the one thing bowling has, is that a strike is much more satisfying than a single pot. A person can easily start getting multiple strikes in a set and feel like they could see themselves playing in a league.

That or somehow designing an object ball that has dashes on them, so that a player can know that if they want to make this cut, they have to aim at the 3rd dash to the left. That way, they can get something repeatable going. (I have no idea how you would make such a ball, all I know is that aiming a sphere at a sphere is a big hurdle)

Edit: Maybe a sort of foggy clear-ish object ball with a darker sphere in the center that divides the two end 1/4's as an unchanging point of reference.
Or a 13mm ball in the exact middle of each ball, including the cue ball.

 

[pro9dg]

Perhaps the use of terms like IHMO, JMHO, FWW AND 2 CENTS should no be used.

After all it is the nature of a forum that everyone is entitled to express an opinion.

Readers could deduce from contents of posters input whether they were HUMBLE or not. Or maybe some posters could say IMUFIO 'in my uneducated, fact ignoring opinion'.

 

[takeitdown]

I don't mean to sound like a smartass, or well, smart, but the metaphor "it's all downhill from here" actually means that it will get better or easier, as in the steep climb was hard, it's all downhill from here, so I think you are using said metaphor wrong. you want to say its an uphill battle. :thumbup:

Sir the $hit always runs downhill in this world.