Forum Culture

JAM

JAM

I am the storm
Silver Member
Geezy peezy, I am saddened by a recent turn of events relating to this forum. :(

I return from the U.S. Open and discover Drivermaker wasn't posting, but I never did find out why. Glad to see him back in the saddle again! :)

KWilson is posting to the forum, but when I pull up the thread, his posts aren't there. :eek:

Fred Agnir requested to have his name removed from the Members list because of a difference of opinions about snooker vs. 9-ball players with TheOne, resulting in some uncharacteristic comments by a few veteran posters. :confused:

Bottom line, this forum is the melting pot for a variety of pool folk from around the world. I enjoy reading the insights and opinions, and though I may not agree with everyone, I do find this forum is of great value and quite interesting. :p

I have met quite a few AzB-ers in my travels, and most, if not all, share one thing in common with me. We have a great deal of passion for this game/sport, and that is why most of us keep coming back for more. :cool:

I want to see this forum continue to flourish and grow. It's a great way to network and keep up to date on what's going on in this wonderful world of pool. So keep the posts coming, and hopefully, we will all benefit from the wealth of knowledge here on this forum and not take things too personal. Easier said than done, I know. However, I, for one, enjoy AzBilliards and all it has to offer.

Any thoughts, suggestions, or opinions?

JAM
 
Very well said, JAM.

I don't really think there is anything to do/say about it. It's a way of "forum life" and this happens on every forum out there.
 
I don't think there is a quick and dirty fix to please everyone here...I think the forum is just experiencing some of life's lessons and growing pains. We all don't have to get along, we can all use the ignore function and continue on our merry way. I think some people may not have thick enough skin for some of the other people here...you just have to overlook the ignorant and move on.

Yes, like JAM said, we are united in that we are all passionate and love the game of pool. Now we have be mature enough to use this unity and push the game in popularity to get it to a standing we can all be proud of. We have to put personalities aside and do what's best for the game...contribute anyway we can...and hope that is the best.

I think an important thing to remember is something Jimbo often says...this forum is not personal nor should it be taken seriously. It is just a way to share information as a pool playing community. Our offline actions speak far greater than our online ones.

Shorty
 
JAM said:
I enjoy reading the insights and opinions, and though I may not agree with everyone, I do find this forum is of great value and quite interesting. :p

JAM
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JAM, you are always the calm voice of reason ;) and I think the above quote from your previous post pretty much sums it up. Most of the time I just read on here. I think alot of people lose sight that these posts are just what you said.... thoughts and opinions.
 
I agree 100%...

I'm probably what you would call a casual poster...not in the 1,000's yet...but when I found this Forum, I found it to be imformative and fun...but lately I'd have to say that the attack on people and their opinions have become to common...I enjoy all the 'Regulars', (to many to list, thx Guys & Gals), and will chime in in support from time to time, but wil absolutely not participate when it turns to 'flames'...we go totally off topic, and it becomes a downward spiral...can't we all just get along? ;) ...it is just a game after all...and we know what's said about opinions...right?...even mine...that doesn't mean we have to turn into...well you know...

Thx to JAM...for all your 'perspective', reporting and pics...class act!
 
1pRoscoe said:
Very well said, JAM.

I don't really think there is anything to do/say about it. It's a way of "forum life" and this happens on every forum out there.
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NUFF SAID.... ;)
 
In the early days of RSB, we sharing our thoughts and ideas civilly. Lately the forums seem to be compounded with mindless drabble, personal attacks, and a lot of intentional conflict mixed with an intentional lack of resolution. Some posts are argumentative from the start, or they are entitled with a debatable question that will certainly cause many opinions to be shared and for many opinions to collide. There are also "trash" posts that always seem to turn the threads off course. There is very little or no civility. There is very little that is productive. I have said it before, that if you want to see why our sport does not succeed and thrive, you can read about 2 or 3 posts every week and get a darn good idea why. The forums reflect the status of the game and the industry at this point. I didn't "quit" posting. I took a step back from a childish environment that provided very little positive energy into my days, which are already difficult. I have said before that I love the game of pool with all of my heart and soul. I will do whatever I can to make the sport as productive as possible and attractive to the general public. At this point in time, the forums are not a very attractive place due to a small population of people that are spineless until they start pecking away at their keyboards. They know who they are. If they actually cared about the game of pool - then - they would find a way to channel all of that energy positively to help improve the image of our sport. If they choose not to do that, it is no big loss in my social tank, nor should it be in yours. It is also no big loss to the game of pool. Think about it.

PS: Fred Agnir is a very intelligent man, and he also loves with game with a great passion. I am not suprpised with the news of his recent request.
 
Its part of internet forums, and I don't think it has anything to do with the subject matter. Think part of it is over time the subject matters become the same, posts are rehashed. New people join at a lesser rate, so after awhile there are less interesting posts. Moderation usually goes down hill, and usually not because of the three or four moderators, but because the overall membership begins not to care. Some long term members take it upon themselves, and personal battles break out even in fun threads. Threads like this one begin to pop up more and more by the people who love the forum.

After awhile posts go down hill, a new forum is started somewhere else that is great and the cycle repeats.

Thats just been what I've seen, and maybe I'm not seeing it correctly. In the early 90's I was a member of a forum called bianca's. Was a huge forum with a huge member list. It started going down hill because of funds, and controls put on the users who were there for free. It had to happen to keep the place going, and it eventually died. On the bright side the relationships that were built there in the early years are still going all across the world.

The internet is still new enough that its not a cycle that has to continue of course. The WWW is a young thing, and this forum is ran very nicely. It is made of people though who are different, perosnality conflicts will happen. Fights will happen. People will come and go and people will hopefully come to replace them.
 
When a flame war starts, neither of the 2 users win, ever! All of us pay for it though. We lost DM for a week, and even those of you that don't like what he has to say, you missed him, admit it. Now we've lost Fred, his choice, and who knows if he'll ever come back? Black Jack quit posting for a long time, just recently popped in a few times, and he's sorely missed on here by many. Hal quit posting for a week while DM was out and this guy has never bothered anyone. Purdy has changed his policy and for what reason? He shouldn't have to change for anyone, he has his opinion, like we all do, but he felt it was better for the FORUM, meaning US, to make this a better place for other's to visit, and not have this forum turn into what other forums have, a battle-ground. I've been guilty of getting caught up in the wars before and have said things I regret but I have been in these situations in the pool halls, woofing, matching up, whatever you want to call it, but if I had ever taken it as a personal attack on myself, I wouldn't be here posting. I would have quit playing. It's all part of the game people, we live with it, we deal with it, and move on. During the "Woofing" sessions, someone always either gives up, or gives in. But, it doesn't stop them from coming to the pool hall the next day because they took the worst of it the day before. Well, I've bounced around enough for one post. Hopefully, we will all learn to ignore those that we have problems with, they'll eventually cut their own throat if we let them. Mike does a great job here but he's not a baby-sitter. We're all adults, let's act like adults. Peace, John.
 
Some very interesting thoughts provided here.

I remember the first time I ever heard the term "Newbie," and at first I thought it was not a good thing to be one. However, my pool curiosity was piqued, and so I decided to keep on reading and posting, and learning about forum culture along the way. What a school of hard knocks it was. :D

Posting should, and can, be a very rewarding experience and provide a little recreational value in one's life. As one who likes to follow the tournament trail closely and read about the happenings around the world, this forum is the nuts! :cool:

I've met some AzB-ers on the road who have come up to me and introduced themselves, but wanted to remain anonymous for personal reasons. I have always found this an unusual stance, though I do respect their wishes. I was amazed to learn how many lurkers there are, finding out that some are not savvy enough with computer skills. :p

Maybe I am naive and still the proverbial Newbie, as I am sure there are posters here who have been on the pool-related forums for much longer than I. If the unrest of late is cyclical in nature and reflective of forum culture, then this too shall pass! ;)

JAM
 
JAM said:
I want to see this forum continue to flourish and grow. It's a great way to network and keep up to date on what's going on in this wonderful world of pool. So keep the posts coming, and hopefully, we will all benefit from the wealth of knowledge here on this forum and not take things too personal. Easier said than done, I know. However, I, for one, enjoy AzBilliards and all it has to offer.

Any thoughts, suggestions, or opinions?

JAM
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Excellent post, JAM.

Still, I think it is a myth that having a passion for pool or great scholarship about pool automatically qualifies one a valuable poster on this forum. So many who measure up on one of both of these counts have no real value to this forum because they are missing that critical ingredient called "respect for others on the forum."

Posters needing a role model need look no further than you, JAM. You are free and easy with information and delight in spreading the joy you get from your experiences around the game. You pariticipate in debates about pool politics, pool players, and the strategic direction of pool, but always offer your opinions in a tactful way that invites others to reply. That's how it's done.

As a group, our goal as posters must be to share information and opinions in a way that shows respect for other members of the forum. It is when we conduct ourselves in that way that we maximize the quality of our forum experience. I'm just one poster on this forum, and I have no right to demand such behavior of other posters, but I think it's within my rights to recommend it.
 
Yep... sure hope we can all just get along here! I could go off on a few posters here but, I try & restrain myself. There are about four Troll,s here that get off on stirring the pot. They know who they are so, no need for me to name them. This Forum is not my life although, I like it a lot..! Peace.
 
Shorty said:
(snip)
I think an important thing to remember is something Jimbo often says...this forum is not personal nor should it be taken seriously. It is just a way to share information as a pool playing community. Our offline actions speak far greater than our online ones.

Shorty
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Well, I haven't read much of Jimbo's stuff, but personally, I take this place seriously, or else I wouldn't be here. What I don't take seriously are mindless posts, whatever the subject----unless these mindless posts advocate starting trouble, then I get real serious.

I agree about offline actions speaking loudly....but so do online "actions." Both reflect the thinking of the poster(s) and reveal something about him/her. That's what I try to remember when posting....it is really me and it is really some other actual person, not just screen names.

With these attitudes, I get serious info. for me here, ;) and that's the way I like it. When this stops, I'm heading for higher ground.

Sincerely,

Jeff Livingston
 
AZ Forum

This forum is what we make it. JAM, I love reading your post and all the pictures. I have made a lot of personal friends here. It's not just a bunch of people beating on their keyboard to me. John, I chose to change because I don't like carrying around a lot of negative baggage with me. What you get from me comes from the heart. Sometimes ya just gotta get in there and do some house cleaning. I am glad to see Drivemaker back and posting. I hope Fred will reconsider his choice and come back. Where else ya gonna meet such a deverse group of pool people. Blackjack, Fred, Jennie and Keith, Blud, and the cue guys showing their stuff. RandyG, Cueman, Mike Web, and many , many more. There is a wealth of knowledge here available to us all free of charge. WOW folks, ponderous. The good far out weighs the bad here. Hell, a flame now and then is to be expected. Big deal, who want's to cast the first stone?
I love ya, keep it real, and smile :D .
Purdman :cool:
 
All forums are the same, similar characteristics clash.

Its a macho contest sometimes of who can debate what and if some person cant then it turns to flaming because he cannot match that person posting either they are posting against him and he cannot use words to defend back so it turns to the all mighty "flame war"

Every internet forum is the same way.
 
Jam...many times you like to play devil's advocate on the forums, so I'll give it a little try here myself.

Btw, my posting sabbatical was forced (otherwise known as banned) due to an exagerrated amount of cuss words that I was purposely firing out to get a totally worthless disparaging thread deleted by one of the current philosophical do-gooders on THIS thread.(Actually 2 of them) Initially, I called for the deletion of the thread and it fell on deaf ears, so I played vigilante and took matters into my own hands. It WORKED!! The thread got deleted but so did I. I'll take the consequences of reform school rather than see that thread still be up somewhere in the archives for future reference. It was USELESS!

In my state of semi-retirement, I couldn't access the forums here at all and the extra time I was experiencing from not visiting made me realize how much better it can be spent in other areas of life instead of the internet. I practiced and played much more pool, golf, and got other things done that needed to be done. There's a certain addiction to these forums that eat into our lives.

However, I did make a couple of lurking visits to RSB, CCB, and Inside Pool over the week and those places were like a morgue. There's almost TOO much civility and a state of boredom seems to have set in with no excitement and a VERY low number of daily posts. And I do mean a suprisingly LOW number of threads and posts. Nothing is happening.

AZ had all of the action, a large part due to the major controversy between the snooker and pool thread. I hate to say it but controversy and occasional flame wars sell the most hits and replies and makes things exciting for one and all. We like the soap operas as well as action thrillers.

I really hate seeing Fred place himself on a self-imposed ban list, he had a lot of great things to say in a variety of pool subjects and I hope he reconsiders.
But I can understand where he's coming from in his decision. After experiencing all of the well spent time in other areas, I'm also trying to decide whether to say bye-bye forever and just occasionally lurk or to continue posting. If I do post, I'll probably be a bad boy in the eyes of some. Not necessarily out of disrespect of others and their views, but just to liven things up and keep people on their toes so they don't fall asleep. (OK, OK...I lied....I'm gonna pop them because of their dumb ass views too! What can I say....) You probably thought I lost my marbles there for a second, huh? :rolleyes: :D
 
Hi drivermaker! Glad to see you back posting again. You mean you could not even come back to just read posts..? If not, that means they have some type of software that blocks your ISP number..? That is tuff not even being able to come back & read posts. I did not think being banned even for a short while was that absolute. :confused: :confused:
 
I think you hit it right on the head DM. Flame wars do drive up the post count. Without controversy, this board would become very boring unfortunately. I guess that's why the news media is thriving because they figured that out too.

The one thing that I don't understand is why people get so fired up so quickly. If everyone would just realize that sometimes our fingers are not connected to our brains all the time. For instance, I see posters who seem to be very articulate and usually write flawlessly write a post once in a great while that is littered with spelling and grammatical errors. If this can happen, why can't people make some mistakes in what they say. Maybe they woke up with a brain cramp or something. Hell, that happens to me all the time lately. Instead of jumping on them with an axe, how about just questioning them to find out if maybe they typed before they realized that they were typing something stupid. It might not be as exciting but there would probably be a few less flame wars and bannings. JMHO.

Oh, and DM, you discovered what I did after about 500 posts, there is a life outside of AZ and living it aint so bad.
 
Hey Jam, I have been thinking of how many times the women that follow this forum have been involved in the flaming,insulting, and otherwise nasty public comments about both pool and non pool related issues. From what I have seen it is rare if non existent. It seems that the boys need to act more like men and perhaps things could be a little more pleasent & polite here. I am sure I'll be crucified for saying this but what the hell you only live once.
Dan
 
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