Hahahaha. John made a Funny.
The Future Direction of AZB
- Thread starter TheThaiger
- Start date
Hahahaha. John made a Funny.
Would that be preferable to you?
If all I did was sell stuff? Never talk about pool subjects? Never sponsor anything, never donate to any causes.
Just post my cases for sale and only talk about my cases. would that be what you want to see?
Tommie1351 had AZB figured out. He used it for commerce, the buying, and selling of Cues, and Cue Cases.
He seldom got involved in any of the discussions, staying totally away from bickering, and fights.
Tommie treated people fairly, had many repeat customers, and was a successful seller on AZB until his life ended.
He seldom got involved in any of the discussions, staying totally away from bickering, and fights.
Tommie treated people fairly, had many repeat customers, and was a successful seller on AZB until his life ended.
I agree. I stick to the Action Room and Wanted/For Sale sections mostly. I check the main section less and less. When i do, it seems to be the same people bickering about this or that much of the time. I do not think they realize how many people they are turning off by their actions.
I agree. Many members have it figured out to that degree. They USE AZB for what they can get out of it not what they can give back to it.
I have always thought that if I share my experiences, help people with their case and repair questions, help other case makers, tell my stories about pool around the world, give tournament results and trip reports and be a part of the community at large that it's better than simply being a drain to the member's pockets by selling only.
But more and more I think that's probably what a minority of the membership wants. They would rather have the sellers just be active in the sales section and not be a larger part of the community UNLESS those sellers agree that they can be abused and take it in stride with no negative reaction.
Industry members and pro players are special ... WHY ????
Agreed, but that would mean fair and unbiased Moderation ...Right??
What are your thoughts on that JB... LOL
disagree on the first two, agree with you (which is rare, how I like my steaks) on the last one!!
No comment. Mike and Jerry know my thoughts and that's enough.
Ya, we all know that and your feelings about it....
After 22K plus posts, we all know how you feel about everything!!
Glad you asked.
Let's start with pro players. They represent the highest possible skill level we know of. It's practically unheard of that those who stand on the top of the sport will interact a lot with those who toil in the massive middle of it.
Pool is in the position where we fans are able to be close to the stars of our game. So we should be wanting to have them around to get whatever advice they have and whatever stories they care to share. They are special because of what they have achieved.
Just as those in every endeavor from business to sports who have achieved the highest rank are revered and sought after for their accumulated wisdom and advice so should we in my opinion. Now this is not a free pass to be a dick. But they should be protected from attack while at the same time being HELD to the same standards as everyone else when it comes to interacting.
Industry members - well these are the people who provide all the products for the game you love. They make the rules, they sponsor events, they are a big part of what your experience in pool is. Don't you think it's cool to be able to talk to them directly and give your input as to which direction you think they should go? I do. I think it's great to get feedback and suggestions from forum members as to how to improve my products. I also get plenty of requests for donations and sponsorships many of which I wouldn't know about were it not for my presence here.
So these people are special for what they can do for you and for the sport.
I mean this is just a stupid hypothetical but WHAT IF there was a small time maker of bridges for example who was soundly attacked on here and felt really crappy about it. Let's say that guy won the lottery the week after and decided to put NONE of his 100 million into pool because of it. Now flip it and the bridge maker was protected from trolls and the forum community instead made him feel welcome with CONSTRUCTIVE advice. Well then he wins the lottery and announces that effective immediately there will be a Perfect Bridge Pro Tour worth 10 million with a feeder tour for amateurs worth 5 million?
Of course that's probably a far fetched example, but which climate is more likely to encourage more industry support? One where attacks and a thousand small cuts are the norm OR one where positive constructive feedback is encouraged?
I find the forum doesn't really discuss topics (anymore). The site doesn't really cater to new players, or people who are just naturally curious and intent on thoroughly dissecting any small facet of the game. I am aware and extremely grateful for the instructors and higher level players who take the time to offer their wisdom. But for the most part, the general eventual responses that usually kills a thread is a comment along the lines of:
-"Stop over-thinking it"
-"Just hit a million balls"
-"You shouldn't even be commenting because of how ignorant you are"
-"It's the First Nation Member, not the arrow"
Everyone's so afraid of getting torn apart that they have to bookend everything with "IMHO or JMHO"
All of the questions have been asked pretty much asked, and people are encouraged to sift through the archived threads, instead of starting a new discussion. The information is there if you look for it. I have no problem with searching through old threads for good information. But if people can't just ask any question as it pops into their head, without being thought silly, ignorant or lazy, it's kind of understandable that the forum has gotten stale. The only thing left to do is check out the funny pics/gifs page.
It's kind of all summed up to become a forum where the veterans know what's going on, and new members read through past threads to find their answers, and remain silent because they aren't encouraged to inquire, or contribute, and are actually afraid to contribute in case they spark a flame war.
I would really like an area where new players can talk to each other, and pitch "new" ideas even if they're totally wacky. Where we can brainstorm and innovate and fully indulge the obsession that's still fresh and bright. A place where we can work things out at our own pace via trial and error, and peer opinion even if we're all totally wrong. A great example would be that guy who proposed staring at his cue for 20 seconds before each shot until it was burned into his vision so he could aim. Crazy, but I loved it. I would love for more experienced players to weigh in, but it would be a place where we knew the majority of us aren't good, don't know what we're doing, but are in a place where we can figure it out without just being given a recycled to death answer.
JMHO
I find the forum doesn't really discuss topics (anymore). The site doesn't really cater to new players, or people who are just naturally curious and intent on thoroughly dissecting any small facet of the game. I am aware and extremely grateful for the instructors and higher level players who take the time to offer their wisdom. But for the most part, the general eventual responses that usually kills a thread is a comment along the lines of:
-"Stop over-thinking it"
-"Just hit a million balls"
-"You shouldn't even be commenting because of how ignorant you are"
-"It's the First Nation Member, not the arrow"
Everyone's so afraid of getting torn apart that they have to bookend everything with "IMHO or JMHO"
All of the questions have been asked pretty much asked, and people are encouraged to sift through the archived threads, instead of starting a new discussion. The information is there if you look for it. I have no problem with searching through old threads for good information. But if people can't just ask any question as it pops into their head, without being thought silly, ignorant or lazy, it's kind of understandable that the forum has gotten stale. The only thing left to do is check out the funny pics/gifs page.
It's kind of all summed up to become a forum where the veterans know what's going on, and new members read through past threads to find their answers, and remain silent because they aren't encouraged to inquire, or contribute, and are actually afraid to contribute in case they spark a flame war.
I would really like an area where new players can talk to each other, and pitch "new" ideas even if they're totally wacky. Where we can brainstorm and innovate and fully indulge the obsession that's still fresh and bright. A place where we can work things out at our own pace via trial and error, and peer opinion even if we're all totally wrong. A great example would be that guy who proposed staring at his cue for 20 seconds before each shot until it was burned into his vision so he could aim. Crazy, but I loved it. I would love for more experienced players to weigh in, but it would be a place where we knew the majority of us aren't good, don't know what we're doing, but are in a place where we can figure it out without just being given a recycled to death answer.
JMHO
This is pretty much my experience since joining last year. Ask a question about the history of a cue company? " dude, it's been discussed a million times. Just use the search function."
This is definitely a forum that has a lot of known personalities, and if you're not one of them, you're often ignored or treated like an ignoramus. Doesn't help that many of them know each other in real life, so a lot of "in jokes" and stuff like that.
A lot of attention whores, too, who like to think they're important.
That being said, there are some very knowledgable people here, and when they speak on their knowledge, it's worth reading. The best stuff is usually in the 14.1 forum, the carom forum, and the product reviews section. Thankfully, I've yet to have a bad experience in WFS *knocks on wood*
So instead of discussing the topic.....you decide to attack? Is this how you want the forum to be?
*facepalm*
Disagree 1000%.
Threads should never be pulled or deleted, ever. Deal with individual posters when necessary, and delete individual posts when necessary although it should be exceptionally rare that even a post should be deleted.
Defamation should not be allowed but it is exceptionally rare. What you see as defamation is legitimate discussion of fact or opinion. That is what this site is for. Nobody or product should be off limits from discussion unless you want a watered down censored board that has no relevance or reality.
Industry members are not special and should not get any special treatment. What they say or do should be open to the same scrutiny as what anyone else says or does. Maybe even more so since they are in the billiards industry and this is a billiards discussion forum.
If you don't think industry members are often treated differently or get a little extra protection here then you are absolutely blind. And funny thing is you are the biggest benefactor of it by a mile. If anyone else outside the industry did all the exact same things you have done they would have been lifetime banned about 18 times over by now. Of all people don't even try to act like industry members don't get a little different treatment here. The only thing even up for debate is whether this is ok or not.
My point JB is that everyone on here should be treated the same, whether a pro player, industry insider or just a regular joe schmoe......
Sure, protect ALL of them from defamation and trolling. I am totally down with that.
TheThaiger
Banned
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?