The thought police are alive and well

[aussiebushman]

Have just been following the thread where there was a lot of slanging over Bownie's questions. He may have been a bit foolish to lead with the chin as he did, but the response from the so-called senior member was utterly uncalled for. As a matter of interest, I tried to contact Chris Oslind myself on two occasions late last year, yet received no response to either. Conversely, Dudley Dix, Bill Kristofferson and Mike Waller all got back to me with courteous and helpful responses within days.

Grow up!

Alan

[Jeff]

Alan, I respect your opinion, but I feel the thread in question was an attempt to attack someone -- I do not believe it was actually a legitimate question. That is the reason it was closed.

Now, if you want to start a thread talking about the good things you've encountered when building and dealing with Dudley Dix, Bill Kristofferson, or Mike Waller, that would be great.

I would much rather see the forum be a place where we talk about the good things we've found, the great designers, the good plans; maybe we are the thought police but I can't see it being productive to open the forum to become a place where we list all the people who failed to return an email or phone call last year.

[Zed]

On the flip side Jeff, CO works these forums.... that is how he got me interested. You know he kinda deserves the negative attention in many ways. Its is a pity as I have said before! Maybe it will stir him into more action on the design front, something I would like to see.

[Jeff]

I did not react right away with this thought as well initially. However, the original "Question" in that thread was basically "anyone built from their plans?"

When the thread initially got out of control, I locked it. The OP then asked why their thread was locked, so I decided to give it another try and see if things were more civil this time, posted a quick update email to them to this effect, and unlocked it. The OP then responded:

Odd isn't it how we are not the only ones?

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/ind...&#entry2684942

I understand enough ... now, shame because his renderings might go down well if plans had been produced and someone had actually built one.

Anyway I've found a designer with a good pedigree, good comminication skills and who has shown me plenty of examples of his designs that have been built are in use. He's even sending me some study plans, what a novelty.

So it seemed to me their motivation was not to unlock the thread to get more feedback at all - it seemed their intention was only to get an additional slam in. That's what pushed me over the edge and the thread is now locked.

In terms of being the thought police, my motivation is to keep the forums focused on things that are constructive.

[Zed]

"the thought police" is a bit over the top! and I was not on topic, but that was not for lack of desire. Yes these things can turn into a point scoring exercise. I'm not sure it is a good idea to allow a thread directly aimed at anybody... it can't end well.

[aussiebushman]

Thanks Guys

I stand admonished for reopening this debate and these will be my last words on the sublect.

I agree completely that positive comments are the only kind that are meaningful and useful - that is precisely what offends me about the knockers. My comment about the thought police was actually not directed at the moderator - only the bad guys

Alan

[bad dog]

Good on you Alan, for your humility and honesty. Good man, thanks for the post.

Mr Moderator - can I request - perhaps on behalf of many who feel the same way - that you keep a slightly tighter rein on the slanging matches that have too often detracted badly from several important threads? I have withdrawn on more than one occasion because things have degenerated beyond reasonable and constructive discussion. It would be better if people understood that the Ts & Cs are actively enforced. Thanks.

[ImaginaryNumber]

Originally Posted by bad dog

Mr Moderator - can I request - perhaps on behalf of many who feel the same way - that you keep a slightly tighter rein on the slanging matches that have too often detracted badly from several important threads? I have withdrawn on more than one occasion because things have degenerated beyond reasonable and constructive discussion. It would be better if people understood that the Ts & Cs are actively enforced. Thanks.

I agree