Richard II

I believe temporary ban would be appropriate in such cases to help one to cool down. Definiely some are writing drunk here; next morning they probalby will re-consider what they have said.

Besides that, I appreciate Richard's experience; very valuable on forum.

This is opinion, not discussion of moderator's actions.

 

Concur Fanie..

 

Fanie, felt i had to say something yes not the best of solution to all party's but did see this sort of coming tho, way back allready i mentiont something on behavior to Apex1 here on the forum but instead of shaping up a bit i noticed between all the good and wise things he said his attitude became harsher and a pain to read

wholeheartedly agree on what you mention and as said i miss him too, he has givin me once or twice good advice as well and learned a thing or two from his threads as well

yes i'm in favor of seeing him back on the forum but not with text like that

for example i had a good frend that came over for a game of chess, talk and a drink, but hell, he was getting worse, if he drinks to much ok, but when he start yelling from the balkony all those ***** africans should should go back where they came from and after i reminded him to the left and richt, above and below me black people live and that such a behavior may be insulting, and after having closed the balcony door he opens it again and starts yellin again, well than i thought it be better to show him the front door (that still hangs in its hinges)

such happenings are over the line and better be prevented but i do mis him like Richard and like to see them back, but hell, behave!

 

Richard is a person with great experience and has been a valuable source of information for many of us, including me. I have really learned a lots from him.

After having read several threads in which he was involved and where discussions have degenerated into a war of insults, I've understood that many of them have been originated from a sheer linguistic incomprehension, the way the words in a foreign language were written (like huge capital letters, red colored etc) or perhaps the way they were read.

And while it's true that some other quarrels were set-off because of a rough character (or bad temper) of the discutants, Richard included, it is also true that it always takes at least two to make a fight.

I'd like to add a small personal observation. It's pretty curious that in the real-life it happened to me on several occasions that the (apparently!) most arrogant and spiky old farts were those who had most things to show and teach me about work and worksmanship (boats and non-boats related ones). I guess harsh life has made them harsh persons to deal with. But once one manages to do so, a world of knowledge and experience opens in front of him.

I'm not judging Jeff's decision in any way. He is the referee here, and has always been a strict but fair referee. He has to consider the benefit of the BD Forum, in terms of visibility, good name, sponsors etc. It would be hypocritical to say that no action should have been taken after a similar insult. If I got insulted in similar way, I'd have reacted too.

What I'm saying is that, considering also Richard's positive contribution to this forum, perhaps two yellow cards could have been given before a red card was called.

Cheers to all!

 

This has now been merged with the existing thread. Thank you to everyone for your comments. I also miss many parts of Richard’s posts when he was not attacking or insulting others; he would frequently go many days or weeks and be an extremely valuable member of the forum, but then repeatedly once again he would go back to the exact same behavior of insulting others. The decision to ban was not made lightly and was not a knee jerk reaction.

This forum does not currently use a temporary ban system; thankfully there hasn’t been cause to date to implement this, though it would not be difficult at all to institute if events call for it in the future. To date almost all bans have been obvious spammer new signups or someone posting illegal software and that sort of thing. When someone would be temporarily banned, the current action is to send a simple but direct PM/email asking them to tone down the offending behavior.

Everyone will get drawn in to an argument sometimes; however in terms of yellow flags, if you see in your own posts the following morning that the previous night you’ve called other people *******s, retard, female body parts, etc. this should be your first yellow flag. Most people the following day realize they went too far and edit their own post or make the effort to be the bigger man and step back from an unfruitful exchange. I realize there are language differences. But if you find language you insist on using repeatedly is considered by 99% of the people receiving it to be insulting and offensive, that should be a yellow flag. If language you repeatedly use to “describe” other members is added to the censured word list, such as *******, that should be considered a yellow flag. In the territory of yellow flags, things are still open for discussion. If a mistake is made, an apology will be forthcoming.

If you get a polite email or PM from the moderator to “please tone down your language” or “please try not to insult other members” or “please stop using the word *******” or "your behavior is not appreciated in this context" or "your use of xyz is causing problems" that should be considered a second and serious yellow flag.

If you get multiple emails or PMs from the moderator telling you that you’re crossing the line and your posts are considered insulting, derogatory, etc. towards other members, that should be considered a third yellow flag.

When anyone gets to the point where they flat-out refuse to stop insulting others or make any concession to improving behavior or follow the rules, that is the final red flag. At this point, this decision is final.

I greatly appreciate the great majority who make the effort to be polite and respectful to all other members, even if it’s not always easy, so that the forums can remain an enjoyable place for others to visit and take part in.

 

Any one seen richards / apex lately?

Haven't seen Richard around for some time, does any one know his where about?

 

Look here Vulkyn, our guide (one of them) is 'gone'

 

Jeff, better make this a sticky here, this question will come back...

 

richard has helped me the most, he tolerated my questions and was patient enough to reply. This is really sad .... i didnt mind the bashing he gave me for most part he had valid reason too.

I wanted him with me on my build, his input was invaluable, really a massive loss to me and im sure to many members ....

Thx Ange for pointing me to the thread ....

 

Please merge this into Richard's thread as well.

I was wondering what happened to one of the people on this forum who had helped me the most. I was so busy building, I thought maybe he was on holiday for the winter.

I think one thing people often had trouble with was that he's German. Many people don't understand the culture or they way they use language. It's just more black and white and more forceful.

Other than saying that Richard was one of the most helpful and kind people I've ever met online, I'd like to say one more thing to the admin (Jeff?)

I'm fairly new here. I joined this forum to increase my knowledge about building boats. If it wasn't for Richard and all the help he provided to me, I would not have even stayed here on bd.net. He is the single reason I was here (in the beginning). This might be something to think about regarding the banning. I'm a new member and I stayed here because of Richard. He attracts new members.

That might be something to think about.

I hope a decision is made to allow him back. Yet, someone does need to explain to him that he's got to be a little more forgiving when people have an opinion that differs from his.

This board really needs him to round out the group of experts here.

 

I greatly appreciate that he was instrumental in your build. The people he liked he got along well with. However, for the forum to work as it’s worked for the last ten years, everyone has to be willing to be a bit tolerant of others they disagree with too, to discuss things based on facts but refrain from attacking or insulting based on emotion or hate. If someone absolutely can’t stand another member, add them to your ignore list. Numerically, I know you say you joined specifically because of his advice and this I appreciate, but unfortunately that’s balanced by the people who left because of the hostile parts of Richard’s posts or because they were called an ******* or another insult. It’s also impossible to quantify the people who didn’t join because they were turned off by the hostility or insults repeatedly expressed.
I’m sorry that it didn’t work out with Richard, but because he refused to tolerate others (or ignore those he disliked), to stop insulting others, or to follow the rules, and responded to the request to dial back the insults with a flat out refusal and instead an instruction to

his account was permanently terminated.

Every expert and professional and member who contributes their time freely and shares their skills, their projects, and their unique perspective with others here is an incredible asset. But this site has to remain a place that is pleasant for all to visit and take part in.