I just really don't know what to do with this forum anymore.

One thing this forum has become and FTE doesn't need is nothing more then a trash talk forum. If that is all you guys want then I suggest there are already forums for that NWU and Pirate come to mind.

Just because someone is a newbie doesn't mean they should be hammered on or are fair game and this WILL cease and desist NOW.

Back when this forum was worthy of the name offroad forum, when the posters on here actually helped people instead of bash everyone all the time a newbie could come in with a question and get an answer. Now people are afraid to even come in here and read since this place is now NSFW or for home. There is even another person that is doing some serious fun offroading this year up on Rubicon and he refuses to share any of the experience and pictures here. And I don't blame him. This is your loss not his.

There was a time that a LOT of guys came into this section to discuss their builds even if mild stuff and got kudo's or legit criticize and ideas. Now they just get hammered for bothering to interrupt the trash talk.

There are a good many that feel this forum needs to go away, and if it's decided that it's trash talk forum or nothing then I will be for making it nothing. This constant trash talk has run off a good many that could and would contribute. Yes we allowed a freer forum in here to keep this place lively and moving which it has done but the recent blow up is WAY over the top and brought in higher ups then me. I don't like that.

Seriously, was it necessary to answer a thread dealing with supplies to take offroading with smell my fingers? and no it is NOT funny nor appropriate. heck half of what was put in the recent threads would not be allowed on NWU except in the forbidden rooms. Yes that question has been answered a hundred time, but like I ended up telling people in the 460 forum just telling them to search is NOT an answer. You never know when someone will give a new idea you hadn't thought of. Yes pointing to a thread with the answer works great but it helps conversations if you actually HELP.

So with all that said, is this going to become a good offroad forum that helps or is it going to go away? you tell me.

 

Now that I have written a book, time to discuss what is going to change.

first this isnt' the playboy forum, the constant sexual inuendo needs to end. Next the constant thread hijack of every single thread with "smell my fingers" or "that is ghey" is done.

The off topic threads can stay and great place for that. Dave has started a recent one and that's great.

I am not here to take away the fun, but I want this to be a forum that isn't just for a dozen people to trash talk each other and bash everyone that isn't "in the group" If you don't like somebody, the forum has a great little feature called ignore USE IT.

It shouldn't be and isn't Tom's job to clean up your mess. The fun and the banter can go on just keep it in the proper place and keep it clean.

I am not exactly PC but there are lines that when crossed could get FTE sued, those lines should be common sense but many don't seem to have any. Learn some.

I am not going back to the 8yr old rule, but if my wife can't read it then it shouldn't be on here. And my wife is no prude, but that thread in question I wouldn't want my ex-marine Co-driver to read.

I am still irritated that you guys pushed and pushed to the point I have to step down on you at all but dang you guys ain't 12 so act like it.

The condensed version is

1. keep massivly off topic hijacks in the BS threads

2. Stop bashing anyone new in the forum.... Newbie might be the next master of tech that you might just run off (I would have left if I had to put up with half the BS you knuckleheads dish out)

3. Make this forum something to be proud of

4. Want to be shockingly crude? Do it somewhere else. recent thread hijacks are a good example of what is over the line (and I mentioned a couple already in this thread.)

Don't like this change? As I said earlier your welcome to leave. If things keep on they way they have been this forum is in danger of just being eliminated anyway so why not leave and let those that want it to be something to be proud of have something.

Edit to add: I know some are waiting for the hammer to drop over the whole deal. I am not issuing infractions or warnings for that. THIS is the warning to all.

 

Thanks for posting this Rob and I totally agree with you.

I've been extremely busy so haven't been checking the Offroad Forum that much. You & Tom are online enough that I haven't had to worry with this forum but I must say, when I do get a chance, I've noticed the guys seem to have completely forgotten about my "You Could Be A Winner" thread and have turned this into their personal playground.

I'll quit slacking and try to do my part to help you two clean it up.

 

I can go along with this.


how about a little room in the guidelines for newbs who pick fights/get buthurt over nothing and start the feeding frenzy?

 

x2 on that plz

 

I couldn't agree with all of this more.

I've had conversations in my personal/private life that make this stuff tame but it is inappropriate here.
I couldn't believe the language and topics that were going on on this forum. I'd come to expect a higher standard on FTE.

FTE is first on my "Favorites" list and the IDI forum is AWESOME!

Before I take any blame for "running to the moderators" I have NEVER complained to any of them but it appears many have, for good reason.

I'm glad of the changes hopefully people will come back and use the OFF-ROAD forum at least as well as the rest of FTE, it deserves better.

 

all i would say to this is..in the past i have noticed that if soemone posted a problem or a question..in some case (not all) the repsonse is you did it wrong! period..i think that is the main reason why some noobs (me included when it comes to off road stuff) cna get all bent out of shape..

you guys deffinatley know your stuff and have helped me out a bit..and i hope you still continue to wow me with your knowledge... but there is something to be said for being "friendly" ( no not in any other way the helpful! got it? lol)..

again thank you for all the help you guys have given me and others...i look forward to asking more questions especially since i bought my first lifted f150 last night lol..

 

I don't know, I really don't understand why everyone complains. The questions get answered and we help as much as we can, not our fault some people don't want to hear the answers we give 'em. Threads get hijacked, yeah, but it's after the question gets answered... and if the OP ever comes back and asks another question it gets answered too.

I say everyone quits being whiney little biznatches personally, but obviously I have no say either way. I'll keep coming here, and I'll keep typing what I feel is appropriate, if that results in teh ban hammer then so be it. I don't think I do anything all that bad though, so I doubt it.

 

^^^werd


...breathes deeply...

2tall,
maybe if people research and ask questions BEFORE they choose to tackle a given problem/upgrade they wouldnt have to worry about being told "you did it wrong." I probably use the search box (no so much on here but certainly pirate and 429-460) more than most. Once my brain (however insignificantly sized) gets in gear on a topic I try to learn as much as possible on said topic. Im by far an expert and I dont think Im quite in the position to "wow" anyone but I have learned an awful lot by putting a wrench in my hand and doing it myself. Being said it pisses me off to see guys post information on here who have clearly never looked under a truck much less turned a wrench on one. The bad thing is I may post one way to do something and Joeblow may post another...how do you know who to listen to? How does your average newbie know who is correct? Well, they dont and to be honest in most cases they dont really care and generally go with the cheapest, least labor intensive route regardless. Post count and the little rep squares dont indicate knowledge/experience with the given question. In turn, for some reason 99% of people who start threads feel the need to leave out as many specifics about their truck as humanly possible like they are building the next NHRA top fuel dragster engine for John Force. Its important to know what the OP is working with. I dont care if the left front blinker bulb is blown but I do want to know tire size/axles/gears/trans/engine/use/other modifications that would be pertinent to the topic and pics are a bonus. I think some people on here confuse confidence with arrogance which usually isnt the case. I know emotion is hard to be conveyed through text but I am VERY rarely trying to be an a-hole. When I am you'll know it and your newblet soul will be eaten as a side dish along with steak, potatoes and a triple Crown on the rocks.

take 'em easy and ask away on teh 150 questions...after you post pics/specs of course.

 

just ignore them. it really works, believe it or not.

 

I understand your job title basically makes you a kindergarten teacher for all us kids but the "just ignore them" line doesnt work in the real world- as much as FTE is the real world.

youre also saying its ok for them to talk chit as long as they do it first...when I retaliate I should expect the band hammer.

 

i think the biggest problem here is while yall don't think you are being a smartass with answers, others do.
and a lot of the complaints don't come from the posters, they come from people that are viewing the threads but are afraid to post because of the attitude they are afraid will show up in the answer to their questions.
i currently have one member asking me all kinds of questions in PM's about doing a D-60 SAS swap.
when i suggested about asking in here, he said he did not want to get the usual do a search newblet answer.

yall can be very intimidating to outsiders.

 

i agree with you..and in no way was my psot meant to be derogatory or pointing fingers at anyone..

i agree the search function is a key tools.. i have come to find though that if you dont type the search just right it comes back with 0 results..(maybe im just dumb lol)..and beleive me here soon i will be picking all of your guys's brains..cause i dont know squat about lifts and such but i want to maintain my truck so forewarning you guys lol..and i dont care about insutls and such its all in the name of fun and educating ones self..

 

Tom,
Im sorry but thats truly pathetic


Intimidator? Naaa, thats Rob. Hey, he did say he "worked for GM" in the 90s.




2tall,
you can start by using your first name. Im Kris.

like I said, we usually dont mean to insult you. Sometimes thats just the vibe we give off.

 

no, that is not what i said. if they talk crap, let us know and it will be taken care of.
unfortunately, even though we try our best, we sometimes miss posts.