The only people who can really enforce these rules and boundaries are the moderators.

The moderators can only moderate. It is up to each individual to take responsibility for their actions and the future of the site.

 

Tim, I think that's what's needed. I went back to review the "6.0 Terrible Engine" thread just as an example. Yes there was some bashing going on, but the numbers initially were difficult to believe. And the thread title, and/or original post did appear to be bashing a rig that we all paid good money for. Were we stupid to do so? I for one don't like being called stupid. Proper etiquette could have avoided this all together.

Proof was given, then there's some direction by some knowledgable posters. Some admission of guilt by some that appologised... and so on. Good for them to be able to admit mistake.

Then someone posts issues with transmission shifting. Then that moves to 'what flash are you running'. Totally away from the original posters issue.

Start a new thread with the new subject, or send that person a PM! Don't ruin the thread that had just started to get somewhere with why injectors go bad. Is it the fuel? Is it the oil? Is there another possibility? Oh, there's a pump just for the injectors? Oil analisys! Now we're getting somewhere! But then posts bashing each other, (to a point), and a post about Ford Engineers and transmission skipped shifts when down shifting along with other truck ailments that are disussed on another thread. The thread seems to curve off to never never land about Ford service. Not the problem Firetail initially posted. I re-read my post. As with many, I could/would edit some things. But I'm satisfied with my post because all in all it was proactive, informative and did ask for more information. Those are three rules I'd hope that post writers would adhear to.

I didn't read 'every' post. I skimmed to get caught up. I did see that Firetail did answer my post most specifically. And others chimed in with their views from that new added information. That's where it should still be. The information has been stated, (and might could have been stated more clearly in the begining), and now the knowledgable people that frequent this sight should be allowed opportunity to answer. To help.

But that can only happen if the original thread subject is adheared to. That's proper Internet Chat Forum Etiquette. Heck, that's proper etiquette if you're just discussing something with friends over a beer or two.

 

Is it really that bad???? I guess I don't feel like we have first class tickets on the Titanic.

My perspective being newer to the 6.0L forum, been around the 7.3 for years...

Should people post about there problems.... YEP, helped me gauge how widespread a problem may be, raise awareness/fixes of problems, may even steer you away from a dealer that treats people poorly, etc.

Do people get inflammatory from time to time, YEP, a lot of time people are blowing off steam because something bad just happened with a very expensive truck, I don't personally mind that. Now that assumes it doesn't go on and on and on ... but I still have a choice, I can simply stop reading the post... no sweat of my back.

You can generally read through peoples posts, get a sense of how well reasoned they are and weight their input accordingly. There are many here that I have great respect for ... few that I don't.

I wouldn't put the burden on the moderators, not their job, they are here for a high level monitoring, not 'communist censorship' (as I saw someone state in another post). Its up to us to make it work from there.

Bottom line - I don't know that I would have bought my 6.0L last week without the input from this forum, and there is NO question that this forum input has led to my picking a specific tuner, bed liner, etc. When asked you provided good statistics, comparisons, and well reasoned opinions, so for most I owe a big thanks!


To me this forum is invaluable

 

I honestly don't think this forum is that bad compared to some I've been at. It will be a shame if this site breaks up. I used to be a member of a Mustang site called CPonyGo which was started by a guy a couple hours south of where I live. The site only had a few hundred member and one or two couldn't keep their mouths shut and he shut the site down totally. I have no place to go to get help with my car or talked to local guys. Please don't rip up this site for only a few people being stupid. Forget about it and concentrate on the good this site has to offer.

I would also be very angry for a long time if I just spent 40-50 grand on a brand new truck that doesn't work. I get mad when my $250 truck doesn't work. Its best just to let people get it all out so they feel better.

 

This site is in no danger of breaking up.

I am simply concerned about our localized community here in the 6.0 Forum.
I would hate to imagine just how many potential members our issues lately have ran off...

 

How about setting up a "Flame Wars" section where all the children can go to play. If something pops up that's out of place, dump it in the Flamer section and let them have their say there. Win/Win: Freedom to voice opinion and no crap in the useful sections.

JMHO

 

I think that Tim and Ken are working on increasing the number of moderators out there in each forum, so that will help.

When I first started as a moderator I had a bit more, well, a lot more, time on my hands to read through a great number of posts and try to keep anything from getting out of hand. Now my workload has increased quite a bit, or at least the nature of my work has changed and I can't be on-line as much or as often during the day.

There is a way though that everyone can help. As some of you already know, there is a report bad post button on the upper right hand side of each post. When you click that link it sends a message to all the moderators and admins that monitor this forum. Include a brief - or not so brief - description of why you're reporting the post so that we can quickly see what's going on. The moderators and admins can then quickly take action if warranted.

This helps us use our time more effectively and also gives each user out there a voice in the moderation process. If we get a bunch of messages about a reported post then we know pretty quickly that it pushed some hot buttons on a lot of people. If we don't get any messages or only get one, then we're left to our own judgment as to just how hot the flames are getting. My tolerance level for flame wars and language, etc., is going to be different from Tim's, and his will be different than Ken's, and so on.

The other thing that everyone can do to help is to enable PM for their accounts and to send a user a PM if you strongly disagree with them rather than flame in public. If you've been flamed, responding via PM in a measured fashion rather than flaming back in the public forum often allows the two users to carry on a dialog in a different way that is less inflammatory. It just feels different when you receive a PM - even one that you feel is unfairly critical - because you're not being dressed down in a public way.

Another thing we can do is to use the add to users reputation button. If someone says something particularly helpful, add to their reputation with a nice comment explaining why you liked their post to encourage them to post more like that. Similarly, if someone is sending bad posts, you can subtract from their reputation. Again, helpful criticism is helpful, let them know why you didn't like their post in a way that may help bring them back away from the dark side of the force.

 

I have an idea.

Moderators, if a thread goes in the wrong direction or is extremely redundant, LOCK it (and kindly state why).

If a post is unacceptable, delete it and kindly inform the poster that they need to contribute to a respectful environment.

Those who are overly sensitive need to realize that there is little reason for feeling to get hurt in here...it's just a chat session.

Another idea:
When someone posts a a topic, ask for a response that is a little more specific, asking for responses based on testing or data, and less opinion It may help keep the thread focused.
Opinion is ok, but whoever makes the thread should specify whether or not they want opinion!

Opinions should be clearly stated as such, and any "facts" that arent solid should be desribed as "I've been told" or "allegedly" or "other peoples research shows"

For instance:
"Has anyone used the Nitto Terra-grappler on their 6.0?, why should I or should I not use this tire? Has anyone seen any reviews on it?"

Instead of:
"What tires suck and don't suck?"
This just opens up a circus of opinions and confrontations.


Any takers on these ideas?

 

Ya, although would have to put some of the burden back on the potential member too, they have to realize that our membership probably isn't a accurate cross-section of Ford owners as a whole. On this site, you're going to have people reasonably computer saavy that are searching out information (for a variety of reasons including broken things that need a fix to questions on potential upgrades) too those that have a real passion about their trucks and enjoy helping others. We are only xxxx number out of XXXXXXXXX Ford owners, most of which may never log on to the internet and look for a website about their trucks. A 100 people posting about the same problem can appear like a major problem, but 100 out of how many owners..... 100,000 ? Then the number may not be significant...

 

Of course, newcomers to any kind of board will make statements based on hearsay, pose an often-asked question, or even read a few threads and toss out something that they know is going create a stir. It is to be expected that if someone makes a unfounded, usually derogitory claim that others will respond, with less than cordial words. I agree that there comes a point to lock the thread, lest the flame-war escalates. But there has to be a certain amount of give and take. We can disagree and still have a discussion. It's up to US to practice ettiquette, and the moderators to enforce it.

 

[QUOTE=Vic_Ferrari]For instance:
"Has anyone used the Nitto Terra-grappler on their 6.0?, why should I or should I not use this tire? Has anyone seen any reviews on it?"

Instead of:
"What tires suck and don't suck?"
This just opens up a circus of opinions and confrontations.QUOTE]
Thanx Vick, You point out something that bugs me. Whut in tarnation due tares have ta due wit thu 6.0???

Doesn't a thread like that belong in the superduty forum?

"What tires suck and don't suck?" If'n their parents would have payed attention to their kids grades in school, then maybe those few that post here with rediculous questions like that would actually be able to form a sentence that expresses the true question, not generalizing for effect.

But we're all going to have to deal with those smarter than we are.

 

[QUOTE=jackofalltrades]
It was an example.
I used tires as an example.

It doesn't matter what forum you are in...whether you are talking about tires, movies or bubble gum.

The idea is that everyone needs to be:
#1 more considerate
#2 more respectful (both to those who know more OR less on a given subject)
#3 stop attacking peoples credibility, which is what I see a lot of in here
#4 less sensitive (in terms of getting bothered by what others post)

Moderators will need to TAKE control of this situation, perhaps a little over the top at first to get control.
If this means moving (or removing) posts, placing temporary or permanent bans on users...etc.


The pettiness must end, or I'm with Matt.

 

NO no Vic... I'm not for real. That was my point. You pointed out something that a lot of people do. Post incorrectly. No, I wasn't downing you for the example. I was thanking you for pointing out the incorrectness.

See how even the written word can be confused?

Please don't take that wrong Vic. (You have a PM)

 

Gotcha.

I think the moderators need to jump all over this place and get control.
We are all going to have to submit to it so it's a positive place.

You bring up another point still =o)

Clarity in written word...

Read it through a few times to make sure it says what you want to say =o)

 

Will everyone go for this...