|
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Hi Everyone,
I was going to post this as an announcement, but there might be some questions so I'll post it here for a bit, then maybe move it.
I have mentioned often that it is preferred that private dealings, especially eBay dealings, be kept off this forum. But, on the other hand, if someone wants to post about a deal they are in, either good or bad, that is ok, as it is good information to help other make decisions. What I would like to address is REPLYing to those posts and here's a good guideline.
Ask yourself a simple question. "Am I planning on buying this guitar or a similar one from this dealer?" If the answer is NO, then DO NOT reply to the post made. This applies to both good deals and warnings about questionable ones. If you bought a guitar from a dealer, or eBay, and love it, and want to tell the world about it and/or about the dealer.... FINE. But if you didn't buy a similar guitar OR from the mentioned dealer, and you never plan to, your opinion is just mud in the water, and you should NOT reply.
I'm not going to heavily moderate this, I'm just putting this out there. I tend to sit back and watch, and step in when needed. Unfortunately, it seems I RARELY have to step in because of the FIRST post in a thread. I'm usually stepping in, because of something posted as a REPLY, that has NOTHING to do with the original post and usually posted by someone who is not even directly involved.
This seems like the perfect time for a segway. I have been getting several "alerts" lately when threads go "off-topic." If you don't know what I mean by this, don't worry it's not you. Those that do it, know who they are. The first post, usually from a new member is about stings or age, or whatever of their prized Ovation. The question, whatever it is, is usually answered within a reply or two and that is GREAT!!! But then, for some reason, the topic turns to Llama's and Sexual Innuendo and who knows what else. There is no need for this, and I do get complaints about it. So here's a suggestion. As there was probably something or someone in the original thread that sparked the idea to go off topic... just create a thread with OT- as the title and if you must reference the original thread, do so. But remember, this BB is for Ovation Guitars.
Again, there will be no heavy fisted moderation, I'm just asking, and maybe you should ask yourselves... If what you are about to REPLY doesn't really address the original post, and really isn't about Ovation guitars, does it really belong here? I realize that some OT stuff is fun. I'm NOT saying to knock it off completely, just think for a moment before you post, and think about who's going to read it.
Thanks |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Nice common sense approach. Well spoken. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Well said Miles. My llama likes it too.
(OH, is that what you were talking about?) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Does Miles have something against llamas? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | 
did someone say llama? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Miles is right.... it's too easy to change the course of a thread. Cut it out Bill. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Some people just don't "get it" . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | then again, some of us do but there is something amiss with the human condition... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | I plead guilty. Miles, sentence me to a weekend of sorting through your old guitar parts. I'll implicate Mike as an accomplice. This is on topic, isn't it? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Does it matter which Mike?? I'm available for parts sorting and quality control (i.e. dispensing with parts that don't meet certain quality standards) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | As MWoody demonstrates in another thread, he was the Mike I was referring to. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | You guys crack me up. :) But thanks, as most of you seem to "get it" exactly. Just remember that its not so much that others sometimes "don't get it" as they see what happens on other forums, and initially don't realize it is a little different on this one. Most often by time I respond to a "complaint" they have already realized they are being "welcomed to the family" rather than being harassed, but it's been happening a bit more in recent months, so thanks for understanding. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | :( |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | i think that deep inside, especially for those of us nurtured in the tenets of our American Constitution, there lies within us a rebellion towards anyone, anything, that stifles our freedom of speech. the other side of that coin is that the tongue, through oral language and the written word, is such a small thing but can have devastating consequences if used improperly. blessed and extremely rare is the man who can truly control his own tongue. i am far from being that man, although i aspire to be... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
...they have already realized they are being "welcomed to the family" rather than being harassed, but it's been happening a bit more in recent months, so thanks for understanding... Through my superior powers of deduction, I have determined that the only thing that we can conclude from this statement is that the OFC 'family' is growing. Again. And I'm not talking about the llamas.
;)
But, I, uh, agree. Yes, most definitely. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | Many may come here in a search for information and might be offended that they might have to wade through a bunch of drivel to find it. That should not be surprising to most people who have done one Google search, however. This is a Club, not just a research or sales tool, and clubs imply, at least to me, some sort of social interaction. As much as I like Ovations, I would not participate for very long if all we talked about was our guitars, what was coming out next, etc.
I am much more active with one other club that I hesitated to join because I thought the meetings would be boring discussions about cars. Almost 20 years later, our closest friends are club members who don't have much in common other than a brand of automobile. It takes a great deal of diversity to stave off boredom and I enjoy the diversity of the members here. Some might consider us weird, but I have no problem with that. I am glad to add this group to my friends, some of whom I have met, and others who I feel that I can count as friends even though I have never met them.
Sorry, Miles. One thing many of us have in common is a frequent "senior moment" where we just ramble on. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | This board is different in that there is only the three forum areas.
General
For Sale
Matt's World
Do we need to have a split in the General Category? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by MWoody:
This board is different in that there is only the three forum areas.
General
For Sale
Matt's World
Do we need to have a split in the General Category? The problem with a split is that .667 of the replies to any given thread would have to be moved out of the General Category and in to the new Off-Topic Reply category, which would be a right hassle, I'd think. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2005
Posts: 120
Location: Gardnerville, NV | As someone who only comments on-topic, clean, and when I have something (I think) is worthwhile to say, but reads pretty much all of the off topic, irrelevant, irreverent stuff that goes on here, I want to say I'm glad everyone is not like me.
I don't agree with many of the opinions expressed, and at times have found a few things somewhat offensive, however I find this forum one of only a couple on the web worth reading every day. If it becomes always on topic, relevant and unoffensive that probably would not be true. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Sounds like an advanced case of growing pains to me.
I don't think Miles is suggesting a sweeping change. Just a slight course correction.
The gentleman attorney from Idaho makes a good case. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1478
Location: Michigan | Oh boy I guess my OT last year on my Peri-Anal-Abcess was not a good choice.I got to be honest with you that it was posting on this site that helped make some fun for me during a bad time.I guess you could say that this site helped saved my ass .. OOPS .. GWB |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Miles and Al,
Congragulations! You now have an Adolescent! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | "I don't think Miles is suggesting a sweeping change. Just a slight course correction."
That's pretty much it. Maybe more like actually look at the long range radar before going "full speed ahead." Or more appropriately, "Please engage brain before putting mouth (keyboard) into gear."
:) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | We need a "No Reply" Button |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Interesting.
Miles, have you seen this thread over at TGP?
_____
gh1 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Thanks gh1. I don't subscribe to that board, but read the rules from the link you provided. Our rules are similar in spirit, but I still think in the long run our approach of "be kind to each other" has served us well. Maybe it's the biker in me that just doesn't like "rules" laid out as such. It has only "failed" if you will, twice in over 5 years. Only two people have ever been formally "banned" from this site.
As others have eluded, I started this thread as a "nudge." There isn't really a problem yet. As we grow, I just want to ensure it stays this way. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | it's all the weird shit that makes it really interesting. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I don't understand what prompted this thread. I spend more time reading the off topic stuff here (and sometimes off colour) than I watch night time TV. I read this stuff every night. Have I missed something? (Head in the sand?)
There is no doubt that this is the best damn forum on the web. Some come close, but not in the same ball park. There is a mountain of information here, as well as a mountain of entertainment. Sure, I'm only a newbie, but the entertainment value is what keeps me here.
So, if someone wants to congratulate a member on a fantastic purchase, why not? (So what if I'm not gonna buy the same guitar or banjo off the same guy or even from the same state.) Then another member spots something humourous in the second post and highlights it for the others' delight. Which prompts an even funnier addition from Waskel, or Moody. Somewhere a Llama gets thrown into the conversation. (And after a year and a half, I still don't get the llama thing, and don't care. If I make it to a tour, maybe, MAYBE, Cliff or Witko will enlighten me.) Then out of the blue, someone attacks Woody for no apparent reason just before Jason steps in and tells us how to set up the new guitar propereerly.
Notice something though. 99% of the banter is in a spirit of companionship which is closer and more welcoming than many families.
Imagine if you walked into your local pub with your new Ovation bargain from eBay to show your mates, and nobody says anything about it. This forum is like a cyber local pub.
I think the off topic stuff gives us an insight into the character of other members. I may never get to the States and meet any of you, but I feel I know some of you folks better than I know the guys at work. And if I ever do get to meet any of you, we won't be starting from scratch. I'm sure Mark in Boise can't wait to meet MY wife.
I agree that we should be mindful of the WHOLE audience before posting, ie those of the 'gentle' gender and children.
Miles, maybe you should consider giving us back the ability to edit our posts without a time limit. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | This forum is like a cyber local pub. ...I like that. That's what it feels like to me. One can be a "regular" or just pop-in for a taste and still be welcome. There are Lawyers, Doctors, Artists, Geeks, Layabouts, Vegetarians and some Musicians and we still get along... very cool. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Is Moody's Astroglide use sexual innuendo? :cool: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | I feel so excluded! How come I was never issued a llama? Talk about being on the outside looking in. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | Originally posted by muzza:
I don't understand what prompted this thread. I spend more time reading the off topic stuff here (and sometimes off colour) than I watch night time TV. I read this stuff every night. Have I missed something? (Head in the sand?)
<<>>
There is no doubt that this is the best damn forum on the web. Some come close, but not in the same ball park. There is a mountain of information here, as well as a mountain of entertainment. Sure, I'm only a newbie, but the entertainment value is what keeps me here.
<<>>
So, if someone wants to congratulate a member on a fantastic purchase, why not? (So what if I'm not gonna buy the same guitar or banjo off the same guy or even from the same state.) Then another member spots something humourous in the second post and highlights it for the others' delight. Which prompts an even funnier addition from Waskel, or Moody. Somewhere a Llama gets thrown into the conversation. (And after a year and a half, I still don't get the llama thing, and don't care. If I make it to a tour, maybe, MAYBE, Cliff or Witko will enlighten me.) Then out of the blue, someone attacks Woody for no apparent reason just before Jason steps in and tells us how to set up the new guitar propereerly.
<<>>
Notice something though. 99% of the banter is in a spirit of companionship which is closer and more welcoming than many families.
<<>>
.
Miles, maybe you should consider giving us back the ability to edit our posts without a time limit. Unfortunately that will not happen. As we all grow we discover how the "system" can be abused. The message boards were abused by a member that would post false statements and leave them up for a short amount of time and then delete them. He would also delete threads that he started and blame it on Miles or myself. IF was only after I caught this individual in the act a few times that we decided to fo with the limited edit time.
Contrary to popular belief, I have a family, a business, a home and many responsibilities. Although I enjoy and love this community, the less grief it causes Miles and myself the better. Much like when you were in school and the kid behind you threw a spit ball at the teacher and the whole class wsa punished for the act of one. This is the only way I can equate it. Fair no. necessary yes.
I hope you all understand that this is not a restriction of freedoms or anything but just an extention of asking people to be nice to one another. As we grow and expand there may be other instances that have to be addressed for now, we will keep it as simple as possible. Be kind to one another. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Originally posted by Goober:
Is Moody's Astroglide use sexual innuendo? :cool: No. But you knowing about it is. :p
_____
gh1 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I really like the pub analogy.
I think that a separate, off-topic section would greatly lessen what makes this board so special.
And like CWK2, I enjoy most of the “weird shit” that happens. IMHO, you won’t find a group of sharper minded, quick witted, compassionate and talented bunch of goof balls anywhere else on the web.
If I may paraphrase the Manifesto…. “When you read a post you are perceiving it sifted through your own voice, ideals, agendas and prejudices”. This effects how we respond. So…. Here we all are sitting around the OFC Clubhouse provided by Miles and Al. The flaw in the visual is that although we are all in the same “room”, we can’t see each other. We can’t get a sense of how our post is being received. We may make a post with one intention but we can’t read the body language of the room to sense how it came across.
This characteristic might allow one of us to babble on (like maybe me… right now) without being able to see that the rest of the room is looking at us like we’re off our rocker.
“Did I just send a sense of ill will across the room?? I don’t think so”. “Did I just send this thread way off topic??? Didn’t feel that way”.
So… Miles… rather than leaving it up to our isolated minds to wonder just what is off topic or wrong topic, maybe you can site a specific post or thread that illustrates your suggestion. For instance… in the last week I remember a thread that diverted to talk of the “Fishsticks” for about 5 posts before someone came in with a “back to topic” remark. The Fishstick talk was deep into the thread and is certainly part of OFC lore, but I wonder if this is the type of diversion you are talking about.
I really like how Dave put it…..
QUOTE….
We're entering our 5th year. People come and people go. A lot of the first active wave of participants don't hang around much anymore. I know a few of them who read but don't take the time to post anymore. That's cool. New folks come and seem to have all the energy and take off like rockets. That's cool too. Seems to me that it runs in about 12 month cycles. In a year a whole new crop of bees will be swarming the hive. Old farts like me and my schitzoprenic half-lover Standingovation with some 6500 posts are feeling flat worn-out. Anything of value that I(we)'ve got to contribute has already been delivered. So we hang around, pick on the underclassmen, chime in with a little factoid here and there and basically fill our days with lots of off-topic banter. Having once been a very active poster, to not post now would be a show of disinterest. So that's why I (and maybe other old farts kicking around the 5k club) don't seem so focused anymore. It's just natural.
**** 30 minutes later****
I’ve been trying to figure how to wrap this up with the hope that we don’t become a board of gun-shy over-thinkers. (HA!!! Listen to me!! I’m the poster-boy for over-thinkers!!!)
My two conclusions are:
1) If you are wondering if a post is mean spirited, to off-color, or ill timed for that particular thread, picture yourself in that clubhouse meeting room with real biologically active humans. Is this something you would want to address to the whole gang? Then post away. If you see yourself leaning over to mention it to the two guys next to you, sent an e-mail.
2) I’m going to take my own advise and stop over-thinking this subject. It’s been an interesting written and mental exercise but from now on I’ll let my gut instincts take first priority. Hopefully this will allow more room in my brain for guitar chords and song lyrics. If I ever write a post this long again it will be about how much I love my Ovations or how much fun I had at the tour.
And the beat goes on.... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | I'm not certain but I think I was insulted a few times in this thread. Makes me feel at home..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Can you repeat that part in the middle?? . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Moody, I'll send you a private email to tell you what a butthead you've been, so we don't take this thread off track by discussing your personal habits and how disgusting Cliff can be when he's telling lies about Temp's accent and Witko's deviancy. Ok? We'll just keep it between ourselves, personal like. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | I take offense to that remark. Meet me in the back alley so I can go all 'drunken pub' on your @$$! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | The "clubhouse" thing freaks me out a little. I'm getting bad visions of Brad dressed up as Chucky, or Cliff dressed as a Mouskateer. For me, the off topic, off color, offensive posts are by far the most interesting. By comparison guitar talk is boring. Actually we should have an whole thread permanently devoted to previosuly banned members. That would be some good entertainment.
Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | Miles says only 2 members have been banned, so that off topic post would just go off THAT topic! ssshheeesh!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | Our inability to see each other isn't a bad thing. And with posts like that, Brad, you'll never catch back up to me on the post count. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | What "ClubHouse" :confused: ....There`s no Coffee here.... :rolleyes:
Vic |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Is this where I insert comments about politics? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Originally posted by Enfant Terrible aka V-Elite:
What "ClubHouse" :confused: ....There`s no Coffee here.... :rolleyes:
Vic I said "PUB", and there's plenty of beer here. :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by willard:
Is this where I insert comments about politics? Either that, or some sexual innuendo!
Nasty remarks about Bush are always/usually welcome. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Hemlocks can't be trusted, and Yews are just stupid . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | "Do be a Do-Bee,
don't be a Don't-Bee!"
Miss Jean, Romper Room circa 1964, WBZN |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | 
Miss Nancy said it first . . .
(. . . and (despite the picture), . . . she was "hot") |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Yes Cliff, Miss Nancy was the original. But as you surely know, Romper Room was one of the first television shows to "franchise", and soon almost every major city (which in those days consisted of NY, LA, Chicago, Miami, Wash DC) broadcast their own "Romper Room" shows. I think Miss Jane was on the Chicago show. Miss Sally was the Phoenix Romper Bim, and she got in hot water in the mid 60's because when she was linked to protests over abortion rights. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Cliffie had a kiddie woodie for Miss Nancy....... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | WBZN and Miss Jean were out of Boston. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | We had Sally Star in PA and Sheri with Lambchop |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Oh I get it,keep it Clean & Tidy,..but I do n`t do windows :rolleyes:
and a case of FOSTER for a bottle of Carlsberg,..allright,sure.. :p
TB1 is a cute Valve Mic.
Vic ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | We had Hobo Kelly. She was one trippy chick. |
|
| |
When NOT to hit REPLY