STOP THE ROT

I have had over a very short period of time several phone calls regarding the "quality" of the responses on the Forum.
It seems that that are those that have made it their own personal battle ground.
I have always encouraged debate or opinions,but as of late we seem to be a theatre of personal insults.
I think we should all take a step back and before our next post, think, before the Broad Welsh Sword is taken out of its scabbard..

regards
griff

Griff, unfortunately, it looks like the Euro forum is dead on it's feet.

Many long time contributors have ceased to get much involved, it is not hard to see why.

It is a real shame because I have learnt a huge amount from being a member of this forum, and also made some great friends.

I don't have any easy answers, the biggest issue is that we are not attracting new members, and the ones we do attract seem bent on disruption rather than making a contribution. Most of the UK based members can now be found on Stalking Directory most days.

Brian,
you are right, but even The Stalking directory is not immune from the "rot".
Its about time there was some cross border co-operation to eradicate it..

regards
griff

Griff


the problem is not new and this site is not alone, the same protagonists have caused mischief on other forums (UK based) for as long as I can recall them being in existence.

It gets quite dull seeing the same style of reply to posts from certain individuals.

(cut and paste with "smart" reply or deliberately antagonistic / personal commment)

I moderate on another UK forum, we do not tolerate such individuals there - they are removed as soon as practicable, either at registration phase or when their "style" identifies them.


Perhaps the same could be implemented here on the European forum, its odd that the rest of AR does not seem affected by this blight.


I also find it quite surprising that these individuals have access to firearms, given the "personality" traits they disclose on an open and easily accessible forum.

It doesnt just affect this forum fellas. Im afraid the others are the same. A good thread is started then by the bottom of the first page it has degenerated into a farce. I dont participate in forums much because of this. Which is a shame.

quote:

Originally posted by griff:
Brian,
you are right, but even The Stalking directory is not immune from the "rot".
Its about time there was some cross border co-operation to eradicate it..

regards
griff

Griff, hope you are well. I know the attitude on AR has always be very laid back, and the Mods are very reluctant to intervene, maybe this needs to change.

Over on SD, to be fair to John and Malc, they will ban people quite ruthlessly for misbehaving. They are maybe even a bit quick on the trigger.

This used to be the best forum going, but over the last 6 months or so there has being a leaking of sewage from other sites.
I have made some good friends over the years through this site, but of late I have just been clicking on "European forums" to see who posted and if they're worth reading. If the posts are by certain blow-ins, then I don't even read them any more.
A cull is needed!

quote:

I think we should all take a step back and before our next post, think, before the Broad Welsh Sword is taken out of its scabbard..

I quite agree. But not at the expense of free debate. or the over whelming desire to be "nice"!

The over riding quest for nice always culminates in bland, magnolia walled, uninspired, boring, mediocrity.

Far better to have plain speaking, informative and thought provoking posts than pigging nice!

Its not as if the forum is comprised of pubescent school girls full of fluctuating hormones, heightened emotions and raging acne. But it makes one wonder sometimes if that might be the case.

quote:

Originally posted by Andy Mass:
I also find it quite surprising that these individuals have access to firearms, given the "personality" traits they disclose on an open and easily accessible forum.

Andy

There are far more concerning personality traits, behaviour patterns, and acts of irresponsibility, as pointed out by trial juries, to be worried about when considering the suitability to own a firearm. As you yourself,and a good few of us old hands are very aware of. So lets not down that particular avenue of criticism shall we.

quote:

Originally posted by Andy Mass:I moderate on another UK forum, we do not tolerate such individuals there - they are removed as soon as practicable, either at registration phase or when their "style" identifies them.

Just look at how the site has declined though! So much so that many have abandoned ship and have signed up for the alternative forum, which is pretty mediocre itself. That one only started because of the the threat made to pull the plug completely on the site you mod on. So lets not try kidding ourselves that anyone does it better than anyone else.

quote:

Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:
Over on SD, to be fair to John and Malc, they will ban people quite ruthlessly for misbehaving. They are maybe even a bit quick on the trigger.

Brian

SD is a joke! It's never achieved its full potential, and has never managed to attract more than about 80 regular contributors at any one time, with a hard core of approx 25 making the majority of the posts, despite the claimed membership numbers. I suppose if you never cleanse the membership list, have a multitude of duplicate registrations, and multiple registration attempts due to the IT systems failure to send out activation emails despite registering you as a member your going to hit a few K.

But it only takes a bit of number crunching to get past the spin and get at the true picture.

They have banned some very knowledgeable people in their haste to have the last word.

Tophand,
your first post was good, but the second and third were exactly what we were talking about. There was no need to attack any other sites, let them be. I understand that there might in the past have been some friction with other sites and certain individuals, But thats in the past move away from that and rise above it..
You wouldn't want to be cast in the same mould as them now would you!!

regards
griff

Lately this forum has become mainly the "UK big game hunting forum". That's not the fault of UK members, of course, but rather the lack of other EU posters, like myself. I would say that UK members are keeping this forum alive....

This forum used to be more about hunting and less about politics or a venue for personal attacks.
It would be great if posters could stick to hunting topics where we could share a debate and exchange knowledge without stirring the pot for the sake of confrontation and calling it "lively debate".

quote:

You wouldn't want to be cast in the same mould as them now would you

Neil

One out of three is a pretty good batting average. LOL

God forbid that I ever get cast in the same mould. I might occasionally be a bit abrasive, but I'm never sycophant, dictatorial, or unable to take the mick out of myself.

quote:

Originally posted by wildboar:
Lately this forum has become mainly the "UK big game hunting forum". That's not the fault of UK members, of course, but rather the lack of other EU posters, like myself. I would say that UK members are keeping this forum alive....

A sign of the times perhaps.

quote:

Originally posted by brass thief:
This forum used to be more about hunting and less about politics or a venue for personal attacks.
It would be great if posters could stick to hunting topics where we could share a debate and exchange knowledge without stirring the pot for the sake of confrontation and calling it "lively debate".

Perhaps "lively debate" is just more stimulating than a bland diet of 'unting talk. Allowing for a more diverse and wider spectrum of debate topic and increasing that inclusive feeling.

If we bore you, please,please feel free to go elsewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by brass thief:
If we bore you, please,please feel free to go elsewhere.

Ah! You've missed the point I was making. Its because AR does not restrict itself simply to 'unting talk, that makes it so popular.

At the end of the day the "look at the moose" and "what bullet is best for boar" type topics can only be covered so many times before they are flogged to death, and the place becomes Yawnsville Nebraska. A one horse town with a no saloon.

quote:

Originally posted by Tophand:
Perhaps "lively debate" is just more stimulating than a bland diet of 'unting talk. Allowing for a more diverse and wider spectrum of debate topic and increasing that inclusive feeling.

I for one, can live very well without this kind of "lively debate".
This new trend by some to create a "vider spectrum of debate and topic" has the oposite affect on this old man; I´m loosing the inclusive feeling we used to have.
And I sorly miss many of the knowledgable regulars/ good friends that used to post here.

quote:

Originally posted by Arild Iversen:

quote:

Originally posted by Tophand:
Perhaps "lively debate" is just more stimulating than a bland diet of 'unting talk. Allowing for a more diverse and wider spectrum of debate topic and increasing that inclusive feeling.

I for one, can live very well without this kind of "lively debate".
This new trend by some to create a "vider spectrum of debate and topic" has the oposite affect on this old man; I´m loosing the inclusive feeling we used to have.
And I sorly miss many of the knowledgable regulars/ good friends that used to post here.

+1

Arild

Things change! Thats just the way of the world. The cosy club where the old hands would sit and mutter together and occasionally blurt out a gem of wisdom scraped from the back of some distant memory of a long forgotten encounter with a beast of the chase. Is no longer what makes the various fora the vibrant place they now are.

Take a look around. Even those who can't put a cohesive, intelligible structured sentences together and post using text speak are welcomed.

Tophand
The world around me does very well take care of my need for change and vibrant chores.

This place used to be the spot where we could relax, share experience and wisdom regarding stalking, shooting, guns and dogs without seeing the bull shit flag hoisted whenever one went a step out of line.

What was discussed and shared was what happened here and now, with the flavour of an old tale put in between.
It was never a "cosy club for old hands" as you sarcastically put it.

Nobody asked for this change you are making yourself a spokesman for, which shows in the way people are now going elsewhere.

W5, Old blue eyes, Tom Mix.....

Ari

I'm all in favour of a continuation of the past but not to the exclusion of the new. What causes you to thing I was being sarcastic when I referred to a cosy club for old hands?

Change happens, whether asked for, voted for, paid for, or demanded. Thats just the way things are. Everything evolves, be that technology, scientific knowledge, or internet forums.

Bemoaning the changes, or wishing for a return to how things once were. Is like telling the tide not to rise and fall. Internet forums are constantly in a state of flux, their very nature makes them that way. I say embrace them for what they are and make of them what you will. Be that social networking, information exchanges, discussion mediums, or simply entertainment. Personally I just take them for what ever they happen to be and add my pinch of salt or sugar to the mix. One thing I would add is life is to short to ever take them seriously.

There are solutions available for those seeking the a cosy club for old hands. But what they are is for another time, and another post.

quote:

I for one, can live very well without this kind of "lively debate".
This new trend by some to create a "wider spectrum of debate and topic" has the opposite affect on this old man; I´m loosing the inclusive feeling we used to have.
And I sorely miss many of the knowledgeable regulars/ good friends that used to post here.

Things change! That's just the way of the world. The cosy club where the old hands would sit and mutter together and occasionally blurt out a gem of wisdom scraped from the back of some distant memory of a long forgotten encounter with a beast of the chase. Is no longer what makes the various fora the vibrant place they now are.

Take a look around. Even those who can't put a cohesive, intelligible structured sentences together and post using text speak are welcomed."

"This place used to be the spot where we could relax, share experience and wisdom regarding stalking, shooting, guns and dogs without seeing the bull shit flag hoisted whenever one went a step out of line.

What was discussed and shared was what happened here and now, with the flavour of an old tale put in between.
It was never a "cosy club for old hands" as you sarcastically put it."

My first post on this particular forum I believe. Don't be too hard on yourselves. read what I quoted above. The level of discourse is pure poetry. You know, it could just be that just about everything that could be said in the way of wisdom, has already been said, repeatedly! Just look at the threads on cast bullets vs. expanding bullets on the Handgun Forum, scoped double rifles on African Hunting etc. etc. Perhaps what is left is just the companionship of a shared way of life.
Having said that, the real reason for my post! Anyone in Germany or anyone know anything about buying a gun on EGun and bringing it to the USA?
Thanks, Peter.

Gentlemen.
The way this site has changed, I can do without.
As a non UK member, and English not my first language, I´m therefore not in a position to argue with you guys on a philosophical level about the way the world change.

I guess I leave it there...

Ari

No need to argue,its simply a discussion. Say what you have to say and read what is posted by way of a reply.

Your english is first class.Far better than my Norwegian. Which consists of about a dozen words.

quote:

Originally posted by wildboar:
W5, Old blue eyes, Tom Mix.....

Yes, and its not going unnoticed.....

Well i hope the chaps from over seas keep posting i for one have enjoyed there posts of hunts that include animals that i might never have a chance to hunt eg Wild boar wolf bear etc. I thank you for your posts and look forward to reading more.

Woosh, was that the sound of the broad Welsh Sword, cutting away the drift wood!!!

Some say times they have a changed.
I disagree, what has changed is the reluctance of members to post for fear of some verbal abuse from those that for whatever reason seem to think that they can and do riducule the poster.
If its not a verbal attack then its a personal attack..

Just my observations!

regards
Griff

Back in the real world, it was a very pleasant evening down at Blackham last night on the end of Buck Season cull.
Nice to meet some new faces and share a few yarns.
Pity the pub ran out of porky scratchings, it quite spoiled the dog's evening

quote:

Originally posted by SLDG:
Well i hope the chaps from over seas keep posting i for one have enjoyed there posts of hunts that include animals that i might never have a chance to hunt eg Wild boar wolf bear etc. I thank you for your posts and look forward to reading more.

i agree
that is one of the reasons why i joined this site, to see, talk and enjoy hunting from all over the world

quote:

Originally posted by Trapper Dave:
Back in the real world, it was a very pleasant evening down at Blackham last night on the end of Buck Season cull.
Nice to meet some new faces and share a few yarns.
Pity the pub ran out of porky scratchings, it quite spoiled the dog's evening

Strange that you don't appear on Amirs list of attendees. Did you simple turn up on the off chance.

quote:

Originally posted by griff:

Some say times they have a changed.

I can name that tune in 3!

Wyar we 'doin this ......

The reason's apparent - I'll look elsewhere .... any other thread!



Griff, grow a set; Balls I mean, small or large or in otherwise - it's your choice.

This site used to be the one of the best forum sites, some of the "old/familiar" names where like old friends.

Only pass through now and again, but from what I can see the threads go downhill with Tophands inputs.

Tophand, what the hell is your hidden agenda???

Griff if you didnt rise to the fly everytime someone posted a cast mate ,you and a few others would not get caught with the mouths open.

I try to lie on the bottom and observe and let the fly pass me by.

The other alternative is press the ignore button like all fishermen if you dont catch anything you go and try another spot were its more productive.

It's not about the rising to a fly or any other such thing. The forum here basically operated in a way whereby people behave in the same way through their keyboard as they would if they were having the discussion in person.

If you are talking to a group of your friends in the pub and some idiot keeps throwing his little barbed gems into the equation uninvited, then the conversation goes nowhere and the said idiot would be excluded. If on the other hand someone does the old " I couldn't help but over hear" and adds some thing worth while to your conversation then you are likely to buy him a pint and make a new friend.

People on other forums may consider AR to be a cliquey club. I don't know why they find this offensive and have the need to disrupt. Personally I think that this is one of the few sites where the majority of contributors hold substantial shooting and use it. Many of the people causing disruption have little or nothing and are jealous of this. Judging by how many of Tophand's (and the other aliases) posts have anything to do with their stalking experiences can only mean they spend more time behind a keyboard than a rifle.

~FB

quote:

Originally posted by Fallow Buck:
It's not about the rising to a fly or any other such thing. The forum here basically operated in a way whereby people behave in the same way through their keyboard as they would if they were having the discussion in person.

If you are talking to a group of your friends in the pub and some idiot keeps throwing his little barbed gems into the equation uninvited, then the conversation goes nowhere and the said idiot would be excluded. If on the other hand someone does the old " I couldn't help but over hear" and adds some thing worth while to your conversation then you are likely to buy him a pint and make a new friend.

People on other forums may consider AR to be a cliquey club. I don't know why they find this offensive and have the need to disrupt. Personally I think that this is one of the few sites where the majority of contributors hold substantial shooting and use it. Many of the people causing disruption have little or nothing and are jealous of this. Judging by how many of Tophand's (and the other aliases) posts have anything to do with their stalking experiences can only mean they spend more time behind a keyboard than a rifle.

~FB

+1 As Tophand would say 'another great post Fallow Buck'.

Its a hunting forum, times haven't changed. Go elsewhere for bitchfighting and barbed comments, we are here to discuss hunting. Life is too short to get annoyed at the fun police.

quote:

Originally posted by Fallow Buck:
It's not about the rising to a fly or any other such thing. The forum here basically operated in a way whereby people behave in the same way through their keyboard as they would if they were having the discussion in person.

If you are talking to a group of your friends in the pub and some idiot keeps throwing his little barbed gems into the equation uninvited, then the conversation goes nowhere and the said idiot would be excluded. If on the other hand someone does the old " I couldn't help but over hear" and adds some thing worth while to your conversation then you are likely to buy him a pint and make a new friend.

People on other forums may consider AR to be a cliquey club. I don't know why they find this offensive and have the need to disrupt. Personally I think that this is one of the few sites where the majority of contributors hold substantial shooting and use it. Many of the people causing disruption have little or nothing and are jealous of this. Judging by how many of Tophand's (and the other aliases) posts have anything to do with their stalking experiences can only mean they spend more time behind a keyboard than a rifle.

~FB

Maybe you should buy him a pint then maybe he will get of your case