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Post by Alan on Apr 3, 2007 22:28:29 GMT -5
Yep, I try to keep a pretty good eye on this place! I don't mind people discussing politics or religion or news as long as it's nice. I will tell you this much, the difference between this forum and all the other forums is that I don't mind if you guys talk about them and I'll never accuse you of "betraying" me or promoting the competition. To me that's just dumb, all the boards should be about exchanging information with one another. The difference between folks like me and the people who run those other boards are that I'm just one of you folks (that's why you don't see a fancy dancy .com or nice message board, just a free one), i'm not throwing adds in your face (there are some here, but not by my choice, i'm just a poor man) and my bottomline isn't selling a few seeds and making a far left or right political statement. The only thing that is off limits on this board is trouble makers like z-man! You guys are awesome and I feel blessed to have you here and as friends. I know some of you have said your riding out the s-storm but I truly hope you decide to stick around after all the crap at the other boards is over with too because I will go out of my way to make these boards reflect all of your interests to the best of my ability/time (that whole farming thing that these boards should be about comes first of course).
-Alan
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Post by houseodessey on Apr 3, 2007 22:35:50 GMT -5
It seems that Internet forums go through phases. Maybe it's related to sudden member growth, so maybe it's good that there aren't too many members here. Eventually some trolls will wander in and try to stir up trouble. Like I said at TV once, I like the freedom of speech that Jere allows, not too crazy about overmoderation (is that an oxymoron?)... However, there will come a day when Alan has to do something about someone, and I hope he will do it swiftly and surely to set a precedent. That being said, I don't know if this has been designated a "family friendly" forum or not, but I think it's high time someone had an adult gardening forum... Heck yes, let's get naked. (KIDDING!!!) I know exactly what you're saying, J. I think the fact that swearing is ok here implies that you keep the kiddies at bay and the immature/narrow minded adults at other forums. Not that swearing is a badge of honor (it's a bad habit/lack of creative language) but it says to me that "family forum" will not be an issue (excuse) here. I'm also certain that Alan can stand his ground here, as he did at Idig. It's his house, afterall and I like being his guest.
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Post by johno on Apr 3, 2007 23:09:26 GMT -5
...as he did at idig...
[hearty laughter at the recollection]
Yeah, Alan is my kind of guy. I like people who speak their mind vibrantly!
[Still laughing...]
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Post by kimikat on Apr 4, 2007 7:00:48 GMT -5
Swift and mercifullessly would be the punishment for any one who comes in here with intent to mess with our mojo. Both Alan and I both have the power to ban. There won't be any creative editing, and likely, unless what is said is just repulsively bad, it will be left on the forum for everyone to see WHY the person was banned.
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LoreD
gardener
Posts: 226
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Post by LoreD on Apr 4, 2007 7:31:20 GMT -5
I'm not a young woman (I'm a grandmother to a teenager) and I wasn't so much offended on Idig by the language as I was by zman's constant attacks on people's gender identity. I felt that the sexual content was inappropriate for a "family friendly" forum. He did this before you with Brook, even though he said was married, zman kept asking if he was pre-op or post-op, which I felt was totally inappropriate. And that stuff is still sitting there.
I have the honor of having the first post deleted by Jere for a "personal attack" on zman. I accused him of having bad breath. I said that everytime he opened his mouth I was nearly knocked flat by the stench.
I'm offended by nasty posts much more than language.
LoreD
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Post by lavandulagirl on Apr 4, 2007 7:40:31 GMT -5
There is, right now currently, a poster on idig who says he's 13 years old. As the mother of an almost 12 year old, I hope to hell this kid's parents are monitoring what he sees on the internet. I'm not dumb enough to think my kids haven't heard curses - I probably am the worst source they have for foul-free language! But it's only a matter of time before some fool like Z takes cheap shots at this kid. (Since he himself has the intellect of a 12 or 13 year old, he'll see nothing wrong with it.) If someone like Z was hanging around on sites my daughter was on, and took it upon himself to be nasty, I'd have to hunt him down and kill him, and that would involve airfare, which I'd be loathe to have to pay for. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if that oaf has a myspace page... pretty sad for a 50 year old guy, but then, we are talking about a mental toddler. Gets all his super cool saying like "Sofa king... ed" from hanging with the middle schoolers he trolls for.
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Post by jaliranchr on Apr 4, 2007 10:18:08 GMT -5
Well, zman has to be one of the choicer nincompoops I've come across in all my years on the net. Think maybe they keep him around because they know he'll generate traffic and posts? That's about all I can figure out. There are others out there on other boards that just perplex my reasoning as to their status in their respective forums. ( ?) Others don't even faze me. I just ignore em and go on about my reading.
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Post by gardenbumpkin on Apr 4, 2007 11:45:29 GMT -5
Not only zebraman is like that, but there are several at IDigs who are just as mean, heartless and think they know it all. That was one of the reasons why I stopped inputing over there. And it is like a "SOAP OPERA" over there
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Post by houseodessey on Apr 4, 2007 17:36:39 GMT -5
[ Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if that oaf has a myspace page... pretty sad for a 50 year old guy, but then, we are talking about a mental toddler. Gets all his super cool saying like "Sofa king... ed" from hanging with the middle schoolers he trolls for.[/color][/quote] HEH, you must be psychic, LG. Read garnetmoth's post on this thread. www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=4789
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Post by redbrick on Apr 4, 2007 18:06:58 GMT -5
Alan, don't worry about me leaving when the dust settles. You're stuck with me, now! I find it difficult to find boards that "feel" right. Part of that is due to my own personal focus (heirloom veggies and fruit, organic methods, historic styles), but a lot of it is people's attitudes. I don't consider myself to be an expert, by any stretch, but neither do I enjoy being talked down to, either. Who does, really? Several boards I have visited in the past definitely felt intimidating and cold. Not so, here. I think it's very easy to form friendships here, and safe to ask questions. Yes, I plan on staying a good long time...
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Post by Alan on Apr 4, 2007 18:36:45 GMT -5
That's great and we are so glad to have you here. That's what we want, we want this board to feel like home and we are all here to help one another, if somebody shows up without those intentions, they will be gone quick fast and in a hurry! I consider everyone here my friend and look forward to sharing a lot with you in the coming years, not the least of which being my seeds and knowledge! -Alan
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brook
gardener
Posts: 127
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Post by brook on Apr 4, 2007 19:56:40 GMT -5
Wow! I reckon a lot has been going on over there since I left.
Let me say to those who mentioned me in this thread that I appreciate your votes of confidence.
I'm a firm believer in the idea that forums like these exist so that like-minded people can learn from each other. Some have more to learn than to teach, and vice-versa. But it should always be a two-way street of mutual learning.
They shouldn't exist as a venue for ego-centric idiots to vent their spleen; particularly when they demonstrably know next to nothing about the subject---and feel threatened by those who do.
I know I disappointed a number of people when I left IDig (well, stopped posting, as it is seemingly impossible to quit. They can kick you out, I reckon, but you can't leave on your own). But life is far to short to waste any of it on unmoderated sites where people like Z-man rule the roost. You have to pick your battles in this world, and that one just wasn't worth the effort.
Presumably things will be better over here.
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Post by Alan on Apr 4, 2007 22:28:49 GMT -5
We hope to make things great here and I'll do my best to keep my eye on things. Like I said before, im just a country farm boy/market gardener who does a lot of thinking and wants to share what I have with the world. I want this to be a community and a family of teachers, students, givers, crafters, gardeners, and most importantly compssionate human beings. -Alan
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Post by kimikat on Apr 5, 2007 7:11:14 GMT -5
We've all had bad experiences on forums. It happens. People don't associate a human being with the words that appear on the screen. They also don't associate feelings and emotions with the words that appear on the screen.
Like I said, and I'm sure Alan will agree with me, though we will not over-moderate, but we will not allow troublemakers and trolls to run rampant on here. We want everyone to feel comfortable to let their hair down, kick off their shoes, have fun, and share information.
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Post by ohiorganic on Apr 10, 2007 7:33:36 GMT -5
Johno I appreciate your challenge of LaRae.
Today I had I with Idig upon reading Timmons posting numerous times burn the hippies (which he spelled hippys). The evangelicals can be a mean and violent bunch. I am sure he will tell me he is just joking <grin>, riiight.
That site had potential, shame some had to ruin it for so many.
I found it a shame Alan was banned for basically having another religious view. What would happen to a muslim here. I have seen the attitude towards wiccans and it ain't purdy.
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