How the Flock are ya ..,

[Bad_azz]

I think what pissed me off the most is the Stasi style of silencing posters.
If people have a genuine concern / query then they should be able to post it and hope for a response. I don't mean the silly nit picking back & forth stuff that is arguing for the sake of it, I mean the proper questions and comments.
When the users feel so controlled or afraid to comment for fear of punitive measures or censorship, they will walk- end of.

 

[atlantis]

Actually to clarify, it wasn't a new version of the software that is currently being used (Vbulletin 5), he wanted a completely different software. If I'm not mistaken it was Discourse: https://try.discourse.org/

You are not mistaken, it was Discourse, and he never mentioned vbulletin 5 in the whole discussion we had over several pages.

As EG said, I pointed at the failure of moving the old forum to vbulletin in July 2008 and, as a consequence, the loss of all archives and posts submitted for years by posters. To me, it was a huge turn off and reason enough to weight against any change.

Let's put it the way it is: I did not have an ounce of confidence in him (Paman) being able to manage such move, therefore my vote was a very clear: no way!

Also, several of us if not all of us mentioned the huge learn curve it would be for many users (I am one of them) who may not be super confident with their IT skills. A brand new software means that any user would have had to re-learn any features of the software. This would have been a huge turn off for many and put the community at risk to loss some valuable members.

I clearly remember that when he was insisting in trying to sell us his soup I had to state that they were the owner and that they would do whatever they wanted, but that should they pursue it, they would do it without me on board. I had (and still have) no time to spend to learn a new software, especially when the one we use is near perfect.

Again, at NO time an upgrade to vbulletin 5 has been mentioned during this discussion a year ago or so nor it has ever been mentioned in the subsequent months. I have no idea of the reason why they felt this "upgrade" was necessary but I am 100% sure of one thing: we have not been put on the loop deliberately in order for Paman no to have to justify the necessity of this update in front of two person who know at least as much, if not much more than him about anything related to IT: namely El_Goretto and dafluff.

 

[Anglian]

Interesting story Atlantis, it's funny how some IT people like to mess with systems they no nothing about and it all goes tits up, I've worked for a couple of companies, and in their infinite wisdom, decide to upgrade their system, only to have two weeks or more for the lesser mortals trying to figure it out, If it's working well don't screw with it.

 

[atlantis]

Interesting story Atlantis, it's funny how some IT people like to mess with systems they no nothing about and it all goes tits up, I've worked for a couple of companies, and in their infinite wisdom, decide to upgrade their system, only to have two weeks or more for the lesser mortals trying to figure it out, If it's working well don't screw with it.

Yep.
Whenever we were welcoming new mods I was used to offer them a safety tool kit including safety shoes, security helmet, various ropes, a swiss knife, a booklet about chemical hazards and an extinguisher.

As you certainly imagine, they were giving me the WTF look. I was just cutting short to it with a "You're a rookie, don't ask questions, whenever you see Paman or wm in a close range of the technical room put the whole damn thing on and pray because you never know what's gonna fall apart."

Believe me, after just a few days in the house they had the whole equipment on 7/24

 

[Scooterindo]

The final nail in the coffin for me personally was the creeping "political correctness" about what you could and couldn't say on the old forum, incase you upset some one else's delicate sensibilities. I know I can be considered a bit of a cave man with certain views I hold in this era or political correctness, but hey fuck it, opinions are like arse holes - we all have one. Just because you don't agree with mine there was no need to censor or infract me. I used a Jakarta slang word that the mods hadn't heard of, and like judge jury and executioner decided it was a racist slur and I was infracted again.

Atlantis tempted me over here with the promise of an uncensored thread that actually allows for freedom of speech.

 

[waarmstrong]

Atlantis tempted me over here with the promise of an uncensored thread that actually allows for freedom of speech.

I think it should be called the "Donald Trump Thread."

 

[Scooterindo]

I think it should be called the "Donald Trump Thread."

I said uncensored thread not bullshit thread

 

[Davita]

The final nail in the coffin for me personally was the creeping "political correctness" about what you could and couldn't say on the old forum, incase you upset some one else's delicate sensibilities. I know I can be considered a bit of a cave man with certain views I hold in this era or political correctness, but hey fuck it, opinions are like arse holes - we all have one. Just because you don't agree with mine there was no need to censor or infract me. I used a Jakarta slang word that the mods hadn't heard of, and like judge jury and executioner decided it was a racist slur and I was infracted again.

Atlantis tempted me over here with the promise of an uncensored thread that actually allows for freedom of speech.

I agree that the old forum WAS over-moderated to the point of censorship.
Moderation is required to prevent any forum from getting out of hand and swearing profusely, intimidating others, berating others, threatening behaviour, personal insults etc. should be snipped....but subtle satire (pasquinade), innuendo, parody and intelligent mature commentary should be fair game.

 

[waarmstrong]

I said uncensored thread not bullshit thread

Bullshit Thread works for me too, but I am open to something more nondescript, perhaps "Ugly Talk" or "Hog Wild" thread.