To Describe A Forum

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Jun 2003 11:57 pm

I am thirsty for new ideas and reading material that relates to steel guitar. Whether heavily stessed or vague, the written messages would continue to attract my interest. It would be nice, if, a set of rules, that clearly define the making of a great forum, could be carried out to the letter. Does anyone care to describe a forum in their own words, explaining what they want, or do not wish to read?

Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 18 June 2003 at 01:01 AM.][This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 18 June 2003 at 03:48 AM.]

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 18 Jun 2003 2:03 am

..rule #1...thou shalt not laugh at thyself...

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 18 Jun 2003 2:15 am

The place for a moderated exchange of ideas.

Since this is a 1st come, first posted medium, thus the normal parlimentary rules aren't needed as to who has the floor etc.

Civility should be maintained. The master moderator is the finaly arbitrator.

But jocularity encouraged. Let it be fun and informative.

Topic drift should be controled by the topic originator to some extent, but not fanaticly so.
Some times a great discusion happens exactly because of topic drift.

Humor is a plus not a negative as long as it doesn't overwhelm a topic.

Playing devils advocate shouldn't neccesarily be discouraged, if used judiciously.

Personel diatribes vs other members should never happen... keep it to yourselves in private e-mail

Disagree and argue your points strongly but without rancor, and then agree to disagree.
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I am sure there's more, but then there are other voices to weigh in still.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 18 June 2003 at 03:16 AM.]

David Reeves · Post by **David Reeves** » 18 Jun 2003 3:26 am

One idea would be to follow the organized structure of the given forum being used.

This topic is not related to pedal steel guitar and (in my humble opinion) should have originated in the 'feedback' area.

I always enjoy Mr. Hankey's contributions, but it is difficult to respond to this question prudently.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 18 Jun 2003 4:32 am

"follow the organized structure of the given forum"

So true! On the first page of this Forum each catagory has it's focus listed. Following those guidelines, it is clear that this discussion belongs in "Feedback and Testing". I suspect b0b will move this.

Moderators are often accused of being heavy handed. I wish members would understand that it is necessary to keep a certain amount of order so that users can find what they are looking for.

How many of us realise that every post is kept in a searchable database? It is not inconcievable that future generations will be reading what we post here today.

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 18 Jun 2003 5:14 am

Bill, this forum has the Godgiven power to be there for all steelguitarlovers, no matter what age,country, background, EQ, speach and whatever. I think the only rule on here is and should be "respect!"
Thanks for all your contributions Bill, however you talk about things that are far beyond my fantasies and knowledge about steelguitar and related helpthings, like the upright fretboard, I have the deepest respect for your way of thinking and search for new frontiers! (Beam me up, Scotty!

)
Johan

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Click on the pic!

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 18 Jun 2003 5:20 am

Ok, add correct placement by catagory too.
Joey if you move this to another place others will follow.
But I will note, feedback gets visited a lot less than several other catagories, at least by me anyway. Maybe this is why Bill put it here.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 18 June 2003 at 06:20 AM.]

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 18 Jun 2003 5:28 am

yes Civility, Humour and Respect as well the poor Moderators that have to deal w: the poofter (or Jive) make this Forum a Xample for me.
Jocularity eh ?

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Steel what?

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 18 Jun 2003 5:37 am

..hypothetical rule #2...no editing of the original message after responses to it have been posted, unless those edits are described, because they can and often do change the context of the responses to the original message...

..hypothetical rule #3..if you don't like the rules they already have in the forum you're posting to, start your own forum...

Tony LaCroix · Post by **Tony LaCroix** » 18 Jun 2003 5:39 am

I've seen many forums turn ugly quickly due to flame-ups and sabatoge (posting a bunch of nonsense). I think the requirement that you pay a small fee or buy something to be a member keeps this forum's content from becoming watered-down.

Or, it could just be that steel guitarists are a very respectful and intelligent breed of computer user. I'm inclined to think this is so.

So, heres a generalized rule:

"Allow no person who does not play the steel guitar to be a member"

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 18 Jun 2003 7:06 am

b0b is a genius
He has years of experience, even before the internet, running BBS's and he has an excellent handle on how to gently regulate an open discussion group.

There are other examples where no rules are applied and no holds are barred. That doesn't work. The threads are impossible to follow and any meaningful information is lost.

There are examples where too many rules and too much censorship is applied, stifling free expression. Imposing any more rules will run people off and hamper free speech.

None of that happens here. If I wore a hat, it would be off to b0b on a daily basis. He is the most significant contributor to the online steel guitar community ever. I only wish that a larger portion of the overall community could take advantage of what we have.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 18 Jun 2003 7:52 am

The biggest single help in keeping useful information from sinking into the oblivion of an unsearchable dump would be for posters to be very explicit in the name of the topic. Then when the topic drifts (which is fine and natural), announce a new topic in the old thread and start a new thread with the new explicit topic name.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 18 Jun 2003 7:54 am

Try to be as concise as possible. Although, it should not necessarily be a rule, for me, it is the curtious thing to do. Prose and poetic licenses can't be revoked; but those that misuse them should be fined.

...hope this isn't too lengthy.

Rick

Post by **Joey Ace** » 18 Jun 2003 8:45 am

Humor is an interesting point.
I enjoy kidding probably more than most, but I often wonder if it is understood by all.

There's plenty of examples of someone taking offense to a good-intentioned rib.

But I really worry about some responses that are posted as a joke, that a newbie may take as truth.

Also see: http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum7/HTML/002246.html

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 18 Jun 2003 8:55 am

S.G.M.,

With your kind permission, whenever several members contribute input, I will refer to that body of active constituencies, who have the power to present their convictions, as S.G.M. The initials represent the title of Steel Guitar Membership.
In essence, it is the single- most best method of thanking, and not excluding anyone, who has provided the food for thought on this forum. They say that two heads are better than one, which has been proven to be one of the truest statements ever made. Therefore a forum is a monumental means of compiling a vast store of valuable information. By sorting out the inconceivables, and inadvertent misconceptions, inquisitive minds have the power to recognize intangibilities, and move on to well defined areas, where much new information is within their grasps.

Bill H.

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 18 Jun 2003 9:47 am

If it an't broke why fix it? except the 3th. string G#, change it befor it gets broken. Good job bOb. Joe

Post by **b0b** » 18 Jun 2003 11:55 am

Moved to "Feedback and Testing".

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/Officeb0b.gif" border="0"> Bobby Lee
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