why the attitude???

[Marc Bryan]

I think that sucks. This forum should be a place for idea and information exchange. And with the rules (as Forrest mentioned) in place on this forum, I really have not seen it as much of an issue. Of course we have disagreements, and passionate opinions, but overall I think this is a great board.

It really disappoints me to see a member feel like the discussions have to be done in private. I certainly hope I have done nothing to contribute to that sentiment.

[WJH]

Since we're piling on here, am I the only one who finds it annoying to read full paragraphs without punctuation and capitalization? I find it easier to read past the occasionally misspelled word than to search for the beginning of sentences because someone didn't bother to capitalize the first word of sentences. I know it's trendy and hip when texting someone a few words on their phone, but is hard to read in bulk.

Actually, I think it goes with the whole flow of this discussion. Questions (AND answers) that are thoughtfully composed usually are better understood in intent as well as content than quickly pounded out phrases. After composing a message I nearly always then ask myself if I really want to hit "Post" and put this out in public--and this particular message just barely made the passing grade, because I enjoy some of Adam's posts and really wish they were easier to read.

WJH

[diveconjeff]

Generally, if I am going to generate a post of substantial length, I do it it word, then past to the forum ... and my wife calls me anal for all sorts of other things too.

[RETIRED 11]

Adam, thanks for having the "Balls" to say what a lot of us newbies were thinking. sometimes the "Established" cave diving comunnity does not appear too welcoming. Everyone has to start somewhere.. being a cave diver does not (or Should not ) make you an elitist. I hoped this forum would be helpful to advance my hobby, more often than not it turns into a big dick contest... in my opinion.. that will get people hurt or worse.

[jj1987]

so I am not trying to start a fight simply asking a question. And it is not so much on this site but on others..
why as soon as a new member or anyone that does not have 10,000 posts to there credit get attacked any time they ask a question? We always talk about ow divers in caves not getting training. to be honest with the way I have herd many cave divers lash out at ow divers both at JB and ginnie I would want nothing to do with our community either.

case in point on the forum side anyway
guy post a profile for the oriskany he did on v-planner and asks for advice on his gas choice and deco plan. appears to be very knowlegable about technical diving. just asking someone who as been there about his gas choice

right away comes "care to post your qualifications to even do this dive!"
why should he have to? and who was that memebr to question his quals?

I post a thread asking what to look for in a used scooter
first response."take a scooter class first and never scooter where you havent swam"
I was not asking about how to employ a scooter just what to look for in buying a used one.

all the time I see guys forums get beat up because some one else does not feel that they are up to par to be making the dives they are.

I understand we need to practice safety and look out for one another but I have seen members get tossed to the wolves for asking simple questions. If you were 18 and got a late start in getting you drivers license and asked some one about driving a car and they lashed out with : o its so dangerious, you have to have all this training and all this special equipment and its real hard probaly going to get yourself killed, might as well not even try" how likely would that person be to follow advice. and to be honest when most cave divers are asked innocent questions about cave diving by ow and non divers, they act like they cant be bothered.

It just seems that all to often it becomes a pissing match of
"im a cave diver"
"o yeah Im a full cave diver"
"well I am a an/dp full cave tech diver"
"I have 10 dives in eagles nest listen to me"
"I have 300 dives in eagles nest on eccr"
"bla bla bla, who cares I am a instructor"
'
and to be honest I am starting to think its the more qualified cave divers that are more of a safety problem.

I have herd all these things from "full cave divers" at various caves while gearing up who have all piunded there chest about making hundreds of cave dives.
"naa I know this cave by brail no worries"
"its only JB I only taking one light in"( after his back up failed to fire)
" forget the reel I know where the line is"(not at JB)
" dont worry about the thirds the flow will push us out on our exit"
" sm is not that hard jsut follow me"
"well just use my computer 32% and 34% arent that far apart"
" just use your dry suit as a compensator were only going to kings bypass"
the absolute best I have seeen and herd
" just bought this meg going to try it out in the cave"
"I let my sorb dry all night should be good for another couple hours"
"im pretty sure they were 32%"

and most of these same people I have either herd talk down to other divers or have had them give me s##t about practicing with a scooter in the cavern. before a class

I know this no where near applys to everyone and not even the majority of cave/tech divers, but alot of us put off a very cocky and arrogant vibe to the rest of the diving community.

I guess what I am trying to get at it just because you have this qual or have made that dive or have dove witht hat guy or laid this line nothing gives you the right to talk down to or think you are better then another diver trying to seek information.

Do you write down every stupid thing cave divers say? You're going to be killing the whole forest if you keep it up!

Srsly, internet forums are not for advice on cave diving-- they're for selling/buying gear, checking tourist cave conditions and posting smart a$$ comments. Anything else I'd just pickup the phone and call someone, or PM, FB, txt, etc. I really don't learn much from forums other than reading historic posts.

[Benderr]

The Firefox Browser has spell-check built in so anywhere you type you have it. Sadly, it won't correct bad grammar.

[RETIRED 11]

The Firefox Browser has spell-check built in so anywhere you type you have it. Sadly, it won't correct bad grammar.

or bad manners

[Rich]

your name has come up in conversation at the shop I manage countless times over the past few weeks, not in a good way and you do not want that kind of rep in this community

Sorry everyone, but I've received a few PM's/emails and wanted to clarify my earlier statement......

What I meant/was trying to say was that I've been hearing about Adam's internet postings from a lot of different people and they are usually negative comments. This is in no way a reflection on his diving ability, I do not know the man, but I'm sure that being trained by Rob, he is extremely competent in the water. At this point, I suppose I at least owe him a couple of beers....

Anyways, I just wanted to clear that up, remember people this is the internet....

Safe diving,

Rich

[RETIRED 11]

I am honored to state that my instructor, mentors and role models have probably NEVER even taken a cave class between all of them. Yet I feel 100% safe following their instruction.

[floridabob]

So...I want some beer. Tell me when it's happening and where. If I'm invited, that is.

By the way, you can't sell gear on some forums until you have a minimum number of posts. Bet that creates some quality input.

At this rate, this post may become historic. Or historically asinine. Spell check that!

On a side note, I think someone arranging a quarterly get together would be a solid way to help keep some of this at bay. Not volunteering. That would be a locals job, like JJ1987 or Rich.