CDF Thoughts..

[mainedvr]

Being one of the new people to the board and being new to cave diving (well in a month), are there not discussion areas that state its a "flame free zone"? A place that newbies like myself can ask questions that may sound stupid to those high and mighty and are perfect cave divers and not be bashed.If so maybe there should be a few areas that are for lack of a better term "free for all" kind of an open forum, instead of a "flame free zone", a "flame thrower zone" if post there you know what to exspect. That way if someone wants to just be a jerk they can. Maybe even put a time limit on the post for responses so that it doesnt just take up space.Personally I do not mind someone putting their two cents in, if I did I would not post the question and if someone says something I do not like well poor me, or I just wait till they say something stupid and blast them.

While I am not really into that type of discussion if people are just throwing flames just to be a jerk, but hey it happens

[Rich]

Welcome to cave diving! The sport's an ongoing process and we're always learning, no such thing as the perfect cave diver. But that's not a bad idea though, just take your time, sift through the responses, it's usually pretty obvious who's talking out their butt and who isn't, but you do need to have a thickish skin though! I gotta run, my little girl just woke up, good luck with everything....

Safe diving,

Rich

[JCDdiver]

It's the kinder...gentler CDF!

[derek]

Agree with rich..but... this 2012 we stuff the long hose

[MORGAN]

The CDF is the only internet forum where I'm an active member. I'm also on TDS, SB, and a couple of critical care and flight nursing sites but rarely post there. I just quickly skim them and look at whatever's interesting. On CDF I read every post ('cause I'm OCD, that's why! ) and post a fair amount.

My favorite things about the CDF are: 1) It's about cave diving! 2) The people on it. 3) The generally civil tone with a minimum of name calling and mindless flaming.

It's a very well moderated site. I agree that there has been more moderation lately, but it seems to be in response to the declining level of civility surrounding the NACD fight. Moderation is a balancing act - it's all about being moderate! So the moderators, being human, are going to err a bit on one side or the other from time to time, but for the most part they're able to do a pretty good job of staying on the bubble.

Mike

[Jax]

I agree with Morgan.

The NACD stuff went over the top - and yes, I read them all. Posters weren't paying attention, so the moderation pendulum swung toward the heavy.

I also agree a bit that it is time that the pendulum swing a bit back . . . after all, it is a cave-diving topic. IF posters can be civil . . .


Also, I would very much like to see feedback from the meeting yesterday.

[JerseyJersey]

The feedback is already being littered with snarky comments....which will lead to more and more....... there are a few who just must do that......

Most of us have the ability to consider the source and filter it out. Truly the past threads grew tedious and hopefully the new ones stay on track. I was not at the meeting and hearing from the different people there is a different part of the meeting brought to light with each one. I have no wish to be a moderator but do remember reaching a point with my kids where I just cut them off at the pass, no questions asked, until order was restored.... a lot of childish things have gone on..... let's just say I understand it.

[bpcfire1]

I agree, the NACD SHI* is getting really old. Before you know it, ppl are going to start closing places because the respected cave divers are now high school drama kings and queens. If ppl need to bash it out, then go start your OWN forum for the NACD crap. I came to this site for help with issues, and to learn about cave diving not see a bunch of kids arguing. I understand all the different thoughts and ppl will disagree but theres a point where we need to be grown ups and act like them. I read all the threads but only comment on things that are not drama.

It seems that the SAME ppl are the ones that have the smart ass comments and bash everyone every time they say something. I know somethings are stupid but its those ppls right to post and if you dont like it, then go look elsewhere. Its sad that every post turns into bashing and debating instead of what the topic is about. I know ppl pick and joke and thats great as I do on my job, but it comes to a point where enough is enough.

Just my two cents...................

[spatman]

When users start acting like assh0les, the moderators get blamed. Either they're too hard on the users or they're not doing enough. Lines between the two options are blurry and no one can say what is definitively a correct course if action.

It's often a thankless job. As a moderator on another scuba forum, I empathize with the CDF moderators and this onslaught of crap they've had to deal with lately.

[tj]

Hmmmm, here is my opinion on why we moderate this forum...

I guess it just comes down to the fact that we have members on this forum that live to incite others who just take things way too serious and too personal. Who is worse? Together this mix of forum posters makes for an uncivil forum. Since the owners of this forum believes that NO FORUM is better than an UNCIVIL forum, maybe we can come up with a solution to save the CDF from total devastation and ruin... and this issue of 'over-moderating' and uncivil posters. Maybe the moderators are under-moderating. I mean if they permanently banned every uncivil poster, the forum would be more civil. Stands to reason... Of course the forum might be more boring, but we would have a civil forum.

Imagine that a cave diving agency, organization or cave diver screws up and people post about it... you know they will... but this time, all the posts are discussed in a civil manner. Yeah, someone will post something uncivil, but the moderators are on top of it and toast the post (and the person that posted it... one warning... just one...).

Oops... sorry, I haven't forgotten there are two (or more) sides to every story... I know many CDF users LOVE the malice, the uncivil posts, the politics, and all the drama going on the forum these days... and keep coming back for more... and aren't usually disappointed. We could turn this forum into one of those NO RULES, NO MODERATING forums, but I don't think so. Call me one sided... at least on this issue...

That's my opinion of a change we could make. Anyone got a better idea?

In case I haven't said it lately, THANKS Moderators! I appreciate you all, even if you all often disagree with each other (and me)... THANK You CDF Members that post in good faith, and I really like the sarcasm... OFG-1 you are my hero... Thanks Rich (former Moderator himself) for wanting change.