Your views

[DaveK]

I would just like to add my two penn'orth again. Peter's post says very elegantly what I also think but could not express. Reading Peter's posting helped to crystalise my thoughts and I found myself agreeing with him more and more, the more I read. There is, I feel, an unintentional feeling of "this is our forum and it's not up for change - if you don't like it, move on somewhere else". Many of the regular guys on here could be described as MILDLY weird, eccentric and dogmatic in their perception of the 'true light' as they see it. I feel that SOMETIMES passionately held beliefs come across as the only 'true light' and, in turn, this may make anyone with differing views, particularly newbies or lurkers, feel in a minority and therefore unwelcome.
It's a difficult line to draw between passing on beliefs (aka knowledge) to people with no knowledge of the subject but eager to learn and over-emphasising your beliefs to people who legitimately hold different beliefs. In short maybe we need to make it more obvious that contrary opinions are very welcome - remember that we are discussing an art here, not a science, there is no one right answer. All that really matters is that people with contrary opinions can justify those opinions to themselves and be given the opportunity to persuade other people to come round to, or at least seriously consider, their point of view. Debate is good, argument is bad.
Here endeth today's lesson.
Cheers,

[Marco]

I will stick my neck out here and question this. This is probably the biggest area I would like to see done better. Views are requested but they are not always received well. The impression I have is that they are dealt with in a bad way.

Hi Peter,

I'll get to your main post later (probably tomorrow), but regarding the above, aside from the Rob/Waz incident, could you highlight another time when constructive criticism offered has in your opinion been dealt with in a bad way?

This is a learning curve for us all, so I'm just trying to get a better handle on your thoughts so we can do something to improve the situation

Cheers!

Marco.

[Beechwoods]

Don't worry! You're not coming over as confrontational, I know the spirit in which you're posting Sometimes the effect of posts here aren't immediate... sometimes they set balls rolling, and changes come later; but the one thing you can guarantee is that the response will be honest. This area doesn't just get ignored!

[symon]

Don't worry! You're not coming over as confrontational, I know the spirit in which you're posting Sometimes the effect of posts here aren't immediate... sometimes they set balls rolling, and changes come later; but the one thing you can guarantee is that the response will be honest. This area doesn't just get ignored!

Thanks Nick. The highlighted bit is very important and I think underscores the great thing about this forum. Sadly, it is probably also the thing that causes dissent and discomfort as well. Such is life.

[symon]

Hi Peter,

I'll get to your main post later (probably tomorrow), but regarding the above, aside from the Rob/Waz incident, could you highlight another time when constructive criticism offered has in your opinion been dealt with in a bad way?

This is a learning curve for us all, so I'm just trying to get a better handle on your thoughts so we can do something to improve the situation

Cheers!

Marco.

Hehe - I knew someone would ask that. I wwill dig through and see if I can find the posts that led me to think this.
I have a pleasant fear that my impression will be dismissed through doing so. But, I'll try and find the things that can be seen in different lights.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I think a lot of what you perceive stems from 2 things.
1) Some regulars getting on well with each other & being able to judge what they can & what they can't say to each other.
2) The main problem with any internet forum - many things are typed in haste & not thoroughly thought through or explained adequately enough to get the point across. Sometimes, a late, but well judged response is worth 10 snappy off-the-cuff posts.

Some folks have a forceful way of putting things, others are more subtle - if you disagree with something that's said, or how it's said, then say so.

However, your opinion will always be valued and treated as valid.

[Marco]

Hi Peter,

Thanks. One quick thing I would like to pick up on is this notion that things are ever "dismissed", "rationalised", "pooh-poohed", or anything else suggesting that admin inconsiderately 'bin' people's comments, just because they don't agree with them.

Or as Dave implied:

this is our forum and it's not up for change - if you don't like it, move on somewhere else.

Where you got that from, mate, I've no idea

Rest assured that every point raised here is carefully considered and acted upon if necessary. The "if necessary" part is the hardest bit to judge, because people's natural reaction to suggestions they've made not being implemented, or rejected, is that they've been superficially or rudely "dismissed" - that is not the case. I understand though it's hard not to feel a little aggrieved when your suggestions have seemingly been ignored.

However, the reality is simply that, after due consideration, what's been suggested was not thought to have been for the greater good of the forum as a whole, that's all. Someone has to be in charge of making the final decision, and that's admin. The fact is it's impossible to please all the people all of the time. Remember also that we have not only to consider the feelings of those expressing their opinions here, but also those of the members who are perfectly happy with things as they are

Marco.

[symon]

Indeed. I tried to link the phrases with the word "impression". It will be interesting to revisit this thread to find what gave me that impression. It will be hard to explain because it will probably hinge on words and comments that can be viewed from different viewpoints - with each viewpoint shading and colouring the perceived intent of the comment.

I'll come back tomorrow with a more researched and reasoned response. But, it is important to note that I am talking about impressions rather. I will be honestly surprised if I find real examples of rudeness.

[Marco]

Sounds like a question of semantics then, Peter, which is a problem whenever the written word is the sole method of communication - forums are a prime example, and thus a potential hotbed of misinterpretation.

However, I'm intrigued, so see what you can come up with. Something must have triggered that reaction in you. I would be very surprised if it was genuine rudeness, as we simply don't allow that here.

One thing's for sure though, I'll be very curious to see what Darren makes of all this when he comes back...

Marco.

[DaveK]

Na then Marco, if tha gunna quote me, quote the whole bit not just the bit that suits your point of view - naughty ! The full phrase or sentence was, " There is, I feel, an unintentional feeling of "this is our forum and it's not up for change - if you don't like it, move on somewhere else". . Note the words "untintional feeling" - on reflection perhaps my thoughts would have been better expressed as "unintended feeling". The feeling I was referring to is the perception that newbies and lurkers may get from reading some of Admins' responses. I know that that is not what is intended by Admin but to someone with little or no fore knowledge of this forum that is how it sometimes can be perceived, so there !!
Cheers, (and don't take it out on my cartridge and headshell please ).