Why is Zerogain going downhill?

Maybe thats the way some of us like it, other fora can be too dry, think the balance on here is about right, still you are entiltled to your opinion.

Although I think yer just peeved cos most of us don't use macs!

 

As opposed to Naim, Mana, HFC, Audio Asylum, Pink Fish, etc., etc., etc.?

 

Which makes the majority of TV soaps compulsive viewing

 

gary,
only michael can accurately answer this one as ultimately he holds all the cards but personally the 'point' of zerogain is...

a place for likeminded people to get together and discuss entertainment electronics and it's associated software.

yes it's a broad remit, but placing restictions on topics and zealous moderation seems a little draconian to me - if that kind of thing floats your boat then there's always av forums
cheers


julian

 

ZG may not have as many members as HFC but personally I find that this is the place to ask questions and get intelligent answers.

 

Hey Merlin don't get me wrong I also find it entertaining, many however do not.

But if we refer to ZG policy it dosn't fit with what is sometimes allowed to go on here.

A few bannings might well clean things up, but like it or lump it 'thats Moderation..' (sang in the tune of 'Thats Entertainment)

 

I think that's a good point. Of the UK forums, two are predominently flat earth, whilst the other offers "advice" that either passes into internet folklore for it's naivity or seems to come straight out of the Sevenscrotes catalogue.

ZG has it's faults but then so do all the alternatives and most people will end up with a better sounding hifi if they have a look over here IMO.

 

It only has faults if you expectations are high,if just go in for a 10 min surf,bit of info,chat,laugh,see whats for sale etc etc,its has no faults,it does what it says on the tin

if you want cosy little chats then it fails miserably,and thank goodness for that

 

This has been an interesting read - I have also noticed some really good threads recently too which kind of pooh poohs my first post:S

Its also probably the only thread in recent history with >100 posts that isnt full of mano et mano bitch fighting.

So - I think I'll start another speaker thread - lets see if it doesnt end up in an 'ATC does do bass, or an imaging is a thing of your imagination' ending....

keep the faith brothers //lamboy

 

You've got to give it more time.

 

Lawrie, 'handle' is a CB radio term. Smilies are bad enough but using CB radio terms is worse.

'notaclue' is the name of the river that flows through the magical kingdom where I was born and not (as is commonly thought) the name of the magical kingdom itself.

 

Agreed! There appears to be a big discrepancy between what is in the Zerogain policy statement and what's actually allowed to go on here. However, although the calls for stringent moderation are valid in theory, I believe that stringent moderation would end up being a double-edged sword on a forum like ZeroGain. I used the term double-edged sword because if the Moderators are going to clamp down on those they perceive to be trouble-makers or stirrers, then they would have to clamp down on all and sundry including their own friends. Now, given the close and I must say, healthy friendships enjoyed between the Moderators and many posters on this forum, including some of the trouble-makers or stirrers themselves, it would be very difficult for the Moderators to enforce the full might of the 'law' on a select few and not their 'friends' even though both groups could be considered to be equally guilty.

On the other hand, if the Moderators enforce say a banning order on one of their friends who is a known trouble-maker/stirrer, then where does that leave the friendship? This is a tough one which places the Moderators firmly between a rock and a hard place. So sensibly, they have gone for the soft option of self regulation (or semi-regulation) which is probably the best option for this forum. The downside of this is that issues that arise tend to run out control as big egos take over and a free-fight ensues. If those with the biggest egos happen to be friends, then what happens? So in theory, self regulation is a good idea, but in practice, not always workable. As to the gap that exists between the policy statement and the actual happenings on the forum, well I leave that for others to comment on.

Please note that the comments above are my own opinions based on what I have observed and are not designed to be a 'joke' or a call to arms. It is just another viewpoint or an extension to opinions that have already been expressed in this thread by others.



Enjoy the music,

Lawrie.

 

i wish you children would tidy your toys up and give it a ****ing rest

 

agreed,excessive moderation kills forums,and banning people for argueing is just a silly idea

 

How about the fact that we all have full time jobs and cant spend all day hanging around on the forum waiting to pounce on anything and everything?

 

Robbo,

I am assuming that you are a Moderator hence your response? If you are a Moderator, then that was a very lousy excuse, given all the arguments that have been taking place on this forum, some running for days and days. Are you suggesting that you don't see anything of the arguments that take place or are you just selective as to who you issue a warning? As I suggested in my previous post, as Moderator, your hands are tied. The biggest perpetrator or stirrer on this forum (the cause of many silly arguments) who also happens to have the biggest ego is (from what I can gather) a close friend of your's. Despite that individual's constant misbehaviour and even personal abuse against other forum members, I have never seen you issue a public forum rebuke to that individual. Instead, the other side to the argument, (obviously an ordinary forum member) always takes the biggest hit especially when the rest of the mob move in for the kill. If the other side to the argument is very sensitive or has had enough of the abuse metted out by this 'friend', and quits the forum, then the 'friend'/serial stirrer feels victorious. So you can't say you don't see what is going on. You are just reluctant to act for the reasons that I have described.

One question though, who exactly are the Moderators on this forum as there is nothing under your profile to say that you are a Moderator? Is it too much to ask for the 'proud' Moderators to make that fact known somewhere on their profiles or as a visual next to their handles? If the current Moderators are too busy with their day to day jobs, (as you say) then how about the forum owner appointing individuals who will actually be able to do a better job by nipping the so-called silly arguments in the bud before they explode and decend into a farce? Note that I am not calling for stringent moderation, just some preventative actions on the part of the Moderators with no exceptions.



Enjoy the music,

Lawrie.

 

You have your answer Robbo,
Obviously you should resign from your paying job and spend your time moderating.

 

Penance,

I realise you are loyal to the cause (putting it mildly) but don't try to speak up for Robbo. I'm sure he can handle that for himself.



Enjoy the music,

Lawrie.

 

Lawrie,

I had no idea you were a good friend of Robbo's

It's simple really. If you take life so seriously that you prefer to not take some good natured ribbing, then why not stick to heavily moderated forums? If you can't take the heat, find another kitchen.

All you are doing at the moment is trying to wind up the likes of Ian, Joel, Robbo, WM and others - all of whom seem to contribute considerably more useful information to ZG than your good self IMO.

 

Loyal to the cause?
Care to explain that statment?
As for speaking for Robbo, not at all. I simply replied to your thoughtless comment. In a manner that anyone with understanding of moderating would do.

I have moderated myself, on an american based programmers help group. It takes a lot of time to fully moderate a busy forum.
People work, that is more important, as a result moderation may not be as stringent as some would like.