MERB dwindling?

[bensonnobalia]

"Green is the best place in the city to go to find lineups of who is available on any given day...for that alone, it is worth its weight in gold."

Ohhh, WHOA!!!!! The effigies are in production and the flames are lit.

Merlot

Slow down boy.

That is not a put-down at all.

You may not believe this but ads are extremely important.

No matter how much some hobbyists prefer a more open debate, many of us come back here each day with our tails between our legs, because we want to know who is in the lineup at GOF, at Jessy's or whereever that night and we can't be bothererd to Google the site, and we don't want to bookmark them on our office computers.

In fact ads are a very popular feature in many media.

Newspapers are dying in part, becasue classified ads, which were one of their most popular features have moved online.

Preview ads in movie theaters are very popular with many viewers.

And I don't have to tell you about fashion magazines such as Vogue et al.

Ads matter.

 

[johnmbot]

message boards need a constant influx of new people w/ original style to sustain them. beyond that, how many times can the same old topics be discussed by the same old people? these two points apply to the girls as well.

this thread topic ain't exactly new either.

 

[Jman47]

Funny, I thought we were talking about MERB here not politics. Mods, are we not getting off subject here? Or will the Mods now let us change subjects in mid-thread now? I keep losing track of the rule changes.

Hello CS,
You are correct in your appropriately pointed out point.

There was however an indication made in this thread the the reason for merb traffic slowing was the down turn in the economy causing hobbyists to have less available cash. All of which was effectively created by the president doing everything except pay attention to the economy.

Hence and therefore opening the thread to political commentary from the opposing point of view so long as it was done tastefully and eloquently.

Ahhh hell, I was just trying to stir up a conversation and politics ALWAYS invokes a lively conversation.

Enjoy your day.
Jman

PS The Smileys still suck...

 

[johnmbot]

...and politics ALWAYS invokes a lively conversation.

politics & sex are as symbiotic as flies on shit... since the beginning of time.

 

[CS Martin]

Hence and therefore opening the thread to political commentary from the opposing point of view so long as it was done tastefully and eloquently.
PS The Smileys still suck...

Who said anyone opposed your on your politics?

Politicially, I've moved off the page (not right, not left, non-committal) and decided to attempt to run for Montreal Dogcatcher. And I want to commit here publicly to run my prospective campaign in accordance with all statutory guidelines NO MATTER HOW WEALTHY I GET FROM CONTRIBUTIONS. This is not a solicitation for contributions to a prospective campaign, but merely a commitment to comply with all guidelines even if it does make me wealthy.

P.S. Yes the smiliey need some attention.

 

[Kansas Frank]

Ok, let's talk about that...the current President has less than 12 months to FIX what it took the Moron Dubya 8 years to f**k up...dammit what is taking him so long!?

Frank - we have all been touched by the economic downturn in one way or another...but to blame it on the guy who had big enough balls to step up tp the plate and try to fix it - is just not right.

This should fire up a lively discussion...?!

You're right JMan47. Let's see what President Obama will say tonight. In my humble opinion, he needs to replace his entire economic team. It took them over a year to figure out that Job creation should be one of their top priorities.

 

[Kansas Frank]

I wonder whether the winter olympics in Vancouver will bring in more Hobbyists to Montreal. I hope it does. They'll have fun with the most gorgeous ladies!

 

[Techman]

Alexa gets their stats from people who have the Alexa toolbar installed. It collects information on where you go on the net and sends that information back to Alexa. It isn't a very reliable or accurate method to show a web site's overall popularity. I only posted the link because while I think it's not reliable for general use, I think it's useful for comparing similar sites, like MERB and merc, that tend to attract the same web surfers.

By the way, most anti-virus and spyware programs treat the Alexa toolbar as spyware and will either disable it or recommend that you remove it. Myself, I don't use any toolbars from any company and always remove them when one happens to slip by me but Alexa is pretty harmless if you want to install it and give it a try.

Techman

 

[Techman]

Why does anyone install any toolbar? Most of them do exactly the same thing as Alexa does only they do it for advertising and marketing purposes. I've seen people with 3 or more toolbars installed on their browser who didn't even realize they weren't supposed to be there. The information collected by legitimate companies is anonymous anyways.

 

[Ben Dover]

It's an interesting question.

As far as general discussion and debate are concerned, I think the "holier then thou", "everything is black or white ", "those who don't agree with me are scum" attitude of of a couple of members has dampened intelligent, spirited discourse. One wearied of bopping them down only to have them constantly pop back up with the same inane, thick headed, pontificating attitude.

I rarely say this... but Dee, I couldn't have said it better myself.

I spend much less time reading merb than I did the last couple years, mainly for the reasons above. Nothing to do with money or the economy. I will still use it to research something specific, but I am less interested in the ongoing discussions. Not surprised to find that traffic is up. This is pretty meaningless. Traffic overall on the web is still growing very fast. Sites that are stagnating or losing traffic really have serious problems.

Since the Vbulletin software upgrade, I also find the look and feel less appealing and searching more difficult. Results come back randomly without clear time stamps. I could probably figure out how to search more effectively, but it feels like too much work and I'm not motivated enough to do it.

One of two of you may have noticed that I don't post much these days. I expect it to dwindle down to nothing by the end of this year unless things change.


BD

 

[Techman]

One of two of you may have noticed that I don't post much these days. I expect it to dwindle down to nothing by the end of this year unless things change.

BD

I did notice that you haven't been around that much lately. If there's anything I can do to help hurry your timetable along, just let me know. I'll be glad to help speed you on your way!

Techman

 

[Dee]

i did notice that you haven't been around that much lately. If there's anything i can do to help hurry your timetable along, just let me know. I'll be glad to help speed you on your way!

techman

q.e.d.

...........

 

[hungry101]

Why are my posts down?

After much reflection I can tell you why my posts are down.

1st I have had a recent job change which makes Montreal a much less frequent destination. 2nd I have realized that my addiction to the computer has been having a negative impact on my job performance so I am intentionally trying to cut back (its not the actual hobby that is going to ruin me but the time wasted by spending hours surfing the web in pursuit of my next conquest that will do me in). I will offer the following example as a possible 3rd reason. I started a thread recently which I thought was a light hearted, fun thread to get members (new and old) to share some of our most embarrassing moments while pursuing the hobby in 2009. I think I received a total of two sincere responses. One insincere response was by none other than Ben Dover who responded with a smart ass, sarcastic post that I think ruined my thread. BTW Ben your sarcasm was hilarious but I think you were trying to say that my thread was a contrived, worthless, and may have served to intimidate others from participation. To this end, your response was mean spirited. All I was trying to do was to get us all to share a few funny anecdotes and a few laughs about our pursuit of the hobby. Outside of Doc and Merlot, nobody seemed to care.

I offer this example because I sometime observe newer member’s receiving a cold welcome or a rude response from senior members. When a new member asks a question why should we offer nothing but a comment akin to “This thread belongs in 411 section.” Let the Mods do this. I believe that unfriendly and unhelpful responses probably intimidate new members from further participation. So why be rude? Why not be helpful?

I will still post but from now on my new threads will probably be about SP’s that have not been reviewed or deal with trying to glean info on Montreal SP’s and hobbying in other geographies.

 

[Merlot]

As far as general discussion and debate are concerned, I think the "holier then thou", "everything is black or white ", "those who don't agree with me are scum" attitude of of a couple of members has dampened intelligent, spirited discourse. One wearied of bopping them down only to have them constantly pop back up with the same inane, thick headed, pontificating attitude.
http://www.superdairyboy.com/Toys/Bop_Bags/Bozo_The_Clown.html

Undoubtedly the tight control by the Mods (who seem to frown on humourous comment) has dampened debate, while at the same time preventing wars. I guess there is an upside and a downside to everything (Quaere: are upside down cakes the exception? - http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/dre0068l.jpg ) Anyway I'm glad it's them and not me moderating.

I agree that the banning of the pot stirrers like GG (elsewhere, an almost Saul/Paul en route to Damascus transformation.... medication adjustment I expect), Oli (unvarnished truth teller extraordinaire), and Ziggy (brilliant) has decreased posts here while increasing the life expectancy of the Mods.

Hello Dee,

Your "holier than thou" label fails to recognize the damage done and failures of those you mentioned. No one wants a board of head nodders. Of course seeking out and surrounding oneself with agreement is the worst mistake. I believe in positive confrontation, a sincere exchange of contrasting opinions, as the best way to learn. But tolerating endless venom is destructive. Saints addicted to perpetual bitterness and feuding, truth tellers with a lust for gutterism and bile, and geniuses who can't avoid lapsing into and relishing in anger are lessons in futility, not healthy contributors. Everyone has some of all of these faults at times, but when one can't help or refuses to avoid lapsing into them what good can they offer except as an avoidance lesson. If only GG and Ziggy were dedicated to their positive creativity they could be great assets.

Note: I see you didn't bother mentioning the nihilist.

True that the mods have been guilty of swarming oversensitive overkill at times, but if your inference that the banned members were mistreated creative assets was true then where are the productive results now that they are together in a "freer" atmosphere. The evidence shows a frivolity a key member called a "men's locker room", and a habit of back-biting among themselves you seem to be impossibly unaware of.

I started a thread recently which I thought was a light hearted, fun thread to get members (new and old) to share some of our most embarrassing moments while pursuing the hobby in 2009. I think I received a total of two sincere responses. One insincere response was by none other than Ben Dover who responded with a smart ass, sarcastic post that I think ruined my thread.

Isn't it ironic that those who complain of intolerance often don't control it in themselves. It's too bad that if there is a "holier than thou" attitude by some, those who complain the board has lost tolerance for broader views don't know how to live up to their own standards and make unnecessary attacks that discourage members from posting. But then the internet itself sometimes seems like the place to freely unleash faults upon others.

I did notice that you haven't been around that much lately.
Techman

He wasn't contracted by the WWE as Captain Briefcase...superhero???

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[CS Martin]

Hello Dee,

Your "holier than thou" label fails to recognize the damage done and failures of those you mentioned. No one wants a board of head nodders. Of course seeking out and surrounding oneself with agreement is the worst mistake. I believe in positive confrontation, a sincere exchange of contrasting opinions, as the best way to learn. But tolerating venom is destructive. Saints addicted to perpetual bitterness and feuding, truth tellers with a lust for gutterism and bile, and geniuses who can't avoid lapsing into and relishing in anger are lessons in futility, not healthy contributors. Everyone has some of all of these faults at times, but when one can't help or refuses to avoid lapsing into them what good can they offer except as an avoidance lesson.

True that the mods have been guilty of swarming oversensitive overkill at times, but if your inference that the banned members were mistreated creative assets was true then where are the productive results now that they are together in a "freer" atmosphere. The evidence shows a frivolity a key member called a "men's locker room", and a habit of back-biting among themselves you seem to be impossibly unaware of.



Isn't it ironic that those who complain of intolerance often don't control it in themselves. It's too bad that if there is a "holier than thou" attitude by some, those who complain the board has lost tolerance for broader views don't know how to live up to their own standards and make unnecessary attacks that discourage members from posting. But then the internet itself sometimes seems like the place to freely unleash faults upon others.



He wasn't contracted by the WWE as Captain Briefcase...superhero???

Cheers,

Merlot

M,

Respectfully, {{EDITTED}} I disagree!

Have a nice day.

CS

 

[Mod 8]

Hello everyone,

A number of posters have mentioned certain former members and the moderating as reasons for what they believe is a downturn in MERB activity. I would like to address these points directly.

Where the moderating is concerned, we are doing our best to provide a respectful, adult environment for all members to enjoy. All members have the freedom to make their opinions known and to start threads on the subjects they wish. All we ask is that members have respect for all the other members of the MERB community and that they word their posts accordingly. We also expect all members to follow the rules and posting guidelines posted on the board. Members who follow the rules never have any problems with the moderating. those who are disrespectful or ignore the rules will be suspended. It is not difficult to understand. All moderators are available to answer questions regarding our decisions by PM or e-mail and will be glad to answer all questions to the best of our ability.

Where former or banned members are concerned, some members, such as Ziggy, have left on their own accord and they were free to do so and they are also free to return if they so choose. Others such as GG, were banned due to the constant discord they caused on the board and while his ban was a long one, it will be up in a few months and if he wishes he will be free to return to MERB. Others were banned permanently from MERB due to the fact that the trouble they caused and the disrespect they showed to all members could no longer be tolerated. Two such posters who have been mentioned in this thread, Elf Gone Bad and Oliver Kloseoff, will never be re-instated to MERB under any circumstances due to the total lack of respect they have shown for everyone. Considering their presence elsewhere has not increased that board's activity at all, and in fact may be in part responsible for it's decline, shows that their presence here would make no difference in MERB activity other than to give the moderators more work cleaning up after them. They will not be back. Get over it.

As Fred Zed has posted, board activity is quite consistent. If members find there are not enough topics for them to post in, there is nothing stopping them from creating their own new thread. MERB's success depends on contributions from our members. Those who choose not to contribute, have no reason, or right, to complain.

I will also ask all existing members to do their best to make new members feel at home here. Constant attacks of shill made against new posters is no way to give them a reason to come back. Being sarcastic towards new members who ask questions is also a poor way to welcome them. Try to remember what it was like when you first joined MERB and if you would have remained if treated in a similar fashion. Please put yourself in their position and act accordingly.

MERB is what the members make it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Mod 8

 

[CS Martin]

Where former or banned members are concerned, some members, such as Ziggy, have left on their own accord and they were free to do so and they are also free to return if they so choose. Others such as GG, were banned due to the constant discord they caused on the board and while his ban was a long one, it will be up in a few months and if he wishes he will be free to return to MERB. Others were banned permanently from MERB due to the fact that the trouble they caused and the disrespect they showed to all members could no longer be tolerated. Two such posters who have been mentioned in this thread, Elf Gone Bad and Oliver Kloseoff, will never be re-instated to MERB under any circumstances due to the total lack of respect they have shown for everyone. Considering their presence elsewhere has not increased that board's activity at all, and in fact may be in part responsible for it's decline, shows that their presence here would make no difference in MERB activity other than to give the moderators more work cleaning up after them. They will not be back. Get over it.

Mod 8

Since Fred has been nice enough to substantiate his claims of the stability of this board’s business, can you please substantiate your claim that the other board has declined? After all, it was you that supplied this fact and brought it up on this board. Especially interesting since we’re not supposed to discuss other boards.

Respectfully,

CS Martin

 

[Mod 8]

Hello CS,

As a moderator I do spend some time reading the other various boards to see what is happening elsewhere. I especially take note of the number of posts made on merc per day. Even on a slow day, the posts on MERB outnumber merc by at least 5 to 1. If you were to remove the nonsense posts made by EGB, it would likely be 10 to one. I do not think that I have to post any numbers to make comparisons, it is simple enough for anyone to check for themselves. On most days, clicking on 'New Posts' on merc leads you to a page with less than 25 threads per day updated. If you remove the advertiser posts, that number falls even lower. On MERB, we tend to have about 5 pages, on average, of updated threads per day.

The main reason that we try to avoid posts about other boards is to prevent cross board fights which serve no real purpose. We see no reason for members to copy and paste posts from other boards either. If certain members on merc miss posting here so much that they cannot stop talking about MERB on their board, that is simply a sign of how few topics of discussion exist there and how few members exist to post them. On MERB, we have no shortage of interesting threads or members and no need to worry about what happens on boards we do not control.

If the members of MERB wish to see an example of poor moderation and administration, and what it does to a board, they do not have to look very far. We have no intention of allowing MERB to become a similar wasteland.

M8

Since Fred has been nice enough to substantiate his claims of the stability of this board’s business, can you please substantiate your claim that the other board has declined? After all, it was you that supplied this fact and brought it up on this board. Especially interesting since we’re not supposed to discuss other boards.

Respectfully,

CS Martin

 

[CS Martin]

I just want to make sure I understand your logic. When talking about this board we discuss Alexia statistics, but when talking about blueland we use anecdotal references??.....and no, moderators here have flat out said we cannot mention M__C. Suggestion, don't sign up for the Harvard Debate Team just yet.......or you could again suggest I leave if I don't like it here again (always a crowd pleaser)......... or would you just like to ban me for speaking up? No need to respond, I've had my dose of insanity for tonight.

Hello CS,

As a moderator I do spend some time reading the other various boards to see what is happening elsewhere. I especially take note of the number of posts made on merc per day. Even on a slow day, the posts on MERB outnumber merc by at least 5 to 1. If you were to remove the nonsense posts made by EGB, it would likely be 10 to one. I do not think that I have to post any numbers to make comparisons, it is simple enough for anyone to check for themselves. On most days, clicking on 'New Posts' on merc leads you to a page with less than 25 threads per day updated. If you remove the advertiser posts, that number falls even lower. On MERB, we tend to have about 5 pages, on average, of updated threads per day.

The main reason that we try to avoid posts about other boards is to prevent cross board fights which serve no real purpose. We see no reason for members to copy and paste posts from other boards either. If certain members on merc miss posting here so much that they cannot stop talking about MERB on their board, that is simply a sign of how few topics of discussion exist there and how few members exist to post them. On MERB, we have no shortage of interesting threads or members and no need to worry about what happens on boards we do not control.

If the members of MERB wish to see an example of poor moderation and administration, and what it does to a board, they do not have to look very far. We have no intention of allowing MERB to become a similar wasteland.

M8

 

[Mod 8]

Hello CS,

I am not the one who brought up Alexa statistics. As for the method I used to compare the two boards, seeing as I do not have access to the logs of either MERB or merc, there is no other way I can present my point of view. As of this moment, there have been 14 threads updated on merc today and 52 threads posted in on MERB. As for the exact number of posts made on each board, I do not have that information. If anyone is interested in the exact number of posts made on either board, I suggest they do the research themselves. It would be easy enough to do as the post count is on the main page of both boards. Take a note of the posts on each board at the beginning of a week or month and compare it to the post count at the end of the month.

As far as mentioning merc is concerned, you can see that there is no censorship regarding those four letters being combined together. What we do not want to see is discussion of events that occur on any other board as they do not concern us. We have nothing to do with moderating those boards and have no interest in having their problems brought over here for discussion. Obviously, links to any other competing board are prohibited as they are on all boards.

Other than in a thread such as this, I see no valid reason for any other boards to be discussed here on MERB.

M8