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Re: What has happened to the board?
Author: crmeatball
Date: 10-20-2009 - 08:52
Mr. Curlee,
Let me begin by first thanking you for your efforts with the timetables. I have found them an invaluable resource toward my hobby. I have used them for many years and hope to do so well into the future.
As for the discussion board, I find it interesting at times (especially the Trainnews portion - it is part of my daily news routine). At others, it can be a little dry, but that is to be expected well. However, all too often, it becomes offensive. I agree with Q's post, that when one wades into the railfan community, one must be prepared for foul, offensive, anti-social behavior. All too often I hear discussions about how to interest our children and others in our hobby, only to have them scared off by the offensive and overbearing attitudes of some railfans, albiet a small minority. Up until this past summer, I had done a pretty good job of hiding this aspect of the hobby from my wife and young boys, until I took them to see the 844 this summer. My wife was shocked to see the blatant disregard for others while we chased the locomotive. If I were to show here some of the posts on this board, her disbelief would grow beyond measure.
All too often, there is a cry for "free-speech," claiming we can say what we want, where we want and how we want. However, let me point out that this board is not a "public" forum. Mr. Curlee, as the proprietor of Altamont Press, you have the ability and the right to censor anyone for anything within this board. And I feel you should do so, clearly establishing what is considered acceptable. Bickering about the NWP or complaining about your latest run in with railroad police is one thing. But when the language becomes offensive or the posts become personal attacks against other posters or others within the community, I feel that crosses the line of appropriate discussion. I am not against paying a small donation to participate within a community such as this, so long as that fee is used to maintain decorum and civility within the discussion.
Again, thank you for your products. Whether you continue this discussion board or not, it will not dissuade me from continuing to purchase the timetables as part of my hobby.
Thanks
CRMeatball
Let me begin by first thanking you for your efforts with the timetables. I have found them an invaluable resource toward my hobby. I have used them for many years and hope to do so well into the future.
As for the discussion board, I find it interesting at times (especially the Trainnews portion - it is part of my daily news routine). At others, it can be a little dry, but that is to be expected well. However, all too often, it becomes offensive. I agree with Q's post, that when one wades into the railfan community, one must be prepared for foul, offensive, anti-social behavior. All too often I hear discussions about how to interest our children and others in our hobby, only to have them scared off by the offensive and overbearing attitudes of some railfans, albiet a small minority. Up until this past summer, I had done a pretty good job of hiding this aspect of the hobby from my wife and young boys, until I took them to see the 844 this summer. My wife was shocked to see the blatant disregard for others while we chased the locomotive. If I were to show here some of the posts on this board, her disbelief would grow beyond measure.
All too often, there is a cry for "free-speech," claiming we can say what we want, where we want and how we want. However, let me point out that this board is not a "public" forum. Mr. Curlee, as the proprietor of Altamont Press, you have the ability and the right to censor anyone for anything within this board. And I feel you should do so, clearly establishing what is considered acceptable. Bickering about the NWP or complaining about your latest run in with railroad police is one thing. But when the language becomes offensive or the posts become personal attacks against other posters or others within the community, I feel that crosses the line of appropriate discussion. I am not against paying a small donation to participate within a community such as this, so long as that fee is used to maintain decorum and civility within the discussion.
Again, thank you for your products. Whether you continue this discussion board or not, it will not dissuade me from continuing to purchase the timetables as part of my hobby.
Thanks
CRMeatball
