Post by Lark11 on Jun 30, 2010 0:59:37 GMT -5
Well, this board has been around for quite a while and I'm really starting to think that it may just make it. 
Slowly but surely it seems to be growing, which is a very good thing. Of course, a bigger board can bring growing pains right along with it. Unfortunately, I have gotten a few complaints from posters who I respect, which tells me that there may be an emerging problem. So, hopefully we can nip it in the bud and get back to the business of baseball.
For those who may have joined us recently, perhaps a bit of history is in order. When we created this board, we were refugees from the ESPN Reds board. At one time, the ESPN Reds board was the best board on the site (and, no, I'm not biased). Over the years, it developed into a real community. The regulars helped to establish an environment in which substantive discussion could flourish and people could exchange ideas and discuss baseball in a respectful environment. Unfortunately, the board was gradually overrun by trolls, spam, and instigators. The environment that many of us had worked to create had come undone. At that point, we broke off and created this board.
The original idea of this board was to recreate the environment that we built at ESPN. In short, this message board was intended to be a cut above the norm and, quite frankly, anything less doesn't really interest me these days. This board was intended to be a respectful environment in which people could debate/discuss ideas.
A huge key to a good message board is diversity. Diversity of thought, perspective, and point of view. Even if you don't agree with an opinion, discussion can serve to sharpen your own ideas or may even work to change your mind on the issue. It would be a boring message board and world if everyone thought the same way. Of course, for there to be diversity of thought, everyone has to be respectful of others.
Discussion, debate, and argument (in the logical reasoning sense) are all encouraged. Of course, the discussion/disagreement should focus on content, not the person posting it. Challenging an idea is perfectly acceptable, but challenging the person posting it is not. There really is no place for personal attacks, name calling, or general pettiness on this board. People are passionate about the Reds, so it's understandable that people cross swords from time to time. That said, even in an argument there should remain a certain amount of respect and civility.
As for vulgarity in posting, it's something of a fine line for me. I understand that a choice word here or there can really relieve frustration, drive home a punch line, or help express a thought. At the same time, I'm not really interested in wading through post after post of profanity to get my fix of substantive baseball discussion. And, of course, profanity directed at another person isn't acceptable. So, I'd ask that people keep it clean...for the most part. In the recent past, I've been toying with the profanity filter and can use it more, but I'm not wild about censorship. Still, as the board continues to grow, more moderator activity and external policing may prove necessary.
When this board was created, there were two simple rules:
1) Be respectful.
2) Be passionate about the Reds.
That was it. And, frankly, I still think those are enough today.
Unfortunately, I have gotten a few complaints over the past week or so about the environment on this board. Up until now, this board has been small enough to be self-policing. Rarely have I had to moderate in any capacity. If that needs to change going forward, then I can take a more active role. Hopefully, the board vets can help foster and maintain the type of environment we want and newer members can continue to join and contribute in the spirit of the board.
It's going to be a fine line to walk, as we want and need new members and perspectives to keep the board fresh, but at the same time we want to maintain the respectful environment that was the underlying rationale for starting this board in the first place. Of course, I don't believe the two goals to be mutually exclusive, so we should be fine as we continue to develop.
I'd love to hear any ideas, concerns, or suggestions about the board. Ultimately, this board will be what we all make of it. But, from where I sit, too many people have contributed too much time and effort into building this board into a community to let it slowly devolve into something less than we want.
That said, hopefully we can get it back on track and enjoy the best Reds season any of us have seen in quite some time. Personally, I think we have a special community here, which is a testament to all of you, and I see no reason why it can't continue to thrive into the future.
Thanks all!!
Slowly but surely it seems to be growing, which is a very good thing. Of course, a bigger board can bring growing pains right along with it. Unfortunately, I have gotten a few complaints from posters who I respect, which tells me that there may be an emerging problem. So, hopefully we can nip it in the bud and get back to the business of baseball. For those who may have joined us recently, perhaps a bit of history is in order. When we created this board, we were refugees from the ESPN Reds board. At one time, the ESPN Reds board was the best board on the site (and, no, I'm not biased). Over the years, it developed into a real community. The regulars helped to establish an environment in which substantive discussion could flourish and people could exchange ideas and discuss baseball in a respectful environment. Unfortunately, the board was gradually overrun by trolls, spam, and instigators. The environment that many of us had worked to create had come undone. At that point, we broke off and created this board.
The original idea of this board was to recreate the environment that we built at ESPN. In short, this message board was intended to be a cut above the norm and, quite frankly, anything less doesn't really interest me these days. This board was intended to be a respectful environment in which people could debate/discuss ideas.
A huge key to a good message board is diversity. Diversity of thought, perspective, and point of view. Even if you don't agree with an opinion, discussion can serve to sharpen your own ideas or may even work to change your mind on the issue. It would be a boring message board and world if everyone thought the same way. Of course, for there to be diversity of thought, everyone has to be respectful of others.
Discussion, debate, and argument (in the logical reasoning sense) are all encouraged. Of course, the discussion/disagreement should focus on content, not the person posting it. Challenging an idea is perfectly acceptable, but challenging the person posting it is not. There really is no place for personal attacks, name calling, or general pettiness on this board. People are passionate about the Reds, so it's understandable that people cross swords from time to time. That said, even in an argument there should remain a certain amount of respect and civility.
As for vulgarity in posting, it's something of a fine line for me. I understand that a choice word here or there can really relieve frustration, drive home a punch line, or help express a thought. At the same time, I'm not really interested in wading through post after post of profanity to get my fix of substantive baseball discussion. And, of course, profanity directed at another person isn't acceptable. So, I'd ask that people keep it clean...for the most part. In the recent past, I've been toying with the profanity filter and can use it more, but I'm not wild about censorship. Still, as the board continues to grow, more moderator activity and external policing may prove necessary.
When this board was created, there were two simple rules:
1) Be respectful.
2) Be passionate about the Reds.
That was it. And, frankly, I still think those are enough today.
Unfortunately, I have gotten a few complaints over the past week or so about the environment on this board. Up until now, this board has been small enough to be self-policing. Rarely have I had to moderate in any capacity. If that needs to change going forward, then I can take a more active role. Hopefully, the board vets can help foster and maintain the type of environment we want and newer members can continue to join and contribute in the spirit of the board.
It's going to be a fine line to walk, as we want and need new members and perspectives to keep the board fresh, but at the same time we want to maintain the respectful environment that was the underlying rationale for starting this board in the first place. Of course, I don't believe the two goals to be mutually exclusive, so we should be fine as we continue to develop.
I'd love to hear any ideas, concerns, or suggestions about the board. Ultimately, this board will be what we all make of it. But, from where I sit, too many people have contributed too much time and effort into building this board into a community to let it slowly devolve into something less than we want.
That said, hopefully we can get it back on track and enjoy the best Reds season any of us have seen in quite some time. Personally, I think we have a special community here, which is a testament to all of you, and I see no reason why it can't continue to thrive into the future.
Thanks all!!
