Mike
Well-Known Member
It has not gone unnoticed by some members that I am not strictly adhering to one of the forum rules, specifically the one that deals with religious and political posts. It seems there are more than a few of you that have topics other than T-Buckets on your minds, and that you are wanting to talk about those topics. As a result, I have been watching and reading, to see how some of those threads are going.
I am pleased to say that any of the threads that have not been 100% within the guidelines of the rules have moved forward very peacefully. Thus far, it seems everyone is more than capable of participating in some hot-button discussions, without resorting to anger. Which is pretty much what I expected from all of you, to be honest.
But, for those who are not as comfortable with those types of discussions, I have been considering the possibility of a separate forum section, where the forum rules would be relaxed, and discussions of what have long been forbidden topics could be held.
Here's what I am thinking -
We have a separate forum for more open discussions. It is not closed off to anyone, so that all members can participate, if they choose. However, members who prefer not to involve themselves in those types of discussions can simply avoid the forum. In other words, play if you want to play, and avoid it if you do not. The hot topics will be confined to one forum section, so no one's sensibilities will be trampled.
If someone wants to talk about religion, politics, or a firearm, then those types of discussions would be allowed. Within reason. The discussions are not to attack anyone for the things they believe. If you want to make insensitive jokes about any religious faith system, that would be crossing a line. If you want to hammer on someone for owning a room full of guns, that would be crossing a line. However, if you want to ask a question about a religious faith system, then that would be acceptable, as would talking about the room full of guns that you own.
This forum section would not be, nor would it be allowed to become a free-for-all. Everyone would be expected to talk rationally, and without use of vulgarity, or other foul language. This would not be a forum for off-color (Sheesh, is the word 'color' politically-correct, these days?) jokes, or for lewd images.
If a topic starts producing more heat than light, the topic would be shut down. This would not be a place for piques and quarrels, so let's be clear on that. I've no problem with those whose opinions differ from my own. Let's face it, that's why the ice cream shop has all those different flavors. It's OK to disagree with what others have to say, but disagreeing does not mean it has to result in a knock-down, drag-out.
Yes, yes, yes, I already know there will be those of you who will choose not to participate in this proposed, new forum. And please, hear me say that is more than acceptable, and quite alright. No one is asking you to do anything you do not want to do. As I said, this proposed forum section would be just like a store, or a restaurant you do not like. Just avoid it, OK?
The site is going through some flux, same as it always has. We are steadily seeing huge numbers of visitors to the site, but our conversion of visitors to registered members has dropped off by one-third. That is not a good sign. The number of members who log in on a daily basis has also dropped by one-third, which is another bothersome figure. And Stevie Wonder can see our daily post counts are in the dumper. Last Wednesday, we had a grand total of two posts submitted to the forum. Two. We are getting pounded with visitors, but that really adds nothing to the site, itself.
So, my thoughts are if you want to talk about something other than T-Buckets, then let's talk about it. Let's set up a special area for those discussions, so we are not taking anything away from those who could not care less. Make no mistake, I am not going to set up a forum to talk about flashlights, a forum to talk about boats, a forum to talk about nursing care, etc. This is, and will always be the T-Bucket Forums. But if you have something else you would like to talk about, then why not explore where that might lead? For instance, how many of you know I am a former Methodist minister, who has since abandoned Christianity? How many of you know I am a cannabis re-legalization activist? How many of you know I am writing a book? How many of you have seen photos of some of my straight razors?
A lot of us have formed some strong friendships via this forum, and it seems rather silly to prevent friends from talking about their interests.
Anyone else in favor of this concept?
I am pleased to say that any of the threads that have not been 100% within the guidelines of the rules have moved forward very peacefully. Thus far, it seems everyone is more than capable of participating in some hot-button discussions, without resorting to anger. Which is pretty much what I expected from all of you, to be honest.
But, for those who are not as comfortable with those types of discussions, I have been considering the possibility of a separate forum section, where the forum rules would be relaxed, and discussions of what have long been forbidden topics could be held.
Here's what I am thinking -
We have a separate forum for more open discussions. It is not closed off to anyone, so that all members can participate, if they choose. However, members who prefer not to involve themselves in those types of discussions can simply avoid the forum. In other words, play if you want to play, and avoid it if you do not. The hot topics will be confined to one forum section, so no one's sensibilities will be trampled.
If someone wants to talk about religion, politics, or a firearm, then those types of discussions would be allowed. Within reason. The discussions are not to attack anyone for the things they believe. If you want to make insensitive jokes about any religious faith system, that would be crossing a line. If you want to hammer on someone for owning a room full of guns, that would be crossing a line. However, if you want to ask a question about a religious faith system, then that would be acceptable, as would talking about the room full of guns that you own.
This forum section would not be, nor would it be allowed to become a free-for-all. Everyone would be expected to talk rationally, and without use of vulgarity, or other foul language. This would not be a forum for off-color (Sheesh, is the word 'color' politically-correct, these days?) jokes, or for lewd images.
If a topic starts producing more heat than light, the topic would be shut down. This would not be a place for piques and quarrels, so let's be clear on that. I've no problem with those whose opinions differ from my own. Let's face it, that's why the ice cream shop has all those different flavors. It's OK to disagree with what others have to say, but disagreeing does not mean it has to result in a knock-down, drag-out.
Yes, yes, yes, I already know there will be those of you who will choose not to participate in this proposed, new forum. And please, hear me say that is more than acceptable, and quite alright. No one is asking you to do anything you do not want to do. As I said, this proposed forum section would be just like a store, or a restaurant you do not like. Just avoid it, OK?
The site is going through some flux, same as it always has. We are steadily seeing huge numbers of visitors to the site, but our conversion of visitors to registered members has dropped off by one-third. That is not a good sign. The number of members who log in on a daily basis has also dropped by one-third, which is another bothersome figure. And Stevie Wonder can see our daily post counts are in the dumper. Last Wednesday, we had a grand total of two posts submitted to the forum. Two. We are getting pounded with visitors, but that really adds nothing to the site, itself.
So, my thoughts are if you want to talk about something other than T-Buckets, then let's talk about it. Let's set up a special area for those discussions, so we are not taking anything away from those who could not care less. Make no mistake, I am not going to set up a forum to talk about flashlights, a forum to talk about boats, a forum to talk about nursing care, etc. This is, and will always be the T-Bucket Forums. But if you have something else you would like to talk about, then why not explore where that might lead? For instance, how many of you know I am a former Methodist minister, who has since abandoned Christianity? How many of you know I am a cannabis re-legalization activist? How many of you know I am writing a book? How many of you have seen photos of some of my straight razors?
A lot of us have formed some strong friendships via this forum, and it seems rather silly to prevent friends from talking about their interests.
Anyone else in favor of this concept?
