Attitudes on forums

[Electric_Andy]

I used to post on this site a lot, as I was a cycle commuter. Apart from the odd "I have an expensive bike therefore you are slow and know nothing" comment, I found most poeple to be friendly and helpful.

Then i got a motorbike (I was sick of being close-passed every day and nearly getitng knocked off). I joined a motorbike forum and OMG the attitudes of some people are unbelievable. one guy posted a pic of his young daughter sat on his motorbike. Another guy then photoshopped a pic of "Paedo bear" sitting behind her. Some people seem to think that they can post anything on forums and it is "fair game". i know we all leave ourselves open to abuse whenever we post somehting online, but really, is it necessary to wind people up quite so much?! I've made it a resolution of mine to boycott forums now, purely becasue it seems to wind me up rather than make it enjoyable to see other people's opinions on things.

So, what does everyone think of forums in general? Do they need tighter control or is anything fair game when posting online?

 

[vickster]

I think it depends on the content and the demographic using the forum ultimately. Also, the rules for the forum and the willingness of the moderator team to enforce

 

[coffeejo]

They're a bit like pubs - from Ye Friendly Local to seedy and sinister, populated by people you'd never want to meet in a dark alley. Frequent the ones you like or stay at home if they're not your thing at all.

 

[Doseone]

This place is pretty chilled out most of the time, and I think it's well moderated.

I also use a football forum, but rarely post there because it's so aggressive that I just can't be arsed. It's the forum equivalent of "did you just spill my pint?" Ultimately, I post on forums for enjoyment, not to try and wind people up or have an argument. It's not that difficult to avoid the aggro on here though if you don't want it.

 

[MontyVeda]

forums are great for specific advice... and not just bike specific advice (i.e. where should i get my eyes tested).

they're also great for running abstract ideas past people with the comfort of relative anonymity... i.e. surely a well behaved dictator is better than democracy?

I like to post the odd cutting remark or unfair sweeping statements. i.e. you lot all think you're too cool to use a humble bell on yer bike, pansies!


it's all part of the fun

 

[MrJamie]

I like the pub analogy, there are places where its OK to post family photos and then there are sites where you would be an idiot to do so and plenty of grey inbetween. Even so, putting things online makes them available to the world to view, modify and repost, something which seems to be missed on people posting up awful drunken pics/videos to facebook and equivilents. An innocently posted photo or video can be picked up, sometimes modified and viewed by millions, look at typical MEMEs. Theres also plenty of sites where virtually anything goes, imageboards and such where photoshopping other's photos for humour is commonplace, but despite that the atmosphere and community can be friendly and accepting. I think sometimes people aren't sure where the overlap is, something funny/normal in one community is offensive to another.

It's not vastly different to real life though

 

[ianrauk]

This place is pretty chilled out most of the time, and I think it's well moderated.

I also use a football forum, but rarely post there because it's so aggressive that I just can't be arsed. It's the forum equivalent of "did you just spill my pint?" Ultimately, I post on forums for enjoyment, not to try and wind people up or have an argument. It's not that difficult to avoid the aggro on here though if you don't want it.

I used to be a mod on a football forum and in comparison CycleChat is a breeze.

 

[fossyant]

We do out best to keep it as clean as possible, but you only have to look at a car forum, or indeed Bike Radar to see the differing posting styles, and the immediate 'down your throat' responses.

Shaun wants his forums run in a particular way, and fun/friendly are a strap line. Things get a bit out of hand sometimes, and the small team of mods do try and keep things under control when they pop in.

 

[Philip Whiteman]

This and YACF are excellent. Less so with Bikeradar.

 

[Peteaud]

This is probably the best forum ive ever been on as its pretty much easy going and the mods do a good job.

One forum i was on a few years ago went into meltdown with the amount of arguments.

 

[Beebo]

Whilst the mods do a fantastic job when called upon, the best thing about CC is that it self moderates itself most of the time.

I expect it has something to do with the demographic, overall it makes for a very welcoming place.

 

[Drago]

Don't worry about the expensive weapon crew - half of them don't know how to ride them properly, and the other half have small genitalia, hence the atavistic need to subconsciously compensate for these shortcomings by 'dominating' you online. If you got the bikes you're happy with and you love them, then who cares what those chumps think.

I'm not a fan of Broke Radars forum either, and sone of their product reviews are about as useful as guess work. Very over rated all round.

MBRs forum probably has the best atmos, but its not terribly busy and only caters for MTB enthusiasts.

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

I'm using CC and Runners World. Both very casual and friendly. The odd member known in most fora as TBSOAK (The Bright Source Of All Knowledge) sharing their "wisdom" in ways that borderlines bullying, but hey ho! We're all grown ups..
Having said that, I did start posting on a different cycling site (RCUK) where people are taking themselves far too seriously, fantasizing (or pretending or both) they're pro's.. Sad little people most of them, initially quite good fun to witness expressing their complexes, but it gets boring after a while! They were so shameless that their Mod's advice regarding entry level road bikes was that it shouldn't cost anything less than £700 or it will limit the cycling experience and possibly put off people from cycling!

 

[EltonFrog]

"...I've made it a resolution of mine to boycott forums now, purely becasue it seems to wind me up rather than make it enjoyable to see other people's ..."

Yes, I'm going to boycott forums too, I'm not even going to post on a forum to tell them I'm going to boycott a forum. I'm going to get someone else to go on the forums to tell them I'm boycotting the forum, then I won't have read the forum that I have boycotted.

That learn 'em.

 

[ianrauk]

They were so shameless that their Mod's advice regarding entry level road bikes was that it shouldn't cost anything less than £700 or it will limit the cycling experience and possibly put off people from cycling!

Only £700.. well they have a point.

Sorry I will get my coat....:troll: