Forum policies and enforcement

[Glenn]

If you've been here on the forums for any length of time, you may have noticed in recent months there has been some tightening of the forum conduct and stronger enforcement. This was in response to NUMEROUS blow-ups, arguments, fights, people leaving, etc. that led to MANY complaints from members about how the forums were “degrading” and "not what they used to be".

 

Many people thought the mods and I were allowing too much to go on, and were especially too lenient on long-term members; and they criticized us for it.  I heard a lot of complaints about double-standards, lower family standards, and lack of enforcement of the policies.  

After A LOT of discussions with the moderators, we did some serious gut-checks and realized the critics had some valid points.  So we worked on gradually reigning in the long-term members to be more in line with rest of the membership regarding conduct.  We also focused on making this site more family-friendly.  What you've seen is really more of us enforcing existing rules more so than we have in the past, not the introduction of new policies.  

We proved we listened to the membership, learned, and changed.  No advertiser had any input on this matter, so they had no influence in the decisions.  In fact, advertisers do not have any influence on forum policies.

So honestly, we've been attempting to bring back the magic that members want, not usher in some era of advertiser-dominated rules.  We were just responding to the wishes, complaints, and ideas from the membership.  For the most part,  the response has been positive.

Unfortunately, a couple of the long-term members we were reigning in got very upset.  For some reason, it seems they felt they had "earned" more latitude with the rules. All we were trying to do is enforce the same rules we've had, evenly across the membership.  

However, I admit now we may have gone too far to the other extreme, as now we're getting complaints we're too restrictive.  Keeping a balance between members who feel we're too strict vs. those who feel we're too liberal is extremely difficult.  No matter what we do, we're criticized by the extremes.

All I WANT is peace.  I don't want all the drama, arguing, bickering, in-fighting, etc. and neither does the membership.  Every move the mods and I have made has been an effort to maintain the peace and address the concerns of the membership, not appease advertisers.  

Never, and I mean never, will I bow into pressures by sponsors to make changes on the site that favor them and not the members.  If anything, I favor the members over sponsors.  The mods and I have always been here to support the membership, and that hasn't change, nor will it.

But given the massive number of members we have now, it's impossible to make everyone happy.  We're doing the best we can.  And we do that by listening to the membership.  

If ever you have a concern, question, or idea, feel free to PM me or one of the mods.  The door is always open.  Heck, we're just fishermen like you.

[Daiwa]

Many people thought the mods and I were allowing too much to go on, and were especially too lenient on long-term members; and they criticized us for it. I heard a lot of complaints about double-standards, lower family standards, and lack of enforcement of the policies.

I never thought that. Everytime I did something wrong you caught me.

I think people should look at you with what you do.

FIRST: You keep this forum running. Thats not easy. You have 15,000 members! I couldnt imagine the number of PMs you, and the mods, are getting.

SECOND: You run bassresource.com (not the forum, the homepage) Thats got ALOT of info.

On top of that, you get fishing in, and interview pro fisherman. I think you should make a thread explaining what you have to do to keep this site running well. That will get people to understand.

[KYbass1276]

It's impossable to please everyone all the time.  Your bound to step on a few toes in a room filled with people.  I know when this or any forum gets on my nerves there is a little x in the top right corner that works wonders.

[=Matt 5.0=]

Glenn,

F.W.I.W (For What It's Worth), F.T.W as I use it means "For the Win"

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/for_the_win

[Micro]

Nice statement, Glenn.  All you can do is set the rules and enforce them consistently.  On a forum consistency equal fairness.

I've been a member here not quite a year.  I've had run-ins with other members - sometimes my fault, sometimes theirs.  But not that many.  And come to think of it, I must be missing most of the problems you are talking about because, regardless of whatever measure you take, by mine, this place is VERY tame and laid back.  I've moderated a large history forum and I can tell you that the problems arise which arise here pale by comparison to the problems that arose there.  You would have thought a 65 year old war was fought yesterday and there was still some question over who was right or wrong.  

Anyways, nice forum, Glenn - and moderators.   Keep it up.

[Grey Wolf]

It looks like 'The silent majority " wins again.

[Glenn]

I'm not sure what that means.  I had a very sleepless night, so my brain is a little foggy. Maybe it will make sense in the afternoon.  ;D

Seriously, I don't like writing posts like the long-winded one above.  It makes me sound like a school teacher or something.  But this needed to be addressed, and there's no way to do it in a jovial tone.

Really I'm not some dude in an office somewhere wearing a suit.  So I hate coming off that way.  I'm just sitting in my Lay-Z-Boy in my sweats, typing away on my laptop.  In fact, I'm headed out to go fishing right now.  

[jasone]

I'm impressed.  

I love this forum.  I honestly can't imagine going anywhere else but at a time I did because it seemed a few "blue" members were flaunting that status and using it like a badge of honor to bash any new members or "greenies".

You took away the post count first and now a clear message stating intent to enforce the rules consistently.

I am no one here, just another poster, another clicker on banner ads and I am sure you are going to make some unhappy but I think its a class act.

J

[Red]

bassresource.com rules!!!

[Daiwa]

bassresource.com rules!!!

x2!!

[JCrzy4Bass]

Glenn,

Awesome explanation man.  I had my thoughts and feelings as to why this place has gone through a little change, but honestly I think it was good in the end.  I love everyone on here, and yea I butted heads with a few people my first year on here but we talked things out and got over it, or we just steer clear of each other now.

I think for the growing population of bass fishermen in here all who have their own thoughts, opinions, ways of fishing, etc you guys are doing a GREAT job of keeping everyone and everything civil.  It's hard when it's a bunch of guys and when we have sections on the forum that are devoted to stuff aside from fishing.  We are all gonna form opinions and be biased one way or another based off our lives experiences.  I just think we all need to see both sides of the fence, take time to take in other opinions even if they differ from our own and most importantly respect one another.

This is the best place ever.  When I'm not talking to my friends, family, wife... out fishing, or hanging out with people I am here enjoying my time talking to people who love doing what I do: Fishing for bass.  We all brag now and then, but it comes with the confidence we gain from learning on here and being able to tearn that into productivity on the water.

Thanks for everything guys and mods and Glenn, you guys are doing a Fantabulous job!

[fishbear]

Glenn,

I feel that you have done everything you can possibly do to make this a grade A website and forum.  You and the mods have been more than fair and equal in all your dealings from what I have seen.

You have a Grade A staff in Fluke, RW, 5 BAss, and even LBH,  ;D.

You can only put the rules in place you feel are necessary, and enforce them equally on everyone.  Then no one can complain.  

Do not worry about sounding like a school teacher,,, I think we can safely say, no one looks at you that way.  :.  

You work very hard to make this a home for 15,000 fisherpeople,(note the political correctness)  : and you are not going to make every one of those people happy every single day.  It can not be done.  

I for one however, stand up and salute you and the mods.  Saying a huge thank you for all you do, the sacrifices you make of your time and energies to make this site the best place to pull up a stump, sit down and talk to friends and family about fishing, or to tell a joke.

Thank you

John

[Speckled Bass]

I belong to several fishing/hunting sites and there's one particular site where the site Admin/Owner admitted to me on the phone when I called him in  regards of why I was leaving that site that he just lets members do as they wish. I told that Admin that that was probably why he was having all the problems he does. Besides I guess if you're not part of the clicks on that site you don't count and are treated like outsiders.

Members on that particular site are allowed to harrass, belittle, purposely/knowingly goad members in stupid disagreements and nothing is done.

I've only been a member of Bassresource for a short time but have wittnessed for myself that Glen and the Mods don't tolerate any crap from anyone and nor should they have to.

Just my 2 cents.

[wagn]

I have been a member of various forums for various activities. Everything from airsoft, to basketball, to model building. In my opinion forums are the greatest invention of the internet. I can learn more information about a specific topic in a few hours by asking questions or reading old post then I would be able to do in a year on my own.

With that said, this has been by far the best forum that I have ever participated in. Even though we are all at our own desks in our own homes, in many ways I consider people here to be my fishing family. I have asked numerous questions from the simple to complex and have always recieved great answers and been always been treated with respect.

My wife actually is amazed by how civil this forum is compared to a couple that she visits. I think that most of that comes from the realization by most members that we are all fisherman and were all beginners at one point. And also through the dedication of the mods to make this a place that everyone can enjoy and I sincerely thank you Glen and the other mods for their effort

[roadwarrior]

As the Forum has grown, updates and improvements have been made.

When you have a suggestion, please send us a PM.

8-)  

[nboucher]

Glenn, I have tremendous respect for how you conduct the forum and, just as importantly, how you conduct yourself. With the site growing rapidly, conflicts are bound to do the same.

What I do admire and have learned from you is restraint. When Glenn's name appears on a post I know it will be worth reading. I'm sure you have many thoughts as you read what others post, but you don't just hit that post button on impulse. I think the best way for all of us to improve the site is to think a second before hitting that post button and asking, "Will this really contribute to the discussion?" My wife often tells me to count to ten before I open my mouth; I try to do the same here.

[llPa1nll]

Glenn, you and the mods have a difficult job and you have my utmost respect in the civil and equitable way in which you do it. I have never had a run in with anyone and I consider everyone to be a PM away from enjoying a nice day of fishing with a new fishing partner. With that said a very big thank you to you and the mods for a great site.

:)

[foul hooked]

You did good. An even playing field is all one should ask for.

[justfishin]

In the few years I have been in some of the forum discussions I have never seen anything being handled in a way it should not have been. IMO, all the problems have been handled in a " this is how it is, mature way ". As I have alway said, Kudo's to Glenn and the Mods for the way " problems " are handled in here. This site is the Kats Butt !!!. Thanks to Glenn, the mods and all whom dwell in here and try to keep it on the up and up.

                                                  Jim

[Popeye]

MANY THANKS to Glenn, all the Moderators, and ALL the GREAT guys and gals who make all the BR Forums the fantastic place that it is! Everyone gets upset or PO'd once in awhile by an errant comment that someone might make. What's correct in one person's mind may well offend someone else. We're all different and unique. Personal perspectives and opinions are just that: personal. Glenn and the Mods do a SUPERB job monitoring these forums and maintaining a HIGH DEGREE of respect, congeniality, and unity amongst the members. From a personal point of view, I have and still do belong to numerous website talk forums which cover many interests and hobbies and most are pretty darn good (otherwise I wouldn't have joined or remain a member). However, ONE stands above all the rest and that's BR!!!

[fishfordollars]

I have been here since September 15, 2007 and have yet to have one problem with anyone. I try to follow the rules, respect people, reply as if I am talking with them in person. Glenn, I think you and all the mods do an outstanding job with the site.

[Cajun1977]

suck up's ;D

[Gatorbassman]

suck up's ;D

[Daiwa]

suck up's ;D

Yea... Gatta get on Glenns side.

[Glenn]

Thought this was worth bringing up again....