In all honesty, I think this site falling........and falling fast. What is up with the "delete" button as of recently? It seems things are getting removed that contain some pretty good content without any real reason to do it. Yeah, we had a name-bashing episode the other day and I can see how a thread may be "locked" or certain posts deleted when it comes to trashing somebody's character and name........but there were a lot of good statements and arguments that had plenty of meat on the bone, great information.
Another example: I stayed up late last night to make a post about above mentioned episode and wake up today to find it deleted (along with the whole thread). How about we just make this site for pictures only? No comments, no advice, no questions, no feelings about somebody's loss or sorrows.........just pictures. Then, nobody will get offended or be bashed about the quality of their snake and everything will be out in the open, to be seen for years to come. Pictures.
Now that I have got that out of the way, here is my post that I had intended to be seen and hopefully responded to whether it be for or against. I am re-posting it via the copy and paste procedure with my permission. Please feel free to reply.......this thread WILL stay open. Warnings may be given, bannings could ensue, but this one will remain on the site as far as I can help it. I think we are grown up enough to know how to act and when to quit.
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I am not even sure why I am posting seeing how I stayed away from the computer the last few days due to work (both at my job and at home) and had only read about 3/4 of the thread in general. But, I need to make a post......so why not here, to help refresh some peoples minds.
This is a violent world we live in........it's mean, it's hateful and can be downright unfair at times. We also have what is known as "freedom of speech" and the internet magnifies that right at least ten-fold. I will agree that this site was started due to quite a few people being upset with their current member status on another forum and the direction said forum seemed to be taking. Most of the current long-time members are still here for that very reason while some people frequent multiple sites to get their fix.
I will not downplay and/or praise one forum higher than the other as both sites have some things that benefit certain members and their needs. However, I will tell you that I much prefer this site over all the others out there and it is due to the fact that it seems more professional and better managed than any of the others, to me at least. If you feel like getting into an argument or want to throw your voice around......other sites are better suited for that. If you want to read a thread that if searched for you could find 43 others on the exact same topic.......other sites would be better. If you feel like you need the masses to tell you how pretty your snake is and if you don't have 3 pages of replies on an Amel your feelings get hurt.......other sites would fit your bill a lot better. If you want to be in an atmosphere that now and then can remind you of kindergarten classroom.......other sites will feel like home.
However, if you want to enjoy a laid back and very relaxed site with great members, photos, topics, discussions, chat events and knowledgeable members with a smooth, yet snail paced speed........then it is The Source. What happens here, happens here for a reason. It's the members who make a site and obviously the members who actively participate here do it cause they want to and they almost ALL do it exactly the same. It's like each member can see/feel the vibe this site has and pretty much all follow suit without having any written rules or laws that lay down the correct way for people to behave. It just runs smoothly.............99% of the time.
The other 1% almost never happens and when it does, it can look like coal in a field of snow. It's a rarity, but it's still the internet and people can/will speak how they want to, when they want to. Right or wrong doesn't matter, things get said and a lot of the time things get regretted later on. No it's not fun to have one of those "scenes" here, but they happen and all that can be done is to move on. It's old and it's kind of corny, but it still works........Don't cry over spilled milk. Either apologies will come or they won't, but people tend to get over things after a while (another cheesy one.....Time heals all wounds) and get back to normal. I am sure there may be regrets in some members hearts and there may be none in other members, but I can guarantee you that not many people will lose any sleep over this or even remember exactly what was done/said 6 months from now. I know I won't. There are a lot more important things in life to worry over than a dispute on an online forum for snakes. Hell, even if it was about me or I was in the middle of it.........it's just a freakin forum for snakes. It doesn't pay my bills or give me a place to eat and sleep. It's a place I come to visit and intermingle with friends I have never even personally met before..........but I feel as if I know them like my next door neighbor. So when something like this happens in the future, just try to remember what was mentioned above. Maybe even think twice before you hit "submit". Make sure that what you are saying is exactly the way you feel or don't even post at all.
This makes a second thread in as many months that have been locked/deleted due to what Caroline felt was getting out of hand. You know what? She owns the site and has the right to delete ALL threads if she sees fit. I can tell you right now, she does not want this thing to go down-hill and if she believes something needs to be done before it gets out of hand.....then she will do it. She has put in a lot of effort since she first started this place and I honestly believe she wants it to stay around for quite a while. Do I think she has jumped the gun a little early before? Yes. Do I think she does it to piss members off? No. I have spoken with her on numerous occasions and know how much she loves this site and it's members. I also know that her English is better than quite a few Americans but she still has some problems in the interpretation of certain things and may "think" something is getting out of line or nasty, when actually it's just some good conversation that may be a bit heated here and there. I do agree though, when names start getting trashed on a public forum (whether it's needed or not, right or wrong, true or false) then it's time to put a halt to it. Again, there are other websites where this stuff happens on a daily basis.......so take it there. The BOI has recently become a prime example of this, it's more trash talking than it is an information place like it was originally intended.
I still think that for how much actually goes on at this site and the lack of problems we have encountered over time........it's a pretty dang good ratio for the better. Hopefully all issues will be resolved, feelings will be mended and we can/will return to the forum of old without missing a step. If you have made it this far, thanks for staying with me.......it was just something I thought needed to be said when I should be in bed, sleeping. Enjoy your forum.
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