Roger Patterson
11-01-2009, 04:49 PM
Hello Members,
This Forum had a few problems in 2008, and there is no point hiding from them.
Being the Forum on the BBKA website we not unexpectedly, had to deal with the pesticide issues. This Forum is where members were encouraged to make their points, and I was determined that everyone could have their say.
All BBKA EC members agreed not to get involved in debate, as we wanted the members to make the decisions, and we didn’t want to influence the outcome. I believe that was the right approach, and I doubt if anybody can honestly say they know my own views on the subject. It did make it difficult moderating, simply because any moderating could have been seen to favour one side or the other.
Despite some inaccuracies in some of the posts, I left other Forum members to make comment and correct them, and quite often they did.
I felt it was such an important issue that I tried to encourage debate, and I think I achieved that, although a lot of time was spent online, as I couldn’t let some of the heated threads go too long unseen.
The vote has taken place, I was there, along with a few Forum Members, and I am satisfied that everyone had the opportunity to influence the outcome if they wished, and for that reason I think there is little point continuing the debate.
For some strange reason a very small number targeted Admin (Steve Turner) and myself for personal abuse. We obviously spoke about it, and as the vast majority are decent people we quickly took the decision to continue to provide the facilities for them. Can I thank all those who sent messages of support, they really were appreciated. I'm not too bothered about myself, but I would like to thank Steve Turner for standing firm, especially because in the height of the onslaught he was made redundant from a company he had been with for 36 years. I doubt if the "thugs" care, but I do.
In the autumn I noticed there were some good posters who had backed off, and when I enquired why, I was told it was partly because of some of the posts that disrupted threads. This was backed up by comments on threads and some PM’s I had received. After a general warning that wasn’t heeded, I introduced the “Rubbish Bin”, which seems to have worked. This was seen by a few as “over moderation”, but has otherwise been accepted. It seems simple to me. Don’t write rubbish, and it won’t go in the bin.
As can be seen from several messages in posts, and others I have received, there is a view that the Forum has improved considerably in the last few weeks, and I would agree with that. The quality of some posts is very good, and despite the inactive season many are generally sticking to topic.
I believe there should be a bit of banter, and I certainly haven’t got a problem with that, but it should quickly come back to topic as a matter of courtesy to the original poster. There is nothing worse than asking a sensible question, only for it to quickly degenerate, a fairly common comment.
I have said elsewhere that many members are short of time, and either log on at lunchtime, or when they get home, and they don’t want to waste their time reading drivel. It is these people I have a great deal of sympathy with, and I am asking the Moderators to have less tolerance with unhelpful posts. Please don’t forget members can ignore nonsense, but the Moderators have to read it.
I am sure this firmer policy will improve the quality of threads, and I am sure will be welcomed by our more sensible majority.
Can I thank you all for sticking with us, and I hope your patience will be rewarded. Please keep posting.
I will repeat what I have said before. I believe this Forum should be a pleasant facility where beekeepers can ask a sensible question, or make a point, and receive a sensible answer. In my opinion the improvement made in the last few weeks should be allowed to continue, and I hope we enjoy your support.
There is a bit of discussion on one thread about self moderation. I don't think sensible people have to do this, but on the other hand I have absolutely no objection to members telling someone they are a pain, providing they do it politely of course.
I believe that we can have a good quality Beekeeping Forum, but it must have good quality input. If you want idle chat, this is not the place for you. We have some knowledgeable beekeepers who willingly give advice, let's not lose them.
I wish you all a successful 2009.
Best wishes to all.
Roger Patterson.
This Forum had a few problems in 2008, and there is no point hiding from them.
Being the Forum on the BBKA website we not unexpectedly, had to deal with the pesticide issues. This Forum is where members were encouraged to make their points, and I was determined that everyone could have their say.
All BBKA EC members agreed not to get involved in debate, as we wanted the members to make the decisions, and we didn’t want to influence the outcome. I believe that was the right approach, and I doubt if anybody can honestly say they know my own views on the subject. It did make it difficult moderating, simply because any moderating could have been seen to favour one side or the other.
Despite some inaccuracies in some of the posts, I left other Forum members to make comment and correct them, and quite often they did.
I felt it was such an important issue that I tried to encourage debate, and I think I achieved that, although a lot of time was spent online, as I couldn’t let some of the heated threads go too long unseen.
The vote has taken place, I was there, along with a few Forum Members, and I am satisfied that everyone had the opportunity to influence the outcome if they wished, and for that reason I think there is little point continuing the debate.
For some strange reason a very small number targeted Admin (Steve Turner) and myself for personal abuse. We obviously spoke about it, and as the vast majority are decent people we quickly took the decision to continue to provide the facilities for them. Can I thank all those who sent messages of support, they really were appreciated. I'm not too bothered about myself, but I would like to thank Steve Turner for standing firm, especially because in the height of the onslaught he was made redundant from a company he had been with for 36 years. I doubt if the "thugs" care, but I do.
In the autumn I noticed there were some good posters who had backed off, and when I enquired why, I was told it was partly because of some of the posts that disrupted threads. This was backed up by comments on threads and some PM’s I had received. After a general warning that wasn’t heeded, I introduced the “Rubbish Bin”, which seems to have worked. This was seen by a few as “over moderation”, but has otherwise been accepted. It seems simple to me. Don’t write rubbish, and it won’t go in the bin.
As can be seen from several messages in posts, and others I have received, there is a view that the Forum has improved considerably in the last few weeks, and I would agree with that. The quality of some posts is very good, and despite the inactive season many are generally sticking to topic.
I believe there should be a bit of banter, and I certainly haven’t got a problem with that, but it should quickly come back to topic as a matter of courtesy to the original poster. There is nothing worse than asking a sensible question, only for it to quickly degenerate, a fairly common comment.
I have said elsewhere that many members are short of time, and either log on at lunchtime, or when they get home, and they don’t want to waste their time reading drivel. It is these people I have a great deal of sympathy with, and I am asking the Moderators to have less tolerance with unhelpful posts. Please don’t forget members can ignore nonsense, but the Moderators have to read it.
I am sure this firmer policy will improve the quality of threads, and I am sure will be welcomed by our more sensible majority.
Can I thank you all for sticking with us, and I hope your patience will be rewarded. Please keep posting.
I will repeat what I have said before. I believe this Forum should be a pleasant facility where beekeepers can ask a sensible question, or make a point, and receive a sensible answer. In my opinion the improvement made in the last few weeks should be allowed to continue, and I hope we enjoy your support.
There is a bit of discussion on one thread about self moderation. I don't think sensible people have to do this, but on the other hand I have absolutely no objection to members telling someone they are a pain, providing they do it politely of course.
I believe that we can have a good quality Beekeeping Forum, but it must have good quality input. If you want idle chat, this is not the place for you. We have some knowledgeable beekeepers who willingly give advice, let's not lose them.
I wish you all a successful 2009.
Best wishes to all.
Roger Patterson.