Wow, Lotus 7 Club's quiet ... how can we help it recover
Discussion
framerateuk said:
I did find it a bit odd to use. The way it only shows threads 3 days old by default was a bit strange!
You could tailor which threads were displayed. I used to have it set on "1 day", but If I'd been away for a fortnight or a month then you could set it to a fortnight or a month to catch up and it'd keep those settings until you reverted them back to your own desired default.Also I never had to log in, always automatic for the forum unless you'd deleted all of your cookies.
All water under the bridge though now
kenny.R400 said:
You could tailor which threads were displayed. I used to have it set on "1 day", but If I'd been away for a fortnight or a month then you could set it to a fortnight or a month to catch up and it'd keep those settings until you reverted them back to your own desired default.
Also I never had to log in, always automatic for the forum unless you'd deleted all of your cookies.
All water under the bridge though now
Yeah I know, but the default was 3 days, which could be confusing if you didn't even realize that was an option. I only really used it for techtalk, so I rarely visited on a daily basis.Also I never had to log in, always automatic for the forum unless you'd deleted all of your cookies.
All water under the bridge though now
The automatic login worked fine, but it was odd in that it worked on a per-page basis and not a session basis like most forums. It was just showing it's age really!
Has nobody on here extolling the virtues of the new site tried doing a search for anything on it?
Even with all the filtering options available there seems nothing to replicate the old 'search by title only'...all I ever needed and it worked quite well, now I get every thread including the kitchen sink thrown at me!
FWIW I do think the forum will only now attract a certain type! I first started using it pre-members only, mainly browsing before buying my first seven. very quickly you get to recognise the 'characters' on any forum and those you enjoy reading posts from (as they're usually, witty, smutty, well informed, confrontational, likely to start an argument or they just own an S4....or any combination of those!). Sadly all bar a few remain on the forum and as such it's not really that much fun, I can't see it attracting any younger membership wanting to 'drop in' for a chat!
I think the FB forums, whilst not having any longevity in the threads, do offer a much better outlet for banter, chit chat and instant response and as such you only have to look at the groups users to see that on the whole I reckon the average age of the members is lower than BC and probably where a lot of new owners will go (if they're already on FB).
No axes to grind here (I'm still on BC!), not a member of any 'cliques', I just drive a noddy car and like girls with huge baps!
Chris
Even with all the filtering options available there seems nothing to replicate the old 'search by title only'...all I ever needed and it worked quite well, now I get every thread including the kitchen sink thrown at me!
FWIW I do think the forum will only now attract a certain type! I first started using it pre-members only, mainly browsing before buying my first seven. very quickly you get to recognise the 'characters' on any forum and those you enjoy reading posts from (as they're usually, witty, smutty, well informed, confrontational, likely to start an argument or they just own an S4....or any combination of those!). Sadly all bar a few remain on the forum and as such it's not really that much fun, I can't see it attracting any younger membership wanting to 'drop in' for a chat!
I think the FB forums, whilst not having any longevity in the threads, do offer a much better outlet for banter, chit chat and instant response and as such you only have to look at the groups users to see that on the whole I reckon the average age of the members is lower than BC and probably where a lot of new owners will go (if they're already on FB).
No axes to grind here (I'm still on BC!), not a member of any 'cliques', I just drive a noddy car and like girls with huge baps!
Chris
I guess everybody has different experiences. I have been a Lotus 7 / Caterham owner since 1975 and was L7C Member and the Canadian Area Rep until last November when I cancelled my membership.
The L7C offers owners a HUGE amount of technical data and in most case some very nice people, we have made several long term friends of other club members. The other bonus is just about any technical question ever asked has at some point been comprehensively addressed. The monthly magazine is 1st class and a credit to the editorial team.
The L7C offers owners a HUGE amount of technical data and in most case some very nice people, we have made several long term friends of other club members. The other bonus is just about any technical question ever asked has at some point been comprehensively addressed. The monthly magazine is 1st class and a credit to the editorial team.
In attempting to answer your question I think its important to lay a few foundations. Abusive comments, sarcasm and shaming people is in my opinion unacceptable.
Sadly however, it seems that on some forums its at epidemic levels. Yes, we can all laugh and often do at some poor unfortunate fellow as long as we are able to laugh at ourselves. Most decent people wouldn't be abusive to other peoples faces unless of course they planned on waking up in the hospital, so I feel that its unacceptable that this destructive and abusive behaviour is tolerated on any forum. In the end we are all entitled to our own opinions, maturity is allowing others to have theirs without passing judgement, shame or abusive comments.
What became abundantly clear to me was that Blatchat was becoming more and more dominated by abusive and toxic smart-arses that took great pleasure in throwing around abusive & shamming comments, sadly for whatever reason the L7C management wouldn't deal with them, so I stepped away.
My suggestion was that guidelines be set in place which would deal with people who would not harken the call to be civil and that on-going toxic behaviour would result in the perpetrators being removed from the club.
Call me snob if you like, but I find it unacceptable that people should be able to condemn and shame other people without retribution. In the end forums are about communities, so how does that type of toxic behaviour help build communities? It doesn't, it destroys them.
Once we allow judgemental & shaming people to manifest their toxic behaviour and say or do nothing, we create by default an environment that says its ok to be abusive. I say it isn't, so why should we tolerate it or be a part of it.
Sadly however, it seems that on some forums its at epidemic levels. Yes, we can all laugh and often do at some poor unfortunate fellow as long as we are able to laugh at ourselves. Most decent people wouldn't be abusive to other peoples faces unless of course they planned on waking up in the hospital, so I feel that its unacceptable that this destructive and abusive behaviour is tolerated on any forum. In the end we are all entitled to our own opinions, maturity is allowing others to have theirs without passing judgement, shame or abusive comments.
What became abundantly clear to me was that Blatchat was becoming more and more dominated by abusive and toxic smart-arses that took great pleasure in throwing around abusive & shamming comments, sadly for whatever reason the L7C management wouldn't deal with them, so I stepped away.
My suggestion was that guidelines be set in place which would deal with people who would not harken the call to be civil and that on-going toxic behaviour would result in the perpetrators being removed from the club.
Call me snob if you like, but I find it unacceptable that people should be able to condemn and shame other people without retribution. In the end forums are about communities, so how does that type of toxic behaviour help build communities? It doesn't, it destroys them.
Once we allow judgemental & shaming people to manifest their toxic behaviour and say or do nothing, we create by default an environment that says its ok to be abusive. I say it isn't, so why should we tolerate it or be a part of it.
Edited by apexcone on Monday 6th April 16:05
apexcone said:
In attempting to answer your question I think its important to lay a few foundations. Abusive comments, sarcasm and shaming people is in my opinion unacceptable.
Sadly however, it seems that on some forums its at epidemic levels. Yes, we can all laugh and often do at some poor unfortunate fellow as long as we are able to laugh at ourselves. Most decent people wouldn't be abusive to other peoples faces unless of course they planned on waking up in the hospital, so I feel that its unacceptable that this destructive and abusive behaviour is tolerated on any forum. In the end we are all entitled to our own opinions, maturity is allowing others to have theirs without passing judgement, shame or abusive comments.
What became abundantly clear to me was that Blatchat was becoming more and more dominated by abusive and toxic smart-arses that took great pleasure in throwing around abusive & shamming comments, sadly for whatever reason the L7C management wouldn't deal with them, so I stepped away.
My suggestion was that guidelines be set in place which would deal with people who would not harken the call to be civil and that on-going toxic behaviour would result in the perpetrators being removed from the club.
Call me snob if you like, but I find it unacceptable that people should be able to condemn and shame other people without retribution. In the end forums are about communities, so how does that type of toxic behaviour help build communities? It doesn't, it destroys them.
Once we allow judgemental & shaming people to manifest their toxic behaviour and say or do nothing, we create by default an environment that says its ok to be abusive. I say it isn't, so why should we tolerate it or be a part of it.
Hi Terry,Sadly however, it seems that on some forums its at epidemic levels. Yes, we can all laugh and often do at some poor unfortunate fellow as long as we are able to laugh at ourselves. Most decent people wouldn't be abusive to other peoples faces unless of course they planned on waking up in the hospital, so I feel that its unacceptable that this destructive and abusive behaviour is tolerated on any forum. In the end we are all entitled to our own opinions, maturity is allowing others to have theirs without passing judgement, shame or abusive comments.
What became abundantly clear to me was that Blatchat was becoming more and more dominated by abusive and toxic smart-arses that took great pleasure in throwing around abusive & shamming comments, sadly for whatever reason the L7C management wouldn't deal with them, so I stepped away.
My suggestion was that guidelines be set in place which would deal with people who would not harken the call to be civil and that on-going toxic behaviour would result in the perpetrators being removed from the club.
Call me snob if you like, but I find it unacceptable that people should be able to condemn and shame other people without retribution. In the end forums are about communities, so how does that type of toxic behaviour help build communities? It doesn't, it destroys them.
Once we allow judgemental & shaming people to manifest their toxic behaviour and say or do nothing, we create by default an environment that says its ok to be abusive. I say it isn't, so why should we tolerate it or be a part of it.
Edited by apexcone on Monday 6th April 16:05
Just to add some balance to your post above, you started a thread titled "Open Marriage", which attracted some comments that most thought were made in jest and as banter, and were not personally abusive towards you.
You responded with:
"I wonder how many of the smug remarks made about my article are from those with either dysfunctional relationships or still on their own."
and went on to conclude:
"I think the majority of the replies to my very serious email are typical of many of the people on forums across the world, it just proves that my post is inappropriate for this forum."
following it up with:
[i] "In my experience most of the people on this forum are probably genuine and pleasant individuals; the reality is we have had over 1400 people view my post and only 6 a
holes post their smug, sarcastic and inappropriate remarks; the truth be known all they have done is reveal how sad they really are to the whole Blatchat community.I think my experience since joining the club back in 2006 has been both positive and negative. Since that time I've met some amazing people, like the guys that came on the GBB last year as well as lots of very friendly and helpful people on the forum when I have needed sound advice about some of the issues we have had with our cars.
On the negative side and on any forum there are always going to be those smug, sarcastic, critical and sad individuals who find it amusing to be abusive, negative and rude to other people, they will almost certainly be the same group of people who will post their replies to my comments.
Still there is hope for us all as we find the tools expose these pricks for who they really are. Sick and in need of help." [/i]
So your comment above that Blatchat was "more and more dominated by abusive and toxic smart-arses" seems at odds with "over 1400 people view my post and only 6 a
holes" posted some comments that weren't personally abusive and many felt were just "banter".One member summed up what I believe a lot of people thought as follows:
[i] "Mate - chill!
I've just re-read the posts on this thread and see nothing abusive or sarcastic, over and above very mild banter!
In fact the only offensive posts are yours calling people a
holes/pricks/sad individuals/sick??We have every topic under the sun on Blatchat – some serious, some not - whatever the topic it is going to attract banter. I have VERY rarely seen abusive, rude stuff posted here - if it is it is usually either edited, taken down, or treated with the contempt it deserves by the other 99.9% of Blatchat users. I see nothing in any of the responses to your (you have to admit - slightly leftfield-out-of-nowhere) post that is remotely rude or offensive - as I say, except in your response!
As a life coach, I would assume you were above judging people based on the responses they would post on a public forum, where many of us know each other one way or another, and where, as JuJu says, harmless piss-taking is the norm." [/i]
Shortly after that you resigned as an Area Rep and asked for your (FREE) membership to be cancelled, which was actioned.
I realise that you may have taken personal offence where I don't believe it was intended, but I don't think you are providing a fair appraisal of Blatchat in your post above.
The above is purely intended to add some balance to your view, and I trust that you continue to enjoy your sevening.
Regards
Ian
(edited in an attempt to correct formatting!)
Helluvaname said:
Hi Terry,
So your comment above that Blatchat was "more and more dominated by abusive and toxic smart-arses" seems at odds with "over 1400 people view my post and only 6 aholes" posted some comments that weren't personally abusive and many felt were just "banter".
(edited in an attempt to correct formatting!)
Just to clarify, I didn't say populated I said dominated. So your comment above that Blatchat was "more and more dominated by abusive and toxic smart-arses" seems at odds with "over 1400 people view my post and only 6 a
holes" posted some comments that weren't personally abusive and many felt were just "banter".(edited in an attempt to correct formatting!)
Helluvaname said:
Hi Terry,
Just to add some balance to your post above, you started a thread titled "Open Marriage", which attracted some comments that most thought were made in jest and as banter, and were not personally abusive towards you.
You responded with:
"I wonder how many of the smug remarks made about my article are from those with either dysfunctional relationships or still on their own."
and went on to conclude:
"I think the majority of the replies to my very serious email are typical of many of the people on forums across the world, it just proves that my post is inappropriate for this forum."
following it up with:
[i] "In my experience most of the people on this forum are probably genuine and pleasant individuals; the reality is we have had over 1400 people view my post and only 6 aholes post their smug, sarcastic and inappropriate remarks; the truth be known all they have done is reveal how sad they really are to the whole Blatchat community.
I think my experience since joining the club back in 2006 has been both positive and negative. Since that time I've met some amazing people, like the guys that came on the GBB last year as well as lots of very friendly and helpful people on the forum when I have needed sound advice about some of the issues we have had with our cars.
On the negative side and on any forum there are always going to be those smug, sarcastic, critical and sad individuals who find it amusing to be abusive, negative and rude to other people, they will almost certainly be the same group of people who will post their replies to my comments.
Still there is hope for us all as we find the tools expose these pricks for who they really are. Sick and in need of help." [/i]
So your comment above that Blatchat was "more and more dominated by abusive and toxic smart-arses" seems at odds with "over 1400 people view my post and only 6 aholes" posted some comments that weren't personally abusive and many felt were just "banter".
One member summed up what I believe a lot of people thought as follows:
[i] "Mate - chill!
I've just re-read the posts on this thread and see nothing abusive or sarcastic, over and above very mild banter!
In fact the only offensive posts are yours calling people aholes/pricks/sad individuals/sick??
We have every topic under the sun on Blatchat – some serious, some not - whatever the topic it is going to attract banter. I have VERY rarely seen abusive, rude stuff posted here - if it is it is usually either edited, taken down, or treated with the contempt it deserves by the other 99.9% of Blatchat users. I see nothing in any of the responses to your (you have to admit - slightly leftfield-out-of-nowhere) post that is remotely rude or offensive - as I say, except in your response!
As a life coach, I would assume you were above judging people based on the responses they would post on a public forum, where many of us know each other one way or another, and where, as JuJu says, harmless piss-taking is the norm." [/i]
Shortly after that you resigned as an Area Rep and asked for your (FREE) membership to be cancelled, which was actioned.
I realise that you may have taken personal offence where I don't believe it was intended, but I don't think you are providing a fair appraisal of Blatchat in your post above.
The above is purely intended to add some balance to your view, and I trust that you continue to enjoy your sevening.
Regards
Ian
(edited in an attempt to correct formatting!)
Seriously WTF? Just to add some balance to your post above, you started a thread titled "Open Marriage", which attracted some comments that most thought were made in jest and as banter, and were not personally abusive towards you.
You responded with:
"I wonder how many of the smug remarks made about my article are from those with either dysfunctional relationships or still on their own."
and went on to conclude:
"I think the majority of the replies to my very serious email are typical of many of the people on forums across the world, it just proves that my post is inappropriate for this forum."
following it up with:
[i] "In my experience most of the people on this forum are probably genuine and pleasant individuals; the reality is we have had over 1400 people view my post and only 6 a
holes post their smug, sarcastic and inappropriate remarks; the truth be known all they have done is reveal how sad they really are to the whole Blatchat community.I think my experience since joining the club back in 2006 has been both positive and negative. Since that time I've met some amazing people, like the guys that came on the GBB last year as well as lots of very friendly and helpful people on the forum when I have needed sound advice about some of the issues we have had with our cars.
On the negative side and on any forum there are always going to be those smug, sarcastic, critical and sad individuals who find it amusing to be abusive, negative and rude to other people, they will almost certainly be the same group of people who will post their replies to my comments.
Still there is hope for us all as we find the tools expose these pricks for who they really are. Sick and in need of help." [/i]
So your comment above that Blatchat was "more and more dominated by abusive and toxic smart-arses" seems at odds with "over 1400 people view my post and only 6 a
holes" posted some comments that weren't personally abusive and many felt were just "banter".One member summed up what I believe a lot of people thought as follows:
[i] "Mate - chill!
I've just re-read the posts on this thread and see nothing abusive or sarcastic, over and above very mild banter!
In fact the only offensive posts are yours calling people a
holes/pricks/sad individuals/sick??We have every topic under the sun on Blatchat – some serious, some not - whatever the topic it is going to attract banter. I have VERY rarely seen abusive, rude stuff posted here - if it is it is usually either edited, taken down, or treated with the contempt it deserves by the other 99.9% of Blatchat users. I see nothing in any of the responses to your (you have to admit - slightly leftfield-out-of-nowhere) post that is remotely rude or offensive - as I say, except in your response!
As a life coach, I would assume you were above judging people based on the responses they would post on a public forum, where many of us know each other one way or another, and where, as JuJu says, harmless piss-taking is the norm." [/i]
Shortly after that you resigned as an Area Rep and asked for your (FREE) membership to be cancelled, which was actioned.
I realise that you may have taken personal offence where I don't believe it was intended, but I don't think you are providing a fair appraisal of Blatchat in your post above.
The above is purely intended to add some balance to your view, and I trust that you continue to enjoy your sevening.
Regards
Ian
(edited in an attempt to correct formatting!)
If that's is the kind of response you get to posts on the club then what do you think will be the outcome and hence the distorted responses!
I am sorry to say, that whilst I remain a member, the new web site and forum are too hard to navigate, so I suspect like. Out people, I just don't bother any more!
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