Gday...

Self-moderated, deleted and apologies extended.

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t59246309/lets-get-this-show-back-on-the-road/

[edit:   couldn't even get the link correct ]

Cheers - John

No problem with me either John...I knew what you meant.

Cheers.

No problem with me either RL

I share the intended sentiment of the initial post, that the members (note no reference to age), should become active and contribute to the health and well being of the forum as a whole.

BTW, I think this is especially important that the longer standing members make an effort to welcome new members, we were all in their shoes once.

You need to stop flogging a dead horse. You're just giving oxygen to negative idiots.

Start picking subjects that are of interest to nomads

I'm constantly astounded at some of the stuff that goes on on this forum these days.  But then, there may have always a bit of it.  To me it seems more prevalent now.

eg.

Cliques forming, or perceived cliques (eg. Oldie & Newbies, Bush Campers & CP dwellers, Greens Lake mob & others .. etc.)  Common interest groups are no doubt positive but Cliques maybe not.  Over time and constantly perhaps we may all move between different groups & get value & enjoyment from each.

'Experts' being dogmatic & less tolerant of others & their views.

Imposition of personal views on others.

Personal attacks, some veiled & others quite open.

People getting offended & deleting their membership. As is their right.

Others succumbing to their illnesses thru stress or whatever & going too. This may not be controllable, but we may have triggered it.

All these sorts of behaviours detract from what is still a great forum.  

Of course I am not exempt from acting a bit like this from time to time but I am conscious of it & do try to be welcoming, polite & helpful to all.  (How does that old Boy Scout thing go .. Trusty, Loyal, Helpful, Obedient, Courteous, Kind?).  Though I know I sometimes fail.  

Nor do I intend providing examples of any of my assertions, least I start off another round of recriminations. 

Having said this I am of the view that some forums are far far worse that this.  I used to visit a bush bashing (my description) forum and personal attacks with bad language seemed the order of the day.

We aught to recognize the good bits that we have on The Greynomads, concentrate on expanding them & cause the bad to retreat into insignificance.

Get caught up in the happy, enriching emotions & not the agro, destructive ones.

Wouldn't it be great if we would just put it all behind us and go on with concentrating on the things that bring us together ... caravanning ... in all its forms.

I've been reading a lot of the posts to see what all the fuss is about, including the locked threads.   On thing that has come across time and time again in posts made by the Webmaster where they keep emphasising "If You Have a Complaint, PM the Webmaster".  It can't be much clearer than that, so I know what I will be doing if I have cause to do so.

Isn't that better than making your concerns public in a post and causing a lot of angst and other additional negative posts on the subject among members ???? 

I have been on other forums that don't have a patch on this one which seems the best by far IMHO, so disruptive and unkind posts are not restricted to this one.   However it could be made a lot better if we all did what the Webbie urges us to do to sort out any problems etc.

I was hesitating to make this post, but as an observer (mostly) it seems some are not taking the course of action to make a better, more friendly and helpful forum IMHO.

I'll pull my head in now.

Merry Xmas & Happy New year Everyone