Where's Dave??

RobCol · Senior Member

Where's Dave??

Cruising Granny · Guru

Hi to you 2.
You'll have to ask Dave where he is.
As far as I know I believe he was fine.
He just decided to delete himself for reasons known only to him.

Webmaster · Guru

Dave is fine. He just decided to take a break from the forum to concentrate on his volunteer work. He asked us to pass on his best wishes to everyone. Thanks for your concern though, RobCol. I know a lot of people really enjoyed Daves input and will be pleased to hear that he is well but is just taking a break. Im sure he will be popping in as a visitor now and again to keep on eye on us all!

Catweazle · Veteran Member

The practice of member profiles being 'Deleted' is one which is detrimental to any forum whatsoever. The ONLY reason a member profile should be deleted from any forum is if the 'member' is actually a spambot or a person who has signed up an account purely to post (or link in a forum sig) advertising spam.

If a particular member decides not to continue posting on a particular forum board that's no reason to have the member profile deleted. Other memebrs should still have quick 'n' easy capability of looking up other posts and topics created by that member, and there is often very good and productive reason for people doing so.

Members shouldn't be allowed to 'hissy-fit' and delete their own profiles, and webmasters shouldn't be removing the profiles of people who've said that they were 'leaving'.

I've seen this happen (one way or the other) a few times recently, and it's not a good thing for this forum.

(Constructive comment offered, by the way, from a person who is VERY experienced in forum board management and development!)

Smokeydk · Guru

I think the member deleted their account.....or maybe they said the wrong thing.....Yes I agree .

"Members shouldn't be allowed to 'hissy-fit' and delete their own profiles, and webmasters shouldn't be removing the profiles of people who've said that they were 'leaving'."

after all they could be back today

Catweazle · Veteran Member

More to the point, smokeydk, is that it's a practice which is detrimental to:

* other members browsing the forum
* the 'image' projected by the forum

Firefly · Guru

One of the reasons I refuse to use Facebook is because you cannot delete you profile.

It is an individuals right to leave if they wish.

What is the point having someones profile still there if they are not using it? Its like members who sign up but never post, that is also a waste of space for the forum.

But I do understand your point CW.

Dave didn't have a hissy, he moved on for his own reasons and that is to be respected. He wanted his profile gone for his own reasons and that too should be respected. wink

Catweazle · Veteran Member

Firefly wrote:
It is an individuals right to leave if they wish.

But not an individual's right to excise all trace of their existence in a particular place from the historical record!

I watched what happened about Dave, and do respect his reasons for moving on. But point is that his 'need' could've perfectly adequately been met by him removing personally identifiable information from his forum profile, rather than deleting the profile altogether and having his forum account no longer even appear on the 'members' list!

Same deal goes for Facebook, or anything else online. I, for example, do not 'own' my presence here on this forum. I've registered as a member and made contributions, and as a result my presence and contributions have become the 'property' of the website. That's the nature of internet forums. It's what and how they are! If people don't like that then they shouldn't be joining up, maybe?

What's the point of having the profile there?

Well let's say that, over a period of time, I contribute several thousand posts to this forum board. Many people find them helpful. Then, for some reason or other, I become disinterested or have a falling out or whatever, so I discontinue posting.

I have no right to take with me the 'historical record' of my contribution, because I gave that to the forum board! It'd be somewhat selfish (and probably childish) of me to expect to be able to do so. Others should be able to come along later, see my forum account presence on the 'leader board' of contributions made, access my forum account profile to look up other posts and threads created by me, whatever.

I of course have the right to remove personally identifiable information from my forum profile, and exercise control over the 'permissions' people have to contact me.

This ain't about 'privacy issues'. It's a public forum board, for goodness sake, just as Facebook is a public social networking site. The privacy protection functions/features are there to use, and people should use them when they participate. The right to 'delete your account' isn't one of them.

I've been around here for a coupla months, and I quite like the place. But there's been a reasonable amount of squabbling going on in the backdrop, and just about every time an instance of it arises it ends up resulting in yet another 'prominent contributions' member account disappearing from the 'ranked by posts made' members listing. It's ridiculous, and to an extent it makes this forum project an image of being a bit insular.

Google up grey nomads forum and this place is about the only useful (specific) result you get. It could be a more prominent/active place than it is. Some attention to culture/structure issues could achieve that.

As said, this is intended as constructive criticism. Nobody should be taking personal offense about any of it. I'll leave off now for fear of people thinking that my comments are somehow a reflection upon 'Dave06' when they are most decidely not. My comments relate purely to structural/procedural circumstances in place here.

I may, however and when I get time, put up a 'Suggestions' thread and offer some reflections regarding improvements I think could easily be achieved.

Cheers

Firefly · Guru

At no time was I offended, my skin is way thicker than that.

The opinion given by me is the same as yours, my opinion and I put it forward when I feel I have a bit to offer.

I see where you are coming from with being able to access his information by clicking on posts of this member, maybe there is an administrative button in there that will allow that.

I didn't think you were being disrespectful to Daveo either, and the comments didn't sound to me like you were referring to just one member.

I, like you, just offered my take on it so stress less my friend, we are all here to learn.

wink

RobCol · Senior Member

Thankyou, Webmistress - glad to hear Dave is OK; from what I know of his work/life circumstances, he has every right to delete his profile if he so desires.

Sheba · Guru

Catweazle, I think you'll find that most of Daves' posts are still here. I think the only ones THE WEBMISTRESS has deleted, are the ones where the actual upset occured.
If the Cindy hadn't deleted all of the relevant posts, you could have read Daves' reason for going. It was there in black and white.

I believe Dave and the others only deleted their Profiles, not all of their contributions.

Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 15th of March 2010 12:42:02 PM

Catweazle · Veteran Member

Sheba, the comments above do not relate, in any way, to a suggestion or belief that a particular member's posts have disappeared. They relate purely and only to the account profile.

Without that remaining, should anybody see stuff posted by Dave06 (or another member in similar circumstances), consider that it is good advice, and desire to see other wisdoms posted from that account they really can't. There's no realistic way of looking them up. Far as I can see, with the account profile deleted, not even 'Advanced Search' allows the posts made from that account to be listed! Rather than being able to explore the wisdoms posted, in the past and from that member account, people have to fall upon them by luck or good fortune.

That's what my comments are about. It's not good structural/procedural practice to have such a situation exist on a forum board.

Paddy · Veteran Member

Don"t you people ever stop.It's a Forum for Nomads not the United Nations.Send Private messages if you have issues.I am sick and tired of the continual bleatings.No wonder members pack and leave.Take charge now Webmistress before you have a mass exodus of members.Regards.Paddy.

brickies · Guru

IT's all about power, one power broker leaves and then the move is on to be the next power , this forum dosen't need then we have a webmaster and it is her site , and she share it with us which I say thank you

Webmaster · Guru

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to clarify our policy about people deleting themselves. It is, in our view, everyones right to delete themselves if they so choose. Dave felt that this was the best option for him and we respect his decision. If anyone has any issues with this policy or any other concerns, perhaps the best thing would be to either send me an email (click contact us on the website) or send me a private message.
The main purpose of this forum is to exchange stories, advice and tips about camping, caravanning and travelling around Australia. Lets get back to the topic in a positive, respectful and friendly way. Thanks for your support.

Paddy · Veteran Member

Well spoken Cindy.Now lets get back on the Nomads Road and travel with our memories,hints,tips,stories.Regards Paddy.

JRH · Guru

Webmaster wrote:

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to clarify our policy about people deleting themselves.It is, in our view, everyones right to delete themselves if they so choose. Dave felt that this was the best option for him and we respect his decision. If anyone has any issues with this policy or any other concerns, perhaps the best thing would be to either send me an email (click contact us on the website) or send me a private message.
The main purpose of this forum is to exchange stories, advice and tips about camping, caravanning and travelling around Australia.Lets get back to the topic in a positive, respectful and friendly way. Thanks for your support.

This is Cindy's forum and she can do whatever she likes with it, If Cindy is happy for people to exercise their right to delete their membership account then so be it.

For God's sake lets allow Cindy to run her Forum in the manner she sees fit and we can all get on with being Nomads, caravanners and travellers who are only too happy to share our experiences and adventures with each other.

In all honesty I am sick and tired of logging onto the forum and finding another bun fight in progress.

So stop worrying about how the forum is run, that is Cindy's job and get on with helping your fellow traveller.

Smokeydk · Guru

Well said JRH ^5s

Cupie · Guru

brickies wrote:

IT's all about power, one power broker leaves and then the move is on to be the next power

I couldn't agree more.

kesue · Senior Member

This used to be a very informative and interesting forum and I personally have had some good tips from time to time, but if people have to put up with this sort of crap then its no wonder they are looking for other forums.Cindy is absolutely correct in allowing people to delete if they wish, its a forum for gods sake not a bl..dy united nations charter. Dave has contributed a lot to this forum over time and if he needs time out then good on him, and I for one hope he returns soon. Its not about power brokers , he just puts a lot of effort into what he does. Lets get back to what we were and remember the old saying...If you cant say something nice then say nothing Keith

-- Edited by kesue on Tuesday 16th of March 2010 07:40:49 AM

Denise · Senior Member

I'm finding this place less and less interesting . I find it amazing that one of us is having heart surgery,with all it entails and the best some of us can do is act like a bunch of grumbling, knuckling old arthritic silverbacks .

Where is your perspective?? Where is your humanity?

Sometimes folks get stuff wrong ...equally anyone who doesn't double check advice not from a professional is taking a risk....that's their choice as are most things in life.

Dave is a larger than life character ...are you jealous? Is it possible that given his circumstances he could be hanging onto ANY sense of control possible ...given he's undergoing life threatening surgery? How many of you have faced that ? Were you scared?

This is SO not impressive.!
If you have nothing more constructive to do than ##### about each other ...go and plant trees or do some charity work. I didn't join for this. Aren't we lucky we live in a country where we can have the freedom and the means to swan around the place at will. All that and still so under- occupied that this is the best you can do. !
In exasperation.....Denise

JRH · Guru

Denise wrote:

I'm finding this place less and less interesting . I find it amazing that one of us is having heart surgery,with all it entails and the best some of us can do is act like a bunch of grumbling, knuckling old arthritic silverbacks .

Where is your perspective?? Where is your humanity?

Sometimes folks get stuff wrong ...equally anyone who doesn't double check advice not from a professional is taking a risk....that's their choice as are most things in life.

Dave is a larger than life character ...are you jealous? Is it possible that given his circumstances he could be hanging onto ANY sense of control possible ...given he's undergoing life threatening surgery? How many of you have faced that ? Were you scared?

This is SO not impressive.!
If you have nothing more constructive to do than ##### about each other ...go and plant trees or do some charity work. I didn't join for this. Aren't we lucky we live in a country where we can have the freedom and the means to swan around the place at will. All that and still so under- occupied that this is the best you can do. !
In exasperation.....Denise

The majority of members would like to see The Nomads get back to the friendly and informative forum it used to be.

May I suggest that if anyone has an issue with something someone has written then use the Private Messageing System to discuss the matter with the person concerned, that way we will keep the bun fights and snide remarks out of the General Forum.

Cruising Granny · Guru

It's not the the deletion of members which I regret, it's the loss of valuable information among some of the less relevant posts which cause the web mistress to shut the topic down.
When the original thread is deleted with the offensive posts everything is lost.
That's my biggest disappointment.

Paddy · Veteran Member

Denise how good of you to let us know that Dave is to under go life threatening surgery.Please let us know where and when.I am sure that we can ask the Webmistress to send a tribute on our behalf.I personally would like to send amessage to Dave,"Get well Mate,happy fishing".Regards.Paddy. wink

Sheba · Guru

I'm thinking of him every day. I have had that operation, and may have been able to give him some info. to make things easier while waiting.

Unfortunately, no can do now.

Sheba.

Denise · Senior Member

Paddy, that in my opinion, bit$hy kind of remark was precisely the point of my post yesterday, thank you for illustrating my point so admirably.!

I have no contact with Dave whatsoever..just the info we all have from his posts. What is it with your fascination with Dave? Its like picking at a scab!!

In what way has your post contributed to this to this forum today Paddy? Perhaps if you're bored you could take up knitting...then we could swap patterns .

Your style of what is in my opinion, inuendo is regrettable in this forum. If you have something to say then say it. If you can't be straight then go back to your knitting!

Cheers Denise

Cruising Granny · Guru

It didn't seem b!tchy to me. Just general enquiry and comment.

Denise · Senior Member

This is the last comment I will make on this matter.

To those of you who think I have some special source of info re Dave06, I point this out.
I have no source of info or contact with Dave06 outside the public pages of this forum.

On the thread Dave06 of Mar 5, posted by Dave at 4.14 pm, he states he is in the hands of the drs % and # for the surgery. This is in direct response to a jovial suggestion to him by me .....that I could do the pig valve for him whilst I had the bolt cutters out for altering the mattress for my van.

I took that to mean that he was going ahead with that particular surgery. Obviously that has not been the case but I still consider that it was a reasonable reading of what he had written.

I am in two minds about private pm for dealing with stuff...It leads to undercurrents and I believe stuff needs to brought into the light to be dealt with. Its the behavoiur thats damaging to the forum....not whether its hidden or not! Its like keeping quiet about abuse...it doesn't stop it.

I believe in clear and straight communication and get very irritated when stuff is implied rather than stated clearly and unambiguously. Denise

Wonker · Veteran Member

I agree with Cindy that it is Dave's choice to take a break, he has done this before, deleted himself and returned to the forum afterwards which he stated he would do, so the same may apply again. He can still view the posts as a member of the public so anyone wanting to send him an open post in regards to any matter can do so, I am sure he will be popping onto the forum now and then to check things out, he just wont be able to reply etc until he rejoins at a later date, which I am sure he will do.

In the meantime, there are plenty of members here to make the forum enjoyable and to pass on their knowledge of things, so lets forget the politcs of how the forum should be run and leave that to Cindy and get on with sharing knowledge and friendships, it is up to us current members to make it the forum it can be if we all concentrate what the forum is designed for.

Wonker · Veteran Member

Just read this message from Dave posted on "Where is Dave06" by Cindy (thread now closed) on page 1;

Hi Everyone,
I have just had a message from Dave 06. It was great hearing from him and I know many of you are missing his insightful and positive contributions here. Although he has deleted himself from our forum and unfortunately won't be coming back at this stage, he just wanted to say the following:

"Hi folks, yep its me, first up let me say howdy to all the newbies and let me wish you all a pleasant and enjoyable stay, keep it friendly and casual, my main reason for dropping in today is threefold
firstly............. let me set the record straight on my being in the C.F.S. Although I worked next to C.F.S. volunteers many times in many different areas I am not actually registered as a C.F.S. Volunteer, never have been, so sorry for the mix up there, entirely my fault
secondly.......... I am not a counselor, the reason I claimed to be a counselor on here was to throw the light of day on mental illness, not for any personal gain nor to create grief or angst, which it has done in certain quarters, having said that I know of quite a few folks from here who have mustered the courage to seek help once the human face of counselors was exposed, so it worked and I am happy, if you are unwell please seek help is all I ask
I was bitten by the black dog myself a few years back and do not wish for that that happen to anyone else, so if I upset or misled anyone by saying I was a counselor then I apologize, my intent was pure
thirdly...........my op, there seems to be some confusion around that as well, my hip is fixed and working but the valve will not be replaced or repaired until either later this year or possibly next year, they were going to do it whilst I was in there the first time but decided against it, don't know why, probably thought it was too much all at once or needed the bed, god Knows?
I will not be staying as I attract bad blood and ill feelings, so I will just wish you all well, stay happy, play nice and travel safe, all the best,............. Dave "

From what he has said, it would seem Dave has inadvertently misled a few of us about his achievements and roles etc, either intentionally or otherwise, however it certainly was a suprise to me to read his message. It would appear that Dave himself is badly in need of help and while I will find it very hard to accept what he posts in future if he returns to the forum, I do believe he tried in his own way to help those with caravanning questions. Hope you get help and soon Dave, I am sure your heart was always in the right place, albeit misguided.
Wonker

-- Edited by Wonker on Thursday 18th of March 2010 11:00:41 PM