New Sections... your thoughts?

[animus]

KateCo, I'm not sure if that would solve the problem. The woman who complained about the threads said that she has a son who uses the forum too.
She was uncomfortable with the 'coarse' humour because her son browses when she is not around.
Would a 'censored' sign stop a young person looking?

 

[tinkerbell]

I dont see that it will put people off joining. I personally think its a good idea to have a seperate adult section. There have been occasions when some of us adult folk want to share something funny with each other that may not be appropriate for the younger generation (oh god that makes me sound 50 :shock: ) I am sure we would all still use the other sections just as much, this way we would still be able to post what we want without things being deleted because they are regarded as inappropriate.

:thumb:

I voted Adult, as i feel that it would be a good thing like you said earlier, so we can have a more laid back, adult conversation, about things.
I feel that all the younger ones are incredibly mature, however they are still younger and sometimes it would be difficult to have a conversation with them about something...

 

[Adele]

I have voted to leave the forum as it is :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
My reasoning is that we have set a standard and although there are some members who wish for things to become more liberal, I feel there should be boundaries that are not crossed.
I can foresee problems with what is acceptable and what is not, if it has been difficult to decide what to keep or remove from the forum already, a section defined as adult could potential give out the wrong message.
An option would be not to call it adult, but alternative( with members having to be 18 years or over and sign up for it)

I dont feel that it is necessary to use bad language, or share rude jokes or imagery on a public forum, and do not wish to promote this sorry you can throw rotten tomatoes at me now :roll: :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:
If members can come up with a strong defined framework, of exactly what the rules will be then it may work...but a free for all is not something I can support as I have a responsibility to the forum as a whole.
What do you think about having the current rules apply to the adult section but then additional rules of any pornographic matter or imagery is unacceptable, and if we receive one complaint re any post it is removed without question. It could end up with constant arguements over what is acceptable and what is not otherwise, and that would mean much more work for admin, and unhappy members!.

Best wishes

 

[SOAD]

Does this mean no changes will be going ahead?

 

[Adele]

Does this mean no changes will be going ahead?

No not at all.....I am just asking members to suggest
how it is going to work practically.
It would be very sad to see the standard of RU drop , as everyone communicates so well already, and without bad language and being lewd :wink: :lol: :lol: :lol: (in the main :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol: )

 

[SOAD]

Does this mean no changes will be going ahead?

No not at all.....I am just asking members to suggest
how it is going to work practically.
It would be very sad to see the standard of RU drop , as everyone communicates so well already

Ok, that's cool, I thought you were ending the voting . I don't think anyone wants ponographic imagaines. I just think it's too easy to complain. I know I would love to complain about every post that discusses eating animals. It disgusts and sickens me the amout of beef stew etc recipes I see, it really offeneds me, but I hold back because I know and accept we're all different.

 

[Denny]

I know that I am one of the ones SOAD is talking about as slipping away, I am spending less time on here, cos I do sometimes find it frustrating (thats not cos of the age mix of people but of some peoples attitudes).

I find the same Bev, and when I do come on and see some funny stuff, the next day it is either locked on gone completely which leaves you in limbo really as you dont know why it has gone. Sometimes folk need a little light hearted banter but it seems to detoriate somehow and taken the wrong way :roll: not sure if this is an age generation thing or not that words are being taken the wrong way :?

I think an adult section would be great, if anyone finds anything offensive in there then perhaps they would feel better being excluded form it (what you dont see cannot harm or offend :wink: )

As Cheryl has said, it is not going to stop adults posting in general chat anyway so the younger members would not feel left out :wink:

I talk to kids all day 7 days a week and sometimes it is nice converse and have a laugh with some-one on the same wave length which generally means an adult, not saying that you cannot have a laugh with a younger member but, but lifes path takes a more relaxed attitude as you get older and things dont alway offend as it is light hearted banter at the end of the day

laughter makes the world go wrong and also helps when you are having a stressful day :wink:

 

[Adele]

laughter makes the world go wrong and also helps when you are having a stressful day :wink:

So true Denny
RU is an open forum, and although people will have to sign up to an adult section, to exclude members if they get offended from that section is not something I agree with. I dont want members to get offended in the first place through the medium of our forum!.
I feel that the crux of the matter is this...if we have an adult section, are you proposing it should be a free for all, with no holds barred (or bared :shock: :lol: )....or be a place where people can have more liberated conversations, but a code of conduct still in place to protect the individual from possible abuse and offence.
I dont feel it is fair to ask people to sign up, and then when someone writes to us with a concern, to say TOUGH :!: you signed up the adult section, you accept what anyone throws at you.
Can you see what I am trying to explain(probably badly here :roll: :lol: ).....I really feel every member should be able to write and let us know if they have a concern, and entrust us as admin to look at the situation and act on their behalf to ensure they can get the most out of an adult section too.
If we dont have rules, we dont have a standard to work to, and people wont know what they are signing up to :shock: :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[AlisonA]

I've not particularly had a problem with anything that has been posted but can see that parents might not want their children to see some of it.

I appreciate that different options are being explored to try and keep everyone happy - but at the moment I can't see that it would be easy to set up a separate section - can you imagine signing up as a new person and getting to a screen of "are you over 18" "If yes, would you like access to an chat section for adults only, some of the content of which you may find offensive". I don't really think it gives out the right messages to new people, but I can't think of a way to frame the question so that it doesn't sound 'dodgy' :?

 

[Adele]

Hiya Alison
Yes you have raised one of the main concerns, ie, what message will an adult section be portraying to new members or those who may be reading the site and contemplating whether to join up or not.
It is difficult as admin, as we are trying to make the forum a place that everyone enjoys using, but I feel it is an almost impossible task to do somethiing to suit absolutely everyone without compromising the current standards.
An adult section really needs to be something the majority would want, as to start it for a minority may ultimately result in other members leaving, or potential new ones not joining at all.
As admin we have to consider the wider picture and what exactly we are trying to promote and achieve through the forum.
Do we want it to a discussion board for rabbit welfare and care predominantly, with friendly chat included along the way, or predominantly another adult chat board
:?:
Forums of this type exist already, so people have the choice which type they frequent.
If we change the foremat of this one radically, then it could loose what the current members probably joined for in the first place
Best wishes :?: :?:

 

[tupperwarequeen]

well, this is a tough one Adele and Tamsin :roll:

1) I don't think that any x-rated material of any kind is appropriate on a rabbit forum, I understand that there are numerous sites for those who wish to indulge (no I haven't looked myself :shock: )

2) I appreciate that 'innocent' discussions have in the past turned into tooth and claw attacks on people and their personal views, however, IMO admin have dealt with these as they have become aware of them, and on no forum are you ever going to have a competley calm discussion on heated topics......I don't see how having a seperate section for adults would help...what about a 'heated debate section' where those who like a bit of argy bargy can do so, and those posting or reading will know they may see some radical ideas?

3) I think that those younger people who are sensible enough to look for a supportive and informative forum to help with their rabbit care deserve to have the respect of us older ones, seperating them out seems a little dismissive :? sorry...just my thoughts

4) Perhaps there needs to be more than just Adele and Tamsin who can deal with disputes...I know that some things could have been nipped in the bud, but if neither Adele or Tam are about, things can get out of hand. Is there such a facility on the forum? have a few sensible folks who can monitor and censure if necessry but not have full 'powers' like Tam & Adele do? (how you find anyone sensible round here is beyond me though :lol: :lol: :lol: )

just my thoughts, sorry to muddy the waters :?

 

[Adele]

Hiya Sally
You have come up with some very good points.
I like the idea of another forum section where people can go and have a bit of tussling :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Tamsin and I should be able to deal with concerns more efficiently now the report a post software has been added It directs us straight to any potential problems, and members should feel they can contact us more easily with their comments now
I can now go straight to the reported post table when I come into the Forum, so things saves trawling through lots of posts where we sometimes miss things. Members now have a red button to press , so get a pressing and direct us to any wonky threads...thanks
I agree that younger members should remain an intergral part of the main body of the forum, as I feel that by making an issue of their age, we may be inadvertently underestimating their ability to teach us oldies something :wink: I have been extremely impressed by the younger members mature contributions to key discussions, and their conduct in general could could put some of us adults to shame .
It is worth asking what the younger members want though, as any changes would have to be for their benefit and the forum as a whole.

 

[tupperwarequeen]

oooh is that what that little button is for..I nearly pressed it just to see...but then I am such a nosey parker good job I don't go to visit the white house, imagine if I pressed that red button :roll: :roll:

 

[Adele]

oooh is that what that little button is for..I nearly pressed it just to see...but then I am such a nosey parker good job I don't go to visit the white house, imagine if I pressed that red button :roll: :roll:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Sally we ban you from visiting the White House for your own safety and that of about 50 million Americans :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol: only teasing
XX

 

[SOAD]

Forums of this type exist already, so people have the choice which type they frequent.
If we change the foremat of this one radically, then it could loose what the current members probably joined for in the first place

What about the forum members that have already left. The ethos (sp?) started out for the right reason, but I feel that it has very much changed into the other forum where some people on here oringinated from, where they were told what to think and say.

What about a broader admin team, so you have a few different views?

 

[Adele]

Forums of this type exist already, so people have the choice which type they frequent.
If we change the foremat of this one radically, then it could loose what the current members probably joined for in the first place

What about the forum members that have already left. The ethos (sp?) started out for the right reason, but I feel that it has very much changed into the other forum where some people on here oringinated from, where they were told what to think and say.

What about a broader admin team, so you have a few different views?

Tree this is not really relevant to the poll.
No one has been told what to think or say at any point, and in reality we have worked very hard to create a forum where people of every background and philosophy can frequent and contribute to.
If people do not like working by our individual forum rules, then it is entirely their choice as to whether to be a member or not.
I am sorry when members leave, but hope people will feel able to write and let us know how they are feeling first, to give us an opportunity to help.

We do not base the forum purely on our own views, we are constantly considering what our members say, and have made changes according to requests from members.
We are guided by our members, and are here considering your request for an adult section. If it was a dictatorship we would not ask your opinions. It is not fair to suggest we dont listen if we choose not to proceed with one idea, we have to do what we feel is best for the majority and what works practically at the end of the day.
This is the problem, everytime we dont do what one member asks, then we get complained at or accused of not listening. Other people are happy with things as they stand, and then will complain when we alter something.
You just cannot win, and I am sorry if members feel we let them down on occasions, but we can only do our best
The current forum format appears to be working for the majority as we have over 2000 members and people signing up on a daily basis.

 

[SOAD]

Forums of this type exist already, so people have the choice which type they frequent.
If we change the foremat of this one radically, then it could loose what the current members probably joined for in the first place

What about the forum members that have already left. The ethos (sp?) started out for the right reason, but I feel that it has very much changed into the other forum where some people on here oringinated from, where they were told what to think and say.

What about a broader admin team, so you have a few different views?

Tree this is not relevant to the poll.
No one has been told what to think or say at any point, and in reality we have worked very hard to create a forum where people of every background and philosophy can frequent and contribute to.
If people do not like working by our individual forum rules, then it is entirely their choice as to whether to be a member or not.
I am sorry when members leave, but hope people will feel able to write and let us know how they are feeling first, to give us an opportunity to help.

We do not base the forum purely on our own views, we are constantly considering what our members say, and have made changes according to requests from members.
We are guided by our members, and are here considering your request for an adult section. If it was a dictatorship we would not ask your opinions. It is not fair to suggest we dont listen if we choose not to proceed with one idea, we have to do what we feel is best for the majority and what works practically at the end of the day.
This is the problem, everytime we dont do what one member asks, then we get complained at or accused of not listening. Other people are happy with things as they stand, and then will complain when we alter something.
You just cannot win, and I am sorry if members feel we let them down on occasions, but we can only do our best
I apologise for not being superhuman, just me, rabbit slave Adele :roll: :lol:

Whoah hang on a minute you seem to be taking great offence when I was only responding to your post :? I very rarely cause trouble on here or do I have my posts deleted, I am one of your most loyal members and I don't ever complained, I only made a suggestion of an adult theme forum, because I noticed a lot of posts being deleted, I was trying to be helpfull not create an arguement. I don't think I deserved that response :shock:

 

[Adele]

Tree I have not taken offence, I too am just responding to your comments
I did not say YOU have been causing trouble :shock: :lol:
It is a positive thing that you felt able to make a suggestion for the forum, we are considering your idea, but we have to to look at it from every angle

Best wishes

 

[Tamsin]

Something for 'controversial' discussions is an interesting idea. The point about it not necessarily being the age difference but a person difference is a good one.

The image we're all carefully talking around wasn't a problem to me, as you say you could find it in a geogrphy mag, it was the chat around it that you probably wouldn't find in national geographic

We'll probably add some new moderators when I've finished installing all the code changes etc.

It's not going to help adding new people until we define the rules they have to follow better

Tam

 

[SOAD]

it was the chat around it that you probably wouldn't find in national geographic

yeah sorry that may of been me