Not that he needs it, but this idea gets a big thumbs up from me. If you have any doubts to this check out how smoothly azrx7 runs. Of course, i'm not trying to volunteer people for somethin they don't want to do, and again this is just my .02.

 

One Rat already was a mod. There's a reason that he no longer is. We'll just leave it at that.

 

Because I quit, just what exactly is there to leave? Merc knows exactly why I quit, becuase in the classified section it was 100% constantly having to be the judge between people whining that they were ripped off, and nobody listened. You pretend to know anything else?

 

I just didn't think it was anyone's business.

 

That I quit? It almost seemed accusing, sorry if I got a little like WTF on that one...

(On a positive note, you hit my issues with the mentor thing right on the nose)

 

Well, Merc already knows that I would volunteer my time if needed.

 

Merc's been MIA for a looong time

 

Well, then I just posted it. What happed to Merc?

 

Here I was thinking we were having a civil discussion, and you post this smart-*** BS. Sorry for assuming my opinion was as valid as yours...

 

I heard a wile ago on illstreet that it was something with him and boosted7.

 

Actually, I was kind of kiddin around, sorry. Next time I will add smilies.

 

I think we're probably about done here. I'll likely unstick this topic later today...

 

Unsticking...

 

I actually wouldn't mind paying but its unreasonable to required this of everyone to access the general forum. This would be a good idea if it were possible to create "limited" and "complete" access on a user basis.

The "limited" access would allow something like full access to the lounge and read only access of the Gen. Specific sections and maybe even a full access "limited only" gen specific sub forum, much like the Timeslips sub forums.

Paying "complete" access would be just that with non refundable payment in the event a user is banned. In a situation like this, I wouldn't mind paying say $30-$40 per year (something under $5/month). Call it membership dues. This IS RX7 Club right? Make it so. Real car clubs have dues. Non members can participate in public functions but true interaction and benefits come with membership.

I've been around for several years and a member starting in 2002 under a different name. I post rarely in due to the fact it takes a very short amount of time for me to get irritated with the quality of content and people on the forum but I love my RX-7s and all rotaries in general (and anything else Mazda) so I keep comming back. It would be nice to see a change though.

 

Whew, that was a good hour or so of reading...

Regarding mentors, I like the concept, just not so sure on the execution. If you've already suggested it this way, forgive me as I may have missed as I didn't read everything word-for-word -- but here goes:

Why not use the mentor concept, but don't limit them to only certain sections or certain actions? In other words, member XYZ joins and is assigned member ABC as his mentor. He can then do what everyone else can do, post in any section, do whatever he wants. But the difference is, it's up to member ABC to be his "personal mod" or mentor. And probably not a real MOD in the sense of being able to completely rule him by deleting his posts and closing his threads -- but just a mentor as suggested previously. Offering advice, suggesting stickies, helping w/ search terms, whatever. But it's also member ABC's responsibility to report posts, take problems to PMs, and if necessary, suggest that they be banned or whatever. But ultimately member ABC (the mentor) has no real authority -- just a responsibility. Basically it's almost as if ABC is subscribed to all of XYZs posts and should do his best to read/help. So here's what happens, you don't get a bunch of new mods and you're not granting a lot of power to anyone new who may or may not abuse it. You also don't turn people off by not letting them post in certain sections when they have legitimate problems that they can't find a problem to. But you also legitimately help them through the use of a mentor and generate a respect for the search tool.

What you're doing is creating these 'mini-mods' that basically just have a 'reviewers' responsibility and essentially should advise real MODS on potential offenders, etc. Obviously you would place some sort of timeframe or post count on the length of the 'mentorship' program. Realistically, maybe it's not a hard & fast number. It probably took me months to get to 100 posts where as many have stated, you can post 100 meaningless posts in a matter of hours if you're so motivated. That's just me, I read hundreds of posts a day, but rarely post anything myself unless I feel like my opinion is needed (wanted) or I have something new/valuable to contribute.

So as I'm rambling I'm thinking make it the mentor's responsibility to say to the MODS, "hey, I think that XYZ deserves to be unmentored because he's posted 50 useful posts, more or less searches when he has questions, and is generally a swell guy". Then he's removed from the mentorship program. And realistically, there is probably nothing logistical about it. You just have a list of mentors that say they're willing to take on x number of new members at a time, and you assign them out as they sign up. No real 'software' solution necessary in this example.

Taking it even one step further, you could wait and not automatically assign new members a mentor -- only assign them a mentor/mini-mod if a real MOD has concerns. Maybe that's more work...

I dunno, a little hard to explain my thoughts, but hopefully you get what I'm saying. I think ultimately, a lot of new (good) members probably will not even know they have a mentor (or need to use them) because they search and use intelligence when posting. (I know that's asking a lot, but... hey I'm hopeful).

Signatures: I see both sides of the argument honestly, however I'd still lean towards no pics and only a couple of lines of text at most (and only once per thread). Bottom line, if you have lots of information that you want to communicate in your sig, put a link in instead and make it go to your garage or your website. Frankly, I don't look at sigs for the most part and definitely don't care to see the same crap over and over in the same thread.

Paying: Frankly, I'd probably not join. Yeah, it's useful info and easily worth the nominal fee that you might charge. But it's the internet, it's a pet peeve of mine to search for something and then have to pay to get it, only to find nothing useful. I realize that the forum can't exist w/o some sort of funding, but then again, if you're not charging for the forum, you can probably do w/ it what you want and that includes banning/deleteing whatever the heck you want when you want and w/o reason. It's a service, albeit free. And I thank you for that. But I'm also a cheap *** even though I've dropped a lot of cash on my cars already. I'd probably just look for other means to find information.

Whew, sorry for the long-winded post.

 

Okay, Let's simplify this so it can die:

The sig rule has been around forever, it's agood compromize between speed (of download), and obnoxiousness (too large of pics).

The cash thing - Like I said, if you start selling a service, people start expecting things.. He gets ad revenue here, and I've donated in times of need.. It seems to work for everyone that way.. When I started out with 7s, I barely would have had enough cash to pay 5 bucks a month to participate here.

The Mentor thing - It's a good idea, but I'm agreeing with Aaron at this point, no practical, non-annoying method exists for pulling it off.. .

How about a stickie up at the top with AIM names/email addresses of people willing to help? It's simple and there, and if people want to use it, cool, it would probably help out, if not, cool, we'll keep rockin' the forum the way it is.

 

Question I didn't see in the rules:

Is retaliation toward the chronic BS callers who provide no evidence backing their doubts okay? I've never been warned, and have snapped a few times, just trying to repent and be a good citizen here....

 

If it's done in accordance with the rule, then there's no problem. My issue are the people who make caustic, smart assed remarks (normally involving the BS flage) that do nothing but start a flame war. If the claims are examined logically and proven false, then go for it. But I realize that this is very hard to do since many people here are less then mature about these things...

 

Wow, I didn't even remember how much I hate those damn threads until you just mentioned it. Someone says something, then right afterwards is the BS flag, and no reason why or anything.... Then comes the flamewar....

 

Ok guys, I'm ready for my latest ***-chewing, so here goes. Been "owner of 90 FC3C, n/a, for 5 months. First post, I said, "smoking like a dog". Little response, I got attitude. I was told read, read , read. I did just that, forever. Finally, came back and got responses, with my politeness, and complete honesty that I was a rotary retard. Was told, engine gone, coolant seals, oil seals, ready for rebuild. I priced rebuilds, new engines, installation, etc. Kept on reading, and reading. Did every check that was advised, radiator, plugs, wire, etc. Adjusted tps, checked ACV, BAC, etc. etc. etc. And no one here was right. The jam nut on the high idle adjustment screw came off and during driving, screw worked itself down into WOT position. I found it. Not blown engine, compression as is with 150 thou on odometer, maybe rebuild, maybe not, I dont know, is a solid 115 all around. My point being, we are all here for one purpose: to better ourselves, and hopefully others, through hands on experience, and **** ups, for a better understanding of our cars. I work on my car daily. I dont post daily, but for me, reading is the solution first. Have I stopped listening because the first responses I got were wrong, hell no. There is more knowledge on this site than 99.9 % of every other one, from personal know how. Take it easy on us dipshits, but put new sticky, in my opinion IN BIG BOLD LETTERS, IF YOU ASK SOMETHING WITHOUT READING FIRST, NO RESPONSE WILL BE GIVEN. PERIOD. Without you S>O>B's, this ******* would have nothing to look forward to every day. And SonicRaT, your still a *****, but so am I. Thanks for all the help.

PEACE THE DOG AND SonicRaT-----------RUF RUF RUF RUF RUF------hehehehehehe

 

I think the dawg needs a can of dog food; I think the dry stuff has given him irritated bowel syndrome...


-Ted

 

Have read thread, received

 

Holy old thread back from the dead!

Closing thread, because it is no longer relevant.