Hostility, B*tching and Nastiness

The way I see it is a forum full of business owners or potential business owners is going to have it's fair share of hot headedness, arrogance, single mindedness etc. but this is counterbalanced by the wisdom, experience and confidence that also comes with the territory.

You lot should try being a boxing fan on an American forum running up to a big fight like we just had on the weekend!!! That's real nasty! :)
 
Upvote 0

sysops

Free Member
Feb 1, 2007
2,918
885
I think more interesting is the level of moderator interference which seems to has arisen in response to this societal decay we're supposedly experiencing on UKBF.

I was recently told to tone it down by a mod (you know who you are) after I said someone was "all mouth". Even more frightening is that is was due to a complaint made by a forum member (you know who you are, so do I) about my "all mouth" comment.

Terrifying.
 
Upvote 0

DuaneJackson

Free Member
Jul 14, 2005
8,642
1,100
Brighton / London
The address bar is situated at the top of your browser...anyone who doesn't like it should enter a different web address into the address bar :) (I.E. In the words of Gordon Ramsay F*ck off out of the forum ;))

And that's the mistake lots of you seem to be making.
Guess what? It's not your forum. nor is it "owned by the community". It belongs to someone else, and they have rules.

So if YOU don't like abiding by them then you should go elsewhere and find a forum that's a free-for-all. Because this isn't one.

It's interesting seeing the different opinions to my original post. But the only thing that will stop me giving infractions (which add up to bans) to those of you who want to be rude and offensive, is new rules from the forum owners. Not your eloquent, articulate and incredibly persuasive arguments.
 
Upvote 0

sysops

Free Member
Feb 1, 2007
2,918
885
I'ts interesting seeing the different opinions to my original post. But the only thing that will stop me giving infractions (which add up to bans) to those of you who want to be rude and offensive, is new rules from the forum owners. Not your eloquent, articulate and incredibly persuasive arguments.


While this is of course true, I'm quite sure that the forum owners realise that the forum would be nothing without the fantastic people who post on it. Ban enough of the more interesting ones and you have a very dull forum which attracts very few new members.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: maxine
Upvote 0

Matt1959

Free Member
Sep 8, 2006
6,325
1,225
Ban enough of the more interesting ones and you have a very dull forum which attracts very few new members.

too true. Nicey, nicey doesn't work in Forumland - you only have to look elsewhere where there is constant peace and harmony and a distinct lack of posts:rolleyes:. Talking of Ling, I would always prefer to hear opinions from someone based on their experience, someone who has DONE it and who is happy to share all their experiences - invaluable. Sorry if this comes across as sycophantic - its not meant in that way..... Not good though is hammering new members just because you can. Threads are started by people that appear clueless or young and thats when all the "experts" lick their lips and dive in one after the other and that makes really unpleasant reading. There are one or two new members though that have come on here in the past and they deserve all they get because their stinking attitudes imho
 
Upvote 0

Tin

Business Member
Nov 14, 2005
2,931
1,427
Herefordshire
www.tinsoldierdesign.co.uk
I think more interesting is the level of moderator interference which seems to has arisen in response to this societal decay we're supposedly experiencing on UKBF.

I was recently told to tone it down by a mod (you know who you are) after I said someone was "all mouth". Even more frightening is that is was due to a complaint made by a forum member (you know who you are, so do I) about my "all mouth" comment.

Terrifying.

Yes, it was me and I am more than man enough to hold my hand up. The level of moderator interference in this instance was an edit of the post in question and a polite email simply because I was acting on a reported post by another member (and not the recipient of this particular insult) and quite frankly the pm I sent you was in no way offensive, rather the opposite, I asked you quite politely (and with some humour which was obviously wasted) for you to tone things down (excessive levels of moderation would have been to issue you with an infraction). The response I got was, to say the least, somewhat unexpected.

Why would it be more frightening (to use your words) that we act upon complaint by members. Sift decided, a while back, to go along with the policy of self moderation of the forums, with the appointed mods acting more as tools to this self moderation than the rulers, it is a real shame that the implied trust in the members ability has not been apparent in certain cases. I can vouch for the fact that, in the past approx 8 months, all mods have reined back on active moderation in favour of the self moderation approach.

From purely my own point of view (mods hat off again) under the old regime all the mods would have clamped down a good deal harder on a lot of the dross that has been posted over the past few months.

If the idea of you posting something that someone (anyone) might object to terrifies you, perhaps you should think twice about posting!

Ray
 
Upvote 0

sysops

Free Member
Feb 1, 2007
2,918
885
If the idea of you posting something that someone (anyone) might object to terrifies you, perhaps you should think twice about posting!)

You missed my point, I was highlighting two things which are relevant to this thread:

1. The fact that a member was so offended by me saying that someone was all mouth as to report it to a mod

2. The fact that a mod took the matter sufficiently seriously to PM me about it.

Far too much sensitivity.
 
Upvote 0

maria102

Free Member
Oct 25, 2005
3,614
465
Manchester
Its okay to offer advice, when I look advice that I received from my original business ideas, it was friendly and constructive, and of course the reason why I still post on here (my initial ideas were pants), I honestly think everything would have been a lot worse had a not been put straight by you guys - also to ask a "stupid" question, its better to ask than to f**k up later, no matter how silly it seems at the time.

People join this "business forum" and do not appreciate the warmness and friendliness that comes with business advice that is supportive too. How many guys on here have been having sh*t day and just need a bit of offloading about the loneliness that can be business and just need a friendly word to get them back on track. There is more to owning a small business than just dishing out inland revenue advice and SEO! :eek:
 
Upvote 0
Business Listing
Nov 4, 2005
13,090
2,896
There is more to owning a small business than just dishing out inland revenue advice and SEO! :eek:

Lucky I have developed that thick skin referred to by others :rolleyes:

I would like to say though that if the value one adds to a site is just dishing out inland revenue or SEO advice which others ask for then that should be fine as well. IMO the fact that one does not want to get involved in other areas of the forum does not make them less value as a member than others. :)

We are all different - it is what makes the world go round :p
 
Upvote 0

maria102

Free Member
Oct 25, 2005
3,614
465
Manchester
I would like to say though that if the value one adds to a site is just dishing out inland revenue or SEO advice which others ask for then that should be fine as well. IMO the fact that one does not want to get involved in other areas of the forum does not make them less value as a member than others. :)

I maybe have not explained myself properly, SEO and all the other stuff is valuable of course, I am just saying that when people are dismissing the warmness that comes with support, that this is important too. The cold headed business advice has been invaluable to me, but when I asked a silly question, no-one called me stupid, they just explained the way to go about things.
 
Upvote 0

LINGsCARS

Free Member
Feb 16, 2007
1,761
414
53
Gateshead, UK
blah, blah... etc... I asked you quite politely (and with some humour which was obviously wasted) for you to tone things down (excessive levels of moderation would have been to issue you with an infraction). The response I got was, to say the least, somewhat unexpected.


Ray

Fantastic!

----

I think as Duane pointed out earlier, the UKBF is a business owned by someone, and the mods are doing the job they are asked.

And that's the mistake lots of you seem to be making.
Guess what? It's not your forum. nor is it "owned by the community". It belongs to someone else, and they have rules.

So if YOU don't like abiding by them then you should go elsewhere and find a forum that's a free-for-all. Because this isn't one.

It's interesting seeing the different opinions to my original post. But the only thing that will stop me giving infractions (which add up to bans) to those of you who want to be rude and offensive, is new rules from the forum owners. Not your eloquent, articulate and incredibly persuasive arguments.


The problem is, most of the posters think it is a forum, not a business. They are given the impression by UKBF that it's a forum! They are encouraged to post on business subjects and give time and effort to the forum. However, it's not really a forum. Posters and visitors are just numbers. Good quality numbers (demographically), but numbers... within a web-advertising business.

Of course it is in the UKBF's (Sift?) interest to maximise visitors and members, as these numbers are the throughput and more throughput means more revenue. I can understand that the UKBF would like the whole population of the UK, China and the World to be posting (inane) posts, as this creates a massive business. However...

...the members do not like (when they think about it) being "traffic". They are here to join in and give opinions, which are personal.

It is a bit like the quality of TV argument between the BBC and ITV/advertiser-backed channels. The quality on the BBC (tends) to be higher, as the paid-for channels are simply in a race to gain viewers. Certainly, this is very noticeable on the quality of things like the BBC v ITV websites, radio and current affairs and business programming.

While at the end of the day the forum owners will sit and count numbers and count revenue, we are here arguing about quality of posts and idiotic contributors. This (as Duane explains) means very little to the Forum owners, and it's pointless making that argument as the mods are simply doing a job. They are here to maximise numbers.

So, if you think you are posting on a forum - you are not. You are a number on a stats page of a business that uses web-traffic as a commodity. If you think you have any worthwhile view on topics, then it is of no interest in the long run, to the forum owners. Opinions which polarise and lead to anyone leaving are obviously unwelcome in a general UKBF business sense.

So simple. Get real.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: sirearl
Upvote 0

LINGsCARS

Free Member
Feb 16, 2007
1,761
414
53
Gateshead, UK
I maybe have not explained myself properly, SEO and all the other stuff is valuable of course, I am just saying that when people are dismissing the warmness that comes with support, that this is important too. The cold headed business advice has been invaluable to me, but when I asked a silly question, no-one called me stupid, they just explained the way to go about things.

Maria, you could always buy an electric fire... if you want warmth.

I explode the myth about this forum being about community spirit - above.

Maybe it is a case of not enough sensitivity, depending on which side of the fence you are sitting I suppose.

either way, in my opinion, perhaps we should all be trying for that middle ground that offends no one.

Ray

There we go, again. See?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Maria, you could always buy an electric fire... if you want warmth.

I explode the myth about this forum being about community spirit - above.

Oh my poor demented little bean shoot scoffer.

again you struggle with seeing the world through any eye's but your own.:|

Of course there is warmth or why would any members do there best to help othere's.

Of course there is also b*tchyness as every poster is seen by each individual in a different light.

Some by there demenour will elicit compassion and a willingness to help.

Others will evoke feelings of F**k you ,you smug greedy little Ba^tard.

what you say about SIFT is possibly true,that numbers are what count for them,same as my business's and yours.

But the interaction between members is a very different kettle of fish.

You may be at the bottom of the mountain looking up,but there are plenty that have decided that there are more important things than mountain climbing,or have already got as high as they wish to do.:)

Oh how I would love to get you on my couch for an hour.:D

Earl
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: debbidoo
Upvote 0

artona

Free Member
Nov 6, 2007
69
4
Hi

This is a strange thread for a business forum - is there not a saying - Its business, its not personal :D:D

I saw a thread recently about someone wanting a free logo. There was a lot of banter about wanting something for free etc but then someone attacked that person verbally which I thought was very out of order. It also cost the attacker business as I decided I would not deal with that business and I would not recommend it to my friends. I am heavily involved with another forum with 30 000 members so how much business is that!

Of course by all reports the business I refer to does not need extra business at the moment ...........at the moment.

UKB is a good forum and it is full of helpful people. Does it matter if someone somewhere is making money because the took the trouble to set it up and carry on maintaning it. Neither does it really matter if these people appreciate the posts, although I am sure they do. Its the other members, who make up a forum that matter
 
Upvote 0
I can understand that the UKBF would like the whole population of the UK, China and the World to be posting (inane) posts, as this creates a massive business.

No one has said anything about inane posts. Members join and contribute in their own way for various different reasons, some to gain exposure for their business (if we are honest that's what most of us are here for), some for help and guidance, others for support and encouragement. A good few are here simply to help and offer advice to others and join in with what is very definitely a community.

Duane didn't say that this place wasn't a forum or a community, he said that this forum community had rules, rules that were put in place to stop any member from being abused or mistreated by another.

It is perfectly possible to give someone some hard, constructive feedback without resorting to being offensive in any way. We have lots of members here who don't and never have wrapped up their advice in cotton wool but they don't resort to being offensive and they are very well respected for this.

Kerry
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DuaneJackson
Upvote 0

maria102

Free Member
Oct 25, 2005
3,614
465
Manchester
Maria, you could always buy an electric fire... if you want warmth.

I explode the myth about this forum being about community spirit - above.



There we go, again. See?

You have exploded nothing Ling, you have just got on your egotistical horse as ever and typed in the usual load of predictable rubbish, the only thing that is missing is a pie chart. I'm dipping out here, I think you've had enough airtime because you really aren't worth my time.
 
Upvote 0
Last night I had a dream... it involved a jetski, a dollshouse and a knife...

We do advise against riding a jetski whilst carrying a knife.

Temper,temper.I recommend one of our dolls houses ,as it seems obvious that you did not have access to one as a child.:eek:

would also suggest our latest product may give some relief to your ailments. http://www.whitstablescene.co.uk/dollsterms.htm

Earl
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

LINGsCARS

Free Member
Feb 16, 2007
1,761
414
53
Gateshead, UK
It is perfectly possible to give someone some hard, constructive feedback without resorting to being offensive in any way. We have lots of members here who don't and never have wrapped up their advice in cotton wool but they don't resort to being offensive and they are very well respected for this.

Kerry
What was offensive was the poster's question. Whether someone could run a successful business without having a degree qualification.

And that question from someone studying for a degree.

If Sir Alan Sugar or someone on Dragon's Den or even Dale Winton told them on live TV they were an idiot and anyone who asks such a question is short of a few brain cells, no one here would blink and many would applaud.

However, I just get the feeling that any old crap question is encouraged for volume, instead of looking at the quality of the a) question, b) advice.

I think we need a reality pill and just realise that if a question is offensively stupid, the answers can be offensively truthful.

This is the real world, the OP deserved my response for their question.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

LINGsCARS

Free Member
Feb 16, 2007
1,761
414
53
Gateshead, UK
I'm dipping out here, I think you've had enough airtime because you really aren't worth my time.

Maria, I have no problem with anyone dipping in, out or not... whatever.

But do we have to be told you are dipping out, in every thread? You join in, post something saying how terrible I am, get offended when I reply, and then go off in a public huff.

Why not just avoid any thread I am posting in, and I will do the same?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

maria102

Free Member
Oct 25, 2005
3,614
465
Manchester
Maria, I have no problem with anyone dipping in, out or not... whatever.

But do we have to be told you are dipping out, in every thread? You join in, post something saying how terrible I am, get offended when I reply, and then go off in a huff.

Why not just avoid any thread I am posting in, and I will do the same?

I'll post wherever I like, I'm not offended I just think you post drivel.
 
Upvote 0

Latest Articles