Day of Silence and More discussion

[LBmtb]

Use this thread to discuss the global announcement.

[tbowren]

I wish my wife and kids would observe a day of silence.

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by tbowren

I wish my wife and kids would observe a day of silence.

Now that's funny!

[b5driver]

George, while I appreciate what you're trying to accomplish here, I'm not sure what excluding those without the doohickey does to further that objective, although it does seem to act as a membership drive. Perhaps the goal is if people pay some money to support the site, then they will take some ownership and watch how they post? I'd appreciate a little explanation as to what your goals are in including some and excluding others. Some of the biggest offenders seem to be people that do have the doohickey (although I realize the majority of the offenders are probably noncontributors). Thanks. And yes, I realize I don't have the STR next to my name.

[jbh65]

Originally Posted by tbowren

I wish my wife and kids would observe a day of silence.

now that's funny. I'm with you brother man!

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by b5driver

George, while I appreciate what you're trying to accomplish here, I'm not sure what excluding those without the doohickey does to further that objective, although it does seem to act as a membership drive. Perhaps the goal is if people pay some money to support the site, then they will take some ownership and watch how they post? I'd appreciate a little explanation as to what your goals are in including some and excluding others. Some of the biggest offenders seem to be people that do have the doohickey (although I realize the majority of the offenders are probably noncontributors). Thanks. And yes, I realize I don't have the STR next to my name.

Originally the idea was to do this for everybody. But as you said the doohickey people probably aren't trying to cause trouble (for the most part) since they've supported it and feel more of a responsibility to it than others. Also, it's another way to say continue to say thanks to those people.

[el_d00der1n0]

I'm gonna try (I'm addicted) to be silent with my non-doohickey bretheren.

[Shu]

LBmtb wrote:To get the point across that we're serious about this, there will be a day of silence for most people on STR. People who have appreciated the site and the community enough to get a doo-hickey will still be able to post on that day. This will happen sometime in the coming week.

I'm not sure what point is made by this action?

It seems a lot like the "if we boycott the gas companies on the same day our gas prices will go down" emails that go around..

Banning offenders seems like the better way to get your message across...some of the offenders are "contributors" and there are a lot who don't contribute financailly that don't abuse the rules but will get "banned" from posting for the day for essentally not contributing financially....

[art23rockpile]

As I much enjoy being part of STR, I have no problem in abiding by the rules and supporting the site by becoming a paying member. The rules are logical, and I know there must be costs involved with running this site... costs which I -for one- do not mind sharing. However, at the moment, with the downturn in the economy, i'm barely able to make ends meet. So i'll become a paid (doo-hickey bearing) member just as soon as i'm able. In the meantime, i'll observe the 'Day of Silence' when it happens, with good grace. Thanks for the message, George.

[b5driver]

Originally Posted by Shu

I'm not sure what point is made by this action?

It seems a lot like the "if we boycott the gas companies on the same day our gas prices will go down" emails that go around..

Banning offenders seems like the better way to get your message across...some of the offenders are "contributors" and there are a lot who don't contribute financailly that don't abuse the rules but will get "banned" from posting for the day for essentally not contributing financially....

It seems the point is to get people to think before they post, which I think the majority of people do, but sometimes we all need a reminder, and that's what this is. Sadly, most of the biggest offenders will forget in about a week after the "day of silence".

The problem I have is among those that have paid, there is sometimes an arrogance that their posts are somehow better and that sometimes those who have not contributed are somehow less worthy. (This is not always the case, but it does happen). I'm worried that this day of silence will only further promote this attitude. Hopefully George is right and this will prompt people to take more ownership and be more responsible with their posts, paid and unpaid members.

[Pugz]

While I love this site and keep meaning to contribute so I can get my doo-hickey I think it is unfair to allow anybody to post on a day of silence. The point of the day seems to be to have people catch their breath and remember what makes this site one of the best. The offenders are those with and without doo-hickey's so special privileges should not be granted for those who donated, they already get some privileges with pm's.

I will abide by whatever decision is made however I wanted to state my opinion. George thanks for the site and all the hard work you and the mods put into it.

[allison]

I know this may be lame... but, I have an addiction. So, please make this on a weekend

[ohyeah89]

Originally Posted by allison

I know this may be lame... but, I have an addiction. So, please make this on a weekend

PLLLLLEASE!?! I don't think I could survive a day in the office without pressing refresh every minute and not seeing something new... LOL jk (but kinda not jk)

On a serious note, thanks for this site and community, it means so much to a lot of people and whatever you have to do to keep it special will be appreciated.

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by Shu

I'm not sure what point is made by this action?

Don't worry - bans will also come if the same people continue to stir things up.

This is to simply make a point - this site is not a right, it's a privilege. There is no place here for trash talking, spam, and people mouthing off to others for no good reason. Hopefully more thought will be given to posts. Maybe people will even start to discourage others that are too quick to type off overly emotional posts.

The thing that has made STR so special to me and the majority of people here is the relative lack of drama - just fun rides, good people, and lifelong friendships. Let's keep it that way!

Didn't anticipate the surprise about the doohickey exemption. Is it unexpected that people who chose to support the website financially will be given special perks? I realize that e-thugery can happen whether or not a person contributes. We'll still delete posts, PM a person, or even ban regardless if a person has a doohickey or not. That happens on an individual basis. But for the most part, the issues that I've noticed lately weren't by people who had doohickeys (PM me with examples if I'm wrong about that).

[Frozen208]

Originally Posted by Pugz

While I love this site and keep meaning to contribute so I can get my doo-hickey I think it is unfair to allow anybody to post on a day of silence. The point of the day seems to be to have people catch their breath and remember what makes this site one of the best. The offenders are those with and without doo-hickey's so special privileges should not be granted for those who donated, they already get some privileges with pm's.

I will abide by whatever decision is made however I wanted to state my opinion. George thanks for the site and all the hard work you and the mods put into it.

Originally Posted by LBmtb;

Didn't anticipate the surprise about the doohickey exemption. Is it unexpected that people who chose to support the website financially will be given special perks? I realize that e-thugery can happen whether or not a person contributes. We'll still delete posts, PM a person, or even ban regardless if a person has a doohickey or not. That happens on an individual basis. But for the most part, the issues that I've noticed lately weren't by people who had doohickeys (PM me with examples if I'm wrong about that).

I would have to agree with both of you in a way, maybe the awnser is the split the differnce, a full "Day of Silence" to non-doohickeyers, and a "Half-Day of Silence for doohickeyers.

And to George, his mod squad, sponsors and all the doohickeyers, and all of us in general.

EDIT: Throwing something at the wall to see if it sticks

Don't know if it is possible, but if part the reason for this is to get people to think a little more before hitting the submit button. Is there a way to make as second screen that goes to a preview screen after hitting submit that says something along the lines of "Are you sure you wish to submit?". It would also give a second opportunity to proof read/make sure you didn't miss anything..