Rainer
Contributor
There exists a SoCal DIR subforum (SoCal DIR - ScubaBoard), which has not seen much activity in about 18 months. This isn't due to a lack of interest in DIR locally. DIR divers are getting out for weekly shore dives and monthly (recreational and technical) boat charters. We currently have three GUE instructors (GUE Instructors | Global Underwater Explorers) and four UTD instructors (USA, Mexico & Canada based UTD Instructors - Unified Team Diving) in SoCal, with classes taking place every few weeks.
This subforum has been opt-in, requiring those interested to request membership in order to both view threads and make posts. While no limitations were imposed on those requesting access, a moderator did have to approve each request. Unfortunately, the moderator in charge of granting such requests has not logged on to SB in well over a year, and a backlog of well over a 100 requests piled up until this issue was realized quite recently. It has been decided that:
(1) all pending membership requests will be immediately granted (this has now been done), and means will be taken to ensure that future requests are handled in a timely manner,
(2) the SoCal DIR area will continue to require membership for posting (as is the case with several DIR subforums on SB, mainly due to past abuses by those with irrational ill-feelings toward DIR practices),
(3) this subforum will no longer require membership to view threads, thus making all discussions readable to all SB members; hopefully this will encourage more people to join and participate (remember, anyone can request access!),
(4) while the prior stated purpose of the subforum was only to serve as a discussion place for those already committed to pursuing DIR, it is now open to both those already diving DIR and those merely interested in or curious about DIR in SoCal,
(5) and finally, that insufferable posters will no longer be tolerated and will have their membership in this subforum revoked for repeated abuses (this is to be a friendly, inviting place, not a frat house).
While there already exists an excellent general DIR subforum on SB (DIR - ScubaBoard), hopefully the SoCal DIR area can (once again) serve as a place for discussing DIR diving in SoCal, planning/announcing local DIR events and classes, and posting local DIR trip/class reports. It's unlikely that this will ever be an extremely active subforum, but it'd be nice to see a bit more traffic here moving forward.
In the interest of generating more support, I've e-mailed the SoCal GUE and UTD instructors to let them know about these recent changes to this subforum.
If you'd like to join the SoCal DIR area, please just opt-in by going to your Group Preferences (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/profile.php?do=editusergroups). The goal of this forum is the same as the central goal of DIR: to have FUN! The above changes are all being done in the hopes of reestablishing an online area where SoCal divers can discuss all matters DIR in a friendly, open environment. Hope to see you posting there.
If you're new, please do introduce yourself!
This subforum has been opt-in, requiring those interested to request membership in order to both view threads and make posts. While no limitations were imposed on those requesting access, a moderator did have to approve each request. Unfortunately, the moderator in charge of granting such requests has not logged on to SB in well over a year, and a backlog of well over a 100 requests piled up until this issue was realized quite recently. It has been decided that:
(1) all pending membership requests will be immediately granted (this has now been done), and means will be taken to ensure that future requests are handled in a timely manner,
(2) the SoCal DIR area will continue to require membership for posting (as is the case with several DIR subforums on SB, mainly due to past abuses by those with irrational ill-feelings toward DIR practices),
(3) this subforum will no longer require membership to view threads, thus making all discussions readable to all SB members; hopefully this will encourage more people to join and participate (remember, anyone can request access!),
(4) while the prior stated purpose of the subforum was only to serve as a discussion place for those already committed to pursuing DIR, it is now open to both those already diving DIR and those merely interested in or curious about DIR in SoCal,
(5) and finally, that insufferable posters will no longer be tolerated and will have their membership in this subforum revoked for repeated abuses (this is to be a friendly, inviting place, not a frat house).
While there already exists an excellent general DIR subforum on SB (DIR - ScubaBoard), hopefully the SoCal DIR area can (once again) serve as a place for discussing DIR diving in SoCal, planning/announcing local DIR events and classes, and posting local DIR trip/class reports. It's unlikely that this will ever be an extremely active subforum, but it'd be nice to see a bit more traffic here moving forward.
In the interest of generating more support, I've e-mailed the SoCal GUE and UTD instructors to let them know about these recent changes to this subforum.
If you'd like to join the SoCal DIR area, please just opt-in by going to your Group Preferences (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/profile.php?do=editusergroups). The goal of this forum is the same as the central goal of DIR: to have FUN! The above changes are all being done in the hopes of reestablishing an online area where SoCal divers can discuss all matters DIR in a friendly, open environment. Hope to see you posting there.
If you're new, please do introduce yourself!
