The future of this forum

[TSandM]

Well, I'm kind of seeing a dichotomy of answers.

One group would like the forum to adhere strictly to the original rules . . . DIR answers only; basic questions answered briefly and threads closed, and space for people to post more advanced questions and hope for educated answers.

Another group believes that the forum should be moderated as little as possible, and if someone posts a question and non-DIR answers are offered, the DIR users will make it clear that those answers are not appropriate.

Unfortunately, the noise that results from that approach, as well as the nastiness and ill-will, are things I see as having detrimental effects on the original purpose of the forum, which was to be a place where people could ask those, "Do I have to have a long hose to take Fundies?" questions and get them answered without being attacked for having asked them.

Thanks, everybody, for the input here. I think I have my marching orders as I see them, and everybody has helped clarify my ideas of what I should be doing moderating this forum.

 

[nadwidny]

Speaking of DIRFers offering advice beyond their training...

Ah . . .but sometimes an odd DIR-F'er can have much wisdom to offer !

It would have to be a very odd DIRF'er as I have yet to see an example of such on any board, anywhere.

 

[rainman_02]

I love my X-Scooter. Very light weight, so that I could actually carry 2 of them at once. And 5 variable speeds on the fly!

It surprises me that a rift would develop over a topic like a DPV. I am wondering if this was not more like the proverbial final straw instead.

Rifts are inevitable, in any association. I would have sooner expected that a drysuit brand issue would have caused a rift sooner. But I am very surprised that a rift could develop over a DPV.

Well, people weren't owners of the drysuit companies (AFAIK). And have you ever seen what the big scuba manufacturers can get into about "you can sell this but not this and DEFINITELY not lower than this price...or we'll pull all our products."

The dive industry is a big mess, and the DPV "war" is just another part of it. Besides...I think the DPV industry is all set to get interesting again...with the MiniG and the smaller/lighter SS.

 

[wb416]

I like the forum the way it is...the only "negative" is that dir-people seem far more defensive here than on dirx...
I once had "the same thread" running both here and on dirx, the one on here sometimes got so full of anti-dir "crap" that had nothing to do with the topic at hand, I would have liked to see those posts dissapear asap...so I kinda see why...

[soapbox] personally I don´t see why people take offence...I don´t mind being called a ******, if you like the way you do things, why do you care if someone calls you a lemming...let the offensive people be offensive and carry on the discussion with those you feel are rational/reasonable/have an open mind...and just enjoy jeffGs humour...of course I realize SB will never be that way but I think we´d all have more fun and learn more if we don´t take things so personally...[/soapbox]

It's the art of "talking around someone"! If the offenders were ignored (or put on ignore), it would pretty much take away all the attention they need for continued conversation. It's either that, or just continually post the forum TOS as a response to their post and continue on without addressing their deviation. It's dies on the vine there, and the main thrust of the conversation can continue.

For those that don't remember why this forum is here... back in 2002/2003 every DIR conversation became a "battle of the zealots" from both sides of the fence and was incredibly weary and unproductive... but as Walter said, lemmings on both sides of the aisle propogated the antagonism. It's probably the main reason I don't participate like I used to in DIR discussions on SB, and it was the genesis for my profile comment:
"Remember... it's just diving. Friendships are more important than dive philosophies. If someone is going to be a jerk, do you really want to associate with them or care what they believe?"

 

[MonkSeal]

Yeah, like that guy they call Chasey. Sooo valuable.

Go to the right rich/lean left thread from last month for an example.

Well, there's a saying in Croatian which says that every village must have its own idiot (at least one).

You can't make such threads not to pop up from time to time on any forum. And you can't successfuly ban such people. But you can avoid both.

 

[wb416]

One problem with the current situation is that some threads run way too long.

When someone starts a thread with something like "If I put a bungee on my AIR2, is that DIR?". The answer should be a swift"No." and then the thread closed, IMO.

Instead, we leave the thread open for weeks while every internet-dir certified (IDIR) diver gets to dribble his/her opinion.

Just a suggestion, but closing some threads fast might help. Don't delete the stuff - the questions still make for humorous reading, but perhaps don't let things go on so long.

-S

That's one of the things I like about TDS. If a thread is a problem, it just gets closed, but left public..... kinda like leaving a person in "stocks" in the marketplace to serve as a warning.

It's also builds a pseudo-FAQ of past topics.

 

[MonkSeal]

Those of us with DIR training and really diving that way have much better DIR resources to draw upon than this board.

That's the point. It goes for this forum and for any other board. But I'm sure that this forum can be resource of information for those interested in DIR "entry level" without connection to GUE instructors or GUE trained divers.

 

[wb416]

Let's face it. This is a site where noobs learn about DIR. I am willing to occasionally give back and contribute to their understanding. Its not a site where there are enough "upper level" DIR divers (training+experience beyond Tech/Cave1) so that I can post my own questions and get legit DIR discussion about the pros and cons of the potentially several "DIR" ways of doing something.

snip

Once a diver hits the "middling" certs (e.g. T1/C1), they already have their avenues for information and discussion (e.g. instructor(s), buddy group). These are much more productive than tossing a bone out in a public forum.

I think this forum serves well for those seeking basic information on DIR and for more experienced DIR divers to be as helpful as possible without being the ultimate subject matter experts. Knowledge from forums like these help people understand what DIR encompasses, what questions to ask, and what are some of the "hot spots". However, this is only an introductory stepping stone to purer learning resources. We should let the SME's continue to be the cadre of instructors, most of which are readily accessible via PM, email, phone, or class.

 

[wb416]

Brando, MHK, or JoeT posting here anymore ... they used to contribute here regularly.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Brando is involved in an active online/diving group in the Detroit area with many participants. They get together regularly online (?daily) and in the water (sometimes a couple times a week) to hash through some of the topics you see here.

I believe MHK's reasons are personal, unrelated to SB or diving.

Life effects us all...

 

[Meng_Tze]

.. If someone is going to be a jerk, do you really want to associate with them or care what they believe?"

Maybe yes, it depends where this person is a jerk (many fake personalities on the internet, some just use that medium as an escape valve but in real life are nice people). All is not what it seems.

Some 'jerks' have also proven to be masters at what they do, it is a personality thing (note: I did not say flaw) that should not prohibit learning from them. Being able to manage interacting with many personalities is a contribution to ones character.