What's ScubaBoard worth to you?

[The Chairman]

However, change the words "black man" to LDS, and post it on Scubaboard, which would read " I was ripped off by a LDS,

If you were the LDS in question, you were probably approached by one of our staff by phone or email (or both) asking for you side of the story. I understand that you can't see these, but we have MANY threads such as this which were pulled because they had a hidden agenda.

We are not here to be the thought police. If you think LDSes are a rip off... well then SAY SO. There are just as many who think that the online stores are a rip off as well. As long as don't call them (or each other) names on the Board we are "OK" with that. We are not here, as some will claim, to suppress the truth or to make sure everyone is in lock step here on ScubaBoard. Heck, if it weren't for controversy, we would have a pretty boring Board!

 

[Charlie59]

Is it the full moon or the new year that has made this board kinda wierd lately? Everyone seems on edge. Hey, chill out folks. Diving is for fun and writing about diving kills time between dives. That is Scubaboard.

 

[Vtdiver2]

If you were the LDS in question, you were probably approached by one of our staff by phone or email (or both) asking for you side of the story.

You're missing the point.....I'd like to see people post that shop XYZ is a bad shop, and allow the shop to defend itself......most of the time, that's not happening. They're just saying "all LDSs". Why is it that you can't discriminate against a person for his race, religion or sexual preference, but on Scubaboard it's OK to discriminate against him for his choice of perfession? That was my whole point. If someone wants to post " Superdiversales.com ( I hope that isn't a real name of a site ) is having a great sale on gear" I have no issue with that. I may choose to do my business at my LDS, but that's fine, do your business where you want. However, when that same person posts " Forget your LDS, they'll just screw you anyway, go to superdiversales.com for your gear", that's just wrong. They are discriminating against hundreds of hard working, honest people who love diving just as we do, who want to try and make an honest living doing something they love. If someone got screwed, fine, tell us who and feel free to post that shop should be avoided. But lets have a moritorium on LDS bashing, unless you are actually naming the shop.
I guess the broader point is, and I get the feeling there are a lot of us out there that feel this way, that I have enough stress in my live, and come here to unwind, relax and enjoy reading about scubadiving when I can't get into the water. But lately it hasn't been as relaxing, and there seems to be more flamers, or close minded people, just looking to poke at people, trying to get them to bite on a hot topic. When that happens, the site loses its appeal, and I tend to post less, and either lurk on a few forums of interest, or stop coming altogether.
I guess the reason I've posted a few times in this thread, is I really do like Scubaboard, and want to continue to enjoy it, so I see it worth fighting for, and these are the ways I can see it improving. Untimately, it's your site and it'll be run as you and the Mods see fit. I just hope you are willing to see this and many other posts as contructive criticism and try to make this a "happier" place that we all can enjoy.
C-Dawg

 

[WVDiver]

I love this place moslty because of the people I have met and dived with. Also those that I intend to dive with. I love it because I use it for travel information and just to unwind by shooting the breeze. There are narrow minded, hard headed, jack***** here but show me some place that there isn't. Don't let them get to you. Just ignore them and move on. Life is too short.

 

[The Chairman]

You're missing the point...

Not to belabor the issue, but I feel there are more who are against E-Tailers than are for, and we reflect that bias. Human nature dictates that we are more tolerant when the team we are rooting for commits a foul than the other. That may be the case for both of us. We each see the slights against our team more than we perceive it towards each other.

I guess the broader point is, and I get the feeling there are a lot of us out there that feel this way, that I have enough stress in my live, and come here to unwind, relax and enjoy reading about scubadiving when I can't get into the water. But lately it hasn't been as relaxing, and there seems to be more flamers, or close minded people, just looking to poke at people, trying to get them to bite on a hot topic. When that happens, the site loses its appeal, and I tend to post less, and either lurk on a few forums of interest, or stop coming altogether.

Again, if the slight is not against something I feel strongly about, than I will probably MISS it. This is why the "Report Bad Post" button in the bottom left of every post (mine included) is so stinking important. Now, the button is not there to eliminate controversy or to report those people who simply don't agree with you. It is there when you feel someone is stalking you, leading you on or otherwise being a Butt Head. There is no honor in anyone getting their jollies out of harrassing others and we won't tolerate it.

I guess the reason I've posted a few times in this thread, is I really do like Scubaboard, and want to continue to enjoy it, so I see it worth fighting for, and these are the ways I can see it improving.

Cool, I feel the same way.

Untimately, it's your site and it'll be run as you and the Mods see fit.

Actually, I only own the URL. YOU and the other users actually own the community. If I ever lose sight of that, we will crumble.

I just hope you are willing to see this and many other posts as contructive criticism and try to make this a "happier" place that we all can enjoy.
C-Dawg

More than most "owners", I not only tend to listen: I act.

 

[The Chairman]

Is it the full moon or the new year that has made this board kinda wierd lately? Everyone seems on edge. Hey, chill out folks. Diving is for fun and writing about diving kills time between dives. That is Scubaboard.

We do this EVERY winter. It's CABIN FEVER MON!!!

 

[Charlie59]

Okay, I can understand Cabin Fever.

I like to look at the pretty pictures of the fishies, the photography advice is good too!

 

[Vtdiver2]

Not to belabor the issue, but I feel there are more who are against E-Tailers than are for, and we reflect that bias. Human nature dictates that we are more tolerant when the team we are rooting for commits a foul than the other. That may be the case for both of us. We each see the slights against our team more than we perceive it towards each other. Again, if the slight is not against something I feel strongly about, than I will probably MISS it. This is why the "Report Bad Post" button in the bottom left of every post (mine included) is so stinking important. Now, the button is not there to eliminate controversy or to report those people who simply don't agree with you. It is there when you feel someone is stalking you, leading you on or otherwise being a Butt Head. There is no honor in anyone getting their jollies out of harrassing others and we won't tolerate it. Cool, I feel the same way. Actually, I only own the URL. YOU and the other users actually own the community. If I ever lose sight of that, we will crumble. More than most "owners", I not only tend to listen: I act.

Netdoc (Pete)
I don't think we completely see eye to eye, and that's cool. I see your point, and think you're right, we are more tolerant when the team we are rooting for commits a foul, and I will try to be more unbiased and call out those who aren't, even when I might agree with them. I also feel my point was made, and you are concerned with the issues I and other people are bringing up and you're willing to work on them and that's good enough for me. I look forward to meeting you someday, maybe next year at DEMA, and buying you a beer.
Chris (C-Dawg)

 

[The Chairman]

Only the unreasonable would require that we think alike!

As I mentioned earlier, without a bit of controversy, this would not be :sblogo:

 

[SeaLevelScuba]

Well put VTDiver2. I share the frustration and can only trust the board will fix the few bad experts that lurk here.

This is why the "Report Bad Post" button in the bottom left of every post...

Pete, with the sport having declined to such a sad state as 1 member alone thinks this would keep you busier than ever We do appreciate the efforts of the board to at least try and keep it civil here, couldn't imagine how the experience would be without it, maybe just 8 zero's against the diving world, who knows, but thanks for the efforts.

Schott