OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: Graeme M on July 15, 2014, 08:25:44 pm
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I would like to clear the air a little about recent posts on the forum and explain how I think we should properly approach use of the forum.
First, the aim of this forum is to foster the 'vintage' dirtbike scene. One of the main concepts that supports this is that the vintage dirtbike scene is first and foremost about the celebration of an earlier time, whatever that time might be for you. For myself, while I acknowledge that racing is part of this, it is not in my view all there is. Even the racing should pretty much be about enjoyment.
So the over-riding purpose of the forum is to have fun. I expect then that the forum members will talk about all sorts of things - events, parties, bikes, memories, history, and yes, racing and the rules for that.
I also believe in robust debate. I think we are (mostly) all adults and should be able to call a spade a spade without that causing world war 3.
But.
Robust debate does not mean that we are free to defame people, or to seriously agitate against them because of our perceived dissatisfaction with their behaviours or actions.
If you genuinely have a grievance, then explore that via the correct channels. The forum is not your personal platform nor is it a courtroom. This means that you can expose contentious issues, discuss how or why certain decisions have been made, even call into question how those decisions were made. However you should take care NOT to take that as meaning you can accuse individuals, clubs or organisations as you see fit. Use the forum to clarify the issue and frame your argument, and then take it up with the person or organisation concerned.
Please, in order to ensure the forum remains a fun, informative and inclusive place to meet and talk, bear that in mind. I encourage everyone to discuss whatever they wish to discuss, even if that is Suzuki footpegs, RM125B swingarms or Evolution class rules. But don't let it descend to a personal level.
All of that said, we probably should try to keep things on an even keel. We don't need 4 or 5 threads about the same topic all full of over the top opinions. So in future, I will be attempting to better manage that. I will merge threads where necessary, or call time on any over-duplication. I will also be much stricter about not letting discussions go when I think they are overstepping the mark.
I remind everyone that there ARE defamation laws in this land, and as publisher of this forum, I CAN be found at fault should someone take an action against things said on this forum. Believe me, if you want to see this forum closed, it will only take one serious threat of legal action for me to close it down. A few years ago I came very close to that over a potential legal action for comments on here.
Please keep that in mind, and let's get back to the fun.
Now, as far as the Evolution rules thing goes, this has been done to death. As I understand it, there ARE official channels you can pursue to change the rules if you think it's that critical. Can I ask those who feel that way to work out a way to take that forwards. I am not familiar with the process nor with all that's been said in the past, but I think you must be at the stage where something substantial can be done. If you MUST continue to discuss this issue, then let's keep it to one thread, and keep it civil and stick to the facts.
I am now going to close ALL threads relating to the Evolution rules matters. I will not delete them (although of course, as has already happened, the originator of a thread can delete it). I will be creating a new forum board purely for debates/discussions about the rules of Classic and Post Classic dirtbike competition. I ask that all future threads aimed at discussing rules, changes needed, or problems with current administration be restricted to that part of the forum.
Thank you.
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Very well said
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Thankyou Graeme
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amen to that brother,cheers mick
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As a forum owner myself, I have had people abusing others-me in all sorts of ways and had hundreds of PM's over the years telling me so, I may not have dealt with some of it the right way at time's, but at the end of the day, if something turns to shit, I will be the one in the shit, I did not start my forum to end up in court.
So I could not agree more with what you had to say Graeme with concern to your forum.
I am not a big poster here, but I do enjoy reading lots of the threads on OZVMX and have learnt a lot from so many different people.
Regards Mick.
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Thanks for the words of support guys. The occasional shitfight can be a downer. But...
OzVMX is still a great forum!
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Good work
At the risk of starting another debate can you also make it so you deliberately have to go to the debates/discussions about the rules of Classic and Post Classic dirtbike competition section and not have it come up on the Show unread posts since last visit , even though I'm not interested in the topics like the ones mentioned I cant help being drawn to read them , if I cant see them I wont waste my life away on them needlessly.
Thanks Andrew
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I have looked into doing this, and it may be possible. I will try to figure out how to limit visibility to those interested.
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Beeeautiful if you could
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I hope members read this post and take a chill pill. I would have thought that maturity would prevail, but the competitive nature of some folks prevents rational thought from entering thier minds when the blood is pumping.
Well said Graeme.
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Thank you Graeme.
Kevin
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Great work Graeme. Let's all have FUN.
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Well said, talk about a storm in a teacup, phew!
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Great work Graeme. Let's all have FUN.
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I would like to throw in that use of this forum is a privilege, not a right.
I'm sure you guys are bright enough to know what sort of issues are likely to return grief to Graeme and you should be smart enough to back off.
Those that do enjoy the freedom of speech that we do actually have** here should consider this thread too...
http://forum.ozvmx.com/index.php?topic=20231.0;all
** No, really we do. He very rarely deletes posts and I don't recall that he has ever changed someones post in order to misrepresent what was actually said.
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I have looked into doing this, and it may be possible. I will try to figure out how to limit visibility to those interested.
On another (4 wheeled) motorsport forum I contribute to we have a private area that can only be accessed by members who have the forum administrators permission.
Permission is granted, or refused, via a Private Message request from the interested member.
This outlet has allowed a lively discussion on rules and eligibility questions that parallel the Evo conversation here to continue behind a not-quite-closed closed door.
The usefulness and balance of this approach obviously depends on the administrators impartiality.
Marcus
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Correct me if I'm wrong Momus, but the entry requirement to that sub-forum is current membership of a relevant motorsport club?
Would probably be an excellent move for this forum.
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Correct me if I'm wrong Momus, but the entry requirement to that sub-forum is current membership of a relevant motorsport club?
Would probably be an excellent move for this forum.
Nathan I think that would Wipe out Half of the Forum as most People on the Forum are Ex Riders or Ex Members of a Club
But why would that be a good move .....
The Stig
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I think Nathan is only referring to the Administration of Competition sub-forum - the idea is to limit visibility to only those interested.
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I think Nathan is only referring to the Administration of Competition sub-forum - the idea is to limit visibility to only those interested.
Yes.
I'm generally against private sub-forums because those sub-forums usually die from diluting the brains trust, and because the excluded members are usually resentful of the cliquiness.
BUT keeping the argy-bargy discussions about racing matter to the racers would seem like a good move.
Momus is talking about the ipraforum.com.au in case anyone is wondering. But of course, you can't see the club members only bit unless you are one, so it won't be that interesting.