I don't really know quite what to say here. I have often said that I don't mind a bit of back and forwards and a bit of crap on here, it's usually a pretty balanced mix and I'm fine with that. But it's a two way street. People DO need to be aware that what they say can impact others. It's not OK to hide poor manners behind a 'this is a forum and you should be able to take it' excuse.
I want my forum to be a place where people come to chat about vintage dirtbikes. I don't mind a bit of meandering ff that topic, some general cut and thrust and so on. As long as it's actually interesting to read. But I agree, lately it's just getting a bit painful. I take Freaky's point and hope that once the season gets into gear it'll all get back to where it used to be. Still, why should we have to wait for that? Are we inundated with people who can't show good manners when they are bored?
Why should I keep paying money, and spending a lot of time, to support a forum that is getting clogged up with crap? I think we have reached a turning point. I'm not trying to be heavy handed, but a thread like this one that goes on and on with nothing new to say, but plenty of aggro, just isn't productive and doesn't lift the tone of the forum
I'm sorry, but I don't think we should just accept a slide in general standards and behaviours on the grounds that this is an internet forum. I want it to be better than that.
I appreciate the info, wisdom, advice, knowledge and humour injected by members like Firko and Doc and Tony T. A lot more than any number of aggressive smart arsed posts about nothing more than people wanting their 15 seconds of fame.
Turn it down OK?
I am now going to tell you that from here on in, I WILL lock or delete threads that I think are crap, like this one. And I will have no hesitation in banning people if they feel that they can't just say their piece and move on. And I WILL give greater tolerance to people like Firko who have earned their stripes and have a LOT to offer. And frankly, I don't give a toss if you don't like that. Go start your own forum
Let me have this one back to how it used to be. Friendly, informative, helpful and humourous.
And just ONE smart arse response to this and you'll be banned for a minimum of one week. If you want to comment, do so respectfully, intelligently and with something approaching reasonable use of the language.
Thank you.