Marsh's thoughts on Yahoo & the new Forum

[Marsh White]

I wrote and posted this just now on the Yahoo Forum...I thought I'd post it here too in case any of you are not monitoring the Yahoo board any longer...

Everyone:

First off, I just want to say that I personally was not bothered
by ANYTHING that went on over here in regards to threads, bitching
or off topic posts. Frankly, I enjoyed reading a lot of the back
and forth – and by placing myself in the head of the writer – I
could understand the logic behind most all of the posts. But I
was never emotionally invested in any of it, so none of it
bothered me. I think both of the Chris's do a GREAT job
moderating and were NEVER out of line. Now, that said; I do lean
more towards the "people should be able to say whatever the hell
they want" side of things...and censorship sucks. But I understand
the dynamics of trying to please everyone; which will NEVER
happen. Sometimes you just have to be a jerk and tell someone to
Shut the heck up!

I didn't create the new forum to spite the Yahoo site. I created
it because I was called out and asked how hard it would be to make...
so I made it. (by the way: this has been discussed with me
offline by members for years, so this idea is nothing new) Also,
you have to understand I have owned a web design business for over
8 years and create forums like this for MANY of my clients on a
pretty regular basis. So I didn't really go out of my way.

I have never been a forum person – and have NEVER personally
belonged to a forum using the new format. I too, thought I
preferred the Yahoo way of things (I received individual e-mails
which were then filtered into a specific folder in my inbox – neat
and tidy). However after spending a few days on the new forum, I
can unequivocally say that I now prefer the new forum format MUCH
MORE than Yahoo! There are MANY ways to read and view the new
posts, and once you figure out what works best for you – it is a
very enjoyable experience. Of course, you have to join before you
see ANY of those options – I guess that is why I never really
understood how user friendly they can be...I'd never joined any.

Now all of that being said; I am a very busy man. I have setup
two moderators on the new site to help do some maintenance and
keep topics in their appropriate categories...and to delete the
pornographic images which will inevitably crop up (already have in
fact...ahem, you know who you are! . There will be no
censorship of words...people can say whatever they want – and talk
about whatever they want. We will just try and keep it in an
appropriate category. And if there is no category for a given
topic or rant that has cropped up – I'll create one! Want a WAR
ROOM where you can bitch to your hearts content and fight it out?
We can make one! I don't have go in there and read anything if I
don't want to!!

Now here is where it get's interesting: I know A LOT of you
personally as long time friends – whether we have met or not (and
many of us have). If my fellow friends and I think someone should
be banned because he is an a**hole...then I have no problem banning
him! What rules must you break to get banned and branded as an
a**hole? Heck I don't know – no one has pissed us off that much
yet!

P.S. I am still a member of this Yahoo group – but I have stopped
receiving individual e-mails. I will check in from time to time –
but I will not be that active (like I was ever very active before
anyway). If you need to contact me – probably better to do it on
the new forum. Anyway – Love you guys...just liking the new format
and options a bit better!

Sincerely,

Marsh White
http://www.fjrally.com
http://www.fjowners.com

[dduchene]

Well stated Marsh as always

Denis

[racerman_27410]

Bravo magnifico maistro   


KOokaloo!

Frank

[Mark Olson]

Very well said , Marsh

thanks again for your efforts.

[pdxfj]

Marsh,

Thanks for the work you have put into getting this up and running.  I remember hearing talk about this since I first joined the FJ family.  This is a much needed upgrade over the Yahoo group.

I fully understand peoples desire to stick to one topic, but at the same time we are social creatures and can't help but talk about other things.

When I can I will donate to your cause as a small thank you for your hard work.  Plus buy you a beer at the rally.   

-Bean

[the fan]

Marsh,
Thats the most PC, hippified, bleading Heart, B.S. I have yet to see on this site. I feel like I had a hug forced upon myself, and now I feel all dirty. Keep it Up and you will owe ME a beer at the fall rally.

[Marsh White]

Marsh,
Thats the most PC, hippified, bleading Heart, B.S. I have yet to see on this site. I feel like I had a hug forced upon myself, and now I feel all dirty. Keep it Up and you will owe ME a beer at the fall rally.

Bill, yeah, upon a re-read it is pretty damn sappy!  Oh well, just trying to tell the truth and get it out there...  I feel like in the back of some of their minds that they are thinking it is "Us" against "Them"....it's total bullshit of course, but a understandable reaction.  No one has really said that so far...but I can FEEL it in the air.  Still, nearly all are my friends in person...so I wanted to make sure they understood that I didn't create this forum out of spite.

Still have the same bike?

[gradice]

ONYA Marsh,

Don't pay Bill no never-mind, he's just after free BEER!!!!

[Davetammy]

Marsh,IMHO I don't think that anyone actually believes you built this site out of spite.After all is said and done I believe that everyone will be back to normal,and most of us,if not all will be on both sites.I don't think that there will be any hard feelings,so don't let it get you down.Just remember,a hell of a lot of us wanted this:)Dave

[the fan]

Bill, yeah, upon a re-read it is pretty damn sappy!  Oh well, just trying to tell the truth and get it out there...  I feel like in the back of some of their minds that they are thinking it is "Us" against "Them"....it's total bullshit of course, but a understandable reaction.  No one has really said that so far...but I can FEEL it in the air.  Still, nearly all are my friends in person...so I wanted to make sure they understood that I didn't create this forum out of spite.

Still have the same bike?

Same bike, Same gear, same Gut... but I gave the tank bag away last year....

[racerman_27410]

MArsh,

most of us have gone away from bias ply tires for a darn good reason..... radials ARE better!

again many of us have spent tons of time and money to bring our FJ's into THIS century...... i see it as only logical that we also bring our group into this century as well..... this site is way more convienient to use.... has TONS more features.... FTLOG we can actually see pictures in the posts and use real URL's as our links......it's not US against THEM..... i really see this as the evolution of our group!

if things dont evolve they are destined to extinction.

JMHO,

KOokaloo!

Frank

[ogmudbone]

I feel the same tension...like it's us vs. them. Personally I like both forums,this one is just better. And we are allowed to be red blooded Americans here and say what we want to with out worry that some back stabber will go and complain to a "higher" power about it...not to stir the pot I'm just sayin is all

Thank you so much for the new site, as soon as I have an extra 5 spot or more I'll try to chip in a.s.a.p.



OGmudbone
AKA
John

[carl]

Marsh
I am one of those lurkers. I just don't have a lot to say but this forum is much better than the yahoo one. I am an old fart but always open to evolve. I will still go to the other forum too.

Thanks again
Carl

[fjdave]

G'day
I just got here today and have come over from Yahoo forums I think. Only discovered them and then saw a link to this forum. To my mind the format is easier to follow and from a brief trawl through the posts, seems to have envigorated some long time FJ riders. I hope it will continue to be vibrant and informative and the old files etc eventually make their way to this web address. I have been a member of the FJR forums here in Australia (http://www.forum.fjr13.org/) for a while. Owning a '85 FJ1100 though, it seems that this may be more up my street.
Cheers to all
Dave

[ogmudbone]

nice 85. after i get mine back from the insurance people i will have to paint it so it wont look as nice as the original paint you have on yours. but it will still be a legend to me 


OGmudbone
aka
John