Community? Non-Fishing

Is this a community? I think so. It's here that we come to not only talk about fishing but what's going on in our lives. Some, like myself, have come her for comfort when a loved one has passed away. I have made many friends during my involvement here on ifish and while we share the common love of fishing we also share our lives. I don't know if the new policy is going to be the closure or deleting of all non-fishing topics I sure hope not. I would hate to think that when my grandchild is born next month that I will not be allowed to share the good news here on the BB. How about if we want to post a non-fishing thread the words "non-fishing" is included in the subject line.
Just my opinion, $.02 worth
Stew

[hoochie]

Stew-- right on!
We need to be able to express and share our family stories with our 'Ifish' family.

RT, please don't go away. I appreciate your stories, comments and advice as much as anyone here or any other board.

Jennie, if it is a $$$ matter to expand bandwidth etc., I have an idea for you.

I'm a licensed auctioneer and have performed MANY auctions to raise funds for worthy causes without charge. Yours is one close to my heart. Let's talk.

e-mail me kevinandniki3@home.com

[boater]

dont leave RT, your the best fisherman in the world.

[ 10-15-2001: Message edited by: boater ]

[AuntyM]

Boater,

That's better! [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[ 10-15-2001: Message edited by: AuntyM ]

Good post bud. Makes sense to me. ...

And thanks for the nice comments. I didn't say anything about leaving - only about a fair level playing field, so-to-speak.

I have been told by knowledgable people that bandwidth has little to do with Hook's buttons. Some of those technical reasons are posted elsewhere. I recall Jennie herself posting a proposed idea about removing older large threads and reports that are outdated, to save current program capacity. Not a single word was posted adverse to that good idea. That's what I used to do for her on the old DB. So, what happened to your idea Jennie?

And someone else posted a suggestion that posted pictures (which most everyone likes to see - it enhances these type sites) either be deleted 2 weeks or so after posting; or alternatively, put on a separate page after a few weeks. I think the simple removal after a period of time idea is a very good one, and pretty easy. Is there anyone that would object to their pic being removed 2 weeks to a month after posting it? Everyone that would see it has likely already seen it! Voila - no more space concerns.

RT

[Capin' Dan]

I agree on this one. That is one of the things that I love so much about this board. It's funny, educational, teaches respect for our wildlife and is a great place to meet some really special people. People just need to learn that they do not have to read all the post if they are offended then just don't go there. This is what America is all about and that is our freedom of speech. Lets don't take that away from this BB. Live and let live. Lets keep it clean and fun but not Neo **** or Taliban. Yes it is a fishing/sportsmans BB but this is what you get when get a lot of really great people together. we will all never agree with each other a hundred percent and thats what makes this place such a pleasant place to live.

Jen, you have really brought a lot of great people together and should congradulate yourself for it. I have just spent the best two years of my life largly because of the really great people I have meet on this BB. I have made friends for life.

Dan! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Jennie@ifish]

Same rules, same great community as we always had. No new policy.
We loosened up on the restrictions quite a bit for the National crisis, and will always take those things into consideration.
Of course, if you are suffering, family deaths, etc, I, nor anyone will delete you.
Please don't get involved with the few with loud voices that find controversy fun and entertaining.
Here are the posted rules. (Which by the way, are difficult to call at times...) Some people find it interesting to test these rules, thus putting the mods to a test. For that, I am truly sorry!
Sometimes, there is much more going on than you can detect in a public post. Be aware of that, and try not to react to something because it "Looks" like something.
Like any board, if you come to be known as a trouble finder, the delete or close button comes a little quicker. (Get used to it, or get gone.)
One, two three strikes, you get known!
Remember, above all, Jennie is not the ifish referee. In fact, I have little time or interest in solving silly disputes.
I try hard not to react to false statements posted by angry members.
However, I do have likes and dislikes, like any other person.
-----------

The group you have just joined has over one thousand registered members and several thousand more who just read the information posted here. "Private" conversations are discouraged -- they should be taken to private email. Discussions should be kept to things that are of general interest to the group as a whole.


We are not a "chat line". Feel free to make a post introducing yourself to the group but then please wait a while and just read to understand how the whole concept works.


Topics should be fishing related. This is a broad restriction permitting discussion of techniques, tackle, runs, genetics, legislation, charitable activities and other issues related to fishing. Occasionally a topic may get remote, but that can be part of the fun.


One of the drawbacks to the board's growing membership is an occasional surge in pointless messages. This bulletin board is loosely moderated and therefore we must be somewhat self-regulating. A few common pointless message categories are:
-- My boat/rod/reel/technique rules
-- Your boat/rod/reel/technique sucks.
-- The moderator sucks
-- You suck
-- "I agree" or "I disagree."


It is perfectly understandable that from time to time you may take offense at something that was written here, but rather than subject everyone to an emotional response, consider the broader audience. Take it to private e-mail or simply count to 10 and ignore it.


Bear in mind that many board members have a finely honed and dry sense of humor. Only after reading for a while will you be able to detect who these folks are. Internet bulletin boards are notorious for masking the subtleties of tone of even skilled authors.


Refrain from posting messages of a nature that offer to sell any product or service in the general discussion board. You can always send these types of messages directly to an individual or the "for sale" section of the board. This does not restrict responses to inquiries about certain products; does it work, do you like it, where can I get it, which one is better, etc… [Note that commercial advertising supports Ifish. Advertisements do appear on Ifish, but not in the general discussion group. Also, several special areas are provided for commercial interests.]


Members are permitted to include one link (URL) in their signature file.


Please do NOT post virus warnings or chain letters to the board. These are generally hoaxes and they are not welcome. Real viruses exist but this is not the place to discuss them.


Please use proper upper and lower case when posting messages. Posting messages all in "CAPS" MAKES IT APPEAR THAT YOU ARE SHOUTING AT US! It is also very difficult to read these messages and many readers will simply bypass them. If you have something valuable or interesting to say, make it easy for us to read your message.


Proofreed. Profread. Prooofread. PROOFREAD!!!


When responding to a long thread or post with more than one topic, it helps to let readers know what you are responding to.


From time to time there will be a discussion thread you believe is useless, pointless, a complete waste of your time and a misuse of the board. If you've gritted your teeth for too long a time and the discussion is primarily amongst a few members, consider a brief, polite e-mail suggesting to these folks that they take the topic to private e-mail.


If you've completely ground your teeth to the jawbone, send a private e-mail to one of the board moderators listed at the top of the bulletin board.

Thanks guys, carry on!
Oh yeah, a few stats I wanted to share:

Total monthly hits:

Sep 2001 2823724
Aug 2001 2690332
Jul 2001 2194407
Jun 2001 2041136
May 2001 1982355
Apr 2001 2378633
Mar 2001 2680057
Feb 2001 1670310
Jan 2001 1572987
Dec 2000 798533

Totals 22094862

WOW! Something must be going right!
Jen

[AuntyM]

Just as I suspected. I joined in Feb. I think most of that increase is me! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Just kidding!

Guilty as charged. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Turn it up!!

http://music.lycos.com/videos/lycos_player.asp?a=videos&c=mbr ooks4&t=video&player=2&speed=1&pcfg=2&browser=0&os =2

[ 10-16-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]

[Phish_on]

I remain fascinated by "virtual communities", as I have been ever since the "old days" of Internet newsgroups (which are still thriving).

Obviously, I've missed something here so I guess I'll go catch up. This community is more volatile than some, but it remains pretty civil.

The fact is, for some of us there is more to life than fishing ... well, am I wrong? I see nothing wrong with sharing and talking about our other (lesser!) interests, again I think that builds a stronger community.

It is appropriate to label a subject "non-fishing" or "NFC" (No Fishy Content) if that is the consensus of the group.

[Slow Roll]

Warning, rambling ahead.

Hey, we can all agree that we disagree, on pretty much everything, well almost everything. We all love fishing. (If not, what are you doing here. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] )
Anyway, in the short time that I have been a member here there have been several blowups about issues that we all hold dear to each of us. When that issue is questioned we get defensive, I know I do. I try to blow it off and it seems that everyone else trys to do the same. Even if the argument is a never ending cycle of B.S. somedays.
I'm not saying that we should all just be happy and not try to offend anyone. People will get offended if you misspell a word or forget a comma somedays. I guess what I am trying to say is that "it" happens and we need to let it go.
Like I was saying, there have been blowups, but wounds are easily healed and rifts in friendships are mended.
I am very proud to be a member of a board where people can voice there opinions, blow a little steam (or a lot)and still be able to receive constructive criticsm instead of immediately being torn down with stupid comments.
You wanna vent, vent at me, I got a thick skin like you would not believe. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Just my .02, plus maybe a little spare change.