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Participation in the BOI

Lucille

Lucille

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Admittedly it is rough and tumble in the BOI sometimes, but as the site has evolved there is a level of oversight that permits directness but not name calling.
It does seem to me that here on this site, and at most sites I've seen, there are some who are more verbal and others who prefer to lurk.
I do not think that people's level of participation is good or bad, it is the way they are. Lurkers for the most part read and process what they see but many times do not want to join in.

Generally, what is in the BOI is supposed to stay there only and I agree that is a good policy. However, I read a post there today that was more of a complaint and did not directly address any parties by name so I am posting it here:

james delauney said:
im not taking any sides, but i feel like the boi bashesss people to an extreme, almost.... bullying. and jump to conclusion very fast. i for one get timid to post cause people are that quick to bash. i feel like they use there strength of a computer screen to try an be the police of reptiles. i just find it very annoying that its the sammmmme people every time that tries to be sherlock holmes on here. the boi is a great thing, but people take it wayy to serious sometimes. just my 2 cents, hope i dont get blocked or crucified over this post..
Click to expand...

The Board of Inquiry performs a service for the reptile community by having both parties and the general reptile community address issues that come up and identify both those who have done a terrific job with their transaction, and those who have not. Subsequent readers can then look through the thread and make up their mind as to whether they would do business with any of the parties involved.

Some people take the threads seriously because they are serious, the livelihoods and reputations of participants may depend on how they handle their customers or sellers.

James, if you read this, I'd be interested in seeing you expand your thoughts here and write more. The only way to effect change if in fact change is called for, is for both parties to listen and really try to understand each other. I am all ears.
 
hey lucille, i just said wat was on my mind, yes of course i agree with every word you had to just say, thats the part i agree with, but people just take it a little to far. im not the most computer literate, i really suck at expressing how i feel up here.
 
As someone who only lurks in the BOI (being outside the USA I don't take part in transactions, therefore rarely have much to add) I do think that, while the BOI has changed DRAMATICALLY over the past few years, James does still have a valid point.

Frequently when "newish" posters chime in on an issue, especially if they are going against the overall trend of the thread, a group often seems to split off from the main topic and jump all over that poster, and I can very much see that this discourages many people from contributing, leading to domination by the more regular 'louder" voices.

I first came to this forum via a BOI thread, and I got trounced for trying to contribute a personal experience that ran contrary to the "group" opinion, when I was unknown to the regular posters. (This was a few years back when the BOI got a LOT more personal too...). I was about to drop the whole thing, when a more rational mind posted and reassured me that it wasn't all sharks in here. (Thanks!:thumbsup:)

The thing is, James, the BOI used to be a LOT worse (albeit a lot funnier.... :dgrin:), and I'm not sure how we can further regulate without turning into the thought police.

My personal advice is - stand up to any bullies and don't be put off. Your opinion is just as valid on here as anyone else's, and if you read through a lot of the threads you will find that every now and again a still small voice stands up and changes everything....
 
Just had a look at the relevant thread and wanted to add something more....

I fully understand that the moderators job is not an easy one, and I have massive respect for those who undertake it....:bow01::bow01:

However sometimes (just sometimes...) mods are a bit brusque with their comments, and, if you are a new poster, messages which seem standard to mods (e.g. a warning that someone is veering 'Off topic"), may seem like a slap in the face to the new member.

Maybe there could be a set of stock answers for people with, let's say, less than 100 posts, with slightly expanded explanations of warnings given?
 
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Helenthereef said:
Just had a look at the relevant thread and wanted to add something more....

I fully understand that the moderators job is not an easy one, and I have massive respect for those who undertake it....:bow01::bow01:

However sometimes (just sometimes...) mods are a bit brusque with their comments, and, if you are a new poster, messages which seem standard to mods (e.g. a warning that someone is veering 'Off topic", may seem like a slap in the face to the new member.

Maybe there could be a set of stock answers for people with, let's say, less than 100 posts, with slightly expanded explanations of warnings given?
Click to expand...

Yeah I totally agree.
 
Helenthereef said:
Frequently when "newish" posters chime in on an issue, especially if they are going against the overall trend of the thread, a group often seems to split off from the main topic and jump all over that poster, and I can very much see that this discourages many people from contributing, leading to domination by the more regular 'louder" voices.
Click to expand...

This site, and any site, should not be a 'loudocracy' where the loud dominate the quiet. (Even though the quiet are free to have their say, I understand it can be overwhelming).
But the loud often perform a service at times by saying what is on their mind if they see an unfair deal or someone scammed. To simply tell them to be quiet might not be in the best interests of all.

What do you think is a fair effective solution?
 
Lucille said:
This site, and any site, should not be a 'loudocracy' where the loud dominate the quiet. (Even though the quiet are free to have their say, I understand it can be overwhelming).
But the loud often perform a service at times by saying what is on their mind if they see an unfair deal or someone scammed. To simply tell them to be quiet might not be in the best interests of all.

What do you think is a fair effective solution?
Click to expand...

They should just let the mods facilitate as oppose to letting third parties give their opinions and assumptions.
 
I think the BOI is a wonderful tool & if it wasn't for some of the "louder" voices, some scams would not have been uncovered. I am always amazed at the stuff some of them find.

While it happens, that some get trounced upon for thinking differently, it is rare IMO.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if it differs from the majority.

While some BOI threads can make or break a person, for the most part it is a tool ... you have to weigh the evidence and take from the responses the overall tone and manner of theose posting.
 
ReptileGeek181 said:
They should just let the mods facilitate as oppose to letting third parties give their opinions and assumptions.
Click to expand...

Here we go again (I can be loud sometimes). What would actually HELP new posters is to read the rules before they post so that they could understand how the BOI operates.

The PEER GROUP/POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS are the ones most affected by seller/buyer behavior. Thus is is appropriate and right that they have equal say in giving their opinions on how a transaction should be handled.
 
deborahbroadus said:
Here we go again (I can be loud sometimes). What would actually HELP new posters is to read the rules before they post so that they could understand how the BOI operates.

The PEER GROUP/POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS are the ones most affected by seller/buyer behavior. Thus is is appropriate and right that they have equal say in giving their opinions on how a transaction should be handled.
Click to expand...

If they want to give an opinion they should just pm the person, the facts are always better than an opinion, just so you know.
 
Thanks to the boi I just avoided a trade that I am sure would have ended with me being ripped off.

Yes some very loud people get on their soap boxes. So what? These same people have read many of the boi threads and can reference them which I find very helpful. The saying "If you can't stand the heat get away from the fire" really applies to the boi.
 
i just get on here to buy reptiles, and look up cool info an other people feeds about them, this system with rules and punishments i was never aware about. sorry man i shouldnt of opened my mouth in the firt place sorry guy
 
ReptileGeek181 said:
They should just let the mods facilitate as oppose to letting third parties give their opinions and assumptions.
Click to expand...

This has been addressed MANY times before. And I pretty much use the same answer every time.

Please look up the definition of "peer pressure" and try to understand why THIS is the method necessary for the BOI to function as it does. The BOI is NOT a court. It is a FORUM. A BOARD of inquiry composed of all members willing to view the threads posted there, and willing to provide feedback to the parties engaging in an issue of public interest. These people viewing such threads MAY very well be potential customers for the parties involved. THIS thought alone should give them pause to try to come to grips with how their actions are being viewed by those potential customers. If none of those potential customers post their opinions, then such parties might not realize just how their stance is being interpreted by the public. This is the power of the BOI. PEOPLE using it. Applying public pressure in situations where obviously the most satisfying solution to the general public is not usually obvious to the parties involved. Simply stating the facts involved will likely not be enough, as not everyone can easily connect the dots or put two and two together. And sometimes the pressure of public opinion can shake loose other facts that might not have otherwise come to be known. Those opinions offered will help those most of the people interested in the situation likely see facets of an issue that may not have been self evident to all interested parties.

So in a nutshell, the BOI operates the way it is because that is how it is supposed to work. I've tried incorporating wrinkles here and there in the basic structure, but over time, this way has proven to be the best of all possible options I am aware of. So until a better idea comes along, I'm really not inclined to consider making major changes at all.
 
james delauney said:
i shouldnt of opened my mouth in the firt place sorry guy
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I think it's good if it can lead to productive debate. The BOI changes all the time, and as Lucille says, constructive criticism should always be welcome. No need for anyone to get defensive. :thumbsup:

(This cross posted with Rich's above - it was NOT aimed at that post.... :))
 
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There are rules in place for the site in an effort to make it more friendly place to be. We want to keep it safe for minors viewing the general threads as well. The site used to be a much different place 10 years, even 5 years, ago with lots of name calling and general rudeness in the BOI. Rich, IMO, has made great efforts to try to appease the user base by having both a level of freedom to post but certain guidelines (rules) to ensure it doesn't get out of hand. There's no way to please everyone.

Moderators do our best to ensure those rules are followed. Warnings and infractions are a way of both reminding people of the rules and if necessary, building up to bans for those that continually disregard the rules.

James, we welcome participation on the site, I hope you will give it another chance and check out the discussion forums. there are a lot of very nice and helpful people on this site.
 
ReptileGeek181 said:
If they want to give an opinion they should just pm the person, the facts are always better than an opinion, just so you know.
Click to expand...

Now what sense would that make? Everyone is entitled to say what's on their mind, whether you agree or not. You don't have to like it. If you don't want to read opinion, then skip over it. Lots of facts have been found out from other's opinions.

I happen to agree with Deb on this one.
 
James

If you took my explanation of what happened in the other thread as "jumping on you", that was not my intention. You were asking what the issue was and you were also dangerously close to an "Abuse of Moderators" infraction. I was simply trying to help you avoid that.

I reread my post again and can't really see how i could have been any more polite.


Everyone here welcomes new posters but a thin skin on this site will leave you pretty well bruised most of the time lol
 
Mistyck said:
Now what sense would that make? Everyone is entitled to say what's on their mind, whether you agree or not. You don't have to like it. If you don't want to read opinion, then skip over it. Lots of facts have been found out from other's opinions.

I happen to agree with Deb on this one.
Click to expand...

How do you get a fact from someone else's opinion??
 
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