Discussion forums here versus Facebook.

[WebSlave]

Yes, I know the discussion forums here have failed. Actually I have known that for quite a while. And one of these days I will likely just go ahead and bite the bullet and remove them all. After my wife's death, I found myself needing more interaction with people and certainly (except for my own moderators) was not confident that this would be the place for that outlet and inlet.

So I went to Facebook. Much as I detest Zuckerberg, I have to admit that Facebook does seem to be a place for interactions with family and friends, many of which I have lost contact with over the years, and even people I have never had prior contact with beyond perhaps a buyer and seller relationship. And I have become tethered to my cell phone as a vital part of my life. So yes, the Borg has assimilated me. I guess resistance WAS futile.

So no, I don't hang around here as much as I used to. Fact of life. I don't own animals any longer, have no interest in obtaining any now or in the future, and really find little interest in the squabbles that take place between people involved in their own commercial transactions with others. So yes, this site is pretty much free wheeling now. I believe the moderators still come here some, but I don't think they have the interest here neither that we all once had. The Board Of Inquiry is here for people to post issues they wish to bring to public light. Up to them. Don't contact me about them, as there is nothing I can do about that. From the beginning I have never been interested in being a judge, jury, or executioner based on some third party, or ANY party, claim. No interest in being a private detective to try to ferret out the truth of any claims. Do your own due diligence on who you decide to do business with. You make your own decisions and live with the consequences, both positive and negative. Please try to make wise decisions. Moderators may or may not step in if the situation seems to warrant it, but please do not count on me, nor them, stepping in except in infrequent and unpredictable instances. My time, and their time, is far too precious to us now for that. We don't really have anything to gain for that effort.

Anyway, just wanted to let people here know that if they want to interact with my on a personal level, my Facebook page is at -> https://www.facebook.com/rich.zuchowski

That does NOT mean that I want to bring issues from this site over there. My Facebook page is not for that, and nor will I allow it to be. That is a different part of my life now and I want to keep it that way. I lost my wife almost 2 years ago, and just a month ago I lost my best friend. I am 75 years old and I don't know when my number is going to be up, so I intend to try to make the best of my remaining years, months, weeks, or days I have left. This site is here, as long as it pays for itself, for you all to use as best you can towards your own goals. Make the best of it. If you want it to remain, support it at least a little bit. I will not shed a tear if I have to pull the plug on it because of lack of support financially, and certainly will not take money from my social security income to keep it afloat.

As an aside, I understand that kingsnake.com is going away. Jeff B and I have had our differences, but it does sadden me to hear this news. I guess he has decided to live out the rest of his life without the headaches I am sure his site has given him over the decades. There is another site out there that seems to have become popular, with apparently 25 percent loving it, 25 percent hating it, and the rest just using it for what it is worth to them. Just the way it goes. Things will always change. You just have to deal with the changes as best you can. That is what I am doing.

 

[jeremy801]

Always appreciate the effort you've put into the site. You can't please everybody, but you run a good site and I, for one, am grateful for your efforts.

 

[JColt]

I know the feeling Rich. I did computer repair, set up and networking the last 30 years as a side business. Last 2 or 3 years I have cut that down immensely. Just yesterday I had an old client who runs a financial business call and asked me to upgrade everything since windows 10 is no loner updating. I go next week to Install new system, transfer and install data and hardware, redo several printers and back up drives. Really not looking forward to it. He was a high paying customer so I will help him out one last time. Priorities change as you get older. Web is changing daily. I tell you I miss Usenet and old Bulletin Board systems.

 

[bcr229]

So I went to Facebook. Much as I detest Zuckerberg, I have to admit that Facebook does seem to be a place for interactions with family and friends, many of which I have lost contact with over the years, and even people I have never had prior contact with beyond perhaps a buyer and seller relationship. And I have become tethered to my cell phone as a vital part of my life. So yes, the Borg has assimilated me. I guess resistance WAS futile.

Bear in mind that with FB you are the product. Your interactions, interests, family relationships, personal data you give it, what you "Like", etc. etc. etc. get sold to targeted advertisers.

 

[WebSlave]

Bear in mind that with FB you are the product. Your interactions, interests, family relationships, personal data you give it, what you "Like", etc. etc. etc. get sold to targeted advertisers.

That is likely true everywhere on the internet and every time you use your phone. Do you think that Apple and Google are not using those machines to track you and your actions? Just comes with the territory. The BORG as assimilated nearly all of us for the sake of advertising.

 

[WebSlave]

I know the feeling Rich. I did computer repair, set up and networking the last 30 years as a side business. Last 2 or 3 years I have cut that down immensely. Just yesterday I had an old client who runs a financial business call and asked me to upgrade everything since windows 10 is no loner updating. I go next week to Install new system, transfer and install data and hardware, redo several printers and back up drives. Really not looking forward to it. He was a high paying customer so I will help him out one last time. Priorities change as you get older. Web is changing daily. I tell you I miss Usenet and old Bulletin Board systems.

Kind of ticks me off that TurbTax is going to REQUIRE all users to upgrade to Windows 11 in order to use their product. Might be others, but that is the only PC app I have heard of so far pulling a stunt like that.

 

[WebSlave]

Well I had a thought the other day. Not saying it is a good idea, but it did enter my head, nonetheless. An argument can be made that perhaps the discussion forums here would have flourished at least a little bit if I had led by example. Guilty as charged. I certainly NEVER put much into this site in that fashion, only limiting responses to respond when needed about issues or complaints. Acting like a good (maybe) admin, but not really as a participant for the most part.

I have been posting rather frequently on my Facebook page, but that area of the internet is really not the cup of tea many people like. A few have taken me up on my invitation to interact with me there, but certainly nothing overwhelming. So the thought came to me that perhaps I should set up my own section here (did I do that in the past already?) and at least post here what I have been finding worth posting on Facebook. Maybe a little more, maybe a little less. Maybe some interaction will result. Probably not. But heck, this won't cost me anything. And like many other people, I really should get more familiar with this new platform I had to go to, kicking and screaming, as it was. Yes, I know this was traumatic to people who detest change.

Now I might chicken out. Might start thinking it will be more trouble than it is worth. Certainly no high expectations out of it, as most definitely most people are only interested to come here to engage in buying and selling. At least potentially. Facebook likely already has it's hooks into everyone that has been exposed to it and become afflicted with that particular brand of addiction. I understand there are other social media platforms out there, but so far I haven't had any interest in dipping my toes into those pools. Push come to shove, I STILL like the forum platform when I am looking for information. Facebook just doesn't cut it for me in that regard. It is too single layer and linear in scope for that function, in my opinion. Seems like every question is asked anew as searching for an answer can by actually painful. Oh well. It is what it is. Perhaps that is the way the newer generation of internet viewers likes their lives to be.

Yeah, I know. Most people aren't going to give a damn about my personal life and personal interests. Fair enough. That won't kill me. Won't even hurt my feelings. Just trying an experiment with results I can pretty much predict. But what the heck. I am retired. I have time on my hands. So no big deal either way. One day I will certainly die, and if somehow this site lives past me, maybe I will be able to leave something behind to remember me by.

Just a fyi, for anyone with even a molecule of interest.

 

[XSeed]

Yes, I know the discussion forums here have failed. Actually I have known that for quite a while. And one of these days I will likely just go ahead and bite the bullet and remove them all. After my wife's death, I found myself needing more interaction with people and certainly (except for my own moderators) was not confident that this would be the place for that outlet and inlet.

So I went to Facebook. Much as I detest Zuckerberg, I have to admit that Facebook does seem to be a place for interactions with family and friends, many of which I have lost contact with over the years, and even people I have never had prior contact with beyond perhaps a buyer and seller relationship. And I have become tethered to my cell phone as a vital part of my life. So yes, the Borg has assimilated me. I guess resistance WAS futile.

So no, I don't hang around here as much as I used to. Fact of life. I don't own animals any longer, have no interest in obtaining any now or in the future, and really find little interest in the squabbles that take place between people involved in their own commercial transactions with others. So yes, this site is pretty much free wheeling now. I believe the moderators still come here some, but I don't think they have the interest here neither that we all once had. The Board Of Inquiry is here for people to post issues they wish to bring to public light. Up to them. Don't contact me about them, as there is nothing I can do about that. From the beginning I have never been interested in being a judge, jury, or executioner based on some third party, or ANY party, claim. No interest in being a private detective to try to ferret out the truth of any claims. Do your own due diligence on who you decide to do business with. You make your own decisions and live with the consequences, both positive and negative. Please try to make wise decisions. Moderators may or may not step in if the situation seems to warrant it, but please do not count on me, nor them, stepping in except in infrequent and unpredictable instances. My time, and their time, is far too precious to us now for that. We don't really have anything to gain for that effort.

Anyway, just wanted to let people here know that if they want to interact with my on a personal level, my Facebook page is at -> https://www.facebook.com/rich.zuchowski

That does NOT mean that I want to bring issues from this site over there. My Facebook page is not for that, and nor will I allow it to be. That is a different part of my life now and I want to keep it that way. I lost my wife almost 2 years ago, and just a month ago I lost my best friend. I am 75 years old and I don't know when my number is going to be up, so I intend to try to make the best of my remaining years, months, weeks, or days I have left. This site is here, as long as it pays for itself, for you all to use as best you can towards your own goals. Make the best of it. If you want it to remain, support it at least a little bit. I will not shed a tear if I have to pull the plug on it because of lack of support financially, and certainly will not take money from my social security income to keep it afloat.

As an aside, I understand that kingsnake.com is going away. Jeff B and I have had our differences, but it does sadden me to hear this news. I guess he has decided to live out the rest of his life without the headaches I am sure his site has given him over the decades. There is another site out there that seems to have become popular, with apparently 25 percent loving it, 25 percent hating it, and the rest just using it for what it is worth to them. Just the way it goes. Things will always change. You just have to deal with the changes as best you can. That is what I am doing.

BOI is honestly a blessing because it gives some sort of warning system for members. MorphMarket has it in the form of ratings. They made it quick and clean to leave reviews. They,also use an app, but I feel that with MM it has it's own niché. Kind of like how ebay, amazon, etsy, mercari are all selling platforms but they're all layered differently. Some people prefer ebay, others amazon and some etsy or mercari. It can be the layout.

Owning and maintaining a website is a lot of work so it's understandable...

 

[XSeed]

Well I had a thought the other day. Not saying it is a good idea, but it did enter my head, nonetheless. An argument can be made that perhaps the discussion forums here would have flourished at least a little bit if I had led by example. Guilty as charged. I certainly NEVER put much into this site in that fashion, only limiting responses to respond when needed about issues or complaints. Acting like a good (maybe) admin, but not really as a participant for the most part.

I have been posting rather frequently on my Facebook page, but that area of the internet is really not the cup of tea many people like. A few have taken me up on my invitation to interact with me there, but certainly nothing overwhelming. So the thought came to me that perhaps I should set up my own section here (did I do that in the past already?) and at least post here what I have been finding worth posting on Facebook. Maybe a little more, maybe a little less. Maybe some interaction will result. Probably not. But heck, this won't cost me anything. And like many other people, I really should get more familiar with this new platform I had to go to, kicking and screaming, as it was. Yes, I know this was traumatic to people who detest change.

Now I might chicken out. Might start thinking it will be more trouble than it is worth. Certainly no high expectations out of it, as most definitely most people are only interested to come here to engage in buying and selling. At least potentially. Facebook likely already has it's hooks into everyone that has been exposed to it and become afflicted with that particular brand of addiction. I understand there are other social media platforms out there, but so far I haven't had any interest in dipping my toes into those pools. Push come to shove, I STILL like the forum platform when I am looking for information. Facebook just doesn't cut it for me in that regard. It is too single layer and linear in scope for that function, in my opinion. Seems like every question is asked anew as searching for an answer can by actually painful. Oh well. It is what it is. Perhaps that is the way the newer generation of internet viewers likes their lives to be.

Yeah, I know. Most people aren't going to give a damn about my personal life and personal interests. Fair enough. That won't kill me. Won't even hurt my feelings. Just trying an experiment with results I can pretty much predict. But what the heck. I am retired. I have time on my hands. So no big deal either way. One day I will certainly die, and if somehow this site lives past me, maybe I will be able to leave something behind to remember me by.

Just a fyi, for anyone with even a molecule of interest.

Facebook like all social media platforms has it's pros and cons. On one hand you have a diverse audience that come from all walks of life- even people who normally wouldn't actively seek these things can learn about it, etc.

But the biggest cons to facebook is that it is incredibly toxic. It can get heavily political for one when it really doesn't need to be.... and to make it worse they're not exactly nice about it either. Whether you're red, blue or green it's not really helping your case to be mean/nasty/rude... it's also horrible for business.... I like these forums instead because there is decorum, order, etc. We're all here for one general thing- our love for animals. That's all that's needed.

 

[DLenaRuth999s]

Well I had a thought the other day. Not saying it is a good idea, but it did enter my head, nonetheless. An argument can be made that perhaps the discussion forums here would have flourished at least a little bit if I had led by example. Guilty as charged. I certainly NEVER put much into this site in that fashion, only limiting responses to respond when needed about issues or complaints. Acting like a good (maybe) admin, but not really as a participant for the most part.

I have been posting rather frequently on my Facebook page, but that area of the internet is really not the cup of tea many people like. A few have taken me up on my invitation to interact with me there, but certainly nothing overwhelming. So the thought came to me that perhaps I should set up my own section here (did I do that in the past already?) and at least post here what I have been finding worth posting on Facebook. Maybe a little more, maybe a little less. Maybe some interaction will result. Probably not. But heck, this won't cost me anything. And like many other people, I really should get more familiar with this new platform I had to go to, kicking and screaming, as it was. Yes, I know this was traumatic to people who detest change.

Now I might chicken out. Might start thinking it will be more trouble than it is worth. Certainly no high expectations out of it, as most definitely most people are only interested to come here to engage in buying and selling. At least potentially. Facebook likely already has it's hooks into everyone that has been exposed to it and become afflicted with that particular brand of addiction. I understand there are other social media platforms out there, but so far I haven't had any interest in dipping my toes into those pools. Push come to shove, I STILL like the forum platform when I am looking for information. Facebook just doesn't cut it for me in that regard. It is too single layer and linear in scope for that function, in my opinion. Seems like every question is asked anew as searching for an answer can by actually painful. Oh well. It is what it is. Perhaps that is the way the newer generation of internet viewers likes their lives to be.

Yeah, I know. Most people aren't going to give a damn about my personal life and personal interests. Fair enough. That won't kill me. Won't even hurt my feelings. Just trying an experiment with results I can pretty much predict. But what the heck. I am retired. I have time on my hands. So no big deal either way. One day I will certainly die, and if somehow this site lives past me, maybe I will be able to leave something behind to remember me by.

Just an fyi, for anyone with even a molecule of interest.

I like hearing from you, WebSlave, you have a way of presenting almost like storytelling; you give enough background to help others understand more on the topic. And that does lead to more engagement. I, too, appreciate the forum organization. It keeps everything neater. Great job creating this site!

 

[XSeed]

I like hearing from you, WebSlave, you have a way of presenting almost like storytelling; you give enough background to help others understand more on the topic. And that does lead to more engagement. I, too, appreciate the forum organization. It keeps everything neater. Great job creating this site!

It's easier to deal with, more structure more civility.

 

[WebSlave]

Well, made an interesting discovery today. Another forum based site (based on tractros) that I frequent some has a similar private messaging system like here. I have been chatting with a guy there for quite a while and the discussion turned to guns generally and Glocks specifically. Well come to find out that the words "gun" and "Glock" were being censored. I could not post any private message containing either of these words. So with my usual tact and flare for gentle solicitation for info I tried to contact the admin there about this with a "WTF???" But alas, their CONTACT US link was broken, giving a 404 error. Today I found that they had fixed that problem. By removing the link from their page. Whatever.... So I posted a public post about it. Apparently, they are claiming, the ad network they are using is the culprit. Using such words causes their ad network to block their entire site when such offensive words are found within their forums. So they have to take steps to pre-censor such words to keep from having that impact their cash flow.

Oh really? Seriously? People are willing to sacrifice their rights and freedom as well as the freedom of their users to post about such things in the pursuit of just money?

Hey Google!! GUN, GLOCK, AR15, AK47, Smith&Wesson, Colt, Assault Weapons, .50BMG, Silencers, Machine guns, ammunition, bullets

 

[XSeed]

Well, made an interesting discovery today. Another forum based site (based on tractros) that I frequent some has a similar private messaging system like here. I have been chatting with a guy there for quite a while and the discussion turned to guns generally and Glocks specifically. Well come to find out that the words "gun" and "Glock" were being censored. I could not post any private message containing either of these words. So with my usual tact and flare for gentle solicitation for info I tried to contact the admin there about this with a "WTF???" But alas, their CONTACT US link was broken, giving a 404 error. Today I found that they had fixed that problem. By removing the link from their page. Whatever.... So I posted a public post about it. Apparently, they are claiming, the ad network they are using is the culprit. Using such words causes their ad network to block their entire site when such offensive words are found within their forums. So they have to take steps to pre-censor such words to keep from having that impact their cash flow.

Oh really? Seriously? People are willing to sacrifice their rights and freedom as well as the freedom of their users to post about such things in the pursuit of just money?

Hey Google!! GUN, GLOCK, AR15, AK47, Smith&Wesson, Colt, Assault Weapons, .50BMG, Silencers, Machine guns, ammunition, bullets

I could be wrong but maybe they don't want to be associated with weapons? Like maybe they're afraid people might try to do illegal gun sales or something of the sort and that the fallout would somehow hit them too? I personally don't deal with guns, nor do I like them but I do understand that whats not my cup of tea may be someone elses.

 

[WebSlave]

I could be wrong but maybe they don't want to be associated with weapons? Like maybe they're afraid people might try to do illegal gun sales or something of the sort and that the fallout would somehow hit them too? I personally don't deal with guns, nor do I like them but I do understand that whats not my cup of tea may be someone elses.

And that would be justification for restricting what people can say on your forums? Slap censorship on them just so you can make more money? Sorry, that just does not seem ethical to me. At the very least, create one or more forums that the web spiders cannot go and allow your members to post there. But to block certain words to protect your cash flow, even in private messages, seems a bit extreme to me. IMHO.

 

[XSeed]

And that would be justification for restricting what people can say on your forums? Slap censorship on them just so you can make more money? Sorry, that just does not seem ethical to me. At the very least, create one or more forums that the web spiders cannot go and allow your members to post there. But to block certain words to protect your cash flow, even in private messages, seems a bit extreme to me. IMHO.

I suppose. But they could also just not feel comfortable about it. I suppose DMs should have things allowed(unless its highly illegal activities).

For example, what if people started talking about strippers. porn, drugs, heavy alcohol consumption, politics, etc here?

I mean from my understanding this forum in general is strictly for exotic pets and related banter? As in each forum has a related topic for it? You said the one you were in was tractors? Imagine people started posting inappropriate content in random areas in this forum.

Personally I find myself mostly numb to shock content but back when I was active in forums(before instagram, fb, and the sort became my main) I used to go through an assortment of forums. Almost all of them pet related or gaming. When I was much much younger(underaged) I frequented a forum for gamers and often times there would be highly inappropriate content. Such as but not limited to porn, gore, intensely gross images, mind you I was still a teenager being subjected to that(without my consent). The internet was a wild wild west back then and it still is if you see places like reddit which is a cesspool...

I think people just want to bring some order so it doesn't become too chaotic. If you change the rules for one person then you change for another and at some point the objective of the forum becomes muddled.

 

[WebSlave]

I actually did set up a pretty much free form forum quite a long time ago. The HELL forum -> https://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/forums/hell.624/

The idea was to have a space and ONLY that space for mostly unmoderated discourse. It used to be a forum that could only be explicitly joined by a member so they could read and post there, but if I remember correctly I had to change it to being fully open (I hope!) because I couldn't figure out how to do that self-invite function in this new format.

As for people offering to buy and sell or trade guns for herps, have at it. If someone wants to sell illegal drugs, someone needs to report them to the proper authorities, not me. I am not a LEO and don't intend to become one. You break the law, it is on you, not me. Just because you allow someone to sell a hammer doesn't mean you are responsible if they smash their own thumb or someone else's. Stupidity is usually it's own reward.

 

[WebSlave]

Well, made an interesting discovery today. Another forum based site (based on tractros) that I frequent some has a similar private messaging system like here. I have been chatting with a guy there for quite a while and the discussion turned to guns generally and Glocks specifically. Well come to find out that the words "gun" and "Glock" were being censored. I could not post any private message containing either of these words. So with my usual tact and flare for gentle solicitation for info I tried to contact the admin there about this with a "WTF???" But alas, their CONTACT US link was broken, giving a 404 error. Today I found that they had fixed that problem. By removing the link from their page. Whatever.... So I posted a public post about it. Apparently, they are claiming, the ad network they are using is the culprit. Using such words causes their ad network to block their entire site when such offensive words are found within their forums. So they have to take steps to pre-censor such words to keep from having that impact their cash flow.

Oh really? Seriously? People are willing to sacrifice their rights and freedom as well as the freedom of their users to post about such things in the pursuit of just money?

Hey Google!! GUN, GLOCK, AR15, AK47, Smith&Wesson, Colt, Assault Weapons, .50BMG, Silencers, Machine guns, ammunition, bullets

LOL!! Well I DEFINITELY see a drop in Google Adsense revenue since posting the above. So Big Brother IS watching what is posted here.

Fark 'em.

My site, and I will post what the hell I want to here as well as permit others to post what the hell they want to. Google can just kiss my ass if it doesn't like it.

 

[XSeed]

LOL!! Well I DEFINITELY see a drop in Google Adsense revenue since posting the above. So Big Brother IS watching what is posted here.

Fark 'em.

My site, and I will post what the hell I want to here as well as permit others to post what the hell they want to. Google can just kiss my ass if it doesn't like it.

hopefully they can return to normal?

 

[WebSlave]

hopefully they can return to normal?

Perhaps. But probably only if I censored the use of certain *nasty* words here that they don't like. But they don't own me, and never will. I will not trade my freedom for money.