Poll

Does the off topic info add to the discussion?

Yes
No
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Author Topic: Opinion Poll  (Read 3969 times)

Offline thatGuy

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Opinion Poll
« on: September 21, 2011, 12:26:48 AM »
Hey guys,

I never knew being a moderator of my own forum would be so hard.

We put this thing together because there were people on the LockandLoad forum that were incredibly knowledgeable, people that I highly respect and I wanted to continue to offer them an opportunity to give what they had to offer to the rest of us. It was completely selfish on my behalf, I just want to learn.

I have had some of those people contact me and express that they had hoped this site would have been more devoted to prepparing like its name suggests. "Straight Prep, no bullshit" was the original idea.

What do you guys think?

Does the off topic info get in the way or add to the discussion?

"Vote early, vote often"
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Offline sledge

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2011, 12:37:53 AM »
Personally, I like off topic.  That figures, that's where most of my stuff goes.  There or the new section.

But let me give you two benefits of the off topic.

1) It gives people more stuff to talk about so they spend more time on the forum.
2)  More importantly, most of the stuff in the off topic applies to what's happening and what's going on in our society.  That's important because it gives you a means of measuring where we are at and potentially how much time we have left to prepare before tshtf.  That could happen at any time under the right situations.  Happenings in our society today could be the straw that breaks the camels back by tomorrow morning.  Preppers had better stay informed on what's happening. 

« Last Edit: September 21, 2011, 12:48:33 AM by sledge »
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Offline sledge

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2011, 12:41:02 AM »
Note, vote early and vote often doesn't work.  I tried.  It told me I had already voted and to go do something else.   >:(
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Offline NOLA556

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2011, 12:53:25 AM »
I support the off topic section.

I think you guys have the right idea as it is... have a BS section, but also motivate members to produce more useful content.

not everybody is Tom fuckin Clancy... lol.

I think if the off topic BS stuff was no longer allowed, you would drive away a great deal of people. yes, it's a "prepping" site, but there's also a sense of community and comradeship that the off topic shit encourages as well... there's nothing wrong with goofing off a little bit with like-minded buddies.
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Offline thatGuy

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2011, 01:04:59 AM »
What if that goofing off and making friends is costing us high value members NOLA?

What then?
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Offline sledge

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2011, 01:15:00 AM »
Quote from: thatguy on September 21, 2011, 01:04:59 AM
What if that goofing off and making friends is costing us high value members NOLA?

What then?

So, what makes someone "high value"?  Being an expert on a specific topic and being a stuffed shirt?  That makes them sound more than a little arrogant to me.  And probably not as valuable to increasing traffic or knowledge on this site as they think.

Maybe the concept of high value should be changed to anyone who is willing to spend a few minutes on the forum.  Regardless of what they know.  Because everyone has something to add and knows something that would apply to prepping.

But that's just my opinion.  What the hell do I know.

Edit:  Sorry for jumping in there Nola.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2011, 01:19:14 AM by sledge »
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Offline thatGuy

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2011, 01:30:15 AM »
So you're cool with that Sledge... you are willing to trade a Registered Nurse for a Dead Baby Joke? A Close Quarters Combat Instructor for a HAARP post? A Combat Medic for a comment that was in poor taste?

Was that joke really that funny or that post so interesting and has that comment in poor taste carried you as far?

Seriously guys?
« Last Edit: September 21, 2011, 01:31:57 AM by thatguy »
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Burt Gummer

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2011, 01:43:42 AM »
TG you assume that if you take away the Off Topic section all that will go away, and the in your opinion "productive" topics will increase...
It won't.
All off prepping topics (which I don't consider the Top Secret section to be part of) will just spill over to the "AK's are awesome" thread and next thing you know it will be hijacked a by someone who wants to talk about David Hasslehoff.
And whats wrong with a little bit of culture?
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Offline sledge

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2011, 01:51:50 AM »
Quote from: thatguy on September 21, 2011, 01:30:15 AM
So you're cool with that Sledge... you are willing to trade a Registered Nurse for a Dead Baby Joke? A Close Quarters Combat Instructor for a HAARP post? A Combat Medic for a comment that was in poor taste?

Was that joke really that funny or that post so interesting and has that comment in poor taste carried you as far?

Seriously guys?

Honestly, the dead baby thing was inappropriate in my opinion.  The dead baby doesn't compare at all to the haarp post. (which I must have missed.)  And if that's what drove the Close Quarters Combat Instructor away he's a (edited out) and I wouldn't want to learn anything from his closed minded highness to begin with.  Even if I could have learned anything from him which I'm skeptical of.   

I have no problem with people who want to be single brained and think what they believe is the only right thing and it's written in brain stone.  As long as they don't try to force their narrow vision on me.  They can keep their damn brain stone.  I'd rather have a brain sponge.

 
« Last Edit: September 21, 2011, 01:54:02 AM by sledge »
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505th.NM.Militia

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2011, 02:03:25 AM »
I feel like any meaningful intelligent contribution is of higher value than someone who is purposefully abstaning from the website.  One more "You won't be seeing me around here much anymore..."   Guess what guys.  I run the report and those same guys are on here everyday.

Make new friends but keep the old.  That being said the only member I can do without is someone who isn't trying to help us grow our website.  Including self important douchebags of all shapes and sizes. 
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Offline sledge

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2011, 02:08:09 AM »
What 505 said!      That thumbs up thing isn't working anymore.  So just picture it here. 


« Last Edit: September 21, 2011, 02:09:52 AM by sledge »
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In the pursuit of liberty, many will fall. In the pursuit of fascism, many will be against the wall..........   Courtesy of Xydaco

505th.NM.Militia

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2011, 02:58:13 AM »
 [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co
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Offline tominphx

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #12 on: September 21, 2011, 03:18:28 AM »
I'd rather have it and not need it ...

Besides, where else can I post stuff like this http://jalopnik.com/5842192/watch-assault-rifle+wielding-saudis-endanger-dozens-in-craziest-driving-video-ever
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Offline APX808

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #13 on: September 21, 2011, 07:50:27 AM »
I think the off topic helps to create a stronger community.
I personally have no clue about the joke or HAARP thread you mention, but having the board separated in different sections allows the users to decide what they want to read and in what discussions to participate.

If you comply with their extortion, tomorrow they'll have a new demand.
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Ghost

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #14 on: September 21, 2011, 07:55:57 AM »
I voted yes.


And the way I see it with regards to losing members due to more or less questionable posts; they should grow a pair. If they can't handle a few posts on here that aren't rated PG, then they wont really hold up to what will happen if/when TSHTF. People should be able to take a joke, that is made on the internet. If you don't like it, don't read it. There's a shit load of stuff on here that people post up and I don't like it. Don't see me running off, nor will you.

 ::)
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Offline Veritas

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #15 on: September 21, 2011, 08:47:07 AM »
I agree with everyone else.

There was a lot of shit like that on the L&L site that didn't cause these people to leave.   If someone gets butthurt over a post on a computer screen, then how long are they really going to last when the poop hits the fan?  "Excuse me Mr. Looter, but I find your necklace of human ears rather offensive.  Would you please take it off before you slit my throat and take all of my supplies."  I mean WTF.

Talking about WROL/SHTF all the time will make one crazy.  You need an outlet sometimes.  Granted it can get a little too far, but that's why we have an off-topic section.  A person has to make a deliberate decision to click in that section, click on a post, and to read that post.  (actually 3 decisions lol).   It's not like you have video of dead baby jokes being told by Alex Jones on the landing page of the website.

I say keep it the way it is, and I also ask members to post content in the appropriate sections.

Like everything else in life, you can find balance between the two.
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Offline Currahee

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #16 on: September 21, 2011, 09:09:09 AM »
Are we hurting for bandwidth?

If not I would say that people who don't want to go to the off-topic forum just don't go. 

IMO it's good to have more places to discuss things with people.  Many times I want another "preppers" outlook on a non-prepping subject.
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Offline JohnyMac

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #17 on: September 21, 2011, 09:16:08 AM »
TG, I agree with much that has been written already. I liked Veritas analogy of someone making three decisions before they actually get to the point of reading the post. I remember something in the Torah about asking important questions three times. 

I finally got around to reading the baby thing. It was inappropriate so after the third post in the thread I clicked out and moved on. I exercised my First Amendment rights to not read any further.

Would I like an RN or medic to be on this site? Yes, however at the same time if they were so preoccupied with how they "looked" or were "perceived" by friends and family I don't know if I would respect them enough to follow their advise.

Ciao....

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Offline RONSERESURPLUS

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #18 on: September 21, 2011, 09:40:49 AM »
Hello all, RON L here

I, for 1, am not one that feels that an Off Topic Post hurts us, but as a Few have asked, if that is hurting bandwidth, I'd see it as a Problem, as for folks leaving, I'm sure it's not just about off topic posts? Some folks come looking at a New site for some things and if they don't see it or hear some things they don't agree with they leave? I'm not sure thier is a way to fix that Problem, other than folks speaking up? I feel we have a Lot of Great folks here some from Locjk and Load, some not? I try and not Value anyone person over another, as I feel we all have something to offer and some area where we have knowledge? I know some folks really seem to shine, and thats apprewciated, but some have just as much to offer but seem to prefer the shadows? Thats helps no one? Come out, come say your peiece on or off Topic? Thats what helps us all and if ya think I'm full of crap, Tell me? I' a Big Boy and I can take it!!!! I hope we all can grow a thick skin as the rough road ahead of us will not be easy? Like the song says "I get by with a Little Help from my Friends"? Yea I'm that old?


   RON
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Offline sledge

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #19 on: September 21, 2011, 10:17:58 AM »
Quote from: Currahee on September 21, 2011, 09:09:09 AM
Are we hurting for bandwidth?

If not I would say that people who don't want to go to the off-topic forum just don't go. 

IMO it's good to have more places to discuss things with people.  Many times I want another "preppers" outlook on a non-prepping subject.

Thank you for your comment.  I think you are one of those high value preppers that was mentioned earlier.  Thanks or not trying to run us little people off the map.  I appreciate it.
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Offline sledge

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #20 on: September 21, 2011, 10:53:59 AM »
505 It must just be my little thumbs up guy.  How'd you fix it?
« Last Edit: September 21, 2011, 10:58:53 AM by sledge »
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In the pursuit of liberty, many will fall. In the pursuit of fascism, many will be against the wall..........   Courtesy of Xydaco

Boonedawg

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #21 on: September 21, 2011, 10:57:39 AM »
I think a little off topic banter is a good thing for a lot of reasons. We can't be wired tight all the time.
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Ghost

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #22 on: September 21, 2011, 10:59:36 AM »
Quote from: Boonedawg on September 21, 2011, 10:57:39 AM
I think a little off topic banter is a good thing for a lot of reasons. We can't be wired tight all the time.
Too right. Gotta have a place for some R&R.
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Dave_M

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #23 on: September 21, 2011, 11:14:28 AM »
I think an off-topic section falls under the, 'necessary evil' category. If there isn't one, more inane posts make their way into legitimate threads on prepping.

My favorite prepping site has rules (like others) but among them includes no debate of politics or religion. I'd take a gander and say a good chunk of the reason the site has the variety of input that it does is due to that (There's less, 'that MF'r thinks XYZ so I know he's stupid so I'm not going to listen to his input on ABC'). While I'm sure the majority of posters have the same general political leanings and perhaps religious beliefs but for the nuts and bolts of prepping, it's totally immaterial (except for something goofy like, 'What's the best way to pack my prayer rug in my BoB?'  :))

Noteworthy that they're a registered NPO so they cannot endorse any particular religious or political viewpoint. Whether the 'no politics or religion' was conceived of first or added because of NPO status I have no clue. Regardless, the result is the same.

Politics and religion are certainly contentious. I'm not suggesting that these be rules implemented but I would suggest some sort of compartmentalization (like a subforum). That way if someone doesn't want to read it, they don't have to. Kind of like how Frugal Squirrels has a, 'conspiracy theories' subforum.
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Offline leadpersuasion

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Re: Opinion Poll
« Reply #24 on: September 21, 2011, 11:28:44 AM »
I agree with Dave, in that having the BS or Off Topic Designated Area is a 'necessary evil'. It also allows more venting to be put in its rightful place as moderators will have liberty to persuade others to carry on there. I believe every good business has to have a trash can in place to be successful. I am not saying the off-topic area is trash, but it facilitates open discussion without hindering or contaminating the " Prepper Discussion".  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co
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