Posts: 325
Threads: 9
Joined: Oct 2007
quote:
Originally posted by Menehune
...How many members now lurk instead of engage because of these changes?
I am one of these, Menehune. I found PunaWeb in late 2007, participated with 302 posts between then and the end of July this year (2008). I had the pleasure of meeting several Punatics in person at a PunaParty at KapohoCat's house with my wife (Pamela) during our vacation there in July. Many nice folk here on PunaWeb.
I am Hawaiian by birth (certificate, not blood), and I've always had Hawaii in my heart, even though I haven't lived there in over 40 years. It is still our plan to retire somewhere in the Puna area in about a year. I believe that Pamela and I will contribute in many ways to whichever Hawaiian neighborhood that we ultimately settle in, with good intentions and strong wishes to participate in our community with aloha.
I have learned tremendously from the PunaWeb forums, this one as well as the "Building in Puna" forum and the "Puna Politics" forum. For the most part, I highly value the opinions shared here, at least when they are constructive. Liberal, conservative, I don't care, as long as you're respectful, thoughtful, and constructive.
Having said that, the rough-and-tumble of this website, the sometimes negative attitudes that I perceived (and I understand that my perception may not always reflect reality) about what I've tried to say, and about immigrants to Hawaii in general, pushed me down into the "lurker" category.
I have no desire to troll, flame, or otherwise elevate emotions, or even participate in a heated debate about much of anything. I am interested in watching and learning. I'd like to share what I have to offer, but my experience led me to believe my way of sharing, or what I have to share, isn't welcome by some here on PunaWeb. I'll go back under the radar now, and continue to lurk. Since July, I've found that lurking works pretty well for me.
PunaWeb is a valuable resource for me, and I'm very grateful that Mr. Tucker has taken the time and energy to make this forum available to everybody with Puna, Hawaii, and aloha in their spirit.
Mele Kalikimaka (belatedly), blessings and best wishes to all, and I hope that 2009 brings everybody good fortune.
Mark and Pamela Geary
Aloha! ;-)
Aloha! ;-)
Posts: 2,402
Threads: 145
Joined: Apr 2005
quote:
Originally posted by pslamont
This is why I am usually reduced to reading the Building, Farm & Garden and Non-Classifieds and ignoring the rest!
Well others have said it more poignantly than I trust myself to do. Thank you! As a big mouth passionate member since 04 and having been quite active back in the beginning the content was more helpful questions answered, guidance suggested and ignorance forgiven, it was much more fun.
I attempt to stick to the above![:o)]
mella l
mella l
Art and Science
bytheSEA
Posts: 859
Threads: 10
Joined: May 2008
I find it strange that anyone would stop participating in the community because they don't like the opinions of someone else, or the way those opinions were voiced.
There is talk about how Puna is an inclusive community, so all opinions should be welcomed enthusiastically and debated.
There are also cultural deferences that relate to how people express themselves in person or online that should always be overlooked.
Example... If you are dealing with someone from New York, you may find they are very abrasive in there tone... that is not their intent at all, but if you do not know that, or at least listen to more then the tone you will never see it.
The same can be said of some people from the Middle East.
Oh and then there are the Texans, they talk "at" you more then with you, but don't think for a minute that they are not listening...
They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security
Benjamin Franklin
-----------------------------------------------------------
I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
The Wilder Side Of Hawaii
Posts: 252
Threads: 59
Joined: May 2004
I'll probably say too much, I usually do. My big mouth has gotten me into trouble my whole life, why change now? I don’t post very often but I did enjoy reading daily, until the past couple of months when it seems the posts have turned to an anti-government, print your own currency, stockpile food, attack dogs, barbed wire and locked gates, arm yourself and shoot anything that moves mentality that I find pathetic and offensive, so I have pretty much quit reading. I scan the topic titles and it’s the same ol’ stuff, day after day. I used to love the newsy posts about local goings on as well as the homesteading and sustainability type threads but now it seems even they rapidly degenerate into the militant survivalist stuff mentioned above. I was particularly heartsick at the brutal post started on Christmas Eve and still running near the top of the forum today. Not the world I want to live in and nothing I would willingly subject myself to via this forum. I had about decided to give it up completely when this thread popped up – hope Rob takes it to heart and makes the changes necessary. Meanwhile, implementing that IGNORE feature might be a very good idea. Aloha.
use it up, wear it out, make it do, do without
I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
Posts: 3,035
Threads: 201
Joined: Aug 2006
I don't think it is about not liking the opinions expressed, it is about how we treat one another. If you have a thick skin, then you may never understand why others could be chased out by being responded to in rude, insulting, and personally offensive language. Likewise, if you have a thin skin, you may never be able to understand how someone could "speak" that way to another person in a public forum.
The question is whether Punaweb will return to being a civil meeting place, or will continue to morph into a no holds barred, rough and ready forum where anything goes when communicating with one another. I know which I would prefer, but it is really up to Rob, it's his baby and he's the one with the greatest investment, the rest of us are just his guests.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
Posts: 859
Threads: 10
Joined: May 2008
Well, as one of "those new people", help me see the error of my ways, please speak up when I use offensive language, or I am rude or insulting...
Rob can not monitor the forum 24/7, the community can, when you see behavior that is unacceptable, you should speak up, again you have the cultural barriers to overcome. I have no problem admitting my cultural issues, but how can they change if they are not pointed out?
They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security
Benjamin Franklin
-----------------------------------------------------------
I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
The Wilder Side Of Hawaii
Rob -
Please implement the Ignore feature so that those who do not want to read what I have to write... can spare their eyes.
It is funny that my blog gets over 1000 page views a day... but only a couple comments each day. People are either enjoying what they read and keeping quiet... Or someone has a gun to their heads forcing them to read what I write.[  ]
With this Rob... I do ask that you implement the "ignore" feature since this BB now has that capability.
I know there is at least one or two who post here on PW that my health condition might improve if I could simply have them on "ignore" and not even see their names pop up.
If the ignore feature was used properly... Members could pick and choose whom they wanted to listen to and respond to... And this manini complaining might end.
That would also resolve the 5 post per day problem... If you don't like reading someone's posts... you put them on ignore... problem solved.
It's called taking care of the situation yourself.
Could it possibly be tried for a little while.... Then if you ever got complaints about the way a poster was posting.... you could simply tell the complainer to "Put them on ignore" problem solved.
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My Blog
Posts: 859
Threads: 10
Joined: May 2008
The ignore feature is part of a whole new version of the forum, it can't just be turned on. sorry if my post made it sound that way.
Rob is evaluating the new software, I am sure he has to weigh the pros and cons on a major update to the site and how it will effect the PunaWeb community.
ps... Sorry I raise you blood pressure, its not intentional...[  ]
They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security
Benjamin Franklin
-----------------------------------------------------------
I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
The Wilder Side Of Hawaii
Posts: 1,595
Threads: 111
Joined: May 2007
Mahalo for this post. It has made me pause and reflect on my contributions. While I don't consider myself a "troll" (well who does?), I know I can be quick to rise to the bait and must seem like gasoline on the fire, so to speak. Expect more patience and positivity from me in the future. (I'll try anyway)
Posts: 4,533
Threads: 241
Joined: Jan 2006
I agree with you menehune. What I did was start emailing someone with a specific response to their question if I thought I had an answer. As an example, if something Mella said makes me laugh I email her as an example - also keeps me from derailing a thread. My detachment somewhat from Punaweb came sometime in late Oct. I dont see the really interesting threads staying up at the top anymore (except in the gardening forum), what I meant is the threads interesting to me. I also look up members that I enjoy their posts and you can read their recent non-archived posts - like alaskasteven, or damon's [}  ] posts that I enjoy.
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