How open and tolerant should Punaweb be?

[Rob Tucker]

Over five years now it has been necessary to ban two individuals from this forum. Both times it was for ongoing and repeated attacks on people, complete lack of respect for competing points of view and a general demand for constant attention. In both of these cases I banned the individuals reluctantly but permanently.

I have set Punaweb up to attempt to be a real time slice of Puna But from watching the function and successes and failures of other internet forums it is clear to me that limits are needed. Punaweb is a small society and I would like to hear from the Punaweb community on just what limits, if any, should be imposed here. It will be my decision ultimately but your input will be appreciated.

I have had to protect this site from spammers and do so immediately. It takes a bit more time to identify what are known as trolls - people who launch verbal bombshells merely to enjoy the ensuing indignation. Another common problem is what is know as flaming - verbal blow torching of other people's postings and opinions.

So the question on this topic is: How open and tolerant should Punaweb be?

Punaweb moderator

[lquade]

Hi Rob, first THANK YOU for our forum i think you are doing a great job and the reason the forum works is the framework you have established that we work within. of course we have the choice not to participate and go elsewhere if we want to cause havoc.. i do once again suggest that you lose the number of posts... i think some people seem to get a kick out of watching their numbers rise. it is easy to spot those that might have 5 or 6 comments on a single post. some of us are still on dial-up with very slow service and it is frustrating to watch the screen load up only to see a comment like "right on" or "with you bro" or somesuch. i do like the No politics, no highjacking threads, and just plain old fashion courtesy required... my 2 cents, linnette[:I]

[lotus]

This is such a touchy subject. The beauty of living in this country is that everyone has a right to express their opinion. On the flip side, the worst thing about living in this country is that everyone has a right to express their opinion....

That said, I think that the responsibility lies with each of us to act like the adults we are. If a user types something that is offensive, you have two choices: react to it, or ignore it. A lot of times, I'll read a post by someone and I'll think to myself, "wow, that person seems out of line..." But then, I'll re-read to make sure that I'm picking up the message that is actually being put out there. You can't read inflection in a person's post. This makes things difficult when you're trying to understand a point of view on a controversial subject.

I think the only way to deal with this is to be adult about it. If a subject is getting too hot for you, read something else. If someone makes an attack on you, point it out... nicely, and maybe privately... and then ask them to stop. If they don't, ignore them. If they still don't stop, email Rob with copies of the posts.

I really don't think that limiting subject matter is the answer. There are a couple of people on this website who's opinions wildly differ from my own. I make a point of not getting into debate with those people simply because it will just turn into an argument. Instead, I read and respond only to posts that are not seemingly written in anger.

I really don't understand why there has to be a lot of drama on this forum. It seems like for the most part we are all adults. Keep in mind that this is supposed to be a place where we can all connect as a community. If you find yourself spending more than an hour or so a day on this site, maybe it's time to examine the quality of life outside this site.... Seriously folks, can't we all just get along?

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars."

[Rob Tucker]

Thank you both for input.

I do limit the subject matter here to the exclusion of national and world politics. That is a result of my forming Punaweb for the purpose of enabling Puna to represent itself rather than be defined by others. There are 1,000 sites out there for politics. There is only one (maybe two now) for Puna.


Lotus, you say: "If someone makes an attack on you, point it out... nicely, and maybe privately... and then ask them to stop. If they don't, ignore them. If they still don't stop, email Rob with copies of the posts."

In an situation such as you describe what should I do regarding the copies of emails sent to me? This has happened in the past. Punaweb members who were gay were getting harrassed by another punaweb member for example. More recently I have had members ask me to intercede and halt annoying, attacking emails from other members.

Punaweb moderator

[Bill]

Hi Rob,

First, I want to thank you for the great job you have been doing in providing all of us a forum to share the unique way of life we have here in Puna. You have shown a tolerance that is far beyond anything I am capable of, and I admire you for that.

Second, unfortuatly this is the real world, and some folks make attacks, are hurtful, are not adult, are not respectful, and...require a Hall Monitor. Sad!

Please keep the limits and boundaries that have been working so well. This is a great venue that has helped me a great deal in understanding how others think.

Bill

[oink]

Rob,
I think you do a great job. I don't always agree with you, but thats ok, it's your forum. I think your loose management style has worked well. My one suggestion is in instances when it's obvious that a member wants to be banned, for whatever reason. Maybe they want to be able to exclaim to their friends their outrage over being banned, or their social group celebrates their banning. Who knows! But when they have made it plain in every way other than with explicit words, I think the considerate thing to do is to honor their obvious request. I will repost when I have time for a more thoughtful response, plus that will help raise my post count.

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[Greg]

I think it's fine just the way it is. In any group of people from preschool to the assisted living center, there are going to be a few folks that are "higher maintenance". Sometimes a time out doesn't work.

There's always the opportunity to start another forum, but this one is by far the most successful.

I think by having to be the "adult" at times you are keeping it that way. People need to have a clear and consistant picture of how far they can go.

Mahalo Rob; Keep it how it is, or I'm going to hold my breath till I'm blue.

[Kalani]

Hi Rob,
I've been reading your forum diligently for the past year but have just decided to get involved.
You have one of the cleanest venues out and I believe most of your participants would like to keep it that way.
2 people in 5 years is quite positive.
There is no reason for anyone to bash others for their opinions.
If you like that type of forum, go to MSN. Great bashing going on in the sports threads.
Like you mentioned in the past, They should create their own forum if they disagree with your rules.
You've been doing a great job !!
Keep up the good work [^]

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Tucker
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In an situation such as you describe what should I do regarding the copies of emails sent to me? This has happened in the past. Punaweb members who were gay were getting harrassed by another punaweb member for example. More recently I have had members ask me to intercede and halt annoying, attacking emails from other members.

Punaweb moderator

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I must say that all of the emails that I have received from other Punaweb members that didn't want to say anything directly onto Punaweb, have been mostly complimentary.

Recently, I received an Email from a Punaweb member that was critical of something that I reposted. It was not harrassing at all in nature, however, to ensure that my response to that member was not in bad taste, I sent a CC of my email to Rob so that he could understand what was being said about my posting on Punaweb.

With that said, I wouldn't expect you to do anything with that CC copy of the email, as I was just clarifying my point to that Punaweb member.

Hopefully we can all go out and have coffee sometime.[^]

I still wish I could post an image or two though []

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Coming home soon!

[punafish]

I echo Bill's sentiments. Rob, you have been more tolerant than most people would have been through all the silly drama. I personally believe you strike a very good balance. Keep up the good work!

I’ll never claim to be the “voice of reason”, and am definitely not a genius. Yet I understand that it’s Rob’s forum, that he has rules, and that I have to respect them. What’s so difficult to understand?

The dictator comment makes no sense. If you invite someone into your home, you are the king of your castle (actually the wife is but we’ll pretend otherwise for the sake of argument). Yeah, you have a right to dictate what goes on in your house, and you have a right to dictate what goes on in your own forum. The beauty of it is, anyone with a computer can host a forum. (Thanks Anagami for providing our uhappy members with another option; it is truly a positive, enlightened way to handle this situation.)

If Rob is a dictator, at least he is a fair and benevolent one with a boatload of tolerance. Rob, thanks so much for hosting this site.

Tim

"I did good on my IQ test: got a 95 and that's an 'A'"-Stephen Colbert (Paraphrased