Suggestion - MODERATOR

General discussion is sort of an 'off topic' place, but one where most people wind up discussing just about everything, including swimming techniques. If I recall correctly, one of main concerns with the group that moderates this forum is that it is all volunteer based, and typically very shorthanded to watch it all. I think adding to the volume or the complexity of the bulletin board would be met with more enthusiasam if it came along with offers of additional manpower (volunteering) to monitor and moderate it all. Personally, on my teams bulletin board, which I end up administering, we have a section called 'gutter chat' which is open for everyone, and intended for not so swimming related chatter. It was pretty lively foir a while, then some inside jokes end up looking pretty crude, even though people that went back and forth didn't mind at all, they forget that there's a larger audience reading it, the audience that is not privy to the inside meaning of what they're saying. Then we'd get complaints or comments how some of it comes across as very discouraging to other teammates.... After you delete a few posts, or ask people to tone it down, they sort of lose interest, or get litle bit mifed, and things die off, people stop posting. So it's tricky... When you're in the comfort bubble of being in front of your computer, sometimes it's hard to remember that what you're posting is in a public place, which is almost as conspicuous as standing in front of a large group of people and voicing your opinion. Lot of us tend to get lulled into thinking that having a new section or a new thread gives us some sort of seclusion or privacy. It doesn't. people weill find it, and they will read it, even if it's labeled off topic or spoilered for certain content. For some people, a spoiler like that onky serves as a big red "PICK ME" flashing neon sign, even though it may be spoilered for the type of the content they may find objectionable. It can be like a car wreck, people don't want to see it, but can't seem to help looking. What happens ultimately, the administrators or moderators just get more complaints that have to be dealt with, and when you're short handed to begin with, then you start questioning the value of it's existance all together. Let's all remember that postinghere is a privilege, not a right or entitlement, and it's a priviledge that comes at cost of of several people who volunteer pretty large amounts of time to sift through all of the postings here for appropriate and acceptable comment, people whom also have full time jobs and families, and a few other responsibilities within USMS. Anyway, to clarify, that's just my personal opinion based on seeing both sides of the coin. Not to be seen as any sort of an official USMS position or feedback.

General discussion is sort of an 'off topic' place, but one where most people wind up discussing just about everything, including swimming techniques. If I recall correctly, one of main concerns with the group that moderates this forum is that it is all volunteer based, and typically very shorthanded to watch it all. I think adding to the volume or the complexity of the bulletin board would be met with more enthusiasam if it came along with offers of additional manpower (volunteering) to monitor and moderate it all. Personally, on my teams bulletin board, which I end up administering, we have a section called 'gutter chat' which is open for everyone, and intended for not so swimming related chatter. It was pretty lively foir a while, then some inside jokes end up looking pretty crude, even though people that went back and forth didn't mind at all, they forget that there's a larger audience reading it, the audience that is not privy to the inside meaning of what they're saying. Then we'd get complaints or comments how some of it comes across as very discouraging to other teammates.... After you delete a few posts, or ask people to tone it down, they sort of lose interest, or get litle bit mifed, and things die off, people stop posting. So it's tricky... When you're in the comfort bubble of being in front of your computer, sometimes it's hard to remember that what you're posting is in a public place, which is almost as conspicuous as standing in front of a large group of people and voicing your opinion. Lot of us tend to get lulled into thinking that having a new section or a new thread gives us some sort of seclusion or privacy. It doesn't. people weill find it, and they will read it, even if it's labeled off topic or spoilered for certain content. For some people, a spoiler like that onky serves as a big red "PICK ME" flashing neon sign, even though it may be spoilered for the type of the content they may find objectionable. It can be like a car wreck, people don't want to see it, but can't seem to help looking. What happens ultimately, the administrators or moderators just get more complaints that have to be dealt with, and when you're short handed to begin with, then you start questioning the value of it's existance all together. Let's all remember that postinghere is a privilege, not a right or entitlement, and it's a priviledge that comes at cost of of several people who volunteer pretty large amounts of time to sift through all of the postings here for appropriate and acceptable comment, people whom also have full time jobs and families, and a few other responsibilities within USMS. Anyway, to clarify, that's just my personal opinion based on seeing both sides of the coin. Not to be seen as any sort of an official USMS position or feedback.