NSR: Message Board Etiquette

Bah, you are by far the WORST offender ...let's no let sematics detract from what we're trying to achieve here. Oh Dorothy the Swimp Camp thread is still out there in all it's glory posted by Richie Rich thats what the parenthetical comment meant in my posting (the "look who's calling the kettle black" part...its a common American phrase)...i.e. I was being sarcastic towards myself there....as in my posting was also a bit lengthy too...LOL!! Newmastersswimmer

Ok, here's my thought... Start an NSR thread (or two) to try and ease tension. The sillys try to watch what they say on SR threads, and keep it as much as possible in the NSR labeled threads. But realize that it's controlling and unreasonable to believe that every NSR comment will make it to these threads. The sillys try to refrain from thread hijacking and if it starts to go far, then a GENTLE POLITE nudge back on topic and possible move to the NSR threads. All personal attacks stop, and the argument about NSR v. SR eases up and hopefully fades away. These are just my two cents. I hope no one sees it as controlling and my silly bohemian brothers and sisters don't think it's a sellout. Feel free to debate and add ideas, or PM me if you have a big issue, but I for one am tired of this seemingly never ending debate when a solution that makes everybody happy seems relatively easy without any one having to sacrifice too much. Well...now that I got that off my chest back to my homework....:frustrated: .....

I don't think there is a solution that would make everyone on here happy, that just won't happen. There are way too many personalities to try and apease. I think people jumped (wrongly) on Lindsay because he seems to tolerate the silliness that is omnipresent on this board far less than most. He is usually one of the first to try and take over the threads and tell people what to do. Maybe I interpreted that wrong. I think Lindsay is just trying to point out some behavior that he sees as inappropriate. We all have different levels of NSR threads and comments that we can tolerate. We should not expect everyone to have the same level of tolerance.

I agree that we'll never make every body super happy, but we can reach a level of cohabitation that is at least tolerable. It may not be first choice, but you have to make compromises all the time in real life so why stop now.

I have been lurking for almost a year. I have really enjoyed all the posts, both serious and fun filled. I think 95% have been just fine. Even some of the crude humor seemed in jest. I didn't like the Geek attacks much, but even he is very funny sometimes. It seems to me that many people use both information and humor in their posts, like Paul Smith or Fortress or Ande or Peter Cruise or Geochuck or others. I for one am very glad to see posts that are not just related to swimming faster. I've been heartened to read that others have troubles with injuries, sinus infections, eyes, sleep, weight, etc. I'm glad I'm not the only one breastfeeding infants at swim meets. And I love the banter. It makes everyone seem real, instead of just dry words on a page. It seems like a lot of cyber friendships and rivalries have been started. I've also enjoyed the obvious NSR threads like "Women are Trouble," or "Meaning of Swimming," or Rich's "Superhero Thread." It's a little break from the mundanity of life. As to the argumentative threads or NSR threads or threads that go off topic, they seem to have an extremely high viewership compared to the number of posts. This suggests that there are people who read or keep reading despite being offended. So to complain later seems hypocritical or maybe voyeurish? In fact, Geek is one of the most argumentative posters of all time from what I can tell from the old threads. I can see why no one wants to bend to his will. Or even Lindsay's, as thoughful as he may be. I do agree with her that Gull was a great poster. I guess one of the reasons I finally registered, is that all the posters seem so friendly and encouraging for the most part. They all seem to want to meet each other. It's a lively community, but that appeals more to me than other swim forums I've seen. I was sad to see the odd debates on the topic and dating threads. The censorship advocates seemed really over the top. No one has the same sense of humor, but everyone can practice tolerance I assume. I'm also a back-*** combo type person. I do not butterfrog, but I wish I could swim fly faster. I'm not a loud flyer, but I could learn.

Very well said. Couldn't have said it better myself. Now, what shall I have for breakfast............ The camp thread was a train wreck--it got rolling along and several of us jumped on board. We can't deny it. I'm not blaming anyone. It was a thread that brought out the funny in everyone, even Matt's attempts to straighten it out look like a humouous attempt (even if they weren't). At the risk of being excommunicated by my fellow fun-lovers, when the post from Bebe/Sasmon at "Raceclub" turned up it kind of hit home that the thread had morphed away, not maliciously mind you, from it's original purpose. I felt a little guilty. All I know is this will happen from time to time, but us fun lovers should be a little more self cautious. A personal thread about an injury (like my knee one) may be less important and able to morph into comedic anarchy, and dissolve away onto page one hundred and something. Jim's camp thread although humourous should have been less of a free for all gag fest that it became. It truly was a funny thread but it may have a bewildering effect on someone browsing through, like Bebe/Samson, and who thought it was going to be more interesting to them. I'm not blaming Jim T at all--anyone who posted anything other than a camp suggestion or question shares equal blame. I'm just saying if the leader starts it sets the tone and rest of us follow along. Let's try to resist the snowball effect, I think we can still have a lot of fun and have threads that can be fully ignored and threads that can be a mine of info for a newbie. Yes maybe I'm sounding like a born again believer, I am not. I am in no doubt that I will transgress again, and I'll be reminded of this post (Heather). If you think I'm being hypocritical think of it like this: Would you want to be known as one of the few who go the boards shut down when you go to Zones or Nationals? It's not hard to figure out who is who, and then you just need to wait for that name to appear on the block in their heat and you know exactly who they are, then you can be pointed out. In summation my thoughts are this: I don't expect to never again see a little hijacking but if we find a topic that can lead to a bunch of comedy then let's get a new thread going. I'm trying to not go too far with a comment on a serious thread--you'll never get me to be non-funny; that is like telling me not to breathe, and I am sure that is not the argument Lindsay has taken the responsibility to represent here. I think he's been a bit maligned here too--he hasn't pointed or accused or name called, but has gotten some pointed replies back. Something which many of us think is wrong; especially when it came the other way a few weeks ago. Now, if anyone thinks I need slapping for this...my PM is open to you. Let's not paste it here. If you have a counter point or suggestion for how we can all get along then write on. As for the new thread thing...the Camp thread could have been left and a new thread "Who would you take to swim camp and why?" would have been ideal (you can post that you're moving some humour on the subject to the new thread and link it--then the reader would have a choice. Yes Virginia, hindsight is always 20/20. Balance, Rich

BTW, in case anyone was wondering about my user name or has their minds in the gutter, it refers to my secret nemesis, one of Ande's tips. She is tall and willowy like Botticelli's Venus and I still need to lose at least 10 baby pounds. So she is my rival and I envy her. However, I guess it would sometimes be easier to be a guy too, especially, you know ... I'm also a back-*** combo type person. I do not butterfrog, but I wish I could swim fly faster. posted by Venus Envy Thanks for your input Venus E....I like your take on things. As far as the forum name thing goes, I can say as a self proclaimed guttermind (just ask Rich he'll back me up on that), that I never realized that it could be thought of in any kind of semi-risque fashion until you said something?...LOL!! Welcome to the forum, I look forward to reading your postings for a while I hope. Newmastersswimmer

Thanks for your input Venus E....I like your take on things. As far as the forum name thing goes, I can say as a self proclaimed guttermind (just ask Rich he'll back me up on that), that I never realized that it could be thought of in any kind of semi-risque fashion until you said something?...LOL!! Welcome to the forum, I look forward to reading your postings for a while I hope.Newmastersswimmer Thanks for the welcome. I realized after I chose my forum name that it might seem a little strange. Oh well. I guess I can be a little naive like Spiderman. You and Rich are a bit of gutterminds, but I just laugh. Meanwhile, I'm having some salad for dinner, as I'm currently dieting. Sigh.

Now that was a very sheepish kind of thing to say now don't you think poolrat?!...LOL!! :thhbbb: (of course only j/k a bit now...I'm off to behaving myself from now on....really I am!) BTW I love your new kitten Avatar Poolrat...I'm a sucker for cute pets! ...and of course the new signature is hilarious as usual! Newmastersswimmer

These guys take some gettin' used to. I'm glad I'm not like that.:rofl: You're not? Didn't you post the sheep picture? There are a lot of guests viewing the forums, you know. Well, I may chnge my user name just so I don't provide you two with too much private amusement. Oh Matysek ...