Watered-down W&SS

[chuck buck]

a moderator who hangs around the forum and actually takes action on threads and moves them, edits, etc. would be a great help to this section. i feel a lot of these threads could be moved to different sections of BFC where they are better served. i understand that users trust the opinions of the people who tend to hang out around here BUT i feel people need to be forced to use BFC as a whole rather than watering down WSS. just my 2 cents... im new to internet forums.

 

[PatriotDan]

Hi Kevin, you're a good guy in my book. If you get less and less pleasure from the subforum, a sabatical sounds good. Hope to see you back soon though :thumbup:

 

[PatriotDan]

Considering the search, I think it works very well. I can search WSS using the tags for specific subjects and order the results for example by views and replies. There's a huge amount of options for the search. It's fast too. I use it quite a bit.

A nice feature would be a quick tag link system on the top menu though.

 

[WalterDavis]

It would be nice if number of views somehow factored into the the ranking equation.
I've seen threads with very high viewing numbers getting bumped to the back pages just because no one posted replies.
I'm not saying it should take preference over reply counts but still it should count for something in thread ranking.
Hmmm maybe a star rating system for threads like they have for youtube videos?
Just an idea.....
Anyway i will just starting occasionally "bumping" threads, or is that a no-no?

Why would you want to bump a thread that people aren't replying to I try hard to not bump up threads where the discussion has slowed or stopped

 

[Mentor]

A cantina would be great. The weekly chats serve a similar function, but it would be nice to have an OT outlet that is available 24-7.

From my perspective, the forum is operating nicely. We have had some excellent threads over the last few months, with a few notable detours (If someone tricks you into eating the small piece of coyote, he's not your friend!). I have been guilty of not posting substantive comments to a number of substantive threads that I found interesting - something I will try to rectify in the new year. It is frustrating to see that pic-heavy thread you worked on migrate to page 2 over the course of an afternoon! Gear pron is a must. I owe my passion for custom users to W&SS gear pron threads. The best ones combine gear appreciation with critical commentary and some skills discussion, and hopefully we will see plenty of these in the future.

My $0.02 CDN.

All the best,

- Mike

 

[Bushman5]

I am certainly not "anti-gear"

I use all of my gear, and am not an "anti gear superior" person...

Of course you cant have a review w/o having the gear.

Im saying, Id like to see more," I got this, and used it, and this is what I think", and less "Looky at what I got, Ill keep ya posted on how it performs"(never to see it again)

That would make the subject matter more insightfull.

you misread my post it was two seperate topics, and the anti gear one was not directed at you.

 

[j williams]

Oh.....:foot:

I did just misread it. I was like, damn, I have a garage and 2 closets full of gear.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I figure the more we complain about it, the less people feel like it's worth their time to post. C'mon guys! Do your part and keep the good conversations rolling! :thumbup:

 

[RescueRiley]

I think I'll chime in here... since I have greatly scaled back my participation here.. I was able to get a clearer perspective on things... and I can only speak for myself here, but I don;t think its the forum that has really changed so much as myself...
the more time I spend outdoors and the more I try to work on my skill sets.. the less posts that are not directly skill related interest me,
Also the more I veer away form the "man against nature" ideaology towards the "man as part of nature" philosphy the less interest I have for the "what knife can kill a pack of wolves" or any of the apocalypse kind of stuff.
I also don;t take a real interest into a myriad of threads on knife reviews that involve someone putting 3 lame curls into a twig, sparking a ferro, and taking a picture of a knife in a tree.
It is funny how trends work where someone will post a thread on natural cordage for example that will get maybe 5 posts, but pics of the new kirafu, or on a custom choper will go on for 8 pages.
Most people that know me know I'm not a gear hound, so those threads are of little value specifically to me.
My point here is not to be offensive but merely to illustrate my personal changes.
This is not to say the place I am coming to is the right place or a better place, it is not.. it;s my path, which is newly emergent and parallel but may in the end take me to a difffernt destination (or not) only time will tell.. so in retrospect it is not the forum that has truly changed but the eyes through which I am reading it
in light of that revelation, I chose now to participate only in threads where I may be helpful ( a limited few lol) or in threads that I find interesting or helpful to me.

Kev, you are an inspiration to us all Brother.. I hope one day to have a fraction of your ability
I have a feeling though will be chatting soon,
Take care.

 

[stanley_white]

Two things:

1. W&SS is my "Internet Happy Place". I participate in many forums and NONE of them are as fun and friendly as W&SS.

2. Internet fun to me is based upon people CONVEYING information instead of trying to CONVINCE others of right or wrong. Keeping this in perspective is key.

 

[chuck buck]

why cant gear threads go where they belong in Gadgets and Gear? i dont see gear as a survival skill. likewise, all the "what is a good survival knife" threads go to General. it doesn't make sense to water down this forum when we already have all these other specific subforums. if people learn to use the whole site we wont have to search through pages and pages to find one skill thread.

 

[Mentor]

why cant gear threads go where they belong in Gadgets and Gear? i dont see gear as a survival skill.

Because this subforum is frequented by a community of wilderness enthusiasts who also enjoy knives and gear. It's great to log in and browse through a mix of threads on cordage, fire-starting, trip reports, and knife / gear reports. Trying to police a separation of 'skills' and 'gear' content would lead to frustration and the fragmentation of this community, in my opinion.

Best,

- Mike

 

[Stormstaff]

why cant gear threads go where they belong in Gadgets and Gear? i dont see gear as a survival skill.

Alas, the said gear is used during the skills and/or wilderness experience

 

[Iboschi]

Oh boy, another one.... maybe you'll last longer than Riley.

I don't see the point in announcing to everyone your displeasure with the current trend in the forums. Pointing out everything you feel is wrong doesn't help the situation. Yes, you gave us your personal solution which consists of participating less... how does this change things?

Your "Put up or shut up" thread was brilliant and I can already see the tide turning... but this kind of negative contribution drags things down in my opinion.

Walking away from a problem doesn't make it go away.

I admit that I haven't been participating as much as I could and have deleted reply posts, thinking "Why Bother?" My resolution is to not fall into that slump anymore. I intend to "up" my participation and try to make a few of the large, highly picture laiden threads that I used to do.

We are seeing a boom in new folks posting and there will be repeat threads, misinformation and the odd disruptive pissing match... It comes in waves. Lets ride this one out, instead of sitting on the beach pouting. (not directed at Kevin... just my general bitchiness toward everyone... lol)

I'm only being harsh because I enjoy this forum and hate to see good people pull out.... and I haven't had a coffee yet.

Rick

:thumbup::thumbup:
Peaks and valleys in life and all else.

 

[dawsonbob]

There have been some interesting thoughts posted here about what’s right and what’s wrong with the forum. I can see everything that is being discussed is being presented from several different perspectives, and that’s a good thing.

Some have mentioned the number of newbies on the forum — some might consider me one of them (I’ve only been here a little less than a year) — but it seems to me that the newbies are necessary. Without new blood, and new ideas, we’ll lose one of the things that make this forum what it is: diversity. Some of the new posters have been pretty good — and welcome — additions. A few — very few — others have been less than desirable: they don’t seem to last too long. Sure, there’s been the occasional troll, but they really don’t last long: the mods have been pretty good about that. All in all, I think that there’s a top-notch blend of people here, and it’s by far my favorite forum.

Yes, there have been some rather acrimonious and contentious responses in some threads but, overall, we seem to police ourselves pretty well, for the most part. There are those of us who are not at all adverse to mentioning it when things are going South and, for the most part, the people involved seem to respond fairly well once they realize what was happening (I may have been guilty myself, a time or two). They’re thinking people, and know when they’ve gone too far. When gentle prodding hasn’t worked, the mods keep a pretty good lid on things. That’s another thing I like about this forum: it has been pretty much self regulating.

As far as knife and gear porn: I love it. I don’t always agree with the selection being shown, but we all have different tastes. Other knives and gear being shown simply makes me drool. I just wish I could afford a lot of it. The thing is, though, that I’ve learned a lot, and I mean a lot, from all the knife and gear threads. Till I came here, I wasn’t even aware of a lot of this stuff, and I learn more every day.

I live in the middle of a large city. The truck’s broken, so I can’t get out to the bush as often as I like and, like Bushy posted above, the cost of gas would curtail my expeditions even if the truck worked. Even though I can’t get out all that often, I can still get out everyday... at least vicariously: I may not be able to get out for a hike or camping every day, but I can experience it through all the great posts we have here. Through all those posts I get to see terrain that I will never get to hike, see methods and gear that I wasn’t aware of, and generally have a good time without leaving my chair. I love that stuff.

Most of all, though, I love the people here. The camaraderie is simply outstanding. There are some truly great people here (no, no, I don’t want to hear any “aw shucks,” stuff. You really are great people). I’ve made what I consider friends on this forum, even if I haven’t met them in person... yet. Maybe I never will meet them, but they’re friends, nevertheless.

So this thread is discussing what needs to be changed on this forum. Here’s my two cents: don’t change a damn thing. It’s all working quite well, thank you.

 

[Millhouse]

There have been some interesting thoughts posted here about what’s right and what’s wrong with the forum. I can see everything that is being discussed is being presented from several different perspectives, and that’s a good thing.

Some have mentioned the number of newbies on the forum — some might consider me one of them (I’ve only been here a little less than a year) — but it seems to me that the newbies are necessary. Without new blood, and new ideas, we’ll lose one of the things that make this forum what it is: diversity. Some of the new posters have been pretty good — and welcome — additions. A few — very few — others have been less than desirable: they don’t seem to last too long. Sure, there’s been the occasional troll, but they really don’t last long: the mods have been pretty good about that. All in all, I think that there’s a top-notch blend of people here, and it’s by far my favorite forum.

Yes, there have been some rather acrimonious and contentious responses in some threads but, overall, we seem to police ourselves pretty well, for the most part. There are those of us who are not at all adverse to mentioning it when things are going South and, for the most part, the people involved seem to respond fairly well once they realize what was happening (I may have been guilty myself, a time or two). They’re thinking people, and know when they’ve gone too far. When gentle prodding hasn’t worked, the mods keep a pretty good lid on things. That’s another thing I like about this forum: it has been pretty much self regulating.

As far as knife and gear porn: I love it. I don’t always agree with the selection being shown, but we all have different tastes. Other knives and gear being shown simply makes me drool. I just wish I could afford a lot of it. The thing is, though, that I’ve learned a lot, and I mean a lot, from all the knife and gear threads. Till I came here, I wasn’t even aware of a lot of this stuff, and I learn more every day.

I live in the middle of a large city. The truck’s broken, so I can’t get out to the bush as often as I like and, like Bushy posted above, the cost of gas would curtail my expeditions even if the truck worked. Even though I can’t get out all that often, I can still get out everyday... at least vicariously: I may not be able to get out for a hike or camping every day, but I can experience it through all the great posts we have here. Through all those posts I get to see terrain that I will never get to hike, see methods and gear that I wasn’t aware of, and generally have a good time without leaving my chair. I love that stuff.

Most of all, though, I love the people here. The camaraderie is simply outstanding. There are some truly great people here (no, no, I don’t want to hear any “aw shucks,” stuff. You really are great people). I’ve made what I consider friends on this forum, even if I haven’t met them in person... yet. Maybe I never will meet them, but they’re friends, nevertheless.

So this thread is discussing what needs to be changed on this forum. Here’s my two cents: don’t change a damn thing. It’s all working quite well, thank you.

Very well said.

I lurk here a lot but seldom post, unless I have something to contribute. What posts I have started have been well received and I have been made to feel very welcome here. That is why I really like this forum.

The diversity of people who frequent and contribute to this forum is what makes it strong and interesting. Yes, things occasionally go wrong and we have had threads heading in an undesirable direction, but these are few and far between.

Where this forum is now, and where it should be, I don't know. We all have our own opinions on this. I just hope it never reaches the stage where people become afraid to post or to offer an opinion.

All I can say is, I enjoy this forum and its uniqueness.

On a final note, to Kevin. Please stay and share, and contribute to this forum. I know you are a mod, but you are also part of the W&SS family.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Let me sum up a few points I see here. Everyone needs a break from routine: Blues stepped back from moderating Traditional, Kevin needs some downtime from W&SS.

Too many people read the Original Post and then post a reply -- right on past the couple of pages of replies already posted, which they don't bother even glancing though. This brings repetition and renewed controversies. We can live with it.

As others have said, Search was not restricted as a bonus for paying members but because it is resource-intensive. Use Google with search terms site:Bladeforums.com or http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=011197018607028182644:qfobr3dlcra

Another way to locate topics is to search by the Wilderness & Survival Prefixes or by tags. Unfortunately, few people use either system. Personally, I think the tag system is much more flexible. It might be worth taking the time to add a tag or two when you post a reply.

Also, there IS a way to Rate Thread at any time, just above the first post on a page, sort of like the old red and green chiclets. These are functions we don't think about but they could be useful if we took the couple of extra seconds to remember them.

Threads drift. As they age, they may drift into bickering. Back off and let them die, they served their purpose for you once, let it go.

Newbies and the eternally repeated questions: WE NEED NEW GUYS, no matter how hard it is to answer "What's the best sleeping bag?" for the hundredth time. You don't have to answer it when you see a few others already have. Just toss in a "Welcome to Bladeforums and the W&SS!"

Off-topic and a Cantina. Ha! The whole subforum is a Cantina! Keep up the good work, mix those topics. Nothing is off-topic here that has to do with equipment or expertise in responding to challenges or enjoying the outdoors.

We could move knife pictures and discussions to General Knife Discussion, we could move threads on new toys to Gadgets & Gear. The reason they stay here is that this is a community of outdoor and survival enthusiasts and good friends.

What can you post that's not trolling or spam or deal-spotting? Ask me or ask in Service & Support. We'll be glad to clear up the confusion. Basically, if you are posting in response to an on-going discussion, you're probably OK.

Just remember the one big rule of any internet discussion:
You can beat on the topic, but don't beat on each other.

The same goes for the discussions themselves. If a thread doesn't work for you, go on to another that does. Let dead horses rest in peace.

Keep it friendly and you'll keep it fun for everyone. If someone is trying to disrupt a discussion, hit Report Post and let a mod think about it. Don't feed the trolls.

 

[dawsonbob]

Just remember the one big rule of any internet discussion:
You can beat on the topic, but don't beat on each other.

Spot on, Esav. That's so simple it's amazing, yet says exactly how to get along in the forums.

This place is great, just the way it is (to me), as long as everyone follows your simple guideline.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I actually stole that from an old lawyer joke:

If the facts are on your side, beat on the facts.
If the law is on your side, beat on the law.
If neither the facts nor the law are on your side, beat on the table.

 

[dawsonbob]

I actually stole that from an old lawyer joke:

If the facts are on your side, beat on the facts.
If the law is on your side, beat on the law.
If neither the facts nor the law are on your side, beat on the table.

I like your version better. Unlike a joke, it's a great guideline for forum etiquette.:thumbup::thumbup: