Can I just remind that this is a Car forum!

[dest]

I can’t help but feel this isnt the right approach, there are billions of forums out there in the world for every topic you can think of, this one however is an S2 Forum. Why do we feel the need to cater for content that has nothing to do with S2s, Audis, or even Car related for that matter?

One word: COMMUNITY

[S2central.net]

Mark - I was tempted to put a ban on all OFF Topic activity but it would change the character of the place. My actions last night are the best compromise I can offer. I do enjoy the comedy posts when they come along, but the dross posts break my heart.

Your point about latest threads is bang-on right though - it is something I also dislike... Need the Vbulletin gurus to help me work out how to do that, though I suspect a user specific option is what is needed ie users that want the dross threads included can do so. Dunno how feasible this is.

Paul

I can’t help but feel this isnt the right approach, there are billions of forums out there in the world for every topic you can think of, this one however is an S2 Forum. Why do we feel the need to cater for content that has nothing to do with S2s, Audis, or even Car related for that matter?

Also can we exclude the dross area from the latest threads page? I'm sure a lot of people on here like myself check the forum throughout the working day and use that page to see what new/updated threads have been posted since the last visit. I personally don’t want to see that list cluttered with irrelevant content. And it doesn’t give a very good impression to people who visit the forum for the first time either.

Don’t get me wrong i don’t mind the banter, having never met any of you personally it gives me a little insight into people’s personality, and can be rather amusing at times. If i had to name the most entertaining threads of the last few months it has to be the ramblings of Daisfunky and Pink Tie!. A little light humour is good, i just feel there is too much of it as of late.

Mark.

[S2_Dave]

Unfortunatley its not just an SQL query. It would have to be modified so it could be customised and stored on a per-account basis, and integrated into the existing vbulletin software.

According to Sonic, it's not as easy as I thought, but he did offer to help though!!!

[Laurel]

Well....Seeing as we're all being so open about our thoughts and feelings....

I do not appreciate personal abuse. I feel humiliated, devalued and shown a complete lack of respect. Thus, I am truly disgusted with some of the behaviour on this forum - I can understand the comments which have been aimed at myself, I will take them onboard and would have appreciated to receive such comments in private.

I apologise for hurting certain individuals' pride and displaying signs of having a sense of humour.

I also do not appreciate liars. It seems agonizingly hyprocritical to fire abusive, personal attacks and then say "of course, you are very welcome here".

Anyone who feels that I am over reacting are complete and utter fools. Just read the last 3 pages of this thread. It seems ironic to me that people are unhappy with me for filling up space with random posts when you have a massive thread dedicated to bullying, debate and pettiness.

I'm shocked. Completely shocked that such individuals who are supposedly older and wiser can display such behaviour I would only expect in a playground.

I've had enough. Don't bother replying to this post.

I am disappointed that a forum which has become sucessful in receiving an award recently and that is so "tight", is turning into a bullying fest. Before long, this forum will be destroyed from within. And if you all feel that I am solely responsible for the problems, well I am flattered. It's incredible that one 18yr old female has managed to make such a big impression on a whole forum of older men.

If only we all had a sense of humour and looked at things in a lighter view.

I mean at the end of the day, you are all talking about "protecting" the talk about your cars. A cold, metal, Mechanical, Killing Machine.

If Cars are the be all and end all of you, then good for you, they'll go perfectly with your cold hearts.

I'm deeply, deeply hurt by the comments on this thread.

[Ross]

This is disheartening...

Guys/gals,

I'm very dissapointed to come and see a further 3 pages on this thread since I last read it. I'm even more dissapointed to see that there has been some "high horse" attitudes displayed and personal remarks that I find down-right out of line made in the public forum particularly aimed at my other half.

I don't expect many to understand Laura - it's not an easy task and I can assure you that knowing her in person results in her posts being read with a slightly different attitude. Of course not many on this forum do, and therefore I can understand a little bit and disregard some of comments that have been made with slight personal intent.

I read this thread and obviously there was a feeling that some of her recent forum posts had ruffled a few feathers - this was obviously seen and picked up on by everyone. There has been a little bit of "wink wink, point point" playground-esque childish attitude displayed and Laura's quite openly said she'd rather any personal feelings be pointed directly via PM. Not an unreasonable request, as it is a little bit hurtful to see a thread that so many feel is pointed in a negative light at yourself.

I was inclined to reply earlier but bit my tongue and asusmed that Greg's comments would be an end ot thread. Opinions have been made, feelings a little bruised but let's get on with it. Obviously there is some disagreement as to where the rules lie as per off-topic posting and it's been kept alive. I came close to making a request the thread be locked as I know there's some tension on this topic, obviously some subtle references to Laura, and in repect that the general feelings have been expressed there wasn't much more that needed to be said without things becoming personal.

So Laura has made a post that is in effect saying (and making a joke as she always does) "may not agree completely but hey ho, no permanent feelings hurt but can we end this please". And ironically this thread has now gone down the road she intended it not go by that request - that is, to turn it into a public "this thread has has come about because of you" accusation. This was exactly what was trying to be avoided. Complete with comments that are a little attacking on a personal level.

I have to ask, why the hell are these comments being made when it's know that both her and I will read this? Could these comments have been either kept to one's self or communicated privately? We're all talking here about thinking about what we're posting before clicking the "submit reply" buttom, yet what I'm reading shows that either I'm seeing purposefully insulting remarks being made in the rudest fashion or that other's are hypocitically not thinking at all about how their comments are going to be taken.

Very dissapointed,

Ross

[s2driveruk]

Right, I feel like i want to post - not least as Ross is a mate and actually this is a difficult task.

I've re-read this thread and i see it as follows:

1) There is a general opinion that we need to tighten up threads and try and keep some kind of order, especially in the technical threads which is spot on.
2) That we've all got a bit slack on open topic posts and posting junk which doesn't help people returning to the forum after a few days or people trying to use the search function.

These are both things which are IMO good things to feedback on - and should be actioned. Looking at the general responses, thats agreed.

The divide does seem to be around Laura's (and others) posting style and content....and i think Steve's post was spot on.

You are right, we don't all know her (or other newbies that arrive here) in the way you do, but I think it's fair to say that in part that could be the issue. We may well be doing her a huge dis-service and for that I personally make an apology from the forum, however the responsibility is 2 fold:

1) That in a place like this we build relationships, and *i* think you build relationships through respect, content and contribution.
2) That we provide a warm welcome and answer/direct and assist as much as possible.

Most people who arrive here are here because of a love of audi's, particularly coupes and even more specific the 5cyl S2 variety.

Laura, in some ways (another...?) you're unique in as much as you don't own one, although 1/2 after the wedding day i'm sure and didn't arrive to share knowledge or arrive wanting to learn from others about the car, the history and the modifications for them.

As such your postings have been unique in as much as they were full throttle from the off and definately light on the focus of the car.

As a result it's caused some friction, i think to the point where you wanted out previously and then came back? Off the back of that, if it had been me, i might have refrained from that type of posting style and feedback and I'm sure it's not been deliberate, however as you can see from this thread it has created plenty of comment.

Personally i would ask the question about what you want from the forum/community? We have tons to offer as Ross can vouch and he has put plenty back in with his projects/content.

You are more than welcome on the forum and personally I look fwd to meeting you at one of the future meets but please think about what you want to achieve from a post/thread on here. We all know you're wacky and I spose that in itself is great but i'd question its value on a forum like this as it's about content IMO.

I've tried to be balanced in this post as i wanted to post in public, feel free to reply either here or via PM though if you have any issues

Personally i'd like to end this and move on, we've decided on the rules and updates for this place, lets get on with the fun.....yes we do have it here, honest
David

[amanda]

Ohhh for goodness sake I don't have an s2 but please dont let the fun police spoil the forum. I enjoy the banter as well, I think there is enough PC correction in life without it being done here!!!!!

[Laurel]

I appreciate your thoughts David, and thank you for being diplomatic and showing some respect. I'm grateful for that.

With regards to your question "what do you want from this forum", I thought the answer to that was apparent to all. I simply want to add my thoughts/jokes in the "open topic section" and update on Ross' situation when he is unable to. I'm also here to support him and to learn more about this S2 forum that Ross used to talk about all the time.

Ross' car has had no updates, therefore the randomness has increased which I am sorry for. I understand that I must keep within the rules and conform to posting only Audi S2 related material.

I have a great appreciation and admiration for Audi cars in general. Always have, always will. (Yes even before I met Ross, it's a German car and I thought the Rings make the model look classy) You're wrong about me having no desire to learn more about cars though, I grew up close to my dad and learnt to hotwire a car from a young age.

As for building friendships, are you suggesting that I should not be myself and basically read "The Idiots Guide to Audi S2s" before posting? Okay, that's cool. Perhaps you should add that line in the Forum Rules. (Yes, I've read them)

At the end of the day, I really don't want to cause contention or "friction" as you put it. Like you've all noticed, I'm like marmite, people either love me or hate me. *shrugs* Some people on this forum love my posts, some hate them. I can deal with that.

So after thinking about it, I've rationalised and talked about it with Ross. It's best that I leave this forum. I came back because I was asked and welcomed back. I'm sad that I did really, because I just came back to be slapped in the face.

Anyway, thanks for the laughs (yes we've had a few) Good luck to those random people who are like me, (You'll have the Mods biting your head off too soon)

Might see you at events, then again, might not. (Depends if we ever get Ross' car back in time - Corey, it better be ready for our honeymoon)

Well, this was fun, we should do this again some time.

Now, if you excuse me, while you all continue to banter and debate as you like, Ross needs some attention...

Laura
xxx

[dest]

A great shame

[Knight Rider S4]

Very sad ending indeed ..........not sure who to feel sorry for Ross or Laura

[BRY]

I don't think that Laura's posts are any more random than other member's posts that ask questions about cars.

What do we want the S2forum to be?

[Flat on my back]

Oiiiiii...

...and i'm from Glot'er...leave her lone!

[BrianSmith_S2]

As for building friendships, are you suggesting that I should not be myself and basically read "The Idiots Guide to Audi S2s" before posting? Okay, that's cool. Perhaps you should add that line in the Forum Rules. (Yes, I've read them)

can somebody please tell me what trhe rules are or where to read them

[S2central.net]

This has got totally out of hand now. What a storm in a teacup. I've quickly skimmed the entire thread again and fair enough I was somewhat undiplomatic in my choice of words here and there, but I was not trying be directly offensive.

I could have taken a really hard line and barred people for 'dross posts', but what I have done is essentially create a special area on the forum for the directly 'OFF Topic' posts - so that people can get into that if they wish. But that is of course a secondary purpose of the forum - the rest of the internet has millions of bulletin boards for that sortathing. It was frustrating me, the moderators and many others that it was mixed up with other sometimes useful 'Open Topic' threads in this forum.

I won't apologise for trying to keep some order about this place, cos it wasn't that long ago that people who owned these cars had next to no idea about what made them tick, and who were getting ripped off by dubious specialists around the country - which is why I started it in the 1st place. It has been successful beyond my wildest dreams purely as result of the contributions made by a wide variety of people here.

I created the original forum as a home for owners and enthusiasts to get together, share the knowledge, meet up and generally enjoy the cars and our little community a whole lot better. It saddens me to see such a little issue like this getting out of control and some people feeling like they are being attacked.

Ross, Laura - I am sorry if I have caused offense with some ill chosen words, but please try and see things from my point of view and you might see the source of my frustration. I invest a lot (probably too much if I'm honest) of my 'spare time' on this website, cos I genuinely enjoy trying to help people out with issues - and of course I get enjoyment when others can help me with stuff. It was not my intention to offend - just venting the frustration at this stuff getting in the way of actually enjoying the forum and it doing the job it was intended to perform.

As for the rules of the forum - they are available alright - think they are Emailed on registration actually, but I'll see if I can post a link and make them more obvious here. A lil update is perhaps in order given the fresh bouts of daftness here.


Paul

[dest]

What keeps cropping up, is how this forum is for just S2 related information.
Of course that is the mainly the case, and common sense tells you so.
BUT, it is also a community, which has grown very well in the past from what I can see/have read.
Now, with communities comes chat, banter and friendships.

I would like to see how many forums people can point me towards other forums who's priority is one of a technical/serious nature that DO NOT have an area set aside for chat/off topic postings? Of course they do, for the same reason that this place needs one; to keep chat from the main areas.
I bet every other forum you lot post on have one of these areas, and Id be willing to also bet that any long term members on them post in such an area too!

Personally, I think most of you on here don't even realise that YOU yourselves are posting off topic/banter yourselves in threads that are not meant to have it!
So really, you are as bad yourselves, but as you have been on here along time, you dont notice it, as it is again, simply banter amongst friends that has grown from being a good community.

If anything is a storm in a tea cup, its the people that are so hell bent on not having chat on their precious forum, when its been there all along!

If anything, these new sections are minimising/centering it to a smaller area to keep the technical areas clear of it.