My take on the last couple of days

[TouringMatt]

Why not bring back the old system and MODERATE it more strictly? thats all it needed.

I was barely on the old forum before coming to this one so can't comment on how it ran, but the bit about it being moderated more strictly is bang on IMO

My post count is low, I don't get to spent as much time as I like on this forum and when I do its a scan off the classifieds, then E30 Chat and technical, but from what I can gather this has all come about from the classifieds section?
Well if that's the problem, why not take 5 or so trusted regular members of the forum who can between them monitor and moderate the classifieds, it would take the pressure off Adam and solve the problem surely.

There has to be enough of us on here that are trusted and have the free time to do this?

One man alone cannot run an entire forum - not a dig Adam, but if help is whats needed to sort all this out then that's a fookin easy solution!

Matt

[Emotechnik]

Think this sums up the zone philosophy.

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ht=#191071

It's Adams zone, not a community...I log on every day for a read, been on the old zone as well, but only up to 140 posts.

Every forum gets like a playground pissing competition, and the zone is now there as well, but the mods are the school prefects and you have to do as they say, but don't try to do as they do as the post will get locked!

Never did think the zonewas a friendly place for newbies, used to make me cringe when somebody with under five posts would get flamed for putting it in the wrong forum, and these poor people had just got past the homepage of the "UK Largest E30 Community"

Listen to the Newbies and low posters as well as the regulars.....only this week a newbie said he didn't know the history of the zone but he knew of E30ADOLF reputation.

I could give some very helpful advice to the tech section, but I'm not willing to get shot down.

The one tech section article on setting tappet clearances really p@sses me off when it says set the tappets cold, BMW AG/UK has always advised on setting them warm, just because people have high post scores doesn't make them legends and those with only low scores to be the target of insults.

Must have cooled off since my last flaming, I never learn my lessons, so heres expecting my next going over, probably by the time I hit submit this topic will have been locked......

Imagen...you buy/want to buy a new car, and find the 'UK's Largest E30 Community' Only to find out that they cant be part of it..... thats a bit gay tbh,

Ive stopped comming on the Zone a lot latly, theres constantly new people,which although a good thing make me feel like times are moving too quickly, i occasionally stop to help/ask technical stuff, but i do do any major posting anymore, not sure why, but it seems to be the same with a few ppl i know on here

[Emotechnik]

Has Adam impelmented his threats of making the for sale and wanted section limited access yet.

Their seams to be a higher than normal level of unanswered posts, which would come from restricting acccess....makes you think?

[mrLEE30]

I personally have not noticed any changes, at least none that i have found to be a big issue. I was on the old zone and never carried my posts over because i dont see the zone a a place to show off how many posts i have made, i see it as a community and a source of ideas and if i can an outlet to send my ideas to. So what if one lad has to occasionally block posts and has to make decisions to enable the smooth runing of the zone, it very easy to critisise others and to be truthful the main reason i left the uk as people there seem to find any excuse to moan and shoot people down. I didn't see too many posts offering help to Adam.

relax poeple!

[Jimbob]

You can no longer reply to for sale threads, parts or cars.

The 100 post minimum count has not yet implemented as it's being revised.

[E30Mark]

I can see the sense in locking the for sale section, but the sellers have to remember to delete their topics when sold,

I feel it's a bit awkward having the no reply function set on the wanted section, personally i can't be bothered with the PM systems, your never sure if the other person has received them or not...

[A1BMW325iSport]

a lot of comments i agree with there.
my thoughts are as follows...

have the classified section returned to as it was with regards being able to reply to threads but have someone looking after the section and making sure people stick to the posting rules.
the idea of 100 minimum posts to start a thread in classifieds is good idea though.

and moderating in general a bit tougher on posts that are out of order

[SwirlyE30]

Still not too sure on the 100 posts for classifieds, i cant really see much good in that. But, it seems like theres a lot of posts now'adays that are just random sh*t. People not posting stuff in the right place, and just general bullS*ht topics in the Pub section.]


Ooo lets just get another 100 posts by starting up a thread about absolute horse w*nk, no digs at people on here, i know most of its all a good laugh, but thats just one thing that somtime gets me, although thats what you get when you have a Pub section i guess.

[Chaos]

100 posts before u can make a classified thread isnt too bad, but the idea of having ppl not even able to read the classifieds before theyve made 100 posts is laughable, and hardly a warm welcome to new members.

Ive had my problems in the past with Adam (all behind us now) and i dont agree with the way he has handled things recently, HOWEVER we need to give him a chance to "settle in" before we all jump down his throat. but adam as a suggestion u do need to remember this is a community and that ppl will speak out and do have the right to their say too. Oh and dont try and do everything yourself, plenty of ppl here are willing to help and thats also the reason there is a "zone team"

all that considered i have to say i pretty much agree with most of simon13's post too. Some of the things going on are ridiculous and do seem to be undemocratic.

one other thing, when ppl refer to majority views etc, yes there may well be 8000 members but they dont all post regulary. When bootyman and others have said it seems the majority dont agree ..... its clear they are referring to regular posters not members as a whole.

[Geeman]

Don't wanna be a nit-picker, but it's harldy fair when moderators can reply to 'for sale' posts, but regular users can't...

Example - click here

Need I say more...?

Post now deleted Giles, agreed that was way out of order, it certainly aint gonna happen again petrol to put out a fire ?? -, apologies for the post edit BTW, better than yeat another off topic in the thread. Ant

[StuBeeDoo]

I can't see the point in not being able to post replies.
Mods reacting the way they have means that the idiots who have posted un-necessarily(sp?) in the for sale/wanted sections (ie. just to "flame" or start arguments) have "won" and spoilt the system for those of us who are genuine.
Surely it would be better to have stricter moderation of the wanted and for sale sections?? That way, any replies that aren't genuine could be deleted. Idiots posting without any intention of buying/selling should be banned!!
I, for one, will not be posting or even looking at either of these sections any more - what's the point??
Stuart.

[Moofles]

no-one's said what's actually wrong with signing up just to sell your car (as long as its an e30)? is it that obvious that I'm looking right past it?

p.s. - I WANT A ZONE FLEECE! someone please make them!

[StuBeeDoo]

I, for one, will not be posting or even looking at either of these sections any more - what's the point??
Stuart.

I've just had a better idea.........
Scrap the for sale/wanted sections and ban advertising altogether. If the "powers that be" are really looking to make the place friendly again, I'd have thought that's where to start. The place is already going down the toilet, so upsetting a few more people isn't going to hurt!
The 'Zone is now paying the price for under-moderation.
No-one seems to have considered that as the place got bigger, the number of Mods should have increased proportionately.
......... And before anyone says that heavy-handed moderation is not the way to go, I've just got one more thing to say:
"Cruel to be kind!"!

no-one's said what's actually wrong with signing up just to sell your car (as long as its an e30)? is it that obvious that I'm looking right past it?

As I understand it the thinking is that it's the "low post counters" who are causing some of the problems.
(ie. It's a sledgehammer to crack a nut.)

[Jimbob]

I apologise for that Geeman, I was still unaware that the threads were locked up, and from seeing the 'Reply' button I was under the impression that it was not yet implemented... especially after 'celebrating' winning our football league that night.

My mistake and I do apologise once again!

[Geeman]

To be honest I can see what happened. If the reply button is there, you're gonna press it, and with being a moderator it will allow you to post!

[Dan318-is]

out of interest jimbob did u get the clocks?

cos i was interested but didnt get a PM reply from the guy i assume u got em?

[Simon13]

out of interest jimbob did u get the clocks?

cos i was interested but didnt get a PM reply from the guy i assume u got em?

don't post this sh!t in this thread! can't u see it's not the place to be asking about poxy clocks?

[Dan318-is]

[supercarrie]

don't post this sh!t in this thread! can't u see it's not the place to be asking about poxy clocks?

congrats simon! you fit the right profile to be a mod - welcome aboard! lol

[supercarrie]

p.s. it's moofles, sorry LOL

[MISSY30]

As said before if the classifieds could be Moderated so anything that isn't constructive could be locked or deleted. I know this would make more work for the Mods but I think it would work. I don't miss the bitching but I think there were a lot of valuable replies too, They gave an indication of how much demand there is and were helpful with getting more information from seller's.

I agree with having a minimum post count to place a for sale ad but don't think it's needed in the wanted section. I had watched the zone for some time and registered so that I could place a wanted ad for a car and bought one I'm sure well before I reached 100 post's probably even 50.

I don't like to post spam and on many occasion's where I've had worthwhile information/knowledge to contribute I haven't posted for fear of being flamed down so my post's have only grown slowly. It was said recently that a new Mod wouldn't be chosen because of there post count so I don't think that member's should be judged on there's either.

[StuBeeDoo]

As said before if the classifieds could be Moderated so anything that isn't constructive could be locked or deleted. I know this would make more work for the Mods but I think it would work. I don't miss the bitching but I think there were a lot of valuable replies too, They gave an indication of how much demand there is and were helpful with getting more information from seller's.

I agree with having a minimum post count to place a for sale ad but don't think it's needed in the wanted section. I had watched the zone for some time and registered so that I could place a wanted ad for a car and bought one I'm sure well before I reached 100 post's probably even 50.

I don't like to post spam and on many occasion's where I've had worthwhile information/knowledge to contribute I haven't posted for fear of being flamed down so my post's have only grown slowly. It was said recently that a new Mod wouldn't be chosen because of there post count so I don't think that member's should be judged on there's either.

Pretty much what I was trying to say, but better put!!

[Hap]

might as well have my say whilst everyone is. im from the old forum and IMO that was a far nice place to be, lots of help, knew a lot of people by fisrt names (not saying there are non on the new zone before anyone says).

This place has gone downhill, i dont come on much now as most of the posts are pointless and a waste of time, the other thing as well is you innocently put a post up and people for wotever reason start tearing you to shreads, but as i said a "bunch" from the old forum are still about and there are "some" nice newer members too.

i think the moderation has been rather weak and thats is why pople have taken liberties, for instance threatening to go beat people up, FFS its just an open forum, if you must criticise do it constructively or best as you can not to incite slangging matches.

whilst i appreciaite the work done on here, i for one feel its grown too big and this is to its detriment, the old forum had a much more "family" oreintated feel to it.

Cheers

Hap

[skidlidsid]

might as well have my say whilst everyone is. im from the old forum and IMO that was a far nice place to be, lots of help, knew a lot of people by fisrt names (not saying there are non on the new zone before anyone says).

This place has gone downhill, i dont come on much now as most of the posts are pointless and a waste of time, the other thing as well is you innocently put a post up and people for wotever reason start tearing you to shreads, but as i said a "bunch" from the old forum are still about and there are "some" nice newer members too.

i think the moderation has been rather weak and thats is why pople have taken liberties, for instance threatening to go beat people up, FFS its just an open forum, if you must criticise do it constructively or best as you can not to incite slangging matches.

whilst i appreciaite the work done on here, i for one feel its grown too big and this is to its detriment, the old forum had a much more "family" oreintated feel to it.

Cheers

Hap

I've been thinking much the same for a few months now, i joined the old forum in Nov 03 there was about 30-40 menbers back then, lots of help when asked for, and no slanging matches, people seemed to be well clued up on all E30s, when you post a query nowadays you don't get many replys.

[Razza]

Sheesh, must say I've been oblivious to most of this but I might as well have my say. I've used this forum for a couple of years and have a low post count because I only really post if I need help (or can offer help - rare!). I would be a bit miffed if I saw something in the classifieds but couldnt make an offer but I believe this is / has been addressed so is a moot point.

The assistance I have recieved here has been superb with even the most minor query being addressed and answered. Without the zone and my fellow zoners I would either have got shot of my E30 or (more likely) been ripped off by mechanics everytime she needed something doing. The help I have got from many of you is greatly appreciated and I hope it continues for a long time.

In my opinion the zone is vastly improved and whilst there are a few niggles I will continue to visit everyday - the introduction of the shop is a huge improvement. I don't envy the job of the admin and general running of the site but I think the powers that be are doing a good job.

Keep up the good work Adam et al

[Chaos]

how about having any replies to posts in the for sale section being held in a queue until approved by a moderator ???

this way replies can be initiated and spam is stopped.


Oh and whilst i can sort of see why no replies are being allowed in the for sale sections (not that i agree with it) why the hell is the wanted section the same?
the pm system on here is dodgy to say the least and now u cant even reply to a wanted ad in the thread - surely a major cock up?


had a thought about the lack of replies to questions etc, and i feel part of the problem is that we possibly have too many different sections these days and its not qick to look through them all ????

[Chaos]

no-one's said what's actually wrong with signing up just to sell your car (as long as its an e30)? is it that obvious that I'm looking right past it?

absolutely nothing wrong with it m8 - imo

nor joining up cos u have parts u wanna sell.


end of the day it aids current members who are looking for those parts.

[JoeP]

I'll keep this brief as I can't be bothered to scour the zone to get up to speed on this.
Surely it's better that someone signs up and posts once to sell something than signing up and spamming to 100 in order to sell something? Or have I missed something?

[320Touring]

I'll keep this brief as I can't be bothered to scour the zone to get up to speed on this.
Surely it's better that someone signs up and posts once to sell something than signing up and spamming to 100 in order to sell something? Or have I missed something?

good point, and one that hasnt been adequately addressed IMO

[Jimbob]

Sorry if this sounds offensive, but to contribute a constructive comment wouldn't it be a good idea to get up to speed first?...

That's a valid point however which someone has touched the surface of and has been duely noted by the mods.

[MasterBates999]

Hes a tosser si
and i will gladly say it to his face

he slates cars that people are selling when he hasnt even seen them

i think hes andy everett in dsguise knows jack

Hello Little Man

I will be at the Ace on the 31st, and you can come and see me! The person you are actually referring to is someone else, but feel free to come and insult me to my face. You don't even know me. It's exactly your sort we don't want here - your posting of an advert of Simon 13's car on another forum was disgusting behaviour.

And I was doing thing with BMW's when your Mum was wiping your arse.


See you soon!

[M5pilot]

This is the first time I've read this, I knoew there were problems but didnt know this existed as Ive been busy sorting out orders for customers of the shop.

What I have to say is very simple.

The Zone was created as an information centre and to bring together E30 owners to share their experiences and ideas. It was meant to be a place where it was all things to E30 owners.
There was meant to be no class distinction between mods, site owner and members. The mods were there as voluntary people to make sure a certain amount of harmony was in place if some conversations got out of hand.

Today, I see a different Zone. I'm not going to go into how its different because this whole thread has gone into quite sone depth about that already so I dont need to bore people.

What really needs to happen is that everyone including Adam (Site Owner), the mods and the memebrs should undertstand that there is no heirarchy (spelling?) here. Just because Adam owns the site doesnt mean he is some "big man" and im sure he doesnt think this either.

Saying this - it also means there is nothing wrong with people coming on here just to sell parts - at the end of the day they are part of the chain and they play a role - they provide parts to people who want them.

I think what really needs to happen is to open the floodgates of open speach. This applies to all parts of the forum. Its down to the moderating team to go in and delete un wanted comments - like in the cars for sale section. There is nothing wrong with making constructive comments. The other comments can be deleted.

My personal opinion would be to go back to the roots of the zone. Go back to those values which made the Zone grow at the rate it did. Go back to having mods that were highly active and who did an excellent job at locking crap threads and deleting what needed to be deleted.

This place worked and the formula for success was there from the beginning...........my vote would be to go back to that formula.

[DarrenM]

As a member not not usually a poster this is all too bad to read. Change can be good but it seems like you are breaking a formula that worked. One thing that would affect me is the "100 posts to place sell advert". This site shouldn`t be just about the forums. Place warnings in the for sale section (if there are none already) mentioning what you need to (the risks involved in buying from people) and leave it up to the individuals. You could even have a forum for buyer/seller feedback.

Don`t overdo things guys or you will push people away. I don`t know the issues in depth, but M5pilot is making sense.

[Wilson325i]

My personal opinion would be to go back to the roots of the zone. Go back to those values which made the Zone grow at the rate it did. Go back to having mods that were highly active and who did an excellent job at locking crap threads and deleting what needed to be deleted.

This place worked and the formula for success was there from the beginning...........my vote would be to go back to that formula.

exactly what i said in another thread, lock and delet

wilson325i wrote:

Adam?? leave it the way it is and just lock posts that are being silly, without explaing yourself, most people will get the idea why it is locked. imo just keep locking+delet they will get the idea.

just dnt change the for sale,wanted sections.... again imo

[E30Adam]

Can we put an end to this now please.