Could someone point me in the direction of the exit?

[iis612]

This is to be my last post/visit to the guage.
I used to sing praises about this forum, and the great people here.
While it is true, there are a bunch of great people here, there are also a bunch that are not so great.
I don't know what I did to piss in everyone's cheerios, but if one of the moderators could delete my profile, I will find another forum.
Why?
http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?p=857932#post857932
And that is just the most recent.

 

[Mountain Man]

What I have noticed is clique of senior members who tend to be somewhat intolerant of new members. I have been on the receiving end of some of it, myself, but I'm not sure it's intentional. Maybe it's more like learned behavior. I do know, and I agree with you, that asking for information already known to the Seniors Club is very much a no-no. You at least got a response; I usually find myself ignored. Kind of like it used to be in the Army...

Frankly, I have always found Google to be a lousy search engine, full of mistakes, false leads, poorly maintained and not kept current at all. I spent roughy two-and-half hours last night on Google looking for information on transportation during the Victorian era and finally got so frustrated I called it a night and went to bed. Ask used to be far better, but lately they send you instead to advertising sites, as Google does with greater and greater frequency.

I'm not one of the elite, nor am I suited by temperament to be one, and I don't know you, but I personally would prefer you stay. The more viewpoints and the more experience brought to a forum like this, the better...and besides...someone has to keep the Old Guys on their toes! :mrgreen:

 

[tetters]

Umm...if I may?

It's rather unfortunate that you feel this way. The thread you point too as the most recent, I don't see as condescending at all. From my own point of view, I can understand that its sometimes hard to not take things to personally when viewing a message board. However, one must also understand when viewing responses that we are all different people from different parts of the world. Given the situation, some of us agree on somethings, some of us not. Some of us have a world of patience some of us not.

There are also some who when hopping on-line get a huge helping of Internet Courage. (a lot like liquid courage a result of copious amounts of alcohol...) Anyways...people get on line and act like jerks because they can for the most part get away with it.

Whatever route you decide to choose is completely up to you. I've enjoyed what I've read for the most part by all the members of the board. Sarcasm and friendly jabs included.

As far as the bad apples you may have encountered. In my most humble opinion, the good people on this board far exceed them by at least 10x's.

Take care.

 

[ezdays]

Well, we hate to see anyone leave, for any reason, really. Bear in mind that forums like this are made up of all kinds of people, many comments are good natured and an attempt to be helpful, but may not be expressed that way. Sometimes people are having a bad hair day and the first thing to hit them they fire back. Once in a while, some people are just plain nasty for whatever reason, but I don't see that in that thread. We do our best to monitor comments that are over the top or are spiteful, again, I don't see that here. There are always those that try to suggest that someone do a bit a research and point the way, and there are those that are willing to do a bit themselves to help you because it's beneficial to all.

I say, stick around, there are plenty of people willing to help, that's what I find, and that's why I've been here for well over the past five years, people bending over backwards to help. You can learn as much as you can contribute, and that's what it's all about. Me, I always said that I get back much more than I give here. Ignore those comments from people that you don't feel comfortable with, embrace those that you do, but don't throw away a valuable resource and a fun place to be because of the comments of a few that you might not agree with. It will be the same wherever you go, and you will have lost the resources of the Gauge and the camaraderie of those here that you do like to be around.

Think it over, we will not delete your profile in hopes that you do see things differently.

 

[puddlejumper]

I didn't see a problem with the post you refer to. I think you are over reacting.

Dave

 

[sumpter250]

What I have found here, is a microcosim of the world society. As such, I have also found that culture, geography, coloquial speach, and attitude, all form our means of responding to others. What is perfectly normal and natural for one culture, within that culture, is insulting, degrading, or condescending, to someone of another culture.
Even within the continental United States, there is a vast difference in implied, and or percieved meaning of phrases, and words. Most certainly, there is a vast difference in "sense of humor". You don't have to go far, in the Chicago burbs, to see what I mean here....two blocks away is a foreign country!
My "crash course" in dealing with other "points-of-view", was 21 years of Naval service. It was there, that I first, painfully, became aware of cultural difference. I had to learn, there was no option for "leaving. I consider myself better able to handle life as a result of the education.
The "voice of difference" is one which is needed to keep "converstaion" interesting, and informative. We would be diminished, as a group, if your voice were no longer heard. Reconsider. Feelings can be unintentionally bruised, and, yes, sometimes intentionally. As in all things, we become stronger from our trials. We may not like it, but we do survive.
Pete

 

[Tim Crowe]

I can see how it has upset you. I wish you well on whatever forum you find.

Mind you a got called a 'complete ******' a few days ago. Like the good person I am failed to rise to the bait. Still made him walk five miles as a lookout on a railway site though.

In hindsight the term is correct - having helped to produce an IVF baby!

 

[yellowlynn]

The Zealot Gauge

I have been a member here for many years, even tho my number of post doesn't show it. I have asked some questions, some of which were so off topic that I was surprised I got an answer. I have lost a lot of memory (heart attacks do that), and I come here to get answers to questions about my computer. Zealot is not the place for that, but I feel as if all here are my friends, and, I get answers. Technically I should be chastised for going so far off. Perhaps some take offense at my asking some such questions, and well they might. But also, many recognize my quandary and do their best to help me. Would I ever switch from Zealot? Not on your life !!

Twenty years military taught me the closeness of friends. Retired over 40 years ago, but I never forgot the lessons and closeness of friends.

Please reconsider.

Lynn

 

[iis612]

I forgot something.
Brian, thank you for the books.
my email is iis612@hotmail.com, keep in touch.

 

[TrainNut]

...people get on line and act like jerks because they can for the most part get away with it.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[Mountain Man]

"Jerks" as defined by...whom?

It has been my experience that derogatory terms are most often applied to those we do not agree with, or those who fail to see the blinding wisdom in our words.

I'm sure they refer to us in similar terms.

 

[N Gauger]

"Jerks" as defined by...whom?

It has been my experience that derogatory terms are most often applied to those we do not agree with, or those who fail to see the blinding wisdom in our words.

I'm sure they refer to us in similar terms.

ya mean how when we're teenagers our parents are "Jerks"??? Then when we become their age, our teenage kids are "Jerks"???

You're right! It's all a Point of view!

 

[yellowlynn]

Oh, yeah!!

Now I realize that you guys would NEVER, EVER call me a Jerk. So why do I feel like somebody is yanking my chain?:mrgreen::mrgreen:

Lynn

 

[Ralph]

I wish members who feel they are receiving poor treatment on The Gauge would PM the moderating staff and express their concerns so we can help before they reach the point where they feel the need to make an exit and post a goodbye thread to which no solution is apparently welcome.

Ralph

 

[ezdays]

Well said Ralph. We are family here, and it's usually a good idea to talk things out. I know, I know, in most families people fight, especially siblings, but when it comes down to it, they'll protect and defend the other regardless of what's been said or done between them. This should be the case here. Walking away does not solve anything.

 

[slekjr]

It is my humble opinion that when someone asks a question you have the choice to answer it or to disregard it. If you have need to answer with a smart ass answer, you need to be on some other forum, otherwise just click off the thread. We know they are seeking information, that is why they are here. Have we thought what would be left if we deleted all the threads asking for information that can be found elsewhere?
If someone asks for advise or criticism give it freely and honestly. It will help. If none is asked, none is expected, so just enjoy the post. You may not be aware of the posters situation, he may be experiencing health or financial problems that lead to a somewhat garbled post or a bad photo.
Just read through your post and then reread it as the receiver before you hit the send button.
All anyone here wants is to be treated the way you would want to be treated.
It is the best railroad related forum on line, let's keep it that way.:thumb::thumb:
Charlie

 

[doctorwayne]

Matt, let me add my voice to those asking you to stay. I saw the post in question, but I didn't take it to be offensive - as the replier noted, he did give you an answer to your question (along with some unsolicited advice), and while you found it to be condescending, I didn't see it to be so.
It's very difficult to convey one's thoughts and feelings in a forum such as this - the thoughts and ideas usually come across quite clearly, while the feelings and attitude of the person posting can be easily misinterpreted - I have no doubt that Squidbait wished to come across as a bit of a curmudgeon, as that's his style. I don't think that that's a problem, but it can easily be mistaken on a computer screen, with no personal knowledge of the person posting and no voice inflection to indicate the spirit of the response. When I first started posting on forums, I thought that the "smilies" were just a childish add-on, and didn't pay much attention to them. However, I eventually came to realise that these are a substitute for the voice inflections which you would use in a face-to-face conversation. Some posters use them, others don't, but judicious use of them could certainly mitigate some tensions. Of course, not everybody wishes to be "mitigated". :-D
Please, stick around: there are lots of us here who are only too happy to answer "stupid" and "often asked" questions, partly because we once asked those same questions, and partly because, in my opinion, we are a family of sorts. Just because a few of your siblings sometimes act like wiseguys is no reason to run away to join the circus. :-D And make no mistake, some of the wiseguys are truly wise guys, and have a lot of knowledge that they willingly share. You were dealing with one of them. :-D
Personally, I don't think that you'll find a friendlier or more helpful model railroading forum than the Gauge, and I hope that you'll stay with us.

Wayne

 

[Nomad]

I may be adding fuel to the fire, but if you read Matt's thread starter, he said he only found a couple sites with little information. That means he all ready did a search and was asking for help. I see no reason for squidbait to respond like that.
Matt, if your looking for a good forum, give me a jingle.
lorenwhallatgmail.com

 

[Kevinkrey]

I read the thread, and it did come off a litle smart assish to me, but the problem with online forums, is that you cant tell facial expressions or tone of voice, many times a , is often meant as a :mrgreen:, which can cause a lot of , or in instances like this, some :curse:. Shrug it off, like mentioned, it most likely wasnt meant as it sounded, but you cant actually hear it, which is what causes the confusion. My thread are all this confusing, so please bear with me. Like Ralph said, its a good idea to let the Mods know if you think someone is posting in a rude manner so they can deal with it before it ruins it for others. Im a member on about 12 forums, and althogh the guage is usually the most unactive (the other ones are HUGE compared to us) its by far the freindliest. Believe me, there are MANY worse forums out there.

 

[TrainNut]

...there are lots of us here who are only too happy to answer "stupid" and "often asked" questions...

Uhm, there are no more stupid questions... I asked them all already.