Off-Topic Forum

Pretty close vote. It would be even more exciting if we knew the outcome of this petition had any actual merit but still very interesting to see how close this has been.

I miss a few hours and this pops up.  I won't rant but I will say a bit before I give my vote.  Just scroll if you don't want to read.  I'll be honest a few years ago someone suggested a block feature to block members and I really wanted it implemented and Bob was the first one I would block.  His posts would be quite redundant and it seemed they would cause quite a stir between himself and other members.  A simple question would spark a 20 page thread and devolve into a lot of hurt feelings.  One day he stopped posting and there was less stirring on the forums.  It seemed peaceful, and it seemed all was well.  I assumed he got tired of the fighting and gave up on the site.

I couldn't be more wrong.  He has been here almost everyday since working as diligently as he can to make the site better.  After being blocked he could have gave up, but he stuck around.  I only know this because I was quite shocked to get a message from him one day explaining what happened (and to lobby for inclusion of a new feature that would help the site).  He didn't specifically name anybody that caused him to be banned from posting, but he did name some of his allies.  I was a member that had some disagreements with him in the forums, but I also know I can simply ignore posts from people to prevent further hostility.

Since his forum ban, a lot of things have changed, some longtime member don't visit as often, and a lot less forum posts are made that are worth anything.  Honestly, the best forum posting lately have been reminders of how to do things the right way and if you don't know something to ask questions in the forums.  Bob asked many questions in the forums, so much so that people got mad at him for asking them.  In his defense, most people usually replied with "here we go again, ugh" or something similar instead of answering directly.  It seemed in a lot of cases he didn't like the answer, but he also didn't like the digs taken at his expense either which probably caused most of the hostility.

Some say the forums have been quieter since he was banned, some say its been boring, others say its been a lot less hostile.  Each may be true, but at the same time, more posts have had to go up telling people to do it the right way.  I'm not saying Bob didn't sometimes do first ask later or anything similar (doing things wrong a time or two even after being told the correct way), but at least with Bob he didn't hide it.  Many make changes and don't say anything simply because they don't know or because they want to craft the site how they like it.  While it seemed Bob did the same, he never let anyone on to think differently.

I'll be honest, the forums have been boring as of late, and its a reason why I don't post as much.  I don't think we should let him return to stir things up, but I think if the motto is to ask questions, it would be wrong to disqualify a member from asking on the forums when that is what you ask members to do.  Also in the time away maybe everyone involved has become a little more tolerant and accepting and its won't be as hostile.

As an aside, maybe adding a block feature for members to block others might be a solution or maybe another could be locking threads if they start to get out of hand.  Another reason Bob seemed upset a lot is it seemed he thought a lot of his posts or threads were deleted (I can't say), maybe locking a thread and giving a reason why would help a lot.  Finally I don't think permanant bans are the solution to someone who makes you mad.  If a 30 day ban is in order then I understand, maybe a three month ban if the problem persists, but not a lifetime ban.  Even then I think it should be decided by the members on the forums instead of just talking behind closed doors so to speak with the Admin.

So if you read all that I think you know my decision- YES! IT IS TIME TO LIFT THE BAN ON BOB!   Lift the ban on any member unless they've done something illegal or wrong (its a family site so wrong being something not kid friendly, not arguementitive).

Also I know Bob can read these, so you don't have to thank me for supporting you, I was actually quite shocked hearing about your ban in the firest place even though we didn't always see eye to eye.

YES LIFT THE BAN ON BOB!  This coming from a longtime member who is an L8 (might as well throw my weight around).

My intent is to submit it to Admin. It is his decision on whether anything gets done. I think many spoke out against Bob leading up to, when, and since it happened. I saw this as an opportunity for people to voice for and against, be it support, forgiveness or further crucification.

I will not "quote" your lengthy and well-thought out / written post but thanks jupiterhill. Very well said. You are one of those I always read posts from as they are also worth reading from beginning to end.

Well said Billy Kingsley. I agree there is no place for personal attacks and consequences are in place for a reason. 

I say no

NO, again.

I think a lifetime ban is extreme. I even tried to post a thread for him asking for any trading certain cards and it was immediately removed. I don't understand why? All the post said was anyone looking for .... please reach out to  Bob. That was it. And it was removed. Anyway I know their allot of senior members who are very condescending with their comments, To both new and older posts, And I have spoke up against it.

In no way am I condoning what he did attacking another member, But IMO I think lifetime ban is WAY to much. I say yes and put him on a short leash. If he chokes himself then its his problem. But I do know there was a lot of members were provoking him with comments and remarks that were unnecessary.

 This is supposed to be fun. We need to get back to that. 

for the record, i have been a member of this site for less than two months but i have been collecting cards, go withs and memorabilia for 60 years. when i found this website, it was the greatest discovery i have made in the last few years, i was immediately smitten with the work that has been done here and the vast amount of sets that have been documented. the ability to trade excited me as well as the opportunity to learn things from other collectors who have taken this hobby a whole lot more serious than i ever have. my primary goal was to get my collection recorded but i did take time to read the rules, f.a.q.'s and look at the forums. i could not believe that all of this was free.

i began to spend some time researching the forums, sometimes out of curiosity and other times trying to find a particular answer to a particular question. as i continued to list my collection, i found cards that i had that need scans and i found several sets that i own that are not listed here. these were areas that i personally could contribute to the growth of the site and i was very excited to be able to do something to earn my keep. my hat is really off to the ADMIN person for making all of this a possibility and also to the few who do most of the hard work. i did notice several senior members whose post's always seem to be somewhat terse and sometimes condescending.

as for bob, i have looked at his profile, not quite understanding what he was talking about until this forum string. i have no opinion at all about him but i do strongly beleive that being honest, polite and courteous with everyone is very important. those who are not need to be dealt with in a progressively strong manner until they either correct their bad habits or go away (one way or another).

the capabilities of this site are incredible, but i think the "rules" could be a whole lot clearer so that a new member can read the rules and know exactly what is allowed and expected. i am a semi retired civil engineer and typically deal with 8 to 12 different government agencies on a normal development project. each one of these agencies has an enormous set of rules, and it is my job to know these rules and stay current as they are continually changing. if i design a project using outdated regulations, i may spend several months revising the plans, at my expense, and also costing the developer a huge time delay. this is totally unacceptable.

making worthwhile contributions to this site is now my focus. i have tried to search the forums for help in understanding the un-written rules, but all to often, the search comes up with nothing useful. so i ask a question and receive some answers. the answers run the gamut of helpful to not very helpful to bordering on the edge of rude. i am 62 years old and don't need to be treated like some welp, particularly when i am wanting to contribute. please don't kill the eagerness of new members just because they ask a question that has been asked before. write a better rule book, this site is much more complicated than golf, and look how big their rule book is. every possible scenario is addressed, no confusion, end of discussion.  every forum has it's share of newbies, no it alls, idiots and jerks, but there are always good people who are willing to take their time to walk someone through their particular problem, whether it is re-building an engine or fixing a leaky toilet. my thanks go to those people on this website who just want a happy place to go to, a place with no attitudes or agendas.

still loving this site, jeff kennedy

I think a year is a little bit too long, because with this website, it is hard to find new things to do a little bit in a whole year. Forums are a good way to spend time on this website. I think it should have been like 6 months.