The state of this forum

[Tony]

I understand that Tony. You say at the moment, so that implies that he didn't before, which questions why no action was take. Just reading between the lines, law does it to you

Action was take, he was off the forum for some time, I spoke with his father told him what was required for him to stay on the forum before letting him back on, and since that date has done everything I requested. I have difficulty with people saying they are getting constant abuse on facebook as well just press the block key and no abuse, simples

[BU07 LGO]

I have to agree with MW, I joined back when wmbusphotos was a fotopic site and can still remember the Coventry omnilinks when they was brand new and still in white! Fast forward to now theres definitely a lot of shit being posted and I feel sorry for tony, hes put his time and effort into making the site for enthusiasts but is now having to babysit and sort members behaviour out!

[Gareth]

Some important and easy ways to deal with online trolling.

If you are on a site with a block function (Facebook, Twitter, etc) use it. If using a forum like this one, remember that for moderators it is a hobby, they are not online 24/7. Be patient, use the report function and ignore them. Online trollers love an audience, if they haven't got one, they soon get bored.

[fleetline6477]

I agree that there does seem to be a recent increase in some rather repetitive topics raised by the same individuals who seem to introduce the same topic in different threads or ask the same questions in different ways.

Whilst many of us may find this unhelpful we do need to be aware that any forum, including this one, will engage people living with a range of learning difficulties, autism related conditions, OCD and other issues. Before making negative comments about certain individuals we need to be sensitive to conditions that some of these people may be living with that affects the way they express issues relating to buses. Styles of interacting with this forum that may frustrate many of use are important to them in the same way that other issues are important to us. Sometimes negative and reactive comments against individual opinions and obsessions only fuel them and add to the problem. Maybe if we knew more about the backgrounds of individuals, I'm not saying that we need to, it may help us to understand why they relate in the way they do.

I feel a correct approach is to report threads and comments we feel are unhelpful to the moderators and let them decide on the action to be taken.

[Stu]

I have to chip in with my thoughts as I mostly agree with MW's initial comments, though I probably too wouldn't have used such strong terms such as 'utter retard' etc.

I joined this forum in 2012 when it started, having followed Tony's old Fotopic site with a bit of interest. It used to be a great place to share information and ideas and have sensible discussions about bus related matters (I'm no 'enthusiast' in any sense of the word, buses are simply my main means of getting around as I don't drive, so it was nice to get some insights on bus goings-on in the West Midlands area).

But I have to admit, it's all getting a little tiresome at present, having to trawl through the bitchy arguments over silly trivial matters and dramas taking place outside the forum. As well of course the repetitive nonsense about change-giving and the new trend which appears to be endless questions about DDA-compliance.

I'm all for a good riveting discussion any day, but generally I just skip through the topics that don't interest me, and focus on those that do. I will just say these few things though (and I am speaking as a former admin/moderator of other forums previously, so while I am no mod/admin here I do have an understanding of how these things work!):



• If you have nothing interesting to say, don't bother. Don't just post stuff for the sake of doing so. A forum isn't a competition.
• If something bothers you or annoys you, then ignore it. If it offends you or breaks the rules, report it to a moderator so they can take action.
• Keep discussions on-topic, but don't just start new topics for the sake of it. 'Attention-seekers' never last long!

But most of all, just keep this forum fun and interesting!

[Liberator9]

I don't usually wade into an area like this, but again, I've been on this forum since 2012 and followed Tony's fotopic site with great interest for numerous years. The efforts put in to run the site and forum by Tony and the mods deserve much credit and it's a shame when there is bickering or petty arguments that start over fairly benign matters that clearly ignores this fact, and then results in the mods having to clear it up despite having other better things to do no doubt. I have noticed over the last year or two a trend towards the latter by a minority and also a growth in rather insignificant posts being made (Pensnett thread length is an example). I'll admit I've made a small number of needless, pointless posts over the years which I've been rightfully corrected for, however when it starts to exceed a level of common mistakes, it starts to clog up threads and brings down the quality of discussion.

However I mustn't lose start of the fact that the majority on here offer good insight on a breadth of topics, and the possibility of good debate, as well as being respectful of others. I thank Tony and the mods for continuing to devote much effort and time into the site and long may it continue, but let's try and respect their work by fulfilling the forum's prime purpose of discussing bus etc. related matters, rather than let it turn into a school playground consisting of needless bickering over rather trivial matters.

[MW]

I have to agree with MW, I joined back when wmbusphotos was a fotopic site and can still remember the Coventry omnilinks when they was brand new and still in white! Fast forward to now theres definitely a lot of shit being posted and I feel sorry for tony, hes put his time and effort into making the site for enthusiasts but is now having to babysit and sort members behaviour out!

Ahh yes the Coventry Omnilinks. That was when WA stopped letting enthusiasts in freely, as apparently someone nicked some of the paperwork in one or some of the Cov Scanias.

[Michael Bevan]

I've got to agree with some of the points mentioned. I first joined the forum in 2013 (or 2014) and it did used to be a good place to share information. Tony and the other admins do a good job running the forum. Also got to give credit to Tony for sorting out events for enthusiasts (such as the Farewell and a WA depot tour which occurred before I was a regular user of the forum). But lately there has been a lot of arguments and off topic conversations. People get ripped apart on here for sharing ideas and certain topics drift off (such as the exact fare conversation on the Hi-Ride thread). I deactivated my account due to this fact but only returned since people kept asking me to. With members such as RS, I got to agree with Tony. Although I had an incident with him a few weeks ago off the forum, I do think his behaviour has improved on the forum. He doesn't argue or sends abuse to people on the forum. He just shares information and participates in discussions. I do hope the forum can go back to the way it was before. A nice place where everyone can share information and get along. Anyway that is my opinion, I'm not posting this to attack certain individuals. I'm just posting how I feel about the state of the forum.

[Trident 4194]

I have to say the other operators section is really annoying me with the dda compliance vehicles. Also I have messaged winston about a certain member of the forum

[MW]

I have to say the other operators section is really annoying me with the dda compliance vehicles. Also I have messaged winston about a certain member of the forum

m
The change guy

[BU07 LGO]

m
The change guy

Wonder if he's money laundering :p ?

[karl724223]

Isn't it funny how kids see buses when there in school

[Westy]

Do us a favour.

If the worst comes to the worst with this forum, can the powers that be put up a holding page explaining why, as it does annoy me when websites disappear without trace!

It happened with the old forum before.

[Liverpool Street]

Do us a favour.

If the worst comes to the worst with this forum, can the powers that be put up a holding page explaining why, as it does annoy me when websites disappear without trace!

It happened with the old forum before.

You have our word that we'll give a written explanation.

Although we aren't looking down that street in any case.

[Tony]

You may have noticed a lack of postings from me since Friday, I am not a happy bunny. Someone of here, I don't know who has complained to National Express about me being rude to them and stating I am posting company information I may not be entitled to post.

I have been completely cleared, but my boss, who is head of engineering, and has better things to do has had to waste his time investigating the complaint reading a lot of my posts which he is not interested in as he knows the facts anyway. If you don't like me fine, if you think I have been rude to you, fine, but why would anyone join a forum for information then try and stop it?

I am also following our IT departments advice on security and deleting a lot of people I don't know personally on Facebook.

Incidently I do have permission to post almost anything that has happened, but very little that hasn't yet!

Rant over