We have noticed lately the the forum has changed somewhat and we seem to be generating more complaints than compliments (I know I'm getting more PMs than I used to). It is true that all communities whether online or off evolve and "grow" however we would like this growth to be for the better so are giving you, the readers, the opportunity to speak your minds here.
Please don't just stay silent and leave us, let us know how we can improve and return to what made you register in the first place.
I look forward to your responses and will try and keep mine to a minimum.
Constructive criticism and suggestions welcome
The forum
Lev
In my view, a forum is a place to openly discuss ideas and topics, and therefore should be subject to the minimum of influence or control (moderation).
This having been said, without some sort of ‘direction’, it is too easy for it to descend into anarchy and become a place where off topic and frequently frivolous comment can be made, as seems to be the case, recently, with HHAD.
I don’t think that anyone objects to light hearted banter – even on some serious topics. Lately however, IMHO, many posts have been made that are either not related to the topic, which dig-up old threads merely as a platform for some ‘smart’ observation, or which are just a vehicle for people with little better to do than to attempt to amuse themselves with their own wit.
The dangers of over moderation and heavy handedness have been discussed in “Over 1000 members but only the chosen few post...â€
In my view, a forum is a place to openly discuss ideas and topics, and therefore should be subject to the minimum of influence or control (moderation).
This having been said, without some sort of ‘direction’, it is too easy for it to descend into anarchy and become a place where off topic and frequently frivolous comment can be made, as seems to be the case, recently, with HHAD.
I don’t think that anyone objects to light hearted banter – even on some serious topics. Lately however, IMHO, many posts have been made that are either not related to the topic, which dig-up old threads merely as a platform for some ‘smart’ observation, or which are just a vehicle for people with little better to do than to attempt to amuse themselves with their own wit.
The dangers of over moderation and heavy handedness have been discussed in “Over 1000 members but only the chosen few post...â€
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Neil Burty
- Member
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2004 4:47 am
- Location: Brighton/Khao Yai
......
I have to completely agree with Pete...
There is obviously a problem and that problem is what i pointed out in my little tirade. Having experienced the same attitudes, in person, whilst in HH.
The original post, an extremely simple question, would not have turned into this lengthy discussion, if these bias attitudes did not exist....
The culprits are generally cynicists anyway, of which there are a PLETHORA residing in Thailand and HH, usually of the Euro variety.
I just wanted to know if a Hotel was being built or not. Not a load of political bullshit from people who are not MP's....
Anyway onwards and upwards
There is obviously a problem and that problem is what i pointed out in my little tirade. Having experienced the same attitudes, in person, whilst in HH.
The original post, an extremely simple question, would not have turned into this lengthy discussion, if these bias attitudes did not exist....
The culprits are generally cynicists anyway, of which there are a PLETHORA residing in Thailand and HH, usually of the Euro variety.
I just wanted to know if a Hotel was being built or not. Not a load of political bullshit from people who are not MP's....
Anyway onwards and upwards
*** WE HATE PALACE ***
Neil Burty; you're talking about that theire is obviously a problem with attitudes here in Hua Hin and HHAD.
Here is what YOU write:
"Plus these plastic ex-pats, with no job of work, (unless retired of course) cannot even reside in the country they are so opinionated about, for more than 3 months at a time...(unless they risk sending their pp out/marry a dodgy bird/or open a bar and become a pimp)"
What kind of attitude is that?
Are we all pimps? Who is and who's not? I'm certainly NOT a pimp but you blame all of us ex-pats to be just that!!
I really don't find your reply as constructive as you want this board to be.
I admit though that you had a simple question and should be answered simply. But the way you point out your indignation is way out of normal manners. You even point out that we all are a bunch of cynicists living here and this you have experienced in person.
I don't remember we meet?
Don't try to put out the fire with petrol.
HHAD may have changed a bit recently, but please, with a little smile and goodwill we all can live and stay here.
You are sincere welcome here both in person and by writing and I hope we all are able to have a beer or four when the bell ring.
Cheers
Here is what YOU write:
"Plus these plastic ex-pats, with no job of work, (unless retired of course) cannot even reside in the country they are so opinionated about, for more than 3 months at a time...(unless they risk sending their pp out/marry a dodgy bird/or open a bar and become a pimp)"
What kind of attitude is that?
Are we all pimps? Who is and who's not? I'm certainly NOT a pimp but you blame all of us ex-pats to be just that!!
I really don't find your reply as constructive as you want this board to be.
I admit though that you had a simple question and should be answered simply. But the way you point out your indignation is way out of normal manners. You even point out that we all are a bunch of cynicists living here and this you have experienced in person.
I don't remember we meet?
Don't try to put out the fire with petrol.
HHAD may have changed a bit recently, but please, with a little smile and goodwill we all can live and stay here.
You are sincere welcome here both in person and by writing and I hope we all are able to have a beer or four when the bell ring.
Cheers
Its really hard to comment without knowing what the complaints are?
I'm fairly new to this site and to be honest, its become a bit of a mate!
It takes me out of the doldrums when I'm at work and is great for keeping me informed of whats happening in the place I intend to make my home.
In addition, I've been able to pick up loads of useful information about a whole range of subjects and at the same time, have a laugh at some of the less serious topics.
Sometimes things do go off thread and take on a whole new life of their own, but that seems to happen on lots of forums. But isn't that like converations everywhere?
Unless you have some sort of electronic `chair' (no pun intended) keeping order, I'm not sure what you can do?
I agree with the point made about the sponsors bits - there must be a better, less intrusive way of managing these - perhaps having pop ups on the side of forums, a bit like Thaivisa.
A small problem I think you have, is that because of the very nature of the site - being local to Hua Hin - naturally means that your sponsors tend to be local as well. So it can get a bit anoying if reasonable (note that word) comment/criticism about services/products offered by local companies can't be discussed, when it might actually be be helpful to so? Thaivisa tend not to have this problem as their sponsors tend to be larger firms etc.
Whatever the gripes this IS the Hua Hin site. There is nothing worthwhile on other sites that I'm aware of.
I'm fairly new to this site and to be honest, its become a bit of a mate!
It takes me out of the doldrums when I'm at work and is great for keeping me informed of whats happening in the place I intend to make my home.
In addition, I've been able to pick up loads of useful information about a whole range of subjects and at the same time, have a laugh at some of the less serious topics.
Sometimes things do go off thread and take on a whole new life of their own, but that seems to happen on lots of forums. But isn't that like converations everywhere?
Unless you have some sort of electronic `chair' (no pun intended) keeping order, I'm not sure what you can do?
I agree with the point made about the sponsors bits - there must be a better, less intrusive way of managing these - perhaps having pop ups on the side of forums, a bit like Thaivisa.
A small problem I think you have, is that because of the very nature of the site - being local to Hua Hin - naturally means that your sponsors tend to be local as well. So it can get a bit anoying if reasonable (note that word) comment/criticism about services/products offered by local companies can't be discussed, when it might actually be be helpful to so? Thaivisa tend not to have this problem as their sponsors tend to be larger firms etc.
Whatever the gripes this IS the Hua Hin site. There is nothing worthwhile on other sites that I'm aware of.
Talk is cheap
I have a problem with members who should know better, feeding the trolls - one of which seems to have reared his/her head again. If they want to splaff their shite in Foo then fair do's, but how'd you keep em out the main forum. For a small site this could end up a problem. As pathetic as it sounds, I know I was avoiding threads as soon I saw certain member's handles smeared all over them. I'm not saying it's going to put off prospective members signing up, but it's not the best advertisement for the board.
I'm fundamentaly against over moderation but this needs to be policed more closely. Is it the mod's job or can anyone have a pop at the annoying kents when they start their nonsense? Not advocating chaos but man it's been getting my back up recently.
Hats off to Lomu for finally saying what I was dying to come out with for a good week or so. Saying that, gotta be said that Lomu was one of the aforementioned members who initially responded to/encouraged the nonsense. Think we need a strategy here guys to avoid future repeats.
Lets get that troll radar up n running....
I'm fundamentaly against over moderation but this needs to be policed more closely. Is it the mod's job or can anyone have a pop at the annoying kents when they start their nonsense? Not advocating chaos but man it's been getting my back up recently.
Hats off to Lomu for finally saying what I was dying to come out with for a good week or so. Saying that, gotta be said that Lomu was one of the aforementioned members who initially responded to/encouraged the nonsense. Think we need a strategy here guys to avoid future repeats.
Lets get that troll radar up n running....
Never trust a hippy....
Goods & Services
Quite often you see posts asking for information and recomendations of places to eat, sleep, drink etc. These posts most often or not are usually redirected and any reply that is not a sponsor is deleted by the moderators.
OK, some good responses there, time for my bit.
PeteB
Agree with most of what you have said. Regarding the stickies I think I will move them to the main forum areas in the index page and out of the actual topics list to enhance readability.
Neil Burty
Your simple question did require a simple answer but there's no way you can expect your sweeping insult at everyone that lives here to have gone without response.
Norseman
Thanks for backing us up!
caller
Again very balanced comments, I will address the sticky problem as mentioned above. Yes there maybe problems if our sponsors are critisized but as long as it is fair and balanced we will let it run. We will not accept critical comments from competitors as it is pure bias.
Heebio
Our moderators (and myself) are only human (well, most of the time) and yes sometimes we do react. But as you say we should know better. More often than not moderation on this board is very limited, we only really need to moderate with persistent offenders, and yes anyone can have a pop at them.
canthai
This is simply not true. There are countless posts naming hotels, bars, guesthouses, restaurants and services that are not sponsors of this site. The few that are edited (never deleted) are usually posted by the owners of that particular business or are ones have been repeatedly plugged on here - this is against our terms and conditions. Ones that are redirected are done so because the question has been asked many times before and the answers are all already on here.
Keep them coming.
PeteB
Agree with most of what you have said. Regarding the stickies I think I will move them to the main forum areas in the index page and out of the actual topics list to enhance readability.
Neil Burty
Your simple question did require a simple answer but there's no way you can expect your sweeping insult at everyone that lives here to have gone without response.
Norseman
Thanks for backing us up!
caller
Again very balanced comments, I will address the sticky problem as mentioned above. Yes there maybe problems if our sponsors are critisized but as long as it is fair and balanced we will let it run. We will not accept critical comments from competitors as it is pure bias.
Heebio
Our moderators (and myself) are only human (well, most of the time) and yes sometimes we do react. But as you say we should know better. More often than not moderation on this board is very limited, we only really need to moderate with persistent offenders, and yes anyone can have a pop at them.
canthai
This is simply not true. There are countless posts naming hotels, bars, guesthouses, restaurants and services that are not sponsors of this site. The few that are edited (never deleted) are usually posted by the owners of that particular business or are ones have been repeatedly plugged on here - this is against our terms and conditions. Ones that are redirected are done so because the question has been asked many times before and the answers are all already on here.
Keep them coming.
Last edited by Lev on Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
In reply to Canthai
I was in HH for 3 weeks in June and have posted comments (both good and bad) on places that I visited in my time there (advertisers and non advertisers)
I cannot recal having my posts moderated in that time.
I think if it is a genuine post from people that have visited HH, or by people who live there, it is not a problem.
It is up to the modds to make a decision on who they think is not making posts that are not in line with the rules of the board. There is always the provision of a PM to one of the modds if you have a grievence.
The forum to is supposed to be informative for people who have not been there and a bit lightharted for those who live there, and I think that level is maintained in most cases.
Those who complain, should try themselves to set up a website, set up their own forum and see how long it takes to get out of control with the postings that are made and see what a big s##t fight that it end up in.
And before any smart arse asks, I do not have any links to this site at all. I just had a great holiday for 3 weeks made a lot easier by obtaining the info that I needed from this forum.
Steve
I was in HH for 3 weeks in June and have posted comments (both good and bad) on places that I visited in my time there (advertisers and non advertisers)
I cannot recal having my posts moderated in that time.
I think if it is a genuine post from people that have visited HH, or by people who live there, it is not a problem.
It is up to the modds to make a decision on who they think is not making posts that are not in line with the rules of the board. There is always the provision of a PM to one of the modds if you have a grievence.
The forum to is supposed to be informative for people who have not been there and a bit lightharted for those who live there, and I think that level is maintained in most cases.
Those who complain, should try themselves to set up a website, set up their own forum and see how long it takes to get out of control with the postings that are made and see what a big s##t fight that it end up in.
And before any smart arse asks, I do not have any links to this site at all. I just had a great holiday for 3 weeks made a lot easier by obtaining the info that I needed from this forum.
Steve
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Guess
- Deceased
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- Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:01 pm
- Location: BangSaphan. Laurasia. Sub thumb
Have to agree with Lev on all of this. Valued rational comments from Norseman, caller and Heebio.Lev wrote:
Neil Burty
Your simple question did require a simple answer but there's no way you can expect your sweeping insult at everyone that lives here to have gone without response.
I have to add my bit here. After reading the original question I asked everybody that I spoke to in order to give an accurate reply. Nobody at that time could answer. I have to point out that most conversations were made by phone at my expense. What I replied was a consensus of opinion from those I spoke to which was then seconded by Lomu. What followed that from you Khun Neil was I tirade of abuse. I have have learnt a lesson from this. In future I will not be wasting time and resource attempting to repsond to posters that I am not familar with. Kind of defeats the purpose of the forum don't you think?
Norseman
Thanks for backing us up!
caller
Again very balanced comments, I will address the sticky problem as mentioned above. Yes there maybe problems if our sponsors are critisized but as long as it is fair and balanced we will let it run. We will not accept critical comments from competitors as it is pure bias.
Heebio
Our moderators (and myself) are only human (well, most of the time) and yes sometimes we do react. But as you say we should know better. More often than not moderation on this board is very limited, we only really need to moderate with persistent offenders, and yes anyone can have a pop at them.
canthai
This is simply not true. There are countless posts naming hotels, bars, guesthouses, restaurants and services that are not sponsors of this site. The few that are edited (never deleted) are usually posted by the owners of that particular business or are ones have been repeatedly plugged on here - this is against our terms and conditions. Ones that are redirected are done so because the question has been asked many times before and the answers are all already on here.
Keep them coming.
My constructive comment about this site is one point only. The easiest way to enter a forum is by clicking on a reply from the latest forum postings. The problem for me is that there are only ten entries. It is possible that a topic can get some meaningful response and can be missed if ten replies to other topics are posted. The alternative method of tracking postings by identifying firstly the forum and then the topic can be labourious and time consuming.
I.e. I would like to see the latest topics list expanded to at least 20 but ideally 30 postings.
[color=blue][size=134]Care in the community success story.[/size][/color]
Guess,
Am I missing something? Every time I return to the board, I click on "view posts since last visit". The result gives me all the forums into which a new post has been sent. It could be just one new post or ten. The thing is that the function alerts all members to new subject matter.
Sometimes, there's nothing, but more than likely 6/7 after an hour or so and loads if I've been away for a few days. It basically allows me to quickly pick on on everything from where I left it.
Maybe I've misunderstood you, but for me it's the best way to navigate around this board if you use it regularly.
Am I missing something? Every time I return to the board, I click on "view posts since last visit". The result gives me all the forums into which a new post has been sent. It could be just one new post or ten. The thing is that the function alerts all members to new subject matter.
Sometimes, there's nothing, but more than likely 6/7 after an hour or so and loads if I've been away for a few days. It basically allows me to quickly pick on on everything from where I left it.
Maybe I've misunderstood you, but for me it's the best way to navigate around this board if you use it regularly.
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Guess
- Deceased
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- Location: BangSaphan. Laurasia. Sub thumb
Yes Lomu you have missed something. I am agreeing totally with you about the logic of the list.
To repeat what I am saying. If a post is responded to and then another ten post are replied to ten different topics than the original topic is gone from the list. All I am sying is that why don't you make the recently corresponded list longer.
That can easily happen in just a few days (or even one day) away from the forum.
Kao Jai Mai?????
To repeat what I am saying. If a post is responded to and then another ten post are replied to ten different topics than the original topic is gone from the list. All I am sying is that why don't you make the recently corresponded list longer.
That can easily happen in just a few days (or even one day) away from the forum.
Kao Jai Mai?????
[color=blue][size=134]Care in the community success story.[/size][/color]
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Guess
- Deceased
- Posts: 3470
- Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:01 pm
- Location: BangSaphan. Laurasia. Sub thumb
Sorry Lomu, it is probably me being stupid. When I get on to the home page, or indeed anywhere that I go on the site, that is not an option offered to me.lomuamart wrote:Guess,
I click on "view posts since last visit".
Are you sure that that option is not only offered to Mods or I am being "Jai Ron".
I get accused of that everyday by 'er indoors.
[color=blue][size=134]Care in the community success story.[/size][/color]
Guess, if you go to the main page of the forum, in the RH corner just under the sponsers listings, you will these 3 options, just click on whichever one you want to use.
View posts since last visit
View your posts
View unanswered posts
I may be an idea for the modds to add this Q/A to the FAQ section, to help anyone else that needs to use this facility.
Steve
View posts since last visit
View your posts
View unanswered posts
I may be an idea for the modds to add this Q/A to the FAQ section, to help anyone else that needs to use this facility.
Steve