[coastie65]

Actually the internet and by extension the forums are just a mirror of society in general. The same disagreeable types you find in the "Real World" you will also find on the net. The article did a good job of describing a lot of them. Several posts have added a few more or so it seems. As fas as the History lesson goes, we can dispense with that as well. coastie

[insanesameri]

Yeah, I realize that I really shouldn't have said that after I put it up... about 50 minutes later. I have trouble with things like that. :p

I agree that the forums are a reflection. Very well put [/sucking up to the mod]

[artzy65]

To tell you the truth I'd rather write in a 'texting' style... it feels 'friendlier', but at my age that feels a little pretentious... like an old fart artificially acting young.

[BGG001]

Not to encourage off-topic debates but I live in Wisconsin, somewhat on the edge of the tornado belt. we have about 3-12 tornado-producing storms per year and about 33% do damage (I'm talking about southwestern Wisconsin). I live about 10 miles away from a town that was annihilated (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barneveld,_Wisconsin) in 1984...So certainly tornadoes in the US are a big deal and can have devastating effects; however when you calculate how many tornadoes the US has a year, keep in mind the large size of the US in comparison to others.
Message was edited by: BGG001 | REASON: Clarification of detail.

[rgreen4]

Very well put. I don't think you can find much more diverse group than those among our Member Moderators. In all likelihood we would not have even spoken to one another if we had met in person first, but just passed by silently. However, since we met on line with our similarities rather than our external differences, we have become good friends.

We do not correct spelling, grammar or punctuation. Coastie has explained what we look for. I do believe the "Moderator" character was a self appointed, we have some members (a few who have been MM's in the past) who will point out errors to members, not in a self appointed officious manner, but simply pointing out fact. They will also sent PM's to current MM's on problems among postings. I used to do the same when I would spot them but was unable to do anything about them.

For the most part, this forum is well behaved. Our major thrust is to answer questions and help member with various computer problems. We have a very diverse members spread around the world with various skills and experiences. Our solution rate is not 100%, but we have a good rate of solving problems.

You talked about the violent storms present in the U.S. It is fairly much a result of geography. Between the Rocky Mountains in the far west and the Appalachian Mountains in the east is a large flat area called the Great Plains. Many of these violent storms come in from the Gulf of Mexico a large warm body of water and head north through Texas, hit that area and race across the plains gathering speed and intensity. Other storms come down from the north in Canada and hit that area and again race across gaining speed and intensity. The Hurricanes mostly form in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa just north of the equator and then come across through the Caribbean Sea and either enter the Gulf of Mexico to hit the Gulf Coast, or turn north and hit the Atlantic Coast.

Large increases in population along the traditional paths of these storms does not help either.

[insanesameri]

Well everywhere has so form os disaster, I get hurricanes. California gets earthquakes. And Nicaragua has landmines scattered all over the place. :0

[Shannon3277]

It's great to get to know people online you otherwise wouldn't, isn't it? You meet so many interesting people that way. Do you work with any other forums...I myself don't have a life, but hopefully you and coastie are different in that way! :)
it's definitely true IMO that online forums can be a slice from the real world. I've heard the whole thing about you never know who is behind the screen, if they are who they say they are, and that's definitely true. But it's been my experience that people are actually more real online than in life...the relative anonymity makes people feel more comfortable saying things they never would in 'real life'. I know I am more blunt online, or talk about topics online that I don't in real life. Or, don't talk about as much.

And the sites I moderate on and spend most of the time on are about religion, so you know we get a lot of conflicts! As to behavior, that is. Do you find some subjects or people you have to moderate a little more heavily than others?

[rasmasyean]

I think that it's true what you say about people being less reserved online and speak their mind because in person, there are more "etiquettes" and people don't tend to want to argue with others and hence are more political. In real social gatherings people tend more to be "fake". However, sometimes online, as in person, some people do tend to just want to argue for the sake of arguing and make up stuff. Except online, a "verbal combatant" has a lot more time to think about a response and make up something vs. in RL, you can stump them on the spot if they are truly full of poo.

[squishie]

GREETINGS.....
This is to inform you all, That I, The most excelated, highly esteemed , Your most holiness of self-appointed forum moderators, has granted you subject hood. You may refer to me as Mr. Wonderful. I have taken over not only this forum, but all forums of the world. Why? Because I, Mr. Wonderful knows everything and can do no wrong. You, on the other hand, are lousy and know nothing and just plainly foul things up all to hell. You are doomed without my wonderful guidance. I will allow you to show your overwhelming gratitude by sending me each $50 american dollars a week to an address I will later disclose. Your troubles are now over. I am here. Wecome to my fold. And remember......I AM WATCHING YOU......

[coastie65]

Shannon3277 said:

It's great to get to know people online you otherwise wouldn't, isn't it? You meet so many interesting people that way. Do you work with any other forums...I myself don't have a life, but hopefully you and coastie are different in that way! :)

it's definitely true IMO that online forums can be a slice from the real world. I've heard the whole thing about you never know who is behind the screen, if they are who they say they are, and that's definitely true. But it's been my experience that people are actually more real online than in life...the relative anonymity makes people feel more comfortable saying things they never would in 'real life'. I know I am more blunt online, or talk about topics online that I don't in real life. Or, don't talk about as much.

And the sites I moderate on and spend most of the time on are about religion, so you know we get a lot of conflicts! As to behavior, that is. Do you find some subjects or people you have to moderate a little more heavily than others?

Hi Shannon, I am a member of other forums ( MaximumPC & The Unofficial eMachines Forum ), I only Moderate on this one. I stay pretty busy and don't have time to moderate another site and it keeps my attention focused as well. I socialize with my neighbors as well as get together with friends and relatives to go fishing. We do not allow religious nor political discussions, although it does crop up at times due to something the PCWorld news bot posted. That can be a real headache. I think some people, when it comes to expressing themselves, can do so better through writing than by speaking. As for me, I used to Bowl on leagues up until about 10 years ago as well as spending a lot of time in bars. Gave up the bars about the same time, figured I'd wasted too much time & money sitting around in those places. I do sit and read a book as well as play video games for a diversion. I have my yard work to do as well and I do still end up spending a lot of time on this thing. I try not to moderate too heavily, but keep things in check. There are some I may watch a little closer than others, although most of our members know the rules and just have a good time as it should be. We have a "General Talk" area for just hanging out with a whole host of topics that you may be interested in checking out. coastie

[coastie65]

squishie, :D I'm not so sure that was necessary, but I guess we now know you have a sense of humor. :D Nothing like lightening up things a bit, but you should at least try to do it within the topic. :D !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1! !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1! coastie

[Shannon3277]

LOL the cartoons are hilarious!

I don't spend all my time online, either...I don't work outside the home right now so I am online a lot but I have a husband and five cats, and we go out with friends. I like being around people from different walks of life, but there are some subjects that can be sort of hot-button and thus we avoid much of the time when talking with friends and others in 'real life'. With online conversations, you can take a mental break and walk away from the conversation if you need to. But it's not always so easy in real life...especially if you are dealing with people who don't know when to quit! :) Maybe we should have a character for that...the person who won't let up and who constantly beats the same drum...

[coastie65]

Hi Shannon, thought I'd throw those things in there. I have one that goes with the Admin thing : !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1! If you right click on them, you can save them to your My Pictures folder or wherever. I have a couple of folders full of those gifs and thrown them in at times. Maybe there ought to be a character that punctuates their posts with gifs. :D You'll see a lot of that around here, especially in the hang out section ( General Talk ). We try to stay away from the Hot Button issues, but occasionally, the PCWorld News bot will post something that will get the trolls stirred up. :p Again, maybe someone can think of a character for some one who includes gifs in their posts.

[rgreen4]

Maybe "The Artist". But in all seriousness, our resident artists do it in a positive manner and have added a lot to our forum. In fact when one had system problems it was rather bland around here without her posts. We were all wondering what happened to her. She got us started on the emo's and I have an emo directory now with subdirectorys for small emos, large emos, and other animated. It's almost time to break this one out for the season:

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[squishie]

Sorry if I got a little off topic. Just having a little fun. I sometimes jump in with off the wall nonsense. Maybe bring a smile, maybe not. Confirms to others that there are indeed nuts on the internet. I too, quit drinking about three years ago after 40 years of hard drinking. That Sir, was a gift and by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I take no credit for it. So, with a head filled with lots of dead brain cells, I venture out anew.



Good job Coastie, and may God Bless..............Jeffrey K. Barker

[coastie65]

rgreen4 said:

Maybe "The Artist". But in all seriousness, our resident artists do it in a positive manner and have added a lot to our forum. In fact when one had system problems it was rather bland around here without her posts. We were all wondering what happened to her. She got us started on the emo's and I have an emo directory now with subdirectorys for small emos, large emos, and other animated. It's almost time to break this one out for the season:

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/

1!
>
[/quote]




Hey, That guy needs some relief.





!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1

[coastie65]

Hey squishie, No Problem. I did get a chuckle out of that. We all drift off topic at times. As long as we don't go too far adrift for too long in effect hijacking the thread, then all is good. I tend too inject a humor in my posts from time to time. In my opinion, a little levity from time to time in an appropriate manner is good. Have a good day, coastie



Oh Yeah, I also get a chuckle from your user name. :D

[squishie]

There's a story behind my user name, Has to do with my battle with bedbugs. Another day maybe...:D

[insanesameri]

Ewwww, that is disturbing squishie

[coastie65]

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1! That would be one for the GENERAL TALK area, although I'm not sure the forum is ready for it. There has been some strange stuff pop up over there at times though. :^0