Ajak

[kingmonty]

Dude,

maybe you should calm down with the hectic posts a bit?

[werner]

If I may butt in, purely from an enlightenment point of view I enjoy Ajak's posts, in the same light as I enjoy tibby's posts.

I know where both of them come from, so they can bombard all the info they want, it just gives me more information so I can make up my (private) mind where I stand on each situation.

[kingmonty]

well, there's been posts with very strong (and often rather heavily overtoned) political issues - especially inviting racist comments. The (now seems to be deleted) link to the anarchists cook-book was also a bad post. This book (actually it's a publication), incidentally, is considered terrorist by US authorities.

[UtterNutter]

I agree with kingmonty.

[JStrike]

I am really sick of seeing the same thing over and over from him. Cant there be a separate forum for him (since offtopic posts are still on the myadsl frontpage), or just keep using one thread instead of opening a new one every time he feels the need to sprout drivel

[kingmonty]

there's an idea

[Zippo]

Why not send Ajak a private message saying that you dont appreciate his posts.....

Not open up a whole thread to tell the guy to calm down...

[bwana]

Why not send Ajak a private message saying that you dont appreciate his posts.....

Not open up a whole thread to tell the guy to calm down...I agree.

[ettubrute]

While I also agree with Zippo in principle, there is one snag. I posted a rather foolish comment in the hijacking thread, and the next thing I know, ajak sends me a PM with a full newspaper story about how bad hijacking is in Pretoria. Thus, the only thing that will happen, is that our PM boxes will overflow!

This does not mean I want ajak to stop posting, but, please, keep discussions in as little as possible threads! Also, don't post articles, rather a punch line or summary, and give a link to the original! This is not only good for minimizing the time needed the read new posts :D, but also, it saves a little o the enormous bandwidth use of MyADSL!

[kingmonty]

well, I did think of PMing the dude, but I also wanted some backup from others. I've noticed some peeps are also getting upset with some of his more, erm, controversial posts. So, I reckoned if I PM him, he'd basically dismiss whatever I suggested out of hand. Don't get me wrong, I'm not telling him to stop posting - merely requesting that he tones the posts down a bit. I think it's great that we have someone that's willing to give the extreme *white* views that he offers, but putting links to terrorist/anarchist cookbooks and making unsubstantiated political outbursts bordering on hatespeach (albeit just for controversial value) is stretching it a bit.

[Zippo]

Ok,

Group Hug?

[JStrike]

He has been asked often before in the forum. Why would a PM make any difference. His stated goal is to get people to leave South Africa

[Zippo]

A PM could make a huge difference. It all depends on how you 'word' and put your point across.

His goal, well thats his opinion, you are not forced in anyway to believe this...right...

And if he is really iritating you, tell RPM and maybe he could send him a PM....

[kingmonty]

*Irritating* is the wrong 'word'

[Zippo]

sO WHAT IS THe right 'word'?

[Qooty]

can someone tell me what the monthly costs will be if i sud take out DSL192 and telkom my ISP.total after installation.

[kingmonty]

annoying.

[Zippo]

mmmm sumhow those words are very similar.....

Annoying - To cause slight irritation to (another) by troublesome, often repeated acts

Irritate - To rouse to impatience or anger; annoy: a loud bossy voice that irritates listeners.

....yea

[ajak]

You guys think I will post something like that knowing that you can actually get the info, you must be crazy, as matter of fact I also sent it to craigsa and his cop. But if I did have access codes to crack about any server and gain info on whatever you want without being detected, then you wont moan, but to post it or make it available will be illegal ,YES, so precisely. Posting that thread does no more harm than raising curiosity. If I upset any of you ladies I am very sorry.

[craigsa]

:)

[dominic]

can someone tell me what the monthly costs will be if i sud take out DSL192 and telkom my ISP.total after installation.Qooty - welcome to the forum - i suggest you post queries like this in the adsl section...answers you are looking for you will find there and www.hellkom.co.za

[Kropotkin]

I like his posts, gives me something to argue about sometimes :p

BTW the "Anarchist" Cookbook has been freely available since 1971. I think just about everybody who has ever used the internet has read it, just like almost everybody who has ever used the web knows who Maddox is...

[ajak]

I have posted some controversial threads on this forum I know but the message I want get across is simple, why make yourself a available to a system that demands from you that they have no right to, why let the masses dictate how and where you shall work because of you skin, are you not the driving force that keep the wheels turning. To me the I is a holy word I have achieved what I have achieved not with the help of the gov or the masses, why must I subject myself to humiliation, why must I help ppl to discriminate against me and my children (I have 6, 2 sets of twins and (a black brother and sister that I raised as my own from the age of 4) all of them are overseas making a good life for them self’s .They have also decided to take their talents and their families to countries that do not have the draconian laws that we have here in SA, where ppl do not demand from you that which they have right to, I will not be dictated to I left a company with my team and they have now folded, why ?because they thought they had the right to demand that which they where not entitled to. The intellectuals that left SA and are now working overseas, did not leave for any other reason than to be free from a system that does not appreciate them, a system that places nincompoops in charge. If I come across to strong it is because it really pisses me of.

[kingmonty]

Annoying - To cause slight irritation to (another) by troublesome, often repeated acts

[kingmonty]

I have posted some controversial threads on this forum I know but the message I want get across is simple, why make yourself a available to a system that demands from you that they have no right to, why let the masses dictate how and where you shall work because of you skin, are you not the driving force that keep the wheels turning.
Yeah, and I often agree with what you have to say. But this forum is hardly the place for this sort of thing. I could set up a *political* forum for you where you can post away. Note: don't stop posting: just tone down on the racial slur a bit - that's all.

[justinct]

I like his posts, gives me something to argue about sometimes :p

BTW the "Anarchist" Cookbook has been freely available since 1971. I think just about everybody who has ever used the internet has read it, just like almost everybody who has ever used the web knows who Maddox is...

Er what is maddox and i have not heard about the anarchists cook book until now... and iv been using the net 4a long time now...

But neway maybe im just not surfing the net looking 4wierd things...

[RichardP]

Its great that you have a standpoint and moral conviction...

How does the "Anarchists Cookbook" get a point across.. ? Posting media clippings WITHOUT knowing the facts just incites public violence... is that what you want to do ? drag SA in to an anarchist state ? then your friends were right to leave SA an go to another country.

You think the laws here are Draconian, then you have seen nothing my friend... You get arrested in the Congo for taking a picture!, chewing gum is illegal in some far eastern countries... and now you talk draconian?! some places in the middle east, its illegal to own a satellite dish, and now the USA is contemplating introducting a LAW to stop people receiving the Free Al-Jazeera broadcasts on their satellite receivers due to the station being "Terrorist based" and can be used to spread propoganda.

Cummon... get real, DEAL WITH IT.

gimme your bank account number - I'll transfer a few rand so you can phone lifeline....

Richard


I have posted some controversial threads on this forum I know but the message I want get across is simple, why make yourself a available to a system that demands from you that they have no right to, why let the masses dictate how and where you shall work because of you skin, are you not the driving force that keep the wheels turning. To me the I is a holy word I have achieved what I have achieved not with the help of the gov or the masses, why must I subject myself to humiliation, why must I help ppl to discriminate against me and my children (I have 6, 2 sets of twins and (a black brother and sister that I raised as my own from the age of 4) all of them are overseas making a good life for them self’s .They have also decided to take their talents and their families to countries that do not have the draconian laws that we have here in SA, where ppl do not demand from you that which they have right to, I will not be dictated to I left a company with my team and they have now folded, why ?because they thought they had the right to demand that which they where not entitled to. The intellectuals that left SA and are now working overseas, did not leave for any other reason than to be free from a system that does not appreciate them, a system that places nincompoops in charge. If I come across to strong it is because it really pisses me of.

[Kropotkin]

Er what is maddox and i have not heard about the anarchists cook book until now... and iv been using the net 4a long time now...

But neway maybe im just not surfing the net looking 4wierd things...
Maddox: The Best Page In The Universe (maddox.xmission.com)

Anarchist Cookbook: So controversial that you can buy it on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0974458902/qid=1127987327/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-1435487-9925502?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), bwa ha ha :D

[UtterNutter]

Er what is maddox and i have not heard about the anarchists cook book until now... and iv been using the net 4a long time now...

But neway maybe im just not surfing the net looking 4wierd things...

Obviously not long enough. 5 years is not long enough. From the mid nineties would be better. :D

Search for "Anarchist's Cookbook". Then I'll sit back and laugh whilst I imagine the scared look on your face when a SWAT team comes bursting into your house.

Scared yet?

:D

[UtterNutter]

But neway maybe im just not surfing the net looking 4wierd things...

So you just stick to good old porn then?

;)

[RolandD]

I have posted some controversial threads on ......I come across to strong it is because it really pisses me of.

Well said ajak, I support your views. Nothing wrong with expressing the things you believe in.

[ajak]

Well said ajak, I support your views. Nothing wrong with expressing the things you believe in.
thanks bud

[Zippo]

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH SOMEONE ELSES VIEWS.

If you are seriously affected by them, then ignore it or speak to them about it.

You think i agree with everything that is said on this forum?

NO,

But do u c me opening up a thread...?

mmmm :)

[craigsa]

Yeah, and I often agree with what you have to say. But this forum is hardly the place for this sort of thing. I could set up a *political* forum for you where you can post away. Note: don't stop posting: just tone down on the racial slur a bit - that's all.
Agree 100% mates i am with you and Ajak.(Tibby will probably call me a racist again.):) Yawn

[kingmonty]

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH SOMEONE ELSES VIEWS.

If you are seriously affected by them, then ignore it or speak to them about it.

You think i agree with everything that is said on this forum?

NO,

But do u c me opening up a thread...?

mmmm :)
for someone that is so against opening a thread about it, you seem to have posted much in the thread that was opened.

[Zippo]

I have posted a lot in this thread, yes.....

What wud u like me 2 do?, open up another thread to reply 2 u?

:)

[mbs]

As far as I'm concerned the opening of threads that have nothing to do with this forum's objectives, MUST be done circumspectly - in other words, think about the potential damage to this forum's image and the professional regard others have for it, BEFORE you exercise your right to post. If there is even the remotest likelihood of this, don't post.

The point is that you only have the right to say what you want, up to the point where this forum's image may be negatively affected. I have already picked up perceptions of this forum not being held in the regard that it should be, by precisely the kind of posting being referred to. That was the point being made in the thread I opened earlier, before it was deliberately spammed by certain brain-dead forum members and summarily closed - see http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=28133

To put it bluntly, those who feel they have the right to open threads concerning non-broadband issues, to the point where this forum's image and standing as a relevant, professional resource of broadband matters is being detrimentally affected, are merely displaying complete disregard for the forum community and its diversity, seem to be set on deliberately derailing this forum's clearly-defined objectives, and show nothing but utter disrespect for RPM as the owner of this forum.

[Debbie]

As far as I'm concerned the opening of threads that have nothing to do with this forum's objectives, MUST be done circumspectly - in other words, think about the potential damage to this forum's image and the professional regard others have for it, BEFORE you exercise your right to post. If there is even the remotest likelihood of this, don't post.

The point is that you only have the right to say what you want, up to the point where this forum's image may be negatively affected. I have already picked up perceptions of this forum not being held in the regard that it should be, by precisely the kind of posting being referred to. That was the point being made in the thread I opened earlier, before it was deliberately spammed by certain brain-dead forum members and summarily closed - see http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=28133

To put it bluntly, those who feel they have the right to open threads concerning non-broadband issues, to the point where this forum's image and standing as a relevant, professional resource of broadband matters is being detrimentally affected, are merely displaying complete disregard for the forum community and its diversity, seem to be set on deliberately derailing this forum's clearly-defined objectives, and show nothing but utter disrespect for RPM as the owner of this forum.

Exactly. ajak's threads add nothing to the forum except to degrade it and to incite bad relationships between members. And on top of it, he preaches that people must leave SA if they want a good life, but then fails to follow his own advice.

It's a good thing I'm not rpm, because quite honestly I would have banned the guy a long time ago.

[BTTB]

.

[RolandD]

I wish people would stop b!tching about threads in the off-topic section that has nothing to do with broadband. You don't see me complain about ***** like Thread Killer and that Decoder ring thing. Just because some people express views thats not in line with your own is no reason to have them banned. It seems some people are only happy if they can attack someone else over the internet. Wow, that's really brave, I bet none of you have ever picked a fight face to face with a real person.

In the end people should be free to say anything they want, unless forbidden by the forum rules/owner. It seems there are too many wannabe moderators out there.

And as it has been said a brazillian times before, if you don't like it, don't post in it or don't read it.

[bwana]

I wish people would stop b!tching about threads in the off-topic section that has nothing to do with broadband. You don't see me complain about ***** like Thread Killer and that Decoder ring thing. Good point - good for the goose, good for the gander. You want to post to them by all means do so but dont turn around and start preaching about relevancy.

[mbs]

To the last 3 posters: just take it a step further, please - it's got nothing to do with 'off-topic' or issues of relevancy. This is the same misconception that was apparent in the other closed thread. I for one will not accept that those who open threads containing the kind of content being referred to, are oblivious to the fact that it will damage this forum's image - perhaps they're somewhat short-sighted, that's all. And that is the appeal being made: THINK about the potentially damaging consequences to this forum's reputation and professional image, before you open the thread or post in another, for that matter.

[munwaal]

So what's the point of the off-topic section, exactly? If this forum is strictly for broadband, then no off-topic section should exist, as the name alone implies that topics posted in this section are NOT related broadband. While we're at it, let's kill the games section too, as these discussions are often related to games that aren't even played online. Let's kill off the hardware section as well as the employment section. Let's moderate the news section too, since a lot of the news articles in there are not related to broadband either.

The problem is that broadband and government policy go hand in hand. This will naturally lead to criticism of the government and will spill over into other areas of their governance. I agree that this is not the place for the type of right-wing crap that ajax posts, but come on people, stop being so bloody anal.

[mbs]

*sigh*
non-damaging off-topic = OK
damaging off-topic = NOT OK
non-damaging = no affect on forum image
damaging = negative affect on forum image
geddit?

[Kropotkin]

*sigh*
non-damaging off-topic = OK
damaging off-topic = NOT OK
non-damaging = no affect on forum image
damaging = negative affect on forum image
geddit?
The problem is that there is no way to determine if a specific post is damaging, unless you have access to some kind of absolute moral compass. :D

[munwaal]

*sigh*
non-damaging off-topic = OK
damaging off-topic = NOT OK
non-damaging = no affect on forum image
damaging = negative affect on forum image
geddit?

Can you please point me to a post that explicity defines what is considered a damaging post?

[mbs]

For the last two posters - precisely the problem, which is why I initially asked for a poll amongst forum members, in an attempt to determine whether forumites believed this to be of sufficient concern to warrant conscious and deliberate moderation. That would've established a standard of sorts, at least. In any circumstance it is extremely difficult to counter perceptions, but it is those very perceptions that do damage to this forum - as I've said previously, I've picked this up in passing from those who count in this context. In the absence of anything else, one can only rely on the intelligence of forum members and appeal to their commitment to the achievement of this forum's objectives, failing which they should go elsewhere.

[Zippo]

This is not really a place where ppl come to fight,
It is a place where ppl come to express their views and sumtimes others dont agee with those views, so there is a little bit of arguing...

I think that this thread shud be closed and in the future, if u have a problem with sumone elses posts then PM them or speak to RPM...

Goodbye :)

[justinct]

I see now i have been to maddox... its a cool site.

Iv been on the net since 1997 maybe 1996, but neway.

Ye the anarchists cookbook is interesting.
Like SA has any kind of intelligence anyway to come find me cos i read about how to build a bomb...plz, they more interested in things like assasination attempts on mugabe and mbeki to care.

Neway
Thanks 4the sites :p now my warped mind can force me to become a serial killer and a terrorist.
J

[kingmonty]

I for one will not accept that those who open threads containing the kind of content being referred to, are oblivious to the fact that it will damage this forum's image - perhaps they're somewhat short-sighted, that's all.
What r u smoking? I directed a simple "tone-down" request to ajak and now all of you are going on about various issues that really are unrelated. I for one am not oblivious to potentially damaging threads, and feel that some of ajaks posts were a touch on the controversial side.

sheesh. Potato chips with tomato sauce.

[kingmonty]

This is not really a place where ppl come to fight,
It is a place where ppl come to express their views and sumtimes others dont agee with those views, so there is a little bit of arguing...

I think that this thread shud be closed and in the future, if u have a problem with sumone elses posts then PM them or speak to RPM...

Goodbye :)
whatever man.

[mbs]

No criticism of you, kingmonty - in fact all kudos to you for having the courage to speak out on this issue. Potato chips and tomato sauce - the best, provided it's slap-chips and they're hot, and the tomato sauce is cold...

[ajak]

Who do we ask if we can open a thread, if it is ok or not,will there always be somone on duty to give us the go ahead or not,can we phone,or sms such a person.Your imput please

[Zippo]

Kingmonty, Y u say 'whatever man'?

u 'king' of this thread so have more input plz...or dont u know wat to say?

[ajak]

I`F toned it down, but my engine is at 9,000rpm

[Zippo]

Ajak, keep posting m8

Dont listen to these ppl

:)

[dominic]

Who do we ask if we can open a thread, if it is ok or not,will there always be somone on duty to give us the go ahead or not,can we phone,or sms such a person.Your imput pleaseajak - the only answer to that is that you have to do it - ask yourself. i think you have picked up that there are some folk on the forum who feel uncomfortable with some of your posts (or maybe it is a case of too much of the same?). It seems clear from all the discussions around off topic posts that there are a variety of views held by forumites and that it is unrealistic to expect the mods to police this area. So be guided by the responses of others e.g. kingmonty in starting this thread obviously feels a certain way and you should take that into account (even if after thinking about it you don't agree and choose to disregard it).

we all bring something different to the forum & this is its major strength but it is also a potential weakness because as a forum there is something we are all united in trying to achieve

[MaryJane]

Who do we ask if we can open a thread, if it is ok or not,will there always be somone on duty to give us the go ahead or not,can we phone,or sms such a person.Your imput please

I agree with dominic.

We should be mindful that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, within reason. Just because someone has a different view than you it does not warrant a flame war. When I get a bit hot under the collar, I watch the tone of my post or I choose not to post at all if I have nothing of value to say.

I feel that rpm and the moderators are doing a superb job. If I were a mod, I would just delete all threads that reduce the professionalism of the forum.

[WiseCrack]

And the brain clearly at 0 rpm.
Eish Debbie for a supposedly intelligent woman this remark sounds a little unnecessary.

[mbs]

*chortle* It's called a WiseCrack...

[munwaal]

Eish Debbie for a supposedly intelligent woman this remark sounds a little unnecessary.

but funny none the less! :p

[kingmonty]

Kingmonty, Y u say 'whatever man'?

u 'king' of this thread so have more input plz...or dont u know wat to say?
I say whatever because: Someone asked me about PMing ajak directly rather than opening a thread. I have addressed said issue with a response I (and others) felt adequate. Yet, even throughout this thread you still raise that very same issue?

Once again, for everyone who is still confised why I posted a thread rather than PMing ajak:

1) I wanted some forumites input, which (considering how this thread has grown) I have received.
2) I felt that this message about "toning down the posts" would be taken to heart with multiple inputs rather than a PM which would have been disregarded.
3) I wished to have all in disagreement view their reasons.

So, hopefully to draw conclusion to this matter now that it appears to have some people up in arms, I will state the following:
Everyone who posts in the off topic section of this forum, cool, and thanks for participating. Everyone that consistently bitches about the off topic section. Chill, and stop reading it.

I did not tell or hint or ask or request ajak to stop posting anything. I merely requested that he tones down the often racist and rather impossibly lengthy posts. I'll repeat for the hard of reading: I did not tell, request, hint or ask ajak in any way to stop posting anything

Ajak: no offence (though I don't think you took any anyway). Anyone else who disagrees with me. Cool. Anyone who does agree with me. Cool. Everyone else, have a coke and a smile and....

[ajak]

I am going to see my witch doctor so that we can pray on this matter, my spirit is in need of some muti.Stay safe all ye saved souls I`LL BE BACK

[RichardP]

*** Flush *** , down the drain MyADSL goes, in to the U-bend of the internet.. where the scumm gathers and festers until it can take it no more. BOOM! it explodes in a huge spray of Turmoil and dis-repute... alas, its no-more.

Richard

[ajak]

Eish Debbie for a supposedly intelligent woman this remark sounds a little unnecessary.

shame die voorbarigheid van die jeug,ai tog die persoon is die enigste een met n bietjie brains(al die ander mense het baie)

As Debbie said brain at 0 rpm check me out if I get revved up(BIG LOCK ON THE THREAD) jissi boet

[RichardP]

Cant the creators of vBulletin create an "Idiot filter" then each user can add a "ignore" for themselves and put this argument to bed?

Richard

[dominic]

Cant the creators of vBulletin create an "Idiot filter" then each user can add a "ignore" for themselves and put this argument to bed?

Richard:D - growing pains - pure and simple

all you can do based on your feeling towards this here debate is take responsibility for yourself and your personal sphere of influence

[vlooi]

AJAK you must stop posting you idiot,someone is going to give you a "vet klap"

[MaryJane]

AJAK you must stop posting you idiot,someone is going to give you a "vet klap"

This is exactly the type of thing that I was referring to.

[munwaal]

/me waits for this thread to turn into a flame war.

[thisgeek]

Hey guys, why don't you just be liberal with your ignore list if people piss you off?

User CP->Buddy/Ignore lists->Add name to ignore list->update

Problem solved.

[ajak]

Hey guys, why don't you just be liberal with your ignore list if people piss you off?

User CP->Buddy/Ignore lists->Add name to ignore list->update

Problem solved.
DON'T UPSET ME! I'M RUNNING OUT OF PLACES TO HIDE THE BODIES

[munwaal]

sorry baas ekke sal hom die mooi post maak,die baas of die miessies moet nie ajak kom klap nie.

Now was that really necessary?

[ajak]

Now was that really necessary?
jisslaaik boet lanklaas van jou gehoor,hoesit ou chom,ja die manne gee my gas,maar jy weet mos ons boere is maar taai,lekker om jou geskryf weer te lees,cheers.

[vlooi]

Me thinks ajak is ok,if some of you dont like his posts,dont read it,but it seem to me that what he says (some of the time)is very true

[antowan]

Cant the creators of vBulletin create an "Idiot filter" then each user can add a "ignore" for themselves and put this argument to bed?

Richard

This forum does have an IGNORE function... :)

[antowan]

*** Flush *** , down the drain MyADSL goes, in to the U-bend of the internet.. where the scumm gathers and festers until it can take it no more. BOOM! it explodes in a huge spray of Turmoil and dis-repute... alas, its no-more.

Richard

A bit dramatic. Not so?

[RichardP]

A bit dramatic. Not so?

yes, very dramatic ;-)
but without laws, there is anarchy.

What message wants to be portrayed?, as I want it to be - "MyADSL, the definitive source of Telecoms issues" .... but currently I read

MyADSL, the hangout grounds for dissendents, propoganda spreading and whining disgruntled South Africans.

Imagine a news headline from reuters....."According to MyADSL, telkom has lost a court case etc etc" (I am dreaming.. yes)

Can anyone here say that any of the information is credible? (20% maybe)



Richard

[tibby.dude]

And on top of it, he preaches that people must leave SA if they want a good life, but then fails to follow his own advice.

Folks like Ajak are just loudmouth cowardly hypocrites :).

[craigsa]

Yawn @ Tibby

[antowan]

yes, very dramatic ;-)
but without laws, there is anarchy.

What message wants to be portrayed?, as I want it to be - "MyADSL, the definitive source of Telecoms issues" .... but currently I read

MyADSL, the hangout grounds for dissendents, propoganda spreading and whining disgruntled South Africans.

Imagine a news headline from reuters....."According to MyADSL, telkom has lost a court case etc etc" (I am dreaming.. yes)

Can anyone here say that any of the information is credible? (20% maybe)

Richard

This is a forum RichardP and this is the Off Topic section. There is a reason it was created. To keep this stuff out of the main forum sections... Off Topic is as old as the Internet itself and can be found in most great forums in one form or another. It is important for people to understand that Off Topic can and never will be a measure of the forum. The main forum sections are!

I hate telling people to relax, but whenever we spot something truly out of hand it gets dealt with quickly. Moderation on this forum is strong but perhaps not as strong as some people would like. Many people say strong moderation makes a good forum. I agree with that but would add that strong and well thought out moderation makes a good forum. Just because we don't delete everything doesn't mean we are slack or agree with the content we might leave intact.

We try to be as neutral as possible, which unfortunately means we must have a great deal of respect for the Off Topic section too...

[RichardP]

So be it ;-) I respet all the decisions made.. I really dont give a flying continental about Off-Topic, its the subject matter being presented... and there is no consistency between moderating and forumites.

Yes, its Off Topic, so anything goes - but then the reputaion goes with it. I have stated numerous times that there is a big line betweed Moderating and Censorship....

If I wanted what Mugabe was doing, then I will go to news24.com, but it seems that those sites are allways cross-posted here... (I can get my daily news and some adsl stuff in one go.. a cost saver!). I am not against Ajak or anyone else... but I am against the person that uses a "mass gathering" as a Soapbox for a personal agenda. There is enough negative thins on the planet... but I think there are more positive things out there!

Using the guise of "Off Topic" to spread false rumours is really low down.. below pond-scumm on the evolutionary scale.

I am a guest in the MyADSL house and it looks like I have out-stayed my welcome

Thanks, its been great
Richard


This is a forum RichardP and this is the Off Topic section. There is a reason it was created. To keep this stuff out of the main forum sections... Off Topic is as old as the Internet itself and can be found in most great forums in one form or another. It is important for people to understand that Off Topic can and never will be a measure of the forum. The main forum sections are!

I hate telling people to relax, but whenever we spot something truly out of hand it gets dealt with quickly. Moderation on this forum is strong but perhaps not as strong as some people would like. Many people say strong moderation makes a good forum. I agree with that but would add that strong and well thought out moderation makes a good forum. Just because we don't delete everything doesn't mean we are slack or agree with the content we might leave intact.

We try to be as neutral as possible, which unfortunately means we must have a great deal of respect for the Off Topic section too...

[mbs]

To the moderators:

Whilst you may feel that current moderation levels are adequate, it should be clear that this is not the case, and that the diversity of opinion will never result in appropriate and adequate self-moderation. There's a sound case to be made for the establishment of some sort of standard regarding the moderation of forum content, particularly when seen in the light of this forum's objectives and even more so when its image and professional reputation is detrimentally affected, of which I already have personal experience. As I originally suggested, a poll would serve to assess the strength of feeling amongst the community about this issue. RPM's current stance will not serve to resolve the issue, either, and should be hardened/softened based on the outcome of the poll.

[bb_matt]

I'll standby my opinion that some people are making a storm in a tea cup, big time.

The more you go on about it, the worse you make it. The more it gets pointed out, the more it gets noticed.

I challenge you to find an impartial person who has never been to MyADSL before and who is interested in broadband to find anything worth getting het up about.

I feel 100% certain that unless you direct them to specific off topic posts, they either won't give a damn or won't notice.

Please, lets get real here - management and moderators, just ignore this kind of thing and carry on with the great job you are doing.

It is merely the opinion of a handful of people who seem to have an agenda against Off Topic and "speaking your mind"

Have a poll if you must, so long as the poll itself is in Off Topic and not anywhere like the front page.

Personally, I think it's a waste of time.

[MaD]

Posting on a forum is not a RIGHT, it's a PRIVELEDGE - this site doesn't HAVE to be here but it IS - so a little respect to visitors/members from people posting would be just great!!!

What the **** is going on? Come on people, this happens every couple of weeks. It's really, really truly pathetic. It's EVERYONE's site, not just for the people who choose to bitch and moan aaaaaaall day eeeevery day!

If you want to post crap on a forum - START YOUR OWN!

[mbs]

@bb_matt:
Again, you miss the point and obfuscate the matter with irrelevancies about '... go[ing] on about it...' and having '.. an agenda against Off Topic...' - very simply put, the agenda is nothing more than to establish whether this forum community feels strongly enough about the divisive content being posted, to warrant focussed moderation.

The justification is also simple - perceptions exist of this forum having a disreputable and less than professional image, and it is incumbent upon all of us to do something about that, when seen in the light of this forum's objectives. Anything less than that may be considered as being on par with the agenda of those who post contentious content, imho. Very clearly, a poll is the answer.

Any contributed comment other than on this clearly stated aspect and from the moderators/owner only - to whom the issue has been directly addressed - can only be seen as an annoying irrelevancy, designed to do nothing more than cause derailment.

[ajak]

@bb_matt:
Again, you miss the point and obfuscate the matter with irrelevancies about '... go[ing] on about it...' and having '.. an agenda against Off Topic...' - very simply put, the agenda is nothing more than to establish whether this forum community feels strongly enough about the divisive content being posted, to warrant focussed moderation.

The justification is also simple - perceptions exist of this forum having a disreputable and less than professional image, and it is incumbent upon all of us to do something about that, when seen in the light of this forum's objectives. Anything less than that may be considered as being on par with the agenda of those who post contentious content, imho. Very clearly, a poll is the answer.

Any contributed comment other than on this clearly stated aspect and from the moderators/owner only - to whom the issue has been directly addressed - can only be seen as an annoying irrelevancy, designed to do nothing more than cause derailment.


It’s important the people should know what you stand for. It’s equally important that they know what you won’t stand for.

-Mary H. Waldrip

[sybawoods]

I have to say that while I'm uncomfortable with singling out any individuals, I do find it increasingly hard to identify with the values of MyADSL after seeing some of the vitriolic posts in the off-topic section.

I do understand what an off-topic section is. But the reality is that we are (hopefuly inadvertently) creating a platform for all kinds of looneys whose voices wouldn't otherwise be heard. I'm all for free speech.

But I signed up and support the ideals of MyADSL to liberate broadband in South Africa. That is my point of intersection with everyone else on this forum. But when I see some people openly expose their prejudices, posts that border on hate speech, that make a narrative about what a terrible country this is etc... then I find it hard to align myself with the broader forum.

Intellectually, I understand the value of an off-topic section. But seriously, to find that it is being used for nothing more than a platform to spew anti South African drivel, is downright offensive to me.

I would rather become another silent anti-Telkom citizen than share a public space with some of the sentiments advocated in this section of the forum, which whether we like it or not, does taint MyADSL. It definitely has tainted my experience.

[VQuest]

Absolutely spot on sybawoods.

I find it incredibly disappointing that MyADSL is no longer what it used to be. For two years one of the first things I did every morning was load up MyADSL and enjoy reading the forum while having a cup of coffee. Over the last few months I've found that I have started visiting less and less because I simply can't stand the behaviour of some of our members. As things stand now, it is no longer a pleasure to read the forum. Although the off topic section does seem to be out of control, the bad attitudes unfortunately spills over to the other sections.

Its easy to say stop reading the off topic section, but thats simply not the point. There is a great deal of interesting threads in the off topic section. But I strongly believe that those who are spoiling it for the rest of us should take a moment to think about their behaviour and act like the adults they are supposed to be.

Over the past 2 years I have promoted MyADSL to many, many of my clients. Something which gave me a wake-up call recently is when I've had several of my clients contact me to say how shocked they were with the behaviour on this forum. I was rather embarrassed and I found I had no excuses for them.

MBS once asked the following: Do you agree/disagree that political, racist, religious and sexist threads detract from this forum's objectives?

Some people flamed the heck out of him. My request to his critics is: take a step back, stop thinking about yourself for a moment (afterall this forum is not about us, it's about liberating broadband in SA) and think about what is best for MyADSL.

Just because this is a somewhat anonymous arena, does not mean we can say and do whatever we like. We need to take responsibility for the things we say.

Once again, I am not against having an off topic section, I just ask that those who participate in this section think before they post and act responsibly.

As sybawoods stated above, I have also seriously considered going back to being a "silent anti-telkom citizen".

This is all very sad indeed. I urge RPM and the mods to carefully consider a plan of action because it's simply going to get worse and I would hate to see MyADSL being sunk by it's own members.

[antowan]

Interesting points. I am going to close this thread so we can start a fresh discussion that doesn't bare a member name... :)

VQuest and MBS both have very good points and we are discussing them. A couple of emails have been flying around the mods today that means business, so stick around to see what happens. Thanks for the input and keep it coming. A new thread can be opened with a neatral name in the gripe section by anybody who sees it fit.