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[Robsellen]

Hi Rob!  *waves*

Waves back

As has been said, we'll see how the new mod style works for the forum.   I too can see the potential for abuse (e. g. , competitors trying to nuke each others' posts, etc).   But I think some of the "reported" posts simply go into a temporary holding place where the mods then permanently nuke them.   Sooo. . .  if anyone is abusing the system, the mods should see it.   I think.   (Don't quote me on this. )

That makes sense.

One huge advantage of the new mod system is that it virtually eliminates the "us" vs.  "them. "  I've modded and owned plenty of boards so I know the attitude -- but seems like the WF gets more than its fair share of posters with attitude.   You know what I'm talking about -- the whole "the mod is playing god" thing. 

I DO know what you mean, and I have been a mod in several places, so I can see both sides.

So now at least individuals can't be singled out as "bad guys" on the forum.   That's a plus.

That's a BIG plus.

As for returning to the forum -- if you'd like to return, you probably can.   I've seen at least one other long-time poster who got nuked on the old forum return to the new forum.

Cheers,
Becky

I noticed a few on there who were banned before, at least the lessons were learnt, because they are still there

Thanks.

May have to give it more thought, as I do want to be there, but also I don't in a way, because it can be so distracting, but as Lisa said, it is easir to not use it like it was.

Rob

[Mike Ambrosio]

As many a doctors have said in the past...everything in moderation.

That's why I am not here (or there) as much as I used to be.  And why you see a flurry of posts in a day and then none for a week.

One comment about the self-moderation on the WF...

I think the potential for abuse is actually lessened.  You can still get a few people to report a post and it gets put in limbo automatically. Then it's reviewed by Admins - not mods (in fact, there are no mods, according to Allen) and if it's seen as ganging up, then it gets put back (I have seen that happen).

Allen also warned that if he sees much of the ganging up by the same people he would potentially ban them.

I believe Allen is trying like hell to make it a fair place, but like any system - nothing is perfect. If we stare at anything too long and hard, we'll see flaws. It's human nature.

My thoughts...

Mike

[vortex2000]

I'm very upset with the warrior forum right now.   I joined last week and have followed all spamming rules.  Last night I posted and I got a message after that saying my membership was banned forever due to spamming.   I think the mod just didn't like what I had to say.    I wasn't selling anything I was giving people free vouchers. I'm very confused here.

[Lisa Preston]

It's a shame, really - WF will always be an icon in the industry, yet recent radical shifts and changes have confused and overwhelmed many people.

THANK GOD for ABLAKEFORUM!! 

[Anomaly]

I actually debated even posting on this topic given the dates . . .  but seeing I would not be the first one to post a month after the last post, perhaps I can do so without being dragged through the mud for digging up old posts only to get some posts and exposure. 

I have only been back online for a couple of months now and I have to admit I am extremely discouraged by some of the cliquish behavior on the WF.  Hopefully that is something that will not be so prevalent here.  In my case, I made a legitimate post asking for favored resources for a certain topic.  I do not know how or why but somehow it was seen as some sort of shady area and I was quickly mobbed by a few people there.  Their actions were openly questioned without response of course and the thread quickly dropped back and was not answered. 

What really got my goat though, was being chastised for asking about people's favorite resources in my particular niche (as a writer) and being publicly flogged (proverbially speaking anyhow) for "looking for work" by someone who "has never had to look for work and never will" less than a week after they have had a great big post begging for help because they are going broke . . .  and I even offered a place to stay and cash to them . . . 

While I understand it can be very difficult for the mods and for the members of any site . . .  especially busy forums . . .  that has definitely given me some serious reservations about using it (very selectively) for reading and seriously hesitating before I take time to contribute anything more of value . . .  or offer to help any more people in their time of need. 

On another note, I actually did make another post referencing the first one and explaining in that one that I was looking for a hand up and NOT a hand out . . .  this time to be ignored altogether . . .  although my timing for the post was pretty bad on my part.  Still, I think I will be spending a bit less time there and hopefully as this forum grows, a bit more time here. 

BTW It's great to be back online :D

[fxmmorale]

I'm new to this forum and the flavor here seems a bit more relaxed than the WF.  I've been a member of the WF for the last year and half and had posts deleted as well.  But what are you gonna do? That's the way it goes.  It hasn't deterred me from posting since. 

There's a lot of good information over there and to throw the baby out with the bath water, wouldn't really hurt them it would only limit my own resources.  So if a post gets deleted, I scratch my head for two seconds and then go and put the post on my blog.  HA, HA!

Might as well get the traffic and exposure for myself.  No hard feelings.

[Debbi Bressler]

Tony's forum has been around for a long, long time. You wouldn't believe the list of recognizable names who got their start on this forum.  (For instance, I remember getting a request to review an ebook on taking tests from a young college kid who posted on her all the time. His name was Anik Singal.)

As far as I can tell, and I've been visiting this forum since 2003, there aren't any agendas. As long as people don't spam, they're okay. Tony even gives people a place to rant and "out" people; requiring only that you back your comments up with facts.

I agree with your comments. It's like Animal Farm: all the animals are equal,but some are more equal than others.

I love this forum cause it's a place you can ask questions (and never be chastised), freely express opinions, and network in a non-judgemental format.

You, as all the readers, can make this place even better - and busier - by letting your friends and colleagues know about it and invite them to join you here. You can rest assured they'll be welcomed!

Debbi Bressler

[amki]

Since people are still getting banned right and left, including me , I'm surprised to find that this thread has become inactive.  However, it has certainly served me well, and I want to say 'Thank you' to the contributors, who have explained the inner workings of WF.  As a person who plays by YOUR rules or gets out of YOUR game, a ban for spamming suddenly popping up was a stunner!  Now, I know that it was probably little more than an excuse.

After reading this thread, I (almost) no longer feel humiliated and embarrassed and (almost) feel like a ban is a badge of honor.  The comments here have also led me to my post that probably precipitated the ban:  I posted a reply in support of a post complaining about the deterioration of the War Room since it was recently opened to the public by subscription.

The comments that I have read on some other forums were mostly written in anger or indignation by people who have been banned.  Fair enough and understandable.  But the comments of cooler heads are more credible, IMO.  That's not to say I that don't believe the others are telling the truth or that I don't empathize--just that reasons and explanations carry more weight.

I really appreciate the calm here.   

[Mike Ambrosio]

I have been visiting Tony's board for about as long as I have been visiting the Warrior forum (roughly since 2000), so frankly, my perspective on this goes back pretty far. Here's what I think...

I think both boards are frequented by some top-notch people giving away some pretty damn good information. I have been the recipient of a ton of free information and have met many awesome people that have helped my I.M. career significantly - from BOTH boards.

But I think it's really interesting that people become "distraught" or "hurt", etc. about getting posts deleted or even banned. As much as I enjoy both forums, if I got banned from both today, my life or my business would not miss a beat. This is because I have found so many worthwhile places to get great information.

Even MORE interesting is the comparison between this board and the WF.  Yes, they are both marketing boards with great information, but that's about where the comparison stops in my book.

Take a look at the first page of posts on the Main Discussion forums on this board, and on the WF. This forum, on the last post, it's dated November 8th. Today is December 1st.  On the first page of the WF main board, the post at the bottom of the page is dated December 1st at 6:37 PM (writing this at about 8:30 pm).

What does that tell you?

Tony's board is much smaller in terms of membership, as well as activity. That makes for the nice, relaxed atmosphere.  As I write this, the WF shows over 3300 people on line in that forum at the same time. I'm not even sure Tony has 3300 members here all together.

When you have a board that is (probably) 100 times more active with MANY times more members, you are sure to get MUCH more in the way of spam, trolls, idiots, malcontents, whingers, complainers and all-around jerks than you would here. And that makes things much tougher to moderate and control. Whether you want to believe this or not, if you are not tougher on a board as busy as that one, it WILL get taken over - very quickly - by REAL spammer, trolls, etc.

Bottom line, all you need to do is learn to ignore, play by the rules, and grow a thicker skin and you'll be fine, no matter what forum you choose to participate in.

It's not all that difficult

[amki]

That's a very nice post, Mike.  Reminds me somewhat of Paul Myers on WF --calm and rational.  However, it's not in me to just shrug my shoulders when my integrity has been questioned, and false accusation is exactly that.  I've been around long enough to know what spamming is and how not to do it inadvertently, so I know that that could not have been the real reason for the ban.

You're right; it's not the end of the world, and it's probably going to cost Mr. Says far more than it will cost me.  After seeing the extent to which this arbitrary practice has been going on, I have no doubt that it will backfire before too long.  Perhaps it already has:  the current campaign to buy new members.

[Mike Ambrosio]

That's a very nice post, Mike.  Reminds me somewhat of Paul Myers on WF --calm and rational. 

Thanks - I will take that as a compliment. I have known Paul for years and he's a good dude.

However, it's not in me to just shrug my shoulders when my integrity has been questioned, and false accusation is exactly that.  I've been around long enough to know what spamming is and how not to do it inadvertently, so I know that that could not have been the real reason for the ban.

I agree that you should not have your integrity questioned arbitrarily. But I guess I have a different perspective than most. When nameless, faceless, or virtual people come at me, it does not insult me at all. Insults only come from those you love (paraphrasing something my mother taught me when I was 12). And trust me - I have been called MANY things over the years - on that board, this one and others. But every day I smile in the knowledge that those who say these things do NOT know the real me.

You're right; it's not the end of the world, and it's probably going to cost Mr. Says far more than it will cost me.  After seeing the extent to which this arbitrary practice has been going on, I have no doubt that it will backfire before too long.  Perhaps it already has:  the current campaign to buy new members.

LOL - forgive my laughter - but THAT is something that has been "foretold" for as long as I have been on that board. But every year, the membership grows.

When you get past the bullcrap, you can make some SERIOUS money, contacts and much more.

Here are some things that I know will help on that and ANY board...

1- Forget the anonymous User Name stuff. That will get you one extra layer of distrust and will require you jump through extra hoops to prove otherwise. Try doing business face-to-face with people and giving them some "user name". Bet you'll be shown the door...

2- NEVER self-promote anything. Just help others. (Note: even giving away stuff can and WILL be seen as a form of self promotion UNTIL you have proven yourself...and unless you use your real name)

3- Don't bother with any "pissing contest" threads - they do no one any good. This is one I have personal experience with.

4- NEVER use an affiliate link - anywhere - not even in your signature.

That's it.  This is EXACTLY how I have spent 9 years (or more) on that board with NEVER being banned, and having very few posts deleted.

And my final "advice"...

If you plan on being in this - or pretty much ANY - business, learn to ignore stuff. Grow your skin thicker. There will always be people who will TRY to get under your skin. And if they DO get under your skin...

It's no one's fault but your own.

You can't control the things other people do or say, but you CAN control your own actions and responses to them.

Mike

[amki]

Thanks - I will take that as a compliment. I have known Paul for years and he's a good dude.

It was meant to be.

I agree that you should not have your integrity questioned arbitrarily. But I guess I have a different perspective than most. When nameless, faceless, or virtual people come at me, it does not insult me at all. Insults only come from those you love (paraphrasing something my mother taught me when I was 12). And trust me - I have been called MANY things over the years - on that board, this one and others. But every day I smile in the knowledge that those who say these things do NOT know the real me.

Both yea and nay on this.  I'm more put off by the nameless, faceless variety because I don't know their significance, thus left not knowing whether or not I should ignore them or take steps to straighten the matter out (even the nameless, faceless ones, the cowards, are sometimes influential).  When it comes from someone I love, or even someone who loves me, I have the privilege of making a decision about what action to take.  As you got a guideline from your mother, I got something from my father that has guided me, although he was referring to table manners:  Have one set of manners and use them all the time.  It works for me as a general rule.

LOL - forgive my laughter...

LOLOL Watch it!  I think that's what got me banned. <G>  My response to the OP's post complaining about what has happened to the War Room since opening it to the masses was, "Excuse me for laughing, but couldn't you see it coming from a mile away? I saved my $37 dollars."  I suspect it was the element of ridicule that did it.

As for the rest of that sentence '...but THAT is something that has been "foretold" for as long as I have been on that board. But every year, the membership grows,' that really surprises me.  Like the rest of the 'innocents,' I suppose, I'd never heard anything but the WF is a must, best there is,etc., and I'd never experienced anything very negative myself until this happened.  I had one post deleted, but I took your attitude:  I thought it had been effected somehow or other (like I said, I'm an 'innocent.) by a wannabe moderator who was a bit full of himself.  The offense?  I started a new thread when a long, old thread already existed.  I even started the post by stating that I knew the other thread was there, but that I thought it best to start a new one because I wasn't commenting but, rather, was asking a new (but relevant) question.  He berated me for taking it on myself to do that, who did I think I was, etc., and the next day the thread was gone.  It PO'd me because I really wanted the answer to the question!  I submitted a query about it but never got an answer.  That was long ago, and it surprised me then that there was no response, but it certainly doesn't now.

1- Forget the anonymous User Name stuff. That will get you one extra layer of distrust and will require you jump through extra hoops to prove otherwise. Try doing business face-to-face with people and giving them some "user name". Bet you'll be shown the door...

My habit had been to use my full real name until I moved to New Zealand.  I didn't marry my husband until about two months afterward, so it would have been inappropriate for me to use my soon-to-be name, and I didn't want to use my then-real name because user names are generally set in stone.  Rock and a hard place:  a liar either way at one time or another.  amki is an acronym for American Kiwi (as New Zealanders call themselves).  I always put my real name in my profile on boards but couldn't find any way to do that here.  For anyone who's interested, it's Jo de Jong.  I guess I could put it in my sig as Jo (de Jong).  Full names in sigs seem stiff and create distance, IMO.

You made some really good points in the remainder of your post, and I would really like to respond to them, but I've already made this post entirely too long--in my usual loquacious way.  Remembering that posts should interest everybody and contribute something helpful to the discussion, I won't continue.

You've done a great deal to soothe my ruffled feathers, Mike, and I appreciate it.

[Mike Ambrosio]

Ah, New Zealand!  Never been there myself, but my cousin and her husband were transferred there (his job) and spent three years there. They LOVED it and want to go back.

By the way - there are a few marketers out your way. I did an interview recently for Jonathan Gunson for his TrafficCafe.tv site. I know he's always looking to network with other marketers. If you want his email, PM me and I will get you in touch.

Mike