You guys should be careful not to pull a muscle while reaching around to pat yourselves on the back for what's happened here. I think a history lesson is in order to set the record straight on behalf of the guys that are no longer allowed here.
I'm hunting. Haven't checked in for about 16 hours.
This thread was rightfully locked down but I'm reopening it because I haven't weighed in.
My apologies to the new folks and those that don't like drama.
While I was not a moderator from the beginning I've been here since day 1, I'm not from MN nor are many of the originals. We still have MN posters so the state didn't leave with the few.
I don't know who these mass banned user are. Since June of 2016 there have been 4 legitimate people banned. Two DOR'd and asked that their posts be deleted. Those who left because their panties got in bunch over it are not restricted from posting. You are correct a lot of knowledge left but they left of their own choice.
After becoming a Mod I let previously banned users return. I felt they were friends and they wouldn't make my life difficult. With that in mind, When I took over I wrote a very short list of rules, they are still in a sticky at the top of the forums. The big one is
"When disrespectful disputes arise my plan is to lock a thread, delete a post, the whole thread and even use the Ban button. This will be the hard part of being a Mod as sometimes it may involve a friend I've had for years. If you're a friend expect to be treated more harshly, you shouldn't have put me in the situation."
With the exception of a million Russians and Indians I have never banned a person I didn't respect and consider a friend, at the time.
No one here claims to be an expert. We're all still learning and sharing. Last I knew the definition of an expert is a guy who's wife isn't around to correct him.
The Duffy comment is a distraction. The same guys referenced would cause lots of brew ha if he ever showed up. I'd ban him the second he did, so it's mute.
As for claiming the high ground goes, that's not something I've ever done but I certainly like the feel it has brought here. I've been on many Internet forums over the years. They all take the same path. It's the 80-20 rule. 80% of the members never post but read. 20% actively participate.
A funny thing can happen to that 20% over time. They can grow to feel entitled like it's their place and they don't have to follow the rules because they own the place. That clique then serves no purpose other than to run off new would be contributors that don't whole heartedly join in their antics. Again, I've seen it on many forums not just here.
Here's the simple truth. This place belongs to John. Bueller and I moderate the best we can. I'm not infallible and may be taking the wrong approach. My number one goal here is to keep entitlement from creeping in on the 20% and denying future users the chance to join in.
We've privately had this conversation and decided if that goal leads this place to being our personal blog, so be it. The 20% doesn't own the place. One person with 2 helpers does.
I don't normally weigh in on the drama because it's often useless. I don't ask folks to get along, I don't threaten with PM warnings because it doesn't work. I delete stuff, lock stuff and ban people.
Bottom line. We're happy you (as a collective) join us and contribute the vast amounts of knowledge you do and become our friends. But at the end of the day it's our show, the 20% doesn't get to make the rules.
