Social Groups

[FJR Rider]

Good points and I can't honestly disagree with you. That really hurts me too because I ENJOY disagreeing with you.

 

From the responses so far, they will probably be going away.

 

 

Damn! And you thought I was up to something........

[Riderduke]

Don,

 

Having been here a while and being opinionated as I am, I don't think this would be a positive move. As others have said, this would lead to cliques, it's not anyone's fault, it's just human nature.

 

If I see a thread starting that I'm not interested in, I don't read it, plain and simple. So people who want to post about music or whatever should just post it and we can either read it or ignore it.

 

It's also alot more work for our moderators, IMO.

 

I love this site just the way it is, I enjoy the banter, sometimes even the arguments. I don't think this would be necessary.

 

 

 

But thats just me

Me Too. Ditto on what he said.

[juggler]

I didnt even know we had secret forums? I so lose em

 

Neither did I so I just went a created a Social Group for politics. :stirthepot:

[BradT]

Social Groups ? Where are they, guess I was not invited like Mr. Owl.

 

One happy family and we even get mad at each other once in a while just like a real Family.

 

BRad

[autopilot]

I don't necessarily see anything wrong with them IF they're tightly held to rules relative to staying on their respective topics. There is nothing wrong, mind you, with belonging to other forums outside of vr.org For example: if I wanted to chit chat a little about carry-permits and different hand guns, I actually don't want to go to some gun only site where it's populated by a bunch of "great white hunter" types or ex-merc.s who can give convention grade speeches on the differences in gunpowder. The little guy who happens to want a little protection, get left in the dust.

 

Even though, in concept it's different than the original programming, I can't envision regular vr.org membership using those sub-forum locations as their main place to go. I mean, by and large, my impression of our membership is one of a group of folks that once they get religion, family and work out the way, their next in order priority is the bike(s) they own and ride. That's not to say they don't have other interests. In fact, that is the exact subject at hand. Maybe I'm missing the point, but it seems there might be some disparity on what the location of these places would be, rather than whether they should be here or not as an adjunct to the main forum areas. I think these "social groups" would be "value-added".

 

I also think, in the final analysis, the time a member spends in a different avocational topic area is going to be spent whether it's here or elsewhere, so why not here?

 

Just me thinkin out loud! I'm done.

[Yammer Dan]

I second this ....

 

 

YES, a social Group just for me myself and I ... anti-social misfit :crackup:

:sign yeah that: I fit right in this one!! All by myself!!! OR I was til I met this bunch!! Ruined me they did!!:sign **** happens:

[halfwitt]

I've been away for a few days. Thought I should chime in since I started one of the groups. The main reason I started a PA group was a result of trying to get a ride organized last month. The vast majority of folks on the site don't really care about updates on a ride in York, PA. The concept and details were posted, and regularily updated in Watering Hole. I had trouble trying to keep people updated on changes being made to the time/location. After the ride, I saw the social group area and thought this would be a good place to keep information where it is easily a accessible to those interested without paging through Watering Hole looking for the latest post. I don't see the social group as a competitor to Watering Hole but as an accessory.

[pegscraper]

Things get lost in the watering hole because anything and everything gets dumped in there. Try putting ride announcements in the M&E section. Then someone knows where to go find it again when they want the latest information.

[kenw]

I thought we were one big happy family???

 

kenw

[Freebird]

OK folks, I have disabled the social groups for now. That does mean that we can't continue to discuss it if you wish to. It is really up to the members and doesn't make a lot of difference toe me one way or the other. If we DO have them though, please understand that the same rules apply there as they do here. I'm talking to YOU Juggler.

[hillrider]

That's the right decision. (as far as I'm concerned)

[juggler]

OK folks, I have disabled the social groups for now. That does mean that we can't continue to discuss it if you wish to. It is really up to the members and doesn't make a lot of difference toe me one way or the other. If we DO have them though, please understand that the same rules apply there as they do here. I'm talking to YOU Juggler.

 

What? I never actually suggest people post anything not allowed. I simple said we could all sit in our social group and THINK about certain topics. I'm innocent I tell ya, Innocent!

[Freebird]

LOL....I'll bet you have been "innocent" since you were two years old.

[Squidley]

Guess I'm going to stick my neck out, anticipating a rash of disagreement but I'll say it anyway. This site is so mild, it seems no one ever has a topic that is controversial. It is part of life to have topics that people can vent on but that doesn't mean they will suffer from hard feelings from then on. In most cases, there can be heated conversations and then when two or three get together on an m&e, there is sharing a cold one and lots of friendly talk with any past offenses long forgotten. I personally get bored talking or reading about what brand tires or what kind of oil is best. I like a discussion that one can get their teeth into and yet remain friends afterward. It almost seems that the trend is to AVOID anything that might even hint of controversy. People are emotional, let's face facts. People have definite opinions about thing and it's make for an interesting and educational read to hear all the different opinions.

Long ago, I belonged to this site and posted something controversial. I was soon told by two different people, that this is a motorcycle site and opinions about other topics aren't welcome. I left the site for quite a while because of that intolerance. Discussion on topics is needed. For instance, this election year is probably more controversial than any time in history. It boils down to whether we remain a free capitalistic society or turn to Socialism (ie, a form of communism). If things are not discussed so that one can make a logical decision, we may not have the freedoms that so many of us cherish. I know the old argument is, if you want to be controversial go to a site that allows it (that's what I was told before in essence). There are matters afoot that affect even us as bikers and there are things that need to be shared AND discussed. There is nothing wrong with having an area set aside strictly for controversial topics that do not affect the normal topical areas. If such an area were set aside, there would have to be an agreement before hand that the area is controversial and one enters with full knowledge of that.

Sorry, if this offends anyone but I felt it needs to be said.

 

 

Switch,

 

I can appreciate where your coming from with your statements, but all of the Moderators here KNOW that when we start to get into hot topics they ALWAYS go bad. I can't remember 1 time (and I have been on this site for going on 4 years) where threads weren't delete because folks get all ticked off because there pride gets hurt.

 

I can tell you for 2 of us (Don and Myself) and more than likely all the other Moderators are very passionate about whats happening in politics and other hot topics. We never bring it to the site as we know exactly where it will end up. We both have VERY STRONG views but dont bring them here. There are a million sites on the internet to discuss various topics, and if you go visit them, they are huge ***** sessions where folks are at eachothers throats. The Moderators here are dead set against having that happen here, so unfortunately, your not going to get those discussions here. The internet is a very bad place to have discussions as you can't hear the tones of folks and that usually leads to people taking things the wrong way. Some folks dont come down fast when their feathers are ruffled, and that only builds anamosity on the site.

 

We appreciate all the folks that frequent here, and if folks decide at a M&E or rally to discuss gun control or politics at an event face to face, that is their right. But I can tell you that at any of the events, folks usually aren't talking about anything like that. I'm glad you decided to frequent the site some more, this place is somewhat addicting.

[Black Owl]

Switch...

 

If I remember correctly, and my rememberer is a bit foggy this early in the morning, we at one time tried to have an area set aside for "discussions" on controversial subjects. That lasted about a week and the heated feelings developed in that area soon began to flow over into other threads.

 

That is the problem with being passionate. It gets very hard to switch it on and off as we jump from one topic to another.

 

As Squidly said, he and Don are very passonate about their politics. Not sure which side they are on, but if/when I want to rag on them about being wrong, I do it through E-mail or a PM. That way not everyone has to know they are wrong.

 

Seriously though, the moderators here try very hard to respect each and everyone's opinions,and on occassion we will allow a topic that is pushing the envelope to remain open until it starts heading south.

 

But, no sense deliberately asking for trouble.