I'm noticing not only Invar and Tyronne gone, but also some threads and posts concerning the general wackiness around here. Why can't some have their fun? It's annonymous, entertaining, and in my opinion quite popular. Anyone ever heard of sticks and stones.

People can read what they choose. I wouldn't read a thread about woodburning stoves or 5000 gallon bags of water, but you show me an Invar and I'm there. I also have an interest in the (for want of a better word), pop culture aspect of this Y2K dilemma. For my money this forum was tops at that. I've had a positive experience and a lot of fun here the last few months.

The censorship thing was probably necessary to try, but I vote to go back to free form. Like anything else freedom comes at a price and so does the restriction of freedom. In this case the restriction of freedom is going to turn this place into a text book.

First one to call me an idiot gets 6 jelly and 6 crumb.

-- The Duke (quietman89@hotmail.com), February 21, 1999

Answers

Duke I agree. I've been reading this forum without posting for a long time. Mainly because it's the most interesting and entertaining site on the internet. You better bring facts with you to this site. Say something stupid and you'll verbally get stomped in the mud. On the other hand, if someone new to Y2K asks a question, these same people will fall all over themselves to help that person. I would hate to see it change in any way.

-- RB (R@AR.COM), February 21, 1999.

Understand first off that I have nothing to do with the choices of who (m) to remove, or what.

Understand also that this is NOT a totally public board, that it IS owned by Phil Greenspun AND MIT.

Point 1) there is a limit or an outer boundary within which civil discourse takes place.

2) This boundary has, in the past, been crossed only a few times.

3) At those times, remedial action has been needed, and provided.

4) Even with the limited adjustments in posts, this is STILL ESSENTIALLY, an unmoderated board. things haven't changed as much as some may think. I have participated in moderated boards, and the difference here is similar to midnight and noon (here being Noon, with no doubt!!).

Any time I open a thread and have to look over my shoulder to see that my spouse is NOT in the room,, brecause of the language, etc. is a time that should not have to happen. I will admit that in the early years of our marriage, my bride was inadvertantly improving my command of the idiom. This (and our 25 years together) still does not change the unreconstructed chivalrous male chauvinist urge to shield her from the egregious use of the idiom, as it were.

Chuck da Night Driver

-- Chuck, night driver (rienzoo@en.com), February 21, 1999.

I agree with da driver. Even though I some got a chuckle (sometimes) from the trollishness, (I am a just a dirty old man anyway) we needed some restraint. The original purpose of this forum afterall, was the discussion and disemination of information concering Y2K. Granted, some of our postings have little information, or even disinformation. But the issue for me is the spirit of the postings. Some of the worse of the troll posts were not discussion at all, and weren't intended to be. This forum has been a tremendous help and encouragement to me, and it has weathered time and trolls, and I'm sure it'll continue to grow.

Just read some of the recent threads from newbies like "Scared at home" and you may realize the power of this forum to change peoples lives. I have often given out this URL to people I'm trying to introduce to our impending situation. But for the last month I have been hesitant to do so, because of the change in the overall tone.

Of course, I think everyone should have their say, but this forum is too important and too valuable a resource, to let a few fun-seekers screw it up for all.

-- Lon Frank (postit@here.com), February 21, 1999.

I don't know why the hell all these idiots are whining about censorship here, this is a PRIVATLY SPONSORED AND ADMINISTERED forum about Y2K, got it? Y2K !! The administrators can do what ever the hell they want. Got it? They let all these assholes (like me) say whatever the hell they want and generally don't touch it. Stop yer damn whining and start talking about Y2K. INVAR and Tyronne and whoever the hell else, are self-centered, psychotic windbags who have no place here on the Y2K FORUM. This has nothing to do with freedom, you idiots. Learn a thing or two about what censorship really means, and then after you've educated your sorry asses, come back here and TALK ABOUT Y2K.

Understand?

-- SickAndTired (of these idiot anti-censorship@ssholes.dum), February 21, 1999.

I say this a second time. A forum as active as this should be on the Usenet, not on Greenspun. I suggest that those who want total freedom and zero "censorship" begin posting on comp.software.year-2000 or one is its Usenet clones. If you want to delve into conspiracy, post on misc.survivalism or one of its clones.

DejaNews as great search capability, something lamentably missing from the Greenspun software.

-- Mitchell Barnes (spanda@inreach.com), February 21, 1999.

My $.02 - We have plenty of serious topics to discuss here, too much in fact. I think there is always room for humor also. While all Y2K related comments should be welcome, we just don't have the room for non-sense. <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), February 22, 1999.

One of the great things that puts this forum far above others is the diverse and scope of Y2K info; links, stories, hypothesis, conjecture, hopes, dreams, fears, warnings, preparation, advice, history and humor.

Humor being needed in a forum where the news of the day is getting bleaker and more disturbing as the real condition of remediation and infrastructure preparedness is in serious doubt.

I deduced that throwing out scriptural prophecies, ancient indian visions, historical cycles and simple logic doesn't always have the desired effect. Many eyes have glazed over, and angry responses from those who don't want to hear any bad news or authoratative statements, discourages efforts to make ready. Putting a humorous (albeit sick in the case of the Bagga Saga) twist on a narrative that also describes the worst fears of the future had actually hit home with a couple DGI's who were able to see the very real dangers Y2K poses, and gave preparation serious consideration.

Also, wit sometimes makes for good troll relief.

I agree with the Duke here believe it or not. A sterile discussion forum pertaining to technical aspects of Y2K would lose many who otherwise lurk and post here. Gems of wisdom have been gleaned from many unlikely posts.

It is not my place to suggest the forum maintainers kick out troll postings any more than I like the idea of having my posts removed. But it's not my forum, and if there are rules, there are rules.

I just didn't read any on the way in.

-- INVAR (gundark@aol.com), February 22, 1999.

IS THeRE YEt HoPE FOR YOU InVAR???? PErHaps rabbIt, perHaps!!! WHY CANNoT YOU maIntain thiS LEVeL OF SANiTY????? IS IT NoT A GoOD THING???? DietEr sayS JA!!!! WHY are yOu shAving dieTers ELBOW????

-- Dieter (questions@toask.com), February 22, 1999.

I side with Chuck & company on this one - although the suggestion that folks who aren't happy with the current standards could go to usenet is also reasonable.

In contrast to Duke, I'm aware of several dozen people who stopped using this forum altogether, due to a combination of the obscenities used by some of the less mature posters, and some of the equally less than mature attempts at humor. The primary purposes for most folks to participate are gathering information, and exchanging ideas relevant to y2k problem solving.

I fully support maintaining the standards as they are currently being enforced.

Arlin Adams

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), February 22, 1999.