I probably won't be able to fully explain myself but that is nothing new. Still, I thought a bit more of my thinking might be helpful.

First, it's obvious that I posted my "suggestion" without pre-consulting the mod team. This is not (I believe) for any lack of respect for you all or for collegiality (and, btw, no one has said anything to that effect, for which I am grateful) but because life, even online, is a balance of cooperation and independent action.

To be specific, I am not asking for permission to start a new forum.

At the same time, I greatly value your insights, suggestions and support (or lack of it)! Diane's gracious offer to help prepare such a forum was particularly sweet.

Now, I have NOT decided whether or not to actually carry this out and may not decide for a while (week or two). Nor have I decided what the policies would be and/or its focus (same as classic TB2K? Post-Rollover? ???)

The reason I am emphasizing the "independence" of this is because I do see any decisions about TB2K as standing on their own. For instance, even if a deletion mode is used on TB2K, I might decide to start another forum. Or (as Diane says) not. On the "not" side, I have ZERO interest in adding another Y2K activity personally! I never aspired to be the Mother Teresa of Y2K!

Whether or not a new forum is started, it is no secret that I would favor a far more heavily moderated TB2K. But I will say this, strictly, my opinion:

1. The timing for pulling that off EFFECTIVELY may have passed (ie, could have been done when Diane announced as moderater, maybe not now).

2. Wretched though the forum has become, having Diane, Chuck or anybody exert a heavy hand will change THIS forum forever. That might be good, it might be bad, but it will be a fact. I don't personally foresee a period of "ethnic cleasning" leading to a recovery of it "the way it used to be".

3. In line with 2., I meant what I said on the thread. TB2K is tracking Y2K as a whole. This, ironically, might mean that the trolling will disappear as we get closer to rollover and beyond (ie, everyone becomes GI). More likely, the trolling will become MORE intense as REAL panic, anger, recriminations, etc., fill the CULTURE'S airwaves and, consequently, TB2K as well. Whether it meets any purpose to have such a forum is another question. I personally am not interested in such a forum and have been posting less and less frequently (along with most regulars).

4. This kind of moderating demands a moderator who WANTS to do it and, if I could put it this way, has a particular editorial vision for a given forum (for instance, the "prep" forum). I'm not sure Diane has that vision. If she does, I would submit it is for Y2K "research" (think Diane, Linkmeister, Shannon and some others). Nothing wrong with that, but my point is the deletions have to be accompanied by some sense of positive mission for the forum, which will NOT be ED YOURDON'S vision. Ed is GONE from that point of view. Bottom line: however well intended, deletions alone are a purely negative strategy and are likely, in the end, to suffocate the forum without necessarily enhancing it, unless accompanied by something positive and CLEAR from the moderator.

I hope these thoughts have been somewhat helpful. In turn, don't get me wrong. While I am not looking for permission, your thoughts, encouragement and/or criticism are precious to me.

For now, the chances of my doing a new forum are 50-50. I would be more likely to wait if TB2K is morphing to a CLEAR new shape but wouldn't necessarily wait.

The WEB must go on.

-- Anonymous, July 30, 1999

Answers

Ah's jes' volunteerin' ta do some sweepin'. Nevah sayd ah wouldn' TRY ta be de 3rd or 2nd poster on the Post Rollover Strategies forum.

Chuck

-- Anonymous, July 30, 1999

BigDog,

As Chuck will tell you, I'm in "discussions" with Patrick (and Chuck), about a two-week trial period where we take a heavier delete stance.

Don't blame you for wanting to start a new forum. (Ther are daze when I do). Recovery issues sounds perfect... and a lot of extra work.

My offer to set it up still stands.

Stay tuned. Let's see what the next phase entails.

Diane

-- Anonymous, July 30, 1999

BD

As the Prep. Forum has shown there is lots of input into the Y2K problem and I am sure come September that the volume will increase.

I think having a forum password protected will not help but a clear understanding that trolls will not be tolerated would be more helpfull.

The idea of a forum dealing with the recovery aspect would go over well. For this analogy one would have to consider the risks of Y2K to be 5 + and if you think the impact will be minimal you are clearly in the wrong forum.

The "classic" tb2000 forum will have to evolve in its own way. It always amazes me that there seems to be one troll at any given time that wishes to disrupt the forum.

And let me say agian BD and Chuck I am totally impressed by the Prep Forum. It seems to be very active and informative. Just the way things should be.

-- Anonymous, July 30, 1999

Brian, I too have noticed there's always at least one very active troll on the forum. It's almost as if they have a schedule set up, as in: "It's your turn this week."

The password-protected forum seems to be working for Rick Cowles. May as well try it, never know until you do.

Looks as if they've blown themselves out for this session, but there'll be another along soon. I wonder if they plot strategy over the weekend when there's very little of their posting going on?

-- Anonymous, July 30, 1999

"It always amazes me that there seems to be one troll at any given time that wishes to disrupt the forum." -- Brian

Yes Brian, and Old Git, I honestly DO think they take turns. Always with a different "twist" on the same set of attack themes. And usually in pairs.

*Sigh*

Diane

-- Anonymous, July 31, 1999