This is a question I have considered many times, but I still feel that keeping the Forums OPEN is the best policy.
I have seen this sort of thing happen on other internet bulletin boards, where anonymous contributors make rude or vulgar remarks, take potshots at other contributors, and have generally changed the nature of the dialogue from considerate and helpful into mean and mistrustful.
In response to postings like these, I have seen other internet forums change their open policy to requiring membership fees or registration. As far as I can tell, this reaction by other forums administrators only served to severely limit the number of people involved in the discussions, which lessened the value of the site for everyone.
I believe we have a unique opportunity here for achieving great things within the taxidermy industry. I strongly feel that open lines of communication are essential, and these Forums are the first real open lines of communication our industry has ever had. If we were to limit involvement in the Forums to only those who would register, I think we would miss out on the opinions of a large number of taxidermists. All opinions are valid in some respect. We can agree to disagree on important subjects but still maintain respect for one another as we discuss the issues which affect us all.
However, I realize that an open forum is a two-edged sword. There will be people who post things that hurt ME personally, and there will be people who post thing that hurt YOU as well. I will not agree with everyone (except perhaps Leanna - LOL). And YOU will not agree with everyone. This is the nature of public discussion.
I do remove messages on occasion, but I do not remove posts because I disagree with them. What I usually remove are the mean-spirited anonymous messages that serve no useful purpose. To hide behind a fake name and hurl insults at someone who is taking their valuable time to HELP people is extraordinarily rude and inexcusable. These are the kinds of messages that could destroy the Forums, and these are the kind of messages I will remove. Removing these messages seems a better alternative than a closed private forum requiring registration or fees.
I have also started to restrict access to the forums from certain individuals, and will continue to do so for troublemakers who willfully break the rules repeatedly.
As to some of the people blasting the frequent forum contributors, I cannot comprehend where this rage is coming from. These people are the HEART and SOUL of the Forums. There would be no Forums without them! They give their valuable time to HELP you! They are generous with their advice and expertise, and receive nothing in return other than the goodwill of their peers. Please! If you are sick of "Joe Forum Guy" answering so many questions helpfully, then answer a question YOURSELF instead of writing how much you hate "Joe Forum Guy". What constructive purpose does that serve?
It is incomprehensible to me how someone who has never contributed ANYTHING to the forums has the audacity to call a frequent contributor an embarrassment or a troublemaker. At some point in time, I have disagreed with every regular contributor (except Leanna - LOL), but I still welcome and appreciate their involvement.
We have already seen how one or two sophomoric malcontents can stir things up. We have seen how they can use dozens of names to pretend their numbers are greater than they are. Remember, over two thousand people a day go on the Taxidermy Net Forums. Even if only 1/5 of 1% are antisocial miscreants, that's FOUR people a day. Then they make their agitative posts on the Forums and it looks like everybody is fighting. Remember, it's not everyone! Over 99% of taxidermists are NICE people, polite people, and respectful people.
I wish to try to keep the Forums true to their original intent, a place for the free exchange of information and ideas related to the taxidermy industry. I ask eveyone's help to keep the Forums free, open, friendly and helpful. Let us all respect each other, debate the issues, enjoy our differences, recognize our similarities, and not take ourselves so seriously that we can't have a little fun along the way.
Ken Edwards
Taxidermy Net Forums Administrator
I agree Ken .Sometimes there are troble makers taking pot shots at other people on here.and this is a great way for people of all levels to share ideas and learn from each other.I think it would be a good idea if you could weed out the bad eggs and restict them only from the site.A disagreement in opinon is one thing but when people take pop shot and call other people names.There shouldbe some kind of reprocussion. Then they would conduct themselves in a resonable manner. I dont think people should bother those who try to help the other individuals who are trying to learn our art. Just my opinon!
Leave it an open forum. The amount garbage is not enough to merit registration in my opinion. I know when I do see something I find in bad taste the first thing I do is email Ken. You will always have idiots visit from time to time , probably even if registration was required.
Paul
You know that 2 years ago, I was all bloodshot eyed hyper for registration, but after we talked, I never looked back. Those of us who've been here know what goes on and accept the good with the bad. Some of us have even fought tooth and nail, but you know what, we ended up associating enough that that edge was tapered and some of us even became trusting friends. Now if a guy like me can like a guy like Yox, anything must be possible. LOL.
I'm sure you know this already, but for those who don't, WASCO, Sallie Dahmes, and painstaking studeousness of Ken Edwards have done more for the taxidermy industry with this site than any other invention or method has ever done, PERIOD. Before this, information was still a closed door society and you had to depend on single points of view to learn anything. Now a person can ask a question and get replys form nobody's like me and compare them to what chapmions like Bill Yox, John Bellucci, Patrick Rummans, Jeff Lumsden, Paul Borkowski, Rick Carter, Bruce Rittel, Brad Eppley and the dozens of others names I have missed. These are people who have books and businesses depending on their knowlege, and it's FREE just for typing a thread on a keyboard. In my 43 years of doing this, I've seen a few things, and of those, "It just don't get any better than this." Keep up the great work. I for one trust in your decisions but thanks for asking anyway.
I don't think that I for one can ever express how thankful I am that this forum exists.True,I do sometimes get fed up with the idiots that can't appreciate what we all have here,but a day away is almost more than I can handle.Being the self employed,creative indivuals that we are there will ALWAYS be disagreement among us.But I know that I for one greatly appreciate the help and advice of all of the talented people who take the time to respond to questions from anyone.And George,even tho you won't class yourself with others here,I still think you're a class act!So Ken I agree.Keep it open.No one says that you have to reply to the troublemakers.
I am one of those regulars that sometimes can be helpful, yet sometimes controversial or just plain sarcastic. I myself feel that its the same with almost every person in here (except Leanna-lol). Im in here quite often, so Im surethat this gets magnified. In my opinion, I feel there is quite a difference between me calling nasty anonymous posters "cowards", so that those who feel the shoe fits can wear it, and me going as far as to single out a name like Frank or Tom and calling them a specific name. Im not interested in hearing the debate as to whether that is your opinion as well, though. Maybe at a later date, but here Im just telling you all how I feel. I also feel the way the others do. I find this site so valuable for me, too. I get to visit, help out now and then, and pick up many other opinions and options from others. Just having this site as a sorta "out" from doing work once a day is immeasurable. My phone bill sure appreciates it as well. I have made so many valuable friendships from this too. Im flattered by those who feel moved to include my name when they thank folks here for the help. Just think of me as a peer, and a friend you met at the forums. If you are one of the few who do not care for me, Im sorry but I wont be going away. I sure wont bother you or single you out as you have chosen to. Ill tell you this, the forums have taught me how to type, though. I almost forgot that part! So, if I honestly have offended someone here in the past, my apologies. If you just dont care for my manner...nothing I can say to that. Have fun, all.
Thanks Ken, it's nice to know that we are all looked out for. I'd have to agree with leaving the forum open though. Unfortunately, we are all still human, so no matter how much we try there will always be "negative" attracked to the "positive". Fortunately this forum has WAY MORE positive than negative. I have learned so much here and would hate to see the day it becomes restricted. It's up to us to keep this forum as friendly as possible. Whenever someone is being bashed for there ideals or comments I hope we all can help step in and help turn it back around to a more positive atmosphere so people won't be afraid to post another question. We're all here to learn. Keep up the good work.
ken, even though i'm new to this great forum, i've been involved in a skirmish or two! things like this will happen but i think all of our lives go on regardless! sometimes, i think we take our selves to seriously............anyway, i do! lol
i feel this forum is the greatest thing to happen to the taxidermy industry, bar none! it would be a shame to put restrictions on whoever comes in here. we need the guys asking the questions and the "forum guys" and others answering them! that's the heart and soul of this forum!
as to some of the other insulting and useless posts that sometimes appear, i know i can now ignore them and move on. i've been married for 38 years and i'm real good at ignoring comments.
i want to thank all those that take the time to share their knowledge with rookies such as myself and i'm perfectly willing to share the limited knowledge i have with others. ken,keep up the great work and i'd hope this forum would remain open for all in the future.
DON
I agree with the rest. Leave the site open to all. I too am a newcomer but I have learned so very much in the few months that I have visited this site. It would have taken years to learn what I have learned in the few months at this site. I love it, and I'd be LOST without it. After 17 years as a police officer, there is NO ONE on this site that can insult me or call me anything I've not been called before. Keep up the good work Ken we DO appreciate it.
Jerry
Yep, leave it open. No wait someone has to be opposed, ah shucks guess it wil have to be someone else.
Would the wworld be boring if we all agreed? yes nothing new would be invented. Al Gore could not have brought us the internet and the FORUMS.
THanks Ken and Sallie for for putting up with us. JOhn C
Ken
It would perhaps be easier on you if people were registered because you presumable would not have to remove many of the vulgar statements made by those who are jealous of other peoples' talents, income or reputation. However, occasionally even a "regular" wants to post an anonymous posting on occasion. I still want to book a blackbird hunt.
I do agree that we all NEVER disagree with Leanna. Just for entertainment I used the search icon and typed in Leanna and got to read all the witty saying she has contributed to this forum. (I also did it for Mr. Yox, Mr. Rummans, Mr. Roof, etc.) I can't wait till you archive the year 2000, so I can catch up with all the past banter.
Ken - You, Ms. Sally, and WASCO are doing a great service to Taxidermy. KEEP IT UP!
The Taxidermologist
dont want to call it brown noising but you guys could have chimed in a few days ago on the last post hehe
I think what Ken was politely and elequently(sp?) was that we all
need to think before we reply... Irregardless of the benefits
to the users, if hostilities and irresponsible use continues,
it will not only hurt the forum, but WASCO and the industry as
a whole. I saw Ken's Post as a warning that if things stay on
the current course, Registration is a possibility...
Ken most points say keep it open having registration is like tryin to corner a thief locks only keep a honest person out. The people who don,t want to leave their name or appropriate information would find a way to back door. Although Ken you could slam that door I believe the way you are doing it now does the same thing. You as the administrator police it quite well and I thank all for the information that I get from this site and if I can help out wtih my limited experience I will. I started out with Sallies deer mounting video and have come along ways but this site has helped me and others eminsley. I have respect for all who asks and all who answers and everyones opinion. Keep marching. OOH RAH.
.....open. There will ALWAYS be a rotten apple in every bushel, but I agree with you Ken that 99.9% of taxidermists are good hearted respectful folks. I just want to say thanks for your patience, and you and Sallie's commitment to making this industry a better place for us all. Now, who the hell's this Leanna? LOL. Marc
I Have sit in councel with my brotherS the Bear, the wolf and the eagle on this matter. and after long hours it has come. The man who would have us preceive him as evil is but a scared man, and we need not fear him. for the truely evil man would have us preceive him as a good man. These are the words of Tenbears
Don't you realize "WHO I AM?"! LOL! I'm the nobody that speaks her mind and usually ends up defending someone thats been unjustly bashed even though I don't need too because NOBODY needs me to "stick up" for them but I do anyway because I can't stand not to and I probably always will continue to do so (stubborn). Can a sentence be that long?
Ken, you are awesome (remember, you can't disagree!). Yes, keep the danged forums open, and I'd like to add a suggestion that I myself should consider also. When some antagonist comes on and types the brainless remarks such as the ones that have a tendency to get the heat going in our necks and faces....IGNORE HIM! Believe me, it'll be hard for me to do,(part Irish, let alone female) but if we can all "stick together" on this one, the kids will go ring doorbells and run, on someone elses homestead. These provokers only WANT the attention, lets not give it to them...call them what you like verbally to your computer screen, you'll feel better! MY computer screen has GOT to have an inferiority complex by now, with all I've said to it, directed at others!
It really breaks my heart to see the guys who help us out the most get the mudslings, they in no way deserve it as does no one else (except Mike/Satan/and various alias's - LOL) to the real Mikes out there, no offense! To repeat others...we can and always will agree with and disagree with each other, but we can be "nice" about it.
I too, have made a few good friends from the forums, and have found these people to be just that...PEOPLE, with ultimate talent, hardships, senses of humor and FEELINGS just like the rest of us. I also have found thru numerous forum posts, emails, and phone calls, that the guys and gals we consider "world class, top, bigshot taxidermists" call them what you will,(except Leanna - LOL) are NORMAL everyday sorry ass "joes" like you and me LOL-(that was a LOVING sorry ass joe comment!)NOBODY is on that imaginary pedestal, unless you yourself place them on it. Treat them as peers and they will treat you with respect, thus sharing the wealth of knowledge they have earned and learned through time and practice. They will unabashedly help you in a heartbeat. No matter who we are, we are all learning everyday....
I LOVE you guys! Now...pass me a tissue.
And a continued "thanks" to you all. That one word just doesn't seem to be big enough for all it entails.
Dearest Leanna,
Perhaps I could interest you in a crying towel.
Free... I pay shipping! :-)
P.S. Did I mention that they can also be used as cover-ups for Patrick, Larry, and John - AND as a respirator when visiting Cecil?
LOLOLOLOLOLLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL?
Do your towels work as flying carpets?!
Yes Deer,
I do believe that arrangements can be made. It will take considerable time to complete however, as I will have to apply fin backing creme, conjure up a spell, and embroider with both cinnamon and mint flavored dental floss. Can be monogrammed if requested. Delivery time would be approximately 6-8 weeks.
Let me know if you are still interested.
P.S. My supply company has informed me that they have run out of silk tassels... will rubber tassels suffice?