Jeff, I accept that your sampling of acquaintences may have shared concerns about moderation with you.

Consider that as a sometimes vocally negative community member, people are willing to share their negative opinions with you. Consider also that they are less likely to share their positive experiences. Basically, you start with a samping error and further confound it with a social factor. The same concepts work the opposite way for me -- I'm a somewhat vocal proponent of 4x4Wire, so people are willing to share their positive opinions with me and they are less likely to share their negative experiences. As with most things in life, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I'm certain that I hear AT LEAST as many positive comments as Jeff hears negative comments.

Look. I value the strengths of the 4x4Wire Isuzu community. I'll put the assembled technical Isuzu knowledge here up against anywhere on the net. If the community is in ebb at this time, I can live with that -- the technical foundation still stands tall. If any of you prefer to frequent a different site, that's OK -- Hell, that's the glory of the internet: multiple choices. I know that *I* go multiple places online.

Randii

NO one saw that coming. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

That response didn't surprise me either. I didn't attack anyone persnonally just the policy of the moderation, I'm surprised that you though of all people seemed to attack me and wish to believe I'm a negative person, that's a pretty big assumption for someone who may have spent........what a total a day or two with me personally......ever combined time. I guess you don't know me then for I'm on 7 boards extensively and nobody has suggested that of me and we talk freely about posts, we are allowed to talk about good and bad of vendors and we've never had issues. O'well no surprises here. I'm done with this topic say what you want.

I don't think it is a stretch to say that you are negative about 4x4Wire, Jeff. A quick search on your user name confirms that leaning -- you may be positive and constructive elsewhere (you are both in person), but here at 4x4Wire, not so much. If you can't see that a negative opinion on something attracts similar negative opinions, I don't know what to tell ya... especially when I fully admit that the inverse attraction exists around positive opinions. I don't see how any of those comments can be construed as an attack or a slam... you'll note that I didn't say you were a negative person globally, but rather, restricted my comments to saying that you were a "vocally negative community member."

As for inviting folks somewhere, else, if anyone has a specific link that relates to discussion here, then please share it... 4x4Wire has confidently encouraged this since 1999. Generally attempting to Pied-Piper users out of 4x4Wire communities is not welcome, and frankly seems a lot like Hormel's gooey Spiced Ham (spam!). Trying to woo users from this forum to another doesn't exactly exude confidence that the other forum is better...

Generally, suggestions about this community are welcome, within the context of the guidelines that helped us build the best source of Isuzu information on the 'net. Few things are off the table, but moderation is one of them, and the continued compliments from vendors and users over the years vastly overwhelm occasional negative comments.

Randii

In over 3300 posts I have only run afoul of moderation once (for using a less-than-family-friendly term), so I'm not sure where the Nazi analogy comes into play. But then I believe in the Golden Rule, so it doesn't distress me greatly that those who can't play nice (not a shot at Jeff or anybody in particular) go elsewhere.

In fact in the past those goose-stepping moderators have been very helpful to me when I needed it.

My theory is that most of the old-timers here have "been there, done that", and no longer feel the urge to chatter about it online again and again. You can only answer the same question a hundred times or so before it becomes tiresome (even if you asked the very same questions when you were starting out).

There have been other boards that I have been to that if you dare to ask a question that has ever in the history of the forum been asked, you get taken out to the woodshed and beaten about the face and ears.

In the time I have been a member over at that forum, I have learned not to ask anything unless you have spent hours with the search function of the board and still not found any answers.

I have had many questions about 2G Troopers that I have not asked because somewhere in the darkest corner of the server, covered in cat hair and fuzz... there MAY just be the answer to my question. I have spent a LOT of time blowing off old dusty postings looking for information...

The problem with the "Search forever before daringly prodding at the re-posting Ogres" is that at some point, the site slows down considerably because half of the people find the answer they wanted, don't bother to sign up, and then disappear off into internet oblivion. The other half see no activity and no new members and feel like the site is "dead".

Now, I understand that questions like "How can I squeeze 1 more pony out of my sorry 2.8L V6" and "What size tires will fit without rubbing onto my 1990 Trooper" have been asked and asked some more. It is all of the other great topics that wouldn't be hurt by re-posting about.

I understand that since these vehicles are no longer being built, that they are becoming scarce, but it isn't the "new car buyer" that this site has been made for in the first place. Nobody goes out and buys a new vehicle and chops the fenders off to make room for 44" Super Swampers... it is the folks like me that buy these vehicles from someone who thinks the useful life is gone.

What about Meet and Greets... What about meeting up with your local 'zu group... even if it is only for a hot dog and a beer... What about fellow owners that need a wrenching buddy more than they need advice?

I really like this forum (Primarily because of the board software... It's different, and I like it) and would love to see it start working again.

What about image galleries where members can showcase their trucks?

There are a WORLD of possibilities!

We had those when I lived in Texas. Basically we put a list together and emailed/called everyone. Likewise for Arizona, see the Off Topic forum--there's a single AZ thread where the AZ guys post their links trail rides (listed in the trails forum) and wrench requests.




The problem with that is even at 5 meg per person, times all the people on this board, and it's a lot of space. And space costs money. While I'm rooting for Randii to win the lottery (right behind me), he hasn't won yet.



You know, if you would have searched first you @#$@!#! you would have known all this already!

Just kidding. ;-)

Wayne,

I totally understand the space issue. I lease a server for my business, and I know that web space can be at a premium.

Having said that, I would be happy to host a gallery on my server. I have virtually unlimited space. I have hosted several automotive enthusiasts' sites in the past and know that everyone loves to show off their stuff... and I am no exception!

I have a gallery online now on the back side of a web forum I built but never really used. Currently, I use it to host pictures that I post on other sites, but I could easily open it up to the masses via registration...

Just a thought.

It seems weird to me too.
Back when I first joined, this area was a lot more than just a resource for technical information, people came here to socialize and tell wheeling stories.
It seems though that over the last few years there is less friendly socializing, and more of a push to keep things strictly about the technical aspect of our beloved Isuzu's. I remember reading all about peoples wheeling trips right here in our own little Isuzu area. Now I have to go to a different place and sort through other peoples run reports to see if there is anything there from our community. Heck, it evens seems more complicated than it needs to be just to organize a run. "Put a notice here, post about it there."
I don't know if its moderation or not, although I too have heard the "campfire" stories of people getting slammed for moderation. People also complain about the "you should have searched for it" type of reply to new people's questions. Maybe people get tired of repeat questions, but I remember a time when people could debate over "what tires should I get" type of posts for what seemed like forever and they were enjoyable. Maybe they were long, maybe they happened too often, but they were fun, and people interacted.
Anyway, just seems like less of it now. Maybe I'm wrong. Just seems a lot more strict now, and I know itÆs not as fun for me.
Oh well, I'm going to head over to the Charger Forums to talk about my new Dodge Charger RT. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hey Moog, remember me? Sold my Trooper so don't come around much. Just passing by and saw this thread and remembered you from way back. Aztec fire and all that. You still doing the voice-over thing? I remember you had a music stream thingie going on there for a while I listened to quite a bit. I'll probably be passing thru again in another 6 months. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />