What the Hells happening to BigFooty.

[Grendel]

Bluey, were are you and is there anything being done about the degenration of what was once the best footy site on the net, bar none. Im really hopeful that you regonize that there are some real problems happening lately with the site.

Im sure that you have seen the garbage thats been over the boards of late. I have, because lately its been pretty much
nothing but garbage.

People posting obscenties seems to have become the normal thing. The lack of respect being shown by any censoring is letting the whole thing run out of control.

Many of the regulars seem to have disappeared, im wondering why?

I know in the past that you have stated your reason for not wanting to have to impose a 'registered users' only for those who wish to post.

But if your going to be spammed by the pathetic morons out there in cyberspace. What other choices are left?

Ignore them and hope that they will go away? Doesnt seem to be working, the more widely known the site has become the more cretins and abusers it seems to have attracted.

Frodo brought up a good point i believe. Yes, registered users may still come on and post abuse. But if they get banned then it will take them time to re-register. More so if the registration is made to an e-mail address with the password sent to that address.

There seems to be many regulars who dont seem to mind this option. You have our e-mails, why not sent out a circular to all registered users asking if they would mind if BigFooty became a registered user only posting site?

If i could help in anyway please e-mail me with details. Im sure there are many others who come to BigFooty would gladly offer any help they may be able to give too.

Thanks for your time, and i really hope that something gets done about all this. Id grown to really love visiting this site. I would hate to have to give it up now.

Steve.

 

[Eagle_Fan]

Well said Grendel.

I had to leave my last footy site because it degenerated so far, and was thrilled to find real footy discussion with smart, sensible and funny people. True fans of the game.

Please can something be done? I doubt I'd be any help since I'm usually only here after midnight, but if I can help in any way just say the word...

Save our Bigfooty?

 

[Mr Ripper]

Couldn't agree more, Grendel; BF's becoming a joke.

Time to weed out the rubbish.

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Olmy knows best

 

[karnaby]

Here, hear....(2 bob each way on that one)

As 1 of your consumers, Bluey, I've got to the stage of feeling a strong sense of
FAMIL(y)iarity with fellow users of your site. I'm a believer in such naive notions as democracy & empowerment of individuals, so rather than side with inclusiveness (compulsory registration) I would rather see the recruitment of SUITABLE volunteers to act as Assistant Moderators with the right to indulge in a bit of censorship.

I suspect that the workload of maintaining this site could justify asking for assistance. I also believe that there are many users who have consistently demonstrated ownership AND responsibility sufficient to justify their empowerment to help censor the site.

It seems silly to build the site only to see it fall away for want of some suitable remedies.


Have been known to dribble on a Friday evening.

Bruce

 

[Hawkforce.]

While I believe that the "registered" "unregistered" debate is completely misleading, I have to agree that the last few weeks have been totally out of control.

It is as if a group have people have banded together to troll the site out of existence.

Ignoring them (the only truly effective way of dealing with the matter) is becoming impossible as a) there are simply too many people; someone will always respond. AND b) some of the stuff has been too hateful to ignore.

Unfortunately I believe a lot of the problem comes down to a general lowering of the tone amongst a core group of established REGISTERED members. Joffa is a very popular poster, but unfortunately %99 of his posts are nothing more than abuse and %100 are SHOUTING! He is, by all accounts, a passionate and warm supporter of his club and football, but I simply cannot read any of his posts any more.

The general tone these days is abuse. Vicious abuse. Not funny; not witty; not lighthearted or topical. Just meanspirited hatred and bile.

And a lot of it is coming from established REGISTERED users.

And to think a year ago G4E was everybody's greatest problem!!!

We just have to ride out the storm, Grendel. It will pass eventually...

 

[CJH]

I agree with much of what you say Hawkforcedot

I think I have a better understanding of Joffa now - most of his posts are how he would barrack in the stands on a Saturday and he loves it when someone barracks back. He is also capable of a serious post occasionally as well.

Enough defence of a Collingwood mongrel!

I would like to see us proactively take control back. I would like to see a group of moderators additional to Bluey on the main board with a mandate from the majority on how they should be run.

This will be sensitive to the Freedom of Speech principle of course.

I feel something like the following for a start:

Any Extremely offensive thread/post. DELETE
Any Offensive post LOCK
Any juvenule, name calling post LOCK.

It should be up to us to moderate the kind of behaviour we find acceptable.


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TigerFury.net - Independant Richmond Tigers website

 

[Stealth bomber]

I like that idea CJH, but what specifically would you consider extremely offensive as opposed to juvenile/name calling?

I guess the most extreme case was the holocaust one, which thankfully I never opened.

The posts that I'm sick of seeing are all of the Joffa-Dan24 stuff. So many readers here seem to appreciate Joffa's passion for supporting his club, but I think he's way over the line in everything he does. You cannot disagree with him in any way without it degenerating into a mud-slinging match (and then that TONY SHAW guy gets into it with him). Granted, Dan asks for it sometimes, but the amount of filth on this board directed at one person is ridiculous and almost obsessive.

I really think that if some of the people here ever met in real life, there would be bona-fide violence, and that scares me.

 

[mantis]

Stealth
I have to disagree with you on your opinion that if these people ever meet it will turn into violence, the aussie way is all talk tough, have a beer & discuss it, at the end of it all you end up mates.

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First registered April 2000, Add 2000 to number of posts.

 

[CJH]

Originally posted by mantis:
Stealth
I have to disagree with you on your opinion that if these people ever meet it will turn into violence, the aussie way is all talk tough, have a beer & discuss it, at the end of it all you end up mates.

Joffa continually extends invitations for punters to meet up with him for a pre-game beer - an offer which has been accepted by some. By all reports - including from Joffa himself - he is a big softy and really wouldn't get involved violently.

I'm not so sure if some of the younger ones would have this level of maturity though.

StealthBomber,

I acknowledge that it would be difficult to draw the line between what constitutes 'offensive' and 'purile'. This ultimately can only be a subjective value judgment.

I also have no problem with locking the juvenile/name calling posts. If it means cleaning up the boards then I am all for it. Again there is the fine line that must be walked between protecting the integrity of the board and free speech.



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TigerFury.net - Independant Richmond Tigers website

 

[Visro]

Whats happening to dan is too much...for gods sake someones registered shitbags24 just to take the piss out of him. Something needs to be done, yes dan is a stirrerupperer but hes has now copped his fair share of flak.

Vis

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I was put on this Earth to complete a certain number of tasks. I am so far behind, I will never die...

 

[The invisible mullet]

For a start any name attempting to mimic or deride someone else's username like the shitbags24 name should be de-registered.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Agree Grendel

I just completely ignore any abusive posts - it is working albeit ever so slowly.

cheers - and please stay - I'll talk footy in a serious, thoughful, but friendly way with you anyday mate !

 

[Stealth bomber]

It appears registering won't stop that.....somebody just now registered my name and used it. Verbatim, no changes in letters or cases or anything. That's a bit disturbing. I thought that registering would allow only one person to a username. Not only that, but they copied most of my details. The only thing that identified it as fake was it said "1" post instead of the 434 I have.

 

[teddy3]

Could not agree with you more! I don't post on the boards very often; I don't like to get caught up in arguments (I like to take the light hearted side of things - hence my "get over it" slogan!) However, when I do read some of the crap that is written I am shocked and often am not sure if it's worth sticking around...
BUT, I have chatted to some really cool people (I won't name names coz I am bound to forget someone)and not to mention fellow doggy supporters.
The boards need to be cleaned up so that bigfooty can live up to its full potential it's capable of!!!!
~teddy3~
PS. Apologies if my sentences don't make sense, but I am BLOODY tired!!!!! :0)

 

[Mouldy Oldie]

Originally posted by teddy3:
Could not agree with you more! I don't post on the boards very often; I don't like to get caught up in arguments (I like to take the light hearted side of things - hence my "get over it" slogan!) However, when I do read some of the crap that is written I am shocked I'm with you Teddy 3. As you can see by my posts I'm new to BigFooty & whilst not posting many comments at this point, I've been reading as many boards as I can & at times is exhausting sifting through the abuse & unrelated comments. It actually feels like being at a game where the spectators start off with friendly banter & eventually de-generates into a fight. You then ask yourself the question "Is it worth coming to the football on the off chance you or one of your family may be injured due to no fault of your own". This is where the inmates have taken over the asylum & the decent people say it's all too hard & go somewhere else or just stay home & watch TV. This could eventually to this website unless reasonable control is implemented now.
BUT, I have chatted to some really cool people (I won't name names coz I am bound to forget someone)and not to mention fellow doggy supporters.
The boards need to be cleaned up so that bigfooty can live up to its full potential it's capable of!!!!
~teddy3~
PS. Apologies if my sentences don't make sense, but I am BLOODY tired!!!!! :0)

 

[Mouldy Oldie]

Originally posted by Mouldy Oldie:

Sorry, I stuffed up the Teddy 3 quote. As I said I'm new to this. My post started with "I'm with you Teddy 3" & finished with "unless reasonable control is implemented now". Once again, my apologies, particularly to Teddy 3.

 

[teddy3]

lol no probs mouldy oldie and thanks for agreeing with me

 

[servo]

Well I've been gone from these boards for a while. I left becauce the abuse was not worth enduring. It wasn't directed at me, mainly Dan and Rooboy, but still was petty and juvenile rubbish that I didn't need to spend my time reading.

I have come back now to have a look and notice many of the old regulars are gone. Have they gone for the same reason?

From this thread it seems that the abuse has worsened sonce I left but I haven't found much on this visit.

BLUEY
Perhaps you could look up the regulars who don't post anymore and seek some feedback.

We did see ourselves as a bit of a family and we were all a bit proud that the site was growing in size and respect. It will be a great pity should that respect disappear.

Bluey, you should be proud of the site, so look after it and get help if you need it.

 

[WCE2000]

Which regulars have gone, i really don't notice that type of stuff, so can someone just refresh my memory abit.

 

[Stealth bomber]

All it took was one Essendon loss, and all hell broke loose again.

I think it's time for some of these threads to be locked and some more suspensions to be given out, Bluey.

 

[QT]

I think this site has gone a little better over the las month or so, less unregistered idiots, on the boards and in the chat.....lets hope it stays like this!

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"I came here to win, I am a winner" - Denzel Washington , Remember The Titans ; 2000

[This message has been edited by QT (edited 14 April 2001).]

 

[Frodo]

About six months ago I popped in on the footyshow board. It was a real disgrace with nothing but insults and people posting with each others names. I went there recently and it has been revamped with mandatory registration. The discussion seems much better. I think that this proves that registration is the way to go.

 

[Bluey]

OK we've got a lot of new moderators in, and I think the board has improved. I know my work load has lightened.

I'm closing this thread now, mainly because the discussion needs to go in a new direction: Have the changes made the site better?