How often do you use Mil.com forums, and what would you do to improve them?

Taking a look at the stats, Mil.com has roughly 13,000 active members who visit and post on the forums. A review of those online at any given time, tell us that between 100 and 300 members are online with double that in visitors. On a Friday night, that number jumps to around 500.

Discussion encouraged. What would you recommend to enhance the forums and discussions.

I personally like the format you see in several other forums where you can upload images without adding them to an online photo gallery, and the forums have a "warn" bar that only the members can see. The warn bar is used as a guage of moderator action. The Accuweather discussions forums are a prime example.

T

Question:
I visit Mil.com:

Choices:
Several Times a Day
Once a Day
Several Times a Week
Once a Week
Several Times a Month
Once a Month

Question:
I visit:

Choices:
More than I use too
Less than I use too
The same amount

Question:
I post:

Choices:
More than I Use too
Less than I use too
The same amount

 

T -

My vote doesn't accurately capture my former visitation here (daily) as it does now (mostly just weekends), because of the new job.

I try to get on for my authorized 30 minutes during the workweek, but that doesn't always happen.

quote:

Discussion encouraged. What would you recommend to enhance the forums and discussions.

Review and change the OFF SITE LINK policy. Hard to have a discussion about something without the ref to back it up or to even start the topic in the first place.

Years ago, this board was more fun than any other on the net. That has changed due to several factors.
1. Seems like we have way too many people taking it way too seriously.
2. There is way too much "moderation" and, like it or not, & whether it is true or not, a perception of favoritism.
3. The rule against links is outright STUPID!
4. usmilnet DOT com is lots more fun and friendly.

I would have sworn I ticked "Once a week" on the quiz, but there are still "zero" of that choice on the results.

Besides all that, the "military.com" tee shirt I got as a "founding member" (or some such) is completely worn out & I haven't been sent a replacement.

A point of correction. You can post articles from any source, and you are required to credit the source. What you cant do is "Hyperlink" to the source. No blue links.

I post on several different forums, and if I were to give an unbiased opinion, this one is middle of the road and more discussion friendly.

On one forum, the OT or "Other Topics" forum is where you can post anything you want, and it has a Politics section. There is little to no moderation there, and its extremely difficult to participate in any discussion. If you have a disagreeing or different opinion, the very next post will almost certainly involve you being called an "idiot", or "moron". When you post an explaination, you will be called an idiot.

Its interesting to note I think, that I had that exact thing happen on an Obama thread there. After about the 15th time of unprovoked attack by one poster for my Republican views, I told the poster that if he called me an "idiot" one more time, I would shove my 9 and a half boot straight up his @ss. A little redneck coming out there, but that comment got me a 24 hr suspension for threats. I returned to find more insults.

The other forum is the opposite extreme. You cant say anything that is offensive to anyone. You cant disagree with some posters, you cant discuss anything controversial, and the TOS clearly state you cant discuss race, violence, gambleing, or sex. This is a public forum now.

Like I said, if I were to vote, this one is middle of the road and its nice that way.

T

This message has been edited. Last edited by: militia1,

1. Concur with Cut & JerryM....not allowed to post links was a dumb idea! Sorry...telling it like I see it.
2. Having to use an outside source to post photos is a pain if you post alot of pics like I do.
3. Officially change name back to Fred's Place. (It will always be "Fred's Place" to me)
4. Some mods seem to be a little too quick to warn folks....however over all a great job by all to reign in the wild west!!
5. If he'll do it....maybe have a MCPOCG fourum where he or his staff can answer questions. The caveat....anonymous posters can not post questions.

quote:

5. If he'll do it....maybe have a MCPOCG fourum where he or his staff can answer questions. The caveat....anonymous posters can not post questions.

Ill second this. Even if he visits it only every few days. I am pleased to see some detailers posting here now, and I wish the Commandant would encourage more of that.

T

1. Hyperlinks
2. Hyper Reactions to sometimes benign banter

quote:

A point of correction. You can post articles from any source, and you are required to credit the source. What you cant do is "Hyperlink" to the source. No blue links.

Change it back to allow hyperlinks.

No one here should be so thin skinned that an insult will reduce them to tears or turn them homicidal. I think the pendulum has swung too far towards being the "kinder, gentler" Fred's Place.

Things are pretty good around here.

quote:

Originally posted by militia1:

quote:

5. If he'll do it....maybe have a MCPOCG fourum where he or his staff can answer questions. The caveat....anonymous posters can not post questions.

Ill second this. Even if he visits it only every few days. I am pleased to see some detailers posting here now, and I wish the Commandant would encourage more of that.

T

I'll need to add to this after thinking about it for a bit. Make it a Gold Badge Forum. I know we have numerous GB's that cruise the site and it might be a little quicker to get an answer. The anonymous poster caveat will have to stand. I have spoken to some GB's and they would not respond to questions from anonymous posters.

> Correct me if I'm wrong: The forum has more restrictive posting policies than Fred's did because Fred's was bought out by a corporate entity which staffs everything through the legal dept. to avoid any possibility of liability for anything said or posted on the site. If so, our pining for the old Fred's ambience would seem to be fruitless, IMHO. While I acknowledge that there will be an occasional need to grant "time-outs" to especially vituperative posters, I do think you (that's the editorial collective, not personal, you) are a little quick on the draw sometimes. For example, I didn't think Scrounge was too egregious leading up to his recent vacation. My respectful suggestion: consider the totality of his and other "offenders'" contributions before pulling the trigger. And the moderators could profit from a little thicker skins, too.

> Concur that regular GB/E-10 participation would be a great addition and source of straighter scoop, even granting their need to hew to the party line on some, if not all, controversial occasions.

quote:

Concur that regular GB/E-10

Not the "E-10" showing up again? Sorry Honorary MCPO but there is no such of thing as an E-10, however there is an E-9SP.

Now back to the regular schedule programing.

GUNS

IMHO---- This place has gone down hill. Just over all bad. Back in the middle 90's it was fun here because Freds push was "keep having fun". Now it's routinely negative post on whatever is going on (which only breads more negatives)If you can find some fun it will be stomped upon sooner or later by some sort of hate. I rarely come here any more because of it. It's a shame in my opinion. Good Night Now. I have to actually work tomorrow.
Scotty

Scott

Nothing wrong with being honest, I appreciate that, and I think you certainly have some good points.

There are a few folks or threads that I miss though. I kind of liked the Tommy Perkins threads, with his unconstitutional AA stuff. I got a lot of laughs out of that. I wonder what ever happened to that guy.

The E 10 thread was a classic. I am sure it is archived somewhere for review.

T

It's alot more PC than it use to be. Some of that is needed but at times it goes overboard. My complaints are the same that I've had for years now. If a mod is going to join in on a discussion or argument then they shouldn't be turning around in the same thread and putting on their mod hat to rein in somebody. The other mods should step up to the plate to do that. I'm not a big fan of anonymous posters but I realize it is allowed. However I don't think the mods should be allowed to be anonymous. Also bring back the hyperlinks. I find that I'm less likely to look at a link than I use to. That's my laziness but the hyperlinks were nice.

I would like to see all persons that have been banned for life given a pardon and see the maximum penalty for future offences be 20 days. We aren't ever all going to get along or agree in all matters, but we should be mindful of the fact that we are or where all on the same team and we should remember what that means.

quote:

I have spoken to some GB's and they would not respond to questions from anonymous posters.

...make that not respond favorably!

I used to have fun on the original Freds place too. The posters were funny and smart the new rules are ridiculous

I really question whether I can answer this request freely. If I answer openly and honestly, there is a good chance that I will receive a yellow or red card and suffer the 20 day suspension and then have to beg to get back on the site. I do not want to inflict the embarrassment of having to beg someone to reinstate my privilege to post here.

So, I ask with respect and courtesy, may I be open, honest YET respectful or should I continue simply reading the posts of others? I already voted, but hesitate to answer.

And 'do not respond' is an appropriate response to my question!