Just a reminder about content: see something, say something!

Or tell a Mod. My opinion, anyone who is a mod needs to be identified as such. and have their identity as staff members available. I turned my privacy to hidden from view because I didn't want people to think I was actually on here all day so you can either hide from public view or log out. I am about to turn on my public view again.

Anyone who is a mod should be identified as such and it should be obvious to the public, IMO, who the mods are and if any of they are online, they are on duty. I'd suggested only one or two but as some new people are coming in from who knows where, they may not understand the culture that's been brought over from the FDP.

I think the hot topic bans and some of the PG-13 guidelines were good, and kept people civil, but also think that we're all adults and can handle a little more in the lines of adult humor. That said, I never posted anything out of line or tasteless in the FDP, and don't plan on starting here, but I think the general consensus is over (and sometimes unnecessary) moderation is what ran so many people off. Back in 2005, let's say, unless a post in Moe's was continually replied to it would end up on page 2 by noon, while in the latter years posts could last a month or more on the first page. Why do you think that was? Not trying to stir up crap, or buck the system, but just my $0.02 which is shared by many.

We'll paraphrase Justice Stewart's definition of obscenity in determining what content is not acceptable here. "I know it when I see it". Everyone is expected to stay behind that line. I am under the assumption that a larger percentage of our members were with the FDP up until the end, and as such, should already know how they are supposed to conduct themselves.

I don't know who got removed from the FDP, or who removed themselves. When contacted by people who have been off of the FDP for some time, I assured them they were welcome to "return" as long as they follow the rules, just like everyone else.

As I have been saying since the idea started, this isn't the "all new mfitz804 forum". This is myself and others, rather than just parting ways, continuing a conversation we've been having for years on the FDP. It follows that the practices, procedures and rules would also carry over.

That said, we have no intention of over moderating anything here. the rules are essentially no politics, no religion, no cursing, no excessive fighting or name calling, and because of the fact we can now post pictures, no nudity. Whenever a point is asserted is permitted by the rules, a valid counterpoint expressed in accordance with the rules is also going to be permitted. That debate will be allowed to continue as long as both sides are being civil. If they aren't, it won't.

Aside from that, just talk about guitars, giraffes, and whatever else and we'll all have fun.

Sharing your opinion is fine, and in fact I have encouraged it multiple times. I thank you for same.

My "line" of what is acceptable might end up being different than Chris's. Or it may not be. I can't tell you that in the hypothetical. We'll know when the issue comes up. PG-13 is something, as the father of a 12 year old, I am very conscious of.

I don't know how many people that are here left the FDP, or the reasons they left. And I don't care, like I said, all are welcome. But all are expected to behave in a certain manner. This isn't Facebook.

I honestly wouldn't worry about over moderation on day two of a site where only one thread has been removed. Have fun, discuss stuff, and we'll figure out the rest along the way.

You did so respectfully, which is much appreciated.

One thing I can guarantee is that while Chris and I get along, and we share a view of how this place should be run, we cannot be accused of "sameness". I think we disagreed on the FDP as often as we agreed on a variety of topics (like his opinion of my ugly ass Dr. Martens and mine of his ugly ass Desert Boots ).

Not getting too off topic here, but the decline of participation in 'discussion forums' or earlier 'guestbooks' is a consequence of the rise of 'social' networks. I remember when people started to go to myspace, and then facebook and twitter 'stole' a huge part of what once was shared in those forums. add to that the rise of 'apps' and mobile devices… I think this explains in part, why the traffic on those 'old style' web places has sadly decreased in general. I know some people took issue with a supposedly 'get off my lawn' spirit they tought they smelled waving through the forums, (and I think that was the motivation for the creation of one other forum that rised from a original FDP sub forum), but I don't think that this attributed as much to the decrease in interest as did the all shiny new data sucking social network industry.