Where has the Old TPF gone?

[johnastovall]

Over the last six months I've noted a major shift in the quality of posts and posters on TPF. Civility seems gone and there seems to be more of a gimme, gimme, gimme Daddy attitude rather than doing some basic research on the subject before asking a question. Yes, there are bad questions. Questions that show you don't even know how to frame the question.

Maybe at 20,000 members we've reached a forum version of Gresham's law where bad posts have driven out the good.

[Jake]

I hate to agree with you, but I do. Kind of. I also think the replies are going down hill.
There's definitely an attitude change in general around here.

[J Eddington]

John is right, I don't hate agreeing with him, just that I have to agree about the subject. You can disagree with someone, you can discuss why. But then it is time to leave it alone and name calling is not ok in my book. I tend to write those people off really fast.

[mmuhlenkamp]

I agree too, I mostly lurk and don't comment on a lot of things cause I don't want to get pulled into the snarkyness. Sometimes it's good natured, but people need to be a bit more mindful in how they write things, there's no inflection in text. I love debate, but not name calling.

[CaptainTom]

"You're just a Namby Pamby"

Denny Crane -- Boston Legal

[alamoshutterbug]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

"Namby Pamby"

Or Bliss Ninny

But I do agree. Some members have been rather snappy and base lately and I have noticed several "old" voices drop off the board presumably in response to this change, which is sad.

[ngoduyviet]

It's true and I agree with John, but I believe it's a phase in the life of a forum. It'll come and go just like every other forums.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Denny Crane -- Boston Legal

Thanks Tom for a great example of what this thread is about.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by ngoduyviet

It's true and I agree with John, but I believe it's a phase in the life of a forum. It'll come and go just like every other forums.

ditto. and posts are usually lulling at this time of year. b/t now and Dec, the sections I haunt slow down a lot. in jan, they pick back up.

[jeffkohn]

The tone has definitely changed; although I don't think you can blame it just on the newer members, because some of the old guard have been known to get grumpy at times as well. As membership grows, things get more impersonal here and you're more likely to be interacting with folks you don't know as well. It's unfortunate but pretty much unavoidable.

I'm finding more and more that it's best to just avoid most topics in the "Open Talk" and "Business" forums, as that's where most of the arguing seems to crop up. In Open Talk people invariably post about topics that can be controversial. And the Business forum is mostly dominated by newbies asking stupid questions and veterans berating the newbies for getting in over their heads. Stick to the forums that actually talk about photography and images, and I think you'll find it's a much more pleasant experience.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by ngoduyviet

It's true and I agree with John, but I believe it's a phase in the life of a forum. It'll come and go just like every other forums.

It seem to be a way of life in many forums once it starts. Just look at DPReview's forums or most of Range Finder's Forums.

The places you don't see it are the specialized forums like APUG, LFP and L-Camera.

[Brains]

It happens on every message forum as it grows. The best lesson I can give, from many years of managing online communities, is to stay true to your roots. Every successful community has an easily identifiable identity that must be maintained. There's always a vocal few who will "rock the boat," and occasionally there's a need to make some walk the plank so to speak.

[Robin Binder]

We talked about this at the other gtg; We concluded that it's best to ignore those that "Rock the Boat" as Brian puts it, but we have those that just have to remark on everything; hopefully the mods are doing their job and giving out warnings.

[mdparthum]

I personally have dropped off of my posting routine as I have less time to devote to reading the other areas of the forum. Being a teacher, summer time gives me more time to browse the other sections and maybe make a comment; however, with school starting and having a busy summer this year, I just haven't had the time. Maybe it will get better and I hope the old guard will come back because they have so much information to offer.

[toverman]

I know what you mean, John. I've been here coming up on two years and have noticed the bad and good comes in waves. The forum is alive, a good thing. Maybe there will be an overall shift that takes us back a little bit. But you can't really "go home" again.

Recently, I've tried to change the way I offer answers or ask questions here by legitimately trying to help someone if I believe I've got something to add. By changing my attitude and approach to things (in life, too), I am able to get more out of all I do. Sure, I leave stupid comments sometimes that are supposed to be funny, but I really check myself before posting something that may come across as offensive or cut down a particular person ... that helps nobody.

I've got a lot to learn. Viva la TPF!