What happened to us?

Ophiophilia · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 05:43 PM

Lately I've seen that RTB is kinda falling apart. More often arguments are coming out of nowhere. I completely understand that some people believe in certain practices and some of us have our differences. If you believe in what you do then thats great and if you want to educate others on why you believe in a certain thing then that's great too. I dont even know what I'm saying anymore. i can't word what's in my head. But i've seen good members leave because they have differences and staff members attacking eachother. I'd like to mention that we all have one thing in common... and that's Herps.

I'm not even sure what I just said but i needed to get most of that out of my system.

Aaron_NSBM · #2 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 05:52 PM

Shannon does have a point! We just need to step back and relax some!

mpgt · #3 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 06:02 PM

Here's my opinion. This site has or had a personality. That personality came from policy, values, influential staff including the owner, and finally the members. Some key changes occurred, and that leaves us all a choice; either accept or reject the change. I think the site will continue to change or evolve, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. One thing is certain though: It's like a family to a lot of us. Losing a member should not be met with indifference, no matter who they are. Everyone contributes something here; some more than others.

Group dynamics are very predictable, and changes in leadership or policy will almost certainly cause a period of unrest and anxiety. If we can hang on though, the whole event can make us stronger than before. Everyone has a role to play, and it would help if we could save any bickering or name calling for PM.

New_BP_Guy · #4 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 06:05 PM

ya crush's thread* which was just completely removed kinda explained what is going on around here...

Aaron_NSBM · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpgt

Here's my opinion. This site has or had a personality. That personality came from policy, values, influential staff including the owner, and finally the members. Some key changes occurred, and that leaves us all a choice; either accept or reject the change. I think the site will continue to change or evolve, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. One thing is certain though: It's like a family to a lot of us. Losing a member should not be met with indifference, no matter who they are. Everyone contributes something here; some more than others.

Group dynamics are very predictable, and changes in leadership or policy will almost certainly cause a period of unrest and anxiety. If we can hang on though, the whole event can make us stronger than before. Everyone has a role to play, and it would help if we could save any bickering or name calling for PM.

you have a very good point!

Ophiophilia · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 06:10 PM

Very true, mpgt

Ophiophilia · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 06:20 PM

But it also kinda hurts to see members leave. I remember coming here looking for information and for the most of the time i'd be lost without you guys. All of you mean alot to me.

TongueFlick · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ophiophilia

But it also kinda hurts to see members leave. I remember coming here looking for information and for the most of the time i'd be lost without you guys. All of you mean alot to me.

I totally agree. This site is like family to me... But what do we do? We start insulting eachother, driving members off, ganging up on people.... We need to be a true community. Then we can and will pull through. That's the only way.

spike06 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 06:47 PM

Amen!

RevMojo · #10 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:26 PM

Welcome to RTB. As we evolve, things change. I've been through this a few times. We usually end up stronger for it. It'll be OK. It'll start when posts like this, and like Crush's stop. Yes, things have changed. Given the nature of all of the parties involved, theres 2 things that can be done about it...like it and nothing. There's some big shoes to fill. We all need to decide what our part is going to be in making RTB better for it, and act on that. This is a community and will only be as good as we make it.

DynastyGeckos · #11 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:33 PM

Well, i wasn't here for the "old days", but i have been seeing a few different members leaving so i guess I know what you guys are talking about.

owen.richards · #12 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:39 PM

true shannon, its sad to see this, ive noticed that at this exact time alot of forums are going through a rough patch, my local herp forum is constantly battling, so is my local reptile shops forum, now RTB, i always thought of RTB as like the friendly forum where everyone is cool, but now its comming to look different, dont get me wrong, this is one of my favorite forums, but it ishard to talk about what we all like when there are always a few people that shut down the other person because they dont agree with them, and that isnt fair, we are all intitled to opinions and shouldnt be yelled at for expressing them

morti · #13 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 07:42 PM

I would like to address this issue one time only as I have had very little to say about it up to this point.

Redtailboa.net is a community. In any community, there will always be times of happiness and times of stress and turmoil. We are in the middle of one of those stressful times at the moment. We have had some big changes here in recent weeks. I feel that some of the changes (like the debate forum and the enhanced rules about not berating members) will be for the betterment of the community. I feel that some of the changes (like experienced people leaving the site) will be to our detriment.

So what happened to us? I don't know about you, but nothing has changed with me personally. I am still going to answer those questions that I feel I can answer. I am still going to chat with everyone about those topics that interest me. I am still going to read all your posts and rejoice because you felt that it is OK to share them with the community.

What I am not going to do is try to point fingers and play the blame game. Sure... some big things have changed. This has led to some feelings of dissent... I can even understand how some people could feel betrayed by all this. I can't help that, but I can make everyone here this one promise: I am personally going to do everything within my power to help make Redtailboa.net the absolute best place on the internet to find information about reptiles, and to enjoy the community that surrounds reptiles.

I think that ALL the administrators and moderators share this view. I think we are all ready to turn the next page, put the stress behind us, and get on with what we do best: Loving reptiles.

I don't think the fighting will last too long. It'll get better. Please be patient with us while we change.

Sincerely,
-Your Sick Uncle Morti

fishmommy · #14 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 10:01 PM

Yungair23 · #15 (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 10:24 PM

You know i dont really know what i missed and i feel im a good contributing member here so i feel bad for what ever happened. I hope it works itself out and this site only gets better!

sarecho7280 · #16 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 11:24 PM

to be tolerant of someone or something, you have to overlook and/or accept what they say or do or believe in, which all makes them unique. now, we all have our preferences for this or that and that is also part of us, but, for the sake of society, we are supposed to be tolerant.

at some point, all that stuff you've tucked away in favor of tolerance comes out and that's where angry people come into play.

we all take crap, that's life, but some can or choose to take more than others to keep this place happy, which it never really was. that's why long time members have left and things aren't as sunny.

they're simply more real and not as fake.

over time, big boards force people to put up with more than they can tolerate and that is the problem.

is it REALLY a problem? not really, reality is all you have so we deal. will things calm down? a bit but the next outbreak won't take as long.

it's like finding out that someone you thought liked you simply put up with you. at some point, it was gonna happen and is necessary for one or both of you to be happy.

the only PROBLEM is when people can't get over things. kids are usually happy because they can get over stuff. i idolize my kids' ability to do that. it's an invaluable quality; to not hold a grudge for any period of time.

SoberGuy · #17 (**permalink**) 04-09-2007, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megascops-osio

we all take crap, that's life, but some can or choose to take more than others to keep this place happy, which it never really was.

This place was never really happy? Wow, wish I had been around as long so you to have that kind of history!

X-Factor · #18 (**permalink**) 04-09-2007, 12:43 AM

WOW....

Sleepy_FF · #19 (**permalink**) 04-09-2007, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ophiophilia

Lately I've seen that RTB is kinda falling apart. More often arguments are coming out of nowhere.
...
I'd like to mention that we all have one thing in common... and that's Herps.

2 super-vital points shannon. thank you, and i agree

sarecho7280 · #20 (**permalink**) 04-09-2007, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoberGuy

This place was never really happy? Wow, wish I had been around as long so you to have that kind of history!

i had an account when this place converted from postnuke back in 2004. during the changeover, my password wouldn't work and i just didn't come back for a while.

i remember back in the day when the mods all wanted to kill each other and it was a big issue.

but hey, ask natas for a history lesson if you'd feel better. things are always tough when it starts really growing, then they're tough when you have tons of members. most boards don't grow steadily but with big jumps here and there, mostly because of exposure on another large board that draws a lot of members at once or because of another board shutting down.

i have no way of knowing, but i'd bet a large number of new members have popped up this year and when that happens, the pecking order is disturbed and people get into it.

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