"Anyone want my supporting membership?" Topic

Hi, whilst I was kindly selected by the editors for a free membership,I don't feel I'll make any use of it so perhaps it could go to someone who will.
I rarely need to PM anyone on here, and having been back into the lounge not only is there nothing of interest for me in there (way back it used to be occasionally amusing), but it seems a lot of the people I cannot stomach on TMP due to their views on many things are members in there, and I do not want to associate with types like that.

So, if anyone wants my membership, drop Bill I line and I will happily pass it over. Hopefully it will be of benefit to someone.

I'll take it!

Give it to SuperMax.

I fear the lounge lost its way many moons ago when Michael and Neotacha left TMP – they were very much a civilising influence there.

Yeah there's stuff there at the moment makes my flesh creep and I'm not easily creeped out. Twas not always so.

I would be very grateful for such.

Surfer. Thanks for your posting. I refused to renew my membership due to TMP turning into a horror show. There are too many boards I have turned off due to the know nothing rabid right wing and just bigoted comments. Getting doghoused for calling a Nazi holocaust denier a fool was the last straw. Bills house bills rules is a joke that changes from day to day and what ever his whimsical thought of the day is. You can quote white supremacists literature, defend Hitler and the Nazi as misunderstood or call for the extermination of a race or religion but never call one of those brain dead individuals a fool. The Blue fez is spilling out onto this site with its hate and bigotry. I am curious hiw many advertisers or members who like to be associated with the thoughrs exressed there. Interestingly bronze goat (and you know who he was) showed up at another miniature wargame site and tried quoting his party line. He was
shut down. Why is it others sites do not tolerate this behavior but Bill does? Am I alone in thinking this? Look at all the people who contributed sane knowledgeable information who have left. It is nice to read and share their knowledge on sites like wargamers website or lead adventures or dare I say it frothers. And now the adds? If I block the adds for dating russian women or escort services I also block out adds for miniaturefigures or terrain. Sort of destroys my reason for being here. I used to check in many times a day now it is every other day or less. Sad.

I have found little in the lounge to stimulate me thus far, I have to say.

John T

If I block the adds for dating russian women or escort services I also block out adds for miniaturefigures or terrain.

In Adblock filter preferences, "##.bannerad" blocks banner ads at the top. "##.adsbygoogle" blocks the Adsense ads. Disabling the "##.bannerad" filter will allow the good ads through but still keep the junk ads out.

I'm still a supporting member, to support the site, but I have to agree with your assessment of the tone in the Lounge and a few of the other boards the last couple of years.

I notice that the tone definitely improves when certain individuals are Dawghoused, and in this case correlation definitely confirms causation.

I just had a quick dash through the lounge, and found much to regret. Indeed, most of the TMPers I have chosen to stifle or ignore are there in force.

I hurt my foot when I stomped it.

I got my supporting membership refunded because things just get too nasty.

Bill are you paying attention? Or do you not care?

So, if anyone wants my membership, drop Bill I line and I will happily pass it over.

I'll take it!

Transferred!

…it seems a lot of the people I cannot stomach on TMP due to their views on many things are members in there, and I do not want to associate with types like that.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I've always found the Lounge to be one of the most pleasant areas on TMP.

Yeah there's stuff there at the moment makes my flesh creep and I'm not easily creeped out. Twas not always so.

Creeped out? The most recent topics involve…

* joke about starting a Lounge library
* someone having the flu
* someone saying his wife is awesome
* someone worrying about trenches for WWI
* the definition of "hero"
* a bathroom story
* building a game room
* students cheating in an ethics class

…due to TMP turning into a horror show. There are too many boards I have turned off due to the know nothing rabid right wing and just bigoted comments.

Some gamers are on the right, some are on the left. Some will be bigots. If they break forum rules, the rules are enforced. However, the moderators cannot shield you from all statements that might offend you.

Getting doghoused for calling a Nazi holocaust denier a fool was the last straw. Bills house bills rules is a joke that changes from day to day and what ever his whimsical thought of the day is. You can quote white supremacists literature, defend Hitler and the Nazi as misunderstood or call for the extermination of a race or religion but never call one of those brain dead individuals a fool.

Being Dawghoused for clearly breaking forum rules should not come as a surprise. Free speech means allowing alternate viewpoints, just as it means letting Charlie Hebdo publish satire.

The Blue fez is spilling out onto this site with its hate and bigotry.

You seem to have a low tolerance for other viewpoints. The Blue Fez (our sister website) is hardly full of hate and bigotry. It is a place of lively debate, where contrasting viewpoints are aired.

Why is it others sites do not tolerate this behavior but Bill does?

Perhaps I'm more tolerant? More respectful of freedom? I would always prefer a discussion than censorship.

If I block the adds for dating russian women or escort services I also block out adds for miniaturefigures or terrain.

Dating Russian women is not inethical or immoral. I have seen no banner ads for escort services. If you see any (and are not just being hysterical), please bring them to my attention so I can block them.

It's about more than the lounge and PMs. Don't worry Surfer and B6, I'll continue to be a paying supporter so you and others can enjoy the "free" portions of TMP while protesting.

With respect, I don't think it's a case of 'freedom' or 'censorship'. Other sites merely wish the topics to keep to wargaming, or side issues of a very light-hearted nature (with one other site being a notable exception).

People have different political viewpoints and opinions on controversial issues. So if these subjects arise there is going to be discord (and the 'lively debate' in the Fez is usually not friendly).

It doesn't matter how many happy topics are in the lounge right now, over the past few weeks there have been some that should have been elsewhere, and in my opinion were obnoxious and soured the place. My opinion only I stress, but that's not what I come here for.

There are masses of political and current affairs sites. I visit some and get my daily dose of high blood pressure.
Personally, I'd rather avoid it here.

…over the past few weeks there have been some that should have been elsewhere, and in my opinion were obnoxious and soured the place…

That's what the Complaint button is for…

Actually I did.

There are already plenty of tools TMP provides for anyone who feels offended by anything (legit or not) to report it, voice their grievance, or not to have to see *that* post, or *that offenders* posts ever again.

What more are you suggesting?

Because voicing a generic, "I don't like the tone here/there," without being specific about what banned content is not being addressed, and without offering a possible solution is just complaining into the wind.

Are you wanting additional banned content to change the tone? Then be specific and let's debate the merits.

So Freedom and tolerance is about not moderating hate speech and Holocaust denial on a hobby website. There are plenty of other places that can go on happily – Youtube comments etc. But I've lurked in various guises on this site for nearly 15 years, and I've *never* experienced it like this in the past.

And invoking Charlie Hebdo just beggars belief, frankly.

So Freedom and tolerance is about not moderating hate speech and Holocaust denial on a hobby website.

Perhaps if you gave an example where such speech was not moderated, we could have a useful discussion.

And invoking Charlie Hebdo just beggars belief, frankly.

Then I don't think you don't understand what "Je suis Charlie" means.

Come off it regarding Je Suis Charlie. Freedom of Speech, yes,but where it's appropriate is key. Why is only relatively recently posts here have angered me in nearly 15 years of visiting? I honestly can't think of a single post in the past.

Do you think Lead Adventure are 'not Charlie' for banning depictions of the Swastika on their forum, or indeed, Holocaust Denialism?

You can be right patronising Bill, considering that last comment, btw.

You can be right patronising Bill, considering that last comment, btw.

I was 100% serious. The Charlie Hebdo case is essentially about the right to offensive speech, isn't it?

But it's your site I suppose, so do with it as you see fit.

It's disappointing though. Maybe it's some sort of cultural difference regarding appropriate content for forums. If I wanted to read dodgy political rants I wouldn't have thought of looking for them here before.

If you want offensive speech on an advertiser-supported hobby site by all means go for it.

Do you think Lead Adventure are 'not Charlie' for banning depictions of the Swastika on their forum, or indeed, Holocaust Denialism?

Lead Adventure is a German website, so legally they would be in hot water if they didn't ban it.

Je Suis Charlie

If you can't ban them, then mock them until they learn to stop saying stupid things and making stupid actions. That's the value of satire.

If I wanted to read dodgy political rants I wouldn't have thought of looking for them here before.

Well, since you provide no examples… I don't know what you consider to be dodgy.

If you want offensive speech on an advertiser-supported hobby site by all means go for it.

So… you feel offensive speech should be censored? Who defines what is offensive?

I know about the German thing, just wondered if that was seen as against freedom of speech.

But anyway. It's an observation of a noticeable change in the atmosphere here in recent times. The breakdowns on the Napoleonic boards were always pretty heated, and popcorn worthy, but…I dunno. Just not as pleasant I suppose.

Charlie Hebdo is a political satire/humour magazine. I didn't realise TMP had such lofty ambitions.

I still believe that this is apropos for here if you are offended ,

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!" Topic
Due to the recent spate of DH'ings perhaps President Muffley was right. Could we all please try not to rise to the attempts to bait from certain individuals here that are known for causing discourse and hijackings. I was once for the first time DH'ed for responding to a certain individual in rising to his bait.I believe that the Ignore and Stifle option in such circumstances should come into play. "Mokusatsu". Mokusatsu (黙殺 ?) is a Japanese word meaning "to ignore" or "to treat with silent contempt". It is composed of two kanji: 黙 (moku, literally "silence") and 殺 (satsu, literally "killing").

TMP link

Mardaddy: +1

If you think your Supporting Membership had little or no value then why not contact Bill via PM and simply have it transferred-?

Why start a thread and offer it up: was it simply to make a 'point' so you could publicly list your issues with the site-?

If so, you could have done that at any time and frankly, it would have lent more weight to your post. With respect, here, it appears to be grandstanding.

No internet site will ever conform to anyone's ideal; it's the mix of posts/opinions that make it interesting. The user always has the choice of what to read and react to.

An example: I don't read the Ultramodern Board. I don't read it because I know (for me) that there will be posts/opinions that will annoy me.

However, the fact that this board exists along with the type of posts mentioned above in no way subtracts from my overall enjoyment.

Censorship or moderation? That's not up for me to decide, is it?

As examples, most of the Ultramodern Board, the whole 'the SS, cuddly or not?' thing etc. And the Holocaust revisionism that might be seen as good old freedom in the US, but certainly isn't in Europe etc.

I never visited the Blue Fez, so maybe this sort of stuff went on in there.

But anyway. Observations. Personally I thought the pretty much complete lack of this sort of thing in the past was a successful approach.

I hurt my other foot too when I stomped it.

One member decides to not accept a gift membership upgrade and all this is the result?
As for how this site is run, why not try doing such oneself? Might get a little insight as to just how easy and simple it is.
It seems to me that some few members are fussing about the expressed opinions of a few other members. Not much new there…

Thanks Bill and alien BLOODY HELL surfer!!! I really appreciate it. I LOVE TMP!!!

most of the Ultramodern Board…

Well, let's look at the most recent topics there:

* don't fight in here, it's the War Room
* Blade Runner
* Perry class frigates
* France kicks Islamist Ass (name of article)
* press broadcasting too much information?
* Chinese weapons against Japan
* UK asks US for sub search help
* AK-47 most popular illegal firearm in Europe

You're against "most" of those discussions?

…the whole 'the SS, cuddly or not?' thing etc.

And where are those discussions? Got a link?

And the Holocaust revisionism that might be seen as good old freedom in the US, but certainly isn't in Europe etc.

Well, since that is now against forum rules, it seems a moot point.

Alien just got my first stifle. I don't want to associate with people like him.

Just avoid the UM forum. It's a lot easier and you can get most of the same commentary from most any youtube video.

Think of it as a containment field, so we can have gaming threads on the other forums without hearing about muslims/obama/immigrants/obama/muslims/obama/communists/obama/boltactionplayers ruining America.

"As for how this site is run, why not try doing such oneself? Might get a little insight as to just how easy and simple it is."

A former member of this site has done just that. Alas it is not permitted to speak of that site here on TMP

Alas it is not permitted to speak of that site here on TMP

Only because that former member had a sock puppet problem.

As for how this site is run, why not try doing such oneself?

Many try. Most fail.
New wargaming sites fail for a number of reasons but lack of traffic would be a major cause.

You need a 'critical mass' of CONTRIBUTING members to produce the flood of entertaining &/or informative posts that gives a forum life.

But here's the rub: the more such members you have, the more friction you'll get. Ipso facto. I belong to two 'small but perfectly formed' forums: LAW & WD3. The membership are uniformly excellent fellows but do not generate all that much forum traffic.

So, I come here to TMP. Sure there's a few members I'm not all that fond of but most are great people &, importantly,there is always something of interest to read.

This is not true of most existing (old & new) wargaming sites.
So if you like the overwhelming positives about TMP, you sometimes have to disregard the actually small number of negatives.

Really, it isn't that hard.

Bill. Free so each is fine. But as a number of people found your view of free so each can be elastic. When someone offends you or posts something you do not like they get doghoused orphaned from the site. And while we sometimes get to vote on trivial matters where was the vote on adds?

When someone offends you or posts something you do not like they get doghoused orphaned from the site.

That's not really true, is it? Lots of people post things I may not like, and are still around TMP. The question is whether they are breaking forum rules, or if they are so disruptive they are dragging the site down.

And while we sometimes get to vote on trivial matters where was the vote on adds?

We don't vote on everything.

'I'm sorry you feel that way. I've always found the Lounge to be one of the most pleasant areas on TMP.'

Bill, thanks for transferring it over to JasonAfrika. It's not the lounge itself Bill, I've been there many a time and over the years have enjoyed nonsense chats and threads over there, it's just not for me now with regards some members in there, and more that I would not use it enough (the lounge and the account) and figured someone else may benefit more from it.

'Personal logo ArmymenRGreat Supporting Member of TMP 11 Jan 2015 2:09 p.m. PST
It's about more than the lounge and PMs. Don't worry Surfer and B6, I'll continue to be a paying supporter so you and others can enjoy the "free" portions of TMP while protesting.'

thats very big of you, well done you, I will make you up a gold medal. I actually used to be a paying member of TMP and was happy to do so. Here, I was offering up the FREE membership GIVEN TO ME by the EDITORS to someone who might make more use of it. It therefore has nothing to do with being a paid supporter, there is no lack of income to Bill, and perhaps JasonAfrika will pay up for a membership next time and thus Bill will gain the monetary support.

To the person who stifled me for this (Cfuzwuz), that is your choice. I was not actually trying to do anything other than make people aware I was happy to hand over my gift of membership, and yes I did state why, but so what if I find a lot of people on here offensive. I have stifled them, and for the most part they post on threads/topics I don't follow. not so in the lounge, and it becomes more obvious when replying to a thread that you have half of it blocked. I don't have a gripe against Bill or TMP, but I do have very strong views on many things and you know, rather than tell Bill what to do, I have simply stated why I would not really use the lounge anymore. It was not a comment against TMP nor was I expecting what has happened here. It was just a 'I don't want X because of Y, perhaps Z would like it instead' I have not stated who or what views I cannot agree with, as I didn't want to cause an argument. If you like I can tell you privately why, but then you may prefer that sort of person and fit in quite well with them, then yes you wouldn't want to associate with someone like me.
Feel free to jump to more conclusions though.

Bill, sorry for what happened here, with hindsight I should have PM'd you and asked you to put it up for offer and none of these arguments here would have surfaced.

LOL!

Oh, teh drahma!

:)

I wish I could keep the PM's and drop the lounge.

Easy – turn off the Lounge in your homepage settings.