Why are so many folk having problems registering?

[Chrissy]

I love the friendly atmosphere here and the relaxed feeling. It's enjoyable. That said there has been one troll of gigantic proportion recently, and one long thread that is a horror show of gigantic proportions IMO. As Quantum Sailor said, " I'm not really big on censoring people, but at the same time I'm not really big on train wrecks either." Too much moderation, and this place will lose what makes it special. Absolutely no moderation, and this place will lose what makes it special. We can all see that.

I personally don't need an all-business forum about fountain pens, because I already have one of those, and it's a well-run place that already does things perfectly well, and I like it there just fine. JMHO. No place is perfect, but I like this place. I personally want FPG back. The one where trolls were actually warned and given time outs if necessary, and new people could join, and some people were politely asked to stop when their repeated posting of the same contentious material added nothing new (and then did stop, to be fair). Or add an "ignore thread." There are lots of options.

It seems that Eric hasn't been responding to his emails here, or to messages through "report post." Perhaps he's on vacation. Perhaps he's busy. Maybe if enough of us tried to contact him nicely, he'd take some action. You'll remember his post here, where he seemed to ask for feedback and posted his email, which is eric@fpgeeks.com. Maybe we could reach out to him (and I know some of us have tried, but let's try again). Maybe he's just missed what's going on.

He also posted his cellphone number there, but I'm not calling someone I don't know that well. Maybe someone who does know him will call?

Even if you love things just as they are right now, it's still a problem if new people sign up but can't post, and are left in limbo because no one seems to be responding to them.

Well said and +1 for this.

I don't remember having a probationary period on FPG. although there was one on another FP forum where Jon was able to help me out.

[carlc]

Then maybe it is time to research into rebuilding the forum elsewhere. We'd need a new name as Eric owns FPGeeks, but we're a creative sort. And we'd need a bit of money a year for hosting costs, but it would remove the uncertainty.

Something like that is already in place.

Which is why several people are here.

[pengeezer]

Is it possible that Eric just wants one of us to do his job(whether moderating or finding someone to do it) so
he doesn't have to(and if it doesn't work out,we get the blame)?


John

[Sailor Kenshin]

Then maybe it is time to research into rebuilding the forum elsewhere. We'd need a new name as Eric owns FPGeeks, but we're a creative sort. And we'd need a bit of money a year for hosting costs, but it would remove the uncertainty.

Something like that is already in place.

Which is why several people are here.

I meant that I went and did it while no one was looking. So that's always an option.

[carlc]

Then maybe it is time to research into rebuilding the forum elsewhere. We'd need a new name as Eric owns FPGeeks, but we're a creative sort. And we'd need a bit of money a year for hosting costs, but it would remove the uncertainty.

Something like that is already in place.

Which is why several people are here.

I meant that I went and did it while no one was looking. So that's always an option.

My apologies - I misread your intention. Don't ban me before I've even joined!

By the way I already know which username I want!

[Sailor Kenshin]

Then maybe it is time to research into rebuilding the forum elsewhere. We'd need a new name as Eric owns FPGeeks, but we're a creative sort. And we'd need a bit of money a year for hosting costs, but it would remove the uncertainty.

Something like that is already in place.

Which is why several people are here.

I meant that I went and did it while no one was looking. So that's always an option.

My apologies - I misread your intention. Don't ban me before I've even joined!

By the way I already know which username I want!

You can always pay me off with ink.

[carlc]

I could get some of that MB demonstrator ink for you. I have a new delivery method using the public utilities system. Alternatively airmail - put a bucket in your backyard and it'll be delivered even if you're out!

[Chrissy]

Is it possible that Eric just wants one of us to do his job(whether moderating or finding someone to do it) so
he doesn't have to(and if it doesn't work out,we get the blame)?
John

If Eric did want someone to do his job (whether moderating or finding someone to do it) why would he not just ask?

[carlc]

BTW: Sailor Kenshin. If I'd engaged my brain before posting I wouldn't have misinterpreted the post as what I thought you meant is definitely not like you.

[sgtstretch]

Is it possible that Eric just wants one of us to do his job(whether moderating or finding someone to do it) so
he doesn't have to(and if it doesn't work out,we get the blame)?
John

If Eric did want someone to do his job (whether moderating or finding someone to do it) why would he not just ask?

Just did a quick search and all of Eric's social media accounts have been dormant for the past several months. I have no idea what's going on, but this kind of neglect isn't good for the community as a whole.

[Sailor Kenshin]

BTW: Sailor Kenshin. If I'd engaged my brain before posting I wouldn't have misinterpreted the post as what I thought you meant is definitely not like you.

The fault was undoubtedly mine for being unclear....hadn't had my first shot of whiskey yet.

[jar]

BTW: Sailor Kenshin. If I'd engaged my brain before posting I wouldn't have misinterpreted the post as what I thought you meant is definitely not like you.

The fault was undoubtedly mine for being unclear....hadn't had my first shot of whiskey yet.

Do the shots hurt? Where do you get them?

[carlc]

BTW: Sailor Kenshin. If I'd engaged my brain before posting I wouldn't have misinterpreted the post as what I thought you meant is definitely not like you.

The fault was undoubtedly mine for being unclear....hadn't had my first shot of whiskey yet.

Do the shots hurt? Where do you get them?

😃😃😃

[mhosea]

Just did a quick search and all of Eric's social media accounts have been dormant for the past several months.

He has a life, I suppose. Good for him. But why give birth to an internet site like FPG, fire the babysitter for eating the food in the fridge (I'm guessing), and then abandon it?

[Sailor Kenshin]

BTW: Sailor Kenshin. If I'd engaged my brain before posting I wouldn't have misinterpreted the post as what I thought you meant is definitely not like you.

The fault was undoubtedly mine for being unclear....hadn't had my first shot of whiskey yet.

Do the shots hurt? Where do you get them?

In a place I can't tell you about.

[reprieve]

When the forum was disappeared and then returned to us, Eric said that he wanted to allow the community to continue as it had been and to remain largely self-directed. I believe that's what most of us wanted and still want. But we cannot be a healthy, organic community if we are plagued by spammers and trolls, and if new members cannot join and post in a timely fashion. It seems to me that Eric does not have the time or the desire to reliably address these issues on a daily basis.

So why not allow us to elect our own moderators? A team of perhaps two people who would have limited powers--they would have the power to remove spam, warn people who continue to post inappropriately (and suspend their posting privileges if necessary), and approve new members? Perhaps the moderators should not have the power to ban members--perhaps that could be left up to Eric, who could decide impartially and judiciously whether someone has become an intolerable problem and needs to be removed permanently? The moderators could have fixed terms (a year?) in order to hold them accountable to the community? It seems to me that this would be a rather straightforward solution to the issues that have been plaguing us recently and it would be in line with the spirit of the FP Geeks Forum. The problem, of course, would be how to go about voting, but I think we could figure something out.

Of course, anything like that would still require Eric to respond once in a while.

[carlc]

I'd prefer a constitutional monarchy with a first past the post system and an unelected second chamber filled with people who either are cronies or had ancestors who were cronies of whoever the ruling power was at the time.

[Wile E Coyote]

I'd prefer a constitutional monarchy with a first past the post system and an unelected second chamber filled with people who either are cronies or had ancestors who were cronies of whoever the ruling power was at the time.

Hear, hear!

[Hawk]

Is it possible that Eric just wants one of us to do his job(whether moderating or finding someone to do it) so
he doesn't have to(and if it doesn't work out,we get the blame)?
John

If Eric did want someone to do his job (whether moderating or finding someone to do it) why would he not just ask?

I agree.

[Morgaine]

We were gone in the blink of an eye for a period just a few months ago. There is nothing to prevent that from happening in precisely the same manner, at any point.

The lack of Admin is problematic, if anyone here knows Eric personally and could please ask him to make a couple trusted people admin so that issues like spam, or registration problems, can be taken care fo that would solve the issue.

People have been attempting contact. He is not responding.

Then maybe it is time to research into rebuilding the forum elsewhere. We'd need a new name as Eric owns FPGeeks, but we're a creative sort. And we'd need a bit of money a year for hosting costs, but it would remove the uncertainty.

I have sort of been thinking of a forum predominantly for correspondence/letter matters (would like something more than the InCoWriMo board) for a while now because I haven't found one I like but haven't done anything about it. I'd have sections for letters, pens (not just fountain pens) and ink, paper, fun... etc.. School holidays are imminent here, and I will find myself away from the computer at times so may not have the time to manage one fully at present. I have discussed this in letters with at least a couple of people...