Knee-jerk Reactions

[fwbbreeze]

I am right with everyone on this topic. Just take for instance what is occurring in the "Suggestions? Treasure Island" thread. A member was trying to get VALUABLE input on how to advise his mother who in scared and the first response to his/her question is "treasure is very very low leave ASAP". Please, that is about as uninformed as one can get. It wasn't until a moderator stepped in that the responses became a little more responsible. We constantly remind members to listen to local authorities and then someone posts this. These are the type of posts that don't belong on S2K. Still love this place, but it appears that some posters post just to see themselves post and inflate their post count.

fwbbreeze

[cycloneye]

To clarify,when I said using emoctions is not the best thing what I was talking is about posting those without a word like this:

Without a word.

Of course members can post emoctions but that way not the best way.

[fci]

To clarify,when I said using emoctions is not the best thing what I was talking is about posting those without a word like this:

Without a word.

Of course members can post emoctions but that way not the best way.

(couldn't resist)

[HurricaneQueen]

Well, count one more who is getting extremely annoyed at the useless posts. When this community was formed in the Fall of 2002, we all came here for one thing. Good, up-to-date information about the weather and discussions of substance. There was no bickering or bashing because we were so happy to finally have the environment where we could share ideas and really learn from those more knowledgable than we.

While new members are always welcome, in the last year or two we have had an influx of posters who treat this as their own personal chat room. WE HAVE A CHAT ROOM, SO PLEASE USE IT. That's the perfect place for one-liners and "I told you so" posts.

Personally, I like and support the idea that posts are not counted on the board. Perhaps, if this is possible, the post count could go into the profile area only. This would help to alleviate the competition to get the most posts. Remember, QUALITY OVER QUANTITY is the objective of this wonderful board.

While I'm on my soapbox, when a thread is dedicated to one topic and you are asked not to post comments, please refrain from doing so. It clutters the board and makes it difficult to find the information we are seeking.

The Administrators and Moderators have done a wonderful, if monumental job, and I certainly do not envy them their tasks. Don't forget they are doing this for their love of the board and not for any compensation. It can be a thankless job so let's all make it easier for them by adhering to the rules and using some common sense when posting.

Thank you,
Lynn

P.S. the "SpelCheck" feature is there for a reason. Please use it so we can understand what you are trying to say.

[Ziplock]

"Personally, I like and support the idea that posts are not counted on the board. Perhaps, if this is possible, the post count could go into the profile area only. This would help to alleviate the competition to get the most posts. Remember, QUALITY OVER QUANTITY is the objective of this wonderful board." Hurricane Queen, you nailed it!

I have long thought that posts were being made by some just to get the post count higher...Mods, Puleeze consider making the count part of the profile section, so that it doesn't appear on every post in the forums. I'd bet my storm shutters on the East and South sides of my house that the one word posts would fast drop off if that were done.

As to the wobble wars, I find many of them hilarious, and it doesn't seem too difficult to distinguish a wobble war type thread from more substantive posts. When my area is threatened, I actually fall for the wobble posts, because it matters so much when and if a turn is beginning for a given storm. It is the posts that make me nuts...with the excaption of Hurricane Gurl's (in)famous, "Holy Crap " posts.

Keep up the great work, Moderators, in maintaining the best board on the Net!
Cheers (for the board, NOT for Alberto),
Ziplock

[LSU2001]

I am right with everyone on this topic. Just take for instance what is occurring in the "Suggestions? Treasure Island" thread. A member was trying to get VALUABLE input on how to advise his mother who in scared and the first response to his/her question is "treasure is very very low leave ASAP". Please, that is about as uninformed as one can get. It wasn't until a moderator stepped in that the responses became a little more responsible. We constantly remind members to listen to local authorities and then someone posts this. These are the type of posts that don't belong on S2K. Still love this place, but it appears that some posters post just to see themselves post and inflate their post count.

fwbbreeze

I do agree that panic or over hyping is a problem however you must remember that sometimes locals know more than the authorities are currently stating. I remember last year when Hurricane Dennis was approaching the Gulf coast several politicians in NOLA were keeping a wait and see attitude. Aaron Broussard of Jefferson Parish called for a Voluntary Evac. and was roundly criticized when the storm turned and hit Pensacola. The folks in NOLA who took the wait and see approach looked like hero's. When Katrina was Threatening they took the same approach and when they finally ordered the evac. it was too late for many. Many people died as a result of late evac orders and the inability to find a way out. You may think it is irresponsible to urge someone to evac. prior to official evac orders, but I don't. I would rather know from a local what to expect and if where I am is subject to flooding. I always listen to official warnings but an early heads up is not over reacting. This is simply my opinion and is not an attempt to start an argument simply offering another view.
Tim

[Audrey2Katrina]

To see Air Force Met...have to explain abbreviations to this newbie, is a waste of his time and efforts!

AFM handled it quite well, and I think the newcomer eventually got the message. A lot of 'em are quite young and need to learn the ropes.

As to the suggestion that S2K would allow quality to suffer for quantity in the hopes of gaining donations... From what little time I've been aboard, I'd say this implication is absurd. I'm convinced this is not the case. When a truly flagrant violation is taking place, they will stop it in a heartbeat. I've seen 'em do so many times. The problem is that in order to keep abreast of what's going on in every thread, in every forum, at all times would not only be a Herculean task--they'd need as many moderators as users and that's simply not practical. Sometimes a firm but understanding hand is necessary from the "experienced" folks. (not trying to be "snobby" here, only suggesting that there are, as stated earlier, some savvy folks in here; and if you can't handle it with tact and/or dignity--contact a mod.) I was there when the newbie began juvenile remarks about a user (who more often than not seems to disagree with me ) and I tried as tactfully as I could to inform them of how things are done on these boards--when they truly got silly, I was ready to take it to the next level; but AFM came in and, I think, did a superb job of helping to set this person on the right track.

Bottom line is that the mods can be overwhelmed, and IF someone gets really out of line, I know that a quick PM to any mod online will result in some kind of corrective measure being taken. This by no means implies that every time someone's feelings get hurt you rush to the PM button; but with wise discretion and seeing that normal diplomatic measures aren't working, they are the ones to handle it.

At least that's how I see it; 'cuz I'm not exactly a seasoned vet myself.

A2K

[thefixed]

I rarely post on here. I am definitely a reader. I agree fully with this recent explosive nonsense that has occurred. Sure, I've only been a member since July 2005, but even in those short 11 months I've noticed big changes.

One thing I can point out is the number of members we now have as compared to before. I do not have specific numbers, but on the bottom of the Forum Index page, it states the most users ever online was 434. That was of course in response to Hurricane Katrina, and I remember that day on the forums as it was so slow I could barely even get on it. With such an amazing hurricane as that and the state it was in at the time, we have 434 users browsing the forums. Now we see with Alberto, we have 280 users at times. That really demonstrates the increase of members there has been since then. This obviously causes more posts, but the number of irrelevant and off-topic posts is beginning to get out of hand. It's hard to address this without offending someone, but it honestly is not only getting under my skin (as well as others) but it is beginning to turn me away from Storm2K. As the people before me have stated, the one-liners and the emoticon-only posts must cease. For example with the emoticons, you may see: as the post and that's all. This is showing the members reaction to the storm or whatever it may be. But honestly, this doesn't benefit anyone whatsoever. I'm sure if you have a reaction like that, others will too, and they don't need you to tell them that. Reactions are a big part of the gibberish posts. "I can't believe they found 70kt winds!!!!!!!!" "This thing is a monster!!" "Looks like we all should buckle our seat belts!!" Please, people, reactions like that aren't necessary posts. I could and would give examples, but I do not want to point fingers or embarrass anyone. And in addition to reactions, posts are beginning to arise about what you believe will happen with a system without giving any shred of light as to why. Like "I think Alberto will weaken and strengthen overnight and then weaken again and then strengthen overnight again." Certainly would be an interesting read if you had some reasoning for this belief. But say that and only that just wastes space. People are allowed to have naive outlooks and forecasts for things, but please give reasoning. And to address the possibility that people are posting for the simple fact to post, this is definite. I recall last season, a member would celebrate his own milestones in post numbers. Such as "1000th post!" and that was it. And their posting habits certainly showed that they did care how many posts they had. Such as posting four separate posts in a row in quick succession when they could've been edited into the one.

I could ramble on for hours, so I will stop here. I know I'm sure I've repeated myself as I have the others in this thread before me, but I believe it was necessary. I even have outlandish reactions to things sometimes and very off-topic thoughts, but I do not post them. I keep them to myself where they should be. I'm not saying you can't ask a question about something no matter how simple. For example, someone asked what the inverted-V signature of a tropical wave means. That was a valid question and was given an appropriate response. It was better for them to ask and find out the correct answer rather than pretend they know what it means and respond ignorantly. We just need to use our heads, people. When going to reply to something, ask yourself if you were someone else, would you care about what you have to say? And if it is only a reaction, then please refrain altogether. And about making the post count profile-only, I'm all for that. And the different ranks are also enticing for people to post nonsensical replies. I think I've made my points known and to anyone who took offense, I apologize, that was not the purpose. Thanks for reading.

And by the way, to touch on the spelling of "trough" as "trof", we are weather-enthusiasts, not English majors. And with quoting, please only quote the pertinent information. Thanks again!

[acidus]

I remember people wish-casting as long as I've been around here.

[artist]

last year there was a thread just for recon info and basically only those with the expertise posted on it and then a thread for discussion by all. This was also done with the models and advisories thread (I believe it was)
This seemed to help seperate the general comments from the important ones. Can that be done again this year?

[VeniceInlet]

I used to read and post here under "inotherwords" and changed my handle this year to indicate my location.

I'm happy to see this thread and want to also put my 2 cents in. I wish that the technology on this board would permit an "ignore" function. Because I found that there are a couple of enthusiastic yet incredibly annoying people I'd really like to block off my radar. They fall into the "chicken little" category and do nothing but make other people anxious. They're ones who always post the emoticons and contribute very little substantive to the discussion, however they would be the first to disagree with you about that. They seem to know just enough to be dangerous.

I don't have a met background and I'm happy just to contribute my conditions and observations, but it makes me nuts to wade through the all too numerous posts of these people. I read the pro boards, but I also like reading this board because of folks like AirForceMet and Sanibel and quite a few others who contribute here.

I hope we can see if this "ignore" feature is possible, because then it would certainly make this hurricane season a little easier and less annoying.

[ConvergenceZone]

I agree. It'a almost funny how much hype this storm is getting(even with the media on tv). They need to see it for what it is, a strong tropical storm with a decent chance of it becomming a very minimal hurricane. Nothing more...

Personally, I'm thinking just a strong tropical storm. If it hits hurricane strength, I'm sure it will be on the VERY minimal scale 75mph tops.....

[Beam]

Where I stand:

Sensitive people need to quit whining about people I disagree with and just ignore them. Too many words have been wasted over this issue.

people I disagree with need to stop and realize exactly what they're wishing for when they predict every new invest to go cat5 into a major metro. It's disrespectful to those who live there, and it makes you look mentally challenged to boot.

Amateurs should be able to post their forecasts without having to explain, provided that they use the disclaimer, and what they're predicting isn't completely asinine.

Don't post off-topic. Ever. If it's something that would be interesting to everyone, make a new thread. if it's just interesting to an individual or two, use PMs. If it's not interesting at all, can it. Too many threads veer off-topic these days.

Listen to the staff. For the love of all things human PLEASE listen to the staff. All too often it appears to go in one ear and out the other.

Stop making new threads for every damn thing that happens with a cyclone. If it's about some aspect of a storm, then use that storm's official thread.

Treat Pro-Mets like staff. They're smarter than you, they're smarter than me, and if you argue with them, everyone will look smarter then you.

Posts like "OMG IS IT COMING HERE!?!?! ", "IT'S BOMBING! " "HOLY CRAP IT'S GOING ANNULAR ", and "STORM CANCEL! " are completely absurd and useless, and should be a bannable offense. I'm serious.

Use your memberhip responsibly. Don't be full of hype and try to scare people. Hurricane Season can be very exciting, but don't go overboard.

The Storm2k chatroom is the best thing since fire, the wheel, and even sliced bread. Use it for one-liners and minor comments.

Speak bloody english!!! I hate seeing 'lol' 'omg' 'u' and all that other abbreviated crap everywhere I go on the internet, but especially here. At least TRY to use proper spelling, grammar, caps, and punctuation. It's not hard, and it'll save you from looking like an illiterate 4-year-old. After all, 'you" is only two more keystrokes than 'u'. Stop being lazy.

There's a lot of inactive accounts, spam-quality posts and a good number of people with bad attitudes. The board could use an enema.

Some banter back-and-forth about the weather is okay, but there's been a lot of devisiveness over board issues like this. Stop bickering, and use common sense and a love for the community to base your opinions upon, not your own motives.

End of Line.

[VeniceInlet]

"Speak bloody english!!! I hate seeing 'lol' 'omg' 'u' and all that other abbreviated crap everywhere I go on the internet, but especially here. At least TRY to use proper spelling, grammar, caps, and punctuation. It's not hard, and it'll save you from looking like an illiterate 4-year-old. After all, 'you" is only two more keystrokes than 'u'. Stop being lazy. "

Exactly. The ones that drive me nuts are "ppl" and "b/c". We aren't text messaging.

As far as ignoring the people I disagree with, as I mentioned it would be a lot easier with an optional ignore feature. The people I disagree with tend to be that way all season long, so a simple click would put them out of sight and out of mind.