Why did we close?

[clikchic]

To put it bluntly, Admin and mods needed a break from the constant trolls. It is hard work to run a non profit forum for members when certain members constantly troll the admin. It makes it a pretty thankless task and makes it doubly hard to feel motivated to do the work the forum needs to run.

It should not be too much to ask to expect people to show each other respect. Free speech comes with responsibility. You can speak freely but you also need to be prepared for the consequences. This is not a free for all venue and never has been. This website is run for the members, and too many members are not feeling comfortable enough to be part of the site in a real way because of trolls behaving badly. The trolls do not own the site. They do not have a RIGHT to troll just because they may or may not donate, or even just because they are a member. Members do however have a right to be treated with respect. Differences of opinion are perfectly fine, but it is how they are argued that is important. It needs to be done with respect.

This forum was originally created by ME. No one else. I created this forum because GOUGHY and LEON wanted a golf forum where they could enjoy chatting about golf without being trolled and without admin being too lax to do anything about it. That was the original vision for this forum and while it has gone of track a little because being admin is a very thankless task, that remains the vision for this site. When you make donations for this site, those donations are for that vision and not an excuse to troll because you feel you can lay claim on the forum. When goughy struggled with the time to admin and moderate the site, ANDYP stepped in to help admin. Andy took on the thankless task and deserves a lot of credit for the work he has put into this forum. Andy also deserves a LOT more respect than he is given. He started as an admin because he loved the site and agreed with it's vision. He uses his free time to maintain, moderate and admin this site and receives little to no thanks, in fact mostly gets the opposite. He deserves as much respect as any other member of this forum. Every member of this forum deserves to be heard without being trolled.

This forum needs to head back towards the original vision to bring Ozgolf back to a place where everyone feels welcome. This will mean that some members are going to be banned permanently. Where necessary I will step in as an impartial admin member to do the heavy lifting. I have a thick hide and have only an interest in the good of this forum and it is with that in mind that I will make decisions. Whining at me will do no good because I am impartial and have no personal agenda except the good of this forum. If people behave like children, their toys will be removed.

I hope to see things improve from here on out and I hope that all Ozgolf members start getting the respect they deserve. If respect is not shown action will be taken. Posts will be removed, bans will be made. We will do what is needed to get this forum back to a friendly place free of trolls.

[meh]

Hard to argue with any of that.

[simmsy]

sounds like a troll.

[Shadesy]

Can I see a copy of this vision so I can conform to it and what I can be told is acceptable and not acceptable to post?

[clikchic]

Check the rules. It's pretty simple really.

[simmsy]

maybe you need to post them here.

i'm pretty simple around a computer. i can't seem to find them.

[clikchic]

maybe you need to post them here.

i'm pretty simple around a computer. i can't seem to find them.

http://www.ozgolf.net/showthread.php...raction-Points

[simmsy]

you're so very helpful.

[Shadesy]

I follow the rules and will continue to do so. But it seems you can be banned for not following the vision. I don't understand this and just asking for the explanation?

What are you (with the most utmost respect to the great forum it is) trying to achieve? I have met some of the best friends and anyone who has met me knows i like to play golf and have a good time... is that not the vision?

Perhaps we need more +1 posts and eye rolling emoticons.

ps. im glad the forum is back

[clikchic]

You follow the vision by following the rules. If you break the rules you risk getting banned. That has never changed.

[live4golf]

Thank god you are back OG. I nearly started doing some work.

Hope the issues get sorted permanently, like the majority I enjoy talking golf and crap too much for OG to die.

[LeftyHoges]

I follow the rules and will continue to do so. But it seems you can be banned for not following the vision. I don't understand this and just asking for the explanation?

What are you (with the most utmost respect to the great forum it is) trying to achieve? I have met some of the best friends and anyone who has met me knows i like to play golf and have a good time... is that not the vision?

Perhaps we need more +1 posts and eye rolling emoticons.

ps. im glad the forum is back

+1

[rubin]

based on a quick scan shades, i would suggest something along the lines of the 3 recent topics Yoss posted.

I didn't get to see them though.

[Wenz]

Thank god you are back OG. I nearly started doing some work.

Hope the issues get sorted permanently, like the majority I enjoy talking golf and crap too much for OG to die.

Exactly me atm, I've been more productive today than ever.

[simmsy]

You follow the vision by following the rules. If you break the rules you risk getting banned. That has never changed.

I find your profile "ready to nuke" offensive and intimidatory. Could you please change it.

[Steve]

I am very happy this is back up, I do enjoy the forum and the golf days

[simmsy]

me too Steve, best golfing days i have had, i think some people need to realise this and why people are here.

[IamViva]

it closed?

a young austrian artist had a vision once, didnt end well for my people

[Ashes]

Serious question Clikchic; what makes you an impartial admin member? Do you not know other mods or members?

[goughy]

Yep, she knows a few people. That's all. More concerned with the forum than friendships (which has a serious affect on moderation). After all this place was her baby.

[sms316]

Can we still give jarro shit?

[backintheswing]

Does anyone know if tapatalk is working? Mine isn't.

[MegaWatty]

Does anyone know if tapatalk is working? Mine isn't.

It is now. Log out and back in.

[simmsy]

Can we still give jarro shit?

who's Jarro?

[clikchic]

I find your profile "ready to nuke" offensive and intimidatory. Could you please change it.

no.

me too Steve, best golfing days i have had, i think some people need to realise this and why people are here.

This is what we want back.

Serious question Clikchic; what makes you an impartial admin member? Do you not know other mods or members?

I do know some members but I don't have close friendships with anyone. I care more about the forum and don't have close friendships to make moderating difficult.

Can we still give jarro shit?

no