I am neither to groan at you nor to thank you. Because most people on the EF forum do NOT judge each other. I rather think you are making an issue up which is not really a real issue

Right, I do not feel irritated at all by being groaned at. In some forums, they have a whole palette of choices to comment by "symbol", but it hardly alters so much. The idea about these short-symbols is to avoid postings like "I agree" or "I todally agree" or "I completely DISagree" or "I find your comment moronic" etc

Oh so that's what you're always doing to me...

No no, just looking around ...

If I did look like that I would be crying too.....

I hope (& think) my comments will steer this thread back on course & away from all the pussy-talk.

I understand the sentiment of the OP but I wanted to say that in the last 6 months there have been some very nasty characters who have joined EF (some have been banned for racism/threatening behaviour/disrespect). Along with a quite a few trolls (which we handle well) & those that think EF works for them but have no understanding of EF etinquette or offer anything in return. And of course there are the usual harmless idiots (but more than usual!)...

If a friendly mod is about would it be possible stat-wise to see if there have been more bannings (sic) in the last 6 months than normal?

My point is that (& I've always thought this) EF is very much a self-policing entity by content & style, without the harshness some vets & legends (me included I suppose) dish out to those who struggle to conform to the rules this forum would be a big mess as there are more than the fair share of unsavoury characters lurking around it seems.

Mods these days are (most of them anyway) there to wield the stick as the last resort & IMHO are top-notch as they allow vets & legends some slack to slap sense into any silly newbie before getting involved.

I'm more likely to roll my eyes at someone than groan someone on a forum.

If a person starts with, "Boo hoo, that nasty boy said something I didn't like", then they're just pathetic. On a forum, or in person.

If your social skills don't stand up to a little negativity then perhaps you'd be better off locked in a room with a few cuddly toys and a colouring book. The internet is not for you.




That's a general "your", not Adrian, who I feel would enjoy a day of cuddly toys and colouring.

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Nothing of value kept in this post overnight.

Thank you, my point exactly.

Adrian should have told me yesterday! We had the Strawberry Shortcake colouring book with markers!

So, I've read this thread and have to say I'm a bit confused.

I'm one of those types of folks whose feelings are easily hurt - and yet, I'm still here.

On the other hand, perhaps it has to do with the fact that within a very short time of joining, I answered someone's call for help to watch their dog. Then I got involved in a social group that someone else posted about. Then I went to a Curry Night and met some more folks.

And I realized that the forum isn't all there is to this forum. Many people use it (like I do) as something of a "touch base" for getting together with others who share similar interests.

SURE if all you do is read here and post here and continually ask for help and ask for more help and ask stupid questions you could have found the answer to yourself, particularly if you've asked THE SAME QUESTION many times (which, tbh, I am forgetful and maybe someday will need to do myself as I've forgotten / confused some of what I've been told between the time of asking and the getting up the courage to get off my tail and GET IT DONE), all without offering a lick of help to anyone else - whether physically in person or simple advice - it may seem a bit rough around here.

BUT

IF you treat the people you encounter here with the same respect you would anyone encounter "daily" in a face-to-face situation (yes, that's right, I propose to treat each other like people, not like pixels), things should work out as even the most bullied kids in school made SOME worthwhile friends.

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The Joys of Opticianry

Maybe, but you can also fight your own corner...

She doesn't need to, she has us!

Alrighty, let's leave genitals and their homonyms out of the thread on EF being judgmental, shall we?

alright then. The reason that EF is judgemental is because of the medium and the forum software it is running.

vBulletin was designed for technical forums were posts are evaluated based on the usefulness of a provided technical solution. The use case is that someone (OP) has a technical problem. a discussion ensues. When a solution is offered, they get thanked. Those who are recognized as experts providing many solutions are repped. Useless solutions are groaned, and pseudo experts get red reps.

This is all fine in the technical context. When applied to people's personal thoughts and feelings, the results are often disastrous and hilarious.

It's all a joke folks..... on you. Thanks for the laughs Mark!

This is a interesting post; a combination of being wedged up your own bum and licking that of others.

Lady, what is it with you and body parts? So freudian. is there anything you would really like to come out with? Are you looking for a contact number?

Ill taste, if you ask me. I don't think it is a good thing to criticize somebody who obviously cannot defend himself. Just the fact our forum is well alive, offers bunch of positives for people and is growing everyday proves something...Thanks to those, who contribute.

The forum is best for factual and objective information... where is such, or how d I... The rest quickly turns to fluff.

We do not need another meta thread on purpose of this forum, especially if it invites trolls to crash the party.