Notice for all members - everyone please read!

[southerngale]

Flashback: August 2004
Those of you who were participating members can probably remember the outpouring of concern for our fellow members before and after Hurricane Charley made landfall in Florida. And then again in September when Ivan made landfall, as well as the other hurricanes that affected many of our members. I remember the genuine concern, the prayers, the offers of support. We saw much of this during the 2005 season as well. One huge thing we didn't see very often during and after the devastating Hurricane Season of 2004 was the lack of respect running rampant among the board. I wish I could say the same after this past season. In fact, the total lack of respect for fellow members is so prevalent among the board that if we suspended everyone involved, the board wouldn't have much participation. That is sad.

This announcement is to let everyone know that things are going to change around here. The staff as well as many of our members remember what this board was like a few years ago, what separated us from all of the other weather boards. In one word: RESPECT.
We've had debates on Storm2k since the beginning, but we have always demanded that everyone show everyone else respect. You can disagree with someone without being rude and putting them down. There have been so many inconsiderate, insensitive, and downright rude posts lately that it has almost become the norm, and somewhat accepting. This will stop! We realize that with the enormous growth of Storm2k over the past few years, we're not going to remain the tight-knit little family we used to be, but we can just become a bigger, extended family. We have allowed the founding principles of the site to become compromised and we're going to get things back to where they used to be, where they should be. If anyone has a problem abiding by the rules here, feel free to discuss the weather elsewhere. We want everyone to feel comfortable here, and we want everyone to be able to ask questions without the fear of being ridiculed. This should be a place for people to learn, and have fun. Lately, it hasn't been that much fun to participate. It seems nearly every thread turns into an argument of some sort, or there's someone popping off with rude comments to another. It has become difficult to monitor because it is so widespread and we can't possibly read every thread. Of course that won't change, which is why we ask every member to please PM a mod or admin if you see a post that needs attention. Don't be shy. Only staff will know who reports a post.

Storm2k was originally created to have a friendly environment to discuss the tropics, a place where everyone could feel comfortable. Many of the members who have been here since the beginning posted on another board where rude comments, arguing and trolling were commonplace. What a welcomed change Storm2k was and has remained for most of its life. We will not become like all of the other boards. This is a privately owned board and we will be dropping the hammer on those who refuse to keep their attitudes in check. Unfortunately, this isn't just black and white. There has to be some common sense used here. If you think what you're typing could be seen as rude, then it probably is rude. Re-think what you want to say and use tact when posting. Many members of Storm2k have been affected by devastating storms and are going through a rough time. I don't think anyone here can really understand what someone else has (is) gone through. Some of it is emotional, financial, physical, or all of it. You just don't know unless you're that person, so please show some respect. For many people who have been affected, they may just want to share their problems or their story with other weather enthusiasts. This should be the one place they CAN feel comfortable doing that. I'm not getting that from most of them. Sadly, many of them have refrained from posting because of the very problems this post is addressing.


Another thing...we don't have posting contests here. When the tropics heat up, Storm2k gets very, very busy. While we would never control how many posts you make, think about what you want to say and try to minimize the nonsense posts. Again, this isn't black and white either, but just think about what you want to say in a reply, and just use common sense when posting. Remember: Quality over Quantity!


I know this is long-winded and I hope I wasn't too repetitive, but I wanted to get the point across. If you don't agree with what I'm saying here, then this may not be the weather community for you. I know that many of the founding members remember how it used to be, and want that back. Storm2k is and will always be the best weather site on the net!

["Ice"]

I'm sorry if I have hurt anyones feelings!!

[cycloneye]

Kelly that is a statement that of course I agree 1,000 %.I am optimistic that the measures we are taking will help return storm2k to what it is the theme of it,The #1 weather community site of the net discussing all the different themes with respect to other fellow members.

[webke]

While I don't post that often I agree with what you want to accomplish 100%, there are many times I do not want to ask a question or voice an opinion because of the remarks that are received, although I will gladly say that every tine I have asked a Mod a question tht I have received a response with an intelligent basis for the question that was asked. I am not a weatherman or a know it all just a person who will never forget what Hugo, Bonnie, Flyod and a few others have done to the area that I live in. This site has become a very important source of information for me and I hope that it continues to do so. To the values that Storm2K wants to embrass I applaud you.
Ken

[webke]

Sorry that was to say embrace
Ken

[Rainband]

I agree 100%. Good post.

[Stephanie]

Great statement Kelly.

Also, just a reminder before the tropical season heats up (though this is good for the whole year), PLEASE look to see if a thread has been posted on a particular topic before you create a new thread. This will help prevent other good threads from being pushed to page 2 too quickly.

[storm4u]

great post!!!

[MSRobi911]

I agree 100% Kelly! I have avoided this area like the plague since Katrina because I don't won't to get in a argument with anyone. I know what happened here, I lived through it and still am this day. I don't need somebody to tell me how high the water was, I was here, I know how high the water was. I know what the winds were and what happened throughout the night and day and the next day and the next day.

Mary

PS All Mods...thanks for doing your best!!!

[Hurricaneman]

Flashback: August 2004
Those of you who were participating members can probably remember the outpouring of concern for our fellow members before and after Hurricane Charley made landfall in Florida. And then again in September when Ivan made landfall, as well as the other hurricanes that affected many of our members. I remember the genuine concern, the prayers, the offers of support. We saw much of this during the 2005 season as well. One huge thing we didn't see very often during and after the devastating Hurricane Season of 2004 was the lack of respect running rampant among the board. I wish I could say the same after this past season. In fact, the total lack of respect for fellow members is so prevalent among the board that if we suspended everyone involved, the board wouldn't have much participation. That is sad.

This announcement is to let everyone know that things are going to change around here. The staff as well as many of our members remember what this board was like a few years ago, what separated us from all of the other weather boards. In one word: RESPECT.
We've had debates on Storm2k since the beginning, but we have always demanded that everyone show everyone else respect. You can disagree with someone without being rude and putting them down. There have been so many inconsiderate, insensitive, and downright rude posts lately that it has almost become the norm, and somewhat accepting. This will stop! We realize that with the enormous growth of Storm2k over the past few years, we're not going to remain the tight-knit little family we used to be, but we can just become a bigger, extended family. We have allowed the founding principles of the site to become compromised and we're going to get things back to where they used to be, where they should be. If anyone has a problem abiding by the rules here, feel free to discuss the weather elsewhere. We want everyone to feel comfortable here, and we want everyone to be able to ask questions without the fear of being ridiculed. This should be a place for people to learn, and have fun. Lately, it hasn't been that much fun to participate. It seems nearly every thread turns into an argument of some sort, or there's someone popping off with rude comments to another. It has become difficult to monitor because it is so widespread and we can't possibly read every thread. Of course that won't change, which is why we ask every member to please PM a mod or admin if you see a post that needs attention. Don't be shy. Only staff will know who reports a post.

Storm2k was originally created to have a friendly environment to discuss the tropics, a place where everyone could feel comfortable. Many of the members who have been here since the beginning posted on another board where rude comments, arguing and trolling were commonplace. What a welcomed change Storm2k was and has remained for most of its life. We will not become like all of the other boards. This is a privately owned board and we will be dropping the hammer on those who refuse to keep their attitudes in check. Unfortunately, this isn't just black and white. There has to be some common sense used here. If you think what you're typing could be seen as rude, then it probably is rude. Re-think what you want to say and use tact when posting. Many members of Storm2k have been affected by devastating storms and are going through a rough time. I don't think anyone here can really understand what someone else has (is) gone through. Some of it is emotional, financial, physical, or all of it. You just don't know unless you're that person, so please show some respect. For many people who have been affected, they may just want to share their problems or their story with other weather enthusiasts. This should be the one place they CAN feel comfortable doing that. I'm not getting that from most of them. Sadly, many of them have refrained from posting because of the very problems this post is addressing.


Another thing...we don't have posting contests here. When the tropics heat up, Storm2k gets very, very busy. While we would never control how many posts you make, think about what you want to say and try to minimize the nonsense posts. Again, this isn't black and white either, but just think about what you want to say in a reply, and just use common sense when posting. Remember: Quality over Quantity!


I know this is long-winded and I hope I wasn't too repetitive, but I wanted to get the point across. If you don't agree with what I'm saying here, then this may not be the weather community for you. I know that many of the founding members remember how it used to be, and want that back. Storm2k is and will always be the best weather site on the net!

Thank you kelly for telling it like it is, we should all respect one another

[SkeetoBite]

Great post. Thanks.

[NONAME]

Right on Dude!! Great Job

[RevDodd]

Maybe it's the water. Maybe it's the misalignment of planets. Maybe it's because everyone who doesn't agree with me is a #$#$%@#!%#!!.

But the propensity to drop the gloves and pick up a shovel has cropped up elsewhere. It's like people have decided this is the way they're supposed to act in written communication.

Thanks for the quick note saying it ain't so...and won't be in the future.

[jax]

Maybe it's the water. Maybe it's the misalignment of planets. Maybe it's because everyone who doesn't agree with me is a #$#$%@#!%#!!.

But the propensity to drop the gloves and pick up a shovel has cropped up elsewhere. It's like people have decided this is the way they're supposed to act in written communication.

Thanks for the quick note saying it ain't so...and won't be in the future.

well said...

[HurricaneHunter914]

That message Southerngale was beautiful I strongly agree that we can comment people without being rude.

[slartibartfast]

I mostly lurk but was disheartened last year when people started making personal attacks, if people can't be civil and compasionate to others we will all be better of without them.
Mark

[Jim Cantore]

Well said Gale, we need to end this before it REALLY gets out of hand.

And if I have offended anyone, just know I didnt mean to and I send my sincere aplogy

[Air Force Met]

Great post and certainly needed.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB

Oh ...sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me...

A little respect ...sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me...

Oh...By the way....we're going to see Bon Jovi again at the Meadowlands when he comes. We're taking my mom and the kids and staying in a condo for the week in eastern PA....and taking them for the grand finale of the tour.

Now...let's see if you can still show some R-E-S-P-E-C-T in your reply.

HEHEHEHE

[boca]

Bon Jovi is good and he's playing 30 min away from where I used to live. I agree RESPECT, but its fun watching you get in to it with other people when their talking without thinking first.

[GulfBreezer]

As a member here since the day of its birth and a mod for much of that time, I can say that without a doubt that Kelley's post was needed and is an example of what makes this board the very best on the web. I have made some life-long friends here and am not aware that many sites exist where there is such comraderie and real caring. I will also say that I am one of those who lost every single thing I ever worked for my entire life and am still trying to rebuild my life 18 months later so this hits home with me. While I (and the rest of the staff) know that with growth comes some disruption and growing pains but with some cooperation from the members, we can fix these problems. I am more than willing to answer any concerns or investigate any complaints that I receive via PM, so as Kelley stated, don't be shy............this is your board and we will enforce the rules to everyone.

Thanks Kelley for a great post!!