The good 'ol days

[lynchknot]

Oh how I long for the good 'ol days when TZ was just a "tech community" - where people (geeks) from all over the world can share our one true passion (obsession) - computers. There was no concern for latitude nor longitude and there certainly was no attitude - only to help out a like minded geek with the only important issue that meant anything - a crisis of the highest order! computer not responding! :eek:

I suppose other boards have come to realize that politics tend to squelch what the board is all about. For instance: Action: Political and Religious Topics. There are many other forums specifically for political and religious debates, this is not one of them. [edited] is a graphics community and since these types of posts usually result in heated debates and flaming, they should be avoided.
Result: Threads are closed and/or removed.

Perhaps we can select which forums are visible? I don't want to continually fight the urge to open a thread that I know i'm going to get upset over and possibly receive a bashing over. I'm here for technical issues and to make like minded "friends" no matter which part of the world they are from - it's easy when you leave out the politics and focus on our similarities instead of differences.

[Reverend]

So do you want to drop all the other non computer related forums. Like General Chat,Sport,Media & Enterntainment,Fun Stuff......... ?????

We had heated political debates in the General Chat forum long before the Current Affairs & Politics forum was created.So whats the difference now ????

If you don't want to read the threads in a specific forum,don't click the links to it.

I understand your point of view LK,but can you be more specific.

Whats different with TZ now compared to 1 or 2 years ago???

TZ is still one of the friendliest and laid back communities around IMHO.Or do you not agree??

[Reverend]

Just to add.
I personally tend to keep political opinions to myself hence the fact that you won't find many posts from me in the Politics forum.

Does anyone else have strong concerns or reservations about having the Politics forum. Would you like it to stay or would you prefer it to be dropped from the list ???

[Big Booger]

I agree with Reverend wholeheartedly. The general thread was just filling up with all sorts of things.. it made it difficult to sort through. By adding other sections like the politics, current affairs, fun stuff, entertainment, sport, the general thread can be used for just general or random posts. And now it is easier for users to avoid topics that they don't like.

If you don't like politics, simply don't view that forum. Same goes for sport, fun stuff, entertainment and so on. I should think that would make it easier to avoid topics that you are not interested in.

I think our forum has had some very healthy debates on certain topics. That is not to say that every thread went smoothly. Indeed some became rather heated. I believe this is normal. And that the moderating staff did an excellent job when it came time to moderate.

What is wrong with geeks sharing their computer passion while at the same time discussing a variety of topics and issues?

[lynchknot]

:
very healthy debates on certain topics
Really solves none of the worlds issues - but may cause conflict and disharmony here
It seems, lately, some come here not for technical issues or to help but to post primarily in politics and to bash others who don't share the same viewpoint.

Some graphics communities have realized that this causes separation rather than community/unity. Some start to judge others on their political views rather than how they contribute to the community. It is just my opinion that this "tech community" should stay focused on tech issues. Fun stuff, general, etc hardly results in heated debates.

I am not the only "vet" who has noticed that TZ's atmosphere has changed.
:
one of the friendliest and laid back communities around
- the reason I stuck around this long and consider TZ "home" of home groups

ok well, i'll just stay away from that forum I guess - I prefer though, to not even see it.

[Conan]

I totally get what you're referring to Lynch. Even I have voiced my concerns about members who come here just to bash other people's beliefs instead of helping others with their "computer knowledge".

In addition, Rev is right in saying that debates about these sort of issues were present in General Chat even before we created the "Current Affairs and Politics" section. In essence we created that section so that people precisely would not get too bothered or riled up about having a healthy debate in this section compared to General Chat. You can compare it to being a really mild version of NXSecure's "Cussing Room" (where what goes on in there stays there, and never comes out in the open), though at times people did take the issues too seriously and voiced their displeasure at being offended by other member's remarks.

I wouldn't mind eliminating the "Current Affairs and Politics" section if it would bring more Peace to Techzonez. But that is my opinion alone and I would like to hear from the rest of the members and staff about this issue.

[rohitk89]

lk are u implying no arcade...no arcade...? how can we survive with no arcade? :eek:
i am no tz veteran but i agree with bb in totality:

If you don't like politics, simply don't view that forum. Same goes for sport, fun stuff, entertainment and so on. I should think that would make it easier to avoid topics that you are not interested in.

I think our forum has had some very healthy debates on certain topics. That is not to say that every thread went smoothly. Indeed some became rather heated. I believe this is normal. And that the moderating staff did an excellent job when it came time to moderate.

What is wrong with geeks sharing their computer passion while at the same time discussing a variety of topics and issues?

[Big Booger]

very healthy debates on certain topics Really solves none of the worlds issues - but may cause conflict and disharmony here
It seems, lately, some come here not for technical issues or to help but to post primarily in politics and to bash others who don't share the same viewpoint.

Very few debates solve anything. But they allow one to vent, discuss, and send out their message. If you don't agree, hey post it up. Just don't attack someone because of their belief. Mature people should be able to agree to disagree.

Example: I hate George Bush because ~

Don't say: we'll you suck... because you hate George Bush.

Instead: Well I like George Bush because...

Attack the topic not the person posting up their opinion. :D

Can you show me a thread where politics or current events leaked over into an unrelated forum? Certainly having a place for those who want to discuss what is going on the world, would be nice. I mean, it opens TZ up to other people who are interested in technology, but want to talk about a variety of topics.

It's like TZ is a pizza, and well our cheese and pepperoni pizza was and is tasty, but if we throw on more toppings and we arrange it so that people who don't like one topping can avoid that topping...

I'd prefer that over just a plain on cheese pizza without any other choices :D

bash others who don't share the same viewpoint. Please show me where anyone has bashed anyone else and I will delete the post personally. :D

[rohitk89]

It's like TZ is a pizza, and well our cheese and pepperoni pizza was and is tasty, but if we throw on more toppings and we arrange it so that people who don't like one topping can avoid that topping...

I'd prefer that over just a plain on cheese pizza without any other choices :D

:D

[lynchknot]

There is bashing going on BB - however subtle is it, I see it.
How healthy can a "healthy debate" be when people get angry? It is easy to get upset about some topics and I don't believe anyone is immune to it completely. I believe it shifts focus on community to see our differences which is counterproductive to building frienships (community) out of similarities.
As far as bleeding over goes, I will not speak to certain individuals whom I felt disrespected me and this board in general. You don't just storm into a forum as a newcomer and throw around insults and get into arguments with the old timers. A newcomer should take the time to get to know the members and the general atmosphere of the board.
As someone once posted in another forum (that had some issues) one thing I will not tolerate is a stranger coming into our house and rubbing dirty boots all over our furniture and not expect repercussions.

As I already stated that ok well, i'll just stay away from that forum I guess - I prefer though, to not even see it. -

[FastGame]

I agree with Lynch & Conan

I don't think there's any need for politics at TZ, but if there's a need then there should be some rule that Administrators/Moderators should not be allowed to interact. If Administrators & Moderators interact then it sends a message to the international community that a certain stance is what TZ entertains. If that message becomes one sided then the international community shrinks to the level of the accepted stance.

The beauty of the Internet is that people from all over the world can put aside their differences and interact with each other in the joys of their interest. TZ use to be a place where I could share my interest but not any more. No now I know that the joys of new hardware are quickly over shadowed by the hatred my fellow members have for my country and maybe myself.

Right now TZ is projecting a Liberal Anti-American bias and in doing so some of the members are jumping on the band wagon and disrespecting some of the American members that didn't join TZ for politics......but of coarse we're told don't look if we don't like it.

Don't look if we don't like it ? LOL! it gets kind of hard when it creeps into all of TZ. Heck even in " Web Design (3 Viewing)
Building your own web site? Need help with the coding? This is the forum." you see F***America, F***Bush and the replys of "OMG that's hilarious!" and "I loved that quote:

America was big bully in playground and 9/11 was getting his two front teeth knocked out." http://www.techzonez.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11874

Yep I might be a jerk because I'm a conservative and I know I'm an A hole because I'm an American that causes all the worlds problems. At one time I was just FastGame, a person who shared his heart, $$$ and interest in computers with the best guys & best site on the net. Now I'm nothing more than a meal for the political vultures who swoop down and bite my rotten a$$.

Chow

[egghead]

I vote to remove the political affairs forum as I feel the computer brings us together and I really don't want to loose good friends from great places because of politics.

lets leave the debating and stress somewhere else cause I feel many members are having difficulty here.

I want to help others help themselves

[rohitk89]

i hope it's ok for me to voice my opinion... :o removing the political affairs section is fine...or maybe restricting the admins from expressing their views so that it doesn't appear that tz has a political stance of any sort.....but i hope all non computer related sections are not removed...

[z3n]

*

TZ is still one of the friendliest and laid back communities around IMHO.Or do you not agree??

I agree and think you should keep it that way.

Politicians are there for us to ridicule and poke fun at, it's what democracy is about. . .

It's o.k. to laugh at everyone else (e.g. the French), but soon as it's non American we have to start closing things down ??

Is that the answer ??

Someone doesn't like some of the posts we have to close the thread ?

That doesn't sound like a laid back forum to me ??

I think this board is moderated very well and think it would be a shame to start limiting it.
It seems it would be shrinking and going backwards as a forum instead of growing.

Personally I'd like the "current affairs and politics" thread to stay, but like Egghead said, some people are having a "difficulty" with it.

Rev, there is a command which allows for you to select threads people can see.
Maybe you could remove it from those who are having trouble with it and allow the other members to discuss current world affairs.
Anyways, just an Idea to solve the issue.

If you do remove it, does it mean we can't discuss politics at all ? :confused: ? And if we do - were do we post it ?

[phishhead]

well I see this has gotten way out of hand so why doesnt the staff talk about some solutions and see what we come up with. I would hate to lose so ol' timers due to a few over bias members that dont like america. but the other side of the token guys this is not an american forum. we have peeps from all over, that feel differently and hold different beliefs and social structures. but if there is that much tension maybe we should just ax the thread all together or like I was mentioning to rev and boogs maybe put a disclaimer that flaming and disrespect will lead to a perm. ban.

[egghead]

or like I was mentioning to rev and boogs maybe put a disclaimer that flaming and disrespect will lead to a perm. ban. If we are creating a forum where members are clashing and ultimately deciding that techzonez is no longer a curious learning place and valued members are deciding to log in less frequently then we should think about who we are and where we are going..........

I like the idea of keeping the political forum as long as people don't bash members for saying whatever....


i like questions and answers type forums

debating forums are a challenge and we will need to realize that arguments are a fact of a debate or opinion

[Big Booger]

How many other forums are there on TZ besides the political forum? There are 32. If you are not interested in politics, hey I understand. I'm not a big fan of web design, so I seldom post there :D Unless there's some crazy site I'd like to share with the members of TZ.

debating forums are a challenge and we will need to realize that arguments are a fact of a debate or opinion

I could never have said that any better.

I should hope that LK and others who have similar opinions value TZ more than this. I can't imagine TZ without them.

But users who slag users will be warned and then banned. If you feel a post slags you , please report it.

:D

[efc]

There are plenty of places to bash America (the country I served in uniform and out for over 27 years) and my President on the internet. The difference is that I don't bump into those places several times a day.

Civility was one of the main reasons that I became involved with TZ. It has always been a nice place to spend time. At least until recently.

There are always compromises that can be applied. We could go back to repairing computers and tweaking software, and provide a link to a red meat political forum. That would provide a method for those that crave the battle to access a forum for their message. Taking it off the page will keep the rest of us from bumping into increasingly provocative topics. This isn't the only suggestion, however it is one to get the discussion started.

There is another underlying message here. Those voting to remove the political forum knew that they would be criticized as advocating censorship. They waded into direct criticism in order to get us back to our original mission. This is really bothering some or it wouldn't have bubbled up the way it did. If a solution isn't found, we run the risk of loosing some long time members that have contributed much to the core reason for TZ existing.

[petard]

Political discussions should be conducted on COD game servers. :D

I'm staying away from the TZ Political forum now. This is a Computer Technical Forum site - for computer tech stuff. And we're actually guests in someone's "house". I come here for tech-talk, tech-news, tech-jokes, and tech-fun. Politics are never fun.

I agree with EFC wholeheartedly.

[z3n]

The crazyy thing is, that the offending post isn't even in the Politics section ??

It's in the web-design area.

Maybe we should get rid of that as well. :)

So what are we saying, that politics cannot be discussed in any thread ??

Well I guess we'll need to draw up some guildlines so people will know what they can and can't talk about, so no-one gets in trouble and no-one gets upset.

Because chances are its gonna make its way back into the General chat at some stage, there is a war on after all.

[lynchknot]

The crazyy thing is, that the offending post isn't even in the Politics section ??

Maybe we should get rid of that as well.

PERHAPS it's not the forum's fault, but rather some personalities/attitudes.

Action: Political and Religious Topics. There are many other forums specifically for political and religious debates, this is not one of them. [edited] is a graphics community and since these types of posts usually result in heated debates and flaming, they should be avoided.
Result: Threads are closed and/or removed.


I should hope that LK and others who have similar opinions value TZ more than this. I can't imagine TZ without them. - It is because I value TZ that I started this thread. I care about the direction of this board and most of it's members and I do not like what I am seeing. I am also sensitive enough to realize that it is affecting negatively, our community.

[phishhead]

I wish we could all just agree to disagree. Like me and my mom...shes a born again christian and conservative republican and I'm an atheist liberal democrat and we just dont bring up politics and religion and our relationship is fine as can be.

[lynchknot]

I wish we could all just agree to disagree. Like me and my mom...shes a born again christian and conservative republican and I'm an atheist liberal democrat and we just dont bring up politics and religion and our relationship is fine as can be. Just like the good 'ol days at TZ - bringing up our shared interests not our differences.

[petard]

I like Angelina Jolie. Does anybody else like Angelina Jolie? She has big lips!
:D

__________
DISCLAIMER:
"Computer smiley faces included in any message absolve the sender of
said mail message from responsibility for any feelings of sarcasm that the reader of said mail message may have interpreted from the text of the aforementioned mail message in the impersonal, but highly necessary, environment of electronic mail."

[phishhead]

oh yeah is she a hottie. didnt care for her in skycaptian though. ;)

[lynchknot]

I like Jennifer Garner's lips. They are large but "streamlined".

[phishhead]

right you are lynch thats another one. so did they give alias the brush off. dont remember seeing anything about a new season.

[zipp51]

I say keep it just as it is and make your own choice as to whether you would like to respond to political views.I like to think of myself as more than just one thing.And I certainly think of all my friends here at TZ as more than their political views.If anyone backs away or chooses not to debate with abrasive people then I fully respect that.If I don't like the heat I get out of the kitchen. :D

[lynchknot]

My vote goes for making it a private section - but then it would not be visible to guests so..........I don't know. What's really important here?

[zipp51]

My vote goes for making it a private section - but then it would not be visible to guests so..........I don't know. What's really important here?

Lynchy,I think the important thing is to try to stay out of the debating society and keep our own houses in order.It's tough for me to stay out but I know there are people that can handle it a lot better than me.Your presence here is important and not just your political views or choice not to express them here. :D

[Reverend]

OK guys this thread has really stirred up a hornets nest.

Myself and the rest of the TZ staff value your opinions and i hope we have always managed to get across our amenable attitude.

When members express such strong views regarding an issue with TZ we, (the staff),will always strive to listen to all the facts and we then discuss any solutions or compromises behind closed doors.

Following extensive discussions we have decided to remove the "Current Affairs & Politics" forum and all the threads contained within.

Subsequently,any topics posted that we feel are of a political nature will be instantly removed and the relevant member informed of the reasons via PM.(the forum rules will be updated accordingly).

One more thing i would like to add.

As some of you have pointed out,Techzonez purpose was,and always will be primarily a "Tech" community,however you must also accept that some members visit TZ just to chill out and not necessarily discuss "tech" related issues.A fact that is proved by the popularity of some of our "non-tech" forums like Fun Stuff,General Chat,Media & Entertainment,and also the popularity of the Arcade.

Hopefully TZ will now return to "The good 'ol days" ;) :D

Thanks
Rev

[petard]

OK guys this thread has really stirred up a hornets nest.

Myself and the rest of the TZ staff value your opinions and i hope we have always managed to get across our amenable attitude.

When members express such strong views regarding an issue with TZ we, (the staff),will always strive to listen to all the facts and we then discuss any solutions or compromises behind closed doors.

Following extensive discussions we have decided to remove the "Current Affairs & Politics" forum and all the threads contained within.

Subsequently,any topics posted that we feel are of a political nature will be instantly removed and the relevant member informed of the reasons via PM.(the forum rules will be updated accordingly).

One more thing i would like to add.

As some of you have pointed out,Techzonez purpose was,and always will be primarily a "Tech" community,however you must also accept that some members visit TZ just to chill out and not necessarily discuss "tech" related issues.A fact that is proved by the popularity of some of our "non-tech" forums like Fun Stuff,General Chat,Media & Entertainment,etc,etc.

Hopefully TZ will now return to "The good 'ol days" ;) :D

Thanks
Rev


OK, that being said, does anybody like Angelina Jolie?
:D

[phishhead]

leave it to petard...;)

[rik]

I kinda do petard...

[Conan]

OK, that being said, does anybody like Angelina Jolie?
:D

Whenever she bares her breasts, I like her. :p

[z3n]

She's o.k. But I'd prefer Jennifer Garner any day of the week.

[zipp51]

Sounds like a wise decision was made for all.I haven't seen a bad image of Angelina Jolie yet.She is truly hot! :D :msntongue

[Conan]

So Lynch and FG, no thank you's for removing Current Affairs and Politics? :D

[efc]

I thank you.

[egghead]

I thank you Conan for making me think of something besides Angelina Jolie's Lips:)

[rik]

So Lynch and FG, no thank you's for removing Current Affairs and Politics? :D


No need to point them out...I didn't care for it either.

[FastGame]

No need to point them out...I didn't care for it either.
Ahh I don't mind being pointed out.

Thank you.

[lynchknot]

I was out. Thank you for listening and understanding. Sorry about the hornet's nest.

[Conan]

No need to point them out...I didn't care for it either.

Well this is Lynch's thread specifically requesting that something be done about that forum section. Well all is well and done and let's get back to getting along like the Good 'ol Days! :cheers:

[cash_site]

Good ol' Days? Sending mail via the post ? Watching latest movies at the cinema? Jenifer Garner doing the helicopter ? :D Lets debate over simply things in life, rather than things that dont really matter to civilised people in western countries :p

who wants a beer, on me :cheers:

[alliswoe]

Well I'm not too chuffed about it. I won't be coming back. Bye guys, and thanks for some interesting discussions.

[Conan]

Well I'm not too chuffed about it. I won't be coming back. Bye guys, and thanks for some interesting discussions.

Bye!

[egghead]

geez.......


let me know if you need help wth anything

[cash_site]

Going Alliswoe Really? Surely you could use some Computer Analogies to represent political arguements... If there was a Leader of a big corporation and there were disagreements within a little company but all the workers were being affected either with loss of pay or priveledges, would it be ok to pre-emptively enter that company and fix it?? ;)

[rohitk89]

i don't get it...why did alliswoe leave?

[Conan]

i don't get it...why did alliswoe leave?

Cause arguing Politics is what he came here for.

[Snake]

Political threads can never stay clean.

[z3n]

i don't get it...why did alliswoe leave?

I would assume he left because his freedom of speech was revoked.

I thought him quite an intellectual, (if maybe a little over-zealous), and I don't think striving intelligentsia like to be told what they can and can't talk about,
especially when it's within their constitutional rights.

Although I think he did enjoy the p*litical debates, and admitted to over-stepping the mark on occasion, he also contributed some fun and friendly posts.

I for one will miss him.

Although it's sad to see anyone leave here disappointed,... it's his choice.

[rohitk89]

im scared of saying anything regarding this (but ill show some guts and say it anyway)...please end this fighting ppl...

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

(not funny eh?)

PS: forgive me if this was offensive to either of you, lk and zen, i swear to god i had the best of intentions in my mind..

[lynchknot]

Techzone's laws are written in England's consitution. I believe I saw "freedom of speech" somewhere in there.

Sorry rohitkumar, there was a lot of love here - until the bull was let loose - two of them. You are a good person, that is obvious.

[z3n]

PS: forgive me if this was offensive to either of you, lk and zen, i swear to god i had the best of intentions in my mind..

Hehehe ... It's cool Roh, I got a laugh out of your post :)

Where is the love indeed ;)

[rohitk89]

well now that zen and lk are friends again im a happy man...err...boy...

epilogue:
i was praying to god that the song wud work...i never thought that i.. a hardcore nirvana maniac... wud ever say this...but...here it goes...i love black eyed peas (the band)

[lynchknot]

Friends? - "ignored" However, you have a good attitude and seem to want to be a member (and make friendships) rather than the opposition.

[z3n]

-LOL -

Just can't help yourself can you..

Its like a dog and a stick.. lol

[Conan]

I'm putting a stop to this. This is the main reason why we deleted the Politics forum to stop all this disagreement.