**Help Wanted**

spiritdogs:
I thought about your suggestion, then it occurred to me that there would be quite a rush of "experts" posting there - we might have to clone idog LOL.

That is why I said Jamie could request who she wants to write on what topic, and only that writer could add to that topic. And I am talking about an in depth presentation of ideas, with links to research, etc. And, if there are opposing ideas on a topic, the opposer could contact Jamie with their polite, well writen presentation presenting another side of the topic to give readers choices.  The articles would have to go through Jamie, who would post them on the sticky topic. That way she could 'edit' the essay in regards to tone and request the writer rewrite if need be to keep it polite. And that would prevent a dearth of 'experts' posting.

I think one reason you see the same questions asked time and time again - is because the person is upset and doesn't have the time or nerves to search to see if it has been addressed before, or they don't realize that there is a search option. With sticky topics, new readers would see them first.

I mean Callie is such a wealth of knowledge on natural remedies, and sometimes it is hard to find that post where she posted on a certain herb, etc. If it was all under one post, it would be easier to find, and to direct someone to, plus it would allow Callie to help people on commonly asked items without her having to post it time and time again. And on such topics as vaccinations, I know Glenda answers those questions a lot with links and Dr. Dodd's protocols. If that was a sticky topic, it would help a lot of newcomers to the board. And you answer a lot of requests for good sources of training material or how to find a good trainer. 

Again, if it was put in a concise post that is easy to find, it would be a good resource not only for newcomers, but for all of us. I know I have friends ask questions, that I then have to come search for the answer. It isn't always easy to find because I don't always remember who posted it, or how long ago the information was put up.  Again, just my thoughts.

I still think it would be good for more experienced posters (or the ones with higher post counts, etc) to have a place to post their detailed profile. So instead of labeling every post with all of the credentials, there is a spot where someone who is questioning advice they received on the board could go and see that Anne is in fact a trainer and her advice may be more relevant than Terri's who is in fact a first time dog owner. (just an example!) But in my profile you might see that I've read quite a few dog books and taken training classes. Then people would have some sort of background on the people posting on the board.

That way she could 'edit' the essay in regards to tone and request the writer rewrite if need be to keep it polite. And that would prevent a dearth of 'experts' posting.

Gawd that would be a lot of work for Jaime tho....wouldn't it?

Just to be clear, this was NOT a real ad for a moderator, I wanted everyone to realize the qualities we were missing here lately.
 
Through this discussion there have been some great ideas one which has been added, of course, you'll still get people by passing the area when they join and just join in
[link=&tmode=1&smode=1]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tt.asp?forumid=60&=&tmode=1&smode=1[/link]>http://forum.dog.com/asp/tt.asp?forumid=60&=&tmode=1&smode=1]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tt.asp?forumid=60&=&tmode=1&smode=1[/link]
 
 
 

Hmmph didn't even name it for me eh? lmbo...
 
Thank you Jaime []

I still think it would be good for more experienced posters (or the ones with higher post counts, etc) to have a place to post their detailed profile.

 
It really shouldn't go by post count, IMO.  I've been here since June 2002, and have well over 4,000 posts.  However, when it got moved to this new format, my post count went WAY down for some reason.
 
I've recently started posting and participating more here lately, but probably won't ever get to the point I was before.  When I first joined, I was literally addicted to i-dog-I felt so at home here (there?).  There was so much good information and interesting topics and it was just plain fun.  Now, don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of good information, it just isn't as fun *for me* here anymore.  I have to wade through meaningless osts, arguments, tired layed-out jokes, etc... it just gets old.  I've got other forums I participate in I feel more at home at.  I still love i-dog, after all, it was my very first internet forum and just can't bring myself to ever leave totally, but honestly, I can go a lot longer without it than I used to could.
 
Wow, I really didn't mean to just dump all over i-dog-it is a great commmunity, I guess it just has gotten so busy over the last couple of years-I just like the feel of a smaller, tighter community.
 
All that said, I honestly can't think of anyone, my self included, that I would nominate to be a moderator or anything here.  I think it should be someone outside of the community that is not easily swayyed, that will not pick and choose sides (like between an "oldie" and a "newbie") but will equally and fairly see each person's point, will  PM them and explain to them why they are being told to tone it down or whatever, and then take appropriate action if they ignore warnings.  I know Jaime tries to do this, and I think she does a great job, but she has a life outside of i-dog and can't be in every thread all the time-NO ONE can!
 
I myself have been guilty of getting pretty heated, but it is usually AFTER someone does not listen to any advice given and they get overly defensive.  I also know how to ignore things.  There have been many times I've come to a thread that really burnt me up, that I could really throw my 2 cents in and all, but I step back and think Is it worth it?  Why waste my time when the poster obviously didn't come looking for help, but more for justification?  Sure, the lurkers could get something out of it, but in threads like that, they normally get so long and cumbersome, a lurker would give up trying to sort through all the BS, name calling, whining, etc...to get to the information they need.
 

I like this board. I care about the folks that come here - the ones that stay, and the ones that leave.

Me too, Laura, me too!
 

Jaime…I think this was a VERY good way to get the group discussing some of the problems that have come up lately as well as the overall idea that we need to think about the way we respond to one another….especially newbies. 
 
 I think some of my very first posts related to dog allergies and I felt so welcome in that area by jessiesmom, cakana and callie just to name a few.  It really made me glad joined.  []
 
Then I posted under the “training section” and started to feel a little defensive at times.  I actually felt kinda attacked by several (including Glenda[sm=blush.gif]).  If that was my first post…I probably would not have stuck around.  I am soooo glad I did because I have learned so much here and feel very close to multiple members. I have also gotten to learn that I absolutely love Glenda, I totally respect her opinion and have learned so very much from her [].  Unfortunately…I am not too thick skinned and I am the total peacemaker in my family so I am very uncomfortable by conflict. I love i-dog and the people here and the feeling of support and community.[8D]
 
  I too though need to keep in mind how I approach others.  I feel bad that I was sort of rude to a newbie after I really felt from multiple posts that she was looking for an “excuse” to give up her dog.  I lost my cool with her and I regret that I did and now she has not posted since I replied back to her snippy comment directed at me. I am sure not she left just because of my post…but I do need to take some personal responsibility.
 
Jamie…thank you for the reminder…there is a reason you are the moderator and a damn good one at that! [sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]
 
P.S.- LOVE YA GLENDA!!! this was in no way meant as an attack...more an example of how wrong we can all be about people...I was VERY wrong about you in the beginning and have learned what a kind and caring person you are.[]

I was hoping you joined ages ago, but went and looked and it was just JULY!  I think this has been one of the worst years of my life with family health crisis and July was particularly bad, BUT I didn't realize that I was getting testy in my posts!  Jaime is supposed to slap me when I do that! []  No excuse tho, and my apologies.  I'm glad that you posted that because now I will be more aware of how I say things and try to be kinder and gentler.

I was hoping you joined ages ago, but went and looked and it was just JULY! I think this has been one of the worst years of my life with family health crisis and July was particularly bad, BUT I didn't realize that I was getting testy in my posts! Jaime is supposed to slap me when I do that! No excuse tho, and my apologies. I'm glad that you posted that because now I will be more aware of how I say things and try to be kinder and gentler.

 
Please, No apologies....Honestly it was not just you (I just remembered your name at the time[8D]) and it was on an "alpha" topic and NOW I totally see where everyone was coming from.  You really weren't rude...just came on strong and I took it personal (my bad too...my thin skin again...[])  It honestly didn't even come anywhere CLOSE to consititute Jaime's "intervention"...  []  I realized I was dead wrong about you by the time I read 2 other posts of yours on different topics.  
 
BTW- I know it has been a bad year for you and your family and I am sorry you have gone through so much. [&o]  .....2007 will be here before you know it and hopefully will be a much better year for you and your loved ones.[]

But, someone else is likely thin skinned...or at least thinner skinned than this tough old broad, so I do need to be mindful of that.  And I thank you for letting me know that.
 
See?  I didn't even growl!  I appreciate knowing that sometimes I gotta be a little less of a tough old broad! []

.....and that is what I like you Glenda! I've been around here long enough to catch EVERYONE on a bad day or a little testy in their posts. Glenda can at least recognise her own unpleasantness and has no problem apologizing.

It must be something going around.....
 
On another site I freqent to lurk only has had alot of pickering going on.....finally the owner of the site stepping in to try and set things straight and get everyone back on track....and I mean its stupid stuff that goes on in grade school for petes sake and they are all Adults.
 
The Moon must be out of whack...
 
God Bless you Jamie cause I wouldn't want this job for anything but know we appreciate you in case you don't know that..... and believe me you wouldn't want me anyway....
 
Kim

Jamie, that was so smart of you to start this thread.  What a great way to get people to talk about how we should be,, and how we are not.  As jjsmom said "there is a reason you are the moderator and a dam good one at that!" 

I appreciate knowing that sometimes I gotta be a little less of a tough old broad!

[sm=rotfl.gif]
It cracks me up when you refer to yourself as a "tough old broad" because your picture in the red oriental dress couldn't be further from that description (especially the "old" part!!!)   []

Jaime, good for starting that new intro thing!

Now, what I would do if I were Empress of the I-Dog board is make it so people MUST read and MUST agree with the rules (basic rules, the no spam, no obscenities, no attacks, etc--and delinate the expulsion process, too, succint and to the point) BEFORE they are allowed to finish their i-dog registration. They'd have to click a signature "I agree" box before i-dog would let them make a screen name, for instance.

That way everyone would know where we stood right from the get-go. And everyone would know where the limits were.