I have no words...LOL....well yes actually, I do....but they might be censored.
Kate/Benedict,
First off, I want to say THANK YOU for demonstraiting great
leadership/resources and taking the time to write me back thoroughly.
Benedict:
One point I would like to mention, regarding something you said in a
note to Gina, is that although we at dog.com hope that people gain
knowledge here, and take that knowledge and make personal use of it,
it would be at the very least proper "netiquette" to have approached a
member of staff to discuss using polls for articles or other content
for your own personal website. That is not, in general, something we
are here to provide - and in particular, it would be unfair to members
to use their input for such a purpose without their permission or
knowledge. Frankly, to do so makes me personally uneasy - a feeling I
daresay is a result of my own feelings of protectiveness regarding our
membership as a whole
The forum is designed for people to take the information they have
learned and make it of personal use. On my Pomeranian webesite www.pomeranianpuppies.org
I am creating a Nutrition section. Thanks to the forum I can get a
general idea of doggie diets & favorite brands. This will help to
provide an educated list of "popular" dog brand food & diets. This
type of information does not require permission or a need for
"uneasiness." The average dog owner is not an expert. The average first
time dog owner does not know which good brands to feed. These are
questions that can be answered via my website for future/current
Pomeranian owners. Obtaining this knowledge through the forum is a
public survey of interest which is allowed. It also would be
good for your forum! Many guest come here and get lost in all this
mess. A poll is a quick reference to see what brand of dog food people
are using these days and what diet. My requests are good for
the forum as a whole and for my own personal knowledge. [If you have
the time I still would like to request my submissions for those
Nutrition Polls]
In response to my hurt & anger I have decided I am no
longer posting here unless it has to do with dogs (which will minimize
drama) and if I feel personally attacked or disrespect I will be saying
something but within forum rules and reason. If it gets extreme I will
then be reporting it.
Hopefully the new software will work out for you all and any
problems you are having can become resolved. I too hope this forum can
become "self-moderating" and I know (personally) good steps in order to
make that possible but it is not my business nor forum to run. I wish
the creators & moderators the best of luck in further developement
and success of the community.
My main concern is being a DOG forum there is more Non-Dog
Discussion at times than Dog discussion. All though it is great many
people have created wonderful relationships via this website, it is
also what's holding this forum back. It has created cliques and "too
many Chiefs not enough Indians." Which then stirs the concern that it is
rude for someone to continue objecting & lashing out at someone
else's opinion because that person "thinks" they know better. A
suggestion and request to make this place better would be an
annoucement of some sort to ALL that NO ONE here is an expert and NO
ONE knows the 100% RIGHT answer; it's a place of disussing &
sharing knowledge. Too many people "chime in" unasked, too many people
have a "I'm the boos, I'm right" mentality, too many people thrive off
of this forum being a popularity contest (those who are well known are
not attacked verses a newbee... how ironic). These are the types of
"rude" behaviors I am talking about. It may not have to do with
language or direct insulting through the written word but what I'm
pointing out brings down this forums mentality more than everyone
thinks. Many new people and people in general feel constantly attack
for no reason. Unlike most people, I know the value of FEEBACK and I
want to SHARE this information with you in hopes to make a difference.
For instance the whole POLL: "Block" button conversation? Why
is there even a need for that? This just goes to show how CADDY,
IMMATURE, and CLIQUEY members have become! There is so much harassement
& "disagreement" going on that people get THAT angry? What is
this?! Yahoo Chat?! I thought it was a DOG FORUM. [That is an example
of my frustraition]
Non-Dog & personal conversation should stay PERSONAL (PM);
it will solve ALL of the drama. A general notice to the public about
everyone's negative demenor will also help solve the drama. [These are
just some suggestions for the creators & moderators & admins]
Blogs are great for the "mindless chatter." PMs & Friend
Requests are great for personal life chatter. I am really beginning to
wonder if this is a chat room or dog forum. That's all I want to point
out in hopes that it may open the minds of everyone to see the bigger
problem.
Before I go I also want to say sorry to any mods & admins
for my behavior in participating in this rude/caddyness. I'm done with
fighting, I'm done with drama, I'm done with "breaking the rules." I'm
here to learn about the things I'd like to learn about DOGS. I'm also
here to give my personal experiences (with dogs) open to the public in
hopes of helping/educating people. All dog owners can learn great
things from one another & I hope this forum can continue to bring
that more than bringing "cyber-drama."
Please forward my rational suggestions onto other Mods, Admins, and Web Developement people of DOG.COM. Thank you,