I want the old Arbtalk back....not the website but the ethos

[Gary Prentice]

We know that too

[Tom D]

who are the notable absences? I'm not the most active so I haven't really noticed..

[Rough Hewn]

There used to be a few very experience and knowledgable heads on Arbtalk which I used follow. I've lurked for years, occasionally posting in bursts but I've come to notice that there seems to be loads of posters who aren't climbers or even arborists giving people advice nowadays, with those receiving the advice thinking it's coming from an experienced hand when it's not.

I'll hold my hand up as one of those abrasive posters, it is however not meant as abrasive but it's just the way I write. My missus often scolds me for a text message when no malice was meant.

Personally I don't climb and I couldn't tell you the definition of an arborist without a dictionary. But I've worked in forests,woodlands and gardens for ten years. My own business in uk for five.
(Without any malice intended)...
Should I post my opinions on here?
How much experience does one need to post?
Look at YouTube how to vids....
How many, it's my first time guys....
When I read threads, some I think, ha newbie, others I'm like errr pass,
Come back in 5 years to that. (Fungi Id)
Personally I only post to threads I feel I can contribute to.
But I'm know I make mistakes too.

[Steve Bullman]

3 hours ago, beechwood said:

 

I gave it quite a bit of thought before posting this but it's my opinion and I hope some good will come it. So hear goes.

 

I've found myself trying to avoid Arbtalk for the last year or so but recently, I've been laid up with a broken leg and with time on my hands, I have started to visit the site more often.

 

I used to enjoy taking 10 or 20 minutes most days to look at the posts.

I found it informative and interesting to see lots of opinions expressed on a wide range of subjects related to the field of Arboriculture and now and again I'd post a comment.

 

I stopped visiting as often because I found it had become boring, frustrating and at times I found some of the comments to be condescending and intimidating.

It seemed that less and less people were posting comments.

 

I spoke to a many people in the trade and a common response was 'I go on Arbtalk but I don't post anything'. Most said this was due to the aggressive bullying and intolerant nature of some of its more regular posters. They didn't want to post their opinion just to get shouted down.

It felt like in the past people would disagreed but would general say 'in my opinion x,y,z' and in this way you ended up with a range of opinions and experiences.

 

As far as I could see 'Arbtalk' had become dominated by a few individuals pontificating and bullying for their own self satisfaction.

It seemed to have become acceptable to effectively shout down anyone with a different opinion to your own and in a lot of cases just pick a verbal fight from behind your smartphone or keyboard.

 

I don't expect that these people would be brave enough to say the things they did directly to somebody's face and with good reason, as their behaviour was unacceptable.

Perhaps some didn't realise the effect their attitude and tone had on others.

 

With the arrival of the new website Arbtalk appears to have lost a lot of contributors but I'm glad to say the condescending and intimidating posting seems to have reduced. Maybe a lot of people shared my opinion and having to work out the new website is just a good reason to not bother with Arbtalk anymore.

 

Sorry if my opinion upsets some but it appears to me that a few have ruined a good forum for the many and I for one would like the old 'Arbtalk' back.

 

May I suggest that to order to regain the old Arbtalk we...

 

When responding to something we might not agree with, take time for a simple reread before pressing send, just to check how our comment may come across.

 

If you have something to contribute to a thread, do it, without fear of what others may say because your experience and/or opinion will help and/or interest someone else.

 

We cross our fingers that people haven't been put off for good.

 

Just my opinion

 

Neil

 

 

Thanks for your post Neil

 

I'm not sure the symptoms you describe are any worse now than they have been though to be honest.  Thats the nature of forums unfortunately.  It is frustrating I agree.  Particularly as an admin also.  As soon as things get deleted you get accused of censorship blah blah, so we try to let things run where possible.

With the addition of facebook log-in on the new site I have noticed an increase in the amount of new registrants who are choosing to use their real name rather than a screen name to hide behind.  I am hoping over time this might help change things slightly.....and yes it is very nearly always those with pseudonyms who cause the most trouble.

[Steve Bullman]

3 hours ago, Tom D said:

Why not post a PM to an administrator naming the culprits with perhaps some examples of what you are talking about?

I think I can mostly work them out

[Mick Dempsey]

18 minutes ago, Tom D said:

who are the notable absences? I'm not the most active so I haven't really noticed..

Flatters, arbogrunt, Jonny walker, Mick Stockbridge, Rupe amongst others, people come and go, I understand that. I'm not looking through rose coloured specs.

 

Maybe the forum world has become a bit like town high streets, small independents catching the eye of the large conglomerates (FB) who try to steamroller them.

Edited September 5, 2017 by Mick Dempsey

[Stubby]

4 hours ago, beechwood said:

 

I gave it quite a bit of thought before posting this but it's my opinion and I hope some good will come it. So hear goes.

 

I've found myself trying to avoid Arbtalk for the last year or so but recently, I've been laid up with a broken leg and with time on my hands, I have started to visit the site more often.

 

I used to enjoy taking 10 or 20 minutes most days to look at the posts.

I found it informative and interesting to see lots of opinions expressed on a wide range of subjects related to the field of Arboriculture and now and again I'd post a comment.

 

I stopped visiting as often because I found it had become boring, frustrating and at times I found some of the comments to be condescending and intimidating.

It seemed that less and less people were posting comments.

 

I spoke to a many people in the trade and a common response was 'I go on Arbtalk but I don't post anything'. Most said this was due to the aggressive bullying and intolerant nature of some of its more regular posters. They didn't want to post their opinion just to get shouted down.

It felt like in the past people would disagreed but would general say 'in my opinion x,y,z' and in this way you ended up with a range of opinions and experiences.

 

As far as I could see 'Arbtalk' had become dominated by a few individuals pontificating and bullying for their own self satisfaction.

It seemed to have become acceptable to effectively shout down anyone with a different opinion to your own and in a lot of cases just pick a verbal fight from behind your smartphone or keyboard.

 

I don't expect that these people would be brave enough to say the things they did directly to somebody's face and with good reason, as their behaviour was unacceptable.

Perhaps some didn't realise the effect their attitude and tone had on others.

 

With the arrival of the new website Arbtalk appears to have lost a lot of contributors but I'm glad to say the condescending and intimidating posting seems to have reduced. Maybe a lot of people shared my opinion and having to work out the new website is just a good reason to not bother with Arbtalk anymore.

 

Sorry if my opinion upsets some but it appears to me that a few have ruined a good forum for the many and I for one would like the old 'Arbtalk' back.

 

May I suggest that to order to regain the old Arbtalk we...

 

When responding to something we might not agree with, take time for a simple reread before pressing send, just to check how our comment may come across.

 

If you have something to contribute to a thread, do it, without fear of what others may say because your experience and/or opinion will help and/or interest someone else.

 

We cross our fingers that people haven't been put off for good.

 

Just my opinion

 

Neil

 

I understand all that you have said Neil and recognize the different feel to the forum from when I was first was accepted as a member . There is the " natural law of adjustment " that I have had to apply from time to time in my life and I am trying t apply it in this  circumstance . If you were to contribute a bit more when you felt it appropriate then maybe it might help to steer things a little bit back to how it was . People are influenced by others there is no defense against that so join in and post matey .   Regards Andy . ( stubby )    

 

Edited September 5, 2017 by Stubby

[Joe Newton]

and yes it is very nearly always those with pseudonyms who cause the most trouble.

Not sure... Le Sanglier made for far better entertainment than this watered down Dempsey twat...

Sent from my SM-G930F using Arbtalk mobile app

[Mick Dempsey]

4 minutes ago, Joe Newton said:

 

Not sure... Le Sanglier made for far better entertainment than this watered down Dempsey twat...

Sent from my SM-G930F using Arbtalk mobile app
 

 

Mountain Man knocked them both into a cocked hat!

[Joe Newton]

Mountain Man knocked them both into a cocked hat!

true, though my favourite alter ego of yours had to be mendiplogs.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Arbtalk mobile app