TPTB And What Is The Big Deal?

[+gerper]

I have been a member for just a short time, and really enjoy this sport. However, I have noticed that the forums here have become a big, uh, hostile about some sort of issue. So, could someone please explain to me:

 

-What is "TPTB" and the issue(s) around it?

 

-What the heck is going on with the "backlash" about this site (if any)?

 

I don't mean to "stir the pot, I am just a bit lost as to what the problems are here and would like to know the big picture.

[+robert]

It's really not worth re-hashing, and I would suggest/hope you close this thread. There's a lot of LONG threads about it and some not-so-long (just look for the locked icon)

 

It'll do nothing but stir the pot again. You may even be able to search for "TPTB" (the powers that be) and get at least some insight, but there are really no "answers".

[+briansnat]

TPTB are Groundspeak, the owners of this website. There really are no major "problems" here, but as in all walks of life, there are crybabies who enjoy whining over minor things...the mountain out of a molehill syndrome.

 

In short, there are two major gripes among the whining brigade. The first is that this website has guidelines for posting a cache and they they can't place any type of cache wherever the heck they please. A second gripe is that these message boards are now moderated and they can't discuss gun laws, exchange cake recipes and call each other nasty names.

[+woodsters]

 

Anyone know of any good cake recipes? I need to take one to the huntin' club picnic.

[+clearpath]

 

Anyone know of any good cake recipes? I need to take one to the huntin' club picnic.

Why you little ... I was gonna bring the cake. Guess I could bring my special 'gunpowder salad' or the '50 cal. chicken wings' they gotta kick to em ya know.

[ckreef & Hawke]

The first is that this website has guidelines for posting a cache and they they can't place any type of cache wherever the heck they please.

 

A second gripe is that these message boards are now moderated and they can't discuss gun laws, exchange cake recipes and call each other nasty names.

I don't understand this. There are other listing services so If you are really un happy w/ gc.com then use a different listing service. From what I can see the rules are not that difficult to abide by and alot of problems can be resolved by having a good working relationship w/ your local approver.

 

As for moderators. I am a moderator of another forum (non geocaching related) and forums need moderators because some people just can't play nice.

 

"If you can't say something nice then don't say anything at all"

 

If everyone followed that above guideline then 80% of the moderators job would not be needed. And if you read and followed the forum usage guidelines that would take care of the other 20%.

 

ALso this is a geocaching forum so if it's not geocaching realted then it probably doesn't need to be here. There are gun law forums along w/ recipe forums just not within the geocaching foums.

 

Not trying to rehash anything --- just trying to give this a prespective from a non gc.com moderator.

[+gerper]

Thanks, I was mostly confused about the "TPTB" accronym.

[Keystone]

I don't understand this. There are other listing services so If you are really un happy w/ gc.com then use a different listing service. From what I can see the rules are not that difficult to abide by and alot of problems can be resolved by having a good working relationship w/ your local approver.

 

As for moderators. I am a moderator of another forum (non geocaching related) and forums need moderators because some people just can't play nice.

 

"If you can't say something nice then don't say anything at all"

 

If everyone followed that above guideline then 80% of the moderators job would not be needed. And if you read and followed the forum usage guidelines that would take care of the other 20%.

 

ALso this is a geocaching forum so if it's not geocaching realted then it probably doesn't need to be here. There are gun law forums along w/ recipe forums just not within the geocaching foums.

 

Not trying to rehash anything --- just trying to give this a prespective from a non gc.com moderator.

Wow! Wanna be a Geocaching.com Forum Moderator?

 

Oh wait.... you sound way smarter than me, you'd know better than to answer that.

 

I appreciate reading the perspective of a newcomer who's also a moderator elsewhere!

[+Renegade Knight]

Thanks, I was mostly confused about the "TPTB" accronym.

It's a way that evolved to identify the people in charge without singling one out. I don't like is but have started to use it because it does have a meaning on this site that fits at times.

[+woodsters]

I don't understand this. There are other listing services so If you are really un happy w/ gc.com then use a different listing service.  From what I can see the rules are not that difficult to abide by and alot of problems can be resolved by having a good working relationship w/ your local approver.

 

As for moderators. I am a moderator of another forum (non geocaching related) and forums need moderators because some people just can't play nice.

 

"If you can't say something nice then don't say anything at all"

 

If everyone followed that above guideline then 80% of the moderators job would not be needed. And if you read and followed the forum usage guidelines that would take care of the other 20%.

 

ALso this is a geocaching forum so if it's not geocaching realted then it probably doesn't need to be here. There are gun law forums along w/ recipe forums just not within the geocaching foums.

 

Not trying to rehash anything --- just trying to give this a prespective from a non gc.com moderator.

I agree with about 90% of what you say. First of all there is a difference between moderating/censoring distasteful and abusive things. It's another thing to close a thread because a couple of people can not follow the rules or the moderators warnings. Take care of the "threat" and not the thread. Especially those that you allowed to stay in the first place. Make the moderators forum snipers. Back in June when I came aboard, I initially saw a need for moderators. I even mentioned it. Why? Not because of off topic discussion or people being silly, but because attacks on each other (to include me). It was like TPTB were all around and in the middle of it and to some extent, still are. People are going to complain no matter what. Whether it's about the site or about another complaining about the site.

 

And by the way, the site is not free. You may not have to pay to supprt it, but others do pay (monetarily) in some way or another, so you don't have to. Without those supporters, this site would be no different than any other listing site.

 

And on that note, thank you to all who help support the site monetarily in some way. Whether it's through premium memberships or purchasing Groundspeak products. Without you, they would not have the equipment (or time for that matter) necessary for bringing such a great site.

Edited December 10, 2003 by woodsters

[Jomarac5]

Briansnat wrote:

In short, there are two major gripes among the whining brigade. The first is that this website has guidelines for posting a cache and they they can't place any type of cache wherever the heck they please. A second gripe is that these message boards are now moderated and they can't discuss gun laws, exchange cake recipes and call each other nasty names.

That is one persons opinion, and very well may be the opinion of a few others as well, but it is not the opinion of all. In fact, there are many underlying reasons why there are so many problems -- most of them have are related to unfairness exhibited by the admins. The most predominant being that there are many issues regarding the way that people are treated that have NEVER been dealt with properly and these issues continue to fester. Perhaps if those issues were dealt with properly, they would cease to exist.

 

*****

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