Author: Billy Markland
Monday, 10 February 2003 - 07:56 pm |        |
Stephen, thanks for giving us a second chance. Not many things in life that bring enjoyment offer that opportunity!
Will Ally, aka, SWMBO, be the administratrix? If so, or if not, I will volunteer my services to either back her up or whomever takes that role. I haven't been able to contribute to the research as much as I wished, however, I have noticed my written arguments have gotten stronger from reading this board 
Seriously folks, I would urge, independently of Stephen's enrollment form, to include a check. This DOES cost money, and last I heard, the only person that may be making any money was Pat, and that is only hearsay.
Stephen, only a suggestion, but in the behaviour portion of the written contract, it might include the word "professional" in regard to tone of posts, etc.
Printing my copy off now,
Billy |
Author: Spryder
Monday, 10 February 2003 - 08:07 pm | |
Billy -
Thanks for the kind words. I will be the only administrator/moderator for these boards from now on. I will not be taking on any assistance from other parties, both to protect those who wish to help and to protect myself, should any legal situations arise in the future. |
Author: Simon Owen
Monday, 10 February 2003 - 09:41 pm | |
I personally think that if it has come to the stage where draconian rules are needed , where there is a ' 2 strikes and you're out ' policy and when posters are threatening legal action against each other - then it is time to pull the plug. A bastardised version of these message boards will not be satisfying , or indeed even be the same.
Its sad but the message boards are only a reflection of the people that use them , and mass banning of posters will only serve to reduce the number of different ideas that are necessary to keep debate alive and vital. I still miss graziano and I don't think the Boards were ever the same after graz was banned - ok , I accept he had to go , but it was regrettable. I don't know what the solution is but a massive clamp-down is NOT the answer.
The loss of an accessible archive of past messages will be a tragedy , as it may be necessary to refer to past threads to understand or clarify what is being debated in the present.
Also the loss of a ' Pub Talk ' board may be seen as removing something trivial or off-topic , but it is often such a thing that keeps a community of posters together when there is little ' serious ' subject matter to be talked about. Plus it adds a little fun , vital when we are talking about such a dark topic as the Ripper murders - I fear if things are kept to serious debate only then the commmunity spirit will go from these boards and things will become as dry as dust , like the academic background I chose to escape from when I left university.
If its come to this , then I think its better to shoot the Beast rather than cage it , neuter it and bind it with tethers : this sort of thing is meant to run free and wide not be circumscribed. Its a precious free spirit and if it can't be controlled gently any more then it should be finished with. |
Author: Sir Robert Anderson
Monday, 10 February 2003 - 10:33 pm | |
"The loss of an accessible archive of past messages will be a tragedy"
It really is a pity to lose a format in which one can search readily through almost 45,000 messages. I certainly intend to order the CD ROM - everyone should - but a great deal of cross fertilization will be lost.
Sir Robert |
Author: Brian Schoeneman
Monday, 10 February 2003 - 11:34 pm | |
Damn it - I have to work all weekend and all this crap happens.
I'm game for the new boards. Maybe we can get some of the old posters like Martin and Paul back with the new rules.
I'll be sending my paperwork tomorrow, Spry.
B |
Author: Billy Markland
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 12:09 am | |
Stephen, before you "zap" the boards, perhaps, at the least, you might retrieve Chris's On-Line Research and have it saved?
Regarding my previous post, that is understandable. However, if you need anything, squeak and I shall be running. As a matter of fact, I believe my wife has a couple cousins who are twins named Guido who work for peanuts (literally).
Best of wishes,
Billy |
Author: Chris Phillips
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 03:26 am | |
| If it's the price of continuing the boards, then so be it, but I don't really understand why all the current content on the board has to be deleted. Is there really no alternative to this? |
Author: Harry Mann
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 03:39 am | |
As I will probably not be contributing any posts in the future,I would like to say thanks to Stephen and Ally for the opportunity of past participation.It has been enjoyable and informative,and to all the good people who do and have posted over the years,I wish you well.
Good luck in the time ahead.
Regards,
Harry Mann. |
Author: Jim Jenkinson
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 04:27 am | |
Spryder & Ally,
I've printed out my form. You have my full support for the changes you are forced to make. (Except for the money bit, you'll have to spend 5 minutes in a room with me, with a pencil, to get anything.)
I can see why you would like to give the boards focus and direction, but can you please see your way, if possible, to enable the less scholarly to contribute trivia. Obviously, my motives are purely selfish.
Harry, please reconsider, and continue posting, as I have always enjoyed your comments in the past, especially the 'in uniform' memories.
ALL THE BEST to everyone,
See you on the other side.
Jim
ps I've only just memorised my password. |
Author: richard nunweek
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 06:20 am | |
Spryder.
I am in full agreement with the new format, it is a shame it had to come to this , however one has to protect oneself, for although a huge majority of threads were extremely intresting and imformative, some were quite insulting and were not of sensible origin.
My hope for the future of these boards is that the members who apply for new registration, and are accepted, will use their posts in a constructive, and friendly attitude.
It is fun to agree to disagree,but any disagreements should not involve a slanging match ,or comments that plainly offend.
Best wishes Richard. |
Author: chris scott
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 07:46 am | |
Stephen
Your new rules are sensible, balanced and sadly understandable in the light of some recent postings. And we must all remember that you have undertaken this awesome site as a service to us all and without your efforts and dedication we would have nothing to regret losing.
I have downloaded the form and will be mailing to you - as I'm in the UK it may be a little while before I'm cleared for posting but that is a small price to pay.
My unreserved thanks to you and all who have helped you over the time you have run the Casebook site and it's me sincere hope that the boards under the new rules will flourish and continue to be a source of inspiration and pleasure to us all.
To those who have contacted me about postings I have made, many thanks for the comments which are much appreciated. I have made a personal archive from the boards of the online resources and census material from 1881 and 1901 censuses that I have posted so this material is not lost.
Best wishes to all and I can't wait to see the boards up and running again and PLEASE let's all give Stephen the support and respect that he deserves
All the best
Chris Scott |
Author: Vila
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 08:18 am | |
Spryder,
I just saved a copy of the form and will be printing it out sometime this afternoon when Cindy is awake (and after I have slept & awoken again myself, since I'm on night shift this week).
However, I won't be mailing it until this weekend, so that I can include the check I mentioned to Ally in the chatroom, as well as ordering the CD. I was handed a notice last night that my profit-share check will be handed out on Friday, so I'll be real busy once I get my sweaty little palm on it. Got to go buy a new fridge, order my new computer, and hunt down a motorcycle engine to finally fix my 3-wheeled car. (Praise every Deity I've ever heard of! After 2 years, I may get the bugger running yet!) For a look at same, here is the URL for a slow-loading page with lots of pictures:
http://www.aphelion-webzine.com/casavila/trimag/trimag.htm
Vila |
Author: Philip C. Dowe
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 08:50 am | |
Hi all,
I have been thinking about it since this morning. I have read Spryder's posting and I can understand his point of view. But it is the end of the road for me.
It has been fun. I have met some great people. I have had some great discussions. I will miss you all a lot.
So long and thanks for all the fish, Shalom
Philip
PS The answer is 42! |
Author: Monty
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 11:35 am | |
Philip C..
...no one loves a quitter !!!!
Monty
|
Author: Philip C. Dowe
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 12:50 pm | |
Hi Monty,
I am not a quitter per se. I just don't understand why Stephen doesn't add a legal notice to the forum.
Here is an example: http://www.sciencenet.com.au/legalnotices.htm
Just because 2% of the users cannot behave, doesn't mean to say that the other 98% don't know how to.
But this is Stephen's living room and he can do what he likes. I just don't like the way the invitations are printed and how I should handle them.
Shalom,
Philip |
Author: judith stock
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 01:23 pm | |
Dear Philip,
Stephen DID have a disclaimer on this site.... can't find it right now, but it WAS there, and look how well THAT worked! The few have, indeed, penalised the many, and we are the ones who will suffer the consequences of THEIR actions. We can only hope the problem children of these boards will NOT find it so easy to cause trouble any more. And I, for one, hope access might be denied to those who have proven to be s**t-stirrers. You are correct..that IS censorship.....SO WHAT? One cannot shout "fire" in a crowded theatre (except, of course, if there IS a fire), and the tossing of legal threats, slanderous insinuations, and nasty names is NOT what we ought to be about. Your rights stop at the end of my nose, and I have the right to post without having to defend my sex life, my ancestry or anything else not pertaining to my post....AS DO YOU! The stirrers forgot this, and indulged in behaviour that is both reprehensible and childish. Why not join us in an adult site, where people behave as adults, think as adults, and post as adults? Come on in....you might find the water is fine.
J |
Author: Christopher-Michael DiGrazia
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 02:09 pm | |
| Done and done, Stephen. Form will be on its way to you this weekend, and a writeup on this contremps in the next RN. |
Author: jennifer pegg
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 02:52 pm | |
hi,
this is all good.
i just have one , no two financial questions
one how do i purchase the cd rom in english pounds without a credit card (i mean i dont want to put my debit card details online, is this a prob?)
two how do i donate to forum the upkeep charge with my english pounds cheque, is this a worthwhile exercise or would it be more hassle than its worth?
i totally support the changes if they need to be made. can i add i didn't realise all this legal stuff was going on
all the best
jennifer |
Author: stephen miller
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 02:56 pm | |
Hi Stephen thank you for reconsidering my form will be in post by the weekend
Would it be possible to keep the beyond whitechapel crimes thread?
all the best
steve |
Author: Ally
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 04:27 pm | |
| Hey guys. I just want to post here again that the new EZ boards and the Casebook Forums are two totally separate entities. The maintenance and application for one has nothing to do with the other and you don't have to be registered at one to post at the other. |
Author: Richard P. Dewar
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 04:32 pm | |
Hi All,
I can certainly appreciate the position Stephen is in and why he is taking the actions that he is.
Unfortunately, message board websites are put at risk by a dangerous combo - those who make irresponsible allegations and those whose intellectual limitations require a solicitor to make their case for them.
However, I agree with Philip, for me this is the end of the road for the message boards.
I am not too fond of disclosure forms or regulation of speech - I think it intimidates newcomers and dissuades open discussion. However, I do completely understand and sympathize with why Mr. Ryder feels these steps need to be taken to protect himself.
My special thanks to Stephen for creating this wonderful venue. And for Ally who, despite our differences, monitored the boards and rendered service to us all.
I appreciated the opportunity to converse with noted authors like Paul Begg and Stewart Evans - not only on the boards but in email to answer this novice's questions.
And I really have enjoyed my time with the wonderful people (far too many to mention by name). I have really appreciated your support, friendship, and comaraderie on and off the boards.
Best wishes to all and I hope all who are moving over to the new venue find it entertaining and satisfying.
Regards,
Rich |
Author: Simon Owen
Tuesday, 11 February 2003 - 10:07 pm | |
Same here Rich , this is the end and what follows won't be the same - I won't be going on to the new Message Board whatever its called.
The damage done to JtR scholarship by this will be immense and I hope those who have caused this are happy with themselves. |
