The Administrators have given the members a lot of leeway in their posts and the majority of members have helped this forum to be the "Friendliest Silverwing Forum".

We do not know why the number verbal attacks or abuses against other have recently increased significantly in both numbers and viciousness.

Different Members and Administrators have tried gently suggesting and requesting more civility.

I have seen several forums rip themselves apart from these attacks and never recover ... if the attacks are never handled or responded to.

The Administrators really would prefer not do anything and letting everything work itself out ... yet the problem seems to be worsening.

Right now it seems like we have two options

1) Remove offending lines from posts and leaving "[Moderator removed ...]" messages

2) Continued abusive or unacceptable behavior will cause temporary suspension

Effective immediately the Administrators will have to start enforcing these options. If the forum returns to a friendlier tone, then more leeway will be restore.

If anyone else has any questions or additional suggestions please either post to this thread ( or if you prefer PM the Administrators).

Thanks Bill,
Like you, I can't understand why things were getting out of hand. The main thing is that you are handling it. This is the best darn Silver Wing site on the net and I, as mentioned before, would really hate to see it deteriorate like some of the other sites have. Thanks again for your rapid response.

Hmmm. I get chastised publicly for telling a member to go away. Larryinseattle calls me stupid and tells me to **** off and doesn't get publicly chastised.
Seems fair to me. I hope you guys get as much help from Larryinseattle as you do from me, because I'm under the impression that what I did was worse.
If so, I think I'll pack up my tools and move on.

If anyone wants any help, PM me and I'll get back to them on a personal basis. Just don't ask me about car tires on a scooter. You know who to ask about that.

Thank you for taking care of this and bringing it back to sanity.

It is rather surprising (and disappointing) that this thread would even be necessary. Whatever happened to people conducting themselves with dignity and respect? As a group our ages would suggest that we are all mature adults, but so much of this behavior is simply childish.

It's a sad day indeed. I have always thought this to be the best and friendliest forum on the net. In the past I have taken some sarcastic remarks personally but instead of posting right away I will sleep on it then read it again next day. Usually then see that it was meant in jest. If I thought it was not intended as a joke, well I had cooled off by then and just let the sleeping dog lie.
Anyhow I hope everyone can police themselves and not have this site turn into anything like the other site. It is not fair to Jeff to be put in the position of having to edit a post or suspend someone.
Lets all try to be civil and enjoy the best Silverwing site on the web.

On the one hand we need to avoid personal insults.
On the other hand, we need to have thicker skins.
On the third hand we've got to stop so the OP can get his answers.
On the fourth hand we've got to be willing to report posts and let mods handle things that need to be handled before they get out of hand.

Ask any of my ex-girlfriends. They will claim I have at least four hands.

Terry (bigbird),

Please don't pack up your tools. You are a very valuable and appreciated asset. It is just that lately this forum has gone from the "friendliest" to "not quite the friendliest" site. I sure don't want you to leave over any of this.

To all,

It does seem that some members take it "just a wee bit too far" at times, with their responses. It also seems that most of this is centered around various modifications. Some won't modify a bike at all and others can't modify enough. But we shouldn't say someone is wrong to "mod" or "not mod" our SWings. It is all personal choice and we should just accept that we are like this.

So maybe we can ALL try not to pass judgement on others and what we do to our bikes. But just stay the "friendliest" site on the net, as we should be. I bet if we all got together for a beer we would all have a great time.

Maybe we can all meet at a center point, like the Greenwich Meridan, for a nice "ale". Thanks.

Terry,

I just sent you a PM so please read it and reconsider. I didn't read what Larry said in his response so I can't say anything about it (Larry, I'm not saying this to start anything but since your name was brought up). But I hope you will reconsider not being active since you really are very well respected here, even if some think your responses are a bit over the top. We have all posted things in haste, I know I have.

But I do understand if someone said profanity to you , and you do have a right to get upset. Hopefully that will never happen again. DickO made a good post of this being family friendly and that is what this forum has always been really. If my daughter can't read this forum then something is wrong. Thanks.

Thanks to all who have posted your support. I have PM'd all mods and the admin. We'll see what happens. I'm not asking for much, just a level playing field.
Terry

Happy to meet at Greenwich Meridian but would prefer you make it at Greenwich rather than 0ºN 0ºE as I would have to bring my Waterwings instead of the Silverwing!

Hopefully no-one leaves the forum or 'throws their toys out of the pram' in the future.

Everyone should at least try and act like an adult until senility creeps in.

Cheers,

It's very difficult to try to be helpful when you feel like you're being unfairly abused.

I empathize with you Terry. I know exactly how you feel. You try to be generous with your knowledge and opinions, only to suffer attacks from someone who's only trying to start trouble and make you miserable. Their only goal is to make you feel bad, and unfortunately if you care, it works.

I have relegated myself to reader only status for some time. I just wanted to post to tell you that other people feel the same way you do.

I don't wish any ill feelings to anyone on this board. I just had to stop being involved for my own well being. I hope everyone enjoys their Silver Wing as much as I do.

Good luck all.

Bigbird is the man who knows whereof he speaks.

I should know, because I am a technician for 40 years
And indeed a rational straight talk is not always appreciated.
I have also personally experienced.

I wish to thank you guys for your encouraging words of support. If it weren't for feedback like that, I wouldn't bother to offer my help. I am a retired technical instructor, and I guess you just can't take that zest for helping others out of a person if it's innate.

I had a very constructive phone conversation with JeffR last night. We both addressed what happened with the aggressive attack on me, how I responded, and the way it should be handled by the mods and admin if such an incident happens again in the future.

On his end Jeff will communicate with the mods and admin, and on my end I will not allow myself to be baited nor will I go looking for trouble. I know there are some good guys on here who like to give and take, Meldrew and John Grinsel being two of them, and I hope to continue our banter, if not less aggressively by me. If any newbie comes along and starts getting aggressive or offensive, I'll just report it to the powers that be.

As long as all forum members are treated equally and respectfully by our mods, admin, and each other, I will continue to try and help any and all members if I can. I know that almost all of you would do the same for me.
Terry

+1

++1. Glad to see you are staying around. I missed your weather reports.

Terry,

I too am glad you will be providing your expertise - like to hear what my neighbor to the North [only 460 miles from Mpls] is doing.

Take care,

Rick V

Glad to hear you are staying with us.

Cheers,

It's never good to lose anyone, especially over matters of personality. I, for one, was glad to see you still here and adding your valuable insight. Will try to take advantage of it in the future.

Waspie its a bit colder"up North" Lots of grey days. i've got my inner and outer gloves on inside my Handlebar Muffs,I was out yesterday at one of my regular stops only one other person here on two wheels, definately Hot Vimto, and toasted crumpet weather. Snow in Scotland now. I like your seasonal(avatar?) isit? To Bigbird i say your advice and help are greatly valued, i have been watching the altercation you had and very pleased you resolved it.