A Tale of Two Boards

[Lakemonster]

Well.. I gotta do it. I just hope I dont bore you... but I need to share something I truly view as wisdom.
I have been a forum admin for 5 years..... of multiple boards.....
I want to share with you what happens when two boards clash..... when ppl on two sides get so involved with something that is simply to be enjoyed turns into warfare.
I own a forum that deals mainly with politics..... it is a branch off of a no longer existing site. Due to that "split" numerous websites have been shut down due to false reports of TOS violations...... the police (and Federal "Alphabet" agencies) have been called out to members homes over flagrant reports of opposing sides. Everything that should have been a great idea of free expression turned into a war zone.
This place is not much different.... no politics perhaps... but rivalry will breed this type of behavior.
I might suggest that if anyone wishes to fight a "winning battle".... do so by making your posts be a positive reflection on your favorite site. Newbies generally will get turned away when the posts deal with a conflict instead of subject matter (forgive me here... ).
If you will keep in mind that "this board is good" without concentrating on a board that is "bad", then you are working a successful formula. It doesnt matter if another board is bad as long as "this" board is good. That is your responsibility as a member and a poster. You as a member make the board. Admin CANNOT do that for you. Ask Adrock... see if I'm wrong.
Lets get on to another outlook. Say another website like .NET does do well...... It doesnt hurt you as a .COM member.... in fact....... it helps. The hookah community grows. You may wish that it starts at .COM.. but you and I know that anyone that gets so deep into a subject is going to Google it into the ground..... so your site might as well be the shining star.
Theres only one way to do that..... be that star by example.

[dikydave]

according to what you said....this post itself is scaring newbies and preventing the .COM from growing, thanks alot.

[Lakemonster]

You are right...... note where I asked for forgiveness following the statement.
I dont want to be two faced about things.... I just figured I would cast my .02
I'm off the soapbox.
 

[MR Bubble]

[quote name='dikydave']according to what you said....this post itself is scaring newbies and preventing the .COM from growing, thanks alot.[/quote]
Maybe not. Surfers may see someone actually has a positive outlook. Negatives attract nagative people. Positives repel nagative people and attract positive people. I think that is the condensed version of what he wrote. And it is a good rule to live by. Now, I'm going to attack some melon for a while.
MR Bubble