Who's been stirring it at Cycling Plus then ?
Discussion
One of their forum moderators has resigned :
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«11:05» Need to get this off my chest
A few months ago I agreed to become a moderator over at the Cycling Plus forum. I agreed for a number of reasons: I know how much work it can be to keep something like that running smoothly; I care about the board and its members, because I've made a lot of good friends there and know others have too; I am used to moderating and know what it takes; and I spend so much time there that it didn't seem to be such a big deal.
One of the problems with the C+ forum is that it attracts a number of petrolheads: our very own brand of troll. It's a cycling forum, so what other sort of troll would you expect? They come to tell us that speed cameras kill people; that speed limits make drivers bored and are ridiculous because drivers are all perfectly capable of telling what is an appropriate speed; and that cyclists who don't get out of the way and allow cars behind them to get past are blocking traffic no matter what the circumstances and are being inconsiderate. They use stupid usernames with no personal information attached and don't tell anyone their real names. They are effectively anonymous.
Generally the best thing to do with trolls is ban them outright from day one, or ignore them. One of the good things about C+ is the very tolerant atmosphere — other members may not necessarily ascribe to a point of view, but they'll generally support your right to at least try to argue your cause.
Unfortunately, such things were not to last. The recent clutch of moderators, myself included, tried to make moderation of the forum co-operative by making the decisions transparent and doing things the way most other places do them: posting warnings for posts that broke the terms and conditions and giving posters a chance to calm down and/or modify their behaviour, and explaining what we were doing so that members would know not to do that again. In the absence of clear user guidelines it was the best we could do.
One of the resident anonymous petrolhead trolls was warned, ignored the warning, became abusive, and so his account was locked, which again was the best we could do as we were not permitted to ban IP addresses.
A shame, really, as this particular troll appeared suspiciously like an earlier troll who had also been locked.
A thread was posted explaining that his account had been locked. The troll tried to re-register and that account was locked too. He complained. First he complained to the moderators via the flag system. Then he complained to me, personally, several times, even after I had responded with a brief but complete explanation and told him I would not be entering into further correspondence. Then - get this - he got his wife to telephone the offices of the publishing company responsible for the magazine C+ and complain.
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She rambles on in this vein for a while, but I cut it due to boredom (mine).
It's all on http://ravenfamily.org/sam/index.html
******************************************************
«11:05» Need to get this off my chest
A few months ago I agreed to become a moderator over at the Cycling Plus forum. I agreed for a number of reasons: I know how much work it can be to keep something like that running smoothly; I care about the board and its members, because I've made a lot of good friends there and know others have too; I am used to moderating and know what it takes; and I spend so much time there that it didn't seem to be such a big deal.
One of the problems with the C+ forum is that it attracts a number of petrolheads: our very own brand of troll. It's a cycling forum, so what other sort of troll would you expect? They come to tell us that speed cameras kill people; that speed limits make drivers bored and are ridiculous because drivers are all perfectly capable of telling what is an appropriate speed; and that cyclists who don't get out of the way and allow cars behind them to get past are blocking traffic no matter what the circumstances and are being inconsiderate. They use stupid usernames with no personal information attached and don't tell anyone their real names. They are effectively anonymous.
Generally the best thing to do with trolls is ban them outright from day one, or ignore them. One of the good things about C+ is the very tolerant atmosphere — other members may not necessarily ascribe to a point of view, but they'll generally support your right to at least try to argue your cause.
Unfortunately, such things were not to last. The recent clutch of moderators, myself included, tried to make moderation of the forum co-operative by making the decisions transparent and doing things the way most other places do them: posting warnings for posts that broke the terms and conditions and giving posters a chance to calm down and/or modify their behaviour, and explaining what we were doing so that members would know not to do that again. In the absence of clear user guidelines it was the best we could do.
One of the resident anonymous petrolhead trolls was warned, ignored the warning, became abusive, and so his account was locked, which again was the best we could do as we were not permitted to ban IP addresses.
A shame, really, as this particular troll appeared suspiciously like an earlier troll who had also been locked.
A thread was posted explaining that his account had been locked. The troll tried to re-register and that account was locked too. He complained. First he complained to the moderators via the flag system. Then he complained to me, personally, several times, even after I had responded with a brief but complete explanation and told him I would not be entering into further correspondence. Then - get this - he got his wife to telephone the offices of the publishing company responsible for the magazine C+ and complain.
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She rambles on in this vein for a while, but I cut it due to boredom (mine).
It's all on http://ravenfamily.org/sam/index.html
All trolls are pathetic, i would doubt it was any of the regulars here tbh but you never know. I used to be fairly into cycling and i know a lot of people who are who are also big car fanatics, didn't realise there was any beef between the two communities tbh.
Also as an aside i notice you're from Crediton, just up the road from me here at Exeter uni. Been a bloody miserable day weather wise hasn't it?
Cheers.
Rob.
Also as an aside i notice you're from Crediton, just up the road from me here at Exeter uni. Been a bloody miserable day weather wise hasn't it?
Cheers.
Rob.
Paul Dishman said:
Yeah horrible generally, but had a dry enough slot this afternoon to take in laws for stroll down the quay after afternoon tea at Rogers
Really? Must have bloody missed it, i'm absoloutely positive it hasn't stopped raining since I awoke this morning! Racing a Porsche too, some buggers get all the luck!
Rob.
Rob_F said:
All trolls are pathetic, i would doubt it was any of the regulars here tbh but you never know. I used to be fairly into cycling and i know a lot of people who are who are also big car fanatics, didn't realise there was any beef between the two communities tbh.
There is certainly a strong anti car feeling amongst many of the cycling fraternity. I think its a pity that this is so , because really we have much more in common than they realise.
Paul
Paul Dishman said:
All trolls are pathetic, i would doubt it was any of the regulars here tbh but you never know. I used to be fairly into cycling and i know a lot of people who are who are also big car fanatics, didn't realise there was any beef between the two communities tbh.
There is certainly a strong anti car feeling amongst many of the cycling fraternity. I think its a pity that this is so , because really we have much more in common than they realise.
Paul
In my experience there isn't. Most of the lads I know are true petrolheads. Unfortunately the cyclists most vehemently opposed to anything remotely car-like are also the ones who are the most vocal. Correspondingly, they are also the ones who do the least for the image of cycling; ie. the ones you see dithering around M&S still wearing their helmets while baby Tarquin sleeps soundly in the trailer-bike outside. In the rain.
a troll is a sad pathetic individual, no matter who they are and what they are fighting against. If you are not willing to stand up and be counted then better to shut up until you are. I hate trolls on any forum and more often than not they are in no way connected with the suspected group
Paul Dishman said:
All trolls are pathetic, i would doubt it was any of the regulars here tbh but you never know. I used to be fairly into cycling and i know a lot of people who are who are also big car fanatics, didn't realise there was any beef between the two communities tbh.
There is certainly a strong anti car feeling amongst many of the cycling fraternity. I think its a pity that this is so , because really we have much more in common than they realise.
Paul
True. I was once knocked off my bike by a numpty driver, and the first person who noticed it was obviously a cyclist, who, rather than making sure I was all right, started ranting about 'car drivers are all the same'. I gave him the Clarkson treatment. Something within the cycling community has turned it against and started to stereotype all motorists.
Ah, the link to the site of the C+ moderator, if that is what the link is, explains all.
I see her blog for 1st June also quotes from Pistonheads and has comments accompanying.
Sam, who I don't know at all, seems like a very interesting person in several different ways. I stumbled upon an earlier incarnation of her web site, via a route I have forgotten, a couple of years ago.
I remember thinking at the time that it would surely be fascinating to meet her but the chances of our respective virtual planets ever getting that close were likely to be particularly remote.
I see her blog for 1st June also quotes from Pistonheads and has comments accompanying.
Sam, who I don't know at all, seems like a very interesting person in several different ways. I stumbled upon an earlier incarnation of her web site, via a route I have forgotten, a couple of years ago.
I remember thinking at the time that it would surely be fascinating to meet her but the chances of our respective virtual planets ever getting that close were likely to be particularly remote.
Thats just stupid, they are obviously set against us. I havn't seen the comments people made but I would imagine some would just be standing up for us. Also, by saying "petrolheads" that links them to us, and it could be someone from any number of car-related forums. They should just get on with their cyling and let us have sum fun
I have recently joined said forum and can only say how helpful people are on there. If you drive a TVR it just makes good sense to have a bicycle on standby.
I have posted my car on my profile pic on their site and have not been chastised in anyway for having this satanic gas guzzling monster. Cycling is a brilliant way to keep fit and there is a wealth of information there and I would never dream of trolling.
I have posted my car on my profile pic on their site and have not been chastised in anyway for having this satanic gas guzzling monster. Cycling is a brilliant way to keep fit and there is a wealth of information there and I would never dream of trolling.
Rob_F said:
Well i'm probably in the minority in that I rode into an Audi once, and it was totally my fault! Put a dent in the wing and everything, and the fella was way more concerned that i was okay and didn't care about the fairly new A4. Top chap!
I rode into the back of fairly new Fiesta once, quite hard too... Found I had a distinct lack of brakes on the way up to a roundabout and ended up with my arms outstretched and my face pressed against the rear window, comedy stye.
Again the driver was far more concerned that I was ok, although I didn't seem to do much damage to the fester, scratch where my brake lever hit was about it.
Antwerpman said:
a troll is a sad pathetic individual, no matter who they are and what they are fighting against. If you are not willing to stand up and be counted then better to shut up until you are. I hate trolls on any forum and more often than not they are in no way connected with the suspected group
Hear hear. I really don't see the point of being a troll. "Oh, i'm just being devils advocate" "Wouldn't it be boring if we all agreed" No, it would be bliss, now f
k off.Another case of an idiot minority ruining it for the tolerant, fully rounded majority.... 
A guy I work with used to get everywhere on his bike and was very anticar. His dad then gave him the family runabout (old fester) and within a week of driving around the centre of Manchester was whinging about cyclists not adhereing to the highway code...
>> Edited by MilnerR on Monday 6th June 08:23
A guy I work with used to get everywhere on his bike and was very anticar. His dad then gave him the family runabout (old fester) and within a week of driving around the centre of Manchester was whinging about cyclists not adhereing to the highway code...
>> Edited by MilnerR on Monday 6th June 08:23
Rob_F said said:
:
Well i'm probably in the minority in that I rode into an Audi once, and it was totally my fault! Put a dent in the wing and everything, and the fella was way more concerned that i was okay and didn't care about the fairly new A4. Top chap!d-man said:
I rode into the back of fairly new Fiesta once, quite hard too... Found I had a distinct lack of brakes on the way up to a roundabout and ended up with my arms outstretched and my face pressed against the rear window, comedy stye.
Again the driver was far more concerned that I was ok, although I didn't seem to do much damage to the fester, scratch where my brake lever hit was about it.
i rode into the back of a bus once! funnily enough, the driver didnt notice. no harm done, but i looked real stoopid. love cars, love cycles, plenty of room for both.
excuse my utter ignorance, but whats a troll?
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