Hands down, RCU is my favorite RC oriented site. No question, no contest.

As membership grows, though, I have noticed an increasing amount of bickering, flaming, and general disgruntlement with some members. I know there will always be troublemakers, and I think all the moderators have been doing an excellent job keeping it to a minimum.

What's missing on these boards, though, is a forum for all of us members to really get to know each other. Now, if I post something to a thread that's not related to the topic, it either gets deleted, or sends the rest of the members off on tangents, and the thread flounders.

We're people, and need interaction beyond the RC related topics. Since I've made many friends on here, I'd like to chat with them about the day's news, politics, how their kids are doing, etc. An OPEN forum would allow all of that, and could even be a clearing house for Out-of-Control threads.

See this site for an example (my other hobby)

PCGS Forums

Just my 2 cents...

This was a suggestion that I've tossed around quite a bit...everytime I bring it up I get the pros and cons reflected back to me. I happen to agree with what you said above.

The only caveats I have with an open forum are things getting too out of control and some sensitive topics being discussed as well as more attacks on people. Also these tend to end up requiring heavy moderation to keep the peace as a free for all forum things like politics and other divided subjects get brought up.

How do I know this...well...in my short time on these forum sites I've seen other sites allow just this and it turns into a quagmire. Flames and arguments galore..ideally it would work the way you and I want it to but once those forums pick up a head of steam it seems to really go out of control.

I'm hoping that an instant person to person chat feature (we still have PM's) will bridge this gap a bit...I won't rule out an open forum ever but just look at what you said how as we grow the bickering level does increase a bit and this is just about RC stuff! Imagine when real sensitive or personal stuff is brought up in an open forum? I won't give the names of a few of these forums that have tested the OPEN forum format out but many of you know who they are and it's a scary path to undertake if you have seen what can happen...

I have to both agree and disagree with your reply, and here's why:

I disagree that things get out of hand. Sure, some idiots will always stir the pot and show themselves for what they really are. Big deal! I think we should have thick enough skins that we can handle a flame now and then.

I also disagree that an open forum needs heavy moderation...actually, just the opposite is the case. The less moderation, the better. Keeping it free and open is what it's about, and the idiots will tend to post there, leaving the other forums alone and needing less moderation as well. Win win, if you ask me.

As far as sensitive topics and such, I also disagree there, too. A lively debate on abortion or politics never hurt anyone, and the members themselves will let the idiots have it if they get out of line with stupid comments.

I do agree with you that a Instant Message feature would be a great way to communicate with other members.

In all the other forums I read, the open forum is usually one of the liveliest, and it really keeps the miscreants in check, if not providing them an outlet to vent their idiocy. I hope you checked out the open forum at the link I provided in the first post to this thread, and you'll see why I feel the way I do.

RCU is an absolute necessity for rookies and veterans alike. I have learned more in the few months I've been a member than in several years of magazines and discussions with club members. It is an invaluable resource and you and all your moderators deserve major kudos for a job well done.

John

John,

I will certainly take the points you make under advisement. Again a type of open forum is something I would like but as you agree & disagree with some of what I wrote I still will disagree with a few of your points. Completely open off topic forums are dangerous territory to tread. I know there are members here that when they want to cut it all loose they go visit a few other RC forums that cater to this almost exclusively and flame wars run rampant and some guys like that once in awhile and their skin is thick enough...then when they want to talk about RC stuff they just come back here for their info.

I've had many advisors who have been doing this much longer than me (as in years) and the open forum thing has proven most of the time disastrous...not in theory but in actual practice...I know RCU is working well now and would hate to have things like politics, religion and abortion show up in our search engine results when we are really all about RC.

I think the instant messaging person to person if implemented well along with scheduled chat room type stuff might be a better bet but I'm one to try stuff and if it doesn't work then try something else...

Having a free for all forum would be disasterous. I've seen it happen too many times on too many message boards. Inevitably what happens over time is that certain personality conflicts pour over into the other forums, and it just results in bad feelings all around.

There's a fine line between too much moderation and not enough. Most sites that have implemented an open forum do so out of desperation and an inability to effectively moderate topical discussions. I'd hate to see that happen to RCU.

I am not in favor of open forums, or chat-room type discussions.
I have been involved with BBS's and the Internet for years, and have seen the problems such formats can encourage.
Flame wars, threats, and rude, obscene behavior should be cause for membership dismissal . . . I don't have time to waste on childish behavior.

I have had just about every type of chat connected at one time or another, and right now I have deleted all of them. I have had problems with them slowing up my computer, attempts at hacking and viruses being spread, and general nonsense being sent to me. I quit one aviation newsgroup because of the utter nonsense, and that was a full-scale aviation group. I quit RC Online because it was as slow as a frozen turtle.

I feel RC Universe is a very well-managed. fast-responding system, and I am against anything that would slow it up.
My $ .02 worth.

Regards,

Eaglewatch

Don't let it turn into another rcwatch.com!! That place is nothing but a bunch of trash talkers.

As a former trash talker at FL I can relate that my experience with the open forum is all negative.

It got addicting for awhile, then it just became a sick place where the deft fingered and quick witted tended to rule.

Modeling? Fughetaboudit!
Most of the folks I liked just fine as long as the subject was modeling.
Otherwise, it's just another place to observe other peoples posteriors, IMNSHO.

Definitely not worth bringing the reputation of RCU down to that level ever, I hope.

Oh yes...open forums are littered with problems...this is one reason why ideally it is a nice idea but again when actually implemented is extraordinarily difficult to manage.

I still feel that people like to mostly come here to talk about RC and get info about it. Along with trading this is the simple cornerstone philosophy that has driven the growth and acceptance of RCU. As mentioned above those who went the open forum route with little or no censorship have had serious problems with it.

I agree Marc, an open forum can require contant babysitting. The comments made by some individuals leave long lasting, negative impressions on visitors that sometimes, cannot be changed. Mistakes have been made by other R/C sites in the past. I think you, and others like Mike Bogh, have learned a great deal from observing what happened at those sites.

John Wells

I couldn't agree more here and think that an open forum on this site would serve no useful purpose. It brings out the ugly side of people and that in turn can bring a site down very quickly. We have a good quality one going here and it's chock full of R/C related topics, and that's the way it should be. If one feels the need to start debates in those kind of topics that don't fit here then there are other sites that that will welcome you with open arms. Just my own feelings.