Should the forum be closed to Non Shaolin Wahnam Members

[Babnik]

Oups...

Hello to all

I've just made the mistake to push the "Yes" button while I wanted to push the "No"...

For me this Forrum is like a treasure and I don't want to close because of the following reasons:

• This is a way of interaction and sharing experience
• Here someone can have quick advices for change in his/her training
• Here someone can learn and advance in skills (eg: distinguish false from true, ability ro use the words with better skill etc)
  which can be used in the everyday life
• Because of the feeling that eventhough you are at the edge in the world (if the world was flat )
  you are member of a community with the same interests.

Of course is too much work for the moderators and I appreciate their effort a lot.

As for the levels as Tapio said I agree that will be a very good idea and it will make the work of the moderators more easy.
Now about the number of levels and their openess I cannot say anything because I don't know so much of these things.

So, at the total sum in this poll put a less point in the "Yes" and a extra point in the "No" because of my mistake.

[Andrew]

I just changed it for you Nikas.

Andrew

[Babnik]

Thank you Andrew

Thank you very much Andrew and I am sorry for my mistake

[Claire]

I genuinely believe it's a good thing that this is an open forum.

I do however personally find it quite frustrating at times the amount of winding side roads threads can take due to the need for moderation - I wouldn't mind but there do seem to have been an 'awful' lot lately and it's actually put me off participating in some threads. This may very well be a failing on my part, I realise, but a fact nonetheless.

As the same underlying issue does seem to keep cropping up though, i.e. respectful deliverance of views/opinions etc, I did wonder if it might be worth putting a short but permenant post/banner up about this being a virtual kwoon (as pointed out by some of the Sifus) and the need for courteous address and clearly stated consequences for non compliance. That way it's clear to 'everyone'.

Just a thought

Claire

[Antonius]

Putting up a banner sounds like a good idea, Claire, but even when we clearly say in a post that this is a virtual kwoon, people still don't change their behavior. I'm open to suggestions, but the most practical solution I see is for us to start being more liberal with banning people. Clearly, some people just don't belong here, and have nothing to offer and nothing to learn.

Actually, for a forum as old and as large as ours, we have a remarkably low number of banned users. I've had discussions with admins from similar forums, and all of them have ban lists with hundreds of users. They were shocked when I told them that we had less than 10 users on our ban list.

[Claire]

I hear what you're saying Anthony Sipak, and I can't say I disagree with you - I understand. It's a balance between debating with unruly visitors proving 'useful' and it just getting in the way. And you Sifus do a very admirable job in striving to maintain that balance.

I just thought something like a banner may make things a little more clear cut for everyone, kinda like the signs you see above bars over here 'don't smoke at the bar': someone brings a cigarette to the bar when they order, the bar steward can simply point to the sign; the patron doesn't comply, they can get thrown out - avoids lengthy discussions/debates if ya get my drift.

[Charles David]

I voted no

Cheerfully,

[Peter Clayton]

It's a no from me too although all points made so far have been valid.

If this forum being open results in another person experiencing qigong, then it is worth it.

Although the banner may not have a massive impact or indeed change the minds of those unfortunate few, why not put one up anyway? It may help to clue in those from the outside (those that are sincere) who may not immediately 'get' how the forum operates.

Peter.

[Andrew]

I don't really think the banner idea is going to be of any use. We could just as easily point to the forum rules and make the comment there. Those should be the guide for posters.

Andrew

[Piers]

I voted no too...

piers

[Claire]

I don't really think the banner idea is going to be of any use. We could just as easily point to the forum rules and make the comment there. Those should be the guide for posters.

Andrew

I understand your point Andrew Sipak. And I agree, we could just as easily point unruly visitors etc towards the rules. Other forums that I've visted (non MA) have had a permenant post containing these rules in a promenant place so they can be referred back to, like a contract in business, should someone forget protocol.

There are visitors who are going to be obnoxious and there are those who are just going to misunderstand. The idea of a permenant place for the rules is as much for our benefit as theres.

Some will listen and comply others will not. The point was to offer a more streamlined/expediant procedure for dealing with such a situation rather than one that takes up so much time and 'can' take away from the flow of the forum.

I'm not expecting you guys to agree to do it, I just felt it was a good idea to at least offer up the option.

[Andrew]

Top Menu Bar --> FAQ --> Rules and Regulations

That's pretty direct isn't it?

Andrew

[Claire]

yup.

I knew it was there somewhere - I guess I should get that eye test booked huh?

I realise my posts have probably lacked a little clarity: there were two parts to my suggestion, one was to have a permenant place for the rules (as have been pointed to by Andrew Sipak), the other was to point people in their direction first when they appear to step out of line as a warning so they have no excuse. If they choose to ignore the polite reminder then move forward as you feel is appropriate.

Sorry, I should have broken it down a bit more clearly.

Like I said, it's just a suggestion, I just wanted to clarify it is all I'm a student not a Sifu, I'm aware the choice is not mine to make, I was just responding to P McSweeney's interest:

in the general view of Shaolin Wahnam Members

No offence intended, so I hope there's none taken. I realise it's a tough job and appreciate very much that you do it

with respect,

Claire

[Andrew]

Claire,

No worries. I understood your suggestion and posts. They were very clear to me. Your suggestion is welcome. Just because someone (like me ) doens't immediately agree doesn't mean you did anything wrong

Andrew

[Darryl]

Ban her!

Ban Claire! (where's the rabid foaming emoticon?!)