I see the official county forum has closed which is a shame, it had a good following among supporters & there were a quite a few insightful members plus it also provided a bit of banter. I think this had been building for a while & there had been a few warnings about closing the site but it still feels rather abrupt. In my opinion it would have been a good idea to post a message notifying members that the site was closing permanently with a brief explanation as to why rather than just a message saying it could no longer be accessed!! but it seems this is obviously the end of it & time to move on.
Too bad. I can't say I know the background to this but I do know when there was talk of rumours around fall outs in a certain club recently, that there was a lot of anger from that club at an official level, which took me aback. I thought the best thing would have been to ignoire it.
It's a difficult one. As the forum was so closely linked to the County - it was the official forum - then the responsibility to ensure it was whiter than white was all the greater. Indeed it probably was reaching the stage that people were starting to look for offence, the mods were having to consistently respond to every little thing and discussion was becoming so politically correct as to leave it worthless.
I think most members should recognise the great work that the admin did. He's deserving of our thanks.
The old Orchardcounty.com, which had some good discussion back in the day, went in a similar way. Unfortunately, some posters post stuff that is grossly offensive or even libellous and presumably reappear under a different name posting similar crap if banned. Perhaps they should charge £5 to join.
I agree with the sentiments of RMA and Rufus. Not very knowledgeable on these things but I would suggest the reduction in traffic on the official site will be noticeable. Surprised the decision was taken just as the big draw was announced.
Admin did a great job. It had become a thankless task though as it appeared more and more new members came on bad when there was something bad to comment on. Seems the county has more than enough ccomplainers and not enough supporters. The one thing I would add though is that the county board may find that the level of influence on discussion they had on an official forum could give way to a free for all on an unofficial site. Obviously that will depend on who is administrator on the new site.
I hadn't seen the new forum. Will probably sign up at some stage.
While he did a good job he was trigger happy sometimes with the ban and had an issue about me hence I went on the offensive. Some may think I overreacted but I have spoken to a few people who were annoyed about some of the stuff and frankly felt that there was a free run at our club. I know what happened was not pleasant but I also know of some stuff that happened that has not come out, particularly the whole crossing over the fence. Anyway, I will probably register on the new site, if I'm let, the difficulty with the old site was that it operated as the official site yet the Admin denied that he was the CB representative. You have to be one or the other
Never mind banning members, Hope all talk of soup is banned on new site. Did my head in!
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on October 04, 2017, 10:00:46 PM
While he did a good job he was trigger happy sometimes with the ban and had an issue about me hence I went on the offensive. Some may think I overreacted but I have spoken to a few people who were annoyed about some of the stuff and frankly felt that there was a free run at our club. I know what happened was not pleasant but I also know of some stuff that happened that has not come out, particularly the whole crossing over the fence. Anyway, I will probably register on the new site, if I'm let, the difficulty with the old site was that it operated as the official site yet the Admin denied that he was the CB representative. You have to be one or the other
I hope they let you in BC, they need members like you.
Was never on this site and I also know that a fair bit of shit spouted about Cross is based on jealousy, that said my experience with Cross teams since I have got back has been exceptionally poor to the point I regret spending money watching them and cheering them on when they were at their peak and you were winning all Irelands for fun. Sad but hey, that's my experience as I see it.
Quote from: stew on October 04, 2017, 10:26:59 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on October 04, 2017, 10:00:46 PM
While he did a good job he was trigger happy sometimes with the ban and had an issue about me hence I went on the offensive. Some may think I overreacted but I have spoken to a few people who were annoyed about some of the stuff and frankly felt that there was a free run at our club. I know what happened was not pleasant but I also know of some stuff that happened that has not come out, particularly the whole crossing over the fence. Anyway, I will probably register on the new site, if I'm let, the difficulty with the old site was that it operated as the official site yet the Admin denied that he was the CB representative. You have to be one or the other
I hope they let you in BC, they need members like you.
Was never on this site and I also know that a fair bit of shit spouted about Cross is based on jealousy, that said my experience with Cross teams since I have got back has been exceptionally poor to the point I regret spending money watching them and cheering them on when they were at their peak and you were winning all Irelands for fun. Sad but hey, that's my experience as I see it.
Jesus Stew, you have made your point about how you feel about cross now on several occasions . Can you not just leave it now.
Quote from: keeperlit on October 04, 2017, 10:17:19 PM
Never mind banning members, Hope all talk of soup is banned on new site. Did my head in!
As I was involved in the above mentioned topic on a few occasions I can only say it was all very much tongue in cheek & just a bit of harmless banter, I don't think it really detracted from what overall was a well run, well liked site. I genuinely hope that a lot of the regular members find their way onto the new site as I enjoyed reading the majority of the posts even if I didn't necessarily agree with all of the opinions. I guess at this stage I will give the new site a go & if it's not for me I can leave.
The only reason the official forum was useful was because it was the only dedicated Armagh one. If I recall correctly it was the successor to the unofficial orchard county forum, before the admin offered his services to the official county board which was to ultimately become its downfall.
Cue Pinochet-like censorship, bans handed out like sweets, no cursing, no criticising the county board, no naming players, no mentioning referees unless it was positive etc. What you were left with was a dozen or so regulars; one or two who insisted on polluting threads with long-winded and often irrelevant posts, (especially relating to the county team) that meant proper debate and discussion was never able to flourished.
I hope the new forum allows for more open debate, constructive criticism of county board and officials where due and maybe a wee of bit of craic that extends beyond the played out soup joke
Quote from: general_lee on October 05, 2017, 10:24:33 AM
The only reason the official forum was useful was because it was the only dedicated Armagh one. If I recall correctly it was the successor to the unofficial orchard county forum, before the admin offered his services to the official county board which was to ultimately become its downfall.
Cue Pinochet-like censorship, bans handed out like sweets, no cursing, no criticising the county board, no naming players, no mentioning referees unless it was positive etc. What you were left with was a dozen or so regulars; one or two who insisted on polluting threads with long-winded and often irrelevant posts, (especially relating to the county team) that meant proper debate and discussion was never able to flourished.
I hope the new forum allows for more open debate, constructive criticism of county board and officials where due and maybe a wee of bit of craic that extends beyond the played out soup joke
The bit I've highlighted from you numbers just eleven words but represents the biggest challenge there is when considering the issues around discussion boards. What represents constructive criticism? What represents open debate? Will your view of valid criticism differ from that of the mods? If it does, will the mods become dictators, if they don't value what you perceive to be constructive criticism? When does the constructive criticism of a referee or County Board official become personal, or cross the line and becomes personal abuse of a volunteer?
Your open criticism of the forum represents a common view, particularly amongst those who have fallen foul of the mods and admins. My slant would be different. I would commend those who strove manfully to try and get the balance right between allowing open debate and constructive criticism whilst trying to ensure that it wasn't open season on fellow Armagh Gaels who are busting their nads for the benefit of us all in an increasingly thankless role.
I've joined up to the new forum and look forward to seeing what it has to offer. But I won't hang about if the open debate and constructive criticism you ask for turns sour.
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on October 05, 2017, 11:33:12 AM
Quote from: general_lee on October 05, 2017, 10:24:33 AM
The only reason the official forum was useful was because it was the only dedicated Armagh one. If I recall correctly it was the successor to the unofficial orchard county forum, before the admin offered his services to the official county board which was to ultimately become its downfall.
Cue Pinochet-like censorship, bans handed out like sweets, no cursing, no criticising the county board, no naming players, no mentioning referees unless it was positive etc. What you were left with was a dozen or so regulars; one or two who insisted on polluting threads with long-winded and often irrelevant posts, (especially relating to the county team) that meant proper debate and discussion was never able to flourished.
I hope the new forum allows for more open debate, constructive criticism of county board and officials where due and maybe a wee of bit of craic that extends beyond the played out soup joke
The bit I've highlighted from you numbers just eleven words but represents the biggest challenge there is when considering the issues around discussion boards. What represents constructive criticism? What represents open debate? Will your view of valid criticism differ from that of the mods? If it does, will the mods become dictators, if they don't value what you perceive to be constructive criticism? When does the constructive criticism of a referee or County Board official become personal, or cross the line and becomes personal abuse of a volunteer?
Your open criticism of the forum represents a common view, particularly amongst those who have fallen foul of the mods and admins. My slant would be different. I would commend those who strove manfully to try and get the balance right between allowing open debate and constructive criticism whilst trying to ensure that it wasn't open season on fellow Armagh Gaels who are busting their nads for the benefit of us all in an increasingly thankless role.
I've joined up to the new forum and look forward to seeing what it has to offer. But I won't hang about if the open debate and constructive criticism you ask for turns sour.
A bit of poetic license being used with the age of some lads on their profiles. ;)
First off, general consensus should be what dictates the lines between legitimate criticism and outright personal abuse and vendettas etc. If other posters are saying you've crossed a line then it goes without saying you probably have. I'd point to this forum, as a good example, where there is a degree of leniency and when someone is out of order they are usually called on it, without the need for mods to hand out bans or to get involved at all for that matter.
Now I personally was never actually banned or had any dealings with the mods on the county forum, but then again I never really posted there to begin with. Of course the mods have to protect the county board so obviously they need to be strict, but the zero tolerance attitude didn't really lend itself to a good space for debate or discussion, unless your contribution was something positive or praise. I'm not necessarily criticising the mods either, rather the concept of a county board running an Internet forum.
Also I have a sneaky suspicion that the new forum may involve some of those involved with the county one albeit in an unofficial capacity
Quote from: keeperlit on October 04, 2017, 10:31:42 PM
Quote from: stew on October 04, 2017, 10:26:59 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on October 04, 2017, 10:00:46 PM
While he did a good job he was trigger happy sometimes with the ban and had an issue about me hence I went on the offensive. Some may think I overreacted but I have spoken to a few people who were annoyed about some of the stuff and frankly felt that there was a free run at our club. I know what happened was not pleasant but I also know of some stuff that happened that has not come out, particularly the whole crossing over the fence. Anyway, I will probably register on the new site, if I'm let, the difficulty with the old site was that it operated as the official site yet the Admin denied that he was the CB representative. You have to be one or the other
I hope they let you in BC, they need members like you.
Was never on this site and I also know that a fair bit of shit spouted about Cross is based on jealousy, that said my experience with Cross teams since I have got back has been exceptionally poor to the point I regret spending money watching them and cheering them on when they were at their peak and you were winning all Irelands for fun. Sad but hey, that's my experience as I see it.
Jesus Stew, you have made your point about how you feel about cross now on several occasions . Can you not just leave it now.
Yes, that said I was not trying to make my point about how I feel on Cross, that said, duly noted.
Quote from: general_lee on October 05, 2017, 11:48:59 AM
First off, general consensus should be what dictates the lines between legitimate criticism and outright personal abuse and vendettas etc. If other posters are saying you've crossed a line then it goes without saying you probably have. I'd point to this forum, as a good example, where there is a degree of leniency and when someone is out of order they are usually called on it, without the need for mods to hand out bans or to get involved at all for that matter.
I would be extremely uncomfortable with the 'degree of leniency' that is exhibited here being applied to the much more local confines of a local forum where names of referees and officials are coming up. That's my own personal view. I therefore already see problems with your notion of a 'general consensus' being used to manage behavior.
Quote from: general_lee on October 05, 2017, 11:48:59 AM
I'm not necessarily criticising the mods either, rather the concept of a county board running an Internet forum.
Agreed that the concept of a county board running an internet forum is probably not ideal.
Quote from: general_lee on October 05, 2017, 11:48:59 AM
Now I personally was never actually banned or had any dealings with the mods on the county forum, but then again I never really posted there to begin with.
You did still though grow weary of the soup joke.
Quote from: stew on October 05, 2017, 11:49:34 AM
Yes, that said I was not trying to make my point about how I feel on Cross, that said, duly noted.
Stew, the people of Cross are very sorry that you have lost the faith, we'll just have to win our next club All Ireland without your support.
We will of course be supporting Harps in Croke Park in the meantime, if we get the opportunity.
Quote from: Kernan_is_King on October 05, 2017, 12:36:15 PM
Quote from: stew on October 05, 2017, 11:49:34 AM
Yes, that said I was not trying to make my point about how I feel on Cross, that said, duly noted.
Stew, the people of Cross are very sorry that you have lost the faith, we'll just have to win our next club All Ireland without your support.
We will of course be supporting Harps in Croke Park in the meantime, if we get the opportunity.
Kernan, this is a discussion forum of which you have never been part, be a dear and please try to understand that everyone has their opinion and I chose to offer mine on this forum about Crossmaglen, there was nothing personal about it, I did not, name and shame, in fact I let people know I was very proud of Cross for a long time, I don't expect anyone to give a shite about my opinion and you make my very point in deflecting and trying to demean the Harps with your crack about Croker.
I don't give a toss who you support in Croker, as long as it is not Cross you are supporting in Croker, and you sure as hell wont be doing that in March 2018. :D
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on October 05, 2017, 12:06:54 PM
I would be extremely uncomfortable with the 'degree of leniency' that is exhibited here being applied to the much more local confines of a local forum where names of referees and officials are coming up. That's my own personal view. I therefore already see problems with your notion of a 'general consensus' being used to manage behavior.
Why? It will still be moderated? Are you expecting anarchy? Yes it's local but it's no different to the old forum where names might not necessarily have been used but it wasnt exactly hard to work out who people were talking about. I'd like to think common sense would prevail in any case if things did begin to get out of hand. Let's face it, it will be the same core of contributors that were in the the previous forum and the orchard county one previous to that, I don't foresee any problems with a bit artistic license when it comes to posting on the new one.
Quote from: general_lee on October 05, 2017, 11:48:59 AM
Now I personally was never actually banned or had any dealings with the mods on the county forum, but then again I never really posted there to begin with.
You did still though grow weary of the soup joke.
[/quote]
True, just because I didn't post often doesn't mean I didn't read the threads!
Why not just post in here instead of a standalone site.
It was a sanitised forum with no real room for proper debate and discourse. Yes some things were getting out of hand and should have been dealt with ie ban the individual and not close the thread.
It also seems a few clubs/individuals don't like being criticised.
Here has the advantage of built in long discussions between Fearon and everyone else.
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on October 05, 2017, 03:31:38 PM
Why not just post in here instead of a standalone site.
It was a sanitised forum with no real room for proper debate and discourse. Yes some things were getting out of hand and should have been dealt with ie ban the individual and not close the thread.
It also seems a few clubs/individuals don't like being criticised.
One of my main reasons for using the Armagh forum apart from the fact that I liked it was because this site is blocked in my workplace & it wasn't, plus there is no app for this site, well not that I can find anyway.
Old forum had gone a bit shite over the last few years. Plenty of knowledgable and interesting posters knocking about it, but they seemed to be increasingly drowned out by the shite about soup and the likes. Nothing wrong with a bit of craic and a few in jokes on a forum, but when it started stifling discussion and turning off other posters then the balance is wrong. Perhaps the new incarnation of the forum can promote a better balance, maybe siphon off that sort of stuff to a thread of its own or something.
Not overly optimistic about the lifespan of the new forum, though. Eventually the moderator there will decide to pull the plug, or have that decision made for him/ her. The simple fact is that you can't trust people to behave themselves online. Most will be dead on, but you will always get shitheads posting stuff that will cause problems. The local focus of something like a county forum will magnify these problems. Word will spread quickly about contentious posts, and the specificity of the forum's audience will make it fertile ground for the airings of local disputes and vendettas against individuals. It's naive to suggest the place can police itself. Moderating an online forum must be a nightmare, good luck to anyone that takes on the challenge.
What's happened to the new Armagh forum ?
No idea, I just went to post something on it and saw the server error message.