what do you want rff to be?

[ebolton]

I'm very happy with the heavy moderation that exists on the political stuff. I must admit I haven't added images to the gallery in a long time, and don't look at the gallery now. I tune in sometimes to catch the various discussions that go on in many fields. It seems to be more intelligent than I find elsewhere.

 

[SausalitoDog]

I agree with most of what's been said.

Inclusive and open and civil !

The one thing I would like to see more of is inclusion of EXIF data for every photo posted!

 

[sevo]

I'm very happy with the heavy moderation that exists on the political stuff.

... but that is a very, very American thing. To us Europeans, a civilized political discussion is a everyday matter, and many of our conservative parties are somewhere left of where the American definition of socialist begins (and the ruling party or coalition often is left of them).

On the other hand, constant salutes to the troops and flag are far more bizarre and irritating to us. Personally, I could do with less heavy-handed moderation of the former, and a bit more moderation of the latter whenever it spills into off-topic areas.

 

[pakeha]

... but that is a very, very American thing. To us Europeans, a civilized political discussion is a everyday matter, and many of our conservative parties are somewhere left of where the American definition of socialist begins (and the ruling party or coalition often is left of them).

On the other hand, constant salutes to the troops and flag are far more bizarre and irritating to us. Personally, I could do with less heavy-handed moderation of the former, and a bit more moderation of the latter whenever it spills into off-topic areas.

+1
Europeans and others 🙂

 

[mugent]

RFF is a result of it's members, like other forums. I think if we try to limit it to say, Rangefinders, as the name suggests, then do people not get to talk about their latest Fuji device, or OM-D?
I say, unless it's causing a problem, let it be. If you don't want to read about a particular topic, don't open the thread.
It's a gear forum, nothing wrong with that. We all like gear.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

I can only draw two conclusions from the postings so far...

1. Most people are pretty happy with the way things are
2. We all need to remember that this is an international site - just consider each other's sensibilities and be polite

As many people would say, when I was a child, "it'll all be the same in a hundred years".

😀

 

[Michael Markey]

... but that is a very, very American thing. To us Europeans, a civilized political discussion is a everyday matter,
On the other hand, constant salutes to the troops and flag are far more bizarre and irritating to us.

Not in the UK where it is still considered not polite to discuss politics in public.

As to the later ... it was once the case but now very common in the UK.

In my area alone there are now a number of flagpoles in gardens flying either the Union Jack or more commonly the flag of St George.

Commercial premises and pubs have them on display now all year `round.

I think that the moderation on RFF is both effective and balanced.

 

[Keith]

Not in the UK where it is still considered not polite to discuss politics in public.

As to the later ... it was once the case but now very common in the UK.

In my area alone there are now a number of flagpoles in gardens flying either the Union Jack or more commonly the flag of St George.

Commercial premises and pubs have them on display now all year `round.

I think that the moderation on RFF is both effective and balanced.

To a point I agree with that ... but occasionally it gets a little ridiculous IMO.

 

[MickH]

I can only draw two conclusions from the postings so far...

1. Most people are pretty happy with the way things are
2. We all need to remember that this is an international site - just consider each other's sensibilities and be polite

As many people would say, when I was a child, "it'll all be the same in a hundred years".

😀

Were they correct? 🙂😉😀

 

[Michael Markey]

To a point I agree with that ... but occasionally it gets a little ridicuolous IMO.

Yes sometimes judgements are made which at times do seem odd.
That`s always going to be the case though given some of the subjects that come up and the different cultural backgrounds.

I don`t see this as a forum which should allow me to express anything that I feel like saying.

You couldn`t allow ,for example ,the time honoured practise of banter which you and I would understand but would sound very different to anyone reading the post 🙂

I think politeness and decorum has to always play a part in forums such as this.
For the majority I think it does.

For the rest the mods usually weed it out ...I often am surprised at how tolerant they are.

 

[sevo]

Not in the UK where it is still considered not polite to discuss politics in public.

... but then the British as a whole may care less about politeness than their upper class believes. During my time in the UK (mostly in the Thatcher era) they certainly were quite vehemently political in public.

 

[thegman]

... but then the British as a whole may care less about politeness than their upper class believes. During my time in the UK (mostly in the Thatcher era) they certainly were quite vehemently political in public.

I can't speak for perhaps older generations, but discussing politics is completely fair game in my peer group.

I think that's basically because although younger people may care about issues, they seem to care far less about party politics. I could have a group of friends, all voting for different parties, discussing their merits, but it would be 100% civil, as in the end, we don't really care.

Whether the UK gets a Labour or Conservative Government next time around does not seem to excite the interest of anyone I know. The parties differ on little, and it would seem to make scant difference to policy or our lives.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I agree with most of what's been said.

Inclusive and open and civil !

The one thing I would like to see more of is inclusion of EXIF data for every photo posted!

Could be difficult, given how many people here shoot film.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Not in the UK where it is still considered not polite to discuss politics in public.

As to the later ... it was once the case but now very common in the UK.

In my area alone there are now a number of flagpoles in gardens flying either the Union Jack or more commonly the flag of St George.

Commercial premises and pubs have them on display now all year `round.

I think that the moderation on RFF is both effective and balanced.

It is where I come from, and among the people I know. It is true that a few people have what I regard as a an "American" attitude, and refuse to discuss politics, but they are hardly numerous. Most of them are covered by the old saying, "My mind is made up. Do not confuse me with the facts." Of course this applies to many other subjects than politics, including, yes, choice of rangefinder camera.

Dunno how old thegman is but I'm 63 next week and my great-grandmother ardently discussed politics until her death at 85 or so in the 1960s, so it ain't just young people. Likewise, party politics doesn't necessarily excite older people. I joined the Young Liberals in 1966 and voted liberal for many years but I wouldn't give you tuppence for the current so-called Liberal Democrat party. Chat-show Charlie was the last credible Liberal leader.

Cheers,

R.

 

[johannielscom]

The most interesting threads in the past years that I have been a member here were to me:

Keith's thread on the scanned negatives of a 1930's world voyage
Bill Pierce's forum threads
TightSqueeze's thread on his deployment to Iraq
The wartime Sonnar and German wartime camera thread
The Turkey threads
The historical Leica threads (particularly in the LTM forum)
Many street photography threads, though not all
John's thread with his coverage on the Syria conflict

All in all, I consider the rangefinder camera's and Compact System camera's to be particularly valuable when it comes to photo journalism, street photography and travel.

IMHO all the rest is nice but not 'core business'.

Guess I'd like RFF to be a forum that centers on (the reporter camera's that were, are and will be used to record) news and daily life, both near and far.

I'm not that interested in lens characteristics, sensor specifications, paint jobs and coverings, bags and straps anymore. But it took me quite some time to grow out of it 😀 and I can therefore see why others are into it. And that's okay.


Mods, you people are doing a great job in keeping RFF a positive place. Thanks for that! Pls keep up the good work!

 

[Michael Markey]

Dear Roger

Happy birthday.
I`ll be 63 in November.

As to political discussion or lack thereof , perhaps its a hang over from my years as a Civil Servant where any form of political opinion was considered a disciplinary offence.

Maybe its conditioned by the area where I currently reside which is predominantly Conservative .

Staunch is usually the adjective which describes this state of affairs.

The old saying that you could pin a blue rosette on a donkey and they`d still vote for it has yet to be disproved.
Here Cameron is considered hopeless left wing ,a wet in the old jargon.

I`m reminded that you originally hail from the west country.
I think it true to say that the area has always been predominantly liberal ...in the English sense ... and I`m not surprised that active political debate was/is perhaps more the norm.

Best

Michael

 

[Sparrow]

... wet enough to shoot snipe off?

 

[Rodchenko]

I'm a bit younger than you two. I came to maturity in the 80s in Derby and Sheffield, experiencing the shutdown of steel and engineering companies, the miners strike, and grinding poverty first hand, as well as grassroots politics, the growth of new communities, the green and peace movements etc. Politics is just a normal part of everything, and it is hard to imagine conversations which don't include some politics at least.

For example, I work in the NHS, and, every day, we are struggling with the effects of cuts. My life at work, at home, with friends, and travelling on the roads on my bike is suffused with politics, of course it is, and it would be really weird not to acknowledge that.

Every photograph I take has a political aspect, even if it is not made with a political or campaigning intent, there is a context to the selection of every image. Undoubtedly.

I admit, as a Northerner, I see politics rather differently from someone in a true blue area (though the safest seat in the UK for the Tories is in North Yorkshire, my home county, to our eternal shame). But being allowed to air those differences through words and images can enhance understanding and cut through divisions.

 

[Michael Markey]

... but then the British as a whole may care less about politeness than their upper class believes. During my time in the UK (mostly in the Thatcher era) they certainly were quite vehemently political in public.

I would agree ,those were turbulent times and it would be silly of me to suggest that the English are not political.

But here you may be judging the UK ...well as the UK 🙂
I think it true to say that the Scottish , Irish and Welsh have always been more politically demonstrative than the English.

You only need listen to parliamentary debates and you can hear that .

It was the English who I had in mind when I made that statement.

As in all things that too is changing.

 

[konicaman]

Ohh..forgot in my last post in this thread:

Thank you so much to Stephen, Jorge and the mods for making RFF what it is!