What happened to RFF ?? Maybe its me ?

[raid]

The profileration of forum topics has the diluted the general discussion forum quite a bit, I think. Anytime something interesting gets started here it gets moved to some other place. Previously, when the rules were looser, most anything could be discussed in the general discussion area. I think it kept things livelier.

I agree with Nick on this issue; when posting in the General Discussion Forum, it is easier to get excellent feedback on almost any topic. Once the thread is moved to Optics [or similar],the thread is bound to die. Then you have to trick the RFF into accepting the thread as a General Discussion thread by starting with some general philosophy stuff, followed by a debate, and then you sneak in your question about an optic 🙂

A good solution to the RFF Blues is to take off RFF for a couple of days and "live" your life, and then return to the RFF.

Else, this is an excellent and enjoyable website with some great personalities of all ages. Isn't it great that someone in the USA can chat with someone in Australia or Germany about some old cameras and lenses?

I wish this website continuous success, with additional tolerance to different views and requests from the guests and members.

Raid

 

[dcsang]

I'm glad to see how this thread went from "I miss the good old days" to "let's try and fix something that's not broken" 😀

Just saying,
Dave

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I think you might be being a bit harsh. It still goes on but maybe not quite so obvious.

Kim

Kim,

I agree. It is not "so obvious", nor is it as prevalent. And most importantly, it happens IN SPITE of the new classifieds, not because it.

That is the point.

 

[back alley]

I wasn't blaming you or anyone else, joe.. merely voicing my opinion based on what I feel

the classifieds work fine for buying and selling semi-valuable items.. but I don't think it's as spontaneous or charitably-minded as it was.. having to go through a process to list a low-cost item, like a cheap lens cap, for example.. where with the old system, someone would just start a thread saying "hey, I have a cheap lens cap.. gimmie a buck to cover shipping" and a happy new owner would be found in minutes.. now, with the classifieds being segregated.. I mean, separated, the process of redistributing items of that sort is more work than it might be worth.. based on the few ads of that variety, I think I'm not the only one feeling that way

hence my belief that the site has been forced into a more capitalist nature.. either that or we just all ran out of junk to give away

sorry if i came across as anti joefriday, brett.
i didn't feel blamed at all.

if anything this thread is pretty good and i'm enjoying hearing some civil feedback, not the 'i'm better than you i hate this place it will never be the same' crip we have had in the past.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

I have been keeping my thoughts to myself about the New Improved RFF-Bay and I probably should continue to do so, but here goes.

I could care less about about having three gold stars under my name or an anitimated Leica. I just found out from Dougg's post above that the only way to get rid of them is to create a new member name which I guess I will do in order to get rid of the three stars. I contributed my donation because I felt that it was a small token of appreciation for the knowledge gained from this forum and I don't need for other people to know it.

I dislike the fact that when a long time and well meaning forum member lists a HU that he has some stuff for sale in the classifieds the first reply post is a spanking from a moderator. (Spankings will continue until moral improves). Reminds me of my 3rd grade teacher Sister Saint Charles Bronson, she would smack you up side of the head with her lesson book or rap your knuckles with a wooden ruler if she thought for a moment that you disobeying rule number 3.

I think the old Espirit de Corps on RFF is long gone and will not return no matter how much people tell us it is great here. I try not to be negative in general but RFF simply has grown and is no longer the cute little toddler that we loved but is now the teenager that knows more than the parents. I preferred the toddler.

Oh well. I probably should have kept my dog on the porch.

Wayne

 

[sbug]

I'm glad to see how this thread went from "I miss the good old days" to "let's try and fix something that's not broken" 😀

Just saying,
Dave

Maybe so, but the overall theme is timely. Just last night I sat down at the computer after getting the kids to bed and my wife asked why I was checking flickr and not RFF. It was a damn fine qustion that I didn't have a answer for other than I didn't feel a need to. I don't live and die by RFF but RFF does live and die by us. I think this has been a constructive thread.

 

[Solinar]

Hello Kim, it sounds bureaucratic to me. If someone is giving stuff away, then it only adds value to visiting the forums.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

So it's settled: voicing an opinion is "b****", providing feedback is trying to fix something that is not broken, and commentary is unwarranted.

I think those complaining about comments being complaints should re-examine what they thought they read. This is how arguments get started. If you don't agree with something, you don't have to say why you think you are right in saying that the opposing view is wrong.

If you see "a complaint", don't complain about your perceived complaint. Maybe, just maybe, somebody is conversing.

Now off to breathe.

 

[sbug]

I dislike the fact that when a long time and well meaning forum member lists a HU that he has some stuff for sale in the classifieds the first reply post is a spanking from a moderator.

Wayne

I'm completely behind Wayne on this one. I know people are trying to keep things more orderly here but that is very unlike the RFF I know. Not at all cool in my book. In fact, quite the oposite of the recent camera auction to help another member out financially.

 

[FrankS]

I've been reading this with interest. I spoke up when the changes were made and don't think I should repeat myself, that gets tiring. I've been trying to accept the changes and make the best of it. (What is that bitter taste in my mouth, Joe?) 😉

 

[Solinar]

Gabriel, you lost me ..... feel free to send a PM. Again, the bureaucratic attempt to regimentized the RFF is really rowing against the current. If there is HU, on something here or at photo.net, I want to know about it.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

(What is that bitter taste in my mouth, Joe?) 😉

I'm not Joe 😉 --- but it's either from the grill or the soda mixer isn't properly calibrated (ya know the metaphor)

 

[MP Guy]

what categories would you merge or delete?

 

[BrianShaw]

(Spankings will continue until moral improves).

I'm ready for my spanking, Mr. DeMille. 😱

 

[dcsang]

So it's settled: voicing an opinion is "b****", providing feedback is trying to fix something that is not broken, and commentary is unwarranted.

I think those complaining about comments being complaints should re-examine what they thought they read. This is how arguments get started. If you don't agree with something, you don't have to say why you think you are right in saying that the opposing view is wrong.

If you see "a complaint", don't complain about your perceived complaint. Maybe, just maybe, somebody is conversing.

Now off to breathe.

ahhhhh.. I'm not complaining Gabe.
Au Contraire Mon Frere..

What I am stating is that when a discussion is opened in this forum on how to "fix" the RFF so that it's "better" we inevitably have some members that get their knickers in a knot.

"The classifieds stink." , "Why did Brian Sweeney/George/Bill Mattocks/insert former member's name here leave??", "I think that we should do the following to fix this place . . . "

All of that stems from every change that occurs - be it to try to improve the site or from the fact that the site is growing with new members.

When Jorge implements, or tries to implement, changes there are always "yays" and "nays" - the end result??? You can't please all of the people all of the time; or to put it in Star Trek Geek Terminology: The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. The majority usually gets their wishes.

What I am saying is when it is asked of us what changes people think would make the site better, inevitably, some people get upset because their suggestions didn't get implemented while other folks suggestions (that some may feel make the site less palatable) do get implemented. It's a no win situation.

In the end it's still Jorge's site and he can do what he wants with it. I'm happy to adjust and adapt accordingly. I'm not that curmudgeonly (yet) to slough off the site for a few things that may be different than "the good old days". I think if people just relax and go with the flow, the site itself can be just as lively as some folks think it was (although I personally don't see that much difference).

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Solinar]

Jorge, since we have your attention, some of us are getting the impression that passing on information on good deals or free deals is walking on egg shells.

Could you put the word out that giving a heads up for cheap or free gear is a value that we all look forward to be able to enjoy?

 

[xayraa33]

how about reviving the 35mm classifieds as they were a year ago?
+ no spanky for a H.U.

 

[MP Guy]

well this is news to me. the forum is for information and news on deals is a must. However, I will not have a non retailer pushing their merchandise on the forum without being a sponsor. That would not be fair..

 

[Rich Silfver]

Maybe a forum/category for 'Cheap or Free' where free or low cost items (say USD 10 or less) could easily be advertised - and everything for $10 and above would go through the classifieds?

 

[raid]

Maybe a forum/category for 'Cheap or Free' where free or low cost items (say USD 10 or less) could easily be advertised - and everything for $10 and above would go through the classifieds?

If you're really really lucky, someone will sell a clean M3 for less than $10 there.