Home Theater Shack takes their rules seriously

[Oldfart]

They won't let me post as "Oldfart", and in text changed "oldfart" to "old duffer". So I'm using my initials, ABL.

Oldfart (ABL)

[hawkeyejw]

I'm sort of partial to "old duffer" :neener 1:

[tthurman]

you oldfart!

[HuskerOmaha]

Yeah I think Old Duffer is fantabulous.

Come on do it for us!

[Ajax]

Yes if you'll read the HT Shack's ZERO TOLERANCE FORUM RULES and TERMS OF SERVICE (and you should if you intend to become a member), you'll find them a bit more stringent than most forums (fora is actually the correct Latin term). But, that probably contributes to the HT Shack being a more pleasant place to hang out and participate. You lose something, but you win something. Like building a subwoofer, it's all a trade off.

[Nfrasotoo]

I dunno, I've always preferred forums that moderate themselves. I mean, we're all big boys here... what are you going to do, call me a name?

It's good to have moderation to keep things organized, but policing words is just ridiculous. Let people work it out on their own. The type of system where posts can be voted up or down, or even hidden below a certain threshold wouldn't be a bad idea.

From what I can tell HTS seems to be a much more reasonable place for discussion at least in comparison to AVS, which is just a joke now really.

[Mike_TX]

I dunno, I've always preferred forums that moderate themselves. I mean, we're all big boys here... what are you going to do, call me a name?

It's good to have moderation to keep things organized, but policing words is just ridiculous. Let people work it out on their own. The type of system where posts can be voted up or down, or even hidden below a certain threshold wouldn't be a bad idea.

From what I can tell HTS seems to be a much more reasonable place for discussion at least in comparison to AVS, which is just a joke now really.

I do like the Slashdot mechanism of setting a threshold for level of importance/relevance from "upvoting".

Mike

[tesseract]

I dunno, I've always preferred forums that moderate themselves. I mean, we're all big boys here... what are you going to do, call me a name?

It's good to have moderation to keep things organized, but policing words is just ridiculous. Let people work it out on their own. The type of system where posts can be voted up or down, or even hidden below a certain threshold wouldn't be a bad idea.

From what I can tell HTS seems to be a much more reasonable place for discussion at least in comparison to AVS, which is just a joke now really.

I've never been a fan of censorship or heavy moderation. A community that polices itself goes a long ways, I must thank you guys for that.

Heck, many of our members may not even realize that I am a mod here, which is a good thing. :applause: I've never felt the need to delete a post or ban anyone here, other than spambots, which I have cleaned up.

HTS has a wealth of information, that is primarily what most hobbyist browse teh interwebs for. Those that wish to bicker, grouse, ***** and moan have AVS and AH. It's all good. :smoke1:

[SonnieP]

Yeah... we make no bones about our rules, but I contribute much of our success to the atmosphere we offer. There are a lot of people who would probably never post on any home theater type forum because they find it difficult to find one where they do not have to skim or wade through dozens of posts that they believe to be immature, distasteful and rude... and without being bashed, belittled or insulted. HTS can offer a calm and friendly atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

The area of language is a difficult one... where do you draw the line. Everyone seems to have a different line. What do you consider vulgar, nasty, distasteful, etc... can be defined in many different ways by different people. What we decided was to draw the line as far as it could be drawn... simply do not let any of it exist, no matter how mild or moderate it may be. This way we eliminate the potential of offending anyone that might be offended by even the mildest of language. It allows everyone to participate. After all... we are typing our words which can be fully controlled and it is not like we are talking eye to eye... letting our words sometimes slip. We have time to think before we type... we can easily backspace and use one of the thousands of adjectives available to convey the same message in a potentially less offensive way. Surely no one is offended by NOT having to read words that may be considered offensive.

Of course we are also very strict with the flame wars, bashing, shoving, slapping, kicking, pinching, biting, etc. I know some get off on big time fights, but we have found that most of the mature guys that spend money and would rather discuss home theater really do not care for it. They prefer a place they can go and have a civil conversation without having to put up with the nonsense. We can offer this to them... and I dare say any other home theater forum can offer it... probably no other forum period. I have been to many Christian forums and I have not found but one that is as strict as we are at HTS... and it is because I administer it myself. Those who wanna see a good fight know where to go... mosey on over to AVS.

Are there going to be some who don't like our rules? Of course there will be some. How can any forum please every single member or potential member... it is an impossible thing to do... there is no sense kidding ourselves, it CANNOT be accomplished. You could divide the forum up in one hundred different categories of rules and someone would still be dissatisfied or unhappy. It is what it is! However, I have to believe in general that more people will like HTS over places like AVS... although only a very minor fraction of their members are even aware we exist. They do provide much more content than we do, simply because they have been around eleven years longer, but we are steady improving and growing.

[craigsub]

Sonnie - Thank you for your post. The rules you have at Home Theater Shack are very reasonable rules.

HTS is looking for good information - and welcomes "nice humour" to go along with ti.

What you don't allow is personal attacks, and your moderation is consistent.

I am happy we are going to be part of your growing forum, and hope to be a small part of what will someday be considered the best source for unbiased information and friendly chat of all the available on line sources.

Everything about this relationship, IMO, is a positive step forward.

Thank You again, Sonnie. Your efforts are appreciated. :)

[tthurman]

What a refreshing change!