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Connecticut, USA

I in the process of reviewing our web logs for violations of our website submission guidelines. I have to say I am absolutely disgusted with some of the conversations I am seeing. John and I cannot "police" the chat rooms on a nightly basis. Personal attacks will not be tolerated. If we don't see a change immediately we will have no choice but to take chat off-line until we have time to add private rooms.

12/17/2002 7:07:49 AM

Greene County, Pa.

I used to fish online (Trophey Bass 3d) It is nolonger on the web. Was a great place to meet people...the two people who ran the site could'nt police the chat 24-7 either.Yes there was problems with people there taking their frustrations out others. But they did have one thing to stop most of the arguements...They had guides that would fish with you to make sure your weights were accurate.there may have been 10 guides... While a guide was on if he/she saw someone making trouble they could boot you off. and if you came back they would boot you again.then if you came back again the site booted you by its self...only prob i found with this people may start to hide behind names which may not be good...just an idea that may be able to be axpanded or even forgot about...
Buddy

12/17/2002 7:38:41 AM

Washington, The Evergreen State

I think that the words "Chatroom Bullies" pretty much describes what has been going on. But I still think that you really do have a great website Ken. The best! And thanks for providing a neat place for most of the folks to come and talk pumpkins. There are some good people at BigPumpkins.com. The kind most folks could call friends.

12/17/2002 11:23:49 AM

Washington, The Evergreen State

Thanks again Ken.

12/17/2002 11:25:10 AM

Webster, NY

I'm sorry you even have to worry about this at all Ken. We don't need name calling and threats anywhere, but here should be a place where we can relax and not worry about this stuff.

12/17/2002 12:16:25 PM

New Bremen, Ohio

I wrote this reply on another posting, but I wanted to make sure Ken & John read this. This is going to be my 2nd year in this quest and i think about growing the big one everyday. The only thing that helps my desire during these winter months is this website. I couldn't tell you how many things i have learned from this website which includes the chatline. I like to chat as much as anyone and at times have been know to discuss non-pumpkin material, but the bottom line for me is to learn more about this pumpkin quest. Some nights I just sit watch the heavy weights discuss pumpkin topics and might throw a question in or comment, but as long as I can learn that's all that matters. This is the only tool I know that you are able to listen to the heavy hitters at realtime other than going to a weigh-off and listening to the heavy hitters. From an ambitious 2nd year grower, is helps out tremendously in the learning curve. If you go to private rooms, a great learning tool will be taken away from the eager 1st & 2nd year growers who want to learn from the heavy hitters. Just my opinion.

12/17/2002 5:33:51 PM

canal winchester ohio

Vertigo , going on non-pumpkin topics is my biggest problem. I do it ALL the time when I'm in there ( it's how I learn about people). But I know I upset people by doing it, so I try to limit my time in the room to a 1/2 a hour so I won't wear out my welcome. I've been snapped at more than once for going off topic but it doesn't upset me, it is a pumpkin site :)

12/17/2002 6:04:43 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I'll tell you what Paul we all go off pumpkins when it's time to say hello and meet everyone online. I go along with vertigo that if ya just listen (read) what the experienced growers talk about it's amazing what ya learn. just a couple of days ago Boily had a question on what he was doing down under and the pumpkin kid spent time on fruit set etc..was great and we didn't have to say a word just listen...these are the times the newbies shouldn't be typing unless there is a legitimate question or even if there was I've sent plenty of private emails about what I didn't quite get and Have plenty of great explanations sent back to me...private chatrooms aren't necessary, just good manners, some common sense and a little respect for the people who make this site so great...trying to say you have the same right to screen time because you sign into a twenty person chatroom when the others are discussing something just isn't so.. say hi all, sit back and listen! Your time will come when people know you better! Think! Yes there is a pecking order not god given rights...just my 2 cents....Thanks Ken and John for a great site! Chuck

12/17/2002 6:55:58 PM

canal winchester ohio

Chuck.....what ever I did to ya ,I'm sorry. I didn't think I was that long winded. I just started coming back in after a loooooong break......my bad Hoss

12/17/2002 7:39:52 PM

North Ga

I agree with Paul and Chuck!

12/17/2002 7:42:08 PM

Webster, NY

There are several chat rooms. If a couple people wanted to talk off topic, they could always adjourn to another one of the chat rooms. Does that sound reasonable???

12/17/2002 9:57:33 PM

Caceres, Spain

Very reasonable, Dave

12/18/2002 12:15:43 AM

Connecticut, USA

I will be sending out warnings to people who I have found to be making inappropriate remarks in the chat rooms. This is the only warning you will get. I am also enabling full logging in the chat room, like we do for featured grower chats. This will allow us to review what is said a lot easier then by looking at the web logs. To make this crystal clear, EVERYTHING you say in chat will be captured in our database. It disappoints me greatly that I have to do all this but several people emailed me with their concerns of shutting down chat. These steps are being taken in the hopes that chat will continue to be a feature of this site. If you have concerns about us logging all conversations then go and chat on another site.

12/18/2002 6:38:12 AM

canal winchester ohio

That's fair enough Dave, I won't go non-pumpkin topics anymore in the main chat rooms. But since's thats about 65% of my convo's & it's December I'll stick to replying to questions posted on the board...Pumpkin questions that is.
:).......Paul

12/18/2002 7:17:06 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Huffer in no way was my reply to you...Believe me ..I was just trying to get across to some that the chat room does have some protocol that is accepted by 95% of the people who enjoy it..In fact, I know we all do it sometimes to blow off a little steam at the end of a week and talk to friends about general items... but in most cases it's with the People we've got to know over time, and I guess that's my point. People have to be willing to accept that it takes time to get to know everyone and feel comfortable with what they say to each other. Again, my three cents so I'm up to a nickel!! As a perrenial newbie I humbly regret if anyone misunderstood my first post! Grow em Big! Chuck

12/18/2002 12:35:18 PM

northern indiana

You have a great site here Ken and I for one would hate to see the few ruin it for the many. I have learned more here, and gotten more help than would have been possible without this site. I think that you do a great service to the pumpkin growing community. The chat rooms are full of good people willing to share great information. I have learned more on accident in the chat rooms than i have on purpose searching for information. Perhaps as stated earlier you could set up volentary chat "guides" to monitor what goes on, saving you time and allowing the rooms to function. At most sites that have them the "guide" has the power to boot you out of the room. Maybe an ignore feature could be added. Highligt an offensive persons name and click an ignore button (like some other chat rooms i have been in) and comments by the ignored person wouldn't appear on your screen. Keep up the good work.
Eric

12/18/2002 8:01:56 PM

Connecticut, USA

Upon review of the past two nights chat activity I am pleased to see that things were more civil. I would appreciate it if we could keep it that way.

Things like reviewing chat logs and sending out warning emails takes away from the time I have to fulfill seed requests and enhance the website software.

12/19/2002 6:56:04 AM