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Zandermann
Skeptic Friend
USA
431 Posts |
 Posted - 09/05/2001 : 20:37:39 [Permalink]
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quote:
(BA) Yes, it was a cumulative thing, but there was also a post from someone who is usually not combative, and it was definitely a bait.
So, to put it bluntly, I've had it. I shut it down to let tempers cool. ...
Have you thought of contacting said miscreant via email and letting him/her know why the board is down? Would such a missive from you be appropriate?
Edited by - Zandermann on 09/05/2001 20:43:42 |
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The Bad Astronomer
Skeptic Friend
137 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2001 : 20:51:03 [Permalink]
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quote:
Have you thought of contacting said miscreant via email and letting him/her know why the board is down? Would such a missive from you be appropriate?
To be blunt again, why should I? I had already put up messages about deleting threads, and my rules are posted at the top of the index page. I got tired of being Mrs. Grundy on my own board. By shutting down the board I am hoping that things will cool off, and give people time so that they won't be as likely to fly of the handle, or post snidely as one usually sedate person was doing.
When the board goes live again, I may very well send warning shots to people, both on the board and via email. Hopefully, when the new software is up, I'll give people one chance and then kick 'em off. I hate to do that, but I feel very firmly that in science, one does not attack the messenger, especially when the topics are as volatile as the ones on the BABB. As annoying as some of the people are on the board, if you lose your temper, they win. It's that simple.
*****
The Bad Astronomer
http://www.badastronomy.com
"With tremendous respect to [the] BA, the problem isn't getting scientists to talk, the problem can be getting them to shut up." |
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The Bad Astronomer
Skeptic Friend
137 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2001 : 20:53:18 [Permalink]
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quote:
The new Snitz 3.3 (SFN is on 3.14R) has some amazing moderation features. Requiring people to at least register before posting helps, too.What sort of requirements do you have for your server? SFN has a license for UBB (Ultimate BB) that Kil paid for and might let go since we no longer need it.
I appreciate the offer, but I am still leaning towards vBulletin. I don't want to have the same software as SFN! We'd look too much alike. It woudl be embarassing, like two people who show up to a fine dinner dressed the same. ;-)
I do like the new Snitz stuff, but I fear for my bandwidth if everyone wants email notification of every thread in which they participate. I'll have to see how much control I would have over that.
*****
The Bad Astronomer
http://www.badastronomy.com
"With tremendous respect to [the] BA, the problem isn't getting scientists to talk, the problem can be getting them to shut up." |
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Zandermann
Skeptic Friend
USA
431 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2001 : 21:06:32 [Permalink]
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quote:
(me) Have you thought of contacting said miscreant via email and letting him/her know why the board is down? Would such a missive from you be appropriate?
(BA) ... and give people time so that they won't be as likely to fly of the handle, or post snidely as one usually sedate person was doing.
Right off my cuff, the only reason I would consider sending a message to this normally sedate person would be if there was any possibility it was a joke (I didn't see the "back-breaking straw" post, so I can't tell how likely/unlikely this is).
Otherwise, I'd shut down for a week or more, and come back with firmer language in your header and fire in your heart (and in ours).
[Not trying to second-guess you, BA, not at all...just wool-gathering]
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Rift
Skeptic Friend
USA
333 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2001 : 21:33:53 [Permalink]
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quote:
quote:
...but now they got a bozo that wants to outlaw the Big Bang Theory...
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=83939
Heh. Check out this thread and look for Sea Sorbust (eighth post down). My reply is two more down from his. Amazing.
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=85263
Computer Org/Gauss/Prion Patch/whatever the hell else he called himself!!!
I was wondering why Sea Sorburst sounded so maddeningly familar....
"Goddammit! The world is just filling up with more and more idiots! And the computer is giving them access to the world! They're
spreading their stupidity! At least they were contained before--now they're on the loose everywhere!"? |
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@tomic
Administrator
USA
4607 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2001 : 21:37:40 [Permalink]
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quote:
I do like the new Snitz stuff, but I fear for my bandwidth if everyone wants email notification of every thread in which they participate. I'll have to see how much control I would have over that.
That can be hacked out easily. However, there is a lot to be said for a simple forum. It won't breal down so much!
 @tomic
Gravity, not just a good idea...it's the law! |
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Rift
Skeptic Friend
USA
333 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2001 : 21:41:27 [Permalink]
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Well, I hate to admit it, but I'm at least partially to blame for the BA board going down. And honestly I can't say for sure I wouldn't do it again if JW started up his crap again.
I stayed away from the board all weekend long (the only way I was sure I wouldn't be tempted).
There is just something in JW that brings it out in you.
I can apologize a billion times, and promise a billion times, but if JW started up again about how posting an article from a leftist magazine (The Salon... sheesh) was a personal attack, I'm not sure I could bite by tongue.
I'm still quite embarrased he gets to me the way he does. And if it was me the board would go down and never come back up....
"Goddammit! The world is just filling up with more and more idiots! And the computer is giving them access to the world! They're
spreading their stupidity! At least they were contained before--now they're on the loose everywhere!"? |
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Dog_Ed
Skeptic Friend
USA
126 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2001 : 21:49:58 [Permalink]
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It's a very, very peculiar one, this bulletin board game. I mentioned to another person who runs a BB that the BABB had to go offline temporarily, and her response was "There really ought to be a support group for BB operators." I'm learning to disengage my ego, make a joke, and exit, but it's difficult when one has been insulted.
Incidentally, Professor Ned Wright pointed out some really (I mean REALLY) dumb errors in the expanding-line analogy I posted on the BABB, though he thought the basic formulae were fine. I've reworked it and gotten results which seem more realistic, though I still need to do some checking against the Cosmological Distance Calculator on his website.
Another note: I've been talking to JW via email,and I've found that if you don't poke him then he doesn't growl or snap. I think from here on out I'll just assume he's unshakeable on the subject of the aether and if I want to know how a [non-mathematical] Galilean Electrodynamicist views a physical process I can ask him about it.
But that's just my personal way of coping. That and writing silly stuff.
Hey, Bozola--Steens Mountain, east side? Or was it Hart Mountain? Beautiful weather for it.
"Even Einstein put his foot in it sometimes"
Edited by - Dog_Ed on 09/05/2001 21:53:47 |
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Bozola
Skeptic Friend
USA
166 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2001 : 06:18:49 [Permalink]
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Hart, Dog_Ed, good ol'Hot Springs Camp.
I visited all of my old field stations. First stopped at Gilbet Sheldon NWR in Nevada and played hot spring hog at Virgin valley and Bogg hot springs. From there we went to Fields and enjoyed a nice BIG chocolate shake. As you probably know, Fields is right down the road from Alvord hot springs, but it was way too blasted hot to get in it. So we packed it up and spent seven glorious days in Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. For the first four, we had the whole camp to ourselves, except for the rangers. Hot days, freezing nights. I was greatly pleased to see that the Order of the Antelope was ousted from Blue Sky. Bye bye redneck trash!
I interned at all of three of the refuges (Malheur, Hart, Sheldon) over fifteen years ago, and I hadn't been back. I guess our work was successful...they banned cows from the refuge ten years ago. I've NEVER seen Hart Mountain look so damn healthy and clean!
Gawd....I feel so damn optimistic right now...snif....the stars...my gawd....the stars....
That's a secret part of the world, Dog, how's you know about it?
Bozola
- Practicing skeet for the Rapture. |
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The Rat
SFN Regular
Canada
1370 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2001 : 08:37:01 [Permalink]
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quote:
...but there was also a post from someone who is usually not combative, ...
Well, that leaves me off the hook. Sorry to hear it's gone this far Phil. Your board should be respected for what it has always been, an island of civility in a sea of boorishness. For those like myself who occasionally enjoy a good old "knock-down, drag-out, no-holds-barred slagfest" there are many other boards. This one and Psycho Dave's come readily to mind. I would scream bloody murder if Dave's board was cleaned up, as I would bellow if yours changed. I'm not suggesting you link to them, but perhaps the rest of us are remiss in not giving a nudge to people like the unnamed one you are referring to.
Keep up the great work.
Free speech; excercise it or SHUT UP! |
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James
SFN Regular
USA
754 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2001 : 08:41:11 [Permalink]
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http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=82431
[qoute]Here is eight pages of the Un-named one's drivel. Would make a good enemic.
I read some of it, and couldn't understand why people kept responding. This thread has mercifully been locked. It should also be shot and buried.[/quote]
For some odd reason, the link to Pipehead's thread didn't show when you first posted it. I edited it a bit above so hopefully it'll show. It still won't show. @tomic! What's going on!
Anyway, I have the thread open in another window and from what I've read so far, it's been all out funny. I'm damn falling out of my seat laughing! Thanks for the link, Lisa
Now, here's to hoping this works...
The way I see it, christians are godless too...they just don't know it yet.
Edited by - James on 09/06/2001 08:49:38 |
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@tomic
Administrator
USA
4607 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2001 : 09:07:21 [Permalink]
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Shoot, no idea why it wouldn't show. But this board is very delicate. If someone sneezes we go down! I don't even know how the damn thing works. All I know is I have a pentagram and candles around my computer and it's all working great!
@tomic
@tomic
Gravity, not just a good idea...it's the law! |
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Valiant Dancer
Forum Goalie
USA
4826 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2001 : 10:06:07 [Permalink]
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quote:
The new Snitz 3.3 (SFN is on 3.14R) has some amazing moderation features. Requiring people to at least register before posting helps, too.
What sort of requirements do you have for your server? SFN has a license for UBB (Ultimate BB) that Kil paid for and might let go since we no longer need it.
@tomic
Gravity, not just a good idea...it's the law!
I have an unlimited node licence for Searchlight BBS that I can donate. This would be a full transfer of the system, all licences, disks, documentation.
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Chippewa
SFN Regular
USA
1496 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2001 : 11:47:26 [Permalink]
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quote:
Rift: "...but if JW started up again about how posting an article from a leftist magazine (The Salon... sheesh) was a personal attack, I'm not sure I could bite by tongue."
I linked to the Salon article too. I thought it would be interesting as a supplement to the on-going relativity dialog.
I've been thinking about what the BA says, and even though I haven't posted as much on the BABB, I think that in light of the uncalled for and vitriolic reaction by JW to my Salon link, anything I, or anyone else places having to do with Special Relativity could be seen as a "bait" for JW and maybe a few others.
I don't know if the BA had me in mind because I haven't argued with JW as much, but I note that my only other post along those lines was a recommendation about an article in the current October Sky & Telescope about Relativity "clearing house" websites designed to sort out the misconceptions and wrong ideas on the internet. It's really a good article and fun. Last time I saw my post about it, it had no follow-ups, and didn't really require much feedback.
I've occasionally tried to be a voice of moderation and humor, asking people to lighten up and enjoy the stars. But -- since I'm one of many who are probably on JW's "list" --- (as an Einstein admirer, questioner of anti-SR hokum, balloon analogy boy, or in JW's words, "nazi," "communist" "liar" etc...) It's probably true that again, anything I or anyone else posts specifically about SR misconceptions or anti-SR cranks is going to draw fire. So, in order not to participate in baiting. (I'd rather catch Angelina Jolie -- despite her silly movie,) I won't bother with the anti-crank aspects of SR if I post stuff in future.
After insulting me horrendously, JW wanted me to trade him a copy of Georges Lemaître's paper, from where JW gets his term “fireworks model” of the big bang. A long time ago I've pointed out to him that Lemaître, who was a priest and mathematician, wrote words in poetic terms. (He also referred to cosmic rays as “smoke”.) I was flamed for that comment too. So what would happen if I informed JW that Lemaître was:
1. Admired by Eddington (who used the dreaded balloon analogy to describe expansion from everywhere.)
2. Called his theory the “Primordial Atom” not “Fireworks.”
3. Described the beginning of the universe as “point – ultimate curvature – fireworks – smoke.”(“Fireworks” coming after expansion.)
4. Einstein attended Lamaître's lecture in California in the 1930s and was greatly impressed.
5. Conceived of his theory after reading about the redshifts of what were then termed “distant nebulas.” (i.e. galaxies.)
Also, though it's very interesting, and though SR & GR are indispensable components in physics, they are not crucial to amateur astronomers like me, who are more concerned with simply trying to glimpse Messier 87 to debating if the speed of c is consistent between expanding space. The difference is, some people are interested in relativity as a concept, and as on going history, and some people have an agenda against it based on deep seated problems I don't need to ramble on about.
Ironically, as I write this, I'm wearing a black polo shirt that reads: “Albert Einstein Middle School – Staff.” (-;
Chip
quote:
"I'd never join an organization that would have a man like me as a member." |
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Dog_Ed
Skeptic Friend
USA
126 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2001 : 12:06:17 [Permalink]
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Bozola: I live in Eugene, Oregon, and my family had been going to Steens since I was a kid--it was (and still is, I guess) just about my favorite place in the world. Hart Mountain I'm not so familiar with, though I've been up on the rim a couple of times.
Cheers!
"Even Einstein put his foot in it sometimes" |
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