Where has everyone gone?

[number2]

Maybe I just hit the site on down occasions but seemingly everytime I come here there is only 2 people in the football "room". Where has everyone gone?
Like I said...maybe its just when Im accessing the site (I doubt it...usually at work...between 9 and 5)... even last summer there was a lot more activity on here this close to the season opener...

Is everyone tired of being burned with bad predictions?...so theyre laying low until the season starts?
Are we overwhelmed with the last two down years and just dont have in it us to make anymore predictions?
Is this due to the economy?... People having lost jobs and now spend their time job hunting instead of worrying about this stuff?
Maybe its my imagination...but it sure seems like the same threads are on the first page everyday...and like I said, there just doesnt seem to be as many people on here when I come to look around.
Is that stat counter at the bottom ytd? Id be curious to see what it was at last year at this time...

[Don Unverferth]

Maybe I just hit the site on down occasions but seemingly everytime I come here there is only 2 people in the football "room". Where has everyone gone?
Like I said...maybe its just when Im accessing the site (I doubt it...usually at work...between 9 and 5)... even last summer there was a lot more activity on here this close to the season opener...

Is everyone tired of being burned with bad predictions?...so theyre laying low until the season starts?
Are we overwhelmed with the last two down years and just dont have in it us to make anymore predictions?
Is this due to the economy?... People having lost jobs and now spend their time job hunting instead of worrying about this stuff?
Maybe its my imagination...but it sure seems like the same threads are on the first page everyday...and like I said, there just doesnt seem to be as many people on here when I come to look around.
Is that stat counter at the bottom ytd? Id be curious to see what it was at last year at this time...

Well. IMO this board has been ruined by the moderation. Ed, you were correct when you said that moderation could make this site a boring partisan poop in a group.

PLEASE DO NOT DELETE THIS POST.

[MAIZEandBLUEsuedeshoes]

I'm ready for the season to start. Something fresh to talk or read about. I imagine people would rather not post in the 50+ threads that should be sticky's, cuz it's the same shit over and over.

STICKY---How do you feel about RR?(How long will he last, Is he a good person, Is he a Michigan Man or will he be? etc...etc..)
STICKY---What is UM's record going to be this year?
STICKY--- Did Carr leave the cupboard bare?
STICKY---When is the earliest that RR should be held responsible and be fired?
STICKY---What if UM starts off 0-2?
STICKY-- Recruiting
There's a few I'm missing.

No need to have an option for a "new thread", because the above are what 99% of them turn into. Points have been made over and over, fans arguing amongst each other and the trolls jumping in.

No big deal really. It's interesting(or some of it was). I'm ready for some new stuff to talk about---unfortunately I work weekends.

I was being a little sarcastic in the first half of this post, a little...

Go Blue!

[Wolvrin704]

Well. IMO this board has been ruined by the moderation. Ed, you were correct when you said that moderation could make this site a boring partisan poop in a group.

PLEASE DO NOT DELETE THIS POST.

I hope your comment doesn't start up the moderation argument, because IMO this board was ruined long before that happened.

I have the feeling a lot of members have become burned out by the constant squabbles between RR supporters and RR haters and I'll leave it at that. Perhaps once the season begins a few will rejoin.

[1OSUNUT]

I happen to think the moderation has a lot to do about it. You have to remember that the moderators are going to moderate based on what they think - right or wrong. They seem pretty set in their ways and if you say anything that goes against thier thoughts - it's trolling and you get a infraction or suspension. I liked the site a lot more when you could say what you wanted to without being censored - but I have adapted. I thought the reason for a moderator was to get a handle on the personal attacks and the vulgar language - not to steer the site into thinking one direction. Many people have different views on this site and that is what makes it so much fun - but those views can no longer be expressed without careful use of words. I think once the season starts things will pick up - I just wonder if Michigan starts out poorly if the anti-RR fans will be able to speak their mind freely.

[tpilews]

I happen to think the moderation has a lot to do about it. You have to remember that the moderators are going to moderate based on what they think - right or wrong. They seem pretty set in their ways and if you say anything that goes against thier thoughts - it's trolling and you get a infraction or suspension. I liked the site a lot more when you could say what you wanted to without being censored - but I have adapted. I thought the reason for a moderator was to get a handle on the personal attacks and the vulgar language - not to steer the site into thinking one direction. Many people have different views on this site and that is what makes it so much fun - but those views can no longer be expressed without careful use of words. I think once the season starts things will pick up - I just wonder if Michigan starts out poorly if the anti-RR fans will be able to speak their mind freely.

You can still say what ever the hell you want, and some still do. You just get an infraction for it, sometimes. And then, you get to send me multiple PMs whining like a little girl. Isn't it fun?

[1OSUNUT]

I have been on my best behavior. I'm no longer the most hated person on the site.

[tpilews]

I have been on my best behavior. I'm no longer the most hated person on the site.

If we put a poll up, and indeed you are, will you leave? (I think you'd be surprised by the results). I have a feeling quite a few people will disagree with what you wrote.

[Wolvrin704]

I have been on my best behavior. I'm no longer the most hated person on the site.

Well since Norcal is now gone you probably are once again. The only possibly more hated is RTB but he's hardly ever on here to back up his claims.

[tpilews]

RE: Moderation

Both Mike and I have been working hard to develop a self-policing system that would remove our responsibilities to police content. The editor doesn't seem to be on here at all ever, and never answers any PMs. What else do you want from us? It is obvious that we are still wanted/needed. The only ones that want us gone are the trolls so they can say whatever they want. I'd love to see any of you trolls register at mgoblog and see how long you last there. Seriously, please do, I could use a good laugh.

[1OSUNUT]

What do we do that is so bad ? Not everybody is supposed to have the same outlook as you. You guys even jump on fellow Michigan fans that don't see things your way. I can see being hard on me because I'm a Buckeye fan - but why can't Wolverine fans voice thier hatred for RR without penalty ? I have never seen fans for a team so split in my life.

[Wolvrin704]

NUT, this is the part you guys don't understand. Its not that you can't have a dissenting opinion, but back it up. So many of the trolls who are gone would only argue their opinion rather than back up what they said with facts and research. Most of them would make outlandish claims, shoot down our facts with nothing but opinion and then whine about us being kool-aid drinkers. If the facts showed otherwise I for one may have come around to their way of thinking but I just can't see it that way.

As for the moderation; I have been on many forums in the past 10+ years and this one has been by far the most lenient one I have EVER seen. Someone like Norcal or RTB would have been booted far quicker than here. On most forums you get one or two warnings, a short ban and then if you violate again you're permanently banned. Don't believe me? Try registering somewhere like MGoBlue and try acting like you do here, see how long you last. It can be any other forum as well, act like an idiot and argue about everything, see how long before you get booted. What people fail to understand is when you join a forum you're there at the discretion of the owner/moderators of the forum, there is no free total speech on the internet. Once you learn that you might get along with people better.

With all that said, if the editor is that disinterested in this forum how long will he maintain it? I have a feeling the days of this site are numbered that being the case. Its a shame as I actually have always liked this site more than MGoBlue which is much more elitist, plus we have sub-forums which keeps it from being cluttered. But MGoBlue is so very informative that I find it a handy tool in arguing with the trolls in here along with my own research.

[tpilews]

What do we do that is so bad ? Not everybody is supposed to have the same outlook as you. You guys even jump on fellow Michigan fans that don't see things your way. I can see being hard on me because I'm a Buckeye fan - but why can't Wolverine fans voice thier hatred for RR without penalty ? I have never seen fans for a team so split in my life.

What UM fan have I penalized?

[1OSUNUT]

I did not mean that they were issued infractions - it just seems like many of you pile on a person if they don't see things like the majority of you do. Maybe things will be different if RR has another poor season.

[Don Unverferth]

RE: Moderation

Both Mike and I have been working hard to develop a self-policing system that would remove our responsibilities to police content. The editor doesn't seem to be on here at all ever, and never answers any PMs. What else do you want from us? It is obvious that we are still wanted/needed. The only ones that want us gone are the trolls so they can say whatever they want. I'd love to see any of you trolls register at mgoblog and see how long you last there. Seriously, please do, I could use a good laugh.

So if the editor isn't on this site and doesn't answer PM's, what does this tell you? You're an educated Titan right?

Let the site continue in the way the editor originally had designed back when we were Sack Carr and the first months of Hail Victory or whatever. The site was unique. No other like it.

[Mike Furley]

If I were a Mod I'd let things fly more. The only things I'd ban/delete are spam, needless/excessive profanity, and violence/threatening stuff. Beyond that, I wouldn't do anything. I think that would be more in line with the Editor's original set up. Sack Carr was a blast - like the Wild West of internet message boards. There's no good reason why it can't revert to that.

That being said, I don't think the Moderators are the reason this place is dead now. It's always slow in June & July as there's not a lot to talk about. People will come back in due time once the season gets close - whether they be returning members or new ones. Heck, even I took a break for a while.

[1OSUNUT]

Mike -

I agree 100% - this site was unique. This is Ohio State and Michigan - why tone it down. There is no reason why we cannot have heated arguments and conversations - yet still respect each other. There were a few people who took things way to far with the language and threats - but for the most part the site was awesome. I expect the site to heat up once the kids start hitting and the regular season starts. I for one miss NorCal.

[Check]

I did not come on here for a long time because I was getting an all expense vacation paid for by the US government to a very hot and sandy place. Since I have been back though, I know that I for one do not come here as often as I once did because I get so sick and tired of Buckeye fans coming in here and running their mouths. All they ever end up saying is, "you suck, we own you, RichRod is horrible or Tress is the best". I mean one can only read that crap for so long before it gets old. If we as Michigan fans want to hear how great osu is, we would go to a buckeye board. I can take some grief, but it is not what the osu fans say...but how they say it.

Moderating the site has nothing to do with it and it should have been done years earlier. I am all for good discussion, but almost every thread on here turns into a name calling one with osu fans telling all how great their teams are..don't beleive me? Go back and read the threads. I am willing to bet 90% of the threads turn out like I said. My two cents on the situation.

[Mike Furley]

I did not come on here for a long time because I was getting an all expense vacation paid for by the US government to a very hot and sandy place. Since I have been back though, I know that I for one do not come here as often as I once did because I get so sick and tired of Buckeye fans coming in here and running their mouths. All they ever end up saying is, "you suck, we own you, RichRod is horrible or Tress is the best". I mean one can only read that crap for so long before it gets old. If we as Michigan fans want to hear how great osu is, we would go to a buckeye board. I can take some grief, but it is not what the osu fans say...but how they say it.

Moderating the site has nothing to do with it and it should have been done years earlier. I am all for good discussion, but almost every thread on here turns into a name calling one with osu fans telling all how great their teams are..don't beleive me? Go back and read the threads. I am willing to bet 90% of the threads turn out like I said. My two cents on the situation.

Welcome back Check, and thanks for your service. What would you suggest is the solution to the problem?

[1OSUNUT]

I agree - Thank You for your service.

[Check]

I agree - Thank You for your service.

Proud to do it.

For awhile it seemed the toddler fighting had settled down but then a certain osu fan came in (norcal) and lobbed grenades everywhere.

I said moderating the site did not cause the exodus, I will say that the childlike behavior of some turned people off. I think if the site was moderated back when it was Sack Carr than some of those responsible would not have come over to this one. I think if everyone asks themselves if they are on this site as a football fan or a pot stirrer things might be better.

[amazinblue]

I'll pile on to some of the comments - Check - thank you for your service and commitment to our country. Welcome Back...