Skipper wrote:
This NG has is going through challenging times. Where once it was the
predominant boating NG populated by many industry experts, it has now
become little more than an off-topic chatroom. Most of truly
knowledgeable have long since abandoned this forum for saner climes.
Where once the very best advice could be found here, now serious
questions will most likely be greeted with flame.

Perhaps the time has come to convert rec.boats to a moderated NG and
restore its previous image. Yes, I know it would be a daunting task. To
win, the proposal must have 100 more YES votes than NO votes and
two/thirds of the votes must be YES. We could announce the proposal in
*all* the boating groups.

The moderation could be set up to recognize white contributors and black
contributors. Thus automating 95% of the moderation tasks. New
contributors could be hand moderated until they've posted two or three
times. Moderators could be voted on by the group, and a committee would
have to agree before a contributor was blacklisted (we don't need a
BoaterEd). Open on-topic debate WOULD be encouraged.

Should you be interested in seeing this forum as a moderated NG respond
in this thread. If there is enough support we'll just grab hold of the
tiger's tail and run with it.

--
Skipper


You've only got 35-40 people in this NG, at most, who would vote at
all. You don't have a prayer of getting 2/3 "yes", as well as a margin
of 100 votes.

If you seriously want to improve the NG, the only realistic path to
follow is to do the few things you *can* do. Post civilly. Try to stay
on topic. Don't get sucked in by the flame throwers. Don't be a flame
thrower. Try to discourage flame throwing.

Rather than pass "rules" or install a censor (aka moderator), it's
better to set an example.
Encourage on topic and civil posts with thoughtful and on topic
replies, and discourage
flame fests and OT "chats".

Most important of all may be *ignoring* the trolls who insist on
stirring up trouble here.


As soon we let the fact that "Poster X Started it!" (and I couldn't
bear to see him acting like an asshole unless I got to act like an
asshole too).....dictate our behavior here then we have surrendered our
rights of self determination. Nobody can cause you to act like a jerk
except yourself.