Simply Put, Too Much

[lkrupp]

I’ll just add my two cents here. I’ve been a member of MacRumors for 14 years now and I have never seen the comment section more ugly and negative. A good 80% of the comments are snark and trolling. It’s obvious that MacRumors has become a safe haven for Apple haters and the disgruntled. Take this morning’s article about the new Mac commercials as an example. The snark and negativity was immediate. There is a segment of the population that comes here to trash anything and everything Apple does and those who dare to confront them are given timeouts or banning. I can understand direct personal attacks not being tolerated but attacking the ideas and concepts of the trolls and disgruntled should be fare game. MacRumors has gained a reputation in the Apple centric universe of being THE place for spewing venom and vitriol about the company.

As a result I too am considering leaving for good. I can get the same basic Apple news from several other sources without all the constant negativity one finds here.

 

[Martyimac]

I’ll just add my two cents here. I’ve been a member of MacRumors for 14 years now and I have never seen the comment section more ugly and negative. A good 80% of the comments are snark and trolling. It’s obvious that MacRumors has become a safe haven for Apple haters and the disgruntled. Take this morning’s article about the new Mac commercials as an example. The snark and negativity was immediate. There is a segment of the population that comes here to trash anything and everything Apple does and those who dare to confront them are given timeouts or banning. I can understand direct personal attacks not being tolerated but attacking the ideas and concepts of the trolls and disgruntled should be fare game. MacRumors has gained a reputation in the Apple centric universe of being THE place for spewing venom and vitriol about the company.

As a result I too am considering leaving for good. I can get the same basic Apple news from several other sources without all the constant negativity one finds here.

It's not just here, most websites like MR have more and more haters, snarking and trolling. It's like this is the only way these negative folks can get noticed. I've found the best thing to do is just ignore them. MR still has a lot of good input, sad though that we have to sift through the junk to get to the good stuff..

 

[Altis]

I’ll just add my two cents here. I’ve been a member of MacRumors for 14 years now and I have never seen the comment section more ugly and negative. A good 80% of the comments are snark and trolling. It’s obvious that MacRumors has become a safe haven for Apple haters and the disgruntled. Take this morning’s article about the new Mac commercials as an example. The snark and negativity was immediate. There is a segment of the population that comes here to trash anything and everything Apple does and those who dare to confront them are given timeouts or banning. I can understand direct personal attacks not being tolerated but attacking the ideas and concepts of the trolls and disgruntled should be fare game. MacRumors has gained a reputation in the Apple centric universe of being THE place for spewing venom and vitriol about the company.

As a result I too am considering leaving for good. I can get the same basic Apple news from several other sources without all the constant negativity one finds here.

I don't think it's fair to dismiss it all as "Apple haters" and "trolling".

It seems many of those most upset are people who were the biggest Apple fans, heavily devoted and invested in the ecosystem, disappointed in Apple's direction (especially as it pertains to desktops and laptops) -- especially as it often causes disturbance to their work and livelihood.

Your example of the Mac ads receiving negative feedback is, from what I can tell, largely fair criticism of Apple. It's a bit of a slap in the face to the biggest fans who simply want hardware updates when they are available (rather than 2-4 years later) when all they get is these grandeur, sanctimonious messages from Apple about how wonderful they are.

I say this as someone who was heavily invested in the Apple "ecosystem" but now has a PC desktop and recently replaced MBP with a PC laptop. I wish it weren't the case, but alas they've left me with no choice.

EDIT: Top comment is "negative" from someone who joined in Jan. 2003... 15 years of MR. They aren't just a "troll" or "Apple hater", indicated by their closing line: ".. it breaks my heart."

 

[Martyimac]

I don't think it's fair to dismiss it all as "Apple haters" and "trolling".

It seems many of those most upset are people who were the biggest Apple fans, heavily devoted and invested in the ecosystem, disappointed in Apple's direction (especially as it pertains to desktops and laptops) -- especially as it often causes disturbance to their work and livelihood.

Your example of the Mac ads receiving negative feedback is, from what I can tell, largely fair criticism of Apple. It's a bit of a slap in the face to the biggest fans who simply want hardware updates when they are available (rather than 2-4 years later) when all they get is these grandeur, sanctimonious messages from Apple about how wonderful they are.

I say this as someone who was heavily invested in the Apple "ecosystem" but now has a PC desktop and recently replaced MBP with a PC laptop. I wish it weren't the case, but alas they've left me with no choice.

I also find myself dangerously close to shifting back to PC's after a 20 year run with Macs/. And since I have kept up with MS since I play tech support for my wife's Dell, I find Windows 10 to be a stable useable platform for all I would do. What I do lose is the syncing of contacts across my iDevices/desktop/laptop, and messages across the same platform. But I suspect Google probably has similar capabilities. This year will tell the tale. No new headless desktops by the end of the year, I'm gone.

 

[lkrupp]

I also find myself dangerously close to shifting back to PC's after a 20 year run with Macs/. And since I have kept up with MS since I play tech support for my wife's Dell, I find Windows 10 to be a stable useable platform for all I would do. What I do lose is the syncing of contacts across my iDevices/desktop/laptop, and messages across the same platform. But I suspect Google probably has similar capabilities. This year will tell the tale. No new headless desktops by the end of the year, I'm gone.

Well, then I think you should go sooner rather than later. Apple is skating to where the puck will be, not where it is. I read a sarcastic article on ComputerWorld wondering if Apple was sending out a subliminal message by naming macOS 10.14 Mojave, meaning Mac users are being lead out into the desert to die. Desktop computing is dying a slow death whether you believe it or not. The statistics imply that and that’s why I included the term “disgruntled” in my original post. First rule of survival: Adapt or die and Apple has survived over 40 years regardless of the prophecies of doom from the disgruntled crowd.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Awww maculateconception and willmtaylor gone? Best wishes on your travels!

I have noticed the trolls increase significantly to the point that posting here isn't as fun as it used to be. The amount of anti-apple users with accounts created in 2017 is just insane.

I'm glad there was a goodbye post. A handful of users I follow have not logged in much this year and it pains me to see them gone as I spent years enjoying what they had to post.

From what I've seen - there has been an uptick in suspensions but, from what I've seen (again), it has been deserved - being consistent is hard for humans to do especially when there are multiple humans doing something (we're all different).

I'm a happy Apple user - just stating that draws criticism, attacks on my character, and a thread full of Apple Haters. This is what makes it unpleasant to be here. How dare I enjoy Apple products... on an Apple centric forum.

 

[Luap]

Perhaps im not around enough, but the trolls I don't really notice? I agree that inappropriate moderation has certainly become an issue though.

 

[0007776]

Perhaps im not around enough, but the trolls I don't really notice? I agree that inappropriate moderation has certainly become an issue though.

If you stay away from the front page comments (after the first hour or so) and the iPhone forum you tend to be able to avoid them pretty well. The PRSI has plenty of trolls too, but that's part of the nature of political discussions anyway.

 

[C DM]

If you stay away from the front page comments (after the first hour or so) and the iPhone forum you tend to be able to avoid them pretty well. The PRSI has plenty of trolls too, but that's part of the nature of political discussions anyway.

Short of some particular types of threads, the iPhone forum is mostly alright these days.

 

[samiwas]

I have been warned, suspended, and had posts deleted or altered numerous times. Most often it occurs when I delve into the world of PRSI. Whether fair or not, I choose to go there and let it get the best of me every time.

What I've found is that the ones creating the chaos are largely still there, while the ones who finally got fed up with the chaos are banned or suspended. Amazing how that all works out.

It seems many of those most upset are people who were the biggest Apple fans, heavily devoted and invested in the ecosystem, disappointed in Apple's direction (especially as it pertains to desktops and laptops) -- especially as it often causes disturbance to their work and livelihood.

Yep...I used to be a big Apple fan, always waiting for the next update or device. Nowadays, I don't even know when the keynotes or announcements are. I've just gotten to the point where I don't care. I don't care that you made it 0.3mm thinner or 1 gram lighter. I don't care that you put a slightly faster processor in. I care that the top of the line MacBook needs a keychain full of new adapters to accomplish even basic tasks.

I say this as someone who was heavily invested in the Apple "ecosystem" but now has a PC desktop and recently replaced MBP with a PC laptop. I wish it weren't the case, but alas they've left me with no choice.

Yep..I'm still a mac guy, but I truly enjoy my touchscreen windows systems.

Desktop computing is dying a slow death whether you believe it or not. The statistics imply that and that’s why I included the term “disgruntled” in my original post. First rule of survival: Adapt or die and Apple has survived over 40 years regardless of the prophecies of doom from the disgruntled crowd.

Well, I don't know how I will adapt to doing CAD drawings and 3D animation on a freaking iPad or a phone, but that seems to be where Apple sees things heading. In reality, they're just heading where the money is: mass consumerism from the InstaTwitSnapFace crowd.

If you stay away from the front page comments (after the first hour or so) and the iPhone forum you tend to be able to avoid them pretty well. The PRSI has plenty of trolls too, but that's part of the nature of political discussions anyway.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[0007776]

Short of some particular types of threads, the iPhone forum is mostly alright these days.

Good to know, I’ve been staying away from reading it much for quite awhile.

 

[C DM]

I’ll just add my two cents here. I’ve been a member of MacRumors for 14 years now and I have never seen the comment section more ugly and negative. A good 80% of the comments are snark and trolling. It’s obvious that MacRumors has become a safe haven for Apple haters and the disgruntled. Take this morning’s article about the new Mac commercials as an example. The snark and negativity was immediate. There is a segment of the population that comes here to trash anything and everything Apple does and those who dare to confront them are given timeouts or banning. I can understand direct personal attacks not being tolerated but attacking the ideas and concepts of the trolls and disgruntled should be fare game. MacRumors has gained a reputation in the Apple centric universe of being THE place for spewing venom and vitriol about the company.

As a result I too am considering leaving for good. I can get the same basic Apple news from several other sources without all the constant negativity one finds here.

Reporting the trolling and baiting and bickering and even just off-topic items, and doing it essentially regularly as those things come up, generally ends up being helpful in one fashion or another.

 

[MacNut]

I find myself posting less as well. This isn’t the fun place it used to be. I’ll still lurk but the family that this site once was is gone and it just feels like a militarized zone. Maybe Arn will take control again and bring back the good ole days but I don’t think those days are coming back.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

To whom it matters, I do believe I’m done. After my most recent time out, I just don’t think it’s worth my angst

To witness (outside of PRSI) what baiting, trolling, name-calling, flaming, and off-topic comments are acceptable while others much more benign and vague are deemed timeout worthy is at best cringe and at worst agenda-driven and targeted censorship.

Eh, who hasn't had a couple mods take issue with things we've posted? But who cares? You're not writing a book, or making some definitive statements others will live and die by, or even building some great international reputation that scholars and pupils will study for years to come. This is purely conversational, temporary, disposable dialogue, of your thoughts at the moment of writing, subject to change at any time without notice. There is no lasting, permanent value to anything at this point, least of all not thoughts posted on internet message boards. At very best, someone in the future may pore over threads looking for a way to fix their antique machine to restore some data on it, and while looking for the relevant forensic instructions, try in vain to ignore the multitudes of bad information of decreasing usefulness and a ton of silliness and opinioneering that fill message boards. Mods are people too, and not immune to being petty and reactionary. I see a million red numbers on the icons on here. Those are all people with personal problems. I've found it's best to ignore them, because I'm not qualified to fix all the people of the world. What I post probably get posts deleted all the time & for good reason. I expect Apple to do better than they've been doing and I find myself more disappointed & critical of them than not, hence my avatar. People complain about our posts, but they complain about everything, and all the complaining in the world doesn't build a bridge I'd cross a mud puddle on. It is of no real value.

Keep in mind, internet people are like bartenders. You might talk to them every day, and they may be nice and joke around with you, but they are not actually your friends. You need to make those in person, in real life on your own. Then you will realize how little you and your thoughts mean to bartenders and internet people.

 

[lkrupp]

I find myself posting less as well. This isn’t the fun place it used to be. I’ll still lurk but the family that this site once was is gone and it just feels like a militarized zone. Maybe Arn will take control again and bring back the good ole days but I don’t think those days are coming back.

Similar things have happened to other Apple centric sites over the years. Sites like MacRumors used to be places where Apple users and fans could come to read articles about Apple and discuss our mutual concerns, problems, and likes of Apple products and services. Then something happened that changed it all. Apple went from being the underdog to the top dog. Apple became the dominant force in consumer technology and that didn’t sit well with some. The invasion of trolls and haters began in earnest and has increased exponentially. Success breeds contempt the old saying goes. Now add to the mix Apple’s deemphasis of the Mac and laser focus on iOS and services as the path to continued future success. This brings in the disgruntled crowd who live in the past of plastic, headless boxes with slots and ports out the wazoo.

Since there is nothing really going on in terms of innovation and excitement in the Windows and Android universes the trolls, haters , and disgruntled have no place to go. Have you ever been to an Android centric site? Apple gets trashed there almost as much as it does here. The topic always gets around to how superior Android is to iOS and how stupid people who buy Apple products are. MacRumors, like any online business concern, needs customers to attract advertising dollars. The more the merrier so banning all those trolls and haters is bad for business but supporting them it has diminished MacRumors to just a nasty place to visit.

 

[Plutonius]

the ones who finally got fed up with the chaos are banned or suspended.

What is the difference between banned and suspended ?

 

[MacNut]

What is the difference between banned and suspended ?

The way it stands now banned is wiped from the earth. Suspended is on a vacation to club fed.

 

[Weaselboy]

What is the difference between banned and suspended ?

The way it stands now banned is wiped from the earth. Suspended is on a vacation to club fed.

Yes... suspended would be temporary and banned would be permanent.

 

[Plutonius]

Yes... suspended would be temporary and banned would be permanent.

Thank you.

 

[ucfgrad93]

While I appreciate the fact that moderation here does keep the forums mostly civil, the application of said moderation is sometimes a bit uneven.

 

[MacNut]

While I appreciate the fact that moderation here does keep the forums mostly civil, the application of said moderation is sometimes a bit uneven.

I agree that there seems to be a loose definition of what is considered trolling. If we are going to call it trolling lets call it evenly across all members.

 

[Feenician]

Every thread from the front page ends up with a “something something Mac Mini” comment. Thread about iPhone hardware rumor? Mac Mini comment. Thread about some TV project? Mac Mini comment. Thread about some political comment from Tim? Mac Mini comment. I’ve been rebuked for “not adding to the discussion” multiple times - indeed I’m on a final warning. Most of those were responding, rightly or wrongly (ok, ok, wrongly) to people persistently trolling with stuff like that. How are they considered to be adding the to discussion?

 

[mcdj]

I got banned a few years ago and groveled to be let back in. I promised to be good and I have been, more or less. The biggest thing that made that easier was simply spending less time here. And it's been fine. The less time you spend here, the less sucked in you get and the less sucked in you are, the less likely you'll get hot and bothered and post something deemed inappropriate, rightfully or otherwise. AND the less you'll notice or care about the trolls/snarks/haters and the moderation.

 

[Weaselboy]

Every thread from the front page ends up with a “something something Mac Mini” comment.

I agree with you on that issue, and remove those off topic comments when I see them, but cannot see them all. If you run across a comment like that, particularly in a news thread, please report it.

 

[timeconsumer]

To whom it matters, I do believe I’m done. After my most recent time out, I just don’t think it’s worth my angst to be a member of this community any longer. I won’t go into the details of the moderation, so don’t ask. This has been a great place to get help & advice and return the favor for others for me for close to 10 years and 10,000 posts now.

However, it’s just not worth enduring the mods’ inconsistency any longer. While I do appreciate the hard work of most of the MRF staff and volunteers, the implementation and interpretation of forum rules is simply too maddeningly arbitrary as of late.

To witness (outside of PRSI) what baiting, trolling, name-calling, flaming, and off-topic comments are acceptable while others much more benign and vague are deemed timeout worthy is at best cringe and at worst agenda-driven and targeted censorship.

Your house, your rules though. I may lurk, and I may not, but I wish you all the best.

Adieu, y’all.

I have noticed and even had some issues with moderation myself; although not recently. I’ve also noticed more and more people displaying “Suspended” titles. Especially people who I’ve felt contributed through quality posts over the years I’ve been a member here; such as yourself.

I think the internet itself is getting more toxic and the mods are doing what they can. I don’t always agree but as you said “your house, your rules.”

I’ve actually gone back more to lurking myself due to this. Thanks for posting this as there has been some decent discussion in this thread. Hopefully you’ll reconsider but it’s understandable if you opt out.