What is with the constant cynicism on this site???

[Hellhammer]

Search is a great tool, it really finds most of the stuff you're looking (I'm talking about MRoogle). I don't think it's an issue as long as people say it nicely and provide threads that are relevant to OP's case. Just saying use Google isn't enough.

Fanboys have and will always exist, I tend to just ignore them. I don't like the word "fanboy", it's too heavy. Just because I'm a member of MR doesn't mean that I'm a fanboy. Or am I? Most people also think when they are buying Apple, they are buying something immortal so if it breaks, they can't believe it jadajada.

Here are more and more people, nearly 500k members now. It's going worse everytime a new iToy comes as plenty of people joins and most of them are total newbies and minors plus iToys seem to be too serious for some people. It's not the end of the world if you didn't get iPhone 4 on the launch day. I admit that I get mad sometimes, mainly because people lack the ability to research before posting and provide good proofs for their sayings.

Couple weeks ago, there were 43 000 posts in one day, that's A LOT to moderate. I wouldn't mind having some extra mods, it might help.

Similar threads

 

[IndustrialSpace]

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Hellhammer is one of the more valuable posters on MR. Definitely not a fanboy, but knows his stuff and is usually cordial, objective and fair when posting.

 

[whooleytoo]

Excellent point here, but I disagree to a degree. First of all, I am not a fanboy any brand. I purchase the product that presents the best user experience at the time I am using it. I own a Laptop PC, an iPod Touch, and a Droid Incredible. I have owned the Palm Treo, the Pre, Blackberry Tour/Storm/Storm 2/Bold, and I am the one shelling out the dollars. When these companys give ME the money, I will shout off the rooftops that they are the best...until then, if it is a good product, I will recommend it. I will continue to find forums that offer good support and discussion of the products I use. I will also leave good forums when they go bad because reading through Fanboy Drone-ism of any type to me is a waste of time. People fight like that about Religion and Politics.....we are talking about products here. Competition amongst companys is good....it inspires good companys to be more creative. Competition amongst customers is silly, you are spending your hard earned dollars....let the companys earn it

I noticed lately though that this site has been worse then I have seen anywhere. It's a shame because I had a completely different opinion of this site a few short months ago, and my point in writing this thread was the hope it would improve.

As far as this happening with EVERY online forum.....that's where I disagree. I think it can happen to a degree, but proper moderation regularly staying on top of personal insults and reminders to stay on topic can tend to keep it under control.

It is silly to be so competitive/antagonistic about consumer devices, but that doesn't stop us. People get competitive over anything.. which sports team is the best.. which band is the best.. which car is the best.. which phone is the best.. We're such a silly species.

I agree that the site seems to be getting worse. You don't need to be a "fanboy" or "troll" to get dragged in. You might make a reasonable comment criticising an Apple product, someone might ridicule you as a "fanboy", you respond, others join in....

Moderation might improve things, for some. But in my experience (as a poster and moderator on several sites) for every person who approves of moderation there's another who thinks that it's ruining the site.

Personally, I just try not to escalate any heated discussion. There's no point getting into a big argument - people enter arguments in order to convince, not to be convinced. The odds of anyone saying "I'm wrong and you're right, I never thought about it that way" are fairly slim, so I drop out of any threads that get like that.

 

[-aggie-]

Hellhammer is one of the more valuable posters on MR. Definitely not a fanboy, but knows his stuff and is usually cordial, objective and fair when posting.

Hey, what about me??

 

[DougFNJ]

It is silly to be so competitive/antagonistic about consumer devices, but that doesn't stop us. People get competitive over anything.. which sports team is the best.. which band is the best.. which car is the best.. which phone is the best.. We're such a silly species.

I agree that the site seems to be getting worse. You don't need to be a "fanboy" or "troll" to get dragged in. You might make a reasonable comment criticising an Apple product, someone might ridicule you as a "fanboy", you respond, others join in....

Moderation might improve things, for some. But in my experience (as a poster and moderator on several sites) for every person who approves of moderation there's another who thinks that it's ruining the site.

Personally, I just try not to escalate any heated discussion. There's no point getting into a big argument - people enter arguments in order to convince, not to be convinced. The odds of anyone saying "I'm wrong and you're right, I never thought about it that way" are fairly slim, so I drop out of any threads that get like that.

True....Go Jets, Mets, Devils, and Knicks!!!! Seriously though, a little friendly jab here and there is one thing....but man, some people make it personal

I also moderate on a very busy forum. We try as hard as we can with the less is more approach which creates a very open atmosphere for the most part. When a member gets to the point of personally insulting another, we will tend to post a little reminder in that thread of the rules, and to please keep on target. I will tend to also send a friendly 1st note to the offender to back off the insults, followed by 2 stronger ones depending how bad they get. Many people tend to appreciate it, others pull the "Freedom of speech" card in which I will kindly remind them that this is somebody's business. If you walked into my business and talked in a rude insulting manner to one of my other clients, freedom of speech or not, I would politely show you the door.

When I refer to "fanboys" naturally I am not speaking of general membership. Heck, we all joined here for our love of our toys. I am meaning those that live in homes where fun goes to die People that take this stuff to an uncomfortable level of serious.