Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
@BasicGreatGuy made some great points. Also the People You Ignore function in your account could probably be a help too.

After lurking for so long, I have an idea of what threads to avoid and what to post in. The nastiness has grown but I've seen that happen in every forum I have participated in. I'll try to duck when the mud comes my way, report a post or ignore the person.

Don't let it bother you too much, OP.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Apple_Robert
Isn’t this what forums are for? It’s called something like debate. Everyone will have a opinion about something. Not everyone will agree and sometimes it leads to arguments. As long as people can help out when needed things will be better. I think all forums are like this.

We do all have an opinion and we can all express it but there are posters here who get pretty tiring and I don't even go into the iPhone section
 
  • Like
Reactions: Maxx Power
I've had accounts on other tech forums and they all share a lot of similarities. There are areas of this site I will exclude from my daily forum browsing, such as the politics section. I joined MacRumors to discuss Apple/Mac-related topics, not express political views or get stirred up in political debates. I'm sure there are "political-only" forums out there, just not too interested in that topic this stage of my life right now.

Regardless, this site does provide a platform for anyone to express their opinions on tech or whatever, without much censorship. I left overclock.net for this reason; pity arguments over meaningless things, censorship of posts, moderators closing threads/ending discussions for whatever reason (sometimes no reason), etc.
 
I've had accounts on other tech forums and they all share a lot of similarities. There are areas of this site I will exclude from my daily forum browsing, such as the politics section. I joined MacRumors to discuss Apple/Mac-related topics, not express political views or get stirred up in political debates. I'm sure there are "political-only" forums out there, just not too interested in that topic this stage of my life right now.

Regardless, this site does provide a platform for anyone to express their opinions on tech or whatever, without much censorship. I left overclock.net for this reason; pity arguments over meaningless things, censorship of posts, moderators closing threads/ending discussions for whatever reason (sometimes no reason), etc.
I agree. It's why I left iMore. They banned me permanently for questioning why they just deleted posts without explaining why. There was also a gentleman who was an ambassador who got caught talking to younger members and a group of us discovered he was a registered sex offender. The forum tried to hide this, I guess for reputation. They also did nothing when a member told me they'd find and kill me because they had the same first name as the person we were calling out. It was insanity...

This place seems a lot more likely to tell you why you got suspended, they'd care about if a person was doing something inappropriate and they wouldn't tolerate personal threats made to the members.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thesaint024
I've had accounts on other tech forums and they all share a lot of similarities. There are areas of this site I will exclude from my daily forum browsing, such as the politics section. I joined MacRumors to discuss Apple/Mac-related topics, not express political views or get stirred up in political debates. I'm sure there are "political-only" forums out there, just not too interested in that topic this stage of my life right now.

Regardless, this site does provide a platform for anyone to express their opinions on tech or whatever, without much censorship. I left overclock.net for this reason; pity arguments over meaningless things, censorship of posts, moderators closing threads/ending discussions for whatever reason (sometimes no reason), etc.

OCN Was great until it was sold it's still OK but the cool vibe is gone.
 
I know, it's the internet, but this site is divisive as hell. Not the fault of the site, but every thread I click into is some childish debate about who's smarter, more knowledgeable, who's dick is bigger. I was regularly on a year ago about the great dumb debate about whether Apple "lost it's way" in their new MBP lineup. It seems that is still going on. Now I've been back regularly because of my excitement about the new X. People are arguing about whether the 8+ or X is better? WTH? Did people argue if the MB was better than the MBP?People are just spewing stupid "facts" about screen size, value per dollar, size of bezels, size in hands, and how clever they are because they bought the iPhone [of choice]. I get that these discussions are necessary in part to help people make decisions, but the level of vitriol reminds me of US politics. People stop making sense and just argue to argue. I frequent other forums for info, but the level of trolling here is on another level. Am I alone? Possible that I am just out of touch with internet forums in 2017? It's MADNESS!!

I like certain debates, even if they are quite silly, where we get to act like little children and try to "prove" things that are, usually, very subjective. However, what started bothering me is the negativity that, in a way, seems to be on the rise.

People genuinely venting negative emotions because of a change of something they are used to - any change, really - makes me feel bad about - well, not to be overly dramatic, but - the human race in general. Seriously - take ANY change Apple made in the past few years and you'll find enough bitterness and dramatic expressions of disappointment and anger, that you could fill several books just by quoting them.

But, that aside, what really bothers me is actively trying to ruin someone's experience. I don't know if that's the actual intention of people, but I see it all the time. For example, since we're talking about the X, I'll give an example - I got mine and I like it and I prefer it to any other iPhone (or any phone, for that matter). However, I would never go on this forum and say "X is sooooo much better than the 8 you guys, so worth the price, I don't know why anyone would buy the 8!!". Or go somewhere where people are talking about their Pixels and try to explain to them how they made a mistake by getting them. I know people here don't really know me or care about my opinion, but still, for someone who just bought a nice new iPhone 8 and came here to discuss, share and ask for advice - a "X destroys the 8 and 8 is so old and stale" title is not something they want to read, even coming from a stranger. Sure, vice versa if someone tries to "demonstrate why I made a mistake of buying the X instead of the 8 which is so much better (there were a couple of posts like that) - I may say "no, the X is clearly better". Just as I may say how a MBP is much better than the Dell XPS, after reading 1000 posts where people come to "share" their thoughts how, basically, anyone who bought a MBP instead of Dell is an idiot. But, at the same time, I would NEVER go to any forum where people are discussing the XPS and say how that computer sucks.

I would never try to ruin anyone's enthusiasm. It's good to like things! It's good to enjoy technology! I say - love your Surface or your XPS or your Galaxy or your Note! But come here and try to make ME feel bad because I chose something else, that's just lame.

Try to defend from these rants, and you're branded a 'fanboy' and the same, old, tired phrases get used, from Kool-Aid to sheep. This lack of humor, originality, combined with pessimism, negativity, toxicity is really bringing this place down.

So, I'm counting on more cheerful members to keep the spirits high here, even if they prefer Samsung or Dell to Apple :)
 
I know, it's the internet, but this site is divisive as hell. Not the fault of the site, but every thread I click into is some childish debate about who's smarter, more knowledgeable, who's dick is bigger. I was regularly on a year ago about the great dumb debate about whether Apple "lost it's way" in their new MBP lineup. It seems that is still going on. Now I've been back regularly because of my excitement about the new X. People are arguing about whether the 8+ or X is better? WTH? Did people argue if the MB was better than the MBP?People are just spewing stupid "facts" about screen size, value per dollar, size of bezels, size in hands, and how clever they are because they bought the iPhone [of choice]. I get that these discussions are necessary in part to help people make decisions, but the level of vitriol reminds me of US politics. People stop making sense and just argue to argue. I frequent other forums for info, but the level of trolling here is on another level. Am I alone? Possible that I am just out of touch with internet forums in 2017? It's MADNESS!!

What's nice is that on the internet, there's more than one site. You can visit at least several other sites besides this one.
 
I like certain debates, even if they are quite silly, where we get to act like little children and try to "prove" things that are, usually, very subjective. However, what started bothering me is the negativity that, in a way, seems to be on the rise.

People genuinely venting negative emotions because of a change of something they are used to - any change, really - makes me feel bad about - well, not to be overly dramatic, but - the human race in general. Seriously - take ANY change Apple made in the past few years and you'll find enough bitterness and dramatic expressions of disappointment and anger, that you could fill several books just by quoting them.

But, that aside, what really bothers me is actively trying to ruin someone's experience. I don't know if that's the actual intention of people, but I see it all the time. For example, since we're talking about the X, I'll give an example - I got mine and I like it and I prefer it to any other iPhone (or any phone, for that matter). However, I would never go on this forum and say "X is sooooo much better than the 8 you guys, so worth the price, I don't know why anyone would buy the 8!!". Or go somewhere where people are talking about their Pixels and try to explain to them how they made a mistake by getting them. I know people here don't really know me or care about my opinion, but still, for someone who just bought a nice new iPhone 8 and came here to discuss, share and ask for advice - a "X destroys the 8 and 8 is so old and stale" title is not something they want to read, even coming from a stranger. Sure, vice versa if someone tries to "demonstrate why I made a mistake of buying the X instead of the 8 which is so much better (there were a couple of posts like that) - I may say "no, the X is clearly better". Just as I may say how a MBP is much better than the Dell XPS, after reading 1000 posts where people come to "share" their thoughts how, basically, anyone who bought a MBP instead of Dell is an idiot. But, at the same time, I would NEVER go to any forum where people are discussing the XPS and say how that computer sucks.

I would never try to ruin anyone's enthusiasm. It's good to like things! It's good to enjoy technology! I say - love your Surface or your XPS or your Galaxy or your Note! But come here and try to make ME feel bad because I chose something else, that's just lame.

Try to defend from these rants, and you're branded a 'fanboy' and the same, old, tired phrases get used, from Kool-Aid to sheep. This lack of humor, originality, combined with pessimism, negativity, toxicity is really bringing this place down.

So, I'm counting on more cheerful members to keep the spirits high here, even if they prefer Samsung or Dell to Apple :)
I remember you @aevan a year ago during the MBP 16 "wars", trying hard to keep the discussion factual and rational. People seemed to be intentionally trying to spread misinformation to make Apple sales suffer, obviously futile. I didn't log on to the forum for awhile and came back because of my excitement about the X. My excitement-sharing post was immediately hijacked by this X vs. 8 argument. WTH? I couldn't have imagined that people would argue about that as well.

You exactly articulated my thoughts. It is precisely the negativity and dumping on other people's enthusiasm that is disappointing. Not entirely surprised that trolls get some kind of sick pleasure from this, but it seems like a lot of the trollish behavior is coming from former Apple fans who feel abandoned, as if Apple owes them something. Companies evolve, their customer base changes, it's not a personal attack.

Another thing I totally agree with you on is the stupidity of attacking people's choices for buying a product, Apple or not. It is completely possible to love your own device without putting down another. Everyone has reasons to buy what they did, who the hell is anyone to judge? People come on forums to discuss their devices, get help, make decisions, etc. Good news is that the longer the X has been out, some of the dumber arguments have subsided and the discussions seem to be getting better, sharing ideas, helping each other, etc. There's hope for the world yet.
[doublepost=1512756157][/doublepost]
What's nice is that on the internet, there's more than one site. You can visit at least several other sites besides this one.
I thought this was the main Apple forum on the internet. Are there others? Not abandoning this forum, just wondering what else is out there, even though I highly doubt other Apple internet forums are more civil due to the "controversial" subject matter (it's just a phone/computer people).
 
is completely possible to love your own device without putting down another. Everyone has reasons to buy what they did, who the hell is anyone to judge?

That works both ways, including if the older one or previous model is better for some people and they are arguing that point.

Way too many people on the forum simply subscribe to "it's new so it's better".
Depending on what product and what you're doing, it simply isn't always the case.
 
That works both ways, including if the older one or previous model is better for some people and they are arguing that point.

Way too many people on the forum simply subscribe to "it's new so it's better".
Depending on what product and what you're doing, it simply isn't always the case.
I personally accept that newest generations of electronics are usually objectively better. It doesn't mean it's better for any individual use case, but it's just progress. I have the Apple TV 4. I don't dump on anyone's decision to get the newer ATV4k. It's cool that these new generations are "better", I just personally don't feel it's necessary for me right now. I don't think it's necessary to mention it because it goes without saying since I didn't buy it. Why would anyone get defensive if someone else got a shiny new toy? Everyone has their reasons to buy or not buy. I like that people give their reasons when asked. It's very tiring to hear someone pop up in every thread and give the same "I'm smart for not buying this new device" argument repeatedly. "Better" isn't even relevant, it's just the latest model.

I don't go to the museum every day. It would be annoying to hear why I DID NOT go to the museum that day on a daily basis, right? I only mention it when I DO go. I also don't get defensive and attack people who happened to go that day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: aevan
I don't think it's necessary to mention it because it goes without saying since I didn't buy it.

Right, I'm with you...but this is a forum and it's completely acceptable for people to be discussing why they did *not* upgrade and why something older might be better for them vs newer and defending that choice.

Forums should not be one way where all discussions are about what's new and those who don't update or have something older should just remain quiet.

Honestly, if anything, the defensive users I notice seem to be the ones that embrace anything Apple does as amazing and "the future", etc and they often are unable to handle even the most gently critical view of that approach they've taken.

It just goes both ways is all I'm saying.

The best thing people can do is avoid threads they don't care for and put users on ignore if they aren't their cup of tea - I've actually done that with someone in this thread ironically (not you) and my life on the forum has been about 300% more enjoyable. We just don't all get along I guess. haha
 
Last edited:
I agree. It's why I left iMore. They banned me permanently for questioning why they just deleted posts without explaining why. There was also a gentleman who was an ambassador who got caught talking to younger members and a group of us discovered he was a registered sex offender. The forum tried to hide this, I guess for reputation. They also did nothing when a member told me they'd find and kill me because they had the same first name as the person we were calling out. It was insanity...

This place seems a lot more likely to tell you why you got suspended, they'd care about if a person was doing something inappropriate and they wouldn't tolerate personal threats made to the members.
Whoa! 0-100 real quick. You just explained how much worse it could be.
[doublepost=1512758178][/doublepost]
Right, I'm with you...but this is a forum and it's totally acceptable for people to be discussing why they did *not* upgrade and why something older might be better for them vs newer and defending that choice.

Forums should not be one way where all discussions are about what's new and those who don't update or have something older should just remain quiet.
Sorry, didn't mean to imply non-buyers should remain silent. But, there's a line crossed when non-buyers repeatedly explain their brilliance in not buying something in every thread, relevant or not. That's a little trollish, no? I'm probably referring to a handful of people, then people start piling on. I enjoy good discussions. Repetitive trollish behavior, not so much. I know..."welcome to the internet!"
 
But, there's a line crossed when non-buyers repeatedly explain their brilliance in not buying something in every thread, relevant or not. That's a little trollish, no?

Yes that is, but so are users that refuse to acknowledge a counter argument that "older things can be better for some people" or who get on the track of "(my new thing I've just gotten) is the most amazing thing I've ever touched and I could never go back!" (usually something expressed in the first 2 weeks of ownership).

Both sides of that need to just make points, reiterate if need be, but not bash it endlessly, I agree.
 
Yes that is, but so are users that refuse to acknowledge a counter argument that "older things can be better for some people" or who get on the track of "(my new thing I've just gotten) is the most amazing thing I've ever touched and I could never go back!" (usually something expressed in the first 2 weeks of ownership).

Both sides of that need to just make points, reiterate if need be, but not bash it endlessly, I agree.
Agree with you. Lines are crossed on both sides. But one of my main reasons for jumping back on MR was to share my excitement with others, as I'm sure others do as well. It's for a community of excited new owners. I don't go on to bash older generations or people who skipped this one. I've skipped generations, but I never felt the need to explain to people why I did so. Of course older or alternative versions can be better for some people. I don't think there is a person in the world who owns the latest iteration of every product they own. People have reasons for skipping new products (and it's not always financial). People who cross the line in bashing older products (like Jony Ive, haha) are straight up D-bags. Insecure people on both sides of the fence. I love my new X and I still love my "old" MBP 16. I like to talk about how they enhance my life with people on MR. But I also criticize Apple for decisions, but that negativity is far outweighed by my excitement about [new product]. Like everyone (mostly), I just want to go on MR to have a positive experience.
 
  • Like
Reactions: turbineseaplane
I know, it's the internet, but this site is divisive as hell. Not the fault of the site, but every thread I click into is some childish debate about who's smarter, more knowledgeable, who's dick is bigger. I was regularly on a year ago about the great dumb debate about whether Apple "lost it's way" in their new MBP lineup. It seems that is still going on. Now I've been back regularly because of my excitement about the new X. People are arguing about whether the 8+ or X is better? WTH? Did people argue if the MB was better than the MBP?People are just spewing stupid "facts" about screen size, value per dollar, size of bezels, size in hands, and how clever they are because they bought the iPhone [of choice]. I get that these discussions are necessary in part to help people make decisions, but the level of vitriol reminds me of US politics. People stop making sense and just argue to argue. I frequent other forums for info, but the level of trolling here is on another level. Am I alone? Possible that I am just out of touch with internet forums in 2017? It's MADNESS!!
The signpost up ahead:

The Internet.

Welcome to it.

However, I've been on the Internet, and its (not really, the Internet goes to 1973, but for argument's sake) predecessors (USENET, FIDONET, Compuserve Forums, IIRC), and this is the same problem that has been there since I've seen in 1985.
 
The signpost up ahead:

The Internet.

Welcome to it.

However, I've been on the Internet, and its (not really, the Internet goes to 1973, but for argument's sake) predecessors (USENET, FIDONET, Compuserve Forums, IIRC), and this is the same problem that has been there since I've seen in 1985.


Yep - Really the issue is anonymity mixed with a lack of face to face interaction.
It does wild things to behavior... (not in a positive way)
 
  • Like
Reactions: JeffyTheQuik
I have been reading this site off and on for awhile, and I can understand to some degree random arguements here and there. It's to be expected on the internet as a whole. The part that I do not understand is when someone makes it practically a living to troll a specific site like MacRumors. I'm not going to mention names but what kind of motivation does a person need to have to daily check this site, or any site, look for new threads that favor a particular Apple product, and argue with everyone who likes said product as if it is their life goal to make you hate this product because there are "better" ones on the market? And I'm not inflating this. Same person. Daily. For months and months, off and on for years. That is serious sour grapes.

Either serious sour grapes or a paycheck lol
 
It is nice to see that there are people out there who still feel excitement and enjoy their electronics of choice.
That unfortunately does not always balance out the one's who hide behind the internet anonymity and throw shade at people/products just because they can.
As for something wrong with "everyone", as per the op, I personally don't think it is everyone and the posts in this thread reflect that. The replies show that there is still a well mannered and articulate number of members that have the same goal of celebrating their chosen technology and are open to the views of other tech enthusiasts. At the risk of sounding redundant, we all know that MR is a site geared toward Apple products and those of us that prefer that tech.
Just like everything else in society, we have to deal with those that want to join these forums to belittle or "troll" the members for their choices.
Fair, no, not really but it is the price we pay to have a forum such as this available to us. Maybe in a round about way it is saying not to feed the trolls as they will find enough crumbs to feed on by themselves by either accident or design.
That is my 2 cents on the issue and hope all members enjoy whatever tech they are so inclined to do.

--Donkey
 
I can get pretty cranky at times, no I am not a fan of Apple’s brass, sloppy software releases, some hardware or price gouging. But I do enjoy their tech when it works. I decided to try and ignore threads about Apple’s brass marketing stupidity and just enjoy what I have.

So rather than be perpetually cranky, I am striving to just post about what I am enjoying now and leave the cranky to others. I have made my points positive and negative, but one thing I refuse to do is get into a war with other posters and now I tip toe out threads that get my little lady goat.

Trying to be open minded and just roll with it.

OP, do not take those threads seriously. It is the internet...we can be ridiculous in the best and worst of ways.

Apple still makes great tech. Nice to see other companies do so too.
 
This forum is relatively decent. I used to visit one where people fight over who's got the best weather, and it's not a one off thing, those threads have thousands of posts and have been opened for many years. That really stinks.
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.