Skip's Logs - a Referendum

[skipgundlach]

Recently I got this message (sender redacted - not an administrator):

Skip - Could you please stop posting your "blog" stories on this
forum. They do not belong here but in your own private blog. This is a
discussion forum of current events and conditions affecting cruisers and the
cruising lifestyle. You are making more enemies than friends here.

I'm an old fart - my medicare deduction started this month - and thus, quite
possibly, clueless. I used to put up copies of my log postings (I don't
have a blog; TheFlyingPigLog@yahoogroups.com is a mailing
list) somewhere else in cruisersforum - General Sailing, I think.

Then, I either discovered, or was redirected, HERE - that is, "Sailor Logs
and Cruising Plans, which seemed very appropriate and a propos to what I
write about. That is, a log of a sailor, and either plans or experiences
of cruising.

As there were no examples given, I don't know what the trigger was for the
PM. If it's that this (logs/plans) is not the right place, I'm happy to
learn about it.

If it's something more personal, I've got a thick skin, but I don't go out
of my way to make enemies. Yet, as seen in my very earliest days here,
sometimes one or two take it upon themselves to consider me one - it got a
former admin booted, it got so ugly - so I understand the possibilities.

Of course, one has to read my postings to have any opinion on them; forums
are different than email accounts in that bandwidth is spared if you know in
advance that you don't want to see something on a forum, whereas email comes
to your box whether you have the bandwidth or not. Thus I have little
sympathy if the issue is whether or not to click the line with my name next
to it.

For that matter, web-based anything communications-wise is the bane of my
existence, due to the bandwidth needed (we're full-time, at sea or at
anchor), and stuff here is necessarily delayed until I have some, rather
than the winlink-enabled real-time postings to my mailing list. I only put
stuff here and a couple of other places because I presumed them to be of
interest, and cessation would relieve me of just one other chore.
Conversely, certainly, the number of views suggest that there are at least
"some" interested - but...

Back to the thick skin, however, I lay out my foibles every time I find
them, because I think others can learn from my mistake(s). This forum may
well be one of which I wasn't aware. If I'm - as the PM'er suggests -
upsetting folks here, it would be useful to know, not only in fact but in
instance. Despite being an old dog, I CAN learn new tricks :{))

So, with that as background, two referenda (well, maybe, three):

Should I head for the hills, altogether?

or, alternatively

Is there a more appropriate subforum for my logs?

and

What's pissing you off, or generating enmity?

Thanks, y'all

L8R

Skip, anchored in a light breeze off Big Majors and Staniel Cays in the
Bahamas

Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
See our galleries at Web-Folio -- Your Portfolio on the Web !
Follow us at TheFlyingPigLog : Morgan 461 Hull #2, Flying Pig
and/or Flying Pig Log | Google Groups

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by skipgundlach

Should I head for the hills, altogether?

No!

I can't say I am a regular reader of your (B)log on CF, but that's because I don't tend to follow blogs (on any subject) anywhere.

But just because I am not greatly interested doesn't mean others are not - as you say, if the Mods were unhappy they would already have let you know (the Mods here are not shy ).

Hell, if being of interest to all others was a requirement for posting my post count would be in the 10's (arguably no bad thing - but a bit late now ).

Making enemies? LOL! I'd PM back with a Foxtrot Oscar (PM's ain't moderated ).

[steamgoat]

Hi Skip, I'm an old fart too, got a few miles under my belt, two atlantic crossings, one solo. I ENJOY reading your posts, if somebody doesn't like them its a bit stupid of them to open them. Happy sailing, Bruce.

[S/VSkylark]

Hey Skip,
Never too sure what pisses people off now a days, but apparently it's easy to do. I come to this forum for all sorts of information and I personally can never get enough. I enjoy stories of folks out there "doing it" and learn from these experiences, even if they don't relate directly to my situation. (I once followed a 20 page thread detailing a captain's woes with his diesel engine. I have a gas powered Atomic 4

If I do see something that I might not be interested in, I don't read it. I very rarely get pissed. With that said, since you are an "old dog that CAN learn new tricks", why don't you check out www.blogger.com and set yourself up (for free) with a great and easy way to share your log entries. You would have much better control of the layout and can easily include pics. Once it's set up, you can point people to it if they want to read more details or follow along directly. I have no affiliation to blogger other than I have my blog there.
Check it out...good luck.

[JusDreaming]

those buttons on the mouse or lap top allow us to open or not to open!!!!!!!!! Post away Skip, if someone does not like your post it is real easy DON'T READ THEM!!!!!!!!

[MarkJ]

Hi Skip,

Congrats on your courage to ask Its not all that are able to open themselves to critique

I'm not a mod so it has nothing to do with me, but if you are asking an opinion, then I would say that I don't think its relevant as this is a discussion forum.

If everyone just started posting all their group emails, blogs and website text to here it would soon get to be different than CF is. Maybe it would just become a cut-and-paste board.

The things I like here are the interactive threads. I like the posters to be people who are here often and that I can get to have a discussion with, chat to, and disagree with. Whatever it is, its interactive.

Perhaps some could see you not actually posting just to Cruisers Forum but using a program like Submit’emNow 3.0 or Instant Blog Submitter so you could post to many boards.

Your latest post was also submitted to www.boatbanter.com/showthread.php?t=115600
and groups.google.com/group/rec.boats.cruising


Previous posts too just get rattled around the boating world internet:
"anchorages along both Stocking and Exuma Islands are very sparsely populated right now" - Google Search

Goes to 3 other sites apart from CF

But like I said in another post, if theres things written that I don't want to read I just don't read it.

Sorry if I sound discouraging, its just my personal opinion and you did ask


The most important point is you and I are both lucky enough to be living this wonderful life!



Mark

[colemj]

Doesn't upset me - one can always not open them, so no reason to not post them.

But since you seem to be seeking feedback, I will tell you that your posts are so long-winded, stream of consciousness, minutely yet unimportantly detailed and encumbered with so much unreadable and tangential parenthetical slag that I stay away from them even though there may be bits and pieces of useful or interesting information in them.

You desperately need an editor...

Mark

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Hi Skip,
Perhaps some could see you not actually posting just to Cruisers Forum but using a program like Submit’emNow 3.0 or Instant Blog Submitter so you could post to many boards.

Your latest post was also submitted to www.boatbanter.com/showthread.php?t=115600
and groups.google.com/group/rec.boats.cruising


Previous posts too just get rattled around the boating world internet:
"anchorages along both Stocking and Exuma Islands are very sparsely populated right now" - Google Search

Goes to 3 other sites apart from CF

Mark

I have no opinion on what you post and don't need to have one. It is each individuals choice to write what they will and if it is within the guidelines of CF then so be it. If the moderators don't react to your methodology then it is allowable as well. That said, crossposting, as the practice of posting the same post to multiple forums is sometimes called, could be seen as inconsiderate to a community. It indicates that you are not really a participant and do not wish to be a participant but are looking for an audience. The use of automated posting tools adds to this impression.

The person that wrote you asking you to stop was using the same freedom you have. If you think they are outside the bounds of CF decorum then you could report them. On the other hand they are expressing an opinion just like you and using one of the possible means provided by the forum and the internet to do so, again just like you.

For my money if you are looking for an audience use a proper blog hosting site. If you are looking for a discussion use a discussion board.

[Intentional Drifter]

Hi, Skip --

I'm an occasional reader of your posts. Probably depends on my mood and how much time I have at the moment. I find them interesting and fun, but some of that is probably because you've been spending time in areas I know.

It does seem to me though that you would be better served with a blog. As hummingway pointed out, on one level your posts seem more oriented to entertaining an audience/keeping friends & others up on what you're doing rather than participating in a discussion. On another level, I can see where doing the regular postings of your activities is a way to document your cruising. Again, I think a blog would fit that need better, since organization would be easier.

Personally, though, I don't consider this a big deal; I can click, or not, as I wish. Maybe there are bandwidth concerns, but I have a hard time seeing as how that could actually a major concern.

ID

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by skipgundlach

... If it's something more personal, I've got a thick skin, but I don't go out of my way to make enemies. Yet, as seen in my very earliest days here, sometimes one or two take it upon themselves to consider me one - it got a former admin booted, it got so ugly - so I understand the possibilities...

Point of fact: NO former CF Administrator has EVER been booted for ANY cause.

I think it would be courteous of you to correct your log’s line return format, after posting.

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Hi Skip,

Congrats on your courage to ask Its not all that are able to open themselves to critique

:{)) I'm not a masochist, but I play one on TV

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I'm not a mod so it has nothing to do with me, but if you are asking an opinion, then I would say that I don't think its relevant as this is a discussion forum.

If everyone just started posting all their group emails, blogs and website text to here it would soon get to be different than CF is. Maybe it would just become a cut-and-paste board.

The things I like here are the interactive threads. I like the posters to be people who are here often and that I can get to have a discussion with, chat to, and disagree with. Whatever it is, its interactive.

Actually, I get notifications on all replies to any posting here, so, when I'm able (bandwidth), I respond when there's questions, of course, so, to that degree, it's interactive. Some non-log posts I've made generate lots of followup; that most of the logs don't suggest I don't raise questions for most. I'd have to say, for example, though, if we'd had my Jumentos series to look at before we went, they'd have been most helpful, particularly with regard to depth. I did, in fact, get several VHF questions about that when we arrived back in Long Island and George Town...

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Perhaps some could see you not actually posting just to Cruisers Forum but using a program like Submit’emNow 3.0 or Instant Blog Submitter so you could post to many boards.

Your latest post was also submitted to www.boatbanter.com/showthread.php?t=115600
and groups.google.com/group/rec.boats.cruising

From Boatbanter:
"external usenet poster"
I was unaware of boatbanter until you mentioned it. From the header there on your link, I deduce that it scans usenet (which is also accessible from googlegroups, in this case), seeing my rec.boats.cruising post. I've been a member there for well over 10 years. Usenet, a client-based medium (other than some, like this one, being also accessible from other sources), distinctly my preference, used to be the norm, picking up where bulletin boards left off. Today's world has it mostly forums, convenient to those continuously connected to broadband, not our situation, thus my frustration with anything web-based...

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Previous posts too just get rattled around the boating world internet:
"anchorages along both Stocking and Exuma Islands are very sparsely populated right now" - Google Search

Goes to 3 other sites apart from CF

Quite right. Done so because I presume (could well be mistaken) that not all here also go there, and vice versa.

Originally Posted by MarkJ

But like I said in another post, if theres things written that I don't want to read I just don't read it.

:{)) Excellent. My point, exactly.

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Sorry if I sound discouraging, its just my personal opinion and you did ask

Yup, and thanks for it.

Originally Posted by MarkJ

The most important point is you and I are both lucky enough to be living this wonderful life!

Boy, do you have that right! We are blessed every day.

L8R

Skip, sigless this time as it's above :{))

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Point of fact: NO former CF Administrator has EVER
been booted for ANY cause.

I think it would be courteous of you to correct your log's line return
format, after posting.

Hi, Gord,

My apologies. It must have been a different forum where someone named Sean
(last name omitted in case my memory fails me) was removed as an admin after
a very large kerfuffle surrounding the circumstances of our wreck and
various kind folks responded to it, about 3 years ago.

Hm. Second thoughts - perhaps a moderator?? Perhaps I misspoke.

As to the line return format, are you referring to line length? I'll try it
here (taking this text, reformatting with line returns) to see if it's what
you mean...

Meanwhile, we're off, now, so may not have connectivity for a while...

L8R

Skip


Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
See our galleries at Web-Folio -- Your Portfolio on the Web !
Follow us at TheFlyingPigLog : Morgan 461 Hull #2, Flying Pig
and/or Flying Pig Log | Google Groups

"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to
make it come true. You may have to work for it however."
(and)
"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in
its hand. You seek problems because you need their gifts."

(Richard Bach, in Illusions - The Reluctant Messiah)

[sabray]

Sometimes I have time to read it all sometimes I don't. When I see a post from you I check it. Your cruising it's your story and syle. No problem writing is a great way to process and if putting itinto a forum works for you so be it. I like knowing where and what your up to even if I don't read every word.

[susan kennedy]

I enjoy your posts, please continue!

[FSMike]

Skip -
In general -

All sorts of folks post all kinds of blogs. Very few of them post them on this forum. Food for thought.

As far as me personally, the only thing that pisses me off is that you're at Staniel and
I'm not. Have a Kalik for me.