'senior Memberness' Of The Forum

[Bigman]

Time to get rid of the Ricky Martin then I think! Best go check the "SMs are the only people allowed to change their avatar" thread and see what I'm allowed this time...

Yeh, didn't check what had been taken, give me my Avatar back!!!!

Adam

[isitafox]

Well I've been on here since 8 this morning and there's been SM's on and off all day but barely any posts made.

Your all obviously living it up in your own private chat, I feel so angry and alone in the world without access to it, screw you guys, screw this forum, screw my life!

Now where did I leave that noose.........

[JT!]

I'd imagine the vast majority of members don't really care. If you look back at every thread about this sort of thing, it's usually just you complaining about it, which is why your 'disclaimer' is even more of a joke in that you clearly do care about it, hence you always make these sorts of posts.

The only thing I care about is how I think it effects the forum, if people don't see it the way I see it then fair enough and I'll put it down to me over thinking things. But like you said I'm not going to change my mind unless someone can clearly show me how the SM's are making this forum a better place. I know a couple of things have been pointed out, but I feel it doesn't justify having a broken system in place for it. I absolutely have no problems with any of the SMs themselves, it's not a personal thing, it's more of a 'don't hate the players, hate the game' kind of thing. I honestly personally have no problem with inside jokes and all the other stuff I mentioned but I do have a problem with how I think it effects the forum. That's all.

To be fair I do keep my opinion within related topics, you've gotta give me some kudos for that.

[MadManMike]

It doesn't affect the forum though, it just affects you (For some strange reason).

Yes it sucks that we can't see the SM forum, but does it really destroy your life thinking that people get to see a sub-forum that you don't?

I'm not trying to pick on you, but you're the only person that ever kicks off about it and I find it a little weird...

[Krisboats]

I'm not going to change my mind unless someone can clearly show me how the SM's are making this forum a better place.

They're a symbol of dedication and respect in that the senior members have all been long standing and helpful members of the community. It gives other members something to aspire to, in that with the right mindset and persona they can reach the same status one day and have access to behind the scenes on the forum as well as a couple of other little perks.

It's also good to have a small group of people as beta testers for different aspects of the forum. There isn't really enough moderators to get massively varied feedback but at the same time, no more moderators are really needed for moderating duties around the forum. A senior member group is good to have in order to discuss extra things without every keyboard happy imbecile posting either a load of crap or their own immature opinion. Some of the things to be discussed simply won't affect the rest of the forum or the change is something they won't notice, so their opinion is irrelevant anyway.

In essence i think what i'm trying to say is it's nice to have a small group of people that are trusted and that can give honest and valid opinions to matters that us moderators and the admin are unsure on a certain decision and would like a select amount of usable input.

[quick_spider]

It doesn't affect the forum though, it just affects you (For some strange reason).

Yes it sucks that we can't see the SM forum, but does it really destroy your life thinking that people get to see a sub-forum that you don't?

I'm not trying to pick on you, but you're the only person that ever kicks off about it and I find it a little weird...

Sounds about right to me. It's only an issue if you make it an issue.

My opinion is there are people who should be made seniors who have been nominated several times so it's pretty slow moving at the moment (Tom & Danny are very busy so I can understand it)

Does it bother anyone that there's a subforum within SM chat just for Admin/Mods?

[yoyoyo]

I thought everyone stopped wanting to be sm's once they took away the pink name...

[isitafox]

To be honest I wanted and still would like to be a senior member. When I read the thing about how people sometimes get voted in for it for the quality of their posts, help they give and general attitude I did actually hope that people would notice my posts and have tried up until this day to remain what I think is a good quality member worthy of the position. And if having something to do with comps and helping out with things is part of that then I'm really hoping I get this Trial Mag thing sorted as I believe this would also help my bid to be a SM.

I know I'll probably get some abuse for openly admitting this but to be honest it's the truth. The main problem I have is I don't really know anyone properly on here, but I plan to change that very soon as I'm gonna start getting to some group rides and comps. Hopefully get to Shipley to watch next week and then going to try for a full season next year and really push myself so if you get someone random bloke speaking to you next week, it'll probably be me!

Edited October 11, 2010 by isitafox

[Odd Socks]

I didn't even know there was a Senior members forum

I don't know what happens there, and don't really care, I enjoy the trials forum as appearers to me.

I know that out there in the real world there are lots of people talking and having parties that I will never be invited to but so what. Get your own friends have a conversation and have your own party, I promise I wont insist on being invited.

[Krisboats]

To be honest I wanted and still would like to be a senior member. When I read the thing about how people sometimes get voted in for it for the quality of their posts, help they give and general attitude I did actually hope that people would notice my posts and have tried up until this day to remain what I think is a good quality member worthy of the position. And if having something to do with comps and helping out with things is part of that then I'm really hoping I get this Trial Mag thing sorted as I believe this would also help my bid to be a SM.

I know I'll probably get some abuse for openly admitting this but to be honest it's the truth. The main problem I have is I don't really know anyone properly on here, but I plan to change that very soon as I'm gonna start getting to some group rides and comps. Hopefully get to Shipley to watch next week and then going to try for a full season next year and really push myself so if you get someone random bloke speaking to you next week, it'll probably be me!

To be honest, i see that as a prime example for keeping the senior member idea. You're actively being a positive and helpful member of the community and you've got something positive to work towards. As a knock on effect this'll get you out to more comps and rides which is a great thing. If you see me at any of them be sure to say hi!

[Ben Swales]

But things like Tarty SM discount is something that exclusively came out of SM chat. I'm not taking about inside jokes between friends.

Given that it's been mentioned that all of the SMs know each other and are friends, yes you are.

SM party.

Sounds interesting!

...I'm really hoping I get this Trial Mag thing sorted...

How's that going by the way?

I'm gonna start getting to some group rides and comps. Hopefully get to Shipley to watch next week and then going to try for a full season next year and really push myself so if you get someone random bloke speaking to you next week, it'll probably be me!

Cool - you're not far from Sheff are you? Saw in the Rides section that you're coming over on Saturday - see you then We go out one or two evenings in the week as well if you can make it over after work?

I'll keep an eye out for you at Shipley as well - why not enter Intermediate/Novice if you're going up anyway? You'd be more than welcome to come round with me and I'll "show you the ropes" if you like?

Mike’s original post

I think it's certainly important for more people to get involved in the promotion of the sport and that if these people communicate with each other and work together it would make things a lot easier. However, while the forum is obviously a great tool for this - organising rides, posting up info on comps/events, etc. - I'm not sure that the SM section of the forum would be the best place for those people to 'get together'; as has been said, it's main purpose is for the administration of the forum, not of the sport, and the two things are certainly separate.

I agree with you about the disparity in riders' opinions of comps - I'm forever hearing people saying that they're too easy, but then (very often the same riders) complain when sections are long or difficult. With more constructive input competitions could be made to suit the level of riding of as many people as possible, which is obviously the aim anyway.

[isitafox]

How's that going by the way?

Cool - you're not far from Sheff are you? Saw in the Rides section that you're coming over on Saturday - see you then We go out one or two evenings in the week as well if you can make it over after work?

I'll keep an eye out for you at Shipley as well - why not enter Intermediate/Novice if you're going up anyway? You'd be more than welcome to come round with me and I'll "show you the ropes" if you like?

Sent john another email to remind him yesterday as never heard back but I know he's had a lot on, having to go down south to cover the release of a new Bultaco I think it was, but I'm staying positive.

Sadly won't be able to make this Saturday now for a number of reasons but I'll definately be over the week after. Still 50/50 about entering Sunday as I start nights at 18.45 Sunday evening so not sure if I'll be back in time to get sorted or not, will bear it in mind though and may chance the Intermediate as thats what I used to ride years ago. Just don't know what to expect though if I do enter as it's been a good 10 years since I last competed!

[Greetings]

Post

I'm not going to say get a life because you obviously have one but why do you care so much? It's just a forum dedicated to a sport you no longer ride (?). You've got a wife, you've moved to the US, you've got a home - surely that's something to care about, not a pink user name

Edited October 11, 2010 by Greetings

[Matt Burrows]

Its easy Mike, you have to be obsessed with writing 4 paragraph replies, never have a strong opinion on anything that may slightly offend anyone.

Be way too serious/enthusiastic about what is essentialy a bit of a laugh.

Never say anything that might make you look bad and generaly be realy " positive " about stuff even when you dont want to be.

Oh, also you have to be nothing like you are in real life and be really worried about what people may think about you.

Was that supposed to be a description of SMs? As Joes post above yours shows, I'm pretty sure most of us don't care.

To me that could be a description of Jack Meek or Mike. Both trying a bit too hard, expecting too much back and just coming across as very fake overall.

The people who have really done a lot for the sport, have just done it quietly and never made a big shout about it. If riders have wanted it then great, but they have never felt the need to try and force it on people. Thats probably because they had their own personal reasons for doing it and concentrated on that. They weren't deluded into thinking they were these great trials ambassadors who were making the sport so much better for everyone. But ironically people like that have probably had the biggest effect (eg. the 2 Martins, Ad Read and Dave Cleaver, Barbara and Tyketrial). It also makes me think of YMSA and Dave Butler, who was always making a big noise about how great their comps were but struggled to get many to attend.

Thats how I see it all anyway, be interesting if anyone thinks the same.

[Mark W]

The people who have really done a lot for the sport, have just done it quietly and never made a big shout about it.

I'd definitely agree with that, but that's primarily because actions speak louder than words. The reason I don't really think that a SM section of the forum that'd be full of organising types would work is that people who are actually out there doing things aren't doing it on here because it doesn't achieve much. When Matt Barlow and Ads were setting up Tarty Days, that wasn't done on here because you can't make things like that happen just chatting on a forum. When demo teams are organising demos, it's not done on here for the same reason. When comps are being organised or sorted, it's not done on here (and several clubs have meetings 'offline' to talk about things) for very similar reasons.

The people who are really doing things for trials are just out there doing it, rather than telling people they're going to be out there doing it. It's the same as the whole 'respect' thing - you earn it, you don't tell people you should have it.

[JD™]

JTs views, and the passionate stubborn-ness of those views, on this subject never fail to make me smile.

I don't know, and don't really care, whether SMs add much to the forum. I've mentioned before that I wouldn't mind the title - I'm less sure whether that's the truth now. I know for sure I'd love to mod the NMC and Chit Chat sections, but am fully aware that'll never happen because of the whole respect thing Mark just said.

My over-riding thought on all this, though, is that it doesn't matter who's SM/Mod/Regular/NM as long as the community works. On the whole, this one does.

[mr_malcolm]

Senior members once touched me inappropriately, they told me this was one of their perks.

I still haunts me to this very day.

[monkeyseemonkeydo]

What you did there. I see it.

[Matt Burrows]

The reason I don't really think that a SM section of the forum that'd be full of organising types would work is that people who are actually out there doing things aren't doing it on here because it doesn't achieve much. When Matt Barlow and Ads were setting up Tarty Days, that wasn't done on here because you can't make things like that happen just chatting on a forum. When demo teams are organising demos, it's not done on here for the same reason. When comps are being organised or sorted, it's not done on here (and several clubs have meetings 'offline' to talk about things) for very similar reasons.

The people who are really doing things for trials are just out there doing it, rather than telling people they're going to be out there doing it. It's the same as the whole 'respect' thing - you earn it, you don't tell people you should have it.

Yeah thats what I was trying to get at, just you said it better.

My over-riding thought on all this, though, is that it doesn't matter who's SM/Mod/Regular/NM as long as the community works. On the whole, this one does.

Agreed

[Simpson]

I don't think how good you are at riding effects your influence on trials to some degree.

For me the great riders are the ones that organise good rides and are fun to be around - in the way that I think too many big riders are far too exclusive with their riding and generally only ride with the "in" people not offering everyone a chance to go and meet them, see them ride and be influenced by them. Like the way people would have "secret" riding locations and the like - I always thought was just utter bullshit, if I find anywhere good to ride then I'm going to let everyone know and try to get people there!

[JT!]

It's just a forum dedicated to a sport you no longer ride (?).

I still ride!

This forum is the UK trials scene. I care how it is ran.

[Mark W]

Sweet tense.

[Skoze]

Was that supposed to be a description of SMs? As Joes post above yours shows, I'm pretty sure most of us don't care.

To me that could be a description of Jack Meek or Mike. Both trying a bit too hard, expecting too much back and just coming across as very fake overall.

The people who have really done a lot for the sport, have just done it quietly and never made a big shout about it. If riders have wanted it then great, but they have never felt the need to try and force it on people. Thats probably because they had their own personal reasons for doing it and concentrated on that. They weren't deluded into thinking they were these great trials ambassadors who were making the sport so much better for everyone. But ironically people like that have probably had the biggest effect (eg. the 2 Martins, Ad Read and Dave Cleaver, Barbara and Tyketrial). It also makes me think of YMSA and Dave Butler, who was always making a big noise about how great their comps were but struggled to get many to attend.

Thats how I see it all anyway, be interesting if anyone thinks the same.

This has summed up my take on things, you've pout my thoughts into words far better than i could have (and i doubt you'll take as much flak )

I don't see why people get so worked up about the sm thing (well no offense JT! but i can guess why you do...) i've never once felt that them having a pink name makes 'em any better than me, although i do feel that one of the two mentioned above feels they are and as such i have very little respect for him. The other just falls asleep in lifts. A fair few SM's are now good friends of mine, however, and not one has had that air about them as almost everyone who is an sm is a pretty cool person in general. Never once have i cared about a subforum for people who are helpful on here and have been on here for a pretty long time contributing to what is a very good forum. I'll side with isitafox too, i'd like to be a senior at some point but there's a list as long as my arm of people i'd put before me and quite frankly i don't care one way or another.

Yours, risen to the bait and getting highlights of sm chat via msn, Essex.

[OD404]

getting highlights of sm chat via msn

Wish someone would send me highlights

[Sam Nichols]

Why do people so much?

I come on the forum and I watch the latest web vids, I check on the rides/locations to see if there's anything near me that I can tag along on. I check BOTI to see if there are any funny vids floating around. I check the news to see if there is anything interesting coming out soon. I drop a post if I have anything useful to contribute or if I have any kind of interest in the subject being discussed, although more often than not I just post whatever I'm thinking, whether anyone cares or not. Then I usually drift off onto porn or Iplayer or porn.

I can't see how being an SM would improve mine or anyone elses enjoyment of this forum or how not being an SM detracts from the usefulness of it.

I ride bikes. That's why I'm here.