Dear Moderators

[baangus]

Dear Moderators,


If the site had a PM system I would have used it; this appears to be my only option to communicate with you.


I would like to request that you please look at ways to enhance and improve the general forum, starting with consolidating the many single-topic threads in the forum. In most other discussion forums, members are requested to refrain from posting multiple single-topic threads. Rather, the forum set-up provides a blog or lounge area for such members, one where they can create their own ongoing blog thread. That provides them with a way to add single-topic posts to their blog, whenever they wish to post a new idea or thought.


There are several reasons for this, mostly having to do with encouraging community dialogue and discussion. When I come to this forum, I notice there is no discussion going on. So I have no incentive to stay and talk. For me, it's a question of forum purpose and member responsibility. I’m interested in having an exchange of ideas, where people talk and share and bounce ideas around, and even open themselves up to differing points of view. I’m not interested in reading one spiritual-belief lecture after another. I don't join forums to preach my beliefs and talk at people, and I expect others to maintain the same forum etiquette and respect.

The forums on the internet that are active and alive are set up and moderated so as to promote community interaction. The general forum is typically the place where people happily congregate to just chat. Forums even have policies in place that specifically prohibit preaching and lecturing. There are other sub-forums where people are allowed to do that, yes, but not in the general forum. The general forum is the place for general discussion, rather than lecturing. Open dialogue is the specific intention, and the forum is moderated in a way that promotes that ideal. It’s also something forum members are responsible for. They understand the forum ideals and rules, and know they are expected to honor those rules if they wish to participate and post in the general forum. It is set up that way to both discourage anti-social orating, and to encourage and promote social interaction and conversation.


Most of the threads that are started in the general forum here, however, are not created for the purpose of conversation and social interaction. There is nothing inherently wrong with that of course; rather, the question I ask has to do with where in the forum such threads are better suited. I will suggest that most people who frequent discussion boards are not interested in that lecturing-style of forum exchange. My guess is they come here to the general forum, see the non-discussion that’s going on and, because of that, leave and go somewhere else.


Once again, something that I believe could improve things – that would change the intent and direction and energy of the general forum, and make it conversation-oriented – would be to create a blog area where posters who come here to blog rather than converse, could start and maintain their own personal blog threads. That would free up the general forum for open conversations involving real and actual discussion and exchange.


Thanks for listening.

[krsnaraja]

I been to discussion forums from spiritual.forum to dharma forum to indiadivine forum to yogananda.srf forum to yoganandaji.message board to iskcon desire tree forum. They all have something in common . The moderators in these forums either suspend or ban you for posting comments that do not suit their tastes. The God Light is different. Moderators here want you to be yourself, assist you discover your worth and hidden potential. Debate here does not exist. Members of The God Light respect each other`s point of view. & I get something from them, too. It makes me feel I`m finally at home. So, what`s the thread starter entitled " Dear Moderators " for anyway? The purpose for my existence here is to give life & light to others. Is that bad?

[baangus]

May 10, 2016 15:08:15 GMT krsnaraja said:

Debate here does not exist.
Members of The God Light respect each other`s point of view.
So, what`s the thread starter entitled " Dear Moderators " for anyway? 

I posted this for the moderators because I had no way of contacting them otherwise.

That said, you state that debate doesn't exist here, and that all views are respected.
But then you debate me, and question why I would post my view, as if my view isn't worthy of being posted. 

So which is it?

[krsnaraja]

This is the 1st debate, I guess. 

Starter thread such as " Dear Moderators " should have been posted elsewhere say, " Notice Section. " 

I take back my word. Views are not respected here. 

[baangus]

May 10, 2016 15:57:11 GMT krsnaraja said:

I take back my word. Views are not respected here. 

Because you questioned my posting my view? Is that why you add that?

Or was that a passive-aggressive shot at my simple logic response to you? And remember, I'm not the one claiming to "give life & light to others." I'm just an ordinary schmo who likes to discuss these topics. I question what people pass off as truth, sure. But what I don't do, is I don't claim to be all about sharing light, and then take potshots at people because they happened to disagree with me. 

I can see why you would enjoy a forum where your beliefs aren't challenged in any way. You're not exactly open to differing ideas and exploration-dialogue are you?

[krsnaraja]

Are you an atheist? 

[sparklekaz]

Hi Baangus,

Thank you for your comments. I would like to respond to the following.

You say "I would like to request that you please look at ways to enhance and improve the general forum, starting with consolidating the many single-topic threads in the forum. In most other discussion forums, members are requested to refrain from posting multiple single-topic threads".

As you know already, the forum is broken down into general, and then specific topic sub-boards. Most people will post their threads in the appropriate place. However, sometimes they do have to be moved as they have not. This is not a problem, and is usually done by a moderator. You say that in other discussion forums, members are requested to refrain from posting multiple topic single threads. Are you saying that we should restrict people to one topic per board? I do think people can be encouraged to improve the standard of their writing, as well as giving helpful advice as to how to make their posts more interactive. Most receive this advice with the spirit in which it is intended, to maximize the chances of a response. However, others will take it as a personal criticism and stop posting altogether. Which is counter-productive. To tread a fine line between encouraging and undermining someone's confidence is difficult.

I also think it is important to recognize the fact, that not all here speak English as a first language; their writing and grammar will reflect this. We do take that into consideration, but feel that the important thing is the content, it's motivation, and the spirit of which it is written, that is most important; rather than the standard at which it is written. For many, writing down their thoughts, opinions and idea's can be a new experience and some do not understand the etiquette of forum posting and as such are on a big learning curve. On the whole I think these individuals do brilliantly well. Much better than I would do, writing in a foreign language.

You said "Rather, the forum set-up provides a blog or lounge area for such members, one where they can create their own ongoing blog thread. That provides them with a way to add single-topic posts to their blog, whenever they wish to post a new idea or thought." We did have a link on the home page to a blog, with the hope of encouraging members to use it. Sadly no one did. We left it on for two years, before removing it. We also have a chat room, with links to it shown clearly on all pages of this forum. This is somewhere people can discuss and interact with immediate feedback. Those who wish to use it do. But we have noticed that there are few who use both, the chat room and forum. The chat room is open for approximately 7 hours daily.

You say "When I come to this forum, I notice there is no discussion going on. So I have no incentive to stay and talk. For me, it's a question of forum purpose and member responsibility. I’m interested in having an exchange of ideas, where people talk and share and bounce ideas around, and even open themselves up to differing points of view. I’m not interested in reading one spiritual-belief lecture after another. I don't join forums to preach my beliefs and talk at people, and I expect others to maintain the same forum etiquette and respect."

I agree that most people do not enjoy 'one spiritual/belief lectures'. And have attempted to explain this to members who have a tendency to do it. Pointing out that they give little if any room for a response or interaction. We cannot force people to change the way they write. But we do not believe that it would be right to stop them from doing it. Those who are interested will read it, and those who are not will, after a cursory glance ignore it and move on to something else. Most get fed up with the lack of interaction and give up. Some do not, and I have to admit a certain respect for their tenacity. I have to ask you though, why not start some threads yourself, rather than restricting yourself to just answering others? I try to lead by example, and have started many myself. I try to make them as interactive as I can, but don't always do that well either!

This forum has been active now for over ten years, and it has seen periods of intense activity. I think that is the nature of forums, and of course it also depends on the members taking an active part. Many are content to let others take the lead. We get a regular influx of new members, but many of them don't start posting. If they don't see a topic that they are interested in, then I wish they would start one. We have many boards to choose from, as we have tried to include something, for everyone.

I do appreciate your comments Baangus, many of them are valid ones. I would like to see you posting more, hopefully it would encourage others to do the same. As I said in my earlier comments, all we can do sometimes is lead by example.

Love and light
Kaz

[Leon]

Kaz has summed up most things well, please note over ten years we have tried most things to get more interaction from members. A lot does depend on the members we have at a given time. I could write ten posts a day, but that would only have a short term effect on the activity of the forum. We have tried things like this before and as soon as the main posters slow down, no one else takes over. I spent days building a blog for everyone to use and only a handful of people ever used it. You can change things for the sake of change as much as you like, but when little changes, it ends up being a waste of time. The only thing that makes a difference is a higher volume of regular posters who write on interesting subjects. Thank you for your ideas baangus, but for now we will be making no changes.

[cyberangel]

Hi all

Just to add my tuppence to the mix if that's ok? I also agree with Baangus and thought he expressed himself very well and politely. I also understand what Karen and Leon have said and also agree (to a point) Yes we all could get more involved its true but sometimes we all need a little guidance or at least feel its gonna be worth the time and effort to at least get a reply.

I used to check daily and several times a day only to see the same postings. And so after awhile (several months of the same person/s constanly posting) I would just check in once a day then every other day to once a week to occasionally every couple of weeks...until I actually forgot to check at all. Even tonight I only happened to see this post because I only thought about the God Light after I had finished everything else and I suddenly remembered the forum.

I dont want to come across as rude or in compassionate either as of course I want to see others explore and be just as active as any other member here, but sometimes there just is no opening to become involved or to share in their beliefs. I would end up asking the meaning of words rather than learning anything. I am sure in fact I am positive I have posted threads that have been or little to no interest to others, that doesn't deter me from posting and nor should it anyone, but I would not dream of taking over a forum or use it as a pulpit to inflict my beliefs or opinions only. Discussion is always a good thing as all parties learn something.

I think sometimes its good to change a subject or at least leave more of a chance for others to have a say or at least share an opinion. I have actually missed other members posts because the forum is all but taken over by the same 'themed' posts. Anyway rightly or wrongly in your view I have shared how I have felt. Again I dont want to discourage anyone from posting that is not what I am saying just maybe sometimes its good to take a step back and maybe also get involved with other members posts too. Maybe each of us could find a common ground to explore together? Wouldn't that be an experience and a lesson to learn together?

Peace all

[krsnaraja]

I am trying to make this forum have the semblance of life. If others do not post their thoughts & just go away after reading the posts being started because they are beliefs or lectures & not something which be can interestingly interacted on. Since you know it all. What is there to participate when the very purpose why this forum was created is defeated.


The God Light forum is where one put his lamp for all to see. The posts are kaleidoscope of lights coming from the One Light God. If posts are simply ignored, how does the poster feel? I am always vigilant at whatever posts that appear in this forum. I react to these posts accordingly. Nice or ugly. 


It`s about time those standing-by also try to animate this forum regularly. Show your Light whatever that is. Be of service to this forum by posting. Otherwise The God Light becomes a ghost town. Its only now I know there exists a cyberangel. A Leon moderator. Why come out when you were there all the time?

[cyberangel]

Krsnaraja

Thank you for taking the time to reply and I am sincerely happy you feel so at home here, as it should be the case for ALL members.

I have been a member here in The God Light for just over 4 years and if you would like to take some time out from posting and would like to read any one of my 728 posts you would know more about cyberangel :-)

And again if you look and read the forum you would see that Leon is the actual creator of this forum and chat room. It's ok that you did not know who we were or the many other members belonging to the God Light, but please feel free to a quaint yourself either by direct interaction (via a common ground/topic) or through any of our posts or threads.

I will also do a courtesy of picking one of your threads and read it, maybe I will be able to see more than at first. Thank you for your kind invitation to post on the forum and I most certainly will when I feel a desire or so inspired to do so. Until then I wish you well and welcone you to The God Light :-)

Peace to you

[sparklekaz]

Hi krsnaraja,

You said "The God Light forum is where one put his lamp for all to see. The posts are kaleidoscope of lights coming from the One Light God." I like this very much. It is beautiful.

Please do not be put off from sharing your thoughts and feelings. There will always be someone who it will resonate with and who will respond. And yes, we must all think of how we'd feel if no one responded to our words and so be mindful of the feelings of others, and put something on, even if it is only to thank them for sharing with us.

All we ask is that people remember that if they are speaking about their own beliefs, that others may have no understanding of it themselves. So try to keep it as simple and as clear as you can. A little background information, some explanation of why you are writing about your subject, and what kind of response from other people you are hoping for. This will make it easier, even those people to whom the subject is completely new, to think of a question for you, or something to say about it that will make sense.

It is also important to remember I think, that even if someone responds in a way that we do not like, or disagree with us, as long as it is done in a polite way, they are entitled to their opinion and beliefs, just as we are. If we want others to treat us with respect, we must also treat them with respect. That is a very important part of belonging to a forum, which is open to all beliefs. Without respect and tolerance, this forum would not work as well as it does.

Love and light
Kaz

[sparklekaz]

Hi Lorraine,

It is so good to see you posting again, even if the topic is not strictly speaking a spiritual one. I have missed your posts and always enjoy our discussions. I understand yours and Baangus's frustration. But would really love to see you both posting again. This would open up the forum, and bring the variety we are lacking at the moment. We all bounce off each other. Often one subject opening up and leading to others.

Without a bigger circle of regular posters this type of one dimensional posting will continue to happen. Having said that I do not wish to diminish the efforts, those people who have been posting have put in. All posts have merit and their place.

I hope you and your family are keeping well.

Love and light
Kaz

[donq]

Hi Krsnaraja,

Though it's not long enough for us to really know each other but I hope you will understand my good will on this post.

1. Though over the past 4 years, I already posted more than 800 posts here, I always tried to avoid posting on many sub-forums at the same time. The point was it would make the forum looked bad on the whole. I meant, it is the God light Forum, not the DonQ forum, right? lol Besides, I had to respect other members, too. The forum is like a room, if I use too much of its space, it means there will be less space left for other members, right?

2. I would not and could not fool myself that every readers liked my posts. Sure, as for some of my posts, there were more than 600 clicks (or at least a few hundred readers) but some of my posts were read less than 15 clicks. hahaha I believe that, we, as posters/writers should consider this as our warnings. More than that, if we posted something and no one replied, we also should consider ourselves and try to post less, or even stop posting for a while, should we not? Though there was a time when no one posted anything at all, and I had to try to post something everyday so that our forum still went on (had some activity) but I still limited myself to post on only one or two sub-forums a day. Or even continued to post on my old thread instead instead of starting a new one. Again, respect the space and other members.

3. Though I didn't feel comfortable about what Baangus wrote here, but at least, he (I used to think that Baangus was she :-) did it politely and already explained why and even offered some solutions, not just complaining. And it's true that it's hard to communicate with our moderators here via personal message. I used to try it a few times without success. The point that we should consider is about preventing anyone (including our moderators) from posting too much. The forum will also look bad if the readers find that our moderators post here and there, everywhere. But it's not the case if anyone replies to so many sub-forums at the same. That's good. Everyone has that right. And it will help our forum going on.

I love this forum and that was why I decide to say something here. (Or because all of forums I used to be their members already hated me and I already have this one left. lol) Yes, your posts have helped this forum going one, more or less, because recently it had less and less activity. But I hope you would consider what I've sincerely said here and while continue posting.

[krsnaraja]

This will be my last post. Thank you so much for accommodating me here. I knew I wont be staying for long as I already sent a message regarding this matter of not being able to stay permanently. Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare. Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Are my parting words.

[cyberangel]

Hi Krsnaraja

I am sorry that you are leaving the forum and I hope you will return when you feel able to. I was hoping that we could have learned and shared our experiences and grown together. Maybe this is not the time, maybe it is for another time. I hope you are not hurt or offended by what I or others have shared here. You are very much a part of our online family and have contributed considerably, so I can understand if you feel you need a break as it can be tiring posting constantly, but I do believe your intentions are good at heart. You were quite correct in saying about myself or others not posting, and re reading back over your post, I agree. I suppose we came out of the blue and you probably felt we were jumping on your back, when all we really needed to do was to start posting again. Sometimes that is difficult, as when you have been away or idle for so long its hard to know where to start again. It's like a lack of practice, I suppose. Anyway, I didn't want you to feel you had to leave or were forced to leave, as ALL are welcome respectfully. I do apologise if I came across harsh or rude as that was not my intention, but I stand by what I said. Monty, said it most eloquently and sincere. Anyway, I wish you well and peace, and I hope you will return again.

Love and Light


Hi Karen,

Thank you for your very kind and lovely words. I look forward to posting and updating on what I have been up to. I and the family are all well thank you as I hope you and yours are also. Chat to you soon my friend.

Love and Light

[baangus]

I should have posted this in the notice section I see now, sorry. Thanks to everyone who took this in the way it was intended. Like all things in life, I toss the linguine against the wall, and if it doesn't stick, oh well! That's a Odd Couple reference BTW. And I do wish to apologize for my subsequent remarks, I should have said nothing. Bad habit of mine.

[donq]

Lorriane did that and Baangus just did that. So here's I am.

I sincerely apologize if what I said, more or less, made you decide to leave this forum. I hope you will come back some day. Please believe me when I say, this forum is unique. I have tried more than dozen spiritual forums and none was like this forum. And it was not about a forum but friends. All regular posters here are genuine friends. Yes, sometimes I got mad at Baangus or someone else here but I"m still here. Because I love this forum and I love my friends here. And because I never found any forum like this one before. And that was the reason why I'm still hanging around.

Again, as a a spiritual practice, I'd would like to say I'm sorry if I did something wrong. And that's not our spiritual way? Sometimes I was stupid and made some stupid mistakes because I'm still human. At least he only thing left for me to do is saying I'm sorry. And I mean it.
I wish you the best and hope that you might reconsider to come back here again, soon.