This week
By David Lowrence
October 3 2009
In a very strange couple of weeks, I have seen, contributed to, and missed some disturbing threads on the site.
As a director and editor of COYS, my mood has swung between pleasure and pain, calling at elation, pride, annoyance, despair and resignation in between. These boards are strange beasts – many taking them far too seriously (and I include myself here!), some feeling that as it is the internet – anything goes, others finding solace/shared joy in a community of like minded individuals.
This week has been something of a wake up call. As editors and moderators, we should heed that, and I hold my hand up to the fact that it has not been my best week in ensuring an even keel, and that my judgement was somewhat impaired by desperation and a lack of sufficient hours in the day.
Over a number of years this site has established itself as a place where Saints Supporters could find erudition, knowledge, shared values and passion, and opposing supporters could find witty banter and repartee. (It’s the rugby – stupid). We have always been slightly cosy, and have often been criticised for having a “subservient” attitude to the GBG and being, frankly, slightly aloof and supercilious.
We are proud of the fact that we don’t make people register, and don’t vet postings. This makes moderation sometimes difficult, but it is felt that that this is a more open and democratic way of doing things.
“Broadband changes everything” - It is now easier to post than when COYSDC started – larger and more complex signature, pictures and opinions are now posted with ease. “Keyboard Heroes” get their one minute of fame with a 10 second burst of typing – caring not who they offend, without really thinking about what they say. We can’t change that, but we can be more vigilant about upholding the values of the site.
Oh yes – the values of the site. What does that mean exactly? A number of people have posted, bemoaning and deploring the events of this week. All are from appreciated and valued readers, posters and lurkers. However, in order to preserve the values and attitudes, it requires some proactivity on the part of those that would like the site to continue as before. It is no accident that, since a number of contributors slipped into “reply” “post only” and then “lurk” mode, the vacuum has been filled by posters with slightly different views as to the purpose of COYSDC, certainly not invalid, but clearly not majority views. Indeed I have been accosted by a number of posters who clearly believe that, just because they hold a strong view, they can express it how they like, and because this is a message board, they are both free to post, and justified in posting that view and “if you don’t like it – tough excrement” We try to be a broad church, we try to avoid “dumbing down”. We are always among the top three Rugby sites on SportNetwork (for the right reasons!). and I have news for those posters with the a cavalier attitude referred to above. YOU WILL BE MODERATED, and, if you persist - BARRED. I do not care if this sounds “dictatorial”, or you feel hard done by, it is clearly the wish of the majority of our readership.
Now to the “Wake Up Call”. To all those who have bemoaned the direction of the site – use it or lose it. Articles and contributions please!
Let’s move on
David Lowrence
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
And if you ever need any help re lack of mods at any time you know where to find me.
Mostly though I enjoy this site as it gives me a link to other supporters which I would not normally get the opportunity to converse with.
It is not dictatorial to moderate the site just sensible in ensuring that it remains enjoyable for the majority of real rugby followers.
Keep up the good work COYS, great site and long may it continue.
And I promise I'll volunteer for a match report as soon as I can!
I fully support your approach.
Saint til I die
Saint til I die
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Bridesmaids no more.
Bridesmaids no more.
"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.
If more people were prepared to put their real names to their strongest opinions, perhaps they wouldn't. In other words, they hide behind their noms de guerre, for fear of getting found out.
My mum and dad called me Paul Flatt, and I am proud to be known by that name - warts, imperfections and all.
"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.