Something to think about

[Silvertree]

We've had lots of guests, here's one guys take on the Remodel Crazy site.


"Oh, and I checked-out the new chat group. Not off to a great start with the longest thread being about "why women use more toilet paper than men." Not what I expected from a site that is supposed to promote the industry or make women feel welcome in it."

I feel the thread was pretty harmless.

The question is, would you like to have fun, share knowledge and work to better our public image?

How could we still have the "toilet paper threads" and see the site have experts who contribute good content?

Seriously asking.

[Eieio]

the outhouse section would be the only solution. A place to go to talk about non construction related stuff.

Most of us live and breathe construction but sometimes you want to be around your peers and not talk shop.

[Silvertree]

Rory, lets think that through and get some feedback before we act. OK?
If anyone reads this we are seriously trying to make it all work.

We are open for opinions.

[Eieio]

another thing to consider is that we will not please everyone no matter what we do. But looking for suggestions from the members is a good start

[TulsaRemodeler]

Rory, lets think that through and get some feedback before we act. OK?
If anyone reads this we are seriously trying to make it all work.

We are open for opinions.
Absolutely positively need the outhouse, its asking too much to keep it PC and clean, with an outhouse it would make this place a cut above CT I think . I'm sure youve been on jobsites where theres no cussing, no smoking, no dirty jokes, dress code etc, those jobsites suck a$$.

[WarnerConstInc.]

That thread was pretty harmless.
Maybe thats not the type of person we would even want to help.
I say just monitor that situation and see if you have any more comments like that.

[SLS-Construction]

Rory has made 2 good points, and I will say the direction we go comes from 2 areas, your overall vision and then what those of us contributing add. In between we will probably find a happy medium

Should we have an area to blow off steam, kick the boots off, etc... Probably

Can you expect it to spill over occasionally - probably, but for most a quick email can help squash issues

[RCP]

Funny, I almost sent a pm to Silvertree this morning with the same sentiment.
I had decided to wait to see what direction this forum is headed.
I am not offended by any of those posts, and post in them myself.

But, I feel like I "know" some of you by watching your antics elsewhere for the last two years. I think you are an intelligent, loyal and spirited bunch for the most part. I understand the "comradery" of the forums, having participated in others.
Many members of the two other forums I frequent did not even know I was a woman for a long time. I did not hide it, nor did I flaunt it.

I was intrigued by the thought of a women's forum, I have never sought out other "women" forums because I really didn't want to share with a bunch of women, I want to share with contractor's and professionals.

Now here is a womens forum and it is full of potty talk, maybe all we need is a few threads/stickies on the few issues have, like guys who leave the seat up!

So what am I trying to say? Hmm
Some women in the biz may not understand and be turned off, some (like me) would rather just be one of the boys!

Just my .02

[Ed The Roofer]

Was this comment from a female contractor who was considering signing up?

Sorry, Paul and Rory, but I just can't resist.......

Here Goes.....



Here Missy, I have some toilet paper for you to wipe those tears of disgust away with.....:D



You are going to find an awful lot of people that will find many things objectionable that you would not have given a second thought to yourself.

Not only can you not please everyone, but some people just can not be pleased. (But, that would be a matter she should take up with her husband or boyfriend, or What Ever???)

If, upon such an early stage of start-up, the only thread that caught her attention.....

.....??? The Longest Thread In the Forum ???.....

.....was the one side bar comment about a real world observation that I wanted to discuss in what seemed to be the most likely choice of sub-forum for the topic, then she must not have perused the site with any effective efficiency to attempt to see the general well regard for each other and the fun and jovial atmosphere that seems to be a symptom of the initial group, including the administrators, who have put their stamp on this place.

For a person to pass judgment on any one individual or cast such a wide brush against an entire forum due to one such obviously innocuous topic and commentary shows a lack of depth on the part of the commenting reviewer.

Thats my take on it.

Now, as you guys and gals know from previous encounters with my postings, I typically am construed as one of the more tolerant of posters, in addition to responding back with a delicate touch even to posters who may seem to deserve more of a slap in the face type response, so I am not going to lose any sleep over such a benign and ambiguous interpretation of either myself or the direction that this forum seems to be heading in.

Ed

[Eieio]

Chris

I think the rub is more than just how the women will react but others in the industry.

We all come from different classes in life and some of us are on different levels of business class as well

So the solo pickup truck contractor may get looked down on by the 20 man companies and vice a versa.

The company guy has to uphold a company image because their name travels further and more often than a smaller contractor's would.

They also may have to answer to their peers for off color remarks

There will be Members and Contractors that belong to organizations, groups and business alliances that can't allow themselves to be viewed as anything but 24/7 professional businessmen.

Showing a non professional side of themselves to the public could be detrimental to their image, organizations and to their business's.

[Ed The Roofer]

By the way, I just noticed that it was stated that the observation was made by a guy, not a woman, so excuse my personal tongue lashing that I threw out in the direction of what I thought to be one woman in particular, but if any others felt clumped in as a whole, that acknowledgment goes for you too.

Ed

[Silvertree]

The comment was from a NARI (director or president), not sure which. Maybe neither? But NARI anyway.

I had just called him an arrogant blowhard, (which I wish I had just used arrogant) and not blowhard. But I'm not one to back away from a fight and I don't always act "professionally" when arguing a point.

His point I take it was, professionals don't act like that, meaning the TP thread. Well I know plenty pf NARI directors and they do act like that. I mean, c'mon! They are sexist and judgemental if they think no one is listening.

I wish for us to really have a forum professionals like Chris would be comfortable in, as equals. Chris is a professional and holds her place well in our group, or any other. I don't want a politically correct site, I want an honest site.

So lets talk some more on this, I like the feedback so far and appreciate your honest answers.

Remodel Crazy says "Screw political correctness, lets have honesty instead"

Yes, it was a guy!

[Blue]

What does your mission statement say?

I can't find it on here anymore.

[Ed The Roofer]

Then the guy was just looking for something to find fault with.

Within such a short smattering of time, there is already a generous discourse of very practical and well thought out topics that he could have chosen to hone in on, without disgracing himself to deem a human observation as lower class than he perceives himself to be.

Ed

[Eieio]

The comment was from a NARI (director or president), not sure which. Maybe neither? But NARI anyway.

I had just called him an arrogant blowhard, (which I wish I had just used arrogant) and not blowhard. But I'm not one to back away from a fight and I don't always act "professionally" when arguing a point.

His point I take it was, professionals don't act like that, meaning the TP thread. Well I know plenty pf NARI directors and they do act like that. I mean, c'mon! They are sexist and judgemental if they think no one is listening.

I wish for us to really have a forum professionals like Chris would be comfortable in, as equals. Chris is a professional and holds her place well in our group, or any other. I don't want a politically correct site, I want an honest site.

So lets talk some more on this, I like the feedback so far and appreciate your honest answers.

Remodel Crazy says "Screw political correctness, lets have honesty instead"

Yes, it was a guy!

They may be these things but not in public

[RidgeWalker]

I believe you have to have a vision for what this site is going to be about. State that vision and the boundries for which members may post.

You will NEVER please every one and that is actaully ok. It is better to have members who grab the vision and participate then members who do not.

Find your vision and then hold it high on a banner. Then you will have the members you want, and we won't be having these discussions.

[JasonW]

I really don't think we need another dull forum, but rules for the public section should apply. The great thing about having the TD section is that we can discuss business things without the fear of home owners reading up on it while getting our peers advice, even if it comes wrapped in sarcasm and humor. We all need that IMHO.

[Mike(VA)]

For the life of me I don't know how anyone can come here, or any forum for that matter, and pass judgment with only a modicum of thread perusal. What would anyone expect after only one week anyway? That we would be running at full tilt with all the bells and whistles attached? That every thread would be well reasoned, full of responses by seasoned professionals, and causing all to hold their collectives breaths waiting for the next one?

I wouldn't be surprised, Paul, that maybe there is starting to be a bit of self-contrived animosity by some NARI members. After all, you have stirred up things and I am quite sure ruffled a few feathers. Some organizations do not like upstarts especially those who talk about starting another organization. That, my friend, DOES poach members and revenue as far as they are concerned.

As for our fair weather friend, I can say that the opportunity for serious discourse from him was never meant to be. Maybe he is capable, not apparently willing. Too bad; maybe he could have learned somehting.

[RCP]

I believe you have to have a vision for what this site is going to be about. State that vision and the boundries for which members may post.

You will NEVER please every one and that is actaully ok. It is better to have members who grab the vision and participate then members who do not.

Find your vision and then hold it high on a banner. Then you will have the members you want, and we won't be having these discussions.

I think that is an excellent answer. When I read the thread "Posting on CT about RC" (http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197) here, I looked for something and found the part about how RC came about. I am still curious as to how this will be different.

[Mike(VA)]

Also another reason to highlight the threads in some way so that we all know when we are posting OUTSIDE of TD. Yes, don't say it, the title of the forum in on the right. However, many of us just hit 'new posts' and scan the listings without even looking to the right. Just something to consider.

[Ed The Roofer]

I think that is an excellent answer. When I read the thread Posting on CT about RC, I looked for something and found the part about how RC came about. I am still curious as to how this will be different.

What thread topic was that in?

Ed

[WarriorWithWood]

There's going to have to be an "outhouse" if you wish to go the PC route in certain sections. A mission statement is something else this site is void of, where is the site headed and why? What makes it different then the 6 other "contractor" forums?

Politics and religion have no place on a contractors forum, those subjects are 90% volatile and there are other forums for that subject. IMO, but there is going to be a need for a place to kick off the boots after helping out the 10th DIY guy.

Being Professional in the DIY and Manuf. sections shouldn't be a prob, that's what mods are for....If the post doesn't help, is rude, or even drifting delete it and PM why. People will get the hint and will comply and keep all the fun where it belongs.

my 2 cents.

[Mike(VA)]

Yeah, I am curious also. I did a search there using 'RC', 'remodel crazy', 'new forum', etc and found nothing.

[Mike(VA)]

Paul had started to put one together, I think, here. Didn't get too far. Maybe it needs a bump.

http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29&highlight=mission

[RCP]

I believe you have to have a vision for what this site is going to be about. State that vision and the boundries for which members may post.

You will NEVER please every one and that is actaully ok. It is better to have members who grab the vision and participate then members who do not.

Find your vision and then hold it high on a banner. Then you will have the members you want, and we won't be having these discussions.

What thread topic was that in?

Ed

http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197

[Ed The Roofer]

I found the thread:

http://www.contractortalk.com/f12/blogging-53717/index2/

Here is a trick on how to search for a phrase or word on any one particular site.



Enter This Into Google:

site:www.contractortalk.com "remodel crazy"



Then, this search result gets returned:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1R2GGLL_en&q=site%3Awww.contractortalk.com+%22remodel+crazy%2 2&aq=f&oq=&aqi=



Ed

.

[Ed The Roofer]

What thread topic was that in?

Ed

Yeah, I am curious also. I did a search there using 'RC', 'remodel crazy', 'new forum', etc and found nothing.

http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197


I thought you were referring to a thread ON Contractor Talk mentioning this site.

Thanks anyways though.

Ed

[Silvertree]

I remember saying that now, I had not started yet, just the thought of doing it at the time.
Then Rory and I got to talking and here we are.

Never was out competing with other sites, it was all about trying to be a little different.

We'll see!

[HomerJ]

I think the "outhouse" is the only solution if you want to have an anything goes forum.

Beyond that, the mods will have to monitor the various forums and move/delete threads as needed.

[fez-head]

I agree - an out house is needed to have a truly different forum that is like the real world. My world is not Politicly Correct (not that there's anything wrong with that)

http://www.xghozt.com/site/Gallery/images/Heaven.jpg

[TulsaRemodeler]

I agree - an out house is needed to have a truly different forum that is like the real world.
Listen to the fez

[Ed The Roofer]

Just to play Devil's Advocate for a moment, (Unless I get Caught In The Space And Time Continuum And Remain Stranded), I would like to point out another forum that was a break-away from Contractor Talk, which is The Contractors Pub Forum;
http://www.contractorspub.com/

Go take a peek and see what I mean. Look at the thread counts in the various sections.

They have one specific forum area called, STS, which stands for Shoot The Shit and realistically, about 99% of all of the posts made in that forum wind up in the STS section.

Nothing wrong with that, but it is not what I believe the vision and intention of THIS forum is to be, so there will need to be more concerted efforts, both on the part of the member posters and also the moderation team to steer things in the right direction.

But then, ..... Isn't that what some poster members seemingly are trying to avoid and want to get away from?

I am NOT making ANY type of judgment, but only wanting to point out an example that is 2 1/2 years in progress at this time.

Ed

[TulsaRemodeler]

I would like a forum that is 95% entertainment and 5% information, throw in helping HO's for free.

[Mike(VA)]

The 'policing' of this site has to be done by all of us. First off, its not fair and not right to have a few try and dictate to everyone how they should act. They soon become like some of the mods we have seen in other forums and folks drift off or don't participate.

Its possible for all of us to keep this a decent place and on track towards our stated mission. Nothing says we all have to sit by and watch some jack ass come in here and start to stir things up by ranting on about how stupid someone is just because he doesn't have a license. Our job is to help him see the value of doing things right. He refuses, he's fair game and we don't need people here like that.

We don't want a forum full of mods, but each of us can do our part to see that this builds into the kind of site we all want to see.