Posted by Bill Bean on August 10, 2012 at 10:24 AM
Let me start by saying I believe that RMNP is far and away the best group on NPN. The comraderie and willingness to share knowledge and information amongst ourselves and folks from other regions is unmatched by any other forum. I've thought for a long time (3 months) about whether I should share this or just keep my mouth shut but a recent post by a fellow RMNP'er on another region's forum and the seemingly trite responses sort of tipped me over the edge. Bear with me...
Near the end of April while planning a trip outside the RMNP region I posted my proposed itinerary on another regional forum to solicit interest in spending some time shooting with some folks from that region. A couple of days later I received what could be perceived (by someone with a thinner skin than mine) as a scathing e-mail from one of the mods admonishing me for posting in the main forum instead of the "outings" area and saying my post would be moved. Fine...sorry if I offended anyone. My next trip to that forum's page I searched in vain for the "outings" area, finally e-mailing the mod for directions which were given. I located the area, checked on my post, and found that over a period of 10 days there had been exactly zero views. Apparently I wasn't the only one having difficulty finding the "outings" area. Long story short, after nearly a month with 10 views and zero replies I deleted the post. In the end I had a fabulous spring trip, no thanks to any input from members of the other forum which shall remain nameless.
Sour grapes? Probably...but it convinced me of 2 things:
1. RMNP is by far the best forum and group of photographers on NPN and
2. Being the wretched spiteful person that I am, it will be a cold day in H E double hockey sticks before I offer any information to someone from that other forum.
Sorry for the rant and RMNP mods, if this is over the top please feel free to delete.
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 10, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Sour grapes? Not at all! Sounds like a totally legitimate complaint to me. One of the cool things about this forum is how open it is with "outsiders" seeking info. If another forum doesn't uphold a similar standard, and indeed, goes out if its way not to, whether purposeful or not, I think they should be named and shamed.
Posted by Jimmy Gekas on August 10, 2012 at 11:25 AM
As an "outsider" to this region/group, I don't think I would return here if I was treated the way you were. That really stinks. I have many great friends that I met here on this forum, even though I am an outsider, and it would be a shame if this forum was like the one you described.
Posted by Howard Cihak on August 10, 2012 at 12:14 PM
What Todd said. I haven't visited many other regional forums, but the one other that I did visit had surprisingly little postings and traffic. Considering that region is far more populous than the Rocky Mountain region, that's quite surprising to me.
Posted by Bill Bean on August 10, 2012 at 12:47 PM
What I don't want to get lost here and the primary point I'm trying to make is how the RMNP forum stacks up against other regions. I was a little put off that I got no feedback from the members of the other forum but in the end it was of no consequence. I've been taking solo photo trips for a long time now and being on my own in these wonderful locations was no big deal and, in fact, put no limitations on my ability to change my schedule if necessary.
Bottom line: RMNP is the Usain Bolt of NPN forums. Keep up the good work folks.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on August 10, 2012 at 1:59 PM
Bill,
As another "outsider" to RMNP I was sorry to read about your incident with another regional forum. It 's always amazed me that the Guys/Gals of this forum have been so open with information to anyone who asks. I know that's why I keep coming back here even when I haven't any trip planned for a RMNP state. This is truly a great bunch of people here.
Posted by Darren Huski on August 10, 2012 at 2:02 PM
Sorry that happened to your request for help and info. I frequent three of the regional forums and this one is by far the busiest. Luckily I have seen a lot of helpful folks across the board on NPN. Strike it up as an isolated incident.
And any time you need info on Texas or Oklahoma plus a few other states drop me a line.
Posted by Jack Garrett on August 10, 2012 at 3:26 PM
I'm sorry Bill but I'm going to have to move this to the rants tab!!!!
Seriously though, I'm sorry you had that problem. I would do a couple things. Number 1, possibly write to the moderator of that forum and let him/her know how you feel and let them know that other forums are more than happy to provide you with information in the main forum....each region has their own rules plus the rules that are given us by Jim E., the man at the top.
Number 2, you could drop Jim E. a line and let him know how you feel. He has a good ear and maybe he could help us all in situations like this. Personally, I have no problem and I know the other mods in this forum also have no problem with someone posting a topic asking for help or directions to a place or area. There aren't that many requests to begin with so they don't take up a lot of forum space. Good luck my friend!
Posted by Doug Beezley on August 10, 2012 at 3:40 PM
Bill,
I "share your pain" and suspect I know which forum you are referring to. I had an almost identical experience a year ago. I don't live in the RMNP geographical area (I live in GA) but am a Colorado native and have had many an RMNP member offer help, suggestions when I have asked. You're right, RMNP membership (and mods) is tops in participation, helpfulness, and attitude.
Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 10, 2012 at 3:45 PM
Jimmy G., you're not just an outsider, your a...Californian. *shudder*
Rants tab? We have a Rants Tab? FINALLY! I really have a lot to get off my chest! First let's start with the mods.....(Just kidding...you guys know I love ya)
Seriously, though, and it's usually difficult for me to be serious for long periods of time, I'm not interested in naming names or making (fill in the blank) seem like a bunch of bad people because that's simply not the case. I'm straddling the fence right now between chalking it up to an isolate incident while at the same time this other forum has several recent posts on the main page soliciting interest in shooting trips by members while the special sticky bulletin board that was created around June 2 remains void of any posts. As I said earlier, another RMNP member posted there and got lots of information prior to his trip but when he posted a request for further info after the trip the responses were, for the most part, very flippant and deprecating and that sort of flamed me up a bit. As previously stated, my main focus is to point out the supremacy of RMNP. The other forums are not contenders, merely pretenders. We got a good thing rocking here.
Bill – I’m pretty sure I know which forum because 1) I had a similar experience when I recklessly posted multiple pics in a single thread and 2) it’s where I now live.
At the risk of broad-brushing, I’ll say that the PNW (the region, not the forum) is very, very, VERY, fond of rules. It is absolutely a cultural thing. It can be mind-numbingly frustrating because rules here get applied and enforced indiscriminately (at least that’s the perspective of a guy who started on the east coast and progressively moved west). There are many reasons that forum has died, but this is one of the big ones, imo.
That said, while your response is understandable, the majority of folks on that forum would have been happy to help. A couple of problems, though: The main forum has indeed all but died, so responses even there can be hard to come by; and traffic on the other pages… I think there’s more traffic on Mars these days…
All of this is to say that 1) I agree that RMNP is absolutely the best; 2) getting “policed” by the mod was almost certainly cultural, not personal; and 3)most of the folks on that forum are very helpful (when they’re around) and hopefully if anyone there comes here for help, they’ll get a warmer reception than what you experienced.
Posted by Bret Edge on August 10, 2012 at 11:29 PM
RMNP isn't just the most active of the regional forums - it's by far the best. And, that is because of the very reasons already mentioned. It's a great group of folks who are open, respectful and generous to everyone - even "outsiders", which isn't an accurate term since I feel like RMNP'ers know no outsiders. Really sorry you had that issue, Bill.
Posted by Dave Nguyen on August 11, 2012 at 2:23 PM
Being a new member, part of the reason that I decided to join was because what many of you have already mentioned. It truly feels like a community here and everyone is very welcoming. I grew up in California and still go back for trips up to the Sierras with my brother, my only experience is on occasions getting on those forums to try and get info and I think the activity and quality of the discussions are do not compare. That being said, I have found the High Sierra Topix forums to be much more active and generally speaking, my experiences have been very positive with those folks.
Jimmy, you may be familiar with that forum since you're from CA. BTW...I'll be up in Dusy Basin end of this month with my brother.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on August 11, 2012 at 10:58 PM
I had a similar situation happen in another forum that was VERY fond of their rules. I had dozens of views, but only 1 or 2 replies. Needless to say, I was a bit put off by the lack of responses and felt unwelcome as a visitor. I guess I shouldn't be, but I'm surprised at how inactive some of the forums are. I may be an "outsider", but I consider RMNP my home forum and am thankful for the activity, advice, and conversations here!
Posted by Bill Bean on August 11, 2012 at 11:00 PM
Heck, Amy...you been to one of the shindigs. You're family.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on August 11, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Correction Bill- I've been to 3 of the shindigs!! But thanks for the comment.
Discussion
19 repliesNear the end of April while planning a trip outside the RMNP region I posted my proposed itinerary on another regional forum to solicit interest in spending some time shooting with some folks from that region. A couple of days later I received what could be perceived (by someone with a thinner skin than mine) as a scathing e-mail from one of the mods admonishing me for posting in the main forum instead of the "outings" area and saying my post would be moved. Fine...sorry if I offended anyone. My next trip to that forum's page I searched in vain for the "outings" area, finally e-mailing the mod for directions which were given. I located the area, checked on my post, and found that over a period of 10 days there had been exactly zero views. Apparently I wasn't the only one having difficulty finding the "outings" area. Long story short, after nearly a month with 10 views and zero replies I deleted the post. In the end I had a fabulous spring trip, no thanks to any input from members of the other forum which shall remain nameless.
Sour grapes? Probably...but it convinced me of 2 things:
1. RMNP is by far the best forum and group of photographers on NPN and
2. Being the wretched spiteful person that I am, it will be a cold day in H E double hockey sticks before I offer any information to someone from that other forum.
Sorry for the rant and RMNP mods, if this is over the top please feel free to delete.
Bottom line: RMNP is the Usain Bolt of NPN forums. Keep up the good work folks.
As another "outsider" to RMNP I was sorry to read about your incident with another regional forum. It 's always amazed me that the Guys/Gals of this forum have been so open with information to anyone who asks. I know that's why I keep coming back here even when I haven't any trip planned for a RMNP state. This is truly a great bunch of people here.
And any time you need info on Texas or Oklahoma plus a few other states drop me a line.
Seriously though, I'm sorry you had that problem. I would do a couple things. Number 1, possibly write to the moderator of that forum and let him/her know how you feel and let them know that other forums are more than happy to provide you with information in the main forum....each region has their own rules plus the rules that are given us by Jim E., the man at the top.
Number 2, you could drop Jim E. a line and let him know how you feel. He has a good ear and maybe he could help us all in situations like this. Personally, I have no problem and I know the other mods in this forum also have no problem with someone posting a topic asking for help or directions to a place or area. There aren't that many requests to begin with so they don't take up a lot of forum space. Good luck my friend!
I "share your pain" and suspect I know which forum you are referring to. I had an almost identical experience a year ago. I don't live in the RMNP geographical area (I live in GA) but am a Colorado native and have had many an RMNP member offer help, suggestions when I have asked. You're right, RMNP membership (and mods) is tops in participation, helpfulness, and attitude.
Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA
Seriously, though, and it's usually difficult for me to be serious for long periods of time, I'm not interested in naming names or making (fill in the blank) seem like a bunch of bad people because that's simply not the case. I'm straddling the fence right now between chalking it up to an isolate incident while at the same time this other forum has several recent posts on the main page soliciting interest in shooting trips by members while the special sticky bulletin board that was created around June 2 remains void of any posts. As I said earlier, another RMNP member posted there and got lots of information prior to his trip but when he posted a request for further info after the trip the responses were, for the most part, very flippant and deprecating and that sort of flamed me up a bit. As previously stated, my main focus is to point out the supremacy of RMNP. The other forums are not contenders, merely pretenders. We got a good thing rocking here.
At the risk of broad-brushing, I’ll say that the PNW (the region, not the forum) is very, very, VERY, fond of rules. It is absolutely a cultural thing. It can be mind-numbingly frustrating because rules here get applied and enforced indiscriminately (at least that’s the perspective of a guy who started on the east coast and progressively moved west). There are many reasons that forum has died, but this is one of the big ones, imo.
That said, while your response is understandable, the majority of folks on that forum would have been happy to help. A couple of problems, though: The main forum has indeed all but died, so responses even there can be hard to come by; and traffic on the other pages… I think there’s more traffic on Mars these days…
All of this is to say that 1) I agree that RMNP is absolutely the best; 2) getting “policed” by the mod was almost certainly cultural, not personal; and 3)most of the folks on that forum are very helpful (when they’re around) and hopefully if anyone there comes here for help, they’ll get a warmer reception than what you experienced.
Jimmy, you may be familiar with that forum since you're from CA. BTW...I'll be up in Dusy Basin end of this month with my brother.