What should we do?

[wyodeb]

I would really hate to see this forum go down, but we seem to be victims of spamming, trolling, and whatnot. No moderator, and no way to delete posts. Does anyone have any ideas? This has been my favorite place on the web for several years now.

Deb :<>

Here is the website of the forum software http://www.simplemachines.org/ Maybe they could help us?

[unclrob]

I've PMed him with no responce,yet.Fingers are cross and so are the toe's.At this point all we can do is ignore them.So everyone thats not in control get control and this to will pass.

[wyodeb]

I emailed Little Brother, and found out that they (the apm forum) have an almost fulltime job defending against automated spam. Seems that we have been lucky up to this point, but they've found us. I'm going to research the forum software, and see if there is anything that can be done. He recommends that we never have only one moderator at a time.

Deb

[wyodeb]

Here's the answer I got from Simple Machines:
***********
Hello,

I'm sorry you're having problems.  There really is nothing you can do
without an Admin or full FTP access to the forum.

If someone on your board has that access, you could post to our Support Forum
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php
and one of our Support Specialists will help you get things straightened out.

Amacythe
Project Manager
info@simplemachines.org
***********
Doesn't sound too promising.

Deb :<>

[wyodeb]

I don't mean to be alarmist. Really! The folks over at Simple Machines suggest that we might want to set up a new forum, with moderators in place, and post a link here so we can be found. We can see how it goes for a little longer, but if this place becomes a new garbage dump, I don't want to lose this forum community!

Deb

[stuco]

 

Personally, I have never seen a forum so nice as this one.  I know some think I am one of the "bad people"  but believe me I am interested in conserving the integrity of this kind tight nit forum.  I think that the best way is for a collective choice to ignore "in your face" animosity and simply to go on with your normal posts.  I will personally make an effort to not add unnecessary "negative" pointless topics.  I'm sorry if I've contributed to any negativity on this forum.

[wyodeb]

Personally, I have never seen a forum so nice as this one.  I know some think I am one of the "bad people"  but believe me I am interested in conserving the integrity of this kind tight nit forum.  I think that the best way is for a collective choice to ignore "in your face" animosity and simply to go on with your normal posts.  I will personally make an effort to not add unnecessary "negative" pointless topics.  I'm sorry if I've contributed to any negativity on this forum.

It's not the negativity I'm worried about. I talked with Little Brother (a member here, and one of the founders and moderators of Acoustic Player Magazine and APM forum) about the spambots, and if we're being spammed, that can only get worse. Negative posts can be ignored. I just don't want to have to wade through ads for viagra, porn sites, and the like just to find legit posts. Without the ability to delete, and to block spammers, this site can go downhill quickly.

Deb

[poki]

if we can eventually get a response from zac, maybe he would be willing to give FTP access to other forum members to monitor and house clean the forum in his absence.  FTP stuff is all "greek" to me so i have no idea what's possible or not.

[LittleBrother]

If yall do need anymore advice or help just have Deb email me. One recommendation is that nobody reply to those posts and let them float by. Also many forums have an IGNORE feature where under the profile you can have posts by certain members simply not show up on your screen. Not sure if this software has that. SOmeone might want to send a coupla dollars to the paypal donation on this site and include some comments. If Zach is having EMAIL problems or spam filters are killing his email for some reason you might get through via the paypal address. Wish I could help more but maybe things will work out. When he returns I would have a second person he trusts take on the responsibility of alternate admin. Larrivee might know how to contact him by phone. I'm sure there's some explanation and solution ahead. Good luck folks. It should be okay :)

LB

[Steve]

Folks there is nothing to be done if Zach holds the username and password to the server and the Admin of this forum. 

Steve  :GRN>

[ronmac]

It is hard to imagine that Zach is not responding, unless there is a good reason. I hope it isn't personal or family health concerns that are keeping him away.

It's very possible that he is suffering from volunteer burn-out. Even the best intentioned persons have to ask "what's in it for me" form time to time.

If this site goes down I will miss it. There have been several eFriendships made, and countless hours (actually 19 days 15 hours and 46 minutes) exchanging thoughts and ideas.

Starting a new site doesn't seem like an option, for me. There is no way that you can seamlessly transfer the membership, goodwill and vibe of this pace.

In the event that the worst happens here I will shift my Forum time to a non brand specific Forum (APM).

[brimc76]

In the event that the worst happens here I will shift my Forum time to a non-brand specific Forum (APM).

That sounds good ron. I really hate to think of losing touch with the people I've met here.

Brian

[stuco]

 

So is Zach the original administrator?   If he is than I suppose he can just pass the torch on to someone who knows enough about this software to rehash the site with the same domain name and everything(we could even have a new larrivee of the monthe, ha) 

[knoble53]

It seems that all of the guitar forums are being hit by spam.  I frequent the Acoustic Alchemy forum and it has been hit conhtinually afor the last several months.  The Alvarez forum has been hit on a frequent basis and was catually down for a while.  Maybe we should find the people responsible and show them that playing guitar is a lot more fun than posting spam on internet forums.  Think it will work???  Just dreamin'.

[fitness1]

can someone explain to me in brief just what the problem is regarding long term health of the forum?
I don't understand much computer jargon (I didn't own a 'puter until 6 years ago! )
There is strength in #'s....is there a reason that admin (if it gets to that point) couldn't be five or six? or eight or nine
If it's financial, that should't be that hard, should it?

[ronmac]

The Larrivee Forum has been created and moderated by one individual. Zach has done a wonderful job of keeping us between the ditches. Perhaps his absence (or is he just assuming anonimity for the moment?) is temporary, for wahtever reason, and he will reveal himself and his plans for this Forum in due course.

As I see it, there are two issues:

1) Ownership

Personally I consider this topic a matter between Zach and the Larrivee company. I don't know what arrangements or agreements they have entered into. I would think that anyone Larrivee has chosen to deal with in an area of high visibility, such as this Forum, would have to meet a certain level of competence and trust.

2) Administration and moderation

There is no reason why a Forum needs to be controlled by one person, unless that is the wish of the owners. Many similar Forums have moderators, all taking direction from the owners, assigned to a particular section or area of responsibility and working as a "distributed work force".

There are advantages and disadvantages to having more cooks in the kitchen. It's up to the owners of this Forum to decide what's best for their interests.

[unclrob]

Lets hang in there kids.Stupidity raise's its ugly head every now and again.I have made to many friends here not to go down without a fight.If Zach reads this and needs our help in any way We should be here to help.Let the children play,it happens.

[sayheyjeff]

I'm in.  you folks have been really good to me, I've learned a lot and enjoyed the company.  Hpin for plenty more of the same.

jeff

[ronmac]

Well said unclrob. I think that there are enough cool heads here to keep things running smoothly. If Zach needs help, in any way, I am sure all he has to do is ask to get it.

If we continue to treat each other right we can keep this community together.

[expatCanuck]

Agreed.
Never have been fond of throwing out the baby with the bath water.

- Richard