No longer a question specifically for Jock

[Riverkilt]

More than a million posts to date???

The expectation that those million posts would all perfectly follow the rules and what the moderators think follows the rules and what the moderators think the poster met - is an unrealistic expectation. We expect unintentional rules violations and the occasional troll - which is why we have moderators. A thankless job for sure.

I seem to post a lot. Despite interpretations of various moderators over time my posts have always been sincere and well intentioned, never malicious. Somehow I've survived...I've been deemed unworthy of the Order of the Dandelion, any Honors, and now sport a lifetime red card over a true and funny story. I've seen many I agreed with banned, or leave in disgust. Not with the board and the wonderful information shared and the fellowship enjoyed - but by the nitpicking mentioned earlier, and posters with positive intent deemed to have made malicious posts.

For me the core of this board - the information and ideas we exchange is of the highest value, so I continue to participate and learn and endeavor not to break any more rules and cause distress to the moderators and the owner. But still seem to without intent. But I'm sure any moderator can share my list of transgressions.

A member just can't post a lot without some moderator interpreting a rules violation sooner or later - even if there is no intent to violate and the poster is well versed in the rules.

What I think is more important than the rules is how the moderators respond to presumed rules violations. How heavy is the hand of the moderator team. When so many "popular" members are confronted over time, and none had evil intent, but the moderator team believes only their explanation, not the posters "What???" response, that's when members drift away from the forum, or quit, or are banned. I enjoyed this board much more back when there was a looser hand on the reins. And the board survived well.

We've had about 25,000 members over time...how many are still active? Why have they left?

What I'd like to see on this thread is some input from members who are also advertisers. Advertisers pay for access to this place where prospects for kilt goods assemble. How do they feel about the current rules and rules monitoring?

Bottom line, this is Steve's forum. He owns it and has the right to direct it, and its moderation, as he sees fit. The moderators have a thankless job. They take the heat and have responsibility for protecting Steve's investment. We, and the advertisers, make our choice as we see fit. Me, despite the misunderstanding adventures from time to time, and my accumulated penalties, I choose to stay around until I'm banned...which I will hopefully avoid....

For those who don't know me, I am an intelligent, aware, adult with a master's degree and two professional licenses and three professional certifications as a therapist. Counseling is my second career for the past 21 years. Before that I had 27 years in corporate America and was a star sales and marketing dude for Honeywell the last 12 of those years. I have always volunteered...police officer as a young man, fire department crisis units, state prisons, federal prisons, homeless shelters. The not so fun places in horrible situations where someone needs help. I am 69 years old and serve on five boards of directors in my little town. It is difficult for me when I am talked to as if I'm a child, as if "I always" or "I never." I do love the kilt though and that love is enough to hang on.