Well *laughs* Woah.. what a surprise topic!
I just got finished reading the first page, then I realized there was a second page! But I think for now I have a pretty good idea of what everyone is getting at. Now, where oh where to being!
I suppose I will start by saying that I am flattered many people think highly enough of hamster central to want to discuss their feelings about the forum and community and have a desire to see it prosper and remain both friendly and helpful. At the same time I'm feeling a bit disappointed this topic had to come up. Because it tells me that many people are feeling some strain and not enjoying their time here as much as they use to or would like to. So I have some mixed emotions, and even a bit overwhelmed!
As many of you know I have always tried to get the users input on what they would like to see on Hamster Central
(working on those new forum templates for people to choose from btw 
I have noticed that things have started to feel as though they are changing direction in atmosphere as the forum gets new registered users. Truthfully, I think that in reality, there have been only a few "problem users" that myself and the moderators have gotten complaints about. But the complaints are about general topics and haven't really been enough to warn over yet, or consider a ban. I prefer to work with people as much I can before I resort to banning people. I'm proud to say that we haven't banned many people. In fact I can only think of one I had to ban.
Not bad for a forum that has over 550 users. But in light of that, the re-occurring complaints are generally similar with a few of these members and wide spread over the forums topics. Now and then they fire up and add to the "weight" of it all and perhaps give an impression the forum atmosphere is worse off then it is.
It may be that I am perhaps a bit to lenient
With the forum growing so much it may be time to crack down. Three strikes and your out sounds like a good idea. But for it to work my moderators and I need to come up with very clear guidelines to follow so that each situation is treated as fairly as it can based on the criteria for a warning or perhaps a ban.
I think some of the main problems that are causing this "tension" is that people are being WAY to opinionated in the sense that they do not leave room to take other peoples opinions into account or else don't respect them (even if they say they do) It seems to me if one can express they respect another's persons opinion, then the discussion ends there, you agree to disagree. I don't see this as JUST being a problem with young people. Many young people here are quite knowledgeable. And yes I'm sure far more knowledgeable them me! Young people have a way of absorbing information like a sponge, especially when its something they are interested in. I recognize their inexperience could lead to some of these "heated discussions"
But on the other hand I feel that experienced people can be set in their ways and feel that they somehow pull rank or seniority, that somehow what they say has to go. When one knows they are an expert in an area, its not hard to get up on a high horse to to speak. Then when you get two people who are convinced they are both experts you get trouble
Adults can be very childish, just like many children who act more like adults. (and I know a few personally)
This mainly seems to be a matter of people..
1) Forcing their opinions on others
2) Leaving no room for other peoples opinions
3) A need to always be right and "ontop" of the discussion.
4) Unable to phrase things in a way that are constructive and in a way that approached a topic that wont offend others.
5) Unable to recognize when its time to respectfully agree to disagree.
I bet I could add more to that list if I really thought about it. :P I think that sums it up enough though.
On the matter of making a "buddy system" or personal invitation only. I don't think I could do that. What about the people who want to join hamster central and have never been on a hamster forum prior, and don't know anyone from the forum? How am I to determine if they are going to be trouble makers or not? I certainly dont' want myself or my moderators hassled with the job of doing "background" checks on everyone who wants to join.
This forum was made for everyone! I hate cliques, and this isn't a high school atmosphere, and I don't intend to make it that way. Everyone is welcome to join this club
I also like to be a bit more positive and offer new people the benefit of the doubt that they will be nothing more then a great addition to the community. Unfortunately in such large based net communities like this one, you are going to experience a few bad hamster turds. Thats just how it is and its impossible to stop it. But as you have seen, the bad apples surface quickly. Let them be the ones to show us their little worth, and from there we will try and handle it as best we can (perhaps with the three strikes rule)
About making the forum a democracy, no way
I see peoples points but there is no way I'm letting that happen. I have seen what happens when you get too many hands in the cookie jar, and trust me its not pretty. I think I have done well enough making decisions for this forum. If I didn't it wouldn't be here now and going strong. I am of course open to suggestions on ways to improve the site. As it was pointed out, this is my forum, its my baby. Think of me as the boss. If you don't have a boss at work running the show and keeping things in order and tell your employees to work together and run it. Someone is always gonna slow it down, ruin the show and cause drama, try and take over.
(My dear mods, I of course don't mean to call you my employees! you are my beloved helpers and I don't think this forum would be here without you! *hugs*)
Ideally if everyone were just more friendly and respectful and careful to not come off as pompous you know whats! Things would be nicer! Of course we cant expect everyone to break bad habits. With such case to case based complains it can sometime be difficult to decide when the cut off point should be fore that particular user.
The best way to deal with any "problem" users if for people to submit a PM to one of the mods with a brief summary of the problem, a link to the thread, or copy of a PM (of it was over an PM) Especially if its a reoccurring problems which shows a bad tend on the forum. Provide as many links needed for examples and information as necessary that is valid and comes with proof. Then we mods have something to work with and a record!
If you have a problem with someone, take it to PM rather then making it full blown in public. Save your PM's encase it ends up something that needs to be reported in the event you couldn't solve it like responsible adults.
Re: Community improvements? Membership? A discussion
). If science ruled our lives more, it would merely mean that our thoughts and reasoning would be based in reality (I'm assuming by science that you mean the physical sciences, rather than social sciences btw). However, as any student of the sciences would tell you, that doesn't mean that they would be boring and would likely make things even more crazed than they are now. You can't even argue that things like art would disappear, but I admit it would more likely be more abstract (such as with things like fractal patterns). Any mathematician or physicist will tell you that the truly great theorems are possessed of a certain beauty and elegance that seems to stem from them being 'right' (to a certain degree of rightness).
Linear Mode
