Rules

[SyrianMomma7]

But the example you are using is completely untrue. On the picture thread we were complimenting each other, and we were reminded that we should not chit chat.
We weren't talking about anything off topic. This is all I am trying to understand.

Of course we know that you all are just trying to do what is best for the forum, I just think that sometimes some mods may be a little to critical on certain members. And it can come off as mean sometimes, or nit picky.
And that is not me being rude, that is just me trying to be honest.
We love the forum, obviously, and HamsterHelper and I both give as much advice as the next HC member, and would like to feel like respected members, not like your students.
Does that make sense?
Not to say that we don't learn from you, because we do. But we don't like feeling subsided because we haven't been here as long.

x SM7

[Hamtastic]

Some things are more or less obvious and require no lengthy explanations or examples. If one can't see the point of the rules for whatever reason, they still have to comply with said rules, as they have been agreed upon when joining. If you think it's okay to rob a bank but your government does not, do you require them to explain it to you? I understand that it's a pretty extreme example, but I've just skimmed through this thread, and this is basically what it looks like to me. It simply looks like you're trying to get a rise out of the moderation team and trying to prove some point.

I've been here long enough to understand why the no chit-chat rule was put in place--it was added when certain members chose to join together in a clique and just chatted with each other all the time in various threads, injecting internal jokes, and that really did make other members feel excluded. Anything that resembles that sort of chit chat and/or also detracts from the informative nature of posts on HC gets moderated.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Can I join in on the Moderators side? For almost a year I guest visited HC cause I had heard many a things about the so called "Tight Rein" on this forum. Sadly those reins are needed or this forum would become a gossip column instead of what I see it to be an informative Hamster forum that helps people with their Hamsters, both Show and Pet Hamsters. I wouldn't want to come on and find 100+ post of people saying how pretty so and so is or whose Hamster is cuter etc. Being a Moderator is not and easy sit back and relax job. It is a hard one as you have to be able to understand the poster and wither they are posting to learn or to agitate someone on the forum. If you've been moderated often maybe you should ask how you can change you replies to not be Chit chat. I find it takes co-operation between Posters and moderators to learn proper forum procedures, and add into that we USA folks do things just a bit different so we need to adjust to the country of the forums ownership. That took me years to learn and I still make a few mistakes.

Oh and to get to know someone better the best place is not in a post but by using the PM option as SM7 you just did with me If PM is too slow for you then PM the person you wish to Chit chat with and offer them an Instant Messenger ID and chatter all night there. I met many a Hamster friends by doing those two methods on this Forum and several others.
Just my 2 cents worth

[Hamsters4eva x]

I agree with the moderators, before I actually joined HC I searched on many forums to learn more about hamsters, as I was a first time hamster owner I was still learning. Many forums where brilliant and told me straight away.... But some I would be going through pages and pages of chat, until I actually found out what I was looking for! I think it's ok to chat to people, but just not in the middle of a thread! If you want to talk to people maybe PM them,
I've talked to a couple of people on here and its a great way to make new friends!

I do think its ok to maybe talk about the subject of hamsters or something to do with the thread, but when someone's talking to an other member about something completely off topic it's unfair to other people wanting to look at the thread.

But that's just my opinion.

[SyrianMomma7]

I'm not disagreeing with any of you, or with the rules for that matter.
Nancy is right, I am from the USA, KY no less, and southern hospitality is just in my blood.
It's very hard for me not to be friendly, or to make conversation. I also feel a bit awkward when suggesting for someone to PM me? It makes me feel secretive.
If you all would really like Me to leave the forum, I will do so.
I didn't want this to blow up into some moderator vs SM7 battle or something cray like that. I just felt a little picked on seeing all the chit chat on that pictures thread, and then me being told not to chit chat.
I know I am younger than a lot of you, and I am still learning more about this forum, but I am not "robbing a bank" and asking why it's wrong.
When rules are enforced I would like to feel like they are enforced for everyone. And as I've said, I looked through the picture forum tryin to see photos, and there are probably 50+ pages of chat, and no one else got warned.
That being said, how would I go about deactivating my account?

[Pompompoms]

We do not tend to terminate accounts, however members are of course free to log into/visit the forum as much or as little as suits them.

[racinghamster]

I don`t really have much to say about this because I totally appreciate what a moderator does on a forum and I have had a few attacks in the past through no fault of my own (except to stand my ground where I felt I had said nothing wrong) and believe the mods do a good job stopping bullying or remarks that are not warranted on a family forum. I`m all for a bit of chat! But only if it`s a light hearted comment within a thread so as not to detract from the main theme being discussed, although some members will apologise for going "off topic" most of the time!

PM`ing is a good way to chat to other hamster lovers and I have a good few friends on HC now that I never used to have which is lovely. But we only pass the odd PM every now and then just to say hello or to ask a question. I probably wouldn`t have the stamina to chat anyway as I get a headache!!!!

Please stay on the forum you guys because HC is a forum for true hamster people and animal lovers together, but just try and sleep on things and not take being asked not to chat too seriously. It`s frustrating, but we`re a jolly bunch all the same. x

[squishyhammy]

as much as you dont like them rules are there to be followed. these rulesmake the forum eassier to use and information easier to find. its also there to keep us safe and arguments to a minimum. ive seen on a few forums where a threads turned into an argument on a topic that isnt to do with the thread. these rules are inplace in order to prevent that

[HollyHamster]

Well, I am suprised this thread hasn't been removed, or at least locked. Its clearly insulting the mods and all that Ham Central stands for.

[squishyhammy]

i agree with HollyHamster!