idea "the peanut gallery", a new section for sarcastic and pointless comments for reference to all other legitimate posts it has been on my mind for a while. isolating the creative comment will make it easy for those that dont want tor read it dont have to, and those that want the entertainment know where to go.

Who wants stuff said behind their back (if you don't also regularly read the peanut gallery).  I say no, less is more.

Quoted from websherpa

Who wants stuff said behind their back.

the whole point is tha stuff should not be said it feels like rgp some days I know if i was a newb coming into the hobby i would feel intimidated like i would not want to post. I agree I myself have done this being sarcastic, but it just feels it gets out of hand at times especially in the classifieds section. at this point in time we cant make it where only the poster can modify so it is up to us to self regulate and check before we type. lets think of the newbs coming we are supposed to be an example. we can save the comments for the meeting and have a drink on it. or if you feel that strongly about a price etc PM the poster maybe they dont know and will correct the injustice.this is just my personal feeling.

thanks
JD3

JD3 and I have spoken many times on this...

"Do we lock the Classifieds?"

"Do we have to police the Classifieds and delete any posts other than the author's posts?"

"Should we only accept positive posts in the Classifieds in order to help people out?"


I am going to get SOOOOOOO slammed for writing this, but it is at the point that even we are losing interest... and that scares the mess out of me. This post should be rebaptised "WHY I STOPPED READING RGP".

I stopped (or practically) reading RGP due to the blatant attacks that go on left and right on the site. There seems to be a small group on there that just seems to thrive on pissing on people for whatever reason. I even saw a thread about this kid who bought his first pinball, an old EM, and he posted on how proud he was about it, and some people actually flamed him for posting such a stupid thread, stating that an old cheap pin isn't worth bragging about, and was even labelled a troll!!! Needless to say I almost lost it and felt like putting those frickin' elitist pin-snobs in their place, but I knew it would only make things worse. That kid never posted again... neither did many others like him.

This being said... I ask you all these questions, and I don't want an answer... I just want you to think about it...

1-  Have you read some MAACA posts lately?  

2-  Do you remember how you started in this hobby, and with what?

3-  Do you remember on how you would have appreciated the help of a site like this when you started, or did appreciate the help when you did start when MAACA was born?

4-  Would you have had the same passion for the hobby later on if someone mocked you on your first posts?

5-  Does the Arcade and Amusement in the MAACA acronym stand for "pinball only"?

6-  Do you think you are helping the hobby by bashing others?


... the only thought I get when looking at these questions is another question:


Have we failed?  


Ian

I wish someone would have mocked me severely a couple years back when I though it would be a good idea to collect vids and ultimately now pins.  I'd have wasted a lot less time, have a lot more money in my pocket, would think a 2114 ram chip is almost a RUSH album, would have more room in the garage for cars and bikes, would have some room in the shed, would have no idea what it feels like to discharge a crt with my finger, would not have had my head crushed by a centipede and would still not know the difference between a capacitor and a coil.

Actually, never mind.  I wouldn't trade it.  

I would agree with locking the classifieds so that you can't comment on a post.  That seems appropriate and the easiest thing to do.  If there's a bone to pick it can be done in PM or email with the seller, or if it's a scam the post can be reported. I would suppose if someone feels strongly enough to post they could do it in a more approriate forum.

The disadvantage is that some members couldn't comment "that's a great machine. a good deal. " and it helps drive the sale.

But a separate "peanut gallery" section simply promotes the behaviour you're trying to curtail.

I would say some of the comments on stuff for sale is good for me at least.   It helps put in perspective the item being sold.   Mind you the price guide and a bit of experience help there, too

I don't think MAACA is where you post an item to get the highest dollar value - but you do know its likely going to a good home.   The public feedback on some items helps keep it honest.

That said I'm hoping to have some games for sale - and hoping to get 2X the price guide - so will help me gouge you guys for top dollar!      - and I think that's what kijiji and the other sites are for.   There's no public flaming and a chance to closer to "retail" price - but you'll have a lot more hassle selling.

I agree on this site being so much better than RGP - hands down!

I like this site this way, open talk. I learn a lot!  Good or bad comment in Classified help a lot, newbie like me are not patient and don't have a real idea of the market so it can help to have all sides.
Nobody should bash on newbie like me, who will buy your trash pins after that    Sure,  a lot of big players who want the same 12 pins, but I know my level in this hobby and I'm happy with my old EM project and Meteor now...  

People always helps and respect my "big accent" english so I think MAACA is a SUCCESS!  so  we don't really need 'peanut gallery" I think.

Quoted from JD3

idea "the peanut gallery", a new section for sarcastic and pointless comments for reference to all other legitimate posts it has been on my mind for a while. isolating the creative comment will make it easy for those that dont want tor read it dont have to, and those that want the entertainment know where to go.

I think the whole idea of a "peanut gallery" section is quite insensitive. What about members like me who have lots of dumb-a** things to say but are allergic to nuts. Don't we deserve some consideration too?
Help, help I'm being repressed... Come see the violence inherent it the system, come see the violence inherent in the system!
There, now that I've gotten your attention.

Asking for consensus is futile, there are as many different situations as to why off-topic items get posted in the classifieds as there are members. This isn't the first time this has been discussed, and I'm sure it won't be the last. If you feel the current rules aren't working or being followed then make a change. It's not like you're proposing to block people from posting their thoughts, you're just asking them to do it in a different area. No big deal if you ask me. Besides, it's not like it can't be changed again later if need be.
Make a change or leave things as is? In the end I feel it's the responsibility of the moderators to decide what works best for them to create the atmosphere that they want. (Thus the term "Moderator"). Hey, it's a crappy job but somebody has to do it.
Now about my own personal posting area.......

Adam

Man, I miss your regular posts Adam!!!

I personally remember starting the hobby and why I never forgot never will.
Hey I started off in vids originally and grew from there had my own site call A4A that just had to die unfortunately due to maaca and cgcc.
But I decided on maaca would be my home base.
Why you say well I know allot of the members I have met allot of them I have made some good friends i find and some good contacts.
I have had a few bad moments but hey who does not have a bad day or get the wrong impression.
Reason for this good community that most of us get along but hey we can�t all get along due to the fact we are all single individuals and have a difference of opinion.
Ok I understand we say some things that should not be said in the public but hey what about good old Anderson would you really let a guy get away with a post and not say anything no.
But not a good example i agree most comments about a sale they think it over priced should be in the side lines email or pm.
On another note productive comments and encouragement comments is a must does help sales.
Things that I have noticed and I might get flamed for this.
The classifieds are good but they are not the best way to sale if you really want top dollar for a machine most sales are better on kijiji or usedottawa or usedmontreal for the simple reason most collectors do not want to pay top dollar but get the amazing 1000$ Adams family ect.
But in the general public they have no ideas on prices and we then get most of the time exactly what machine is worth if not more.
My thoughts is maaca is a great amazing group with different people and personalities.
Also would like to thanks the ops for having a site like this I wish A4A would have been like this.
But you made something out of passion and the passion is still here because hey the site is here I personally read every post when I get a chance ok so I need a life 
But where not just pinball people there are a few arcade people but pinball has dominated because mame is more the craze I found in the past years.

BlOCK classified adds to everyone but the seller!!No more argueing..go see the machine/s for yourself.Make an educated call like normal people do.If you need more info research or ask people with experience to go with you and help.People should be responsible for their own actions.Of course after seeing machine/s if you still need more info or help you can always come here and post a topic with your concerns etc(bashing a seller is not what I`m talking about) in the appropriate PIN/VID section.We are all here to help at least most people are.However asking for info would/should take place in the appropriate section!In a real world everyone is honest and divulges any and all problems etc...guess what BUYER BE WARE cause in the real world its just not like that.Alot of the times people honestly are not aware of issues that arrise and how could they??not like I do a PM on my pins every day hey if it is`nt broke I don`t fix it.
MY .02 cents...STEEL out.