New Forum administrator

[Matt Murphy]

Thank you, Matt, for your encouraging words. A lot of us have been worried about the future of this place.

I have a question of particular concern...will all the old threads and links be able to be transcribed over to the new platform?

Jim

Thanks for asking that question, Jim. It's an important one. Yes: it's imperative that the existing threads survive the upgrade.

[TerryLL]

Another question for you Matt, somewhat similar to Jim's:

Will it be possible to entirely erase one's presence on this forum, delete all posts, and cancel one's forum membership? Asking for a friend.

[Benson Gray]

Will it be possible to entirely erase one's presence on this forum, delete all posts, and cancel one's forum membership?

This is possible but can make a mess of the threading so they may not do it. See https://forum.vbulletin.com/forum/vb...osts-by-a-user for a description of how. If they move to XenForo then a similar function exists as described at https://xenforo.com/community/thread...please.162144/ in more detail. This is a common way to clean up from a spam attack.

Benson

[Robbie 2]

Thankyou Matt.

[Ted Hoppe]

Another question for you Matt, somewhat similar to Jim's:

Will it be possible to entirely erase one's presence on this forum, delete all posts, and cancel one's forum membership? Asking for a friend.

Maybe a name change might be in order. If so I would like to get on that change list.

[TerryLL]

Maybe a name change might be in order. If so I would like to get on that change list.

Suggestions? Don't hold back now.

[skuthorp]

I just caught up with this development. Thanks Matt for the info on futue plans.

[The Ranger]

Looks like the Bilge needs some administrator help.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

This seems encouraging.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Greetings, folks--
I'm Matt Murphy, editor of WoodenBoat. We (WoodenBoat) are currently working on an upgrade to the Forum, and aiming to 1) improve the user experience, with easier image uploads and graphics; 2) employ better spam blockers; and 3) improve functionality on mobile-devices. To quell any concerns: We do not anticipate the Forum being down for any appreciable length of time, or at all. I'm currently the interim moderator as we work through this transition, and I'll keep you apprised when we're poised to make the upgrade--which may be several weeks from now.

Nice to hear from our new leader/victim, this can be a tricky bunch to herd.

One of my favourite forums switched from this platform to Tapatalk on the promise of better photo handling and mobile support - an as a result lost more than half of the active members. I suspect this was down to difficulty in logging in.

Gan warily.

[Rich Jones]

Every deck is infected with spam this morning. Hopefully administration can delete it. I don't dare click on any of it to report it in fear of getting hacked.

[Garret]

As long as you don't click on a link in the post, nothing bad will happen - so you should fell comfortable opening the post & clicking the black triangle. Just don't click anything else.

[The Ranger]

Looks like this blog needs administrator attention.

[Illinois Switzer]

Leaving that BS up sends a message to the spammers that admin could care less, and it'll just get worse.

[David Satter]

Under FAQ on forum home page,second paragraph down POSTINGS . It has some good basic rules.

[Peerie Maa]

Thanks, Matt, that is so much tidier now.

[sp_clark]

Thanks, Matt, that is so much tidier now.

So Scot's Admin chair's been filled by Matt? Good news that....

[dbp1]

There are a lot of active users here, some who have been active for decades.

Would WB ever consider having a few _community_ moderators?

i.e., why are folks with 10k or 20k posts "clicking the black button" to send an email and then hopefully have an admin come here instead of just banning the user.

It's not like these spam posts are questionable. Is this not technically feasible? Obviously it would not remove the need entirely (and presumably such actions should be recorded, so an admin can review to ensure no abuse), but is this not technically possible?

[Bob Cleek]

There are good reasons why the original "Misc" was bifurcated into "Misc Boat-related" and "Misc Not Boat-related" which became (thanks to Mr Cleek if memory serves) The Bilge.

Sure there are provocateurs, ill-mannered jerks, and mindless ideologues often with highly idiosyncratic personal ideologies. But more than most open forums, there's a good deal a wholesome values debate. The way Scot managed things worked quite well. Light touch, tolerance, and no debating any judgements.

We are a crowd of many pungent personalities and without the Bilge there would be more conflict than the epoxy wars in the upper decks. Those of us here from the beginning remember those four decker days. This is better.

Ah-ha! Your memory does serve you well, Ian. At our age, you must be taking those vitamin supplements they advertise on TV.

I'm wondering now with Matt's taking over, when one ends up in the "penalty box," do we call it "getting Matt-ed?"

[Illinois Switzer]

There are a lot of active users here, some who have been active for decades.

Would WB ever consider having a few _community_ moderators?

i.e., why are folks with 10k or 20k posts "clicking the black button" to send an email and then hopefully have an admin come here instead of just banning the user.

It's not like these spam posts are questionable. Is this not technically feasible? Obviously it would not remove the need entirely (and presumably such actions should be recorded, so an admin can review to ensure no abuse), but is this not technically possible?

It certainly is doable and all it takes is a few minutes for the admin to download and configure the plugin.

[John Meachen]

Somebody has cleaned the place up and it would be rather nice if we didn't have another infestation for a while.My thanks to those who wielded the broom.

[Illinois Switzer]

Admin, you missed the spam threads below:

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp

And this new gem: http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...lding-Industry

[Peerie Maa]

Admin, you missed the spam threads below:

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...ht=%40pump_upp

And this new gem: http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...lding-Industry

Did you mash the black triangle, and/or PM Matt? He is a busy man, who may not have the time to read all posts on the Forum.

[Illinois Switzer]

They were all reported....probably slipped by him, but they are all SPAM

[Matt Murphy]

They were all reported....probably slipped by him, but they are all SPAM

Thanks, Illinois Switzer. Your list was really helpful—and much appreciated.

[Jimmy W]

There is still a forum rule that says:

...Don't create a new user to come back in if you were temporarily or permanently banned. It's bad Karma.

It seems that they now need to remove that line as it doesn't seem to apply any more.

[Garret]

There is still a forum rule that says:


It seems that they now need to remove that line as it doesn't seem to apply any more.

Just because some slipped in doesn't mean it isn't bad kharma...

[Arlc]

Some people just have too much time on their hands……Or just enjoy being trolls. What a sad life. Ignore them and they will go away.

[Peerie Maa]

Just because some slipped in doesn't mean it isn't bad kharma...

That at least two have come back at the same time is a bit of a coincidence. Unless they knew something that we don't.
Personally, I am happy to see one of them back, and wish them well.

[TerryLL]

Some people just have too much time on their hands……Or just enjoy being trolls. What a sad life. Ignore them and they will go away.

Some might go away, but the dozen or so that inhabit the Bilge are there to stay. Their names change, but their toxic behavior goes on and on.

[Arlc]

There are toxic people in the real world too. Put up with them or don’t go to the Bilge. Your choice. When you’re in the sewer don’t complain that it stinks! Haha!

[Yeadon]

The bilges in my boats are not sewers.

[TerryLL]

I've worked in a few bilges that smelled like sewers, and I've known a few sowers who were also sewers, who enjoyed both gardening and stitchery.