My first forum account was created in 2003 (and deleted quickly out of paranoia). Did the same thing again in 2006 and it wasn't until 2009 that I became an active member of the online community and even then, I'd only post the minimal amount to be able to private message others. In 2011, I started posting more in "mainstream" forums and recreated a RIU account (being this one I use today) as well as a few others.
Even when I started posting in online forums, I'd use a different handle for each place and even then, have always been scared to post pictures. Through the years, we've seen other forums shut down and databases seized so it's understandable that rules are enforced but it's not to offend anyone; they're truly trying to protect us. My rambling point is that times have changed but the staff are good hearted people and rules have to be enforced whether legal or out of respect for advertisers.
I think there's also a forgotten etiquette where old schoolers didn't use to mention outside breeders in breeder-specific threads. People didn't give away stuff they'd been given to TEST and sure didn't "breed" with it. I can't start to explain how many of us have discretely traded gear over the years and/or how many packs I've given out
privately. My first trade with
@Useful Seeds included some 150 - 250 PACKS of beans (all arranged privately and we actually met on another forum) ...
we didn't break a single rule to set things up. Through these forums, I've become friends with Karma, Bodhi, JJ, Useful, etc, etc...... Majority of the people I've met in these forums, I've traveled to spend time with and/or met up for weeks at a time/stayed together. No way can I disrespect the staff or blatantly break their rules; if it wasn't for forums, I'd still be growing alone.
We used to see these communities as a place to meet others and/or help/learn to grow. Now, it seems many people are using them for self-promotion and no longer care about the rules. ... it's like they become members and mind the rules until they establish a network of growmies and then bitch and moan about the rules.... !? Why not just leave? Why not create your own thread and PAY to be an advertiser? All this negativity is insane, especially in a Bodhi thread.
These rules weren't amended after you joined and you weren't asked to be here; that's like walking into someone's house and not expecting to respect their rules and/or bitching about the food they give you..... walking into a grocery store or restaurant and bitching about the dress code, etc.... Don't agree with the way things are, move on down the road (to a forum with a fraction of the users)? How hard is it to use private messages (IF YOU'RE NOT PROMOTING YOURSELF)!
Wish people'd be more respectful and grateful for the forum staff who volunteer their times to babysit us so we can all benefit from it. We're not entitled to anything. Period. It's AN HONOR to be here.
I wish things were how they used to be but if people keep INTENTIONALLY breaking the rules in public (whether we personally agree with the rules or not), it will ruin a good thing for everyone. Discretion is a must.... get a buddy's email and talk there. Simple as.
Sorry for the rant and hate to offend anyone... disrespect is the last thing on my heart but some of us consider staff to be friends and it's offensive to see this thread turning this direction.... can't we keep it happy and keep it Bodhi (he deserves that).. ? Bickering isn't the Bodhi way? Why do you think so many old heads no longer post?
Sorry for the wall of text...
EDIT: Typo
