The Energon Pub

News Credits: 25 · Sat Feb 14, 2015 7:37 am

Back in the day when I used to post here regularly, it was busy. Leave cor a couple hours, and your topic would be buried half way down the page.

Like me, did everyone pretty much grow up and realize they didn't have time and had better things to do? Or is this just the result of the social media age?

News Credits: 22 · Sat Feb 14, 2015 3:05 pm

Honestly, I think the lack of traffic is a direct result of too many rules and regulations. Back in the day we could get away with a lot, it was a more free and mature place to come to. But most of the posters who were then the age we are now are long gone, and we're the "old guys." We're the ones sitting in the rocking chairs thinking about the "good ol' days." But things change, and yeah, social media probably has something to do with it. But to me it's just not the same. It's too clean and sterilized. We can't have any arguments without someone stepping in and saying "Oh no, you hurt his feelings! You have individual opinions that might differ from ours? You can't do that!" Do that long enough and people will just drift away. That's what happened to me back in 2004 and again in 2007. Also, the popularity of the site itself has this effect on the boards, things had to get a little more PC, especially this is Ryan's business now, not just his hobby. So technically we're kind of part of the store decoration. Can't have suggestive or offensive signs around your business if you want customers to have a good experience. >:oP

News Credits: 226 · Sat Feb 14, 2015 3:58 pm

Rodimus Prime wrote:Honestly, I think the lack of traffic is a direct result of too many rules and regulations.

The fudge? We have four rules. How is that too many? By all means, have a read of them and tell me how we can improve on them.

Back in the day we could get away with a lot, it was a more free and mature place to come to.

I also seem to remember more warnings being issued and bans occurring on a regular basis.

We can't have any arguments without someone stepping in and saying "Oh no, you hurt his feelings! You have individual opinions that might differ from ours? You can't do that!"

When people report a post, staff are required to step in and say something.

There's been times when we haven't and just closed the report, and people have complained about the lack of action. So we either do something, and apparently get damned, and do nothing, and get damned.

Admittedly some of the reasons for reporting is because some people are too sensitive and they really should just toughen up.

We do let a LOT slide, but as I said above, and you know all too well, we're open to discussing on how to improve things.

Social media has had an impact though, there's a bunch of Toy Fair pics, and no doubt people head to FB before heading to their favourite sites.

News Credits: 22 · Sun Feb 15, 2015 9:07 am

Burn wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:Honestly, I think the lack of traffic is a direct result of too many rules and regulations.

The fudge? We have four rules. How is that too many? By all means, have a read of them and tell me how we can improve on them.

I have not seen those. Until now. And perhaps I worded my statement poorly. It's not the rules themselves, it's how they're interpreted. And please don't take that as an attack on your position, I wasn't really speaking of a specific moderator. (This is kinda tough to explain, because when this came up I thought back to 2001-2002 and how it was and the answer I gave was what came to mind. It was just different. Kinda like the wild West.)

Back in the day we could get away with a lot, it was a more free and mature place to come to.

I also seem to remember more warnings being issued and bans occurring on a regular basis.

Yeah. And it made things much more interesting. People got banned (temporarily and permanently) because they posted what they thought, without thinking "OK, maybe I don't want to say this, because it might offend 1 of the few thousand members." It made for interesting reads, and yeah, sometimes people pay the price for being individuals. I offer myself for example. Just in the last year, I've wanted to tell a few posters on here what I thought of them and to F**K OFF. Simple as that. I kept it to myself, because any time something is said that might be offensive to the most sensitive among us, what happens? Posts get reported! Back then I would have done it (and did) in a heartbeat, and what did a mod say? "Work it out between you 2." It took a LOT of animosity between 2 posters for a mod to step in to resolve personal issues.

We can't have any arguments without someone stepping in and saying "Oh no, you hurt his feelings! You have individual opinions that might differ from ours? You can't do that!"

When people report a post, staff are required to step in and say something.

I can't see the statistics regarding this, so I will just say that in my opinion, I think that happens more than it should. Why? Some people are wimps.

There's been times when we haven't and just closed the report, and people have complained about the lack of action. So we either do something, and apparently get damned, and do nothing, and get damned.

One way to fix that? Establish a set of requirements for reporting posts. And a supposedly offensive post has to meet ALL of them.

Admittedly some of the reasons for reporting is because some people are too sensitive and they really should just toughen up.

OK, so at least we agree on that.

We do let a LOT slide, but as I said above, and you know all too well, we're open to discussing on how to improve things.

Again, perhaps I worded my previous post wrong. Maybe it's not the rules themselves, but the atmosphere they promote. I hate to say this, but I this of this place anymore as kind of a kiddie-site. Understandably, Transformers are toys for children, and kids learn earlier and earlier these days how to use a computer and a message board. But my statement regarding the differences in how this place was 15 years ago and is now still stands. It's my answer to the question by the OP.

But, considering the content of the site, and that the message board is but a small part of it, being more kid-friendly is better for the site (and thus for Ryan, as it's no longer his hobby but his actual source of income) so it's the way it is.

Social media has had an impact though, there's a bunch of Toy Fair pics, and no doubt people head to FB before heading to their favourite sites.

I do.

Not always...

Sun Feb 15, 2015 10:24 am

My comment is probably worth about nothing in this discussion since I've not been a member a long time but I don't believe it is the rules that is causing the issue. I'm not sure what it is tho. If you compare Seibertron to TFW2005 in terms of activity in the TF toys threads, this morning Seibertron has the first 4 threads with replies from this morning, TFW2005 has the first 3 pages with replies from this morning. Are there more members at TFW2005? I really have no idea. I know they also have rules and enforce them so I'm inclined to think that's not it. They both report mostly the same news stories at the same time altho TFW2005 does front page 3rd party and I do like to read those. I kind of doubt that's the reason for the activity discrepancy either.

I browse both sites but the inactivity at Seibertron means I don't stop by here often. :-(

News Credits: 25 · Sun Feb 15, 2015 11:32 am

This is the first week in almost 8 years I've spent more than a couple of hours paying attention to this sight. So I can't speak for current rules and administration. Hell, Burn is the only one I even know or ever posted with regularly, and he has always been cool.

When I left in '07/'08, however, staff and rule changes were a huge factor. Split about evenly with massive onslaught of new, vey younger, posters. That's nt sour grapes. The first movie had just arrived, and the sights popularity had expanded massively. Changes come, I get it. Toys are for kids, and the changes made sense. I didn't really fit the new mold, so it was time to go. Especially when certain new mods started locking any thread that ran even slightly off topic, or might "hurt feelings".

I guess it doesn't really matter. My wife and kids will be home tonight, finally, and I will happily be back to an extreme lack of free time. I've enjoyed the nostalgia of digging through old threads this week. I guess I'm just the old dude on the porch, welling at those damn kids and wishing for the old days. :roll:

News Credits: 293 · Mon Feb 16, 2015 5:11 pm

yes seibertron is slower than TFW, but thats not a bad thing.

years ago, i was a regular on TFormers and it was a pretty happenin place. i fell out of the hobby for a few years. when i came back, TFormers was a ghost town. i checked out TFW and here. while they have the busier and more active forum, its difficult to have a voice amongst thousands. not to mention, trying to catch up on threads youre following is like a goddam homework assignment. seibertron also is quite good at welcoming new members from what ive seen.

seibertron has a warm atmosphere. theres great people here, and you dont need a post count of 4788730976 for others to take notice. i miss front page news about 3P stuff, but i can get that news elsewhere.

News Credits: 1 · Tue Feb 17, 2015 12:16 pm

shajaki wrote:yes seibertron is slower than TFW, but thats not a bad thing.

years ago, i was a regular on TFormers and it was a pretty happenin place. i fell out of the hobby for a few years. when i came back, TFormers was a ghost town. i checked out TFW and here.

Those where the TFans forums. Those where hilariously snarky. I used to post as Gasket over there... But indeed, there was some sort of merger with a bigger forum or something like that and then- death.

Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:30 pm

Well I think you're all lame for even discussing this. Sentimentality for online forums is for losers.

News Credits: 7 · Wed Feb 18, 2015 10:36 pm

Dunno about how it used to be, but I kinda enjoy the slower, calmer pace here. It helps avoid a lot of the craziness other sites tend to get. Certainly don't see things like "elbowgate", every fan-built bot thread turning into a feminism debate, etc., over here.

News Credits: 1 · Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:09 am

Noideaforaname wrote:Dunno about how it used to be, but I kinda enjoy the slower, calmer pace here. It helps avoid a lot of the craziness other sites tend to get. Certainly don't see things like "elbowgate", every fan-built bot thread turning into a feminism debate, etc., over here.

That's because we have duragrip, who keeps women at a safe distance.

News Credits: 22 · Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:42 am

RhA wrote:
Noideaforaname wrote:Dunno about how it used to be, but I kinda enjoy the slower, calmer pace here. It helps avoid a lot of the craziness other sites tend to get. Certainly don't see things like "elbowgate", every fan-built bot thread turning into a feminism debate, etc., over here.

That's because we have duragrip, who keeps women at a safe distance.

Like he's the only one... >:oP

News Credits: 3647 · Sun Feb 22, 2015 5:45 pm

Nostalgia is affecting your memories. Things were much stricter in the early days of our forums. I ended up banning our forum admin and his right hand man because the rules they were enforcing were too strict. They were preemptively banning members here on Seibertron.com if those members were banned on other sites, which I strongly disagreed with.

Our forums slowly became something distasteful between 2004 and 2007 into a sort of craziness that I eventually became very uncomfortable with, especially the more and more the site was growing. I was receiving complaints from various sources (parents, members, etc) and there was just some out and out embarrassing stuff here on the site. Admittedly, some of it was brought on by areas I had created such as the After Dark forums, Before Carly, etc that some members wanted to take further than I desired. I grew up a bit, met my future wife in 2007, was job hunting and decided having a more wholesome site was a bit better than a site full of craziness.

The forums are currently what you guys want to make them. If you want them to be active, participate in others topics, create your own thought-provoking topics, engage in discussions, encourage your friends to post here, debate, argue, share your passions, etc. All I can do is build the tools for you guys to be able to enjoy our community. What you guys choose to do with those tools is ultimately up to you.

News Credits: 25 · Sun Feb 22, 2015 6:07 pm

I had forgotten about the after dark forum. Man, we talked about some crazy **** in there.

News Credits: 19 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:21 am

shajaki wrote:and you dont need a post count of 4788730976 for others to take notice.

well i wouldn't be too sure about that! coz it seems to be some/most(not all) people's pre requisite on here! at least where some or most(not all) of my posts are concerned.

now YES i understand that i can't just twist people's arms up their backs in order to force them answer! & it's their choice whether they choose to or not! & like they keep on telling me....they're usually far too busy, maybe offline somewhere........with work ect.
.
So how about just plain old common decency! coz like you......i go to the trouble of commenting in SOME of YOUR posts(granted noone's forcing me to do so).......so the least that you can do.... is return the favour(in your own time & when your ready).....by commenting in some of mine!(now some of you do....but there ARE some that STILL don't).

News Credits: 226 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:28 am

Stuart, quit it. I told you ages ago to not take it personally if people don't respond to your posts. IT HAPPENS TO EVERYONE!

All you're doing is making yourself look like a paranoid whiner, and I don't think you're really a paranoid whiner are you?

News Credits: 19 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:32 am

Seibertron wrote:I ended up banning our forum admin and his right hand man because the rules they were enforcing were too strict. They were preemptively banning members here on Seibertron.com.

omg i've never heard of that before, where a site owner has banned admins ect, that's interesting

just imagine if you also owned TFW2005! you'd probably have to ban the whole lot of them over there(admins, moderators ect) lol, & that site would end up a ghost town.

News Credits: 19 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:39 am

Burn wrote:Stuart, quit it. I told you ages ago to not take it personally if people don't respond to your posts. IT HAPPENS TO EVERYONE!

All you're doing is making yourself look like a paranoid whiner, and I don't think you're really a paranoid whiner are you?

if i am i'd either have to change my name or rank(i don't think you've got a paranoid whiner rank?)

News Credits: 226 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:44 am

Stuartmaximus wrote:if i am i'd either have to change my name or rank(i don't think you've got a paranoid whiner rank?)

No, but I did just work out how to create one! :-D

News Credits: 1 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 7:12 am

Personally speaking, the movies were what got me to join this site and participate. And for that same reason, I'm not posting nearly as regularly because as of DOTM, I just feel tired of the whole franchise. Well, that and the fact that I've been really too busy lately (been studying 3D modeling and concept designing, and learning ZBrush)...but I still do lurk in my free time.

The completionist in me keeps collecting MP figs, which is the main reason I browse this site among others, but none of the other TF offerings interest me at all.

News Credits: 226 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 7:18 am

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:been studying 3D modeling and concept designing, and learning ZBrush

Would a thread about 3D modelling interest you? I know SillySpringer is into it, it's something I'd like to get into (we have Inventor at work and it confuses the **** out of me) and I'm sure others would be interested.

News Credits: 1 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 7:22 am

Burn wrote:
SKYWARPED_128 wrote:been studying 3D modeling and concept designing, and learning ZBrush

Would a thread about 3D modelling interest you? I know SillySpringer is into it, it's something I'd like to get into (we have Inventor at work and it confuses the **** out of me) and I'm sure others would be interested.

That'd be great! I've still got plenty to learn when it comes to solid modeling (I'm an intermediate user of ZBrush and Sketchup which is surface modeling (good for Shapeways and CG entertainment, but manufacturers prefer solid models) and it'd be nice to trade stories and tips.

News Credits: 19 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 1:36 pm

Guess i've scared everyone else away lol.....as i've got the forum all to myself

News Credits: 22 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 2:46 pm

Stuartmaximus wrote:Guess i've scared everyone else away lol.....as i've got the forum all to myself

Don't flatter yourself. >:oP

Just because you can't see us, doesn't mean we're not here. :twisted:

Your paranoia is justified.

News Credits: 19 · Sat Oct 17, 2015 3:19 pm

Rodimus Prime wrote:
Stuartmaximus wrote:Guess i've scared everyone else away lol.....as i've got the forum all to myself
Don't flatter yourself. Just because you can't see us, doesn't mean we're not here. Your paranoia is justified.

never mind that! now......where are those pics from tfcon Charlotte Dealer Room? coz that Trypticon & Pandinus are coming home with me

http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/10/17/tfco ... res-303300