Festivus!
by Jason Collette on Jan 23, 2012 12:24 AM EST
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At the suggestion of a few trusted and esteemed members of this community, we admins have decided to open up a thread for people to share their opinions on the direction the site has taken since the end of the regular season. This was last done nearly two years ago so clearly we are a bit overdue. We are interested in hearing your thoughts on what has transpired as well as what you would like to see on this site in the coming season that you have not yet seen.
In case you've forgotten the guidelines of this site, all we ask is this:
1. No personal attacks.
2. No slurs.
3. Keep an open mind, and use logic in arguments.
4. Stay on topic.
5. Limit the use of profanity to the gameday threads.
6. No anime (h/t to the legends that helped this place grow)
Please use the comments section below to provide your feedback on the past, present, and future. Everything reasonable will be taken into consideration after being weighed against what we as a staff are attempting to do to grow the site even further in 2012.
Thank you in advance for your cordial participation and continued patronage.
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putupyourdukes 12:55 am on January 23, 2012 Permalink | Reply | Hide/Show
I was going to post
"it’s pretty simple, stop banning people for posting that they disagree with your opinions, and stop using memes that were created by members you banned, defriended, and blocked on twitter"
but all my alts be banned and im way to lazy to make another.
WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE
If you lived closer I would have kicked the snot out of you by now
Matt Moore. That is all.
by joeybw
by SRQman on Jan 23, 2012 1:09 AM EST reply actions 5 recs
The site used to have it's own identity;
off-the-cuff, goofy, and laissez faire. Very similar to the team it covers. As a fan, I relate to the team because of these qualities. I would like to see this site once again become the envy of all the other baseball sites: continuing to provide great reporting and metrics while being hillariously obsurd. Kinda tough under the ‘stay on topic’ rule tho
by Jaundicy on Jan 23, 2012 1:09 AM EST via mobile reply actions 14 recs
absurd. I post less usually
by Jaundicy on Jan 23, 2012 1:20 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
This.
Regulation always impedes innovation and creativity, and in this case, humor. I hate how this site turned out with the crackdown on profanity and things like that. It’s why I rarely comment anymore. I miss the old days.
//hipster rant
by Cory Alexander on Jan 23, 2012 4:00 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
profanity
personally, I think the decrease in profanity and negative exchanges is a positive change. It makes the site much more reader friendly.
I would point out that the site is still not very newbie friendly. If Andrew Friedman logged on with a funny name talked about some trade ideas and shot down others because of doabiiity he would be dismissed because he’s a newbie and couldn’t possibly know anything.
I think the frequency ad quality of front page posts is excellent. I’ve found myself coming here for Rays news more than the media outlets.
by joaker5 on Jan 23, 2012 7:33 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
AF would not come in full retard with guns blazing with absurd trade proposals.
He would likely read more, post less until he understood the basic gist of the site. Then contribute positively.
Don't ever go full retard
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
Banned for hate speech
@thekidpow
Calm, collected, German.
by PlayOnWords on Jan 23, 2012 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
1st point = fuck you
2nd point = yay
3rd point = couldn’t agree more
by davidsmarch on Jan 23, 2012 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Pretty much what Jaundicy said above
Though I do understand the motivation and partially agree with some of the implementation. There was a ‘wild frontier’ attitude that made it difficult for new folks to jump in, much less feel at home. But there’s a continuum of response instead of a binary choice, and this place has swung to the other pole.
Use the force, Lueke
and more readers/posts/comments does not equal greater quality
Dumbing down may attract more users, but the purpose of this site was never to bring in the most users possible. It was a place for folks who weren’t "heater-level’ fans to hang out and talk about the Rays.
I mean, Fox News is the most watch “news” network. Nuff said.
Use the force, Lueke
Back to 5 recs for green. This 3 nonsense lets any hillbilly end up with a green post.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
by Buc Wild on Jan 23, 2012 7:54 AM EST reply actions 5 recs
I see what you did there.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
Abso-damn-lutely.
Sign lady must die.
#rootingforstusbottomline
by EminenceFront on Jan 23, 2012 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
The personal attacks
While the negative and personal attacks would occasionally drag a post down, they also served a purpose of self regulating. This would keep out some of the garbage you would find on other Rays sites and kept the heater-esque comments to a minimum. I think it helped to force people to read more and post less and I feel like the quality, or at the least entertainment, of the comments has declined as more uninformed feel like they can post with impunity.
by ReyL on Jan 23, 2012 8:08 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Correct, IMO
Just read until enough has been learned to contribute, or face the wrath. I personally miss the OT stuff posted in between the metric talk. I used to belly laugh while reading threads, now it feels like a christian book club
by Jaundicy on Jan 23, 2012 8:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I completely agree.
I did not post much on the front page because I knew my limitations due to my lack of time to really break stuff down like some users. Hence , I liked the OTTOTD because you could still feel part of the community and not feel like you had to be a SABR expert. I feel the comments here are becoming heater-esque or like Rays Index. Hi Cork.
Yes it is hard to break in here, but it keeps stupid out.
RIP OTTOTD
It seems like I might be in the minority.
But I like the way things are now. I had been reading stuff here for almost two years but never commented because I was kind of turned off by some of the immature behavior in some of the comments.
I don’t want to read stuff about penises or come to a baseball site for humor. I come for information and dialogue.
There are a lot of people who will never be a part of this community because they are afraid of being ganged-up on if they express an opinion or have a dissenting point of view on a player. I’ve heard this from quite a few people. They love the site’s content and visit here regularly but will never comment or participate in the community because they just don’t feel comfortable for some reason.
Just my two cents. I’m happy to be here now and am having a good time interacting with other Rays’ fans.
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
by John Gregg on Jan 23, 2012 8:41 AM EST reply actions 6 recs
I don't really like reading about penises either.
I agree that the ganging up went a little too far but to be quite honest many of those who did that are still here. I feel the mods needed to do a better job keeping the crap out of the front page and into the OTTOTD. It seemed like every Tom, Dick and Harry was allowed to mod and that was a problem.
RIP OTTOTD
I agree with this.
Although i did have to go offline for a few months due to some medical issues and when i came back to DRB I noticed familiar people were gone and some things had changed. I came here for the advanced baseball talk and not the off topic , so that doesn’t bother me.
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 8:58 AM EST up reply actions
Do you feel it interfered with the main page?
I think it was pretty well contained to the daily thread.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
No not at all. If you wanted to go of topic then you went to that thread.
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 9:00 AM EST up reply actions
So it did not affect your site enjoyment because you were able to avoid it.
This is part of y my point. That culture can exist with some tighter restrictions.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Who would be charged with enforcing it?
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
Topper would follow marching orders or not take the job
He wouldn’t abuse the power. Modding is a thankless job.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
He generally did a decent job.
Of course there were some bans just for fun, but those receiving it just took it.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
I was speaking about TGN1 in particular, not the other yahoos.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
No I've enjoyed the site since 2008
I also liked the hazing for rookies to this site and the jabs that members would make towards each other while in good fun.
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
Yes, this.
This bothers me more than no off-topic. On topic ribbing builds community and is being discouraged.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Also while I don't necessarily share your views, I appreciate you chiming.
If others agree with John, please speak up.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
I think it's safe to say we all feel the same way
I don’t want to read stuff about penises
Though having the shenanigans contained in a separate thread is better than having it all over the site. No obligation to wander into all fanposts. People that complain about the OTTOTD have to be willing to admit that they went in there under their own accord.
But I can see your point of view. Healthy discourse is good.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
Only when P Brady showed up.
Zing!
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
I want to read about penises
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Jan 23, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That's what initially drew me here.
A google search on penis chat. I’ve never even watched baseball. Seems boring.
by Hatfield on Jan 23, 2012 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This seems like a good way to prove our point that we can co-exist
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
Hatfield really helping everyone out.
WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE
If you lived closer I would have kicked the snot out of you by now
Matt Moore. That is all.
by joeybw
I personally didn't feel like anything was wrong with having off topic discussion confined to its own thread.
That way, anyone who complains about the content has no one to complain to but theyself. Keep the weird stuff off the front page? Fine. Totally agree with that plan. But I still don’t think that having an OTTOTD hurt the Brand.
The change fractured the community for the worse, I feel. There might not be any change in the pageviews, but its impossible to say that more users are coming and posting because there’s no more OTTOTD. It’s still the same names in all the comment sections with a sprinkling of additional RIUNs. And that’s a “good” thing…
@thekidpow
Calm, collected, German.
by PlayOnWords on Jan 23, 2012 8:56 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
just to add to that
I don’t care about this issue at all; I’m happy with the new rules and wouldn’t participate in any OTTOTD anyway. But many, many ‘professional’ blogs keep a single “open thread” for foolishness in recognition of the fact that there’s a community there and sometimes people like to let off steam.
So my proposal would be: have a single OTTOTD thread daily with no (or very little) moderation, and then keep the standard (new) policies in place everywhere else.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 23, 2012 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
That's how it worked for almost a full year though. The issue became when every user had the ability to ban each other. I'm guilty of it, I know.
@thekidpow
Calm, collected, German.
okay, weird
I wouldn’t know; no one’s ever given me mod powers.
But it seems to me that those two things are unrelated: you could have an open thread with tons of penis/420 jokes/anime/whatever, and NOT give people mod powers, right?
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 23, 2012 9:02 AM EST up reply actions
I disagree.
Alot of the OTTOTD crap sputtered into the on-topic threads and 10 or so posters would post solely in the on-topic sections to insult people.
by mr. maniac on Jan 23, 2012 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yes, but the foolishness needed to be reigned in. Tighter rules could accomplish this
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
I think everyone was okay with that as long as the moderation policy was uniform.
On the day Collette posted the last GDT, several people pointed out that the OTT group had already complied once with a restriction (from the freewheeling front page to a specific FP) and would be willing to do so again instead of getting an outright exclusion from the site.
@thekidpow
Calm, collected, German.
I agree with this but on-topic jabs are in bounds IMHO. FreeZo is the best at this and he needs shine.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Jan 23, 2012 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
Good point
It was one stop shopping for all things funny and Rays. There were some classic discussions in those threads, from high-speed rail to casey anthony, that had good informative flow. Having to open separate posts for each topic seems clostrophobic
by Jaundicy on Jan 23, 2012 9:07 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think there is plenty of room for middle ground
The rules are too strictly enforced IMO. There doesn’t need to be some of the previous fiith to have plenty of humor. The baseball (non-OT threads) have a long storied history of people having fun, poking good natured fun at one another. Without that, it becomes a pretty dry mess of rosterbation. Its important to note that the writing is fine. And people who enjoy the writing should read regardless of whether they use the commenting system or not. I read the site for a year before even reading comments. Good content will never chase readers away regardless of the activities of the commenting body. The site was always pretty good at policing itself and had very healthy double digit growth regardless of the comments.
Yet I completely understand why the leaders of the site wouldn’t want some of the filth associated with something they put hard work into. Find the center.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 8:57 AM EST reply actions 7 recs
with FZ and others on most of what they said.
we no longer live by the tagline.
by rglass44 on Jan 23, 2012 9:10 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
The voices I really want to hear are the Non-OTTers
The benderb, Andrew TOrrez, Pionteks, or ever some lurkers.
1) Does ribbing bother you? Would it change your willingness to comment? Would it change whether you read the site?
2) Does a dedicated OTT thread diminish the site in any way? Would it change your willingness to read the FP or FP comment?
3) What about with tighter filth rules in place?
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
What would you call it?
Nudity, racist stuff (even if mocking racists). Those can be eliminated.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Nudity sure, but there was other sutff the site should want to disassociate itself from
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Yes, I think people who stumble across the site don't get it
and thats understandable. There has been a legit negative view by some mainstreamers because of it. I can’t blame the staff who puts so much work into the site for being frustrated with a lack of respect due to it.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Even at the site's most filthy, I never saw any other opinion of it than sterling. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.
@thekidpow
Calm, collected, German.
The only problem I've seen that has changed for the better is that not everyone has mod powers
for a while i had no clue who was running this site. otherwise this was and still is the best place to follow the Rays and one of the best baseball blogs in existence. The OT , Hazing , Ribbing etc all had it’s place and it would be a welcome return to the site but it’s not gonna deter me from reading and posting here either way.
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
I use this site the comment section of this site in order to exchange or express ideas or views.
It is certainly not necessary for the moderators to protect me from abuse. I come here for " progressive statistical analysis and reasoned argument. As long as opposing views fall under that criteria, I can handle it. Personal attacks show ignorance on the abuser not the abused. I would ask that the moderators curb the censorship and let the readers handle the " retard shit" thier own way.
by Moore Guerreri and Cheese on Jan 23, 2012 9:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I am a lurker?
I come here for the great Rays articles and the comments are just a bonus. I consider this the ONLY baseball site that has a good comment section/ fanbase. This is probably the only place I can have a good conversation without ignorant fans chiming in and “watering down” the dialog. Does the hazing keep those undesirables away? But when you compare the content in comments to those of an ESPN article, the difference is huge. Keep the humor, analytical viewpoints, and exile the idiots (its what makes these comments great).
answers
1) No; I took a bunch of it when I started posting more frequently. It’s part of the territory for any community. I don’t think a community becomes less exclusive based on language; there’s plenty of stuff that’s exclusive that isn’t vulgar.
2) No. I just don’t go to that thread.
3) I think the point of the rules is to make sure that the mainstream sources that are currently cooperating with DRB do not log on and view a whole bunch of profanity/stupidity/penises/inside jokes/whatever on the front page, think “Uh, this place is a stupid craphole” and decline to talk to anyone affiliated with the site. I think it’s really useful that DRBers can get press credentials, interview players, front office types, etc. — Gregg’s interviews, Collette’s interviews, that sort of stuff. We all benefit from that, and I think that’s the motivation for the new rules, right? I’m in favor of things that continue to allow DRB to bring inside information to us.
by AndrewTorrez on Jan 23, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions
Number three is BS....
no one holds the Times’ or TBO’s comment section against them when evaluating the work of those papers. Also, any press credentials those guys get is through the radio station or the paper, unless something has changed. Also, don’t forget that the Rays operating partner visits the site and has commented here.
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
i think part of the problem was the explicit names of the OTT threads, such as the one where our very own Dobber wished Jon Lester would get cancer or something of the sort
the topic titles are listed on the sidebar and appear on the homepage. part of a compromise could perhaps be taming their names to simply OTTOTD (date) or something of the sort.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
"our very own Dobber wished Jon Lester would get cancer or something of the sort"
I’m failing to see why this is an issue.
This is factually correct
As well as the MLK day thread that we receive an inquiry on from a prospective business partner that nearly ended our deal over it. So, #3 was not BS
by Jason Collette on Jan 23, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
You should tell them that those are your commenters...
if this was the Times, I’m sure we could ask them how the fell about the hate speech that gets posted on their website everyday.
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 4:08 PM EST up reply actions
non-ott
Don’t even know what OTT is… never seen it, not sure that I care about it, so if that’s where the kinky stuff happens then have at it.
Nothing wrong with ribbing or sarcasm. I think it’s hilarious when you use someone’s quote to contradict what they’ve just said. it’s genious. I think most of us appreciate that. The place where the line is drawn is the ubiquitous “I don’t agree with you so you are an idiot” posts. No one wants to be insulted for their opinions even if they aren’t very intelligent. Much better to ignore the post and let it die a non-responded to death than make the person feel like an idiot.
Filth rules are appreciated.
Coming from a sentimental standpoint, this is going to be a really fun, possibly watershed season for the club and to not be able to enjoy it with the full DRB crew will suck.
@thekidpow
Calm, collected, German.
by PlayOnWords on Jan 23, 2012 9:14 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Keep the faith, this call all work itself out if there is open dialogue and cooperation.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Your spelling and grammar lower my interest in this site.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
(Please don't ban for personal attack)
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
A potential addition
One thing that I, as a relatively new member, would like is a place to see at least relatively up to date stats for the players on the team as the season progresses. This should probably include a range of basic stats such as batting average and era, and also have some basic advanced metrics. This resource would help contextualize a lot of the discussions IMO.
by Moorewinsplease on Jan 23, 2012 9:22 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
This isn't a bad idea.
Those stats are available on bref (baseball reference) but no reason why we need to go to a 3rd party site.
Maybe could include updated projections once a month or so?
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
fangraphs.com and baseball-reference.com. Can't beat their mixture of traditional and advanced stats along with filtering options
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
I'm aware of both of these sites
and agree that they have a large array of stats of all kinds.
It would be nice, however, to have
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TBR/2011.shtml
something basic like this either as a tab that is easily accessible, or a direct link to this page
by Moorewinsplease on Jan 23, 2012 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
Metrics yes,
But ba and era just don’t seem fit in with way the rays are run. Maybe posted as a bridge to adv metrics, but it might be easier to just completely forget about ba & era entirely, like vhs or 8 track
by Jaundicy on Jan 23, 2012 9:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
We have no idea if the Rays value ERA and BA
They both still have a place in baseball but their are better metrics available.
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 9:38 AM EST up reply actions
They prolly use all the #'s to some extent
but why use era & ba unless you are traiding with kenny williams?
As a fan, maybe it would be usefull to say “our defense must surely be rockin it because davis’s era is .420”. I could see it being a bridge
by Jaundicy on Jan 23, 2012 9:49 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Metrics V Traditional Stats
This site is where I learned that there were more advanced ways of measuring player performance beyond BA, ERA, etc. (thankfully) and I’m very happy to now be a fanboy of SABR stats.
I do believe, however, that for the slightly more casual fan, having statistics page that show both allows for comparison that I at least feel valuable. I don’t see the harm of having the basics listed, and then showing the good stuff
by Moorewinsplease on Jan 23, 2012 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
Ditto here
My saber knowledge was woeful before, and thanks to being a regular DRB reader, I’ve gotten a grasp on it which doesn’t begin to approach expertise, but at least a firmer understanding of how it works
by swampchomp7 on Jan 23, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
ok, my bad on the ba
(forced to do keg stand while singing DRB fight song)
by Jaundicy on Jan 23, 2012 10:42 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Content wise, I'd suggest an introduction series.
Covering stuff that might fall on the advanced side to new(ish) readers. For instance, projections—their purpose and creation—are a difficult concept to understand without some basic knowledge. Less esoteric would be the rudimentary “Contact is good, but here is why batting average alone doesn’t tell you too much about a player’s value,” and pieces like that. You could throw in some business-y pieces (options, service time, Super Two) as well, and later repackage these as a primer set for newer users who want to learn more about such and such. With four weeks until camp and most of the big news out of the way, this would help fill the content void, too.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 9:45 AM EST reply actions 5 recs
Can you use your robot power and search the interwebz for such a guide and publish it?
I think this idea was suggested awhile back and it got off to a start and then died.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
We did a few saber 101 pieces (I believe this led to Slow putting together the library) but those pieces are two years old, so a lot of the "wisdom" is outdated.
I’m also not necessarily suggesting a saber stat introduction—you can never use an advanced stat and still do good analysis. Just some advanced concepts that go counterculture but require a good explanation.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 9:53 AM EST up reply actions
That sounds good to me
While I don’t need it personally anymore, I think that even something simple like a glossary that can be easily located if someone references a state that a reader doesn’t understand, etc. would be nice.
As an advanced stat based community, we should be trying to expand the number of people who don’t rely on traditional statistics, and make it easier for more fans to become enlightened.
by Moorewinsplease on Jan 23, 2012 9:48 AM EST up reply actions
This is an excellent idea.
That was kind of what I was trying to touch on before. The more casual fan would feel more comfortable participating in discussions if there was more of a culture of teaching and learning instead of one of “I know more than you…you’re an idiot…and here’s why”.
I’m not saying that this was the case all the time, but there have been plenty of times I have seen folks belittle someone for not having an advanced knowledge of statistics.
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
Sure, but you have to understand that a lot of the attitude was to keep the trolls away.
I do regret if I snarked on anyone who had a serious intent to learn. That’s just how I learned to do things from other sites like LL. It worked for them so I figured it worked for me. If you can keep the trolls away without it, by all means, do so.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
I wasn't talking about you personally.
Perhaps I’m too sensitive to that kind of stuff. It’s hard to judge a person’s intent through the internet.
Your point about trolls is a good one. I’m not really sure how to deal with that sort of thing.
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
There is no denying that the site managed to grow astronomically through the Read More Post Less era
It might have rubbed some the wrong way, but the site growth demonstrates the effectiveness.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
The site grew because the fan base grew.
I don’t think what we did mattered much.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
To a degree, and the SBM deals with Yahoo and social media outlets helped too
The content was always outstanding and the baseball discussions/disagreements were a blast. If only attendance could grow the way DRB did :(
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
I wrote a post about Pineda.
And got more than 5 times as many views on it as anything I ever wrote about the Rays did. Rays blogs face the same equation the Rays team does (except that we aren’t locked in a zero sum game with PSA)
If it were just that people liked Rancel and I then TPR would've drawn better than it did.
Nobody came to the site for us, it’s for the other things. That’s sort of the point.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
This is on the side bar
http://www.draysbay.com/2009/7/23/958850/the-new-users-guide-on-how-to-not
It can probably use some tweeking including a helpful informative section of suggested readings.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Looking back, it actually is a very good guide, just could use some reading links.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
I might be supposed to stay out of this for now, but I'm a newbie, and not an authority figure, so I'm not.
I totally agree on this. I think we need to have some sort of easy reference explaining all of the popular “dumb” things people say that could be linked to, rather than people just being shouted down if they comment something silly.
A sabre site needs to be able and willing to always explain itself to the uninitiated, and I don’t think we do that very well. Even if the person making the original comment is just a troll, there are others reading it but not posting, to whom it sounds reasonable, and the angry pack of sabre nerds seems pretty unappealing to them.
by Whelk on Jan 23, 2012 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well put.
You can’t have it both ways. There is no sense in folks complaining that the average fan doesn’t get sabermetrics and advanced analysis if there isn’t a willingness to teach others about it.
If somebody says something ridiculous it should be viewed as an opportunity to be a teacher and a leader and to help foster community.
I for one have learned an immense amount just in the past few weeks from some of the commenters here. So I am not saying that this doesn’t go on…only that imho it needs to happen more often. If it does, then I guarantee this community will flourish even more then it already has.
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
the issue is when dummies come in guns ablazing and dont want to learn.
im probably the biggest ass on here these days when it comes to this issue, but if people ever ask questions, need to be redirected, etc. ill be the first one to show the math behind war or why fip is better than era, etc. etc.it’s the internet, snarkiness and tomfoolery are the name of the game. i have to show people how to do things nicely all day in real life.
by rglass44 on Jan 23, 2012 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I understand your point about being nice in real life.
As someone who worked in the Hospitality industry most of my life I can appreciate that. It gets old being nice to people all the time when they are wrong.
Still…DRays Bay for better or worse is a brand. A name that is recognized as a leader of info on the Rays. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get a better grip on how the “brand” is viewed by the larger community.
I don’t know why the off-topic threads were deleted and honestly I don’t think I’ve ever stepped foot in there.
I just think that there is a responsibility that comes with being a site that is based on “Progressive statistical analysis and reasoned argument.” Part of that, imho is teaching and helping folks better understand exactly what that is. Just my two cents.
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
When people want help they get linked to sabr library (or whatever)
No one is going to help with anything unless it’s incredibly specific and not somewhere else online.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
Someone who comes in guns blazing and doesn't want to learn.
Is just a person who hasn’t been convinced yet that they want to learn.
There are people (mostly older people, not used to internet culture) who are eager to talk about Rays baseball with me and in person, and who read things I forward them on here, but who are scared off by the comments (although they would never comment themselves) when they see people with their current viewpoint being abused.
haha
The internet isn’t for everyone. And if they’re getting scared off by the current comments maybe you should just disable them altogether.
Life would be a whole lot less fun if no one ever disagreed with you. Which is where this site is most certainly headed.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
If you can't explain your "reasoned argument" to someone
then your reasoned argument isn’t worth shit.
I haven't been posting, but thanks for your quality input.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
I mean the "you" in the inclusive sense.
More correctly but more awkwardly should have said “one.” I really didn’t intend that personally. Sorry.
Bwoodrum’s cartoons were freakin awesome. Actually got my 60yr old parents into metrics
by Jaundicy on Jan 23, 2012 9:57 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
HE'S ALIIIIIVE...
I was thinking a “Re-introduction” series could be a good way to get ready for the upcoming series and take a look at what stats we value here and why.
Also content wise: quality control.
You cannot have a piece go up that misspells a prominent player’s name throughout. It takes 10 seconds to search for the player on Baseball-Reference and get it right. Typos and grammatical errors happen, they just shouldn’t happen with names.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
.
Founded in 2005, DRaysBay is home to, “Correctly spelled names” – R.J. Andersen
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
by Imperialism32 on Jan 23, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
the lack of editing has been a problem for years. it's nothing malicious but it's grating to see mistakes throughout because someone wrote a game recap on a fangraphs chart they read at 1AM.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
We always wanted to hire an editor but it's hard without funds.
I’m not expecting great editing, just spell the names right.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
Until about a month or so ago, the New Yorker's blogs were neither fact checked nor edited.
And I doubt they stick with their new, more robust system long. The tablet versions of the New Yorker magazine are proofed by people making less than $20 an hour at 1:00 AM in the morning. Like it or not, typos are the future of journalism.
I think there's a difference between typos and misspelling names.
One is harmless, the other can be disrespectful.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
before Latos was traded I can't believe how many different spellings of Mesoraco I saw.
I don’t think it’d be a big deal for a moderator/user who reads articles anyways to proof the content.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
Oh, I absolutely agree that it's a good thing to do, and that names are important
But there’s a reason printed media uses copy editors, and for better or worse, the web (which allows editing after the fact) doesn’t pay them.
I don't think it would be terribly hard to find a person among the commenters who reads daily anyways to shoulder the responsibilities.
I know as a literate person that you sometimes gloss over mistakes in your own writing so you don’t see them even upon a self-proofread. it’s invaluable to have someone else proofing your work. i’m not talking about what the ‘norm’ is for web/blogs/etc, but you never know until you extend the opportunity.
I actually thought about emailing slow about this when I started posting, but I didn’t feel I was prolific enough of an entity to be considered. Now I have the opposite problem of having offended Jason too many times to the point where he can barely be civil in his emails to me.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
I think this is a fantastic idea.
I do proof my own stuff, but I would very gladly give over my work to someone (you?) who wanted to help. It’s rarely time sensitive, so I don’t have a problem with a longer process to posting.
My wife is an editor.
She doesn’t have time to proofread my stuff let alone an entire site. But I personally am keenly aware of the fact that I need editing on about 90 percent of everything I write…because she is always telling me. LOL
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
Well done.
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
i don't know if i have the time anymore, but i'd be open to considering it.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
Community wise:
I don’t know what most of the recent fracas involves, but a friend from the site expressed concern to me about the religion and politics discussed in a recent comments section. We used to not allow that, but that rule was eased up in off-topic threads and seemingly done away with since. I can sort of understand politics with stadium talk, but is there any legitimate reason why religion should be a topic discussed on a baseball site?
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
Well, with players who make their faith a central part of their presentation
it seems natural that it comes up from time to time. It’s not really fair to expect fans not to talk about religion when the players do. And I say that as a religious person.
But yeah, it should at least be relevant to the topic at hand.
Use the force, Lueke
by nomoredevil on Jan 23, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
At the very least, I don't think the religious threads should get to the point where folks become uncomfortable.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
I'd amend this to say "reasonable people become uncomfortable"
Some folks are hyper sensitive, and this is the internet after all. But yeah, I agree with the sentiment.
Use the force, Lueke
by nomoredevil on Jan 23, 2012 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
A lot of what politics has become is intertwined with religion
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
I think you mean values
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
No I mean religion
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
Imagine all the people
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
Politics and religion in one post?
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
Does this mean performance enhancing deity talk is off limits?
I think it’s pretty relevant
October 28th, 2011-- a date which will live in infamy--
OTTOTD.com
Also...
Stick to a styling guide of some scale because some of these articles are awful graphically. (Looking at you Mr. Neg.)
Sign lady must die.
#rootingforstusbottomline
by EminenceFront on Jan 23, 2012 9:53 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe rglass could put together a style guide also.
With the weather warming up soon, I have several questions about this season’s shorts selection.
check out my latest blog, rglassfashiontips.blogspot.com.
weather warming up, though? i hate you floridiots.
More Bwoodrum.
Seriously, I miss that guy’s posts.
by mr. maniac on Jan 23, 2012 10:04 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
More Jacob, R.J., and PLK articles.
Seriously, you guys, I’m tired of not knowing the projected lefty/righty splits for Greg Norton.
Sign lady must die.
#rootingforstusbottomline
Done
Vs. LHP: .000/.000/.000
Vs. RHP: .000/.000/.000
Days on DL: 30
by Jacob Larsen on Jan 24, 2012 9:16 AM EST up reply actions
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Rays tank.
That was a brilliant way to foster baseball dialogue during the dark, dreary winter months.
A few more non-saber pieces from time to time
The statistical analysis on the site is great, and there are always plenty of good articles breaking things down from a saber perspective which have a lot of thought put into them and require the reader to think as well. Adding some pieces that are just fun to read and require no real thinking would be enjoyable too.
Sometimes I just want to watch Zoolander, if you get what I mean. I used to love Chalk’s Bugs and Cranks articles about the Devil Rays, and I wouldn’t mind having someone write a short piece once a month or so about something funny that happened at the Trop, a Q&A with our favorite beer men about the funny stories they have, or a piece about the best pranks pulled in Spring Training. I realize there are other sites for this kind of stuff but why not improve this one by adding a limited amount of alternative content that provides a quick reality break. I’m not saying replace any of the current content, just add a little something different.
.
Founded in 2005, DRaysBay is home to, “Progressive statistical analysis and reasoned argument.”
Sign lady must die.
#rootingforstusbottomline
by EminenceFront on Jan 23, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
It's penis talk, obviously
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
Less awful community management.
I kind of understand why you guys did what you did. On topic discussions would occasionally be invaded by humorous content, off-topic threads were ruining site cred, and some people felt pretty small. So instead of communicating your problems as an adult would, perhaps saying “maybe tone it down a little” and let people police themselves you just went and purged the most active part of your community. Then de-friended them, unfollowed them, and acted like the all around professionals you like to believe you are.
Now you think to ask “Gee guys, what do you think?”. Maybe ask first next time.
If you really want some advice, get rid of Cason. He clearly doesn’t know how to handle a community. Feelings hurt, better exterminate them all!!!
I’m really disappointed I won’t be able to post in GDTs this year under your new rules and regulations. It’s a shame, I really enjoyed interacting with some of you.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
by blackraven on Jan 23, 2012 10:51 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
0% chance this lasts 30 minutes on here.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
Also, real talk
I’m disappointed in Slow. Dude could have sent and email or something. Instead he’s like “shows over, get out”.
So many better ways to handle it. Disappointing.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
Just the Man kowtowing to JoeRaysFan.
Alienating your niche for greater site hits and ad revenue.
Sign lady must die.
#rootingforstusbottomline
by EminenceFront on Jan 23, 2012 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
Isn't there room for compromise between the OTTODers and the management?
A lot of those guys commented for a long time, and I considered a few my favorite users. I understand why the threads were done away, and some reasons appeared valid. I just think there has to be some resolution where they can feel comfortable returning, and management can feel comfortable with them returning.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
Is there a way to immediately archive or whatever an OTTOTD?
Kind of like the Gameday Threads are done. This would allow all the horrible things that occur in the OTTOTD to take place while not appearing anywhere on the front page. Or is that too “boys club”.
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
You can hide the thread, but as far as I know there was never a way to set that up automatically.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
Make them FanShots.
Nobody reads those.
Sign lady must die.
#rootingforstusbottomline
by EminenceFront on Jan 23, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
If they would have handled it differently I think we'd be in a different position right now.
But they just turned the lights off and assumed we’d stay.
I’m just assuming they wanted us to stay. Personally I don’t think they said “if they go, so be it.”
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
I see the time away hasn't enhanced your typing/communication skills.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
What happened to the happy-go-lucky Buc Wild?
You sad Chip isn’t coming? I am.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
I'm using veiled personal attacks disguised in friendly banter to avoid the banhammer.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
But we're buddies. Go pick n RJ or something.
He doesn’t have feelings to hurt.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
We've had months for fingerpointing.
If there’s a middle ground to be had, I would encourage both parties to work on finding it and let bygones be bygones.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
When that middle ground presents itself I may be interested in seeing it.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
that's a horrible idea
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
That isn't a middle ground.
But it is where I will be enjoying my game time posting. Thanks for the plug, I guess?
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
no..there's not enough actual content there.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
I'm not in a position to offer things.
But both sides should put together a list of what they’d want—or don’t want—and work from there. There’s too much anger involved here. That has to be put aside first.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions
Part of that has to come from your side as well Dobbs
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
the problem is anytime someone raises a complaint with collette he posts his "6 rules of the site" states that they are black and white and proceeds to hide all discussion that may even approach violating them.
the whitewash really turns me off of contributing/suggesting more, i think it’s absurd that so much content is hidden.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
and i mention this because he doesn't seem willing to budge on his policy, so it does not make him seem amenable to compromise.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
I'm not fluent on all the happenings around here nowadays, so forgive any ignorance I show
But this thread does show some willingness to adjust and compromise on his/their part, no?
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
the existence of it, of course. i'm glad it came to a head and we have this at least.
but we won’t know if it means anything at all until we see the response of “the big 4” of Jason, Steve, Erik, and Brad.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
Fair enough.
I would caution that this has to go both ways in order for it to work.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
i haven't taken an extreme stance at any time since the exodus, but I have represented some of the opinions of those shunned and discarded.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
I would suggest a chat between site leaders and Toppah. He's our Oblammer
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Jan 23, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
Or, we go to arbitration.
I would vote for FZ or you to oversee that process.
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Jan 23, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
Some form of arby would be an awesome way to settle this dispute.
And would go down in internet lore for all eternity.
Maybe resident attorney Reasonable Doubt could…. oh, wait.
I would rather these folks just settle it on their own.
As a reader, both add value to the experience. I hope both sides can label the thread banning as an action with good intentions, even if the execution led to some miscalculated and regrettable effects.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
i just want whatever to happen that brings rj back.
and maybe even sandy back for hours at a time before he gets banned again.
Bingo bango
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
Two cents' worth from a lurker (for several years)
and infrequent poster. (I’m a Rockies’ fan & hang out at Purple Row mostly, but check this site daily because the Rays are my favorite AL team.)
I like the changes — the profanity and nudity got to a point where they detracted from the site’s credibility. I often suggest friends or relatives check out particular posts on P.R., but would have never suggested my daughter (a big baseball fan) or my wife go looking on Drays Bay. There were simply too many offensive things. I coudn’t tell the tongue-in-cheek racism/sexism from actual racism/sexism, and that really offended me.
I’m no prude, and enjoy double-entendre jokes & occasional off-topic pictures or clips that illustrate a point. But some posters here were being crude just for the sake of being crude, and that detracted from the main purpose: a good baseball blog about a good baseball team.
I’ve learned a lot about the Rays from this site and really appreciate the detailed knowledge of the mods & many posters. Go Rays.
2012 has to be a better year. Doesn't it?
by maris61 on Jan 23, 2012 12:06 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Was there every nudity in front page posts?
Did I miss this somehow?
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
Most of the complaints seem to stem from hard fast rules (no nudity, no racism etc) being violated and us collectively not doing antyhing.
Those that violated those particular rules were banned but unbanned 24 hours later. Perhaps a more firm stance and active self policing would have produced different results.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
Any time anything really bad was posted it was gone within minutes.
I mean christ, no one has a better response time than we had when it came to deleting offensive content. And you’re right, it was consistently the same people (daveh33) but the mentality was “just unban him” and that was ok with slow et al.
They never said anything.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
Not true
he was perma banned at one point but then set free by someone. i doubt it was Slow.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
I perma banned him.
And slow didn’t speak up, he should have.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
Very fair
and bonus points for Go Rays.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
i think a lot of that was restricted to GDT where things kind of get out of control, but that's related to the nature of emotional response to the sport.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
i'm not saying it's right, i'm just saying there's a reason it happens.
the same reason people type in all caps when a stupid error is made or a glorious home run is hit.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
Three cheers.
You managed to say in one post what I have been trying to express in many. In short…there are many times when the site has not been “family friendly” It’s a big miss to exclude that part of the Rays’ online community.
Just as the Rays themselves have a certain standard for the way that the players are to conduct themselves on and off the field, I feel that the same should apply to those who want to discuss the team in a public forum like DRaysBay.
I personally can handle sexism/racism and locker room talk, but there are many that can’t and shouldn’t have to.
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
Can't please everyone.
And the typical person who is offended by internet hijinks isn’t bringing a lot of advanced analysis to the table.
I’m sure there are exceptions, but let’s be honest here.
would you be willing to cite some of the things that were not family friendly?
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
Here is one from this weekend.
“if you put a giant penis on the front page i’m sure that would generate comments too
paging daveh”
“Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again”
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
There are others
…but honestly I’m not going to waste my time looking for them. Anyone who reads this site with regularity knows what I am talking about. Sure…the stuff gets deleted…but it shouldn’t be posted in the first place.
Honestly…I’m really having a hard time understanding why some find the “Six Golden Rules” so oppressive and unfair.
Any website or brand on the internet has rules of conduct for posting. This is not a foreign concept or unreasonable request.
If I’m missing something please clue me in, because the rules seem to be fair and reasonable to me. I know I’m new here and I don’t want to rock the boat…but come on what is so unreasonable about these? Please somebody tell me how these rules are not fair or reasonable, because I honestly don’t get it.
1. No personal attacks.
2. No slurs.
3. Keep an open mind, and use logic in arguments.
4. Stay on topic.
5. Limit the use of profanity to the gameday threads.
6. No anime (h/t to the legends that helped this place grow)
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
I think the one that has brought about this whole thing is number four
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
And interpretation of #1
Busting chops isn’t really an attack. A key to successful moderating is playing in the grey field
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
#3 is one i've had a strong issue with.
sometimes it feels like arguing with a wall here. The Betemit discussion, Jason wouldn’t (and still hasn’t) responded to a few of my points about the intrinsic characteristics of a utility player, and so I got frustrated. Yes I was wrong in how I responded, but if I was in violation of rule 1 (though I tried to limit my attacks to his argument and not to him personally), then he was absolutely in violation of rule 3.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
That seems like a legitimate gripe.
Perhaps there just needs to be a more clearly defined definition of “on topic”.
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
We need more rules
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
And more realism in place of idealism.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
It's silly to think that the commentariat is somehow a reflection...
or exemplary of the thoughts and ideas of Steve or Jason. This stuff has been going on for years and hasn’t stopped you or Tommy or even Steve and Jason from getting noticed by and doing work for more high profile media outlets.
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
I think it's reasonable to ask for the content to be toned down.
But I also never wanted 13-year-olds reading the site, so I’m not the best judge.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions
A lot, if not most, of the site deals with things that are probably beyond the comprehension...
of any child young enough to be offended.
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
I wasn't much older than 13 when I started reading DRB
by benderbrodriguez on Jan 23, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
I wasn't using the age of 13
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
Don't take the age literally, I meant kids.
Whoever these people are that take offense to a random curse word now and again but still manage to enjoy television, movies, music, and other literature.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Older than that, and I still had no business doing so.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
Honestly
Sure…the stuff gets deleted…but it shouldn’t be posted in the first place.
This is the internet. People are going to post horrible stuff. It’s some strange thing with anonymity. If they’re banned for it, they gone. Negative reinforcement does work.
Baiting people into posting furries or anime was literally the best part of the GDT.
i was making a point, and it was hidden anyways, which is proof that the system works.
there is nothing explicit about what i said, and i don’t think the word ‘penis’ counts as profanity. it may come off as crass, but that post was in accordance with the guidelines.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
Ok fair enough.
But the second part was from your signature….which is posted on this site every time you post. It doesn’t bother me…but could you see how it might be intimidating or inappropriate for a kid to read?
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
it's a quote, and i thought it was so absurdly awful that it was comical. if a mod asked me to remove it i would.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
I know.
I’m not trying to give you a hard time. My point is merely that one doesn’t have to search very hard to find content on this site that is not “family friendly”.
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
I just don't think "family friendly" needs to be taken to extremes.
I mean… we don’t have to kid-proof EVERYTHING.
It's not supposed to be Disney's DRB
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
And I'm not saying it's currently being taken to extremes.
But a data-driven baseball site typically isn’t attracting kids or nuns (other than my daughter who is one of those and will be the other).
Like the radio. I really like to hear curse words on the radio. I don’t know why, but I’m an adult and I really like to hear the f-word. A lot. So I buy SiriusXM.
It upsets me that I can’t hear personalities on terrestrial radio talk like adults just so kids hear it.
I am also upset that Alcatraz had to be kid-proofed and I will never get to see those glorious pupperz.
Real talk.
Right, F/X and Comedy Central both have profanity
It just shouldn’t be excessive or cruel. I’ve probably cursed <10 times in 4 years on this site
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
but this is not a blog for families, and i have never seen that as part of the mission statement anywhere.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
Any truth to the rumors that Maddon is the Bucs new head coach?
I mean, they are kinda getting desperate at this point…
Time to shamelessly plug my book and short story!
so"witty" would have been more appropriate
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
I thought you were dead
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
I don't understand why profanity is excusable in GDT's but not in OTT's.
GDT’s actually make the front page, while OTT’s are hidden on the sidebar. If anything it seems new users would be more inclined to read offensive comments in a GDT than an OTT.
Lookout Landing is by far one of the greatest blogs on SBN, and Jeff Sullivan posts profanity on the front page all the time. I’m not even interested in the Mariners, I just read the site because his interesting writing.
There was nothing wrong with the site before the shut down of OTT’s. I was just like any other newbie poster, but I got the memo. Read long enough to understand the community before you post, and if you can’t do that then you are much more fit for commenting on The Heater.
I posted on a different account at the beginning of the 09 season, got a little backlash for not understanding the statistical viewpoint of the site, then backed off to understand it a little more. Management may not like it, but it’s true. If DRB wants to attract more visitors and new users with less intellectual comments, then so be it, that’ll just make it like every other Rays site out there if you disregard the saber analysis, which even that content has been hitting a low.
In short; read before you post, understand the community, and you’ll be fine. Management may not like it, but that’s essentially what you’re going to have to do if you want your site to be in a different league than The Heater and Rays Index. I used to love DRB, and I can’t stand to see it spiral down like those other garbage Rays sites.
You heard it from me.
by multiple sources on Jan 23, 2012 12:57 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
profanity was allowed in the OTTOTD's
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
I know, but why not direct profanity to both the OTT's and the GDT's in the guidelines
Instead of directing use of the oh so immature profanity to the GDT’s, which actually appear on the front page where users are inclined to read more stories comments, as opposed to a thread that you only see on a sidebar.
You heard it from me.
by multiple sources on Jan 23, 2012 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
I consider myself a newbie here,but I agree with this.
I waited about a year or so before I said “explicit” it and started joining in on the conversations, in the comments. The amount of intellectual capital that floats around there bests every other community I have experienced. If an increase of less educated fans became more pronounce, I believe they would water down the conversation instead of enhancing it.
I'm pretty sure he is flying today anyways.
"I don't believe in just being out there and just grinding away. Let's do it intelligently, let's do it quickly, let's get it done. And then move on." ----Joe Maddon
I also don't want to be banned
But we all know I’m saying it in spirit.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
Steve or Jason should be here taking part in this...
and some of the other posts probably shouldn’t have gone up today. They missed the boat on that.
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
It's almost pointless without interaction from them.
WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE
If you lived closer I would have kicked the snot out of you by now
Matt Moore. That is all.
by joeybw
Jason should have saved this for a day when he wasn't travelling...
or made sure that Steve was going to be here to participate.
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
I think they said they'll both reply to this later, but they want to be hands off for a bit right now
by benderbrodriguez on Jan 23, 2012 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
Yep. I'm looking forward to later.
If this is handled properly when they chime in, this could be a really good thing.
yes this
I’m okay with them allowing the community discussion to take place without ‘guiding’ it. It’s the best way to get a feel for how the community really feels.
It will alsomake the response later much more well thought out (I hope).
Use the force, Lueke
Just my opinion but and "Airing of Grievances" should have all involved parties present
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
It's more of a "let everyone get their thoughts out" and then we'll respond
That way things can be more tempered
by benderbrodriguez on Jan 23, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
When do we move on to Feats of Strength?
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
i think he said they'd read/respond in the evening.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
No serious concerns other than not welcoming new posters very well,
but I think even that has improved ever since the OTTOTD guys left, and now the site is actually mostly about baseball.
This meme definitely has a shelf life to it
by Jason Collette on Dec 29, 2011 11:31 AM EST upreplyactions
So do you.
BOOM. ROASTED!
by SandalsNoPants on Dec 29, 2011 11:32 AM EST upreply Rec Flag
As a writer/moderator on this site, here's my take on everything
1) I’ve always come to DRaysBay for the baseball, first and foremost. The content and discussion is king.
2) Despite the above, I’ve also really enjoyed the banter and personalities that have developed. DRB is a lot of fun to be on
3) As a moderator, I only personally ban people for doing things that are clearly crossing the line (i.e. posting anime, porn, “would of”). I don’t hide content unless I think it’s highly offensive to a significant portion of the viewership. I know that this is much more lax than most of the others, but I view myself more as a contributor than a policeman on this site, and I know that that’s not everyone’s role.
4) I personally think the hiding of posts that aren’t offensive is somewhat unnecessary, and that staying on topic isn’t a 100% rule. It’s more a matter of, respond and generate discussion to the writer’s work, they put a lot of time into it. For things like fanshots etc., staying on topic is even less important.
by benderbrodriguez on Jan 23, 2012 3:04 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
I like this.
When you are attracting the personality type who enjoys this game on the level that we do, some banter is going to take place.
Yes , this.
Baseball people rarely agree with everything and blanket statements are nearly impossible.Arguing baseball is a GOOD thing.
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
If you can't ignore someone saying something in the comments section of a blog...
You don’t belong on the internet.
Sign lady must die.
#rootingforstusbottomline
by EminenceFront on Jan 23, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with this. The "would of" got the rec, though
This meme definitely has a shelf life to it
by Jason Collette on Dec 29, 2011 11:31 AM EST upreplyactions
So do you.
BOOM. ROASTED!
by SandalsNoPants on Dec 29, 2011 11:32 AM EST upreply Rec Flag
by sc_monsta1015 on Jan 23, 2012 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I have a problem with the mods around here, let's see how many people care.
Since when do typos and using wrong terms lead to a ban? Are we in junior high? We get punished for how we spell?
Let the trolls post but if a guy doesn’t say “would have” BAN HIM!
Matt Moore. That is all.
Using grammar correctly is a reflection on yourself and a service to those who may read your comments.
If you can’t be bothered to fix a simple error, then why should anyone read your comments?
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
this
This meme definitely has a shelf life to it
by Jason Collette on Dec 29, 2011 11:31 AM EST upreplyactions
So do you.
BOOM. ROASTED!
by SandalsNoPants on Dec 29, 2011 11:32 AM EST upreply Rec Flag
by sc_monsta1015 on Jan 23, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
Right
I mean, what if AF stopped by? We don’t want people thinking badly of the site.
Use the force, Lueke
You are absolutely right about this.
but should people be banned for it?
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
Was he banned or warned?
The latter is just a way to deliver a message, but looks like a ban if you don’t know any better.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
It was a ban, you're right.
For about five minutes, although you had two warnings before that asked you to pay attention to that same mistake. Probably thought you were trolling.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
If they consistently make the same mistake?
Absolutely.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
I'm seeing that this was a special case.
to do the same things over and over again , even after being corrected gets old for sure.
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
I think it's hilarious also.
If he want’s to look like an idiot then more power to him.
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Does this really happen?
If so , then i agree 100%
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
Don't feel bad, kid, anybody else would of goten banned for bad gramer
This meme definitely has a shelf life to it
by Jason Collette on Dec 29, 2011 11:31 AM EST upreplyactions
So do you.
BOOM. ROASTED!
by SandalsNoPants on Dec 29, 2011 11:32 AM EST upreply Rec Flag
by sc_monsta1015 on Jan 23, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
Joey,
You KEEP DOING IT. It wasn’t initially banworthy, but after weeks and weeks of correction, you KEPT DOING IT.
And now one would have to think you’re doing it on purpose.
So if you are banned for it you will either
1. Stop doing it on purpose.
or
2. Stop doing it and think for 1 extra second before you click post.
I didn't do it on purpose
I did it because I wrote something and just clicked post. I didn’t care how it read because for gods sake, its the internet. If I am going to get banned every time I fail my spelling test, congrats, you finally got rid of me.
Matt Moore. That is all.
#FREEJOEYBW
WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE
If you lived closer I would have kicked the snot out of you by now
Matt Moore. That is all.
by joeybw
my new favorite poster
Hey, it’s the offseason, shouldn’t we rank the posters, and have a vote? Who’s in?
This meme definitely has a shelf life to it
by Jason Collette on Dec 29, 2011 11:31 AM EST upreplyactions
So do you.
BOOM. ROASTED!
by SandalsNoPants on Dec 29, 2011 11:32 AM EST upreply Rec Flag
by sc_monsta1015 on Jan 23, 2012 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
I should of known.
joeybw, on why he was banned for half a day:
"Might of been grammar I keep getting that "would have" thing wrong
Not on purpose, mods, wish it was….."
Classic.
by sc_monsta1015 on Jan 23, 2012 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
If only someone would have thought of this before
/Tier 2
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
But no one will read what you have to say if you keep starting it with the same grammatical error.
It puts all the focus on that.
I would think you would prefer everyone to focus on your thought, instead of your error.
It’s just crossing into trolling territory at this point.
Joey has been thriving since the majority of the people who remember the Rocco disease incident don't post anymore.
If only it weren’t for the “would of” thing.
You have to be kidding me
I never stopped hearing about that Rocco thing, this would have crap is just added on and I get it worse because of the “Rocco Thing”
Matt Moore. That is all.
I would of
WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE
If you lived closer I would have kicked the snot out of you by now
Matt Moore. That is all.
by joeybw
I read your posts Joey.
You are very passionate about this team.
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
I legitimately thought you were trolling, given that it's been pointed out that the expression "would/should/could of" is meaningless over 20 times (not exaggerating), and that you'd been warned twice
by benderbrodriguez on Jan 23, 2012 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
If you'll recall the Rocco incident, it makes it even more likely that he is trolling.
His trolls are the most elaborate things ever.
I don't recall the Rocco incident in fact
by benderbrodriguez on Jan 23, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
Perhaps a new feature of the site could be a history section
since I don’t know what the rocco incident is either
Use the force, Lueke
Oh, let me share it.
Others will be able to help way more.
Basically he pretended to get offended at Rocco “tired” jokes because he told an elaborate story about how he has the same disease.
Went with it for quit some time (unless I’m mistaken), then it was revealed that it wasn’t true.
Thus the “Joey is tired”, “go to bed, Joey”, “zzzzz” jokes.
Basically that.
WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE
If you lived closer I would have kicked the snot out of you by now
Matt Moore. That is all.
by joeybw
It has made it literally impossible to ever take anything he says seriously.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
What would we do without daily updates of his projected lineups????
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
Yeah, I'm a troll
I think I will go find a message board that doesn’t grade your spelling and ban you if you fail. Enjoy sternfan and the rest of them. The constant complaints from them aren’t nearly as bad!
Matt Moore. That is all.
Stop.
You know what you’re doing when you somehow squeeze “would of/could of” into every other post.
Joey.
Please take a nap and get some rest and come back when you are more level headed. You don’t want to do something you would of regretted later right?
WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE
If you lived closer I would have kicked the snot out of you by now
Matt Moore. That is all.
by joeybw
you say that you can't help it but you clearly acknowledge what you do wrong and refuse to change. that's your own damn fault.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
Maybe it's not his fault.
I know that since i had a stroke that my brain doesn’t always process things like it should.
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 4:04 PM EST up reply actions
Nah seriously
It’s why i wasn’t around during the playoffs
by Peter Piontek on Jan 23, 2012 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
You spell have O-F, thats not really close, Joey.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Jan 23, 2012 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This entire idea is pointless unless Slow/Cason gets involved
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
I agree...
It’s also buried way down the page now. Probably should have unbanned some of the guys who are still banned if they wanted to get true input.
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
tis my hope that this is a first step, not a final whitewash
but then, i’m a cock-eyed optimist
Use the force, Lueke
I hope so.
Because I hope that this would of accomplished something.
WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE
If you lived closer I would have kicked the snot out of you by now
Matt Moore. That is all.
by joeybw
ya cut
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
by Imperialism32 on Jan 23, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
Thank goodness I turned my monitor away
with a word like “c***” on the screen!
WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE
If you lived closer I would have kicked the snot out of you by now
Matt Moore. That is all.
by joeybw
If an Erotic Christian Teen Sci-Fi Writer can handle a dick joke, who can't?
by Hatfield on Jan 23, 2012 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
(btw, the new book, Splitting Adam, is out)
(get it at amazon, ibookstore or barnes & noble)
Use the force, Lueke
Just followed him! Hope he follows back!
WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE
If you lived closer I would have kicked the snot out of you by now
Matt Moore. That is all.
by joeybw
btw, where else do you advertise your epublications?
Time to shamelessly plug my book and short story!
Oh Rick Santorum can handle a dick, joke.
†††If you love Jesus Chris and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 24, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
Well their track record for discussing issues they have isn't exactly promising.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
They're responding later on, and I've been assured they're taking things suggested under consideration.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
Well I look forward to their input.
Maybe there is a middle ground to be had. Time will tell.
@dobbertweets
(Warning: may contain sourness)
Again, they don't post a thread like this without genuine interest in approving the experience.
If this isn’t solved by the start of camp I would be disappointed.
by R.J. Anderson on Jan 23, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
They're reading
Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com
by Imperialism32 on Jan 23, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
All in good time
I do believe that this isn’t like Dwight’s complaints to Toby about Jim that get put in a “special file” in corporate
by benderbrodriguez on Jan 23, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
Involvement is coming
We’ve purposely stayed away from commenting so people could speak their mind. Your feedback has been collected and is being processed. Steve will be responding in full for the entire site later today.
Anyone who has received a ban from me over the last few months has been granted clemency as a fresh start. The statement later today should help clarify the policies moving forward and how they will be monitored by others. I’m taking a more hand-on role with content & site PR and taking hand off monitoring responsibilities for awhile.
by Jason Collette on Jan 23, 2012 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
I think most people have said what needs to be said. When can we start talking about my new post looking at the projected lineup using regressed platoon splits?
http://theraysway.com/articles/projecting-the-rays-2012-lineup
†††If you love Jesus Chris and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 23, 2012 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
this is the most-Sandy Sandy post
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
Needs more softball.
†††If you love Dan Johnson and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
I will only be using this site to further my own agenda, just like everyone else.
†††If you love Jesus Chris and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 23, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
No
†††If you love Jesus Chris and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 23, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
If you feel passionately you can comment on the site, tweet me, or just mumble something here
P.S. I missed you when can we have some alone time?
†††If you love Jesus Chris and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 23, 2012 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
I hate you.
I’ve been slowly, lazily working on something about Pena and splits that was going to spend time referencing and explaining page 181 of The Book. For what it’s worth, I don’t just copy whatever you say a week later.
Well I didn't really go into detail about the "magic" of regression, so there's certainly a ton of room there to delve into that aspect and relate it to the layman
I thought about instead of using career numbers use the last four or whatever and weight them so that you can factor in some of the recency, but ended up just going with career numbers. It would probably move things around the projection a bit differently, though I don’t know how much that adds. This stuff fascinates me so please feel free to piggyback off the concept as long as you feel that you’re adding value.
†††If you love Jesus Chris and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 23, 2012 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, it is interesting.
The biggest question I’ve been wrestling with about Pena is how little or how much weight to give to recency. His problems are obviously a lot more recent than four years, and my temptation is to call it all noise, and regress as usual, but I’m having trouble proving that’s the right thing to do.
I’d love to know if weighting the last four years or so, assuming they played full years, improves accuracy, though.
Ok so if we weight them 1:2:3:4 I get a weighted overall wOBA of .349, 747 PA against LHP at a weight wOBA of .296
1618 PA against righties with a weighted wOBA of .370. At the same forecast of an overall .360 wOBA we see an expected against lefties of .326 and against righties of .376 where I had .329 and .373 so the recency shows a wider split of around .003 points of wOBA. Not sure that’s a ton of a value add over just using the career numbers.
†††If you love Jesus Chris and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 23, 2012 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
The band is back together *wipes away tear*
RJ, POW, SK-rglass PDA all in one day
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Never lasts long so savor the flavor, kid
†††If you love Jesus Chris and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 23, 2012 6:12 PM EST up reply actions
he's probably a senator by now.
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
Hey guys
Thanks a bunch for all the comments and feedback….this has been good to see and helpful for me. I’ve let a lot slip more than I should have in recent months, and I’m sorry that our modding ended up being so extreme for many of you.
I’ve written out a more full response to all this, so please take some time to go through it at some point…I got a lot of feedback on it already, and I’m hoping/thinking it’s fair. But please, let me know.
I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.
Follow @steveslow
by Steve Slowinski on Jan 23, 2012 4:12 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
To me it's very simple
If you come here just to read baseball related content, this does not affect you in any way.
If you come here to comment but don’t enjoy the “inside jokes”, stay out of the OTTOTD
If you come here to do both of the above and like to partake in shenanigans, see you in the OTTOTD.
by BJ the Bossman on Jan 23, 2012 5:34 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
I wish I could've posted this earlier this morning, but I had to wait to be unbanned because Mr. Collette refused to do it himself.
I was banned last night for trying to have a discussion of a similar sort to this, and FreeZo brought up the idea of having this thread, and it no longer exists or is hidden or whatever.
Professionalism, particularly on Mr. Collette’s part, is lacking, regarding the site staff. I had taken time to type out honest criticism of the site, and it was removed due to being “off topic” along with a mess of other posts. I posted it in a fanpost, and that was removed, although no reason was given. Also, it seemed to final straw to my banning was my pointing out that Mr. Collette’s own posting of the site’s growing visits was also offtopic, yet it remained unhidden. This was my ban message:
You have been banned from DRaysBay.
What part of “offline” do you not understand? Stop polluting threads with your complaints and email Slowinski and myself offline. Steve.slowinski@gmail.com and jason.collette@gmail.com – we’ll be more than happy to discuss offline.
This site has gotten to the point where criticism and even jokes (and in the case of yesterday and another member, jokes responding to his own jokes) are no longer tolerated and the perpetrator faces banishment. It’s basically fascist, and it seems like the kind of thing people from Fahrenheit 451 have to dance around, and that shouldn’t be the case.
I took my grievances to OTTOTD.com last night, and in the morning, I emailed Mr. Collette to unban me so that I could participate in this thread, and this is the email back and forth that took place (only one from each of us, so not much of a back and forth, and my initial email comes first):
I’d like to be unbanned to participate in the airing of grievances.
Sandalsnopants
Steve’s call. This "fucking cunt is deferring to him.
He is (mis)quoting from my comments on OTTOTD.com.
Is this the way a site manager should act/react to criticism? Until he stops concerning himself with his own image, and let’s not kid ourselves that it’s all about the image of the site to him, DRB is not going to be anywhere near as progressive as I’m sure many of the members would like it to be.
Below is the post that was deleted twice last night:
I think this site would be better off if you especially
were more open to public criticism and jokes. The way you delete things and ban members is awful. There are many well-run sites on SBN, but you choose to run this one like OTM. It really doesn’t make sense. Until you banned OTTOTD, which I wasn’t even a part of, I really enjoyed being here. I still come around here for the community aspect, and there’s really no other suitable alternative to have this deep of a Rays discussion.
And I’m not really sure why the changes came about. I read that it was to be more welcoming toward new members, but I was a new member a year ago, and I did take a couple hits when I supported Kotch during spring training, but since I’m not a weak human being, it didn’t deter me from coming back. If you’re worried about people not coming back after a small bit of hazing due to a stupid idea of theirs (or not a stupid idea), I personally think you’re catering to the wrong group of people. You’re making the site weaker. I read more and posted less, until I felt familiar enough with the content to become a regular poster on here, and I’m better off for it.
You’re basically throwing that out the window, and you’re bringing down the site and its content, particularly in comments and fanposts.
And keeping comments like this to email is weak, also. I’ll email, and I have emailed Slow in the past, to discuss quick thoughts/issues. Keeping the criticism to email does nothing more than allow you to brush it off without looking like a tool in the process.
The sooner you stop worrying about your public image, the better the site will be.
If you feel the need to ban me over this (which is worse than the joke than Vin made earlier), please try to reinstate me in time for the spring training GDTs. Thanks.
I know you probably won’t, but I sincerely hope you take this post as honest criticism/advice.
You have been issued a warning. Personal attacks have no place Alzheimer reference —sternfan1 In order to continue participating on DRaysBay you must acknowledge your warning by pressing the OK button below.
by SandalsNoPants on Jan 22, 2012 8:26 PM CST up reply actions
You have been issued a warning.
Personal attacks have no place ~Alzheimer reference~ --sternfan1
In order to continue participating on DRaysBay you must acknowledge your warning by pressing the OK button below.
All is anew?
Is that why you wouldn’t unban me this morning?
You’ve been a really shitty site manager here for a while now, and I’m not ready to start anew after last night. You’re unprofessional, and you have a very thin skin. Trying to brush stuff off like this (and like the article itself in this instance) is BS, and anyone with a brain who knows how to use it can figure it out. Good luck ever looking credible again in your attempt to get recognized.
You have been issued a warning.
Personal attacks have no place ~Alzheimer reference~ --sternfan1
In order to continue participating on DRaysBay you must acknowledge your warning by pressing the OK button below.
by SandalsNoPants on Jan 23, 2012 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
get over yourself
Boom. Outta Here.
Follow @RyanGilliss
by Ryan Gilliss on Jan 23, 2012 9:52 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
well
If I’m willing to forgive this
That cunt Collette cites shit as being offtopic from a 1b discussion, but when I point out that his fucking site views comment as being offtopic, he hides it and banes me. Fuck that piece of shit.
Certainly you can put the past behind, no?
That's not from this site, and it's also true.
I don’t give a shit if you forgive that or not. Stop being obsessed with your image.
You have been issued a warning.
Personal attacks have no place ~Alzheimer reference~ --sternfan1
In order to continue participating on DRaysBay you must acknowledge your warning by pressing the OK button below.
by SandalsNoPants on Jan 23, 2012 9:33 PM EST up reply actions
at least he didn't call you Jason
"Please break your typewriter and computer and never come out of your ass cave again"
all Jasons are pieces of shit, by nature
It comes with the name
by Jason Collette on Jan 23, 2012 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, man, watch it
†††If you love Jesus Chris and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 23, 2012 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
Every Jason I knew in school - bastards
Every Jason I had as a student – bastards
It’s the name, and I’m using a sample size of 37, give or take 20
by Jason Collette on Jan 23, 2012 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
Something I noticed on other SBN sites but not here(or else I'm not looking too hard/well)
-Lists of twitter accounts of writers/top users/former writers
This can be useful because we all do usually talk to each other on twitter and incase there’s breaking news, someone will RT it like wildfire.
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