What happened to "Miscellaneous Chat"?

[Charles2]

I just noticed that the "Miscellaneous Chat" forum is no longer with us. I realize that there was some ongoing discussion about whether to continue this forum but was under the impression that any decision was still a ways off. If the powers-that-be have decided to remove this forum from the website it would have been courteous, at the very least, to notify the forum participants of its impending demise and to mention when the death would occurr. To just "disappear" it without notice strikes me as a bit abrupt and more than a little inconsiderate.

[Matt Harwood]

It's still there, but there's a new rule, and I quote:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Effective today members with 400+ posts are the only people who can see the contents of Misc Chat.

I'll selectively add those with less than 400 posts who want to see/post in the Misc Chat forum.

Peter

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Peter Gariepy

Web Mechanic

www.aaca.org

</div></div>

Strange rule, but there it is. I guess the more posts you have, the less likely you are to make a fool of yourself?

[Guest Moepar]

Where did the post appear? In the Misc Chat room? If so, it certainly would have been nice for it to appear somewhere else for us who haven't met the quota so we wouldn't feel like we're left outta the loop.

As it was, I've been registered online for almost 5 years now. Up until about a year & a 1/2 ago, I had only in the neighborhood of 25 posts. I checked out the 'basement' & found stuff I wanted to comment on, & since my posts have gone up (but hasn't reached the 400 post mark). It's one of the main reasons I check the AACA website daily. Prior to checking out the basement rants, I <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">maybe</span></span> checked the AACA website one or twice every four months! And I'm a newsletter editor!!

At this rate, maybe in another 7-10 years I'll have enough posts to get back to the basement. Maybe dave moon or howard would like to share a few with me?????

[Guest AlK]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Strange rule, but there it is. I guess the more posts you have, the less likely you are to make a fool of yourself? </div></div>

IMHO: that is a statement not based on posts in evidence

[24T42]

Peter does say in his post in the Misc Chat section -

"I'll selectively add those with less than 400 posts who want to see/post in the Misc Chat forum."

So- I guess if you have less than 400 posts and want to read the cellar posts you need to contact Peter.

[Guest greg72monte]

I may just do that. How do I contact him? Thank you!

[Charles2]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Effective today members with 400+ posts are the only people who can see the contents of Misc Chat.

I'll selectively add those with less than 400 posts who want to see/post in the Misc Chat forum.

Peter

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Peter Gariepy

Web Mechanic

www.aaca.org

</div></div>

So basically, the only people who were informed of the new rules were those who were chosen to be allowed to continue participating; the rest of us, the unwashed savages just had to guess. Incidentally, why 400 posts? Is a person with 400 posts somehow more acceptable than one with a mere 399? Why exclude a thoughtful, intellegent individual with only one prior post? Frankly, the new rule seems awfully arbitrary and a bit dictatorial. Would it be too much to ask someone who was involved in making this decision to explain their reasoning in the "General Forum" so us lesser mortals have a chance to read and understand?

[Guest Moepar]

One thought is to ban those on a 'strike two' for a period of time from the basement. I dunno.

[Olds 442]

Count me in as one who has less than 400 posts but still enjoyed "Miscellaneous Chat".I would like to be reinstated!!

[R W Burgess]

" <span style="font-weight: bold">Go to "Forum Questions" at the bottom of the main page for more information!</span> "

A Private Message to PeterG will be required for a personal update and approval. Be patient, he is in Hershey at a "small" get together.

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Rawja]

My suggetstion is to allow registered users to view, and posting limited to those who have the 400 posts or permission, similar to how the unregistered access the rest of the forums.

Though to be completely honest, on principle I don't really support the muzzling of discussion of any topic, but hey it aint MY discussion group.

[Guest]

Rawja posted the above thought yesterday down in the now restricted Misc. Chat section of the Forum.

Below is a copy of my response, which I am pasting here as it may be worthwhile for it to be available for general viewing.

"I think perhaps the intent may have been to keep the "virgin" viewers from even looking in here and getting a bad impression of what an AACA sponsored forum is all about. Anyone with 400+ posts knows what goes on down here and would not be shocked or offended by it. I think we should be satisfied with the new concept and leave well enough alone. As for me, if I don't like what is going on down here, I am experienced enough not to get bent out of shape or offended, but rather I just log out for a while."

hvs