A/C Forum Issues

[RobertSzabo]

This is nothing personal against you but I want to tell you why not everyone will go to the AC forum to ask questions.

The following is a quote. Its one of many Ive heard from users of this forum.

"90% of them blew me off/insulted me"

How can the AC "movement" ever expect to capture the hearts of main stream reenactors if they treat them this way?

Like I said, Im not pointing a finger at any one person but whats going on over there? I dont visit the AC forum, Im only going by what Ive been told, over and over again.

[major]

Robert
I know exactly what you are talking about. It seams that they hide in the shadows and then pounce if you make any comment that isn’t in line with their idea of reenacting.

[dustyswb]

Mr Szabo,

Never thought I would post on an artillery post, but it seems this will go off topic quick.

As a moderator on the A/C forum, I can speak to "what's going on over there?"

I speak for myself and my thoughts may or may not be those of the other mods or Matt.

It is my understanding that the A/C website was set up for reenactors who wanted more than what was being offered at the time online. A place to have scholarly articles made available to anyone who wanted to read them. A place to discuss uniforms, events, research, 19th century techniques of cooking and camping, and other things. It had a very small membership and they liked it that way.

It seems to have grown to a point where it is just "kewl" to be a member, which really doesn't take much; a valid email and user name. The "old" members of the board wrote articles, posted excerpts from OR's or newspapers and discussed them in historical context, planned "c/p/h" events.

Word spread that this was "the place to be to be "authentic" and the lemmings came, myself included. I was intimidated when I first got there, because I hadn't done anything like what was on there. It took me over a year to post ANYTHING!. That was about 6 years ago and I'd like to think that I've done some good on the forum since Paul asked me to become a moderator several years ago.

Today's forum is different. Today's member joins on Monday and starts asking basic questions or giving unsubstantiated opinions on Tuesday. I think that new members need to do several things BEFORE they post a single thread when coming to the A/C:

1) Read the articles that still have live links on the home page.
2) Use the search function to see what types of conversations are stored on the forum before asking a question that was discussed yesterday, last week, last month or last year.
3) Find a picture, subject matter or article of the uniform and do a research paper/synopsis on an interesting aspect of subject and present it for discussion on the forum. This should be the first post everyone makes.
4) Leave your mainstream ideology on your side of the keyboard. Most of the original members fled such ways of thinking for a reason.
5) Don't get bent out of shape if you don't do the above and get called on it.

All the forums have a purpose. Not all forums serve everyone. The great thing about it is you can always "turn them off". If you are watching TV and something comes on that you don't like, do you complain to your cable company about the channel or do you use common sense and use your clicker?

Sorry for the rant. BTW, Lee White will NOT blow anyone off who has a legit question. I've never met him, but I bet the farm on that one.

[SmellyFed]

There was a time when the Provost here at cwreenactors.com and I had a gentleman's agreement to help each other out when our forums were having technical difficulties - helping to spread the word. I've always kept my mouth off this forum and the Provost, in all his anonymity, did the same.

I don't run the AC any longer, but as far as I know, none of the AC moderators or admins have ever publicly critized the way you run your forum. I'm fairly shocked at this change in policy - that you would now use anecdotal heresay to cast aspersions - while admitting that you've never been there to verify your presumptions.

Sad Bob... just plain sad. Apparently the gloves are off now and that doesn't benefit anybody but the trolls.

Paul Calloway

[trippcor]

Sir,
To a certain extent you are completely correct. I suggest you look at the name of the Forum - The Authentic Campaigner Forum. The title kind of indicates the purpose and intent of the forum. I think it is appearent that the AC forum is not geared to the mainstream community. Never has been nor has it been marketed as such. That is the purpose of this forum.

Let's use a little common sense folks.

[RobertSzabo]

Paul,

I dont think I was being critical of the AC forum. Ive gotten emails from people that say just what I put in my post.

There have been a lot of replies to posts here telling people to go to the the AC forum for help. I only posted what Ive been told, that is, when they do so they are being ridiculed.

Bob

[RobertSzabo]

I guess your right. I just though it would be nice if people who were not authentic and wanted to become more authentic could post and not be afraid to get blasted for asking dumb questions.

[RobertSzabo]

Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like common sense to me.

I didnt mean to cause such a controversy. I said what was being said to me and asked a question.

I dont hardly have time to read this forum, Ill never have time in the near future to read the AC forum.

Ive kept this forum going because Ive been asked to do so many times by people I meet when I go to events.

[trippcor]

Bob,
We have no problem with people coming to find more information to improve their impression on the AC. That is part of our purpose. No one has a perfect impression and there is always room for improvement as new research is uncovered.

We do however have problems with the 13 million "Who makes the best ??????" or "How do I defarb my musket?"post that have been answered so many times it has gotten pointless. We expect users of the AC to take a bit of effort to find answers before they post a question. We expect all users to use the search function to see if information is availible before posting a question. It is amazing what is availible. If they can still not find an answer or need some clarification then by all means post. I do not think anyone would slam someone for doing that.

[RobertSzabo]

Well Im sorry if I have offended anyone in my post.

I didnt mean to put the AC forum down. If it was taken that way Id like to publicly apoligize. There is room on the net for many different views and opinions. Mines only one.

Maybe Ill just go back to lurking and keeping the hardware and software running.

Bob Szabo