Been a TC member for several months now and am confusd as to the content of this board.
Most other BBSs like Corral (Mustang site) and LS1.com, Corvetteforum.com have similar "open discussion" sections. Many of the posts are non-car related, an area where we can get to know eachother by discussing views on social issues, political, girlfreind/boyfreind problems, movie discussions, consolation over a dead pet, the list goes on. Surprisingly, not many threads get locked due to arguements.
Here, it does seem a little more restricted.
I have posted a couple of non-car threads and have gotten heat for it- even one was erased without warning (the Philly Police post).
I enjoy getting to know others and having discussions of things other than cars- I am sure most of us have plenty to offer on other subjects. This way when we meet in person at a show, we can have something else to chat about.
I know this a Chevelle enthusiets site and we can all assume that commoness, but there is more to life than cars.
Of course this all could be part of my overzealous imagination, but it seems the discussions here in Bench Racing does not stray too far form car chat.

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JARRET GRATHWOL
TEAM CHEVELLE MEMBER #573
1970 Chevelle SS 396
You can see my Chevelle SS here:
http://www.geocities.com/stangsvt99/Jarret_s__70_Chevelle_SS.html

Ya know J, thats a really good question.....I know I am definitely not authorized to give the answer, but to be truthful, I have seen plenty of non car related posts under this forum(many made by myself), so that we do get to know a little about each other.

I recall the Philly post that you had put up, and of course everyone has their opinions about it, but certain things are taboo(yeah, this coming from a guy who puts posts about toilet bowls, right?)...things that involve police and racial boundaries can start a lot of heat under a forum where we can't see each other. By this I mean, I'm sure someone on this forum is a police officer, married to one, related to one, or has a good friend who is one; I'm sure someone on this site is African American, or married to someone, or related to someone, or is good friend's with someone. You see what I mean.

I know you may be shocked, but I usually read over anything before I submit it, just to make sure that I don't p#ss anyone off; however, somehow I still manage even unintentionally. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif


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"A days pay on the wild side"
'67 Chevelle 396/Th400/4.10

[This message has been edited by Big Block Dave (edited 07-25-2000).]

It is mostly a car related forum but most any subject posted will be left alone as long as it is fairly clean and family orented, not a "for sale or wanted ad" and not causing a "name calling flame war"

For the most part the board's content is governed by the members wants, they will let you (and me)know when you post something unwanted

Any political topic always seems to lead to a big fight because everyone has a different opinion on such things.
Many people come here to get away from all the problems of the world and let me know by email when they feel a subject dosen't belong here.

I'm sure a lot of posts get deleted before you ever see them on "the other boards", just like they do on this board.

I usually don't lock threads, when they start to get ugly or unfriendly, I just delete them and poof, end of fight.

I do however usually email the original poster and notify them that I have deleted it, along with an explanition
I'm sorry I didn't do that with your the "Philly Police post", I was probably in a big hurry to get to something else I suppose.

You are absolutely correct when you say "there is more to life than cars" but this site is about cars and is a "get away" from all the other issues in life.

http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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Dean Call
Team Gold member #3
A.C.E.S. # 00235
Mid America Chevelle Club (http://macc.chevelles.net) #001
chevelles.net (http://chevelles.net)
My 69 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/deans69.jpg)

<edit;>

Replies

Oh, that reminds me (thanks BBD) one more thing that I personally really don't like to see is a reply to a serious question that contains no help for the person asking or a reply to a newbie that makes it sound like he asked a stupid question or a reply that tells him he posted in the wrong forum.
(The moderators will move the post to the proper forum if they feel it's necessary)

When a person posts a serious question and gets notified by email that someone has posted a reply to his question, then goes back only to find "no help" replies or replies that might make him feel like he shouldn't have come here and asked for help is just not what this site is all about.

The problem is;
What a "no help" reply to a serious question does is totally change the person's topic because a few other people will reply to the reply and send the person a bunch of messages that someone else has answered his question with every reply

Now I know sometimes I may get a little harsh about this "pet peve" I just don't have a way with words like some other people do

Probably there are a few guys who think I'm against humor in the forum now but, NOT TRUE, heck I like a good joke as much as anyone else as long as they don't offend anyone.
People come here from all walks of life and manycomplain about jokes that they feel offend their beliefs

I just want everyone to be treated like he is only human even if their question seems stupid.


[This message has been edited by Dean (edited 07-25-2000).]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jarret Grathwol:
I have posted a couple of non-car threads and have gotten heat for it- even one was erased without warning (the Philly Police post)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

While I don't recall the post you're talking about, there are topics, as Dave mentioned, that won't fly here.

A 'discussion' is one thing, but if it evolves into slamming someome or place, it's axed. Flaming isn't put up with as in almost every case, the other party isn't here to show their point of view.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I know this a Chevelle enthusiets site and we can all assume that commoness, but there is more to life than cars.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well...that's true, and don't take this the wrong way, but this -is- a car site, not a political discussion forum, pet talk, or what-have-you. Sure, there's the occasional off topic post, but as there is more to life than cars, there's also more to the internet than this site. IF you want to discuss those topics, you need to go there.

PLease understand, I'm not saying you should leave or not post. I'm just pointing out that if there isn't an effort on everyone part to keep things more or less focused on Chevelles or cars in general, it'll change the scope o the site.

Just as I wouldn't bring up a Chevelle post on the woodworking bbs I visit, I wouldn't bring up a table saw question here.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Of course this all could be part of my overzealous imagination, but it seems the discussions here in Bench Racing does not stray too far form car chat.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

And that's the general idea.

Now...if we could just get people to post in the CORRECT forum here, things would be peachy http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Kurt

Just thinking back over the past year, seems we discussed pretty much everything in here.

The only issues that tend to have a 'short' life are those that involve strong opinions. We have learned to stay away from issues which make for interesting discussions, but lead nowhere. A topic on 'oh, say... gun control (yikes!) will turn into a shouting match which benefits no one and usually drags itself into conflicts in other forums.
There are better places to discuss those issues than in a gearhead website.
Personal topics are welcome although we are getting to be a pretty busy site and have lost some of the touch we used to have back with &lt;1000 registered users.
It's the cars that brought us together here so it's natural that most of the topics drift that way.
A lot of us have been here for several years and have already said a fair bit about ourselves and our hobbies and feel reluctant to repeat it again, I think this may be a lot of what you are noticing is absent.
----
just realized Dean answered at the same time I was typing http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif
Well said Dean.

Thanx for setting the record straight.
I DO notice this site is far more civilized then the others I mentioned. Especially fordvschevy.com!
Just wanted to know what to post and what not to post.
Its enough that we all have our own opinions of our cars.
I have seen many arguements over what pistons to use get out of hand! LOL

This site is unique in its civility and camaraderie. It would be a tragedy to see it degenerate in to "just another" chat site. I think the way to do that is to generally stay close to car related topics and especially avoid the "hot button" topics, especially non-car related political topics. That doesn’t exclude occasional non-car topics especially in the Bench Racing forum. It's a delicate balance; however, it seems our very welcome newcomers seem to get the feel for the personality of this site quite quickly.

A big "Thank You" to the moderators who do a great job of helping to keep the site on track!


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Larry
Gold Member #245
Seattle WA

For what it's worth, one thing I feel is helpful in replying to new topics is to look up in the corner and see who's posting it. If this person is registered July 2000 for example, I know he is most likely new to the site, and therefore I try and be extra helpful and courteous in my reply, and cut em some slack as to what is an appropriate topic. If it's an old timer, than a bit of sarcasm or humor will probably not offend......but always follow up with the ha ha to let em know. The written word can be taken in many ways diferent than the way it was intended. I too read over what I write before hitting that Submit button, have on occassion found what I wrote to be a reflex reaction and had to reword. Now let me read this and I'll be done with my two cents worth.

Carry on.

Mike

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ACES # 1493
NCOA # 18189
TEAM # 751
Chevelle-abration Video plus available!

My ole Pappy once told me, "Son. Never dicuss politics or religion in a social group because it will always degenerate into vebal fisticuffs and sometimes real fisticuffs". http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif Smilies help a lot. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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Bill Brown. 70 El Camino.Member#669. Slowly getting back in the groove.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Omiatee:
My ole Pappy once told me, "Son. Never dicuss politics or religion in a social group because it will always degenerate into vebal fisticuffs and sometimes real fisticuffs". http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif Smilies help a lot. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My old pappie told me, "Boy I tell you what, you gotta put in that solid cam and just tickle those pistons with the valve, and pump that fuel inna that carb like it was a fire hose, and FEEL DA HAWSEPOWER!!! Do a big ol bada$$ burnout and when the lites come down just put that throttle to the mat and shift God only knows where, without caring!!
RRRRRRRRAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

And thats what bench racing is all about...I think I ripped my drawers from all the excitement there



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"A days pay on the wild side"
'67 Chevelle 396/Th400/4.10

It's been my observation that the discussions Jarret refers to usually occur in the Members Open Discussion area. I'm probably one of the "digression" offenders, seems like a lot of the questions or topics trigger memories or thoughts that are off-topic, because I use the site to wind down and relax. I have more than enough conflict in my day to day business to go out of my way to look for it on-line!

I personally don't mind straying a little, but as stated there are plenty of other sites if you want to get into discussions about politics, gun control, environmental, girl friend, etc. issues.

We now return you to our regular programming..... http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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OrrieG
64 Malibu HT Survivor (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/OrrieG1.jpg)