What I been thinking of fh.com

[backdraft663]

I usually keep low on things I say but I figured I would say this........It seems like here latelly things have changed, for the worse. When I first joined back in 2003 on the firehouse.com forums things were all nice and peachy but these days it just seems a whole lot different. It seems like were getting things taken away from us starting with the live chat, What next are they going to do make a limit on the amount of posts you can post daily. Back in the day you could post something of true manner and get actual replys to it, but you post something today and your lucky to get out of the way before all of the bashing starts. If you criticize(SP) someone here and get your head bit off. Now adays you cant have an intelligent post without the hassling, it all comes from mostly new users with like under 100 posts, or newly registered. You don't get that from the crustier groups. I use to come here to learn but now I just come here to get entertainment. Now that I'm off my soap box, I hope some day there will be discussion of good matter, I know I have posted some stupid stuff but its over Learn from your mistakes.
Backdraft663
As you can see I'm not in a good mood oh well you'll get that sometimes.

[hwoods]

I firmly believe that everyone is entitled to a bad day once in a while, I know have them. I agree, there has been an increase in people that have a tiny amount of posts to their credit, who tend to go off the deep end. Why?? No idea. Changing times, I guess. But, if those of us who have "been here, done that" for quite a while, keep an eye on things, and stick together, Life will go on. And, the next day might be brighter.

I went back and looked over the past several days threads, there are 3 that have been locked out by the WT, and I think, justifiably so. Common denominator on those 3 threads? Thread starter had less that 50 posts in each case. I am NOT bashing people who only have a few posts, only offering that everyone starting out here should come in easily and on a low key, get a feel for the way things work, and gradually work up. Saves a lot of grief, some days.

[kjohn23]

Some of us with low post numbers have been around the block once or twice and know to come in low key and learn how things work. The amount of people criticizing each other is ridiculus, I try to follow one of the golden rules that I learned "If you don't have something nice to say, do not say anything at all. "

[CALFFBOU]

Thanks for the good posting. Yes it sucks that things get
sideways in here sometimes. It might help if the webteam
watched things in here more. Granted, they are not the
"web police", but it might help.

Some other boards I am at as other responsible users as
moderators. This helps keep the follow going.

Anyways, thanks for the words.

[kghemtp]

KJohn, great theory! I know the number of posts here is not necessarily a relation to the amount of job experience. I like seeing the varying thoughts, and I can respect what others say & respectfully disagree and offer my thoughts to the contrary. I think great discussion can be had with the variety of experience (some more and some less than me). We learn by reading & listening to what others say, so that's where the interaction is good. It gets to be a problem when someone thinks there is ONLY one way to do something or that their knowledge/opinion couldn't be wrong. I propose a New Year's resolution for everyone to self-police themselves with posting, not being afraid to offer new/differing thoughts, but to keep the views of others in mind when writing. Good luck, and Happy New Year! :)

[ChiefReason]

Ryan:
Believe it or not; some of it is cyclical.
This website goes through some changes, new members arrive with different perspectives, others get bored with some of the other websites and come back here to fire it up a little, the WT shuts down a couple of threads to gain back the upper hand and through it all, though you have to sift through it, there are still some pretty good discussions going on and many here remain mostly helpful.
Don't despair. As long as you have something to say and can do so respectfully, only the ones looking for a fight are going to "jump down your throat".
Best of luck in 2005.
CR

[NJFFSA16]

Look at the bright side Ryan....

You could be an emergency worker in Indonesia right now....and life would really suck.

The Forums have their ups and downs. Members come and go. The ones who post those disruptive threads tend to be the ones who go. The ones who post the thought provoking items....usually stick around.

Have a happy 2005!

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

People that have a problem here are generally people who have a thin skin or an axe to grind. You cannot expect to attack a group or an organization and not expect to get attacked in return. Also, you cannot expect to post something stupid and not expect to get called on it.

Some subjects, politics and religion come immediately to mind, are very sensitive and will almost always evoke passionate responses. What some people failt ot remember is that because someone disagrees with you, doesn't make it bashing.

I do a little of everything; I teach, I post humor, I post serious discussions and I also bash. If you don't like it, or if you don't like the way others treat you, utilize the ignore funciton and don't read what that person may be saying.

If you don't like the way these threads are run, go to barbie.com. They have far less controversial threads over there.

As far as low posters, everybody starts at 1. But my fur gets up when some idiot with 20 posts comes off with a major chip on their shoulder; usually directed at one of the four digit posters here. I suppose that the four digit posters are no better than anyone else, but you damn sure should come here and do your homework before you start attacking guys that have more time backing the apparatus into the fire house than you do on the job.

[Weruj1]

George,
Are there really threads and forums on barbie.com ? :D

[Rigin1]

Post counts are always tied directly to the size of your e-penis.

Rigin

[CaptainGonzo]

Originally posted by Rigin1
Post counts are always tied directly to the size of your e-penis.

Rigin

Yours is quite small, I see!

[Rigin1]

Originally posted by CaptainGonzo


Yours is quite small, I see!

I see yours is extremly large. Makes me wonder what you're attempting to compensate for. :D

Rigin

[gracie449]

This is my second post ever to this forum. Total buttinski. I apologize in advance. :)

I am a writer and an artist. I am writing a book about firefighters, which is why I registered here.

And now, to the point. I just bailed from a writer and artists' messgae board/forum I had belonged to for a year (with over 4,000 posts!). I left even though I had really enjoyed being a member. Why?

Because, although I really loved it there, and made a lot of good "friendly acquaintances", the whole board fell apart due to infighting, poop-flinging and general flamethrowing between "elder statesmen" members and newbies.

(I am hoping not to find lots of flamethrowing on a firefighters' site but you never know! heh heh heh)

We were getting a lot of people dropping in from "outer space", posting stuff that was mean-natured and insulting, staying just long enough to start a raging "board war" and leaving. We were also getting older members saying that the board wasn't what it used to be and it wasn't much good any more. There were also huge, protracted arguments over what kind of posts were "valuable" and whether or not some people were making "creative contributions" to an "artistic community".

I sure hope nothing like that happens here, but something tells me that human nature being what it is, it happens on ALL message boards.

Since you guys are firefighters and rescue workers and not tortured artists with too much time on their hands, I am HOPING you don't get into a roaring poop fling deluxe over stuff like what color and size text somebody uses. :rolleyes: But there again, ya never know. ;)

Anyway, I am not a firefighter but a writer, so I promise never to try to tell you how to do your jobs. I'm just grateful that all of you do. I chimed in on this thread because it struck me as funny that message boards (and people) are pretty much the same wherever you go. :)

Kind regards,

-- gracie

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Anyway, I am not a firefighter but a writer

Then why are you here?

[dmleblanc]

I am a writer and an artist. I am writing a book about firefighters, which is why I registered here.

..that's why she's here, George...Lighten up a little, would ya? You two just might get along great....Hmmm...George and Gracie....got a ring to it...Where have I heard that before? :D

Besides, there's a lot of non-firefighters here. All are welcome.

And I agree, usually the troublemakers get themselves tossed off of here pretty quick, if they don't have anything constructive to contribute. Kudos to the Webteam for keeping the board orderly and civil...it's a thankless job....

[CaptainGonzo]

Originally posted by Rigin1


I see yours is extremly large. Makes me wonder what you're attempting to compensate for. :D

Rigin

My lack of a Porsche 911 in my garage? :D

[gracie449]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI


Then why are you here?

Here's why (click). (http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?threadid=65329)

[gracie449]

Originally posted by dmleblanc


..that's why she's here, George...Lighten up a little, would ya? You two just might get along great....Hmmm...George and Gracie....got a ring to it...Where have I heard that before? :D

Besides, there's a lot of non-firefighters here. All are welcome.

And I agree, usually the troublemakers get themselves tossed off of here pretty quick, if they don't have anything constructive to contribute. Kudos to the Webteam for keeping the board orderly and civil...it's a thankless job....

:) Thanks. I promise never to make trouble. However, if trouble should start and you need a hand... ;)

[firefightergtp]

A writer and an artist.........you must have a whole lot of democratic blood in ya.

[gracie449]

Originally posted by firefightergtp
A writer and an artist.........you must have a whole lot of democratic blood in ya.

heh heh heh -- is that a polite way of saying I'm a donkey? :D

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by dmleblanc


..that's why she's here, George...Lighten up a little, would ya? You two just might get along great....Hmmm...George and Gracie....got a ring to it...Where have I heard that before? :D

Besides, there's a lot of non-firefighters here. All are welcome.

And I agree, usually the troublemakers get themselves tossed off of here pretty quick, if they don't have anything constructive to contribute. Kudos to the Webteam for keeping the board orderly and civil...it's a thankless job....

I merely asked a question.

[blueeighty88]

I joined on to this all in 1999, when I seen the site in one of my Firehouse Magazines. I subscribed to the magazine religiously, two years at a time, I had stacks of them, everywhere. I even bought cases of OLD firehouse mags off eBay. I figured at 54.00 per year, that was pretty good, why would they want more. Then they wanted people to subscribe to the website, which I thought is a bit much in addition to the Magazine subscription. But you could get a free mug, if you subscribe to the magazine AND the website. Cool, a mug for my fire collectibles shelf. So I bought the subscription, like on Seinfeld, the soup nazi. No Mug For You! You already subscribe, you can't have a mug, you can have the website subscription but nothing free for you. So I waited two years, resubscription came about, I got cards every two days to resubscribe. I didn't. I got emails, and a phone call; nope. No money for you! I waited a year, and read the free issues at the fire house. I went to resubscribe, to the members zone and two years and get my free mouse pad or hat. NO FREE MOUSE PAD OR HAT FOR YOU! You were a past subscriber, only newbies.

So I haven't even read the magazine in over a year. I changed ID's so I would stop getting emails about all the great deals FOR NEWBIES!

Therefore, that's why we have been getting all the new people; They are getting free mouse pads, hats & mugs; and us older ones who have been paying for years aren't getting anything free except a calander-if we subscribe at the right time of the year.

I GOT A FREE CALANDER AT NAPA! I WANT MY MUG! If I can get my mug, I'll resubscribe to member zone and the magazine. I wouldn't mind a bit having tp pay to post on Firehouse.com if that would keep all the 1-post bashers away. BUT I WANT A MY FREE MUG! Think of it as the free pens we get from our stations to "keep up morale" or the mugs we used to get at fireman's conventions with a beer.

Until then, I subscribed to Jems and got a free book "The Magic of 3 A.M."

Even the ones I don't agree with on here, I have respect for all of ya, I just get sick of reading all the crap by the people who join-make one post and then leave. It just puts everyone in a bad mood, kind of like NOT GETTING YOUR FREE MUG WITH SUBSCRIPTION.
PEACE-LOVE-SMURFS

<rant off>


;)

[dmleblanc]

Anybody want to start a collection to buy blueeighty88 a mug?

[blueeighty88]

Awe, gee whiz monkey fizz! I'm touched.


I think I get one with my fire-rescue magazine, if not, then I'll get one when I go bankrupt from buying magazine subscriptions.

[Rigin1]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI


I merely asked a question.

You asked a question that she clearly answered in her first post. Or did you just read one line and decide to fire off a question to get some kind of reaction?

Rigin

[RyanEMVFD]

These are forums which we all contribute. It has it's good days and it's bad days. It has it's slumps of bad stuff and then after a bit it picks right back up again. Seems like the only time people complain about the forums is during a slump. I know firefighter663 has been firing off a bunch of threads trying to get things going. Not bad, I've wondered about some of the threads but he's trying to get conversation going.

I think we see new people here like we see new rookies in the fire house. FRESH MEAT!!! Big deal, it's like natural selection, the strong survive, the weak go to barbie.com

[gracie449]

Originally posted by Rigin1


You asked a question that she clearly answered in her first post. Or did you just read one line and decide to fire off a question to get some kind of reaction?

Rigin

Well, you know, that might even have worked on another day. I have a terrible (Irish) temper and I cry easily too. But I blew up at my teenage son earlier today and I boo-hooed at Auld Lang Syne at midnight, so George was out of luck if that was his intent. Not sayin' it was, but.... ;)

However, not every character in the book is gonna be a sweetheart, so I'm always looking for material. "George" has a nice ring to it for the BC who writes the guys up for wearing the wrong color socks.... :p

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by Rigin1


You asked a question that she clearly answered in her first post. Or did you just read one line and decide to fire off a question to get some kind of reaction?

Rigin

I'm sorry, pal. I guess I was so disgusted reading your post that displayed a complete lack of respect for our esteemed Pres. and a total lack of class and decorum that I inadvertently skipped right over gracie's first post.

Time to go back to your trailer.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by gracie449


Well, you know, that might even have worked on another day. I have a terrible (Irish) temper and I cry easily too. But I blew up at my teenage son earlier today and I boo-hooed at Auld Lang Syne at midnight, so George was out of luck if that was his intent. Not sayin' it was, but.... ;)

However, not every character in the book is gonna be a sweetheart, so I'm always looking for material. "George" has a nice ring to it for the BC who writes the guys up for wearing the wrong color socks.... :p

Clearly not my intent, ma'am. But this time of year there are a significant number of trolls who come out of the woodwork. I am particularly sensivitive to them.

This is actually something new for the fire service, I think. An author actually interested in research and facts and discussing them with fire fighters before writing another book that in no way resembles reality. We need books that have entertainment value AND are factually accurate. I, and I'm certain many others, welcome that approach and you to the forums.

If I get a character named after me, I would much prefer the gristled ol' fire investigator. The one who goes into the fire and performs like an archaeologist and comes up with the origin and cause of the "big one". You know the one who is smarter than all the other FF?














RELAX! IT WAS A JOKE!

[gracie449]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI


Clearly not my intent, ma'am. But this time of year there are a significant number of trolls who come out of the woodwork. I am particularly sensivitive to them.

This is actually something new for the fire service, I think. An author actually interested in research and facts and discussing them with fire fighters before writing another book that in no way resembles reality. We need books that have entertainment value AND are factually accurate. I, and I'm certain many others, welcome that approach and you to the forums.

If I get a character named after me, I would much prefer the gristled ol' fire investigator. The one who goes into the fire and performs like an archaeologist and comes up with the origin and cause of the "big one". You know the one who is smarter than all the other FF?


RELAX! IT WAS A JOKE!

heh heh heh --

Well, George, you've got yourself a deal. I really DO need a fire investigator in there too. I have read a few books about fire investigation, but there's nothing like talking to someone who's actually been there.

My approach really IS to write a book that "tells it like it is" for the individual firefighter and for the first response teams. I don't want to glamorize anything, and I don't want to make bonehead technical errors (such as the hour I would have had it take to put out a minor kitchen fire -- LOL -- the place and both neighboring houses could have burned down in that time! but I "didn't know what I didn't know", which is why I'm asking questions.). I also had poor "Sully" (my protagonist) working 72-hour shifts. Talking to my "adopted" engine company introduced me to the A, B and C shifts and to the more standard 24-on, 48-off schedule. I hope Sully forgives me for making him work all those 72's before I edited. :) He may pick up some overtime, but I promise I'll never make "my" guys work 72 hours straight outside of emergency conditions again. :D

My "adopted" engine company is also where I take the pulse to find out how things are between the firefighters and the city (which is why I am taking great pains to keep them anonymous, LOL). I was disappointed to find out that their union has no "teeth" since by Federal law they cannot strike and that the current administration is very unsympathetic to the safety forces. I already knew this as a large proportion of the neighbors on our block are cops and firemen and about half were laid off last year. You can pick up any newspaper -- well, not ANY newspaper, and that's another story -- and figure out easily that safety forces in Cleveland are getting the short end of the stick. I'm going to try to address these issues too -- so often the public is unaware of the issues facing the firefighters and I think it's important. Suffice it to say, if I make the Mayor a nice lady, it WILL be a work of fiction. LOL

Even if I never get published, I'm learning a lot, and I'm making friendly acquaintances. I'm also learning that FF's are not just members of a profession but a culture with a code of honor, and I am finding out that they are some of the best and most helpful people you could ever want to know. I mean, a bunch of guys/gals who choose to go into burning buildings and save people is a different-but-good species entirely, IMNSHO

There is so much to learn, and so much to tell. My only hope is that I do get published so I can make a small contribution to a fallen firefighters' fund and give back. The more I learn, the more inspired I am to do this.

And don't ask me WHY I'm doing it, because I don't know. My grandfather was a firefighter, and so are lots of cousins, friends and neighbors, but then, that's been true all my life and I never felt called to write a book. That's the funny thing about inspiration -- it hits people at different times and in different ways, and sometimes the sculptor takes a block of stone and you have another David the next day and who knows why? Of course, sometimes you just have a pile of rocks and chips, too -- let's hope this goes better than that!

Anyway, George, if I put a fire investigator in my book (and I'm sure to at some point), I will call him George. But I can't make him smarter than ALL the other FF's and investigators, because that wouldn't be fair. How about I make him smarter than everybody at City Hall? That apparently isn't too much of a reach. ;)

Thanks for your kind response. Stay safe and have a great day. :D

[CaptainGonzo]

Posted by Gracie449
Anyway, George, if I put a fire inspector in my book (and I'm sure to at some point), I will call him George. But I can't make him smarter than ALL the other FF's and inspectors, because that wouldn't be fair. How about I make him smarter than everybody at City Hall? That apparently isn't too much of a reach

You have been talking to firefighters, haven't you? ;);)

[gracie449]

Originally posted by CaptainGonzo
Posted by Gracie449


You have been talking to firefighters, haven't you? ;);)

heh heh -- yep! :)

[Rigin1]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI


I'm sorry, pal. I guess I was so disgusted reading your post that displayed a complete lack of respect for our esteemed Pres. and a total lack of class and decorum that I inadvertently skipped right over gracie's first post.

Time to go back to your trailer.

Funny how he seems to be able to take a joke but you got offended. I think he is able to defend himself just fine but keep being an ass and use you’re defending him as an excuse it comes off as very classy.


As far as the trailer comment George that just shows the kind of class individual that your are. The best you can do is make a trailer joke? Suprised you didn't go for the mom joke while you were at it. I almost gave you credit for possibly having some form of ADD with you not being able to retain the information for longer then 15 - 20 seconds that it took to read Gracies first post. After your response though I now realize you're just a jerk.

Rigin

Oh ya just to add. He jabbed me first with the small post count comment. (which I thought was funny) I just answered back. So go defend someone who needs it George.

[ChiefReason]

I got an idea for 2005.
Why don't the WebTeam create a forum where those who want to chase each other down so they can level insults and call each other names?
Three days into the new year and the crap is already flying.
I suppose calling a truce would be completely out of the question?
Keeping the thread on topic an impossibility?
Hmmmmm.
CR

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Chief Reason wears PURPLE ploka dot boxer shorts!

[arhaney]

Bravo.......ChiefReason, Nuff Said!

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by ChiefReason
I got an idea for 2005.
Why don't the WebTeam create a forum where those who want to chase each other down so they can level insults and call each other names?
Three days into the new year and the crap is already flying.
I suppose calling a truce would be completely out of the question?
Keeping the thread on topic an impossibility?
Hmmmmm.
CR

Chief, you're right, a truce is out of the question. However, every reply I typed would have suceeded in getting this thread shut down or me bounced. So I am choosing to ignore and move on.

I cannot promise that I will always ignore him, though....

[ThNozzleman]

Why don't the WebTeam create a forum where those who want to chase each other down so they can level insults and call each other names?
Why should they? There's already a place for that stupidity...
www.thewatchdesk.com (http://www.thewatchdesk.com)

[Weruj1]

ROFLMAO !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[firenresq77]

Ouch........ Some people gets fired up so easily........ It's not wonder there is a long history of heart problems in the fire service. People getting their blood boiling over the littlest things on here, added to the stuff at the firehouse and home that may add to it...........

[blueeighty88]

I thought the purpose of this thread was to avoid a pissing match?