Where Did Everyone Go?

Not to change the subject but..
 
I remembered what that little green arrow is good for. And I bet some long time posters here have never even noticed it. Ok, lets say you just made a post and next want to refresh the "todays posts" option. After you make your post you are taken to the bottom of the thread where your post is. Now just hit that arrow and it zooms you way up to the top of the page. Now you can refresh todays posts and see what's new. This helps w/ that cournel tunnel stuff also.
 
Will this keep folks around more? Hmmm maybe?
Joe

joe, the software is not the problem, the posters are the problem.
It won't ever be like it was. 
Besides, I hate hot dogs.

boyardee65


I think that most of the site has been taken over by "doggers"...

Speaking of as much, Nancypalooza, where to eat in Puttenham?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Sorry. )
 
 

Now where to eat in Puttenham is certainly quite clear.
   The trouble is the cost of food will turn out to be dear.
There is a way to minimize what Puttenhamians charge,
   But that just means your portions, sir, will be lots less than large.
However mate the thing to know is that the food is bad, 
 And anything you have to pay, you'll know that you've been had.
So I suggest my highway friend that packing is the way,
 Because a foil-wrapped tuna melt can't help but save your day.
 

rjb

I also find posts by restaurant owners of photos touting their latest blue plate special tedious and a little off-putting -- seems like thinly disguised advertising.

Agreed
 
That said, no site is perfect - like a marriage, you take the good (as you see it) with the bad (as you see it)
 
However -- plenty of folks like seeing those posts, if you read the comments that follow.  So even though you and I (and likely others) don't like seeing such posts (particularly with such great frequency from one such poster), we need to accept that for others, these are enjoyable posts, and simply try to ignore them.....and simply focus on the parts we do come here for, like trip reports and reviews
 
I know I can remove certain forums from coming up when I look at the site - I already have the hot doggers forums blocked, for example - but I wonder if i can block all threads started by a given member?
 

Since I'm nowhere near CTF, I don't mind his threads. A good way to see how food culture differs around the country.

TJ Jackson

rjb

I also find posts by restaurant owners of photos touting their latest blue plate special tedious and a little off-putting -- seems like thinly disguised advertising.

Agreed

That said, no site is perfect - like a marriage, you take the good (as you see it) with the bad (as you see it)

However -- plenty of folks like seeing those posts, if you read the comments that follow.  So even though you and I (and likely others) don't like seeing such posts (particularly with such great frequency from one such poster), we need to accept that for others, these are enjoyable posts, and simply try to ignore them.....and simply focus on the parts we do come here for, like trip reports and reviews

I know I can remove certain forums from coming up when I look at the site - I already have the hot doggers forums blocked, for example - but I wonder if i can block all threads started by a given member?

That would be me your talking about, and no wonder this discussion is taking place when you got attitudes like this. To the best of my recollection I have NEVER mentioned the name of my restaurant in any food pic., other folks do, I can't help that. Most people like good pictures of good food, I do that, not to promote my place, I don't need to do that here as so few people live nearby. It takes some time and I pay the photographer a few bucks extra, she a waitress here. Why you would find it off putting is beyond belief, this site is mostly about food, Roadfood, and that's my life, I'm damn proud of my food and it's quality and presentation. Your attitude is itself offputting, it seems you think criticsm of anothers efforts raises your stature, it doesn't.
As a side note, in the Misc. Off Topic, on the current page I have started 8 topics with 6283 reads and 188 responses, what have you added?

chewingthefat

Your attitude is itself offputting, it seems you think criticsm of anothers efforts raises your stature, it doesn't.

I think if you re-read the my post, you will find that it is diplomatically stated - that I accept that what I dislike is something that others like quite well.  I accept that.  I think we all should.  My main point is that this site has  a lot of content, and it is highly unlikely that there is even one member who likes every single topic posted
 
I love my wife, but she isn't perfect - I love her and so accept the good with the bad.....and in this sense that is not dissimilar to how I feel about this site - overall I love to be here, but are there some things I could do without?  Absolutely.  But I will accept the bad (hate speech, obscenity, and spam excepted, naturally) with the good because I love the website.
 
So ultimately, I am puzzled as to why you feel I have an attitude problem, and even moreso as to why you didn't make the same accusation of the poster I agreed with?  Do we all have to like your posts, or we (in your eyes) have an attitude?  Sounds kinda silly and childish to me.    
 
And as for stature?  I am a poster here - nothing more, nothing less.  If anyone (outside of the mods and admins) has stature here, it is the paid Insiders, and I am not an Insider.  Aside from that, I have the same rights and responsibilities you do, or any other non-admin-or-mod poster has.  So I don't understand your comments relating to 'stature', as it is irrelevant in the context of these forums.
 
and finally, regarding:

chewingthefat

on the current page I have started 8 topics with 6283 reads and 188 responses, what have you added?

Honestly, I didn't know that there was a competition going on......I didn't get a notification.   You win, or at least you beat me?   np -- I'm OK with that, I don't come here to compete with anyone.  But I do have a question - it would appear by your statement that this competition is based on quantity of posts and responses, but is quality also included in the measure?  I just want to know how this competition is judged, should I decide to try to jump in late and try to overtake you despite your commanding lead.

There's a big difference between spam, gratuitous posting of one's products, and then members sharing different foods that they happen to serve.  CTF and Guspas fall into the latter category.  If someone had nothing but posts touting their restaurant, I can see where it might bother some people, but I don't know if I've seen anything like that on here. 
 
Personally, I think it adds to the site, the pics are great, and overall it's harmless-  and if it drives some business to a roadfood member, gives other members the chance to eat at another member's establishment and commisserate, I can't see how it's not a win for everyone involved.
 
 

In a general reply to questions about blocking posts by certain members...and not in reply to any one person...when you click on someone's name next to any post they made an option comes up to block member. Their posts will then be replaced by a message they are blocked. Unfortunately this isn't a binding or irrevocable decision and you can cheat and click on that message and still see the post...and based on fact most of these issues arise because folks simply can't turn away or ignore what they don't like, I suspect that is what happens...making the whole blocking thing a rather unworthy alternative to...
 
JUST EXERCISING SOME SELF CONTROL AND AVOIDING TOPICS, POSTERS, SECTIONS OR THREADS YOU KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE!!!!!!!!!    
 


 

Diplomatic with a few shots thrown in, and then the dagger at the end:
 
"I know I can remove certain forums from coming up when I look at the site - I already have the hot doggers forums blocked, for example - but I wonder if i can block all threads started by a given member?"
 

Me, I like chewingthefat's photos -- especially now that I know he has to pay someone else to make them. And while I like the photos, I don't always like what is photographed. But that's why restaurants have menus. Heck, even White Castle has more than Slyders. At any rate, his food looks well prepared, and often causes nearly uncontrollable salivating.
 
One other thing, considering the various topics he's posted in his time here, while I realize he owns a restaurant I think of him as a member who wants to share his vision of food, not someone promoting his place of business.
 
And just to assuage any fears that I might be getting soft in my curmudgeonage, The guy can also be a pain in the butt.

saps

Personally, I think it adds to the site, the pics are great, and overall it's harmless

You're certainly not alone in this regard.  It is clear from the responses in those threads that lots of folks do, and I accept that, as stated above. 
 
The old adage about one mans trash and anothers treasure, and all that.......
 

saps
I can't see how it's not a win for everyone involved.

Well, I've explained that i don't like to see such posts, and so did the other fellow earlier....so assuming you consider the two of us part of 'everyone' and can see by our statements that we two don't see it as a 'win'......I can't explain it any more clearly than that.  Can you also concede that if two of us have said we feel this way, there exists the possibility that there are others who feel the same way but have chosen not to participate in this somewhat confrontational thread?

Tony Bad

when you click on someone's name next to any post they made an option comes up to block member. Their posts will then be replaced by a message they are blocked.

If one takes this option, will the person exercising this option no longer see entire threads created by said blocked poster?  Or will you see the thread but not see the content of the opening post?  I would hope for the former, not the latter

TJ Jackson

Tony Bad

when you click on someone's name next to any post they made an option comes up to block member. Their posts will then be replaced by a message they are blocked.

If one takes this option, will the person exercising this option no longer see entire threads created by said blocked poster?  Or will you see the thread but not see the content of the opening post?  I would hope for the former, not the latter

 
This function will just block you from seeing posts made by a member. If they start a thread you will miss first post, but see any subsequent responses. 

saps

and then the dagger at the end:

"I know I can remove certain forums from coming up when I look at the site - I already have the hot doggers forums blocked, for example - but I wonder if i can block all threads started by a given member?"

It was not intended as a dagger. 
 
It was intended as a legitimate question.  
 
Let's say someone no longer wants to see Buffetbuster's posts.  God knows why, they are excellent, but hey -- different strokes for different folks, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and etc.   Wouldn't such a person's enjoyment of this site be improved if threads by Buffetbuster again never appeared on any of his/her forum searches/views?  I know I enjoyed the site less when i didn't have the hot dog vendor forums filtered out, and enjoyed it more once I had added that filter, so in my personal experience, such content filtering has benefited me.  And i accept the flip side as well - there may be members (perhaps thousands) who never want to see a thread I start ever again.  Perfectly understandable and acceptable.

Just my opinions. I would also prefer not to see people posting food from their own restaurants unless it is some unusual item that comes up in a thread. Regardless of how it is explained it is self promotion. But that said, I will repeat that i think the biggest problems here are not self promotion or heated discussions of roadfood "issues". They are mean and cruel attacks on people, endless non roadfood topics, recipe and cooking posts, and professional restaurant posts. To repeat what i would like to see more of are trip reports, restaurant reviews and discussions.

We've had recipes as long as the site has been alive, along with the 
miscellaneous and off topic sections which arrived soon after.
The recession has cut severely into people's travels and those who file trip reports have slowed down accordingly.

regarding:

Tony Bad

JUST EXERCISING SOME SELF CONTROL AND AVOIDING TOPICS, POSTERS, SECTIONS OR THREADS YOU KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE!!!!!!!!!    

for what it's worth - I agreed with this in my original post to this thread, ala:

TJ Jackson
even though you and I (and likely others) don't like seeing such posts (particularly with such great frequency from one such poster), we need to accept that for others, these are enjoyable posts, and simply try to ignore them.....and simply focus on the parts we do come here for, like trip reports and reviews

so I am not sure what all the flames are for.......

Flames? Did I miss them?

Problem #1 - Constantly posting about what and who you don't like.  Negativity is .....well, just plain negative.

TJ Jackson


for what it's worth - I agreed with this in my original post to this thread, so I am not sure what all the flames are for.......

 
Yes, I understood, which is why I wrote...
 

Tony Bad
 

In a general reply to questions about blocking posts by certain members...and not in reply to any one person...

 
 
My point being that so much of the unpleasant discussions could be avoided if people simply ignored things they already know they don't like. Unfortunately many would rather argue than take the easy road. It is the unfortunate nature of internet discourse. The size of font reflects my constant frustration and disappointment regarding this issue.
 

joerogo


Problem #1 - Constantly posting about what and who you don't like.  Negativity is .....well, just plain negative.

 
Are you saying you don't like people posting about what they don't like?

Hmmm, If I 'block' those posters who disagree with my outlook, it will certainly shorten the number of posts I have to check when I open the boards !!  And  no more of the TONY the TIGER guy !!!     Moderating would sure be an easier job if that were the operating philosophy !
 
BTW I am pleased with the change in sequence of the forums, moving the 'Pro Forum' down the list and boosting the RF Travel sections up the priority list wasn't my idea, but it is a very good one anyway !.

Tony Bad

joerogo


Problem #1 - Constantly posting about what and who you don't like.  Negativity is .....well, just plain negative.

Are you saying you don't like people posting about what they don't like?

 
Once in a while or constantly?

joerogo

Once in a while or constantly? 

 
I forgot the original question. When are we going fishing?

mayor al

If I 'block' those posters who disagree with my outlook

I think you get the big big bucks as a senior mod to not block anyone :-)
 
after all, if I knew you had me blocked (for example) I could start safely raising hell about how cats are so much better than dogs, how Louisville is just a Cincinnati wannabe, and so forth.  
 
and we can't have that. :-)

 

New York, NY, Oct. 21 -- THIS JUST IN: Investigators

have just concluded that www.roadfood.com is a food

site and that, honestly people, if you have this many

problems with a site whose primary purpose is to share

information on the best diner in a particular neck-of-the-

woods, it may be time to pack it in.

PapaJoe8


Chef, try my "posts since last vistit" deal. When you don't have much time you can scroll right past things that you don't want to read about right now. I also get busy and don't post much sometimes. Oh, I have called you "Chef" since the first time I met you maybe 5 years ago. Hope it's OK.
Joe

  Of course it is fine to call me "Chef" as it is what I do! I haven't been cooking too much lately pending my move back to AZ.
  I still visit this site whenever I am online but don't have too much time to participate in many discussions.
  I still like most of the people I have contacted through this site but, as in every lemon box, there are one or two lemons in the box that are moldy and slimy. Ruins the whole box if you don't get them out. The moderators have done a good job of deleting posts that are offensive (including some of mine.)
 
  JMHO
 
  David O.
 

Chef, your input, for the last 5 years, is always a welcome sight to me!
 
If yall just do "posts since last visit" you can glide right past whole sections and... threads, or posters, that you have no interest in. Problems solved.
 
Now... what can we do to make new posters feel more welcome here?
joe

One thing that should be noted: whenever this subject comes up, it gets more posts, faster, than any food thread.
 
People still care. And that matters.
 
 

I have learned on this site, there is a fine line between constructive criticism and being perceived as being cruel. The passion of the people on this site over flows in every post, the personalities are full of vim and vigor, proud of their pictures, suggestions, reports, recommendations and advice. I think it takes time to know and understand a person on how he/she comes across on their posts. The real person should shine through after time, the good or bad of a person will show up. When I look at the list of names on the bottom of the page, I see a list people across America with the knowledge, pride, compassion and eagerness to help any one coming into this site with a question. I think we all need to have a thicker skin when asking a question on any forum. Take time to get to know people, when you start digging, you will find a lot of heart and a wonderful helpful people. I have posted on the forum for almost 2 years, I have had a few ( a lot, 100's) of my posts deleted and in most cases it was because of my passion, type A, pain in the a-s personality. I plan on not being so critical of any post in the future, it's not the place and it shows up as being a bully and being cruel. If the poster could hear a voice, or a tone in a persons voice, they would realize the answer wasn't posted to be cruel. I have gone back and deleted a few of my recent posts as to not be perceived as posting in a cruel manner. I enjoy this forum, the passion of the members, their passion for food has regenerated my passion for a career I have been successful in for over 30 years..............Thanks to all..................BillyB

Sorry I wasn't around to catch up to the giggles on the Puttenham reference.  Mister Hoffman did you write that?  That's very nice.
 
I have a few thoughts, mostly brief, of very little importance.
 
Personally I don't think of chewingthefat as a restaurant owner.  I don't think he spends that much time touting his wares, but then I don't read the forums as deeply as I think some of you do.  I think his comments are usually very well placed.  Listen, a lot of us are involved on some level with restaurants as our business, and I don't think that this should be used as a place for them to avoid paying for advertising, but I don't think those people should get unfairly muzzled from talking about a subject they obviously know a great deal about either. 
 
I thought about quitting RF a couple years back myself, and my participation waxes and wanes, but once you remember that like anything in life there's wheat and there's chaff, and if you're a grownup you can evaluate and take the parts you like, then the annoying stuff annoys me less.  As I frequently state, this is a site populated by a lot of older men.  Like older men in all arenas of life they tend to silverback each other a lot and there you have it.  Most of the tsuris that happens around here is a byproduct of that.  No, it's not always fair and sometimes people truly get their feelings hurt, but it's tough to remember to take the playground ethos with you in the remaining seven or eight decades of life.
 
I would not want to be a moderator of this site for all the tea in China.  It has to be a really thankless job, and I've greatly appreciated a number of their interventions, particularly Tony's.  That being said, there are times they miss the mark.  We don't have a Big Gay Ice Cream Truck thread anymore--well, it's locked.  I really posted it because it was an interesting food story--the gay thing was just icing on the cake for me--but because not everybody could behave appropriately in the body of the thread, the thread ended up being shut down instead of just the offensive parts excised.  And now those guys are on the morning shows and Rachael Ray, and we were talking about it last summer for chrissake.  I didn't make a stink about it because I don't care that much and because I try really hard not to be That Homo.  But it's a good illustration of how because people don't always Act Right and the moderators' horrible job is to try and police it, a small something that was good about these boards became something useless.

Nancy, "silverback"... neat way to put it! Now I must google up your Ice Cream thread. I have had a few threads locked or even deleted? Can't remember witch?. One was just a fun thing about the "last word on a thread" and one was about Chef Boyarde products. I AM sure nothing I said got them closed so no biggie.
Joe
Edit; Shoot, all I could find w/ a google was a mention of the ice cream thread here.

Nancypalooza


Sorry I wasn't around to catch up to the giggles on the Puttenham reference.  Mister Hoffman did you write that?

Of course.

As BillyB pointed out, a lot of the misunderstandings and accusations probably come directly from the mode of communication. Tone, inflection, etc. cannot be conveyed properly. I can't count how many arguments my wife and I have gotten into due to an e-mail that was taken as more harsh than it was intended, or as a joke that was misinterpreted.

I can't count how many arguments I have gotten into w/ a lady because of the tone of my voice... and not what I said. Works both ways I guess. The difference between an argument and a discussion is that someone raises their voice in one. Hmm, that can't happen here! Sooo everything must be a discussion at Roadfood. :~))
Joe

Wintem01


As BillyB pointed out, a lot of the misunderstandings and accusations probably come directly from the mode of communication. Tone, inflection, etc. cannot be conveyed properly. I can't count how many arguments my wife and I have gotten into due to an e-mail that was taken as more harsh than it was intended, or as a joke that was misinterpreted.

Hey Brett, just tell her it was a joke.

I'd guess it's because there are so many competing sites for our time. For instance, I've spent a lot of time playing fantasy sports lately, so being on those Web sites is time I used to spend on Roadfood. Also, I bought a new Mustang, so I've been on Mustang online forums to discuss my new car with other Mustang owners. Then there's Facebook, of course. The competition is a lot more intense than when I joined Roadfood in 2003, and I can only spend so much time online at work, so sometimes Roadfood is less of a priority.

I enjoy seeing pictures of the creations by chewingthefat, and since he is hundreds of miles from me, I do not see those posts as advertising.

Roadfood is just like going to a big family picnic.  Some annoy, some insult, some bring pictures of their kids, some are know-it-alls, some monopolize all the discussions and some are loved by everyone.
 
It's what makes up a family.
 
Without it life would be boring because we'd have no one to talk about.  

I'm related to Hoffman? Wait a minute.
Must be by marriage.....

I thought you were his half-step-neighbor-in-law.

Was it my imagination, or did I see my name mentioned a couple of pages back?

it's been mentioned a few times. 

Carolina Bob


Was it my imagination, or did I see my name mentioned a couple of pages back?

Who are you?

Carolina Bob


Was it my imagination, or did I see my name mentioned a couple of pages back?

I doubt it.

Carolina Bob


Was it my imagination, or did I see my name mentioned a couple of pages back?

 
If you are posting here, I QUIT!

Carolina Bob in the hizzouse!

Carolina Bob


Was it my imagination, or did I see my name mentioned a couple of pages back?

 
Welcome back! You've been missed.

So glad to see you back, Unkie Bobbo!!!!!!

ChrisOC


I enjoy seeing pictures of the creations by chewingthefat, and since he is hundreds of miles from me, I do not see those posts as advertising.

 
New Jersey and Maryland are hundreds of miles apart???
 
I thought everybody on the East Coast was about 10 minutes away from each other.
 
Brad

Carolina Bob


Was it my imagination, or did I see my name mentioned a couple of pages back?

Hello, Bob!

Howdy Bob,
 
Well, I wanted to do this in private but you're blocking PMs so I guess I'll tell you here--I've lost your number and can't find it on my cellphone records.  So, if you could please PM me the number and I'll call you, or else you can call me direct on the Roadhouse line.
 
Either way, talk to you soon.
 
Buddy

I went to work in Atlanta, a city with some great restaurants that are not open when I get off work at 11 PM. 

Brad_Olson


New Jersey and Maryland are hundreds of miles apart???

I thought everybody on the East Coast was about 10 minutes away from each other.

Brad

Ocean City to Emmitsburg 208 miles by google

Speaking for myself only, mine is not that big, nor that hairy, nor would I pose for you to take such a picture of it......but thats just me