I understand that there are instances where locking of topics is necessary.
But in the latest instance I think the wrong choice was made.
The first reason that was given for the closure was that it was causing arguments. Well if that's the case, let's be consistent. A LOT of topics on this site have people disagreeing with one another (Eg. seat harness vs waist harness, C kites vs bows etc). You'd better go lock them all too! If the arguments are turning into personal attacks then I can understand topic closure but if you can't have differences of opinion, you can't have a forum.
The second stated reason for closure was that it was not on the topic of windsurfing and should be discussed elsewhere. But seabreeze has become a community and as communities mature, they want to get to know each other better. In order to do that it is necessary to go beyond conversations of how windy it is. And when those conversations are conducted in a rational manner (or even when they're irrational but do not contain personal attacks 
) They should be allowed. The community is what has made this site a success for members, sponsors and owners. But it's disappointing to realise how artificial it is. Big Brother is watching so make sure you don't go beyond small talk. 
But the main thing that irks me about the closure of the topic in question is that a small group of members who were disinterested in the topic of conversation decided to fill it with spam and plead for it's closure. Why did they win? I'm totally disinterested in the GPS forum, I think it's irrelevant and "off topic" but if I went in there and spammed it and asked Laurie to close it, it would be my account that would be suspended, not the forum. If you're not interested in something that's posted on seabreeze, respect those that are and just don't read it. Don't spoil other people's fun just because it's not your thing. If you disagree with someone, post your reasons why, play fair and be nice. We can all get along without agreeing on everything.
Stop acting like a bunch of whingey primary school kids running to mummy. And "mummy", ignore the dobbers and let people get on with their conversations, please.
yeh dude, totally agree with that statement.
I think everyone needs to relax a little bit, and take it easy!
my mum always said "if your not going to say anything nice, dont say it at all" 
In this age of repetitive threads it was good to have a decent adult discussion, with some good views from both sides and most likely a good outcome in that it makes either side consider the alternative on it's merits.
Aside from the useless crap that was posted (sorry elmo lost respect for you over that one) the thread didn't require moderating. To those with nothing better to do than go into a thread and whinge or if you may find the subject offensive... DON'T READ IT, stick to the millionth how to seperate a 2 piece mast thread or should I get sail A or sail B .
Surprisingly the SEARCH nazi's haven't taken off on this forum compared to others, it's only a matter of time with the stuff that gets churned over and over again.
At the end of the day there probably isn't one of the people who constructively contributed in that thread which wouldn't sit down, have a beer/whatever and a yarn after a good day's windsurfing which is what the community is all about.
I think seabreeze is a good site but with forums I think it is the most stricked site I have ever joined. One little thing wrong and your posts is locked. Arguments will happen. I have seen some way worse fights in forums from other sites outside seabreeze. And i cant believe people on here cant take a joke at all. Windsurfing is just a fun sport, why not have a bit of a joke on a windsurf forum when ya bored and theres no wind.
Dont look so sad, put a smile on ya face i say
Cheers, windwarning
I agree, mk7, I gained respect for every person who stood up and contributed thoughtfully, whether I agreed with them or not.
All in all, I think it was a good experience 
Next time I'm in Qld I'll take u up on the offer for the post-sail yarn (I'll buy the beer).
I decided early on to not take part in any religious discussions if it seems that peoples personal beliefs are questioned. I did read the thread in discussion, and found it turn into more of an argument and personal belief bashing rather than an open-ended discussion.
The difference between a successful ethical, moral, political or religious thread, is to not directly state that another’s viewpoint is incorrect, rather suggest another viewpoint and pose a question that could deem their statement unethical. Etc.
I can say that the recent post Willy, Decrepit, Mark and I contributed to, could easily have ended in a ‘b!tch argument’, but it is all about accepting anothers opinion, reflecting and adding your viewpoint to theirs!
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45933
Not blowing our own horn, but that is the most successful discussion I’ve ever had on SB!
I was wondering if it would be a good idea to add an "off topic" section ?. Other
than that, off topic threads don't botther me. I just don't open them.
Poltics wise, I think this is an excellent site. Users are very well manored, helpful
and grown up (compared to some other types of forums).
10 locked out of 9640 topics over 5 years ... locked topics are pretty rare.
I don't see the point in locking debates on religion....if you are offended, then simply do not post again or look in that thread. If you don't want to be questioned then don't read it.
10 locked out of 9640 topics over 5 years ... locked topics are pretty rare.
I don't know, maybe I only see the glass half full. I didn't see any fighting or arguing going on in that topic. I did see healthy debate. I agree with Leech. The fact that there was so many views and so many contributors made it obviously an interesting read. It didn't need to be locked, just moved to the general forum imho.
Then only those interested in the topic would need to read it.
Elizabeth B made a good point here
"The difference between a successful ethical, moral, political or religious thread, is to not directly state that another’s viewpoint is incorrect, rather suggest another viewpoint and pose a question that could deem their statement unethical. Etc."
Questions are a good learning tool. We can all learn more. Every day. Otherwise we don't grow as human beings.
Cmon enough of this cotton wool world, people naturally attempt to prove others wrong or sway their opinion- that is life.
We're all adults and its an internet forum, people should know to agree to disagree.
I found the kidney debate a little hard to follow as there was no clearly opposed views, I didn't really apply the attention the thread probably deserved though.
Laurie in general great job, but unlike things such as the old fishing forum the nerds thread should have been left alone. There were minor instances where personal comments where made, or some took it personally but it went back on track rather quick and was only spoiled by those without constructive comments.
Im with you on that one Sailhack. I read the first few posts and decided it was way outta my league... BORING
And according to my 3 and 6 year olds, you are all a bunch of stinky bum heads
Oh I feel so guilty
What you saw was the limits of my protests re the subject (no behind the scenes emails flags or red thumbs), there were a number of people beforehand who called the same for the topic to be canned including Loz.
IMHO Religious arguments discussions (changed for you intellectuals out there) pretty much always end badly no matter hat the good intentions, this is not something which can be put aside like politics or whether Kiting is better than windsurfing, what you are discussing is someones core beliefs ie what they are.
Science can not prove that God does not exist, just the same as quoting the bible or believing that God exists cannot prove Gods existence as well. Sh1t I think I may have posted that somewhere before.
If you have God in your life, good on you.
If you don't have God in your life , good on you to.
If you need God in your Wave sailing forum, then you need to get out and do some more Wave sailing so you have something more relevant (to the forum) to discuss.
And Nobbie
You're a gutless wonder for firing the gun and then changing your post
So if you don't like my posts, sorry but tough, hang me. I got more serious sh1te (real) on my plate at the moment.
My final word on the matter.
Good winds and all that
Alby
Exacerly, just like the other people who did the same but with different measures.
It's just I know how to effectively cut and paste on 2 posts.
You could always take up the debate at your next parent teacher night at your kids school if you wanted a more enthusiastic debate
If only it were so simple....
I actually think we exited the discussion just in the nick of time, even though I was enjoying it.
The problem was, some people, not naming names, couldn't seem to discuss the points being made or the reasons given; they just spat the dummy and said "well, that's your opinion", and went off in a huff. There was no need to act that way, honestly if you can't back up your beliefs with some kind of reasoning, you might want to question why you hold them in the first place.
example:
A LOGICAL ARGUMENT would go something like this: "Even if you can establish the existence of God, you can't automatically infer that the Bible is His word." (Which is a valid point actually)
An OPINION would be something more like "The Bible is not God's word".
I hope the difference is clear.
"You're wrong!" "No, you're wrong!" "No, YOU are!" is no way to go. Give reasons, please!
