I have been pretty quiet. I think everyone of us has their own reasons for coming back. But none of it is Nefarious or dubious. Shane hit the nail square on the head so I didn't think there was any reason for more discussion, but if you must know....
I can only speak for myself and my feelings about the matter. I'm going to try and keep it brief but it will take some detailed explanation. I will say I fear speaking out because (and I see this in this thread) no matter what you say and how you say it, some people will twist it to make an argument for their own agenda. I'm sick of drama. Take my words for EXACTLY what they mean, I chose them carefully.

I was participating a lot back in the heyday. When I was in Afghanistan(2011) and had limited internet, I stared hearing about people coming on the site and causing problems and knocking heads with the people that are labeled "the old guard".
But then I started seeing these same people still breaking the rules and flaunting the fact the moderators had no power over them. They accused some of us who got labeled "The old Guard" of being a clique. To some degree, we are, in that we are friends, most of whom met and became friends here on Joedios just from helping each other out with either positive feedback/criticism or helping someone get figures or dio supplies. We were and still are not exclusive on who we are friends with, if we were there would only be 2-3 of us. Matt Morelock who caused no end of drama on this site and aggravated the heck out of us when he was 14 eventually became a friend to many of us and still is to this day. Anyway, back to the issues...a group of individuals accused us of being a mob,a gang or a clique and at the same time, were acting up bullying people, breaking the rules and being allowed to do so unopposed. Most of the "Old Guard" as we are called got sick of it, the one or two that were Mods stepped down and walked away because once these individuals were banned or held accountable, they troublemakers went to the owner and were reinstated. I stayed, because I hadn't been accosted by this bunch of Tucker Max wanna be's. Didn't take long, though. They singled me out as one of the last remaining "old Guard"and began harassing me and anyone who spoke to me. I was told by them I had no say on this site anymore and me being in Afghanistan was no excuse for not participating. (Yes, that was said to me!) I can take being set on by a bunch of vultures, it was about the site and the new people,and not me, however, when many of the new members came to me and told me what was going on, I went over the new moderators head, (who I found out later was one of this Tucker Max bunch with a new account) and when I did, I was disrespected again. For telling the boss these guys were being bullied and harassed, I was told "I" was making drama. That was the last straw for me. I walked away. I can take a LOT but seeing a place I loved being blatantly turned into a paradise for childish college brats with a chip on their shoulder and an agenda was too much. Now, looking back on it, was I set up? Were these new members schill
accounts coming to me to make me go above the moderators head? I dunno and I don't care. I was acting in good faith believing someone was being harassed and bullied and acted on it. And I will not apologize for that. And I got told I was causing drama and then was told by this new Tucker Max posse, straight up that they were untouchable and I was on my way out whether I stayed or not. So my choice was stay and keep up the drama or let the nuts run the asylum. I chose the latter.

So, to answer your questions, 1.) what are the first things you'll change about the site to bring you back and keep you around. Well, I'm not asking for a Moderator spot, but from the three I cast my vote for, I know them well enough to know they are fair and reasonable and will stimulate discussion and participation to the best of their ability as well as keep up with the basic tedious maintenance tasks that have been overlooked her for such long time. As 218 says, open the curtains and let the sun shine in. 2.) Do you feel the members who have been recently active require policing? In My opinion, no. JoeDios has always been a place where 99.999999% of the community works well together and needs very little moderation. Moderators need to just make sure the rules are being followed (pics in the right category, no over zealous filth talk, etc.),and make new member feel welcome and encourage them to participate, that's all. As I said the MAIN reason I came back and voted is because these guys who are my friends want to make this place better by trying to increase participation and stimulate interest in the hobby.

And I'm gonna be totally honest with you. I have not participated and will not participate for a while. Why? Because I fear another issue like the one that caused the mass exodus. I intend to wait a while and see if the owner is going to back his moderators when and if people like the Tucker Max gang came back and start stuff, or will he reinstate them and eventually give them the keys to the kingdom as was done in 2011. I am cautiously optimistic. I know the guys who I cast my vote for will make the site better for the participants to the best of their ability, but I am not so sure that if Drama starts and they try to head it off that it will be supported by Nate. yes, I have lurked here since I left and what have I seen? Participation has gone down, there is no stimulation of discussion in the forums, new members coming and not staying active (That can't be helped sometimes, as some are just looking for a taste of what the site is about). The ones who have stayed have done their best and the troublemakers have moved on, and hopefully will not come back. I WANT this site to succeed, but I am not gonna throw in 100% only to find my work on a site that lets bullies and thugs run the asylum. If that negated my votes, fine. But if you care about the people who are here now and stuck it out, you will realize the guys I threw my vote in for are the ones who can improve the participation, they have a known track record of it.

I know, when we left, the crew that was in charge were saying we were a clique and bad mouthing us. Saying we were what they were, bullies and elitists, and if that is the side you believe, then I understand your concerns. But look back in the different sections and look at our participation from 2003 to 2011....now look at 2011 to today....where are the guys who bad mouthed us? Are they here making thing better? Or did they get the run of the place, ruin everything and lost interest? Yes, we have been active other places, to us it's the hobby and the people...NOT power tripping and making ourselves out to be gods. People gave us the Moniker "the old guard" and we are proud of it and appreciate it, but we all were mentored and assisted ad encouraged by those who went before us like HellJester, Motor-viper, Hammerfel, Outrider, Luke Ellison. If I decide to call that group who stared this site and were it's first participants "The Titans", does it mean they are elitists? No, just showing respect, and I'm sure if they were still around they would do as we are trying to do, encourage, stimulate and promote interest in the hobby. That's my $.02. I hope that answered your questions and addressed your concerns.

The Titans, the Old Guard, the Secessionists, the prodigal sons, the newbies, are we in the 1979 "Warriors" movie!?

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http://www.joedios.com/dioramas/bro...r&imageuser=444

To answer Mike T.

1) I really don't need anything about the website needs to be changed, it appears that the members that were causing the issues back in 2011 when alot of us stopped participating are gone. So no issues there. I'm not interested in being a mod, so I have no axe to grind. I just hope that the site goes back to what it was. A place for passionate GI Joe fans to post their pictures, and receive feedback, constructive criticism, I stress constructive, and encouragement. It was a great community once, I hope it goes back to those days.

2) Policing, like Ender098, and RavensReturn have stated, the members really don't need policing, other than the occasional reminder of the 3 picture rule, once in a while maybe some foul language or inappropriate posts. But those incidents are rare. I think the site can run on it's own quite well, with a few mods in the background making sure things run smooth.

What I don't want to see is bullying, blatant bending of the rules, etc. that went on for awhile. That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Regards,
SD

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SILENT DUSTY

"...but for a soldier his duty is plain. He is to obey the orders of all those placed over him and whip the enemy wherever he meets him."
- General Ulysses S. Grant

Well said!

Given that moderating here isn't a lot of work, I have decided to make it only 1 person as mod, Neapolitan Joe. Congrats NJ!

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Read Hammerfel's Dio Story, "Disciple" here

• My Want List - Help me complete my Dios!

Congratulations, NJ!

I know the site will be in good hands!

Congrats NJ. Very well deserved.

Congratulations! Do the site proud!


D

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* Pavel is a Geordie! *

Yo NeoJoe! (huh, doesn't have the same ring)

Congrats! Thank you for taking the position.

Congrats.

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"It was long ago, and it was far away, and it was so much better than it is today."