Re: my opinion of EOG forum and its future...
EOG is a pretty good place, but if i was going to offer some advice on the 'problems' here i would say that some people here feel that because they are nameless and faceless (for the most part) they can treat others anyway they want. Its a respect thing. The 'in' thing to do at EOG is if you don't agree with a poster's opinion, to bash him and belittle him and make him feel as low as possible while hurling every possible insult imaginable....instead of just respectfully disagreeing with the point and moving on.
If you don't agree, you don't agree, great forums were built on constructive arguments with respectful back and forth. Sure, sometimes an argument will get heated, but it seems that some posters go to the 'angry place' right off the hop, without passing go or collecting 200 dollars. They just jump right on you and go for the jugular, shoot first and ask questions later.
This current EOG is taking on some of the characteristics of the old LVA forum. Over there, you had Fezzik, Alan Boston and a few other 'high profile' posters who were very gracious with their time and information and all they got was grief and people CRUSHING them on a regular basis. Sure, you had a few people who would only compliment those guys, but most of the time, you had all out abuse and eventually, the board 'went away', Alan Boston quit posting and Fezzik made the place PPV and all the guys who didnt want to pay, left and found other places to post.
When i first came to EOG i was really happy because i felt this place was 'void' of that type of poster, you would post and people would respond to you in a respectful way and you wouldnt have to worry about someone sabotaging your thread with something other than respectful back and forth and actually discussing the topic you posted.
I think this place still has a good core of posters, but there should be more of "i disagree with your post and here's why" openings instead of jumping on posters and insulting them stuff. Thick skin or no thick skin, nobody really 'needs' that kind of treatment when all they're trying to do is contribute in a positive manner.
I think 2012 will show a kinder 'gentler' EOG, i have faith in everyone here to keep the personal shots down to a minimum.