I owe some people a drink!

[Todd Rittinger]

I wanted to post these ideas/thoughts while they're fresh in my mind. I also wish to echo some statements already made and respect Tim's wishes that we "let the dust settle" a wee bit before forging ahead, so this is all from me on the topic for now. These are just random thoughts, no rhyme or reason:

1) Mike H. has hit a valid point on the admittance criteria IMHO. I can relate as I would be one of the folks who would have a tough time getting in. Tim has already indicated leaway room here in the future, so I will leave this be 'cept for thoughts expressed in #5.
2) Tim has a vision that he is carrying on: StormTrack is for chasers. Deviations from this change ST's mission and focus and that can be a bad thing....we've all seen what even a little drifting from the focus can do.
3) Never fear a larger Mod team. Modding a board can be a huge, time consuming and thankless endeavour. (for Tim as the Admin it is times 10). Based on posts I've read over the year and bit I've been privileged to be here, it is obvious that there are a good many folks who would/could be up to the task. Many hands make light work.
4) Mod part two: tighter control will go a long way. And with tighter control, always provide a avenue for dispute resolution. (possibly a return to the warn system?)
5) Entrance criteria: I'm involved with a very busy board that provides support for computer users, but has a strong focus on Crapware removal. No one is allowed to help others with Crapware removal until they have passed a series of tests. The purpose of the testing is to expand knowledge, get familiar with the repair tools and to practice in interaction with others in a forum setting. Not apples to apples by any means, but could ST implement a variation of this type of thing?
6) ST mission part two: Glen Romine makes an interesting point about the distinctions between the chaser and the enthusiast. Couple with #5, would ST consider either a separate forum or separate (sister) board for the enthusiast and armchair chaser? This could also serve as a stepping stone to admittance to the main board.
7) A plea: to experienced chasers, mets, mets to be, and the folks with lots 'o knowledge...please keep contributing to ST where you can. Your knowledge and insights are invaluable to the chasing community and greatly appreciated by those of us who are working hard to learn the ins and outs of both weather and chasing. Additionally, your experiences and tutalidge will go a long way in the promotion and education of chasing safety.

Back to regular scheduled programming...

Be well, TR

 

[Chris DeRosier]

My only hope is that Stormtrack.org will still be a place that I, as a lifetime weather nut and "armchair chaser" for the most part, can still come visit and occasionally post (it's OK that I don't post in the forecast chase area, but I did feel a little pang last week when I had a tornado warned cell right over my house and couldn't share!). I like to read and learn a lot from you folks.

I do have another weather board that I started to frequent this year and post to it, and there is a lot of focus in the northern Plains area where I am. But I still love to come visit Stormtrack daily!

 

[Tim Vasquez]

Thank you all for not feeding the troll. The mods have quickly dealt with the situation.

Tim

 

[Mike Johnson]

Excellent ST site revision and modified rules.

Mike

 

[J.B. Dixon]

This has been a discussion that I think a lot of us have had of the past year, as we've seen such a big influx of new members as interest in the chasing realm has increased. It really is a fine line that the administrators have to walk with this site. I would not like to be in the position of who makes the determination of who is worthy of being a member with full posting priveledges, and who is not. But, to keep the integrity of the site, I think the majority of us feel that someone has to.

Thanks to all of the devoted people who make this site what it is. What an invaluable resource for chasers. I would hate to see it ever go.

Now I'll try not to get booted for inactivity through all of this severe wx down time!

 

[Glen Romine]

The ONLY people whom have made valuable posts to this board are actual chasers or meteorologists (or people with a significant knowledge in meteorology), and I have seen WAY more problems from non-chasers then anybody else on this forum (the old forums).

I totally disagree with you there Nick - there are many quality contributors outside of the meteorologists and hard core chasers hear, and there are also chasers and meteorologists here that post as poor a quality material as anyone.

I think a better goal is simply to refine what content should be posted here - and have that content favor the chasers rather than the weather enthusiasts. If they are here - and have something positive to contribute to that, great! But, I don't think the board should encourage participation from individuals who consistently don't contribute toward chasing knowledge. If some members currently aren't capable of doing that, then if they really like being here I hope they will find the drive to bring themselves up to speed.

Glen

 

[Chris DeRosier]

StormTrack is dedicated to STORM CHASERS and not to people whom sit out their windows and look at clouds (there are many valuable and good forums such a Wright Weather for enthusiasts), but ST is rather a professional group, that is dedicated to true chasers and meteorologists. The ONLY people whom have made valuable posts to this board are actual chasers or meteorologists (or people with a significant knowledge in meteorology), and I have seen WAY more problems from non-chasers then anybody else on this forum (the old forums).

You don't know how badly this makes me feel- because I guess I fall into this category.

 

[Shane Adams]

disregard

 

[Shane Adams]

disregard

 

[Shane Adams]

disregard

 

[Bill Tabor]

I'll have to throw my hat in the ring here in favor of a targeted chaser audience. This goes all the way back to the foundations of what the StormTrack periodical was all about. It was a resource 'by chasers, for chasers' with low signal to noise ratio. I believe Tim and the moderators are trying to stay true to the 'roots' of Stormtrack by these changes and restrictions and I support them and applaud them!

I think there is something to be said as mentioned in the 'changes' section that the Maproom can not be viewed by guests preventing the general public, media, yahoo's etc from accessing our forecasts and contributing to more congestion on the roads, traffic dangers, and dangers to the untrained public in general. This may in some small way assist in preventing chasing from being banned or legislated as well.

Now with all that said, I do still have a kind ear for the weather enthusiast - that is if they are interested in chasing. I have no problem with Stormtrack in addition to the above also being a learning or gathering site for weather enthusiasts with aspirations for chasing, or newbie chasers. I'd vote for a separate area available for them to learn in and more experienced chasers can join in and contribute resources for them to learn or conversations for them to take part in. I think future discussions / threads can be centered around how to make Stormtrack a proper resource for all levels of "storm chasers".

 

[Bill Tabor]

And some chasers too. I contribute significant topics but they aren't tailor-made for the meteorologist. I don't talk in numbers and forumlas, I talk in locations, events, and what I saw. Not being able to "hang" in a meteorlogical discussion doesn't mean you can contribute greatly to chase-related conversations....contrary to common perception. That's exactly why I dumped Core.

Agreed! And that's exactly the point as this is a CHASER forum. We want to talk about chasing, chases, chaser gear, chaser experiences, etc. You don't have to be a met, degreed, or have equipment to chase, but you do need to be a chaser and with some chase experience to discuss and contribute.

Like I said previously I will support the enthusiast and newbie chasers but only if they are REALLY chasers or attempting to become chasers. If you are going to support this group, then make a separate section, separate privileges, and some fundamental entrance requirements for these folks plz.

 

[David Wolfson]

I'm reading that continuing a measured discussion about who is a chaser and who ST should serve is ok here (and it gets me a few posts closer to the time I can put my foot up in the lounge now and then :wink: ).

I tend to agree with Nick. This should be a place for meteorologists or non-intro met students and remarkable weather chasers.

There are plenty of pros including those who're involved with severe weather forecasting, value-added services, etc., who may not be themselved involved with or interested in stormchasing themselves. I for sure would like to see those people on ST, so tickets should be pretty liberal for pros IMO.

The other category is the more complex discussion. I suggest a term other than "severe" because that term has a rather specific operational definition. Lightning chasers in the SW for example are not really severe weather chasers but they are stormchasers. The same goes for snowstorm freaks -- God help 'em ! What they have in common is they travel specifically to observe, record, and/or photograph remarkable weather. Whether the line should be set at tropospheric weather, e.g. exclude auroral phenomena, is a discussion point. I personally think ST should be limited to tropospheric weather.

Most of the time stormchasers aren't chasing, needless to say given all that's gone on, so most of the time stormchasers are in fact "armchair" chasers. Hopefully the current structure accomodates the twitches, tics, and SDS of all the true-blue stormchasers when they're not chasing without dumbing-down or cluttering up active or rapid-fire threads. But that's another topic for later....

 

[bill mudd]

well this is an interesting thread -
ok the old TARGET area seemed like the place for mets and hard core chasers - and that was getting al il loose at times granted - but the other areas of the FORUM where you could share ideas, equipment discussions, without having to be a met was pretty cool (im glad thats the same)
anyway Ive learned alot here in and I am thankful to all that contribute there time and energies to make this a great sharing place - without every ones contributions I would have never had some of the great contacts and experiences that Ive had this year!
Thanks!
Bill Mudd

 

[Robert Dewey]

I suggest a term other than "severe" because that term has a rather specific operational definition. Lightning chasers in the SW for example are not really severe weather chasers but they are stormchasers. The same goes for snowstorm freaks -- God help 'em ! What they have in common is they travel specifically to observe, record, and/or photograph remarkable weather. Whether the line should be set at tropospheric weather, e.g. exclude auroral phenomena, is a discussion point. I personally think ST should be limited to tropospheric weather.

Whether you're chasing lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, or any other atmospheric phenomenon, it's usually welcome on ST. For instance, some people post their their forecasts for monsoon based convection, and then post their chase reports... As for other types of atmospheric phenomenon, like snowstorms...Usually posting in the "Weather Lab" (previously Weather and Chasing) will usually suffice... But, I think the Target Area is specifically for convective thunderstorms, rather than other forms of weather...