Open Membership

[Jim Saueressig]

I agree with Jim, I certainly wasn't implying he didn't know what he was doing.....all you have to do is look at his webpage to know hes got skill.

I guess I should point out that I wasn't thinking or speaking of or against anyone or any one post in particular as I had no idea who was being singled out or referenced in any of the previous posts.

I was just mentioning that ultimately in the end it is up to the moderators to try to keep up the quality of the board. It is understandable that a new user will be more likely to miss post as opposed to a veteran board member and might need an easy warning where the a veteran member wouldn't. However if the specific forum sections posting details are spelled out clearly as in the "read me before posting" threads sticked on top of then then regardless of who you are you should be held to the same standards as any other members new or old. If you cannot read those stickies then maybe you are in the wrong forum anyway.

I still myself don't have write access to the Target Area and don't know that I would have much to contribute in the forecasting department but can still learn by reading it. However the Post Storm Discussion section I would like access to because that I would be able to participate in it with any reports from my own chasing or discussion of an event.

Maybe the thing to do is if someone obviously has some field experience and not just armchair chasing they could get access to those areas then if they get warned a few times or it becomes obvious they are an idiot then they could lose their access.

I do think those two areas should be closed to the public at large (non members) for reasons of bandwidth and server crashing during the main storm season.

 

[Danny Neal]

I do think those two areas should be closed to the public at large (non members) for reasons of bandwidth and server crashing during the main storm season.

Very good point. I noticed on the 5th, the server was having issues, and David even had to make a request as a whole not to refresh more than a few times in a given period. I also noticed that there were 85 or so members and 160 something guests viewing the target area. I know this has been an issue in the past and discussed in the past, but why let guests browse the forums? When I am chasing I doubt I even look as there are far more important things going on than a NOW thread, but as a nowcaster I am looking to pick up every tidbit of info for my chaser rather it be in the NOW thread or the FCST thread. Of course I am not going to come to ST and say well Jim or Dan or Bob says this area is lighting up so you should go there, but if Tony is 3 miles ahead of my chaser and reports downed trees or something, you bet I am going to relay that information. Just pondering.

 

[Chris Nuttall]

I still don't see why people are getting bent out of shape over the essay application. It was here when I joined...big deal. We have people from all backgrounds on here...NWS meteorologists, hardcore chasers, and just your general weather enthusiast. Maybe I'm being too "elitist" since I have a degree...whatever.

There are people that joined this board...that had to write an essay...that have plainly stated they have no formal (or informal) training in meteorology. So, what's the big deal? They're here...they got in. I don't see the problem.

I always though ST was supposed to be, first and foremost, a forum for chasers...primarily to gather and discuss severe weather, but really any and all types of weather events, followed by other common interests. The essay is simply a way to keep the signal-to-noise ratio down, and I have no problem with that.

IMHO, for a forum like this, quality of members is better than quantity. I'm not saying we turn everyone away, but what's the trouble in writing a little paragraph explaining why you want to be here? If you don't know squat, but have a passing interest in weather and want to learn and have questions answered. Awesome. Welcome. But, if you just like the weather and want to join to shoot the **** and talk about Wimbledon (sorry tennis fans) , this might not be the right place for you.

If you want to see how bad things could get with open membership, take a look at what happened with the WX-CHASE list...for those of us that can remember it......talking about that list makes me feel old...and I'm haven't even hit the 10-year mark yet in chasing.

My apologies for stirring the pot again. I just couldn't sit on my opinion any more.

 

[MatthewCarman]

If I remember right the reason ST stopped doing the essay was it took alot of time to read each essay and Tim and the staff do not always have the time. I am not sure how many essays they get in a week or month but a idea would be to ask a few people here to help out if that is the problem. I have no problem with the essay. It wil drive off or discourage some people but there is plenty of other sites out there for one to visit. I could probibly name over 50 sites that have forums for weather.

Just so everyone knows I filled the essay out 3 times and stated I wanted to learn more about the weather. I thank Tim and the staff here at ST for allowing me to do that. This has been a very educational experience and I do not think we should stop others from having that experience if they want to learn. Remember you all were once in the same position as the inexperienced people here wanting to learn and how do you think you would have felt back then if nobody gave you that chance to learn? ST is giving people that chance and I like that.

Now what I do not like is some vet's not giving some members a chance here at ST. Sure I have not always posted the highest of quality topics but I learn from my mistakes and I have been making a effort to post less and only if I have something good to add to the discusion. I do not apreciate members being singled out and bashed by a few vet's here just because were inexperienced and not long time storm chasers. You all were once as inexperienced as I am. I am learning alot from ST and I am sure if given a chance alot of new members can to. Give them time and they will learn the rules and learn to post more quality topics. Even if a few members have a hard time living up to your expectations so what? Nobody is perfect. Would your arms be open or would you walk away?

I am not going to name anybody who has been attacking other members but Forrest Lambert for example was made fun of all the time on here by several people. Those people make fun of several members to try and drive them off I feel just because they do not like the path ST is going down and want a Storm Chasers only site. I think if Vet's have a problem with new members and do not like how the staff runs things then why stay? If it bothers you so much that you feel the need to put down other members here to try and drive them off why not just leave? This was not directed at anyone in particular so please do not take offence to this as I ment no offence.

I think Tim and the staff here have done a good job with ST and I would not want to spend my time any where else when it comes to storm chasing and weather in general.

Have a nice day everyone.