ST's Future Discussion

[Rob H]

I hoped that even with strong opinions on both sides we could remain respectful, but I'm getting some rather brusque messages from people I don't know asking me why I'm not supporting candidate X and why I'm being so hard on chaser Y, so I'm taking a break from all this. Good luck sorting things out, and don't take things too seriously, people - this is supposed to be a fun place to chat about a hobby that we enjoy.

 

[Brett Roberts]

I hoped that even with strong opinions on both sides we could remain respectful, but I'm getting some rather brusque messages from people I don't know asking me why I'm not supporting candidate X and why I'm being so hard on chaser Y, so I'm taking a break from all this. Good luck sorting things out, and don't take things too seriously, people - this is supposed to be a fun place to chat about a hobby that we enjoy.

As much as I'd love to see management and ownership with more time to devote to the site, this subtle power struggle leaves me feeling uneasy. I'd really hate to see a takeover by some individual or group whose primary goal is financial gain, to the extent that every decision about how to structure and run the site would hinge on that -- and that failure to turn a profit would result in abandonment. I'm not suggesting that anyone in particular has that mindset, but it's a possibility that can't be discounted when selecting a particular candidate seems like a matter of such importance and urgency to some.

I don't have strong negative feelings about any candidates being discussed; on the positive side, I'll say that Skip Talbot has a proven track record of dedicating tremendous time and energy to the chasing community in various facets (including Stormtrack) without any apparent financial incentive. I'd love to see him brought on in whatever capacity he feels comfortable with.

 

[Justin Wilcox]

The campaigning is a huge turn-off. Not gonna lie. And really Rob? fanboy's are messaging you? Thats sad...

 

[Joey Ketcham]

The campaigning is a huge turn-off. Not gonna lie. And really Rob? fanboy's are messaging you? Thats sad...

I'm not a bandwagon type person, so I'll state that in the fantasy world for me it would be awesome if Tim Marshall came back on board and once again took ownership of ST. But in all honesty, SMOK would be best. It has nothing to do with campaigning, he's a well respected storm chaser, he's been around a long time and he as contributed a lot to this site and forum. If not Tim Marshall, SMOK would be my 2nd choice hands down.

As for Rob H, no clue as to who he is but I really, and I mean I REALLY doubt anyone is messaging him asking him about who he supports. Anyone who says "but I'm getting some rather brusque messages from people I don't know asking me why I'm not supporting candidate X and why I'm being so hard on chaser Y" is full of crap and is stroking their own ego. LOL

 

[Skip Talbot]

Overall, I want to see the content on this site preserved and that the forum remains an open venue for all chaser discussion, not dominated by one clique or by those who contribute minimally back to the community.

asking me why I'm not supporting candidate X and why I'm being so hard on chaser Y, so I'm taking a break from all this.

This is an example of what I was getting at. We can't keep everyone happy, but our goal should be to keep the most happy, not a vocal minority.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I REALLY doubt anyone is messaging him asking him about who he supports. Anyone who says "but I'm getting some rather brusque messages from people I don't know asking me why I'm not supporting candidate X and why I'm being so hard on chaser Y" is full of crap and is stroking their own ego

I'm curious as to the reasoning you used to determine this doesn't or can't happen. As a Stormtrack janitor, I've had to clean up a number of messes behind the scenes from situations not unlike this.

 

[Rich Thompson]

I'm not sure what to think about this thread. My very late arrival says a bunch about my participation level of the past 1-2 years, and I'm not sure my lack of participation has much to do with the board structure. Life has gotten in the way of chasing more often than not, and I have made other aspects of my life the priority. I don't suppose it helps that I'm turning into more of a geezer with time, and that I'm not particularly stoked trying to talk about meteorology (my main interest in chasing) with people who don't necessarily share that interest. Regarding "the good 'ole days", it used to be that meteorological understanding was a plus in chasing, because you didn't have the pretty answers up front like Radar Scope, the HRRR, etc. It now seems that the people who see the most tornadoes simply chase the most, and by chasing the most, they can afford to develop strategies that will pretty much assure some level of success on a majority of days. As has been mentioned a few other times in this thread, what's left to discuss when a reasonably large fraction of folks don't see much value in the meteorological side of chasing?

 

[Mike Smith]

From a meteorological/climatological standpoint, it appears 2015 may be a very active storm season (this decade is very similar to the 1970's). With the lowering price of gasoline, which the Wall​ Street Journal and others predict will continue the next six months, may cause chasing to really pick up.

I bring this up because there may be many more posts to moderate for any new owner/manager than in the past two years.

 

[Jeff Duda]

From a meteorological/climatological standpoint, it appears 2015 may be a very active storm season.

This probably deserves to be the lead statement for a new thread. I'm curious as to your reasoning for making this statement.

 

[Dan Robinson]

I'd really hate to see a takeover by some individual or group whose primary goal is financial gain.

Any aforementioned takeover of this site would be a not-for-profit effort. Financials are being discussed as a means to cover the costs of operation (IE, so membership doesn't need to foot the bill).

 

[twarner]

I am late to the ball game, but I will just say I DO NOT think getting rid of "Stormtrack forum" and moving to social media is the right answer. Social media (e.g. facebook/twitter) should be a complement of this site and a tool to draw people to this site and to provide instant communications via the various feeds.

Meteorology and storm chasing is a science and requires depth of understanding of it many facets to master. This site provides a valuable means of advancing and educating through the ability to post graphics, organized threads, search, etc. This site also provides opportunities to document predictions, outbreak days, real-time threads and the additional education aspects. You won't get this depth on social media.

FWIW I mainly lurk and learn. I enjoy reading pre- and post-analysis.

 

[Brian R]

I will be the first to admit, I do not log in as often as I should, however ST has always provided answers or different ways of doing things to me. also it has been very educational to me. I am hoping that ST will stay around and active for quite a long time. I have a gut feeling that 2015 is going to be an active chase season and expect to see the forum much more active. I will also attempt to be more active as well.

on another note HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone!!

 

[Dan Robinson]

Just a quick declaration to protect against the rumor mill. I'm not in any type of partnership with Steve Miller, and stand to gain nothing financially if he is to take ownership of the forum. I support him simply because I feel he is the best person for the job, and he will give this site its absolute best shot at succeeding. I'll benefit enough as a chaser (as we all will) if StormTrack becomes successful again.

 

[John Olexa]

Ok, what is the plan for deciding who is going to take over controls? If it's going to be by vote ( are there enough active members to have a vote?) Then we should start hearing for the people who want the task and when the time comes we could set up a poll to vote anonymously. What are some other options?

 

[Shane Adams]

Ok, what is the plan for deciding who is going to take over controls? If it's going to be by vote ( are there enough active members to have a vote?) Then we should start hearing for the people who want the task and when the time comes we could set up a poll to vote anonymously. What are some other options?

The decision lies solely with Tim Vasquez. And the more time that passes, the more I'm starting to get the feeling his ultimate decision won't involve either person being hotly debated.