I've been running forums for 20 years. And before that a FIDOnet node. And before that a BBS over dial up modems connecting directly to each other. So I'm not going anywhere.

But temporary outages might happen again in the future. Hopefully not too often.

Amazon AWS was having problems.

I changed your location to WV. It was set to PA for some reason.

I'm rolling out geographic locations to allow people easier access to topics based on geography.

You'll see see topics from all regions as before. But topics from your preferred locations will be shown at the top of the list in the digest.

You'll also see labels like (FL) or (CA) or (TX) shown next to topic titles to help you quickly identify location of the topic.

Some topics are general discussion in nature and don't require strict geographic labeling. Other topics only make sense when taking location into account.

For example, a topic like "Problem with my Yamaha outboard" might be interesting to you regardless of whether it's in California or in Florida. So even with a geographic label like "(FL) Problem with my Yamaha outboard" you might still choose to read it.

On the other hand, topics about specific spots, inlets, ramps, etc. only make sense when you specify the place. So you would be able to use the label in front of the title to quickly see if this location is relevant for you or not.

Your currently assigned locations are listed on the digest page, right above the headline that reads "Fishing Stage forum digest".

If you need me to set or change your preferred location(s), then please PM me or reply to the digest email and tell me the states you want added as your preferred locations. We'll start at the state level and will be narrowing down further in the near future.

You can have multiple states as your preferred locations. So you can add some neighboring states if interested. And topics from all your preferred locations will be shown above all other topics in the digest for your convenience. Followed by the regular order of topics in the digest from all other regions.


(I'm going to keep his announcement sticky for a few days to make sure everyone gets a chance to read it.)

OK, we are cool.



Thanks for the explanation.




Going forward, just please don't forget this is a small business and there is a real person running it.

You probably wouldn't go into a gas station that you use regularly and joke around with the other customers about how the owner is siphoning off some gas and forging receipts. And you probably wouldn't go into your local grocery store and talk to the people at the register line about how the store is probably mixing produce that's gone bad with the fresh produce and hope no one notices.

And this forum is a small business like any other small business. When you post theories about fake users or anything that questions my integrity, it's insulting to me personally and it's damaging to the business. Please keep this in mind. And if you are ever suspicious about something, then just send me a PM and I'll provide you with an explanation to the best of my abilities.

Yes, and it was clearly marked as "FS Digest" not "SomeUser123". And it was always the same account, not a bunch of different accounts. Not to mention it wasn't "useless" because some of the content posted by FS Digest came from digest subscribers who sent their questions via e-mail by replying to their digest notice.

And they would see their question in the next digest with hopefully some helpful replies. That's not useless. That's what might compel that particular person to register their own forum account and start posting. It probably helped us convert quite a few digest readers into forum users along the way.




How is this the same tactic?

Do you think it would be difficult for me to set up a bunch of fake accounts right from the start instead of using one account if I wanted to?

And that one account is named "FS Digest" not "Mike From WA" or something like that. And that account had a disclaimer on the profile page from day one. (And I even added another disclaimer to the signature later on to make sure nobody would miss it.)

So after a few years and after explaining to you (and I did explain all this to you, you were in that topic where we discussed FS Digest), all of the sudden I decided to start creating a bunch of new fake accounts every day? Really?

It only looks like "the same tactic" if you imply that I'm lying to you and trying to dupe you into something by creating a bunch of fake accounts that pretend to be real people.

As a matter of fact, this entire conversation loses meaning if we assume I'm honest. Which means the only way to entertain this conversation at all is to assume I'm crooked in the way I run this forum. Which brings us back to...... stop insulting my work ethics with your insinuations.




I did. And if someone was curious about it, they could have sent me a PM for a clarification. Similarly to how a few people asked me via PM to explain FS Digest when it started. Yet, instead we have a conversation about me being sneaky.

This is like a group of people sitting at a diner, badmouthing the waitress and/or the cook, talking about how the meat is being over-peppered because it's probably spoiled and the excess pepper used to hide it, and then saying "it's OK, we are only having a little fun, and we are regulars here so don't you dare call us out on it." Which was the gist of ranger632's response.

Is this how you feel too? That you should be able to question my ethics because doing so is fun and I should just take it because you are a regular here?



And it makes no sense to be creating new fake accounts every day without re-using them for replying. If I created those accounts, and I tried to make them look real, wouldn't it make more sense for me to post "thank you"'s and follow-ups to make it look like those are real people?

But to go through the trouble of creating a new account, uploading an avatar (as many of those new users have avatars), setting location, posting a question, and then abandoning this brand new ready-to-dupe-you-all account? To do what? To create another one and abandon it too?

Even on the surface this makes no sense. If I'm trying to create fake accounts that blend it with the real users, why am I so bad at this? Wouldn't it make more sense for me to post replies and make it look like those are real people? I must be really-really-really bad at duping users.

Not to mention the time it would take to keep creating 20 or so new accounts every day and not re-using them, only to spend more time the next day creating 20 more accounts. And the next day and so on.

But I digress. Let's get back to me duping you all.

You see, you think you are providing an explanation for your actions (like plumbob above), but you are pretty much confirming what I'm saying.

All of this only makes sense if you assume I would be willing to lie to you and try to dupe you by using fake accounts. Without this assumption, the entirety of what you are saying simply falls apart.

Don't you get it? You are proving my point with this. And so is plumbob.

Try re-phrasing this entire thread again by with the assumption that I'm honest and don't try to deceive you. You'll see how silly all those posts look all of the sudden.

There is no two ways about it. You have to be implying that I'm lying to you in order to be able to talk about "similar tactics". Without this implication it all falls apart.


Start reading right at this part and keep going:

https://www.fishingstage.com/t-51611-1.html#673320

....while still keeping in mind the assumption that I'm not lying to you. Just doesn't work, does it?

The entire premise of the conversation rests on the idea that I'm a liar. And the justification for it is "but look at FS Digest" - an account that was clearly marked and disclosed, and about which I talked openly. And when describing which I even explicitly said I'm using it precisely because I don't want to use a bunch of fake accounts.

Here is that explanation:

https://www.fishingstage.com/t-36775-1.html#449501

And the relevant part from that post:




And after that, you guys start up a conversation that would never even make sense without the assumption that I'm duping you:







Nothing wrong with this picture. Nothing at all.

I take it you won't be describing what you do for a living so that we could play out a hypothetical scenario in which someone spreads rumors about how you conduct yourself to see how you would react?

And no, I won't let it die. For the reasons I explained to you above. Twice.

We are all adults here. We are all responsible for what we say. Posting insinuations about how someone conducts their business is not just a "little fun". It's defamation. And it's insulting.

And all I'm asking is to stop doing that and to apologize for insulting me by questioning my work ethics without having any reason to do so. That's not overreaction.

As for you being done talking, that's fine. Since I wasn't talking to you to begin with, and it was you who decided to speak for the others. Now with you out of the way (since you are done and all), I'll be waiting for those apologies from the people who owe them.

Not really. If anything I'm being mild about it.

Such hints of "those are fake newbies posts" vibe, which you referred to as "having a little fun" is actually a big deal. Rumors like that are damaging for any forum.

As I explained above, if you convince other established users that there is no point in responding to new users "because they are probably fake", that hurts the future supply of forum users. And that's on top of flat out spreading lies about how I conduct my business.

Whatever it is you do for a living, would you tolerate if someone started spreading potentially damaging rumors about your work ethics.... while consuming your services?

No, I won't be taking a pill a chilling out. It's a matter of principle. I don't need an apology from you as you didn't say anything that would require an apology. Some of the others, however, did. Let's see what they have to say for themselves. I'm sure they don't need you speaking on their behalf.

And it doesn't matter if those people are here "all day long". That doesn't give them the right to badmouth my work ethics.

No. I'm not getting sneaky. And I don't appreciate all these insinuations.

And frankly, I'm getting tired of people thinking they can spread lies about my conduct for their amusement with no consequences.


In case some of you didn't get the memo, the fishing season is starting at more and more locations throughout the country right about now. You know, the winter is over and all that, in case you missed it. Which means there are more and more people searching for spots to fish with each passing week. More people see FS ads and join in and post their requests. Which means there is no need to fill the digest with FS Digest topics as we get enough content from those new users.

And yes of those new users who are asking about fishing spots at their local lake, most won't reply. That's just how forums work. Only a small percentage of people that visit the forum end up signing up. And only a small percentage of people that sign up end up posting something. And only a small percentage of people who post something once end up posting follow-ups. And only a small percentage of people who make a few follow-up posts become regulars. And only a small percentage of people who become a regular at some point stick for the long term.

When you indirectly promote the idea of not responding to newbies (because hurr-durr it's just Admin being sneaky), you are making it less likely that the forum user base will continue to grow.

Yes, out of 10 people that ask about a spot and get a reply only one might follow-up and post more. But if that one person doesn't get his initial reply because you've spread the lie that "it's all Admin's fakes", he wouldn't have a reason to follow-up at all. And he would simply leave. Which means the forum would lose this one user going forward. Someone who could later become a regular and be a part of this forum in the long term.

Which means there would be fewer people for you to talk to going forward. Literally, you are hurting your own tomorrow's conversations by choking of the supply of the new users today. People don't join forums and then magically become best friends with everyone on their first day. And it takes a lot of users who make one post and leave for each one that sticks around.

Hopefully, this puts an end to our latest episode of forum drama. (didn't take too long since the previous one, I'm actually surprised)

And now, I would like to see an apology for badmouthing my work ethics without having any evidence to support what you are saying. You guys are quick at posting insinuations. Let's see how quick you are about owning up to it.

Let's see it. Those of you who posted about "coincidence", and "being sneaky", and replacing fakes with new fakes, and all that. Let's see some integrity.

I tried that. I tried allowing total freedom on a forum. It doesn't work.

To speak frankly, what happens is a few pigs that love to wallow in their own crap ruin it for everyone else. Insults degenerate to the point there is nothing else there but insults. And the insults themselves get really bad. (While each pig believes that his insults are classy and witty and appropriately portioned.)

And don't kid yourself, it's not about "running to their mommies" or having "feeling hurt". It's just low quality content.

Two people going at each other in every topic they enter results in low quality content. It's boring for the other users to read page after page of back-and-forth between two i***ts who think they look cool while trying to one-up each other. It's not cool. It's not manly. It's boring. It's low quality content. And low quality content is simply bad for business. Everyone else gets bored and leaves while the few pigs enjoy their wallowing activities, often babbling something about freedom of speech and censorship.

And then even the pigs leave because they need the audience.

You see, nothing stops any two users from battling it out in PM with zero censorship (and they love to complain about censorship). Yet, it's not as fun to do it in a PM is it? It's much more rewarding to block each other's PMs and then be passive aggressive to each other in public, inside other people's topics, where you imagine an audience seeing how you "owned the other jerk".

But the audience doesn't really want it. Because it's low quality content. It's boring. It's not original. It's repetitive in nature. Bad for business.

How often have you seen on various forums a good topic degenerating with a couple of fools just going at each other, page after page, and you realize no point in continuing to read the topic? If you allow them to do it, they'll just do more of it. In more topics. Each one believing he is the noble one and the other one is the jerk. Ruining the overall quality of the content in the process.

I even tried allowing a free-for-all in one section while maintaining rules outside of the section. It doesn't work either. Very few of those people who claim to be a "man that can take it and dish it out" can actually keep it together and not allow their butthurt to spill outside of a free-for-all section.

Results in a never-ending passive aggressive whinefest to the tune of "I'm the noble one in all this and this jerk just won't stop" planted in other users' topics all over the place. Which is.... boring. Low quality content. Bad for business.

And here is something else for you to think about. Given total freedom, where you might draw the line isn't necessarily where someone else would draw it. And then, to them you would seem like a sissy that runs to mommy.

Imagine someone daily insulting your mother in the worst possible language. Just imagine the absolute worst things one might say. Imagine them doing it over and over and over no matter which topic you enter because doing so amuses them. That's freedom. But you would probably get tired of being subjected to that, wouldn't you? And that's bad for business. And at the same time, that other person, if I stopped them, they would be going on and on about how he wishes he had a free environment for adults where nobody runs to mommy.

It's all relative in what one considers acceptable. But what I do know from experience is given a group of people someone will always push it one step further. Until it degenerates into a total mess that is boring for most people to look at. And that's bad for business.

LOL. I guess that's one solution.

Oh, once again. A private matter made public. If you must know, he is suspended for repeatedly posting politics in GCC.

For those who haven't bothered to read the GCC rules, here you go: https://www.fishingstage.com/t-102-1.html

Can you guess what's the one thing not allowed in GCC?

If you guessed politics, then you are right. And most users seem to understand it and comply with it. But apparently, Big A thinks the rules don't apply to him.

He had 6 warnings about this in the past. He was suspended for 3 days for it. He was even banned from GCC for a period of time. All because of posting politics outside of the Attic.

I sent him the link to the rules. I explained to him that we have people here who come to FS to get some rest and distraction from all the crap out there. And when you post politics outside of the Attic, you ruin their forum experience.

He promised me he won't do it anymore.



So I let him back in to the GCC.

And what does he post?




And guess what? He then claims this isn't political and that he didn't do it on purpose.

Seriously? He posts how he "may get hit again" for this, knowing he is violating the rules. And he does it anyway. After six prior warnings, after a suspension, after we had talked about it and he promised not to post politics in GCC.

Why did he expect would happen? What would you do?

He didn't get suspended for posting "bad words". He got suspended because he kept posting politics in GCC. After way too many warnings. If anything, I let it go on for too long with him.

If you know how I can let Big A back in while making sure he understands that no politics means no politics, then let me know. Because I'm out of ideas. I tried my best. But he still posts politics outside of the Attic and spoils other people's topics by doing so.

I asked Big A to re-write that one rule in a way that even he would understand. But so far he refused. And so we can't move any further.

Nice diversion, again. If I publicly posted PMs between two other users, like for example something Egghead sent to you, that would be unprofessional. I agree.

But any PM that was sent to me by you or by any other user, that's fair game. I am the intended recipient. So please stop all this "hurr-durr it's unprofessional" nonsense. As I said before, you should stop thinking of other people as customer service that's meant to take your crap and thank you for it.

It's very convenient to be able to insult me and then say that I can't show the insults to others because it would be unprofessional or would embarrass the person that insulted me.

If someone you say is your friend calls me a c*ck sucker, and then you start going around hinting that I kick people out for reasons you made up -- guess what, I feel justified in setting the record straight. If that embarrasses your friend, that's on you and him.

Me setting the record straight is only unprofessional if you really believe other people are meant to take your crap and smile. Not here.

And we both know, I was very patient with this whole situation for a very long time. I got insulted and I was quiet about it. It was a private matter between me and Egghead. But you just couldn't let it go, could you?

Well, now it's out. Enough is enough.



Yes, I'm oppressing you with my "powers". LOL. Except in what way specifically?

Here are some questions. How about you be a man and answer straight. Without all this lame stuff about hydrants and attorneys. Without diverting away and going on tangents about how unprofessional I am.

Would you continue providing your services to someone who called you a c*ck sucker? No? But you think I should?

Did you not know that's why he got suspended?

If you didn't know, then why were you making up and posting hints that imply poor work ethics on my part?

If you knew, then why were you lying about the reasons by claiming it's somehow tied to asking about ads?

Which users got in trouble and what kind of trouble specifically for posting something about ads? (as you claim)

How about some straight answers to these simple questions.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you. Take some time. Think it over. Come back after the holidays and answer those questions. And that will put the matter to rest.

And going forward please stick to posting about fishing. Your fishing content is much-much-much better than your "theories" and drama.

Merry Christmas to you too.