Is it time???

[mtwaterguy]

ISN'T IT TIME TO GET RID OF THE "FREE PARKING " SECTION ?

Seems like lately it's turned into a substitute for Facebook. Hardly any garage related posts, lucky if there's 1 or 2 on the front page. Mostly non related ideas that seem better suited elsewhere. How about a little support for the removal. Let's get back to where this site belongs. I'm for leaving it out whenever/if the site update happens. I'm sure Ryan would be glad to get rid of it.

 

[The Cobbler]

simple fix, don't read it

 

[PelicanPines]

simple fix, don't read it

+1...

 

[altersaddle]

Personally, I'd like a way to opt out of Free Parking showing up in the New Posts, which is how I normally browse the forums.

I've been tricked into reading a few downward spiral threads that way...

 

[Strouty]

Now we know who was rating all the threads one star!

It is a very easy to see statistic that free parking is what keeps the GJ alive and kicking. Prove me wrong......

 

[CJM8515]

Not your forum to make that call. If it bothers you so much dont read it.

Reality is many posts are in that forum and discuss many things. I doubt its gonna go away. If you think its as bad as facebook-you need to get a clue. FB is 100X worse.

 

[bczygan]

Here's a list of the latest subjects in the last little while. Worth giving up all these subjects to get rid of a couple you don't care for?

And if no place else, these subjects will likely spread everywhere else...

Phelps is part Phish

What is Your Skill Level?

I miss Ziebart undercoating

GJ has almost a quarter million members but…………….

Delinquent storage unit auction

Cracked exhaust manifold Kawasaki 14 h.p. flathead: Obsolete part-how to best fix

Just "Binge-watched" 'Making a Murderer' on Netflix

What is your favorite old rock song remake?

Best Rust converters?

Cut off saw recommendations

Car bite.....what to do?

My "new" truck needs work

Zoning Setbacks Question

Non ethanol fuel

post your WTF pictures

Do I need to kiss my ash trees goodbye?

Another Freaking Hornet Nest (need advice)

Entitlement... (Multi-page thread 1 2 view all)

rolling on auto paint?

Wanted: Information re. BMW Z3

 

[mtwaterguy]

Now we know who was rating all the threads one star!

It is a very easy to see statistic that free parking is what keeps the GJ alive and kicking. Prove me wrong......

If it was me, I would have said so during the last discussion about the rating system. So for the second time, it wasn't me. Guess it's hard for you to believe there are others that don't like the section besides me I guess.

 

[mtwaterguy]

Here's a list of the latest subjects in the last little while. Worth giving up all these subjects to get rid of a couple you don't care for?

And if no place else, these subjects will likely spread everywhere else...

Phelps is part Phish

What is Your Skill Level?

I miss Ziebart undercoating

GJ has almost a quarter million members but…………….

Delinquent storage unit auction

Cracked exhaust manifold Kawasaki 14 h.p. flathead: Obsolete part-how to best fix

Just "Binge-watched" 'Making a Murderer' on Netflix

What is your favorite old rock song remake?

Best Rust converters?

Cut off saw recommendations

Car bite.....what to do?

My "new" truck needs work

Zoning Setbacks Question

Non ethanol fuel

post your WTF pictures

Do I need to kiss my ash trees goodbye?

Another Freaking Hornet Nest (need advice)

Entitlement... (Multi-page thread 1 2 view all)

rolling on auto paint?

Wanted: Information re. BMW Z3

The real question is do you really want to save all those off topic posts. A couple of those posts belong in other section anyway.

 

[Strouty]

To me the rules should be adjusted, free parking should not have to be garage related, it should be where you discuss things that you normally would in the garage with your buddies. Maybe it should be called "shooting the **** over a cold one" instead?

While I agree there are plenty of bad posts, but man there are some interesting members on this forum that I probably would not be acquainted with if free parking was not around.

Maybe the mods can move this to the free parking section.......

 

[Strouty]

If it was me, I would have said so during the last discussion about the rating system. So for the second time, it wasn't me. Guess it's hard for you to believe there are others that don't like the section besides me I guess.

I am just pulling your leg, I figure you would be big enough to admit it anyways, the one star rating bandit is a *****.

 

[PelicanPines]

Loo

To me the rules should be adjusted, free parking should not have to be garage related, it should be where you discuss things that you normally would in the garage with your buddies. Maybe it should be called "shooting the **** over a cold one" instead?

While I agree there are plenty of bad posts, but man there are some interesting members on this forum that I probably would not be acquainted with if free parking was not around.

Maybe the mods can move this to the free parking section.......

Well said. You always find the words that are in my head... screaming to get out.

I also agree... this is more a free parking kind of discussion.

 

[firworks]

Here's a list of the latest subjects in the last little while. Worth giving up all these subjects to get rid of a couple you don't care for?

And if no place else, these subjects will likely spread everywhere else...

Phelps is part Phish

What is Your Skill Level?

I miss Ziebart undercoating

GJ has almost a quarter million members but…………….

Delinquent storage unit auction

Cracked exhaust manifold Kawasaki 14 h.p. flathead: Obsolete part-how to best fix

Just "Binge-watched" 'Making a Murderer' on Netflix

What is your favorite old rock song remake?

Best Rust converters?

Cut off saw recommendations

Car bite.....what to do?

My "new" truck needs work

Zoning Setbacks Question

Non ethanol fuel

post your WTF pictures

Do I need to kiss my ash trees goodbye?

Another Freaking Hornet Nest (need advice)

Entitlement... (Multi-page thread 1 2 view all)

rolling on auto paint?

Wanted: Information re. BMW Z3

To be fair, that "car" bite isn't auto/garage related. I've color coded them for convenience.

The real question is do you really want to save all those off topic posts. A couple of those posts belong in other section anyway.

There's a lot in that list that is car/garage related. I think if it really became a problem there probably should be a "Off Topic/Shoot the ****" section and a "Car" section. I feel like that's the thing that causes some tension right now. Free parking has become "Anything discussed in a garage" well I could see people talking about Michael Phelps and their bunyons and stuff in a garage shooting the ****. Just like I could see them talking about fixing their wife's quicklube oil change fiasco or how they fell off a ladder.

 

[HOTFR8]

ISN'T IT TIME TO GET RID OF THE "FREE PARKING " SECTION ?

Seems like lately it's turned into a substitute for Facebook. Hardly any garage related posts, lucky if there's 1 or 2 on the front page. Mostly non related ideas that seem better suited elsewhere. How about a little support for the removal. Let's get back to where this site belongs. I'm for leaving it out whenever/if the site update happens. I'm sure Ryan would be glad to get rid of it.

You tell us what topics you do not like and the Mods will remove them.
I disagree with removing Free Parking. Although I have to agree to many have never read what FP should be about and just take the title as being off topic.

Free Parking should be > Everything related to the toys we park in our garages. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, jetskis, etc...

I have removed plenty of topics that are simply not forum related and not why I joined the GJ. If I wanted to read that sort of thing I would be on Face thingy. I am not.

Like I say if you want FP cleaned up report the topics and the Mods will kill them off.

 

[HOTFR8]

Free Parking should be > Everything related to the toys we park in our garages. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, jetskis, etc...

If I had my way Free Parking would be as above. I would have and have had a few in the past ask me why an off topic post has been removed. If it is not forum related it has been removed.

Also a reason why the pin up topic had the rules set and why Free Parking is no longer visible to if you are not logged on.

 

[Strouty]

I never like arguing with a mod, but just because you or one person thinks a topic is not for GJ should not be enough reason to kill them off. Notice the bold blue section, this is the most important part of GJ, community, some people don't like people in general, but without people and normal conversations this site becomes a reference site. I happen to like the community aspect of things and free parking allows this without messing up the reference aspects of the site. Please do not take this as a personal attack HOTFR8, just my personal opinion that aligns with my sense of fairness.

For the record the rules per Ryan (owner/admin) are these:

Begin Quote

This forum is devoted to those things that are found in the garage, but that are outside of the realm of garage design and tools. This is the perfect place to post your latest project whether it be a ground up restoration of your truck or a custom coffee table for your man room. These types of posts are encouraged and featured here!

This forum is also a place to post typical conversations that you might have in your garage. We like the idea of promoting the community here and want to provide a place where folks can keep in touch with others of like mind. These threads, however, are not the focus of Free Parking. Off topic posts will be deleted if they have no redeeming value.

Here's a few quick rules to live by:
We are all grown adults. Respect one another and treat each as you would want to be treated.
Agree to Disagree. You won't change anyone's mind by arguing over the internet.
Don't attack others. Learn to get along with others and if you can't, learn how to ignore them. We don't allow arguing or fighting or general tomfoolery.
No posts aimed at embarrassing, harassing, creating problems, belittling or otherwise designed to make others feel unwelcome.
Everything (content and images) must remain PG-13 rated.
No useless posting or wasting forum resources.
Absolutely no politics.
No religious discussions.
Moderators can and will delete posts at their own discretion.

Above all, have fun... and enjoy the forum. It's all for you.

End Quote

 

[firworks]

I never like arguing with a mod, but just because you or one person thinks a topic is not for GJ should not be enough reason to kill them off. Notice the bold blue section, this is the most important part of GJ, community, some people don't like people in general, but without people and normal conversations this site becomes a reference site. I happen to like the community aspect of things and free parking allows this without messing up the reference aspects of the site. Please do not take this as a personal attack HOTFR8, just my personal opinion that aligns with my sense of fairness.

For the record the rules per Ryan (owner/admin) are these:

Begin Quote

This forum is devoted to those things that are found in the garage, but that are outside of the realm of garage design and tools. This is the perfect place to post your latest project whether it be a ground up restoration of your truck or a custom coffee table for your man room. These types of posts are encouraged and featured here!

This forum is also a place to post typical conversations that you might have in your garage. We like the idea of promoting the community here and want to provide a place where folks can keep in touch with others of like mind. These threads, however, are not the focus of Free Parking. Off topic posts will be deleted if they have no redeeming value.

Here's a few quick rules to live by:
We are all grown adults. Respect one another and treat each as you would want to be treated.
Agree to Disagree. You won't change anyone's mind by arguing over the internet.
Don't attack others. Learn to get along with others and if you can't, learn how to ignore them. We don't allow arguing or fighting or general tomfoolery.
No posts aimed at embarrassing, harassing, creating problems, belittling or otherwise designed to make others feel unwelcome.
Everything (content and images) must remain PG-13 rated.
No useless posting or wasting forum resources.
Absolutely no politics.
No religious discussions.
Moderators can and will delete posts at their own discretion.

Above all, have fun... and enjoy the forum. It's all for you.

End Quote

I'm glad you posted that blue part as I couldn't find it when I went to look when I made my post. I edited out parts where I said "things you would talk about in a garage" because I couldn't find it in the rules despite remembering it.

Also to the people saying that if they wanted to see this junk they'd be on the "face thing". I don't have a Facebook full of garage guys. My Facebook is full of coworkers, people I went to school with and family members. Thus, I haven't used my Facebook in 6 years. When I do login it's to get entries into a contest from a tool company. It's nice to see the perspective from the people on here about current events and things. The seconds I do spend on Facebook my feed is nothing but "OBAMA ONCE THOUGHT ABOUT NOT SALUTING A FLAG PROBABLY" and "ILLUMINATI FREEMASONS PROVE OBAMA TIES TO ISIS THROUGH SUPPORT FOR GAY MARIJUANA USE". It's just people posting insane news articles all day and being inflammatory. I was glad for that Tesla Autopilot crash thread because it didn't immediately devolve to "OBAMA CRASHES TESLA INTO TRUCK TO SUPPORT ISIS".

 

[mtwaterguy]

You tell us what topics you do not like and the Mods will remove them.
I disagree with removing Free Parking. Although I have to agree to many have never read what FP should be about and just take the title as being off topic.

Free Parking should be > Everything related to the toys we park in our garages. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, jetskis, etc...

I have removed plenty of topics that are simply not forum related and not why I joined the GJ. If I wanted to read that sort of thing I would be on Face thingy. I am not.

Like I say if you want FP cleaned up report the topics and the Mods will kill them off.

I believe you have mistaken my position on this. It does not have anything to do with my liking or being offended by a specific post in the "free parking" section. It is that I don't feel that discussing a pimple on your ***, whether or not your wife is screwing the neighbor or finding a joke is garage related. As far as deleting posts in the thread, that would almost be a full time job. If you are really interested in cleaning it up, right now there are 16 off topic threads that you could address.

 

[four.cycle]

This forum is also a place to post typical conversations that you might have in your garage.

Gentlemen:
That could include conversations about almost anything under the sun. If and when my two buddies and I get together down at the shop, we might talk about Gabby Pahanui's slack-key playing, or Donald Trump's hairdo, or Jerry Springer, or whether or not we should really try to fix that wood chipper that IJ's old man gave him, or why the awning on the motorhome won't retract, or the merits of rice eggs and Spam vs. rice eggs and Portuguese sausage. (That's off the top of my head from about a week back.)

Secondly, I've never been on a "Facebook" page, and never will. I would imagine there are other members here who also have no use for "Facebook" or any other "social media" websites.

Sorry, but other than some of the subjects being seemingly superfluous to "garage", I have to agree with one of the comments above: If you don't like it, don't read it.
If it's taking up excessive space on the server, or one of the mods thinks it's over the line, by all means take it out - only a weenie would get his knickers all in a twist about a thread being deleted on a discussion forum.

We're not all always about nuts and bolts and wrenches and cars all the time, guys.

Just my lousy two cents, as always.

 

[Strouty]

I'm glad you posted that blue part as I couldn't find it when I went to look when I made my post. I edited out parts where I said "things you would talk about in a garage" because I couldn't find it in the rules despite remembering it.

A lot of people don't realize that is in the rules, a lot of people don't care. Ultimately this is Ryan's site, he has enlisted mods that he sees fit and they can do essentially as they please with the threads. I think they do a great job overall, have there been times that I didn't agree? Of course, but that is essentially life, way too many things out of my control.

Four cycle, you are pretty much on point with my thought process.

mtwaterguy, the problem with removing free parking is that it would make a lot of people go away, if these people go away, I am willing to bet that traffic would slow to the point that the forum would suffer financially. Think of free parking as the lottery tickets, alcohol, and cigarettes of the convenience store, lose those and the store would go away. Maybe I am way off, but I am not sure anyone wants to prove me wrong.

 

[HOTFR8]

I never like arguing with a mod, but just because you or one person thinks a topic is not for GJ should not be enough reason to kill them off. Notice the bold blue section, this is the most important part of GJ, community, some people don't like people in general, but without people and normal conversations this site becomes a reference site. I happen to like the community aspect of things and free parking allows this without messing up the reference aspects of the site. Please do not take this as a personal attack HOTFR8, just my personal opinion that aligns with my sense of fairness.

For the record the rules per Ryan (owner/admin) are these:

Begin Quote

This forum is devoted to those things that are found in the garage, but that are outside of the realm of garage design and tools. This is the perfect place to post your latest project whether it be a ground up restoration of your truck or a custom coffee table for your man room. These types of posts are encouraged and featured here!

This forum is also a place to post typical conversations that you might have in your garage. We like the idea of promoting the community here and want to provide a place where folks can keep in touch with others of like mind. These threads, however, are not the focus of Free Parking. Off topic posts will be deleted if they have no redeeming value.

Here's a few quick rules to live by:
We are all grown adults. Respect one another and treat each as you would want to be treated.
Agree to Disagree. You won't change anyone's mind by arguing over the internet.
Don't attack others. Learn to get along with others and if you can't, learn how to ignore them. We don't allow arguing or fighting or general tomfoolery.
No posts aimed at embarrassing, harassing, creating problems, belittling or otherwise designed to make others feel unwelcome.
Everything (content and images) must remain PG-13 rated.
No useless posting or wasting forum resources.
Absolutely no politics.
No religious discussions.
Moderators can and will delete posts at their own discretion.

Above all, have fun... and enjoy the forum. It's all for you.

End Quote

No offence taken at all and I was waiting for that to come up as you posted in blue as I was one that asked we have that after Free Parking was shut off to us once before.

There are many topics I do ignore in FP and only look at them when we have a report or perhaps have some one hijack or spam it so you and I do not disagree here on many things but again many topics I am sure we do not agree on either and that is also part of FP.

Again I do not see you attacking me but offering ideas as to how this should proceed. It is those that do not read or care for the rules that push the friendship in FP.

 

[bczygan]

Without a wide ranging free parking section, where I am free to interact with friends and acquaintances on a social level, this forum would be dead to me.

Bill

 

[NUTTSGT]

Personally, I like Free parking. Professionally (if you can call it that), for myself as a Mod, it's not that bad to moderate. Believe it or not, I'm pretty lax and do let some stuff slide. I'd said it before and I'll say it again, I'd rather edit or prune some bad posts out to keep a thread alive. However, there are times when they have gone too far or the topic itself is wrong and the whole thing just goes or gets locked.

If one person wants a thread deleted, I'm not going to just do it as their request unless they are the OP. I'll look at it and try to use fair and impartial judgement as what to do.

 

[dadsEH]

Yeah!the thread quality has gone down considerably since Tampa was sent up the...er..went on holidays.

 

[Strouty]

Personally, I like Free parking. Professionally (if you can call it that), for myself as a Mod, it's not that bad to moderate. Believe it or not, I'm pretty lax and do let some stuff slide. I'd said it before and I'll say it again, I'd rather edit or prune some bad posts out to keep a thread alive. However, there are times when they have gone too far or the topic itself is wrong and the whole thing just goes or gets locked.

If one person wants a thread deleted, I'm not going to just do it as their request unless they are the OP. I'll look at it and try to use fair and impartial judgement as what to do.

Except when you deleted my Ninjas or ***** thread, you never even gave that one a chance. That was definitely a topic that would come up in my garage.

 

[HOTFR8]

I believe you have mistaken my position on this. It does not have anything to do with my liking or being offended by a specific post in the "free parking" section. It is that I don't feel that discussing a pimple on your ***, whether or not your wife is screwing the neighbor or finding a joke is garage related. As far as deleting posts in the thread, that would almost be a full time job. If you are really interested in cleaning it up, right now there are 16 off topic threads that you could address.

Oh, I agree with you as the pimple on my *** is not related to what this forum is about. I can see a similar topic that was removed. Those topics you refer to in my mind are not what we are here for on a 'Garage' forum.

As for 16 of the topics you also refer to I can tell you I have deleted some them as so often it is easier to do that than delete posts only to find them re instated the next day or find some one has started a new topic because they whine about it being deleted.

If this was the H.A.M.B. forum many of those topics (drama) and perhaps a lot more in FP would have gone long ago but as a Mod with some topics we get asked to be tolerant so if you want to ask Ryan that we as Mods harden up on some topics then OK.

Again I refer to the Pin Up topic and how we had to put in place rules just for that topic. That would be one of three topics in FP that is heavily moderated to keep it suitable.

Having said that we also have to recall what Strouty hi lighted in blue.

Given that how do you draw the line with a topic that screams for help say with an ill family member (sick child, heart condition or car accident) when some one needs some advise?

 

[Strouty]

We can all live without the drama, but it seems to be a recurring nightmare. We all have different viewpoints and that is what makes the forum so great, sometimes when my mind is open I can even learn a thing or two.

 

[HOTFR8]

We can all live without the drama, but it seems to be a recurring nightmare. We all have different viewpoints and that is what makes the forum so great, sometimes when my mind is open I can even learn a thing or two.

Sadly some times some people can not agree that they disagree and leave it at that.

I guess what we as Mods need here is something (more guidelines and ideas) to take back to Admin so we can make sure FP is what we all want that works for us all.

 

[AJ.]

Personally, I'd like a way to opt out of Free Parking showing up in the New Posts, which is how I normally browse the forums.

I've been tricked into reading a few downward spiral threads that way...

I agree, you don't see them if you are not logged in, but that makes it harder to follow threads you are interested in.

In addition, stop posts in free parking from adding to peoples post count, yeah I know post count means nothing, but most people look at it!

Just my 2 cents from a Lurker.

Cheers Andrew

 

[firworks]

I agree, you don't see them if you are not logged in, but that makes it harder to follow threads you are interested in.

In addition, stop posts in free parking from adding to peoples post count, yeah I know post count means nothing, but most people look at it!

Just my 2 cents from a Lurker.

Cheers Andrew

They'd have to make a separate Off Topic section to stop the post count updating or else get rid of post counts all together. There's no reason a thread about replacing a valve cover gasket shouldn't count towards post count.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Except when you deleted my Ninjas or ***** thread, you never even gave that one a chance. That was definitely a topic that would come up in my garage.

I had to go back and look, yes I dumped that one. Trust me, I like ***** as much as the next guy but GJ is supposed to be PG-13.

If you ever stop by my garage and want to talk about ninjas and *****, I won't change the subject.

 

[Strouty]

LOL, I still think it would make for a great debate, we know where you stand....

 

[HOTFR8]

LOL, I still think it would make for a great debate, we know where you stand....

Just away from the forum.

 

[PelicanPines]

For me some of the rules conflict with each other...

1. Keep FP with topics directly relating to Garage.
2. Have social conversations you would have in a Garage setting.

To me those conflict with each other and I think some of the complaints come from people having it in their heads rule 1 rules.

Just my opinion... i'm kinda a noob around here.

 

[Outlander]

I think I would prefer Free Parking to be kept to cars, trucks, ATV, motorcycles, boats, bikes, trailers and the like. All the other weird stuff (where I post fairly regularly) can go to a 'Behind the Garage' section.

 

[Strouty]

How about a section called "Tampa's Shed"?

 

[NUTTSGT]

How about a section called "Tampa's Shed"?

Ummm, I don't think that will happen either.

 

[Strouty]

I think so far the best suggestion I have ever heard would be to remove free parking from the new posts search. Or at the minimum make it an option so if people think it should be "gone", they can have it "gone".

 

[Bcom]

I personally like the free parking section. It's nice to be able to read random stuff in there. Not just tool related posts.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I personally like the free parking section. It's nice to be able to read random stuff in there. Not just tool related posts.

Me too.

There are certain sections I don't enjoy, so I just don't read them. I don't think they should be removed though.