Hi everybody,

I have been around this forum for a quite a long time. I have never been much of a contributor, but been following the discussions. Way before the time of Autosport the level used to be way above the average foras on the net and the owners of the site were frequently involved in the discussions. There were some trolling but in the large picture people were able to discuss instead of getting down to the personal slurs... Most of the veterans have disappeared and I would've never thought I would miss people like... well, never mind.

The nature of Internet has changed, I understand that. But the nature of the provider of the service has also changed. I understand all the reasons why Haymarket was the backbone that was needed - private enthusiasm does not feed your family. And I'll give credit to the changes after the ownership change - the level of the site as a newsmedia is excellent. But at the same time the Forum that I loved is - instead of lengthy analyses - a place of cheap slurs. The foras are not important for the owner as they used to be in the times of AtlasF1. The contributors in today's foras certainly understand where todays "slogan journalism" comes from.

I'll still be around, just wonder would it be possible to create a forum FTOF (For The Old Farts)

Antti

Here you go.

What happened:

1. Some of the best Atlasf1.com members never cared to be moderators (or where never asked to),

2. When new/younger online writers/editors whatever became moderators and started pursuing their biased view in the forum (some are gone now), few spoke out with any gusto (and/or had their posts deleted (so they were innefective) then banned) against the change.

3. Younger moderators are far more tolerant with garbage I think, doesn't mean they like it, but they feel everywhere else is the same, can't be changed, etc.

That's my opinion only, of course.

Here...is this turning into a Scottish Football forum?

I just feel I fall somewhere in between...

Oh Antti, my reply was tongue in cheek!

If all the 'good posters' quit posting out of disgust or apathy, then certainly the quality of discussion will go down. The solution is to post and post some more. And keep posting your thoughts even if no one else seems to be able to match your standards of quality. Ignore and do not debate the finer points with those whom you consider to be flaming or indulging in trolling.

What else can be done?

Hi,
Any old farts interested in shaping the nature of this place are welcome to contact me, resume in hand, to apply for a role as RC mod. There are comfy chairs in the staff room.

-Mel RC Admin

The veterans are still here (do I qualify?), I think many just don't post as much.

Careful what you wish for, Mel. You may just get a deluge of applications from members with the intention of taking a scalpel to disect the RC forum.