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WSB Forum » Open Discussion

1. JG
   Member Profile

   

   Wow. Im used to WSB pulling down entire threads from a few users calling each other names, but now they're pulling down criticism of WSB itself. Fittingly, they just removed a post discussing WSB pulling down posts. Shame on you WSB - if you need to stop name calling, fine, but don't defend what you do by simply silencing critics.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

2. Ken
   Member Profile

   

   He who owns the server makes the rules.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

3. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   Thanks, Ken, good point ! I have always been of the feeling that , if you don't like the rules here, start your own - lol...that way you then get to make the rules. :)

   Posted 2 years ago #         

4. JG
   Member Profile

   

   Well, that would be one way to deal with it. How about this instead: WSB is a private company and as such can run the forums however they want. However, WSB is also an example of the modern version of the fourth estate. If a newspaper made a decision I thought was antithetical to what the press stands for (like trying to hide criticism instead of address it) I'd point that out too. Hiding from your problems is a strategy, but not one I hope WSB supports.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

5. MargL
   Member Profile

   Well, there's constructive criticism and then there's criticism to just be critical... We have a lot of the latter and not enough of the former so I for one welcome the Rules of the Forum.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

6. JoB
   Member Profile

   I don't know what was pulled this time... but i am all for anything that ends harassment... whether it is of members or of the site.

   If there is a legitimate complaint.. then i am the first to support talking it out.. but the rules on this forum evolved in response to some pretty heavy duty harassment... and i am not willing to go through that again in the name of what some people call openness.

   The West Seattle Blog has chosen it's business model.. and that includes a forum where participants are expected to remain civil to one another.

   When it comes to televisions in bars and restaurants, the consensus seemed to be that if you don't want to watch television.. go somewhere else.

   if you don't want to be civil.. there are plenty of other forums available. There are a ton of forums in town that will let you trash anyone and anything you like with impunity...

   it's not like there is no outlet.

   Defending the right to name call and trash talk on the forum might just be taking the concept of freedom of speech a little too far.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

7. cjboffoli
   Member Profile

   

   C'mon JG. In all fairness there's critical and there's negative. In all of my dealings with Tracy and Patrick over the past few years I've only known them to be remarkably patient and fair people. They honestly work their asses off around the clock not only to keep the WSB chock full of content but to sustain the operation through advertising. Think of the value that we all get for free everyday when we read the West Seattle Blog. In light of everything these award-winning journalists do for the community, maybe you can cut them a little slack for not tolerating disparagement of their policies on their own site (that THEY pay for). It is hardly some kind of conspiracy to censor the truth.

   PS: Scary avatar, man. Is that your dog?

   Posted 2 years ago #         

8. chef
   Member Profile

   Hey JG - you finally got a taste of the local blog gestapo! Welcome - you are one of many that have been turned off by the censorship on this blog. Not to mention the reporting is lame - they take from stories drafted by real journalists and media outlets and then post it (citing sources) like their site is the only place to find that story or information.

   Like the snowstorm last year - WSB runs around and crows about how they changed journalism because of "their" coverage of the snow problems. In reality - bloggers were posting what they saw on the forums and the owners of WSB were lifting the info from them off the forums; even the local media caught on as they started reading the forums for up to date posts. That's not the work of the owners - it was info posted directly by bloggers. No effort put out by the owners for that....

   I, for one, don't post here very often because of the way that WSB has censored the forums and kicked people off for stupid things that would be laughed at on other blogs. Personally, I really like the Ballard and Phinney Ridge blogs as the owners are much more tolerant of open discussions and criticism on occasion. Can't say the same for the owners here. I cruise the forums here for useful information from people who live here - not for the format or so called copycat reporting that is found on the main page of WSB.

   Oh JG - forgot to tell you about the obvious favoritism shown to a few members who post here often - they kiss WSB's *ss and in exchange they are allowed to act like forum police and get personal with people. Most of their monikers start with "J". However, when people finally get fed up and tell these constant posters off - it is the latter that gets kicked off. Go figure.

   And CJ - where do you get off calling them award winning journalists? Where did they get their awards from - not from any respectable news organization I bet. The reporting is just not that good. But of course, you work for them and seem to be their cheerleader boy, so everything you say I take with a big tablespoon of salt.

   As for WSB getting kudos for hard work in sustaining their site for advertising - duh, it's a business right? Every business should get kudos for building their clients right? Geez - get real..

   Posted 2 years ago #         

9. JG
   Member Profile

   

   Too busy to actually respond right now, but Im glad this got noticed. Wanted to say, no, it's not my dog. I had rottweilers growing up though, and they looked ridiculously scary when they dove for the ball, or when we play fought. They were friendly, sweet dogs, but like the picture, looked laughably toothy. The pic reminds me of them.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

10. miws
    Member Profile

    

    chef, regarding your comment about the snowstorm; "...bloggers were posting what they saw on the forums and the owners of WSB were lifting the info from them off the forums....."

    WSB has mentioned NUMEROUS times that this newssite is a collaberative effort between them, and the readers/participants, and very humbly stated that this site wouldn't be possible without the contributions of those readers/participants.

    Mike

    Posted 2 years ago #         

11. cjboffoli
    Member Profile

    

    JG: Thanks for the clarification on the photo. I was thinking I might have to cross your house off my trick or treat route.

    Wow chef. I honestly don't understand what you're doing reading it if the WSB is really the publication you describe. Why would you even take the time to write such long, spirited posts if you truly believe what you're saying?

    I suspect you're just writing some of these things to be provocative because they have little basis in fact. Despite the tremendous modesty of its publishers, the WSB has been consistently and repeatedly recognized for its quality. I suspect Tracy and Patrick wouldn't be constantly flying around the country to sit on national panels if others didn't think that they knew a thing or two about the future of media.

    With that said, I'm not sure what you'd hold up in comparison. What is being done here is sort of a new model for news. The WSB certainly hasn't won any Pulitzers yet. The medium is still a nascent form. But this site sometimes out-reports better capitalized, better staffed news organizations that have been around a lot longer. And if anything it is the West Seattle Blog that is usually identifying stories that other media outlets pick up on and run with.

    Though she has too much humility to mention it very often, Tracy Record is a multiple Emmy award winner. I've not seen Patrick's CV so I can't speak to his awards but I know he's been a journalist for a long time. I expect he must have at least won "best dry sense of humor" in his high school yearbook.

    I have a zero-percent ownership stake in the WSB. I occasionally contribute and they occasionally pay me for certain assignments. But the majority of my contributions have been as a volunteer and my work on this site is just an avocation for me. My comments in support of the publishers come 100% as a reader and member of the community who recognizes what an excellent news source and community service this news site is.

    When last December's snow storm struck the West Seattle Blog was being hit hundreds of thousands (if not a million+) times each day. I wonder why everyone is reading if the content is so poor.

    In truth, when you consider the huge traffic this site gets (especially for its coverage of spot news that no other news organization has the capacity or willingness to cover) I'd say there is a massive audience out there who would disagree with your assessment of the quality of the stories seen here and the value this site offers to its readership.

    Clearly, the West Seattle Blog is not for everyone. But isn't it nice that you can exercise your option to read elsewhere.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

12. Dunno
    Member Profile

    Don't like the WS blog rules open your own. I'm sure you can even put info about it right here.

    I love the info I get here and try to visit at least once a day. Whenever something is happening in West Seattle this is one of the first places Seattle news media checks and so do I.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

13. jamminj
    Member Profile

    I love that people who hate this website continue to post here... probably the best compliment.
    .

    Posted 2 years ago #         

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