TAY Atmosphere

^ I like that there are people willing to go off the reservation to make a point. It's entertaining. I lose interest when those wanderings turn mean. The emerging theme seems to be, discuss, debate, argue, laugh, entertain and inform while being good to each other. That seems reasonable. 

Sounds more Scandinavian than North Korean.  In North Korea, there could only be one pair of skis allowed by law.  The rest of us would have to schlep him and his gear up the hill and shovel powder into the tracks from last run.  Firing squad for mentioning the existence of snow.

... TAY would become the North Korea of skiing websites. Marxism believed that in the workers utopia that communism would create, the proletariat would post on websites only technical and uplifting discussions on worker productivity and serving the " commune". It didn't work out that way and North Korea is I believe, not a very humorous or pleasant place.

I think a generalized version of Godwin's Law is applicable.

This is a great thread.

I think that the technological issues are an impediment to some users. There aren't too many sites with such strict photo limits, although I understand the issues of hosting costs.

This is a great thread.

I think that the technological issues are an impediment to some users. There aren't too many sites with such strict photo limits, although I understand the issues of hosting costs.

I just suggested to Marcus that we upgrade the forum software (It's in a version from 2006) and maybe move image hosting to an external site. There are several add-ons for SMF that will do just that... That would remove picture limits, and remove a ton of stress on the server.

In my opinion, the current posting guidelines are well stated, simple, and should be enforced:

•Be civil and respectful, avoid personal attacks - that is the norm here;
•Alternate viewpoints are welcome: debate the viewpoint, not the person;
•This is a skiing forum: please keep your posts related to skiing;

When TAY started, I think these guidelines were the common practice for those who posted here which fostered the positive reputation the site has earned over the years.  Unfortunately, it seems a more common occurrence today for these guidelines to be ignored with no consequence.  I personally find this to be detrimental to the site. Lowell clearly pointed to one of the most egregious and recurring examples with which I totally agree.  My postings have diminished considerably over the past couple of years, partly for personal reasons/priorities and partly because I feel less connected to a community that is indifferent to and tolerant of these type of disrespectful comments. 

I come to TAY because it does a good job of aggregating multiple sources of information into one place (weather, telemetry, avy reports, etc).  I also come here for reports on the latest conditions and interesting trips that are informative and sometimes inspirational.   I like lift access reports and would be sorry to see them go; I would like to see them more encouraged and creative.  I don't come here for the entertainment value of members being bullied, personally attacked, or otherwise disrespected which has become an accepted standard in Random Tracks.

My request is that the current guidelines be enforced by the moderators.  I am sure some will argue that what constitutes a personal attack or being disrespectful is subject to opinion, and that placing any limits is a form of censorship.  I disagree.  I think it is a matter of common sense and common courtesy which this site deserves.

I stopped posting here and only found my login to pay respects when Monika passed.

In re the main subject "TAY Atmosphere", the site is very regional and parochial. The posters here seem to want to keep it that way and that is your prerogative.

The photo limits and guidelines are stone-age. I put some thought and effort into posting decent TRs and lost interest after I was lectured by Charles for putting up a multi-day Rogers Pass story in one thread. Having little interest in being lectured like a small child but respecting the wishes of the site owner I truncated my stories and dumbed down my pictures to meet the archaic site guidelines. But this is added work for little (or perhaps zero) payback on my part. It's Charles's site and his rules to make. Basically it was a pain to comply with the site guidelines and the content posted here has almost zero interest to me (the exception being the odd discounted Selkirks Hut trips or some gear for sale) so I stopped reading). After checking in again I am still of that opinion so any barbs thrown my way for this opinion will almost certainly not be read.

On the subject of secret stashes. This is the only place on the Internet where I've been stalked by someone for putting up trip reports about popular ski areas in the Duffey Lake area. This is a frankly astounding attitude given the amount of space we have here in BC and I do not take such lectures seriously. I've seen this localism in the odd TR of interest I've read in TAY. Quite ugly but again, if that's the way you want to live to live your lives, then have at it.

Respect to all for the love and good vibes you had as a community for Monika.