[Jakey]

After watching this thread over the past few days, I've decided to toss in my $0.02 on the issue at hand.

Now those of you who have been around here for a while may or may not have noticed it has been a fair amount of time since my activity around here took a huge step back. This is in result to a direct conflict of interest between myself and an adminstrator in regards to the policy of the 'private message' feature ceasing to maintain the 'private' feature for those members of the adminstrator team who choose to read PMs.

Now back to the proposals that Allan posted.

-- Make the site 18+ --
There are too many members around here who are under 18 to enforce a policy like this, plain and simple. I can think of one quickly off hand which has been here longer than the vast majority of the other members: Stuart (Buildadsm).

-- Make all Tech part of restricted access --
I feel that the Basic Tech area should not be restricted because reading through tech threads is to the benefit of everyone. I do feel that the rules regarding the tech threads need to be enforced much harder: listing car details, keeping tech threads clean of BS, using a level of grammar higher than that of your hamster, etc.

-- Make advanced tech part of restricted access --
I believe that in order for a new topic to be started within the advanced tech forum you must PM your topic proposal to an administrator or moderator and receive prior approval. If your topic is not approved, time to back down to basic tech or even The Hangout. Posting replies to threads in advanced tech would still be open to anyone but I believe having prior topic approval would keep the quality of topics at a high level. My suggestions for Basic Tech also apply to Advanced Tech.

-- Make everything but the parking lot Restricted access --
One word: No

--Make the site more of a club, t-shirts and items--
Hell yes, on one condition, members come through with their commitments to participate in a club related event. I can distinctly remember Jana commenting a few months back about DSM'ers notoriously not coming through with their commitment to participate in something. This not only places a low priority on planning future events, but is flat out rude to those who took the time to plan the event. Re-opening and expanding the CafePress store would be fabulous. We have some great artists around here, DSMGirl, XRated, etcc, who I'm sure could come up with some amazing clothing designs. What about bring back the window banner idea? I know that Jacek has one of the original DSMStyle.com window banners in case anyone is interested in seeing what they looked like way back in the day.

-- Add some more moderators --
I do not believe this to be necessary if the current moderators step-up their enforcement of the rules. I believe that the rules around here should be enforced like they are on NABR. Am I saying that there should be a set of rules established as strict as those on NABR, absolutely not. All I am saying is that the rules which are clearly posted around DSMStyle.com need to be fully enforced.

-- Don't be afraid to ban/suspend members more often --
Definitely, the whole HORT vs. TCStangs "who's car is faster" shit is completely ludacris and should be kept out of the forums IMHO. There were times during all that prior and continuing discussion that I feel a suspension would have cooled things off a lot. The strong majority of the members who were involved with that are great members of DSMStyle.com and in no way do I feel should leave the site, just take some time off to rethink their attitude in relation to certain issues, ie- HORT vs. TCStangs.

-- Add some more fun activites to the site--
Absolutely, maybe a few more contests with varying levels of awards. I believe that everyone would be open to practically anything, all that needs to be done is propose ideas to the members to find out their reactions.

-- Possible changes or additions to rules --
I see no need to change or add to any section of the rules except the policy of private messanging not being private. I am firmly against the policy of administrators granting themselves the ability to read private messages between fellow members.

A few other things I would like to toss in....

If you do not know what you are talking about when you post a response to a tech thread, keep your mouth shut and just read or ask questions. I have seen some replies to tech questions over the past few months that were incredibly off base and should have never been posted. This has gotten better since it was explicitly requested by an adminstrator in the rules for the tech threads to remain accurate but still could use some improvement.

Before you are granted the privilege of posting anywhere on the site, I believe you must introduce yourself in the new members forum, no questions asked.

I would also like to see an option somewhere to "report this thread to a moderator" like that available on Tuners. This would reduce the workload of the moderators by directing them straight to trouble spots within a thread.

I realize many things I have suggested will require extra work by the adminstrators and moderators but do not be afraid to ask for help. I know how busy everyone is and everyone is here together for the benefit for everyone. So, if you believe you can help out with something, go for it.

I would also like to apologize to anyone who felt offended by anything that I have said as that was in no way the intentions of my post.


Thanks,
Jake