Mini-Rant: What has happened to our site?

[jigaro]

I agree, i too sometimes feel uncomfortable starting new threads, i have been bashed couple of times not sure for what though.

But i love you guys, this is the best forum.

[cobra94563]

I'm relatively new to this forum. The post from Michelle is very good reminder.

I guess you can call me a car enthusiast and utilize forums (of cars I own) to learn and share information. It's a fantasic way to get information. Besides this forum, I visit BMW, Honda, Mini, Porsche, 4runner forums - so I've experienced several online communities.

I have to agree it could be a little more newbie-friendly/helpful. But that said, this is the best X5 board I've found.

[alpac]

Originally Posted by Michelle

I believe we've lost the welcoming feeling and spirit that used to be "X5world" and made it such a great place. I want to get back to when new members could post a question and would be greeted with a few links or nicely directed to the search option. Now they are basically belittled and blasted with screen shots pointing to the search button.

I'm not saying I don't want to pull my hair out when someone asks how to fix their rattle or when they ask if anyone else has a problem with their windows "getting stuck." But there's a way to nicely guide someone to the search function along with some links to former helpful threads related to their issue. Searching for terms like "oil" will find hundreds of related threads. No one wants to sit and comb through all of them to avoid being ridiculed.

There will always be newbies, there will always be reposts, there will always be people who are too lazy to use the search function. I found X5world by accident. I had never been a member of a forum or had any idea how they worked. Who cares if the question has been asked a bajillion times? This is a message board - a place where you can post your question and hope for an answer. It isn't the encyclopedia. If you are sick of giving the same answer, then I suggest moving on before blasting a new member. Having 5,000 posts doesn't make you God or someone who knows everything about X5s. It also doesn't give you the right to be a bully.

The board is growing by leaps and bounds and is a lot more active…the E53 forum especially. The repetitive questions will pop up more often and our frustrations will increase, but I hope we can continue to make every one of them feel just as welcome as we feel! We need to get back to what used to make X5world the place to be and set us apart from BimmerFest and RoadFly.

End of my rant.

Carry on.

100%. Let's keep the friendly atmosphere alive

[rastaFarai]

I agree as well M.

Also - sometimes searching doesn't help, doesn't get you the exact answer you're looking for. I also agree, if you have no answer - leave it to the people that do.

[realchef]

Thanks Michelle,


the people make a difference.

[TaMbALoLoNg]

[Superhiro]

Damn, and I'd been dying to use LMGTFY on somebody here

Oh well

Also, just my $0.02. I do use the search button but I also like to ask as well. Many times it's better to actually talk to somebody that had the issue or that can provide information than just reading an old thread.

Thanks for posting that Michelle, my last post for help (posted after I did a search) got all of 0 responses....

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Superhiro

Damn, and I'd been dying to use LMGTFY on somebody here

Oh well

Also, just my $0.02. I do use the search button but I also like to ask as well. Many times it's better to actually talk to somebody that had the issue or that can provide information than just reading an old thread.

Thanks for posting that Michelle, my last post for help (posted after I did a search) got all of 0 responses....

I'll help ya! Though you might not like the answers.

[x5GuyInLA]

Great reminder Michelle! I think that's why I didn't visit nor post as often as I did before; the atmosphere just got a bit hostile and negative. I remember when I stumbled across this forum after I got my X5 and it was fun to visit and see what was going on with other X5ers. Everyone was friendly with each other even if we didn't share the same point of view. Now it seems like there are quite a few "my sh*t don't stink, but yours does" posts whenever there is a disagreement. I know when membership grows, a forum changes. Ideally for the better and hopefully your thread will remind people that this is a place for friendships, not to antagonize someone b/c they're Republican or Democrat, a PC or a Mac, or even if they drive American or Japanese. Voice your opinion, but there's no need to belittle someone who doesn't share your opinion. I came across this post late and as I look through who has posted in this thread, I couldn't help but notice that some of the more vocal and opinionated members haven't said anything here. Just found that curious.

[HuskerX5]

I totally agree with the intent of this thread. Nothing good can come from insulting/belittling anyone on this group, let alone new members. If they are posting in the "Off Topic" area...then they get what's coming as it is clearly known what goes on in there, no matter what the group. In my opinion, if someone posts within the "On Topic" area and is jumped on, as described in many of the previous posts, then there is a real problem. Certainly if there is a trend of "abuse" occurring by the same few members, no matter how long they have been here, the moderators should step in and discuss it offline with them. I have had to do this as a moderator myself more than once. Not doing anything will only hurt the integrity of the entire group in the end.

I think this General post to all members is a great way to let those people in question, and they know who they are, that others are watching and don't, perhaps, appreciate it. Not starting anything here, but it seems that most cyberspace "bullies" are not so rude in the real world but here can hide behind the virtual anonymity of the keyboard. Just my observations.....

Overall, this is a great group and I have learned a great deal here and have not been a "victim" of any hostility here at all. Then again, I know how to use the search feature.....