I agree that things are pretty straightforward and to the point, ColdOne - I've been a bit confused by the existence of this thread - the rules seem easy to understand, to me, and the enforcement of them has been much fairer than I've seen on other forums.

Pretty much goes like this - don't solely focus on other companies' knives, except on the folder thread and to a lesser extent the death chat, and you'll be fine. Don't know what's so hard to comprehend about that??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Please do not be confused. I have not seen the neck knife thread yet but I will and I will make a decision.

There are a lot of makers that want to use our forum to sell their stuff and or they have over zealous members who want to push products, fight with other members and other disruptive behavior. We do not permit this activity nor do I allow forum members to push insurance, soliicit donations, push religous memberships, peddle manufacture products (avon and the like), campaign for polititions and so on. We have something very special and I will not deviate from our direction...end of story. Chop off's and performance comparisons...all day long.

The very first thread at the top of the forum is about the rules. I ask each of the Dogs to keep within the rules and help other make this a good place. We will have those that will push the edge (so to speak) but friendly reminders will be given.

This is a private forum that welcomes everyone. If there is confusion about the rules here is a quick list.

1. This is a family forum, so keep things clean. This includes your forum name and what you use as an avatar.
2. No foul language, no insults & no questionable photos (disgusting, adult, provocative, etc). Think G rated.
3. No discussing anything illegal.
4. No for sale/wanted to buy/looking for ads, give aways or raffles.
5. When in doubt, play it safe!
6. No discussing other manufacturer's products. Comparisons and chopoff are great though! Busse Combat and Swamp Rat discussions are also fine. Please confine the none Rat Trap folder discussion to the folder thread.
7. Do not hijack the threads of others.
8. Only one login per user, do not create random users for your own amusement.
9. No slamming/bad mouthing other forums or products.

Please note that there are other forums that operate differently and may be a better place for some

I would hope that you stay around

Dan

I just read the neck knife thread and I understand your point. I do not appreciate the reference to other makers on this forum. I do believe that everyone that responded (except possibly one or two) had their heart in the right place. If a post goes up that is questionable please let one of the moderaters know immediately.

Now raise your glass, take a swig and lets get back to what we do best...talking steel and hanging with the Dogs

Dan

AYE! LETS DRINK!

BY the way, your avatar is the most disturbing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Dan

+1 LOL!

I can't say I appreciate "invisible" moderation, either. If there is a problem with a thread then its offending content should be removed and the thread locked, with a note about WHY it was closed. Completely removing the thread without any explanation doesn't educate people about the rules you're trying to enforce, and it leads to people being annoyed that their comments are worth so little as be casually discarded.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

On a more positive note, in the specific case of the neckers, other brands have to be brought up because you haven't made one. It would be like forbidding discussion of any kegs except Scrapyard-branded kegs, even though you don't make them and have announced no plans to make them. It's not very sensible to forbid discussion about another manufacturer's product when you're not actually competing against them in that product area. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Market potential! Waiting customers! go go go.

I hope you don't read my tone as antagonistic, I'm simply trying to be productively direct.

I really don't understand so much confusion as to following the POSTED rules! Dan Busse has provided us with a wonderful forum, and I don't think it's TOO much to ask of us Dogs to show the Busse Companies the respect they DESERVE and follow their rules!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

Most of us certainly have knives from other companies - fine. However, this is the Scrap Yard forum, and Dan's rules are the guides that we ALL must follow. As Chris (ColdOne) pointed out, we are not here 24/7 - we are folks just like you, we have our lives to live, etc. We try to be fair and tolerant with fellow Dogs who make an inappropriate post, and MOST of them have been cooperative, which we certainly appreciate. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> We don't enjoy being "heavies", but we WILL do the job that Dan has asked us to do. If there are questions, you can always send either of us a private message and get our thoughts BEFORE posting something questionable - it may keep you out of trouble and your consideration really is appreciated. Now, let's all enjoy the Yard and the spirit of Brotherhood! Long live the Scrap Yard!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Tom

I for one hope pit stays I do enjoy most of his posts.
As far as the neckers go, I think it is clear that promoting another brand of knifegoes against the rules whether Bussekin make them or not.
I say this for a couple of reasons.
Perhaps they have that style of knife in the works.
Perhaps they have no interest in making that style knife, but the manufacturer of the neck knife does have models that compete with Bussekin knives. It's about branding.
If I want to talk about other brands I go there, I wouldn't talk about a dodge viper on a ford bronco forum

Well stated Brother! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Naturally, then, every time anybody mentions another cutlery maker their post will be deleted? It is not just to enforce the rule when people talk about neckers, but not when they talk about machetes (12 hits for Tramontina in the last month, 42 for Ontario)? Why a specific exemption for folders; could it be that Dan acknowledges that it's not a market he's competing in? Taking the rule to its logical extreme ("other manufacturer's products"), why are people allowed to talk about specific brands of handgun, tent, or flashlight?

All I'm saying is that the rule is a poorly worded and is a bad rule. Used lightly it is a tool of seeming whimsy, and used to its full extent it is inoperably oppressive. It should be changed to something along the lines of "Refrain from talking about competitor's alternatives to products which SYKCO offers except in the case of comparisons".

I'm not an anarchist. If word comes down that this is absolutely 100% how the rule was meant to be enforced even taking into account my logical rebuttals, I'll just go elsewhere. Using other people's internet forums is a privilege, not a right, I fully understand that. But I believe that the Scrapyard forum could benefit from some constructive review of its policies on this matter.

This is a separate issue from the issue of "invisible" moderation which I dislike everywhere I find it, for the reasons I gave above: first that it is not productive, and second that it is insulting. It can also lead to rampant abuse of power, but given the caliber of people on this forum that is not a problem I worry about.

What the hell is confusing about the rules? Some people seem to misconstrue or confuse the difference between rights and privileges. You are not owed explanations concerning the operation of the forum.