<p>Damo. wrote:. . . is it fair to blame the forum members who go off topic and don't have so many finds?
No, it's not fair to blame/ridicule/dismiss anyone's contribution on the basis of the number of finds, and if you read my last post, that should be obvious.
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Actually, in my previous post I wondered why more established/active cachers are choosing not to participate. I didn't blame frivolous posts for it. My interaction with other cachers indicates a general disillusionment with the Forum. Sometimes the reason given is the perceived anti-GC sentiments that some people project; sometimes it is a protest at GCA hosting caches; sometimes it is frivolous postings; sometimes it is other reasons. However, the general level of off-topic and frivolous posts are a contributing factor, whether you like it or not.
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Of course, I have the option of never coming here, but I don't consider that to be the answer either. I want the Forum to be a useful place to visit. I want the Forum to be a great meeting place for Australian cachers. I want a return to the good old days. I want the Forum to be successful. Turning one's back on the Forum doesn't help in achieving these ends. I started this thread to promote discussion, and to get people thinking. That is the idea of a "Forum", after all.
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It's too simplistic to think that experienced cachers don't come here because they have seen enough "What GPSr should I buy?" posts. The Wiki exsists to help cachers with such questions. I'd like to think that these experienced cachers have something to offer, and I don't want to be deprived of their valuable advice.
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In the process, I have severely upset Bronze. This was never my intention. I have replied to Bronze in a PM. I would like to publish some of that PM here, but I will defer to Bronze in this. If he is OK with it, I'll post some of my reply here. In short, I implored him not to leave--it was never my intention to have people leave the Forum. All I want is for people to think about what they are posting, and try to keep the OT stuff in separate threads. If anyone can contribute positively to a cry for help, then please do it. If you can't assist with the query, or can't constructively contribute to the debate, then perhaps you might consider not replying.
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Cheers,
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dak