Politics

I'm sorry Gordon et all, nothing insulatory was meant by my post.Again, like others before me, and no doubt a few more after me, I am sorry if my comments have led some to take slight offence or insult from my post. There is no harm meant.
Clearest Skies.

Apology accepted Seanie. And I feel I should apologise too as the last sentence in my reply to you was out of order.

Gordon

I had refrained from posting here,
but I'm very concerned with what new comers must be thinking if they're reading this forum.

In our club there are AI members, I dont slam them for been so, and I'd be afraid that AI and non-AI newcomers to this site would be put off IFAS and its associated clubs by whats been written here.

We all know the prices in the AI shop, just been aware of it is good enough.
As for how AI is run, thats the AI managments decision.
Do people not realise that what has been written here can be used against IFAS, even if its 100% true.

I think the solution is simply to instruct all moderators to keep a closer eye on things and perhaps to replace moderators who are not online enough to keep a good eye on their baords. Bart B.,
IFAS Webmaster.

Bart,

Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a number of moderators floating between all the boards rather than allocate moderators to particular boards. That way, there is more chance that a moderator will be on online at any given time.

Gordon

That is a sensible proposal but the current forum software does no provide an easy way to do this (the next version will).

Right now the only person who moderates the whole board is me, because as an Administrator I have full power on the boards, perhaps I need a side kick!

Lads - just back from Starhill - New Mexico. I am still reeling from the most remarkable skies I have ever seen (you could see your shadow from the milky way!) and superb equipment/accomodation etc.

Since its 'weather as normal' I thought I'd catch up with the latest from my fave astro site.

So, this is what happens when I go away? :shock:

I've read all the recent posts (my, you have been busy) and whilst I generally agree with everyone (ever the diplomat) its a real shame to come back to a site about astronomy and see a lot of folks getting into heated political discussion.

Now, I'm one for expressing my opinions when I feel the need - and I have done so on these boards. I have been rightly corrected and I have been rightly supported by those who do/do not share my views. And long may it continue - freedom to express an opinion is so very important provided it is done in an intelligent and thoughtful manner.

But, having been witness to the true beauty of this hobby over the last two weeks, I find it hard to come back to such a large volume of political comment. And I guess simply by posting this message I'm adding to the volume (mea culpe).

I want to enjoy my hobby with likeminded individuals. I want to share my interest and enthusiasm. I want more people to join in and get as much pleasure out of astronomy as I do. From the point-of-view of a newcomer, these posts must be fairly disconcerting at the least or altogether off-putting at most. Not what any of us wants, I'm sure.

I'm not suggesting for a moment that these discussions should stop but I'd rather see these boards filled with advice, tips, tricks, stories or whatever. 1 or 2% posts on the 'politics' would be OK - more than that and we'll risk taking our collective eyes off the ball.

Purely subjectively now, I reckon I've read over a hundred posts that came in from Dec 1st. I'd say at least 25% of them were about politics - and I missed those posts deleted from 'that thread'...

Is there any correlation I wonder between lots of posts and cloudy skies? Perhaps that's the reason...

On the whole, the post have actully been quite entertaining, thought-provoking and gentlemanly. Maybe if I'd been here I would have jumped in too... But let's try and redress the balance a bit...

So, who wants to know about New Mexico, Lowell Observatory and Meteor Crater? And how to get your ETX through customs with absolutely no hint of lubricant?

Dave

So, who wants to know about New Mexico, Lowell Observatory and Meteor Crater? And how to get your ETX through customs with absolutely no hint of lubricant?

Meeeeeee!!!

So, come on Dave, don't tease us...tell us all!!
How was NW? and Lowell and Meteor Crater?
And how the hell did you get the scope through customs??

Bart,
As to the comments about anonimity of board users, I would have assumed as you are the webmaster you would have access to the names of board users even if they use a different name to post. If you dont have this information, may I suggest you insist on it as you are the person ultimately liable for what appears on this board.
Seems a pity that some users are getting very sensitive about matters out of their control. May I suggest to other board users that if a post is offensive to you that you could contact the author by pm through this board and try to resolve the issue in a sensibe manner.
This board provides a valuable resource to astronomers not only in Ireand but around the world and it would be a pity to ruin it unnecessarily.
Regards to all users.
Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year but most importantly
Clear Skies,
Peter