BTLwhy? News Posted by Ian Symes on 18th June 2005, 15:05 Christ, what an absolute fucking disgrace the fan club forums have become. Terms and conditions that state that the forum has to be suitable for children, when it’s a forum for a show that contains the line “let’s get out there and twat it”. Over-zealous moderators that will delete any post that might possibly offend a nun, regardless of whether or not the post is in breach of the terms and conditions. An insistence that the place is for fan club members only, for no good reason at all. And now James Bull, the new-ish chairman of the fan club, has turned up to say that we’re not allowed to even DISCUSS the rules! Deary me. It did used to be better, it did…
It’s unfortunate what’s happened to the Fan Club over the last few years. To be honest, I gave up after the 4th edition of BTL in a row was late, contained very little worth reading, and was poorly designed. There are plenty of people in the Red Dwarf fan base who are capable of writing articles, page layout, managing large amounts of data successfully, bothering to send out DJ updates earlier than 2 months before DJ, and making websites that work (and when I say work, I mean they work when you turn them on, as opposed to when you happen to pass them and cough). Why don’t you ask some of us to get involved!
I really don’t understand the whole “fanclub forum is for members” thing. Surely if it was open to everyone, it would help *increase* membership of the fanclub? I’m from the outside, so I certainly don’t have any right to tell people how to run their own forum – it’s just that it seems very odd to me.
>Why don’t you ask some of us to get involved! I have to say, that’s what the club’s been asking for since…well, as long as I can remember. If you have something to offer, offer, don’t wait for them to call you. It’s a sad-but-true thing that the era of Fan Clubs generally is fading. The net gives you up to the minute info, which was once (and certainly when I joined in ’92) the RD club’s stock-in trade; Fan Fiction remains an acquired taste; opinions, again, proliferate across the net…what else can BTL offer? Well, when Dec Carter and I kicked off the club’s ‘new’ online presence – what was tordfc.co.uk – the idea was that the forum and chat would be an extension of BTL. A version of the Post Pod designed for the membership only (as BTL’s pages are); a small way of combating some of the malaise that the net set into the magazine. I don’t disagree that an open forum might attract members. But I think that’s outweighed by the fact that forum entitlement is another beneift of joining. It’s one more thing you get for your membership fee. You get on the club team to help build the club up, make membership as worthwhile as you can. Non-members have a plethora of webboard to choose from – not least our one on rd.co.uk. I won’t get into the ‘tone’ question FOR their board. We have a ‘style and context of the TV show’ rule on ours which I thinks serves. But, to be fair, OD and G&T generates some of the most…colourful Dwarf-related backchat, and no, it’s not going to be to everyone’s taste.
It’s interesting to note that G&T was partly set up in reaction to some of the rules on the fanclub forums. The problem with doing slightly edgy sites is that it’s very, very, very easy to come across as an arrogant twat. Which is partly the reason I keep slagging myself and the site off at every opportunity, and am constantly on the look out for things we should have done better – because otherwise, G&T could very easily disappear up its own arsehole.
> I won’t get into the ‘tone’ question FOR their board. We have a ‘style and context of the TV show’ rule on ours which I thinks serves. But, to be fair, OD and G&T generates some of the most…colourful Dwarf-related backchat, and no, it’s not going to be to everyone’s taste. Most definitely. I do agree that f-words and c-words as frequently as they’re used here wouldn’t suit BTLi. But when so many regulars want to use slightly rude language… And when the moderators delete things that aren’t even in breach of the terms and conditions… And now they’ve appointed a moderator that visits the site roughly every three months… GAH. It’s such a shame that the board seems to be imploding on itself. Incidentally, all the things from the second paragraph onward weren’t directed at you, Andrew. I know you can’t offer opinions on things like that, and have no real need to anyway.
“Incidentally, all the things from the second paragraph onward weren’t directed at you, Andrew. I know you can’t offer opinions on things like that, and have no real need to anyway.” Oh no, I know. Just thought I’d weight in my 2p – in a totally non-GNP-related way – on a subject that’s still close to my heart. (Club team membership’s kinda like Royston Vasey – you never completely leave. Shame I couldn’t do BTL for longer, really.) Not being that regular on the club boards, I’ve not a clue about the mod situation – how many think what or who’s done what – so, no, no opinion there at all, really.
> Not being that regular on the club boards, I’ve not a clue about the mod situation – how many think what or who’s done what – so, no, no opinion there at all, really. You lucky, lucky man.
Well I’ve just been thrown well and truly into the Lion’s Den. I know I’m seen as an outsider who has come to invade, but I didn’t request the post, I was asked if I’d like the challenge (which was run past at least two people), and for now I’ve accepted it. If I do a crap job, then so be it, I will happily go back to being a quiet dweller :) For the record, I’ve never really been happy with all the rules and regulations over there, it’s obvious not many people ARE happy with it. I’m hoping that it all can be sorted out, I would hate to see the forum just curl up and die over something which can be dealt with. I too, hate the layout of the magazine and know that I could do much better with the design and getting it shipped out on time and in full colour at no extra cost (woo yay). I put forward my case for that ages ago, so something may come of it… Although I’m hoping not now in case people think it’s a conspiracy!! But even if I don’t get the gig, I hope someone does who can sort the damn thing out! (When was the last time those adverts for meet-ups on the back page were changed?) And going over old ground here, I visit Rd.co.uk, BTLi, G&T, Obs Dome, (to name but a few) DAILY. I may not post for months on end on some, but I still read them!
As much as I question your appointment, I don’t blame you at all for taking it, and I’m pleased at your open stance.
Andrew said: “I have to say, that’s what the club’s been asking for since…well, as long as I can remember. If you have something to offer, offer, don’t wait for them to call you.” Well, this is true, but they’ve never appeared to be that open to people coming in. When I was still a member, they wanted someone in easy reach of Hitchin. I understand there is a need to have team meetings, but sometimes the most willing of expertese comes from farther afield. But, if anyone from the Fan Club happens to read this, they’re more than welcome to get in touch and see what I can offer them!
“because otherwise, G&T could very easily disappear up its own arsehole” What do you mean ‘could’? He he he. I’m not sure what changing the fan club forum rules would achieve (apart from people using the word ‘cunt’ liberally) and I think it’s still a good idea to keep it a members only board. I don’t know exactly why I think that, but I do. Fanclubs are slightly redundant now. The only kind of thing that really works is like starwars.com’s Hyperspace subscription. Though Lucas charges like a bastard, and sometimes for minimal content. But then again I have a bootleg of Revenge of the Sith which I paid zero pence for. However, I know I’ll be a numb fucker and buy the DVD, lining Lucas’s pockets with gold, and all for a fairly sub-standard movie……… Why oh why do I have to be a twisted fanboy!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!
I don’t have anything against you personally Wendy, (though I admit after DJ2003 I wasn’t best pleased and have based my opinions on you since thusly, but I’ve mentioned that on BTLi anyway and would welcome a chance to get to know you more). However I have to disagree with your appointment, wether u read it daily or not, as there are people who use the board who I would say deserve a crack at being a Mod. Thats what annoys me the most. Its not at you its just why you have been made a Mod and that it seems like a slap in the face for those who actually contribute.