Diaries

by Dave on Mar 16, 2008 11:58 PM PDT in News

I read through the diaries today and while most of the conversation was just as intriguing as usual we need a reminder about etiquette.

If Blazersedge is the bar where everybody knows your name then a Diary is like your table. Folks are sitting around the table to have a conversation about a topic. It's the height of rudeness to bust in and start discussing something else right in the middle of the conversation. It's also rude to sit down and insult somebody there. Neither is permissable. Often discussions stray to tangents (sometimes humorous) that stem from the original conversation. That's just the fun of conversation between friends. But starting off-topic is not allowed.
I'm as neurotic about grammar as anyone here but let's ease up on the spelling critiques and the fights that stem from them. Not everyone has English as their first language and not everyone grew up in the same way. If you can read it, deal with the subject. If you can't, skip it.
Personal attacks are not allowed in the diaries any more than they are allowed on the main page.
You are allowed to switch screen names at Blazersedge but to keep the integrity of the conversation each name needs to be distinct. In other words if you adopt a new name, give up the old one. Using two or more names and switching back and forth is heavily discouraged. If I see you using two screen names in the same conversation both will be banned. This is a place where real people like to have real conversations.
As we've mentioned before, there is limited space for diaries on the front page. Please limit yourself to two on the page at any time unless, of course, breaking news (like a trade or something) necessitates an immediate posting. Taking up 10% of the site's attention should be enough for anyone.

There was one diary today that had 50-odd comments and less than 10% of them were actually on-topic. I don't have time to erase 40 distinct comments so I just deleted the whole diary. (One of the worst offenders was the author, so I didn't feel too bad.) I prefer to let the conversation happen as it may but don't take advantage of that or you will find my graciousness dwindling.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

P.S. Just to clear up any misunderstandings before they start... This has zero to do with decent debate or conflict. Good conflict and back-and-forth over ideas is highly encouraged. You don't have to agree with people. You just have to disagree over things that are on-topic and that matter. You also have to present yourself well enough so that the rest of us can weigh in on the debate fairly.

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Aye Aye

Alright captain Dave, thanks for getting us rowdy shipmates back in line.

by Dheepan on Mar 17, 2008 12:09 AM PDT reply actions

I understand

that here you have to respect everybody, but when I wrote diaries, everybody just wrote alot of stuff of topic, so I just decided to folow their way back on them.

by RipCity on Mar 17, 2008 12:38 AM PDT reply actions

People in kind here but it takes

time to know who is who and how they are or how their days are going on. It means we should wait before go back against someone we consider is attacking us. He could be one of the jokers of this site making his jokes, trying to get our attention, a kid, someone who has a bad day, ... Giving that time we also let people to know us and understand our feelings, as we can express those feelings without attacks.

We also may think that some "attacks" are better than indifference, so may be grateful because someone takes his time to attack us. I think Timbo will agree with this sentence.

In Spanish we use this saying (I´m teaching Spanish culture here lately): "to go into a place as an elephant in a glassware shop".

"We were few and grandmother had a baby"

by amlmart1 on Mar 17, 2008 2:52 AM PDT up reply actions

In America

we usually say "bull in a china shop" or "Joel Przybilla catching Waterford Crystal". Same thing.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 17, 2008 3:04 AM PDT up reply actions

When you say

"This is a place where real people like to have real conversations." That rules out L*ker fans.

by Sabonis4Ever on Mar 17, 2008 12:51 AM PDT reply actions

I disagree

I knew a L*ker fan once who was a real person. Somewhat deluded, of course, but still real.

I would be willing to engage in conversations with some of them if there was a chance of turning the sinners from the errors of their ways. It would be a shame to consign anyone to a life of following that team. Perhaps some of them can be redeemed.

I'm frequently right, but always certain

by jscot on Mar 17, 2008 1:31 AM PDT up reply actions

I´ll wait to try until knickfan

would become Blazerfan. I only try the absurdity after I reach the impossible.

"We were few and grandmother had a baby"

by amlmart1 on Mar 17, 2008 2:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Dave, you throw a great party,

And it appears that the deleted post was one with my comment as the first response. I didn't see it again, so I fear I may have led us down an inappropriate path. Apologies, and know that no harm was meant. It's a pleasure to visit here precisely because of the fraternity and charity shared here among guests. Thanks for having us over.

by ojala on Mar 17, 2008 1:01 AM PDT reply actions

No problem

I don't even recall your comment. The diary with tons of comments in it that I deleted had things spraying all over the place. I don't think one person could have influenced it that much.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 17, 2008 1:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Yep.

"It's a pleasure to visit here precisely because of the fraternity and charity shared here among guests. Thanks for having us over." You did forget to add sorority to the equation though.

by annthefan on Mar 17, 2008 1:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks for takin' the time to keep things in line.

Trail Blazers - reigning champs of the NBA lottery !

by DaveR @ Blazer's Edge on Mar 17, 2008 1:02 AM PDT reply actions

the level of discourse

has lately been a little low, and yeah, one poster has seemed to have two names. there's also been a lot of repetitiveness.

well, dave, things change. people come and go. few of the most frequent posters were here last year at the time of the draft.

ignacio

by ignacio on Mar 17, 2008 3:06 AM PDT reply actions

I´m two, too

One from Spain and another from Oxford. My discourse is a little low because I´m small. And of course this site is growing fast, as many of you did and still are doing a great job. This is a "fiesta" of site and many people like to join it and more will. Dave will do the fiesta run under control, that´s all.

"We were few and grandmother had a baby"

by amlmart1 on Mar 17, 2008 3:46 AM PDT up reply actions

As one of the best looking folks who visits BE

I go off topic a lot. I try to stay on topic, it is just that going off topic is in my nature. Sorry that you have to keep writing diaries keeping us all in line. I'll try to be better from now on.

"'cause we are beautiful no matter what they say. Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no, we are beautiful in every single way."

by tominhawaii on Mar 17, 2008 4:09 AM PDT reply actions

Actully

You are correct. I fart way more than most people I know. Well, maybe I don't fart more, I just fart louder.

As for diaries, I miss the good ole' discussion days. Now it feels like:

5% Miscellaneous
10% Seattle Sonics
40% screw this season, I can't wait for Oden and Rudy
45% point guard discussion, that somehow becomes heated and personal (I am including blaming Jack for a loss and how do we move up to draft Rose in this group)

With the last one, you'd almost think we are all fans of different teams. The Blazers are better this year than they were last year, and a lot of people are really upset. I just do not get it. In the words of Rodney King, "People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along?"

"'cause we are beautiful no matter what they say. Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no, we are beautiful in every single way."

by tominhawaii on Mar 17, 2008 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions

yup

the best conversation comes in the offseason when all of us start having withdrawls. We try desperately to replace the empty void with endless speculation of who do we trade? who do we draft? do we trade the pick? summer league? free agents? and on and on and on. Its great.

Rudy > MJ

by myemic23 on Mar 17, 2008 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I haven't been real happy lately

with the level of discourse here, like tominhawaii says (or I think he says), the diaries seem very repetitive and superficial.

I understand we want to encourage people from all walks of life to post. But quite frankly, I'm tired of umpteen PG conversations and diaries that people put no thought into, like "rudy will be the greatest player ever. what do you think?"

I will take some countermeasures myself. I can't really take the time anymore to wade through all these diaries, so I'm going to focus on diaries written by certain people. And I will read the main page and post diaries of my own from time to time. So I'm not asking for anything to be done. It is what it is, the good with the bad.

It's funny how I can look back at Blazer Thoughts with nostalgia, even though the team wasn't doing that well...

by Blazerholic on Mar 17, 2008 10:32 AM PDT reply actions

I remember fatty saying

"watch out dave" or something to that affect, bandwagoneers, etc.

Oh well...

Ball Don't Lie

by bothteamsplayedhard on Mar 17, 2008 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions

I mentioned in someone's diary

that this conversation is cyclical. Every time we get a bump in traffic some rough edges come along with it and folks worry. Then it smooths out and goes on pretty much as well as it ever did, just with a few more folks. Don't worry too much.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 17, 2008 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Blazerholic,

you've recorded my sentiments almost exactly.

There are way too many superfluous diaries and they are too numerous for me to read anymore. I used to review pretty much all of them but now, in the interest of saving time, I pick and choose based mostly on the author and/or meaningful sounding topics.

I wonder also why more don't use Dave's game recap thread to post their comments regarding the most recently completed game instead of doing so via a new diary. I think this would reduce considerably the number of diaries posted and allow those of interest and good quality to remain on the diary list longer.

And like you, I miss the 'thoughtful' Blazer Thoughts days.

by TwoDeep on Mar 17, 2008 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks for the affirmation

I was afraid it was just me.

Maybe Dave is right and this is just a hiccup. But I think we'll see more frequent bursts as Oden gets ready to play and Rudy comes over to sit on the bench.

But again, thanks for making me feel like I'm not just a loose canon.

by Blazerholic on Mar 17, 2008 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm sure there will be

as many new people will come then as well. But what are you going to do? As soon as you start picking and choosing who you let post you become an insular group that slowly and surely loses its vitality. You miss out completely on those diamonds in the rough that make things interesting. Yes, you have to put up with a few clowns for a while but if you've been reading since the Blazer Thoughts days you know that several of our regulars started out VERY rough around the edges.

I think it's fair to keep conversation guidelines fairly high and to enforce that, but the cost of being fairly firm on those things is giving people leeway to prove themselves. On a site where people get banned and reinstated on a regular basis--such a regular basis that it becomes a running joke--you don't have to worry about applying the penalty. It's just a slap on the wrist anyway. Here if the hammer comes down it comes down hard, and in most cases permanently. That requires a little more restraint.

Believe me, I suffer as much as anyone when people are being foolish around here. But that's the price of ensuring we have a real community and not just one that conforms to me or my way of thinking.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 17, 2008 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions

You are the

Anti-MarkCuban!

I can see it now if he takes over: To become credentialed to post on Blazer's Edge you must ...

"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook." - William James.

by jorga on Mar 17, 2008 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Naah

I'm with you too. No time (or interest anymore) to read every diary, so I begin with the ones written by names I recognize - or avoid others by names I recognize :-)

Some of the newer posters sound like kids. I have no problems with kids when they put thought into what they say - I remember last year being surprised to find one of our regulars was still in h.s. I don't see his name much anymore, but I considered his contributions to be as valuable as any from posters twice (or thrice) his age. Unfortunately others show the naivete and impulsiveness common to many teenagers. I don't mean that as a condemnation, it's just not that common around here and stands out.

As I said in another comment in another place - I've seen it over the years and Dave is right - it comes and goes.

"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook." - William James.

by jorga on Mar 17, 2008 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with you too

I started coming here shortly before the lottery this year and have been visiting daily since. During the off season it seemed like less people came and the conversation was more detailed and not as repative. This site is still great and I enjoy reading everything everyone has to say.

Oden '08 Worth the Wait

by JTDuck22 on Mar 17, 2008 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

A couple more points about diaries

Dave posted a couple of weeks ago that we should limit ourselves to one diary per week. That's a great guideline, but it seems that the opposite happened after he wrote that. The diaries used to be high-quality and original. In the last two weeks, quantity has overtaken quality.

I spend too much time in here as it is. I like to read the diaries, but when there are ten or twelve new ones every day, it's hard to keep up. When you don't have time to read all the recent diaries, you're more likely to miss out on some interesting discussions or to post a diary yourself that someone else has just posted.

Speaking of duplicate diaries, how many times do we need to read the same discussion about whether Rudy is coming or staying in Europe, or Nate's supposed man-crush on Jarrett or his dislike for Sergio, or whether the Blazers should trade Martell, etc. Nothing to see here, folks, let's move on...

That offending diary that Dave removed... a lot of those off-topic posts came over the weekend. Maybe folks were celebrating St. Patrick's Day a little early...?

by MiledAnimal on Mar 17, 2008 11:10 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah

I will try to monitor the diaries a little better myself. It's hard to distinguish sometimes between a well-meaning person who happens to post something already discussed and someone who's just trying to get attention. This weekend allowed me to get a better fix on it though.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 17, 2008 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions

I could be wrong

but didn't he tell us to keep our "ads for our own blog, etc" diaries to one a week?

One diary a week is not enough for some of our more thoughtful posters, imo.

by Section323 on Mar 17, 2008 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions

10% ought to be enough for anyone

"Taking up 10% of the site's attention should be enough for anyone."

Shouldn't it be 6.40%?

http://www.faktoider.nu/640kb_eng.html

by royroty on Mar 17, 2008 11:19 AM PDT reply actions

Dang Stat People

I keep stats on comments per author. I think that is why there are so many diaries. Some folks are padding their stats. It explains a lot of what Dave covers in this post.

Here is how I see things. A lot of people like to get replies to their comments. I agree that it is nice to be acknowledged, but you do not have to reply to everyone. There is the "thank you" and then "you're welcome," no need to keep bowing. Lord knows I talk about basketball and the Blazers about 1/7th of the time, but I still come here to read about the Trail Blazers.

People are using a Coffee Talk with Linda Richman "talk amongst yourselves" jump off, then responding to every single comment. I don't mind the "talk amongst yourselves" diaries, it's just that there are about eight an hour, and half of them have some sort "I know you are, but what am I banter," going on once you read the comments.

Just as TwoDeep pointed out, there are at least four to six diaries after a game that should be saved for Dave's recap. I think sergioFTW is the greatest example of restraint. He only has six diaries under his belt, but he has never missed an opportunity to point out how well Sergio would play if he played 48 minutes.

I think we could easily come to a consensus, that I am the last person that should be talking about restrain while writing a diary. I just do not think it is that hard to click "Recent Diary List" to see if it is a duplicate, or if you want to rant about the outcome of the game, to wait for Dave to write his recap, which is normally up before the rant diaries are posted.

I am tominhawaii and I approve this message.

"An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes, which can be made, in a very narrow field." - Niels Bohr

by tominhawaii on Mar 17, 2008 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions

create a new account

and erase or stop using your current one.

Rudy > MJ

by myemic23 on Mar 17, 2008 12:06 PM PDT reply actions

thanks Dave

You erase the comment I replied to and conveniently leave mine. Now I am the guy that sits around and talks to himself...

Rudy > MJ

by myemic23 on Mar 18, 2008 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions

I have written only three diaries,

thank you very much!

But really, does Nate have a man-crush on Jarrett Jack?

Who do you want in charge when it's 3 a.m. and someone needs a diary?

by MiledAnimal on Mar 17, 2008 3:10 PM PDT reply actions

I´m a criminal.

I have done a fool number of diaries since I reached this site and I think there is not a rule I haven´t broken.

I promise to do better from now, too.

"We were few and grandmother had a baby"

by amlmart1 on Mar 17, 2008 3:49 PM PDT reply actions

Well your not a very good criminal

Criminals don't go tellin' peeps that they're criminals. Now you've lost all of your sneakiness. Dave will probably have an eye on ya now. I thought it was part of the World Wide Criminal Code; Never admit anything?

"The Team with Caricature!"

by Lizzy Lowblow on Mar 17, 2008 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Real story

When I went to the school I sited beside a boy, Mandi, who used to sleep during the lessons. One day another boy was sleeping during the lesson of our best teacher. The teacher saw him, went straight to him and cry: "Here, in my class, only Mandi sleeps." I understood that day that I must tell the true about me, show who I´m and let the others accept me or reject me. Another sneakieness strategy.

"We were few and grandmother had a baby"

by amlmart1 on Mar 17, 2008 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions

I dont know who are

But smart logic you have. I used to think that way, now I cant.

by RipCity on Mar 17, 2008 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Second part

I consider rejection, or some kind of negative reaction against me, as an opportunity to show some capacity to adapt my behavior to others.

"We were few and grandmother had a baby"

by amlmart1 on Mar 17, 2008 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions

If I could change one thing about this site . . .

It would be decreasing the number of repetitive diaries. Interesting discussions are pushed off the page in no time at all! I finally reset the page so that 30 diaries are listed at a time. That helps.

TwoDeep had a great point -- commenting in a game recap is an excellent alternative to starting yet another diary. Can we come to a consensus on this one?

The SB Nation redesign may improve the situation. The site I looked at recently (Oakland As baseball) chunked diaries into three different "Fanposts" areas, including one for short posts of video or media links.

by Corvid on Mar 17, 2008 4:09 PM PDT reply actions

If I could change one thing

Now that's a good diary. If I could change one thing about this site, I would change the colors to purple and gold.

"An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes, which can be made, in a very narrow field." - Niels Bohr

by tominhawaii on Mar 18, 2008 3:23 AM PDT up reply actions

Heresy!

Don't you mean blue and gold?

by royroty on Mar 18, 2008 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Hrmm

I'm as neurotic about grammar as anyone here but let's ease up on the spelling critiques and the fights that stem from them. Not everyone has English as their first language and not everyone grew up in the same way. If you can read it, deal with the subject. If you can't, skip it.

What about those people that have English as their third language :P?

[Yes, I'm bragging.]

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Mar 17, 2008 8:55 PM PDT reply actions

THAT'S

how you learned all of those swear words!

Seriously, even if I didn't have a no-profanity policy anyway I would invent one just for you. The profane Damir is OK but the trying not to swear and inventing other things in its place Damir is HILARIOUS.

Remember, though, you do get one swear word free if we win the lottery again...although I don't think we can win it twice so we should amend that to getting bumped up as high as we can go.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 18, 2008 12:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Hahaha

I'm still waiting on the opportune time to make some obscure reference to Eastern European prostitutes, bottles of Absinthe and midget wrestlers when Bennett Salvatore blows another call vicariously through the eyes of satan.

I'll let you know what I come up with.

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Mar 18, 2008 4:38 AM PDT up reply actions