I am pretty new on this board and the whole hobby thing in general. This is supposed to be fun and overall it really is. The thing I dont get is the weekly angry rants that seem to go in a place where we should be sharing experiences good and bad, and loving our little hobby. The sun is out, there are plenty of beautiful ladies in town both indy and agency cant we just have fun?!!

The boards have turned into a constant street credibility fight:  "I'm a better, smarter more discerning hobbyist than you" and "my opinion is more objective, more hardcore and more valuable than yours".

Providers are swiping, copying and criticizing each other.

The boards have just become totally dismal in my opinion.  Less fun and more drama by the day.

As one who recently had a thread hijacked, I can tell you that on this board and other TER boards there are guys whose sole purpose in life seems to be to question the use of an alias whenever they can. As if using one makes you not have any manhood or something. It is useless and juvenile. Apart from that and other occasional intrusions, the DC board is usually pretty civil compared to other TER boards.

Unfortunately it seems to have hit a few bumps.  Much of it seems to come from posters who believe their opinion is the only valid opinion.

This is a very big subculture with different men and women looking for different things.  If we can get back to sharing opinion without jumping on those who have different opinions we can hopefully get back to the way these boards were "in the good old days".

I'm with you!

and count their blessings that we all have the freedom to hobby!!  Well, sort of, but God Bless America anyway.  Cheers.

The sun may be the problem. DC summer always puts people in a bad mood.  I think some of us need to get laid more than ever.

I agree, I posted a comment once a few years ago, and was slammed, not worth the drama, life is too short.

Yeah; let's keep with the "fun" word!

Some posters have their hobby horses and ride them a little too hard, it's true.  But on the whole, I don't find the board ill-tempered or moody or negative.  I agree completely that the board is best used to share information that makes things better for everyone.  The hobby is a zero-sum game sometimes and something can come off badly even if it's not meant that way.

just kidding.

actually, it seems to be just a regular TER "Board" w/some lively conversation (in some cases,non-lively conversation).

In other words- what you would come to expect from this type of discussion board with a divergence of opinions. Some guys/girls may intrude and disrupt the flow, but it happens everywhere.

My 2 cents

Prior to finding this board, the only one I have used, I seemed to have trouble hitting a homerun every time. I travel alot for buisness and each town or country has its own way of hobbying. I would previously try discretely asking if anyone knew someone or where hobbying occured. The internet helped alot once I got a laptop to go with me.

I am no longer picking up random strangers on the street or through ads in the back of yellow pages or a city paper. I would like to thank all of you that contribute to my continuing success, especially here in DC, my home base.  

As far as Anger issue, it happens on all blogs, as there is a certain portion of the population that uses this avenue to vent there frustrations. In Hyde Park in London, you stand on a box or chair and start shouting your individual protest. If its interesting, people will gather around and listen. Some are similar in beliefs and some show up to poke fun at the guy.  If you walk away and no one listens, then the guy is ignored. Do the same here. Ignore the flamers, let them have there say and move on. Baiting them only causes the flames and train wreck to get bigger. Just my young advice from a soldier that knows.

Why can't we all just get along? I agree, for those who are here to have some fun, it's best to ignore those who don't play well with others.  Nothing anyone does or says will change these narrow minded and ignorant people.  Enjoy the fun ones and block out the negativity.  The sun will always shine on the positive side.

Sunny