- Joined
- Jan 4, 2001
- Messages
- 10,438
Unfortunately it looks like the drama around here is not cooling down. It seems some of you are taking advantage of the fact that we don’t have moderators. I have seen several incidents recently unfold which were quite petty and uncalled for. A recent group buy went awry because people started in with the name calling. If you have a personal problem with someone, deal with it elsewhere. Don’t follow them thread to thread only to create unneeded drama. If you choose to do this, your account will be suspended.
For those of you who think I’m running a business here, you’re quite mistaken. The CP Store is only online to offer you good prices on cigar accessories. Whatever money is made from it goes towards maintaining this site. Several of you have asked to donate money; however I feel it's better you get something from the donation, so why not buy a cutter, case or humidor? This site brings in a lot of traffic. I could easily turn this into a business, however that’s not my intent of running the forum, nor do I need the money. If you want to come here and mouth off and act like you own the site, then feel free to start your own forum. It will no longer be tolerated, no matter how long you have been a member. This type of behavior wasn’t tolerated in 2000, and it’s not going to be tolerated today.
I created this site in ’00 with the intent to create a friendly cigar community which welcomes new members. Contrary to what some people think, this site is not successful because of a select few. CP is successful because it was created as community in the early days where everyone’s opinion counted. I have guided this site in the direction which I have always felt was right. I don’t believe in creating a dictatorship where only a few people can express their opinion. I pay the bills (and we’re not a small site on a shared server, costs are high), I design the site, perform all upgrades, run regular backups, maintain the server, admin the forum, etc. Yes, this is a one-man operation. The entire cost of running this site comes out of my wallet. Running CP is not making me rich, nor do I need it to. The only reason I keep the site going is to maintain a friendly cigar forum. Running CP demands a great deal of my time and money. Some of you feel you own the site, sorry, that’s not the case. CP welcomes members both new and old. If you don’t like the site, then there are many other cigar forums out there you can join. If you don’t like the fact that this forum is growing, then you should reconsider your membership. I encourage everyone to voice their opinion, that’s how communities grow and evolve. Don’t bother emailing me or filling my PM box with messages expressing how pissed off you are, I really don’t care to hear it. I lose a lot of respect for people who email me saying they’re going to leave CP and never post again, yet they’re back a week later posting away. The childish behaviors around here have gotten way out of hand, and it’s time for a change. I have no problem suspending accounts. If we have to implement a moderating team, so be it. The main role of a moderator is to make sure threads are in the correct forum and prevent people from trolling. Not to censor what you type. While other forums believe in deleting content, I don’t. I believe in creating a friendly community where we all share a common interest. I can’t stand power hungry individuals who feel important because they have the ability of banning someone or are able to delete content. A moderator in my mind is someone who helps to maintain order and allow for freedom of speech in an adult like manner. I have not decided to go that route, however it is an option.
Whether you have been here for 6 years or 6 days and choose to act like you own CP and stir the pot, your account will be suspended. Banning will be reserved for thief’s, bad passers and trolls. If someone is afraid to post, start a pass or join a group buy in fear that someone is going to slam them, then that is not a community, and that’s not what this site is about. We will be posting a more complete set of rules very soon, and they will be strictly enforced. CP is about sharing, learning and enjoying cigars.
If you disagree in creating a FRIENDLY community for cigar lovers, then please move on. Again, no one will be above the rules. To those of you who truly enjoy this forum and participate in a positive manner, thank you. From this point forward, things will only get better…
Rod
For those of you who think I’m running a business here, you’re quite mistaken. The CP Store is only online to offer you good prices on cigar accessories. Whatever money is made from it goes towards maintaining this site. Several of you have asked to donate money; however I feel it's better you get something from the donation, so why not buy a cutter, case or humidor? This site brings in a lot of traffic. I could easily turn this into a business, however that’s not my intent of running the forum, nor do I need the money. If you want to come here and mouth off and act like you own the site, then feel free to start your own forum. It will no longer be tolerated, no matter how long you have been a member. This type of behavior wasn’t tolerated in 2000, and it’s not going to be tolerated today.
I created this site in ’00 with the intent to create a friendly cigar community which welcomes new members. Contrary to what some people think, this site is not successful because of a select few. CP is successful because it was created as community in the early days where everyone’s opinion counted. I have guided this site in the direction which I have always felt was right. I don’t believe in creating a dictatorship where only a few people can express their opinion. I pay the bills (and we’re not a small site on a shared server, costs are high), I design the site, perform all upgrades, run regular backups, maintain the server, admin the forum, etc. Yes, this is a one-man operation. The entire cost of running this site comes out of my wallet. Running CP is not making me rich, nor do I need it to. The only reason I keep the site going is to maintain a friendly cigar forum. Running CP demands a great deal of my time and money. Some of you feel you own the site, sorry, that’s not the case. CP welcomes members both new and old. If you don’t like the site, then there are many other cigar forums out there you can join. If you don’t like the fact that this forum is growing, then you should reconsider your membership. I encourage everyone to voice their opinion, that’s how communities grow and evolve. Don’t bother emailing me or filling my PM box with messages expressing how pissed off you are, I really don’t care to hear it. I lose a lot of respect for people who email me saying they’re going to leave CP and never post again, yet they’re back a week later posting away. The childish behaviors around here have gotten way out of hand, and it’s time for a change. I have no problem suspending accounts. If we have to implement a moderating team, so be it. The main role of a moderator is to make sure threads are in the correct forum and prevent people from trolling. Not to censor what you type. While other forums believe in deleting content, I don’t. I believe in creating a friendly community where we all share a common interest. I can’t stand power hungry individuals who feel important because they have the ability of banning someone or are able to delete content. A moderator in my mind is someone who helps to maintain order and allow for freedom of speech in an adult like manner. I have not decided to go that route, however it is an option.
Whether you have been here for 6 years or 6 days and choose to act like you own CP and stir the pot, your account will be suspended. Banning will be reserved for thief’s, bad passers and trolls. If someone is afraid to post, start a pass or join a group buy in fear that someone is going to slam them, then that is not a community, and that’s not what this site is about. We will be posting a more complete set of rules very soon, and they will be strictly enforced. CP is about sharing, learning and enjoying cigars.
If you disagree in creating a FRIENDLY community for cigar lovers, then please move on. Again, no one will be above the rules. To those of you who truly enjoy this forum and participate in a positive manner, thank you. From this point forward, things will only get better…
Rod