Welcome Sunspot Members

**TL24x7** · 06-21-2011, 10:26 AM

A few years ago I sat down with Admin Steve and we discussed the idea of him coming over from Scout to create a message board that would be a fun venue for members, devoid of sophomoric BS and insults.

It's been a slow but steady growth and thanks to Steve's experiences and thoughtfulness (as well as that of the moderators Steve brought along), the vision has become a reality.

From time to time I have perused the Sun's message board and even jumped in with a comment here and there. Nearly every post was labeled as an effort on my part to direct traffic to 24x7 and on some level I suppose the accusation was true but mostly the intent was just to boost 24x7's credibility and in doing so roll out a welcome mat to Sunspot members to visit here.

But I gave up that approach because ultimately insults were often the result. Instead I chose to stick to the original plan, fuel organic growth and focus upon the quality of posts over quantity of posts.

Sunspot can be the McDonald's of message boards and serve billions. We'll try to be the Ruth's Chris.

Speaking for Steve and the Admins, we welcome all the Sunspot members seeking intelligent, challenging and friendly debate. I hope you stay and I look forward to your contributions to this board.

To the future,

Tony Lombardi

**wickedsolo** · 06-21-2011, 10:36 AM

Thanks Tony.

I'm pretty much done with the Sunspot board. Just go look at it now. It's nothing but boorish commentary from trolls and wannabe Ravens fans. You can't even discuss anything decent because everyone is so concentrated on responding to all of the shit-talking that goes on over there. The mods are no where to be found and as far as I'm concerned they are a complete joke.

I've got no problem with Steeler fans, Jets fans, or anyone else who may have an intelligent counter-perspective on NFL related topics, but people that spend time and color-code words as an attempt to get a rise out of people and offer nothing of substance is more annoying than anything. Combine that with guys who swear that they're Ravens fans, but do nothing but bash our players, coaches, and other fans...it's all just a bucket of yuck and I'm pretty done with it.

I know a bunch of other guys are too.

**GOTA** · 06-21-2011, 11:01 AM

Thanks Tony. Good talk is going to attract good posters. I have always read the articles on 24x7. I even registered here a couple of years ago but didn't want to post on multiple boards. Now it's 1 stop shopping. It's going to be a fun season and I can't wait to talk football with those who really want to talk football.

**Kyle Cactus** · 06-21-2011, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by TL24x7

Instead I chose to stick to the original plan, fuel organic growth and focus upon the quality of posts over quantity of posts.

Sunspot can be the McDonald's of message boards and serve billions. We'll try to be the Ruth's Chris.
Tony Lombardi

I'm not a former Sunspot member, but I've seen how other message boards get. I greatly appreciate the quality of this board, and it has definitely attracted some great members. I wouldn't have imagined I would find as many well informed people as I have on these boards. It's improved my football and Ravens IQs substantially.

Thanks to Tony, Steve, and all the other moderators for there hard work!

Now let's get this lockout crap over with so I can enjoy the Ruth's Chris of message boards at its best.

**TL24x7** · 06-21-2011, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Thanks Tony. Good talk is going to attract good posters. I have always read the articles on 24x7. I even registered here a couple of years ago but didn't want to post on multiple boards. Now it's 1 stop shopping. It's going to be a fun season and I can't wait to talk football with those who really want to talk football.

And soon it should get fast and furious when the league gets back to work!

**TL24x7** · 06-21-2011, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Kyle Cactus

I'm not a former Sunspot member, but I've seen how other message boards get. I greatly appreciate the quality of this board, and it has definitely attracted some great members. I wouldn't have imagined I would find as many well informed people as I have on these boards. It's improved my football and Ravens IQs substantially.

Thanks to Tony, Steve, and all the other moderators for there hard work!

Now let's get this lockout crap over with so I can enjoy the Ruth's Chris of message boards at its best.

Funny, just as I was about to

this post, Ray Lewis was on NFL Network saying, "Respect is Earned".

We plan on doing just that again and again!

And btw, thank YOU!

**Beerracuda** · 06-21-2011, 11:51 AM

As I stated in the other thread, I started out on SunSpot over 10 years ago, until the IP address crap started. I then moved onto the Scout board (at the time, I believe it was called RR42 or something like that.). That was a great board, until a combination of things happened: Several trollish users started to frequent the board (WSO, anyone?), and turned it into nothing but name-calling and childish bantering, usually in reference to Kyle Boller. Additionally, one person became supreme moderator to the point of unfairly moderating the board (he'll stay nameless for the purposes of this message). Also, one couldn't even use anything resembling profanity, which was a distinct change from how the board was setup before. Thankfully, one of the long-time users invited me over to this board in 2006, and I've been here ever since. This board is the perfect combination of user freedom and light moderation. It allows the user to speak his/her mind, and use profanity if necessary, yet still VERY FAIRLY moderates the board to keep it from spiraling out of control. Additionally, it doesn't tolerate much input from Squealer fans, who almost always come here looking for a fight, despite their initial claims of peace.

Thanks to Steve, Tony, and all the moderators for doing such a great job! You guys have set up the perfect message board - one that makes it a pleasure to read and post, without much fear of some troll jumping down your throat in opposition. Please keep up the great work, and don't ever change! In my opinion, the board is perfect the way it is right now!

**Mista T** · 06-21-2011, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Beerracuda

As I stated in the other thread, I started out on SunSpot over 10 years ago, until the IP address crap started. I then moved onto the Scout board

It's hard to believe that many of us go back 10-12 years!

When we opened this board, dragging along a few of the originals who revolted from the Sunspot Nazis, through RN2 & Scout, I was concerned that a smaller community might fail due to lack of enough interesting subjects. What evolved, however, was quality over quantity -- I read just about everything posted here, but skip most of what's posted on other Ravens message boards. More intelligent football discussion goes on here than the other message boards. Actually, often moreso than in the media.

**Real Fan Dan** · 06-21-2011, 12:50 PM

I posted here awhile back but the board wasn't very active, so i remained at Sunspot. Now I'm just pretty much fed up with the lack of moderation. Besides, i always wanted to commiserate with somebody famous like Mista T.

**festivus** · 06-21-2011, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mista T

More intelligent football discussion goes on here than the other message boards. Actually, often moreso than in the media.

If by "media," you mean blog entries at the Sun by Mike Preston and Matt Vensel, I agree with you 100% and it's no exaggeration.

**TL24x7** · 06-21-2011, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by festivus

If by "media," you mean blog entries at the Sun by Mike Preston and Matt Vensel, I agree with you 100% and it's no exaggeration.

Was sweating that one out...

**festivus** · 06-21-2011, 01:36 PM

If by "media" you mean that bozo Tony Lombardi, well, I won't make excuses for his drivel.

**TL24x7** · 06-21-2011, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by festivus

If by "media" you mean that bozo Tony Lombardi, well, I won't make excuses for his drivel.

**shaslers** · 06-21-2011, 04:51 PM

Old habits die hard. But okay. I pledge allegiance to the 24x7.

**Real Fan Dan** · 06-21-2011, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by shaslers

Old habits die hard. But okay. I pledge allegiance to the 24x7.

Umm, didn't you come from here in the first place friend?

Hey maybe we can do a Ravens 24x7 poster meeting at the stadium this year.

**wickedsolo** · 06-21-2011, 05:34 PM

Here is the letter that I sent to Talk Admin at the Sunspot forum a few days ago. I CC'ed GOTA, Shaslers, and B-More Ravor on it as well.

Originally Posted by Sweet_Lu
Talk Admin,

With all due respect, you guys are absolutely terrible with moderating the Ravens section of this board. I realize that perhaps not all of you are Ravens fans or you just are too busy with other sections and other threads, but it's gotten to the point where a vast majority of us who have been members here for a decade or more are leaving. The bottom line is that there is so much explicit violations of the TOS from posters who are more interested in inciting rather than discussing football and there is no one there to really see what's happening. It's pathetic and honestly, it's a shame because you guys are losing a lot of great members. There is such a quick hand to ban quality posters over little things, yet you allow people who discuss things of racist nature, anti-Semitic, sexual, and just plain childish behavior. Please don't tell me that the correct procedure is to click the little "exclamation mark" icon to notify the admin of these types of posts, because frankly I can't tell you how many times I've done that and still the same issues persist. I know for a fact others have asked for you guys to actually do a bit more moderating over on the Ravens board because even though it is a board dedicated to football, it is still a RAVENS board and there is no need for the nonsense that goes on over there. It would be easy for you guys to actually do something about it, but it really just appears like none of you are truly interested.

It's sad. This used to be a premier spot for Ravens fans to gather and plan events and discuss things in general good nature. It's not like that anymore and a big reason for that is a lack of presence for you and you're colleagues.

Respectfully,
Sweet_Lu

Here was their response: (and you'll see why I "bolded" a certain portion)

Sweet_Lu,

Thanks for the email. I appreciate your concerns. Unfortunately, our moderators aren't going to catch everything that goes on the boards, so please give us a heads-up when you find objectionable content or violations of the Terms of Service. That will help us police the boards better.

-TA

So, if we're essentially responsible for moderating the Ravens board to LET ADMIN KNOW when someone is out of line...then why not appoint an avid poster to be a Ravens Board moderator? Hmmm...there's a thought...oh wait, we tried that about 3 years ago (I believe Shaslers may have been the name that most wanted to see...him or GOTA) and Talk Admin basically said no.

They really don't have any interest at all.

24x7 for this guy from now on.

**Shas** · 06-21-2011, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Real Fan Dan

Umm, didn't you come from here in the first place friend?

Ha, not really. I was on the Sun board a long time. Before the SuperBowl year. I was just Shasler then. Then I changed jobs and because I stupidly registered with an old work email, which I could no longer access when I needed to verify my identity. So in 2004 I became Shaslers. I've been on here for, I would guess five years, but never posted as much here.

To mark my latest "move" I think I'll just go with Shas. It's what I'm referred to anyway.

**BLSmokey** · 06-21-2011, 06:35 PM

I see some friendly faces, ol' Sunnies, and some new ones as well.

Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him.

**wickedsolo** · 06-21-2011, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by BLSmokey

I see some friendly faces, ol' Sunnies, and some new ones as well.

Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him.

Fairwell and adieu to the old Spanish ladies...

**B-more Ravor** · 06-21-2011, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by RavensFan19

Sweet_Lu,

Thanks for the email. I appreciate your concerns. Unfortunately, our moderators aren't going to catch everything that goes on the boards, so please give us a heads-up when you find objectionable content or violations of the Terms of Service. That will help us police the boards better.

-TA

So, if we're essentially responsible for moderating the Ravens board to LET ADMIN KNOW when someone is out of line...then why not appoint an avid poster to be a Ravens Board moderator? Hmmm...there's a thought...oh wait, we tried that about 3 years ago (I believe Shaslers may have been the name that most wanted to see...him or GOTA) and Talk Admin basically said no.

They really don't have any interest at all.

24x7 for this guy from now on.

The funny part of that useless response is that even if/when posts were reported, they didn't do anything about them anyway. Now, they've got a total mess on their hand, a mess that could have been avoided with just a little bit of moderation.

Brilliant!