Here is my take on it:
I think things have become confused a bit in our direction, rules, what we allow, what the consequences of breaking those rules are, etc. I think this is showing itself in recent threads and posts.
The problem is, I think we are trying to give NCT too much responsibility on what happens, and not enough of members taking responsibility for what they do. I would personally like to see us keep the rules simple, and let members be responsible for what they choose to read or post.
Again, this is showing itself in recent threads. Instead of individuals taking responsibility for click on a thread, they want us to remove anything they don't like so they don't have to see it, and do it before they have a chance to find it and click on it and read it. That is backwards to me. The same goes for personal attacks, people are playing around stirring things up making personal attacks, but not taking responsibility or being held accountable for it. That is just wrong and the foot needs to be put down. Personal attacks have nothing to do with freedom of speech and it should not be tolerated.
Start with the general forum, this is any forum a guest can view. We should curb the language there, stay away from direct swear words but allow the alternatives. Can't say **** but can say frak or frik. Can't say ass but can say arse. Things like that. Then we list topics that are taboo in the general forum, topics are easier to enforce then complex rules designed to try and make everyone happy, that never works. Then we state that personal attacks of any kind are not tolerated.
Now, NCT is responsible for enforcing the rules, but the members are responsible for following them. If someone slips up from time to time and cusses, oh well. If it becomes a pattern, a gentle remind is issued. Personal attacks are dealt with swiftly as well. If they act surprised after getting in trouble, we can remind them they are responsible for their actions, they knew the rules so they knew it was coming. And if someone openly states they like to stir things up, or that they like to challange the rules and see how far they can push it, then push em out the door. We don't need that here anymore than other forums do.
Now we have a member section. There we allow swearing, and we list some subjects that are taboo in the general forum but are OK here. And no personal attacks. Again, we just enforce the rules, the members are responsible for following them. Also, if a member doesn't like the kind of stuff talked about in here, or take offense to the language, it is their responsibility to not go in there.
If they don't like those forums, remind them no one put a gun to their head and made them go in there. Personal responsibility instead of treating members like children and trying to control their every move. This has been our stance from the beginning, yet some don't seem to understand it, and in trying to make everyone happy I think we are loosing site of it.
We make it easy for members to know what area has what kind of content, then they take personal responsibility for avoiding those areas they won't like. If we do that, then in my personal opinion any gripping after that is just that, senceless gripping. We seperated
As for Super Site Supporters, I don't think a Lounge is working. Nothing happening there. Instead I had a replacement idea. Keep the Lounge open, but use it for including Super Site Supporters in on some of the decisions being made about the direction of the forum. Any member can make suggestions, but when the suggestion phase is closed it is still up to the the Mod Team and Doc to determine the best way forward utilizing those suggestions. I say include SSP's in that process as they now have a vested interest in the progression of the forum.
Should I duck now? LOL!