PLEASE READ: A Quick Note From Nathan

Nathan

First, I'd like to apologize to the 99% of our members of this site who come here to participate in quality discussion about the construction and remodeling industry and to relax with other contractors after a long days work. For some reason there has been a small number of members who have seen fit to try and disrupt this site and I have let it get out of hand.

I have been slow to ban people and even slow to discipline members. In fact over the past three + years we have been running this site I think we have banned 5 or 6 (can't remember which) members total (besides spammers). I think that is a pretty low number and it's because we always give people a couple of chances to change their ways before taking action.
Of the 5 or 6 members who have been banned one of them sent threats to a moderators about his daughter and at least 2 said they would NEVER obey the rules or stop attacking people so I was forced to ban them. The others were long ago and I have a hard time remembering what happened.

Some of you may not understand why some members do get banned and all I can say is that we remove any and all questionable content that we find. So, you may be looking at a posters history and not seeing what the big deal is about but let me assure you it's there, you just can't see it.

We run this site as simply and as fairly as we can. Are we perfect? Far from it. Do we sometimes miss something? Of course. Do we sometimes remove a thread when we should have edited it.. yup. Fact is that all of us (admins and mods) have full time jobs and do this on the side in our "spare time" if there is such a thing.

So, what determines what is and is not allowed on this site? Glad you asked . We have Posting Rules that we run ever post (that we actually see) by.

Here they are:In addition to the above we also try to keep non-relevant political and religious discussions to a minimum, not because we don't care about these issues but because these debates often get heated and out of control.

So, those are our rules. I'm always open to people giving me feedback on ways I can improve this site so if you see something that needs added/edited/or taken away let me know. But these are the rules and WE WILL ENFORCE THEM.

To the 99% of you guys who obey these rules and come here for quality discussion once again I would like to say that I am sorry for letting things get out of control and I pledge to try and turn this thing around. Thanks for your membership.


TO THE 1% OF YOU WHO SEEM TO HATE THIS SITE AND HOW IT'S RUN:
First, I have to ask... why are you here? I mean, if this site is so bad and the Mods and I are so incompetent they why do you come here day after day? If you have some hope and desire to make this site better than I invite you to CONTACT ME and let me know what and how to change. I am open and willing to listen. I only ask that you be as specific as possible so I can actually correct the problem instead of saying that there is too much BS.

But what really gets me is a small number of you who seem to just be here to cause trouble. Here is an excerpt from one of my most recent hate mails: "Your site (contractortalk.com) is contributing to the demise of the construction industry."

To those of you who are just out to cause problems please know that we are going to start enforcing the rules. I really don't care how many posts you have, how long you have been a member, how unfair you think we are, or how funny you think you are. Enough is enough and you guys are hurting this site with your antics.
Do us all a favor and just leave if you hate this site so much.

Thanks

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

Danahy

I agree.
I am new to this site, and have yet to meet anyone in the 1%. I'd like to say that I appreciate the effort that goes on behind the scenes to keep this a nice place to hang.

Nathan

Thanks and I'm glad your here.

In an effort to keep a clean site we often remove the bad content before anyone sees it. It shows how good the moderators who help me out with this site really are. The only bad part is people often don't understand why we ban someone or what the fuss is about. It's a good problem to have even though it can cause problems.

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

dayspring

Nathan, I've been coming here since March '06. Personally, I enjoy the information I have gathered and I also enjoy sharing.

I don't care where you are, there is always someone that wants to buck-up at authority. There is always someone who breaks the rules, That is why we have jails in the civilized world.

While I believe that Professionals can have a good time here, I do believe they should remain professional while doing so.

This site can be a tool for many of us. I use it often. I kinda look at each member as part of my online toolbox. Each having its own purpose.

I, myself would like to Thank You and each Amin and Mod for the work you do. If you ban someone, That is between you and them, I'm sure you don't just ban someone for no reason.

I don't read much of the garbage that some members post, so I have no idea what may have transpired recently.

Keep up the good work and don't worry about a decision that was made for the well-being of this site. You done the right thing if you felt right about doing it.
TC

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tkle

Don't know about hurting the construction industry,but everyone I've talked to on this site has helped me do a better job and understand the business a lot better.As for some of the rougher talk,this is construction,it's the same stuff I hear out in the field.I get over it.Thanks for the service,it's much appreciated.

go dart

thanks for the site nathan! you guys do a great job. i really enjoy a chance to use other contractors as a sounding board. as the owner of a small business w/ 7 employees i enjoy having someone to talk openly with. keep it up

Frankawitz

Nathan
I have been here since June 06 and I enjoy the reading of the posts that everyone puts up. I find that some of the guys on here are youngsters and most are learning their trade, I have no problem with anyone I know of. I have learned all I know by doing repairs, I know I can get under some peoples skin with remarks made, But I also can take the remarks also. I figure if I am able to help some of these guys and gals not make the same mistakes I made when I was a youngster I am more then glade to, But like they say you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I find that ture about young people they think they know everything when in turn most don't know their butt from a hole in the ground. I hope I have not offended anyone on here, I enjoy your site and have nothing but good things to say about it, keep up the good work and thanks again for letting me to particepate. Frank

6stringmason

I've been coming here for awhile, and I find this site to be the best hands down. Thank you to all the mods for keeping it clean and tasteful. I think there is enough trash on the internet for people to get involved in. I dont think this site has to be one of them.

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Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

kevjob

I have seen more good than bad since i have been here!

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

Mike Finley

No more posting about shooting cats, having sex with animals and slapping your wife around? Boy, sure am going to miss that stuff.

Nathan you are going to present a false impression of the true personality of the contracting profession if you keep it up.

Keep up the good work.

AAPaint

Nathan, mods, and administrators......you guys do a fine job. After all this time here, I must say there is nothing wrong with the way this site is run. It is far from a disgrace to our industries.

Contractortalk has done more good for our industry than anything else I can think of. The free exchange of ideas amongst contractors is something that doesn't happen in the field. Local competitors aren't willing to help the new guys learn to compete.

Contractortalk is a GREAT place, and it's all thanks to you guys. If you have to ban a jerk or two the majority of us won't even sweat it. Thanks for everything!!

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-AAPaint

AA Quality Painting & Pressure Washing LLC
Jacksonville Painters
Jacksonville, FL.

Stone Mountain

Natahn, you are completely right. I really haven't seen much of the bad stuff you have mentioned, although one English fellow recently was pretty aggresive. I think this is a good site, and I've already taken a lot of good ideas and started using them. I even met a local contemporary who did a couple of jobs for me.
Keep up the good work.
Steve

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K2

Nathan. I like the site even better now.

marc

If you realy want to see a bad site go to painterschatroom.com

reveivl

Kudos, Nathan et al.

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From where does knowledge come? If you need to know what is in a box, you could ask someone (not reliable), you could pray, (not useful), you can consult with the scripture (not helpful) or you could open the box (science)

Nathan

Thanks for all the kind comments folks

Marc, I hate to say it but your right. That site has gone down hill in the last 2+ years. It's where I got the idea to start this site and why this site was originally named contractorschatroom.com.

Not sure why Gary hasn't turned it back around.

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

marc

I used to frequent it often. Along with Harry's board. Both have really gone down the tubes in the last year or two. I'm not a painter but I am a contractor. I can't find Vinyl siding or sunroom boards. I frequent this board and a couple of window boards (although the window boards seem to be mostly customers asking questions) I enjoy your Board and don't see to much of the sandlot behavior. Keep up the good work.

RobertCDF

I love you site Nathan and I am very greatful to you and all the mods that keep it nice.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

nadonailer

Great site - I am hooked and hope I give as much to it as I get from it! I appreciate the efforts of all the moderators - keep it up guys!

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Dwight D. Eisenhower

DelW

Nathan, don't let it get you down, if it's only 1% then you are well ahead of the curve. And I think that says alot about how you folks run this board. Imagine how it would be if not for the efforts of you and your crew. Keep up the good work.

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