Common sense check?

Hi We do try and remove any posts that are blatent adverts asap but simply don't have the resources to have someone watching the forum 24/7. There's also the issue of where you draw the line in removing posts because they're slightly irritating for more advanced startups or experienced forum users. One way round it might be to add another 'ideas' forum, where those people with no forumulated er, idea, can discuss their early thought processes. Basically, we need the forum to work for all of you and are totally open to suggestions on how to do this best. One thing we don't want to do though is exclude anyone; whether that's people who are looking for a bit of reassurance that they might have a genuine business idea or those that are up and running and looking at ways of improving their business. Feel free to leave suggestions here or email. Best regards, Matt Thomas matthewt@crimsonpublishing.co.uk

Matt, An 'ideas' area and 'new business' area might be the way to go. I would not want new users of the forum to feel intimidated at all, as everyone is welcome to participate - it's what makes the forum good to read. Abuse of the forum is what can destroy the 'buzz' that can be generated from a busy forum and that is what I see to be the case of late. It's a tricky one but hopefully you'll see fit to deal with it and the best way possible. Thanks once again. Clem.

Its a tricky one. Apart from the past few days we do seem to have had precious little in the way of daft posters, but when they appear it does tarnish the generally very good quality advice available here and may well put people off. I appreciate you need to strike a balance Matt between being inclusive and keeping it tidy, but some of the posts where just cut and paste from other posts, not to mention some being downright insulting or just plain mis-information. I don’t personally see any value if those being on the forum. It might also make the user realise they are not being helpful if their posts start to disappear and they have a discrete email from you explaining why. Although this of course is I appreciate time consuming. The poster does seem to have reduced their postings after what can only be considered as a big slap by the rest of community, although now has invented some friends. I think as people are generally representing their business they are less inclined to “self regulate” than on other forums, and I certainly didn’t really want to spend time explain why 20 different business ideas sucked. I actually think one of the strengths of this forum is that there aren’t loads of sub-forums - this particular type of user would probably just have replied to even more posts had that been the case. The only one I think would be useful right now would be a “stress ball” type forum where the current combative threads could be moved to as to not disrupt the regular users with a bun fight, whilst not actually deleting anything.
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James Smith
Chartered Accountant
www.jamesesmith.co.uk
01235 536 773

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Your indispensable guide to Small Business Bookkeeping, Self-Assessment & VAT

Unfortunately I think it is going to be impossible keeping everyone happy regarding the current situation. I know that I spent many occasions trying desperately trying to bite my tongue with certain posts and from the look of it others felt the same too. Perhaps an interim solution would be to have a post at the top titled forum etiquette giving some basic guidelines to new users on how to use the forum. At the end of the day, as much as certain posts got on my nerves, I don't believe the person making the post was intentionally trying to get on anyones nerves... I would also suggest spelling and grammar lessons as well so that we can actually determine what the post is asking but perhaps that is taking it too far!! [] Stephen
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Stephen
http://www.urbandesignclothing.co.uk

I agree with all of the above, but it is something that does need looking at. I myself have only been a forum user for about 2 weeks, and my average post per day is 0.83 - and I visit the forum every evening now (at the same time I pick up email - habits!!!). My view has gone from reading about 10 posts per day, escalating to around 1.5 pages, which I don't really have the time to sift through. There are certain contributers (the ones above this post, and Rachael) among others who offer invaluble advice, and I have certainly learnt a lot. I have not been in business that long, which is why I only reply to things I am sure of. I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of taxation, and I leave those posts to the guys that know. So I feel a 'new ideas' forum would maybe divide the actual questions, from people looking for feedback. It would be a real shame if the half-decent people on the forum felt they were being pushed out by being constantly asked the same daft questions over and over again! Rant over!!! Regards, Richard
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Regards,
Richard
Retail World - Supporting Retailers Across the UK
www.retailforum.co.uk