Based on the past few days, a number of people have PMed me, called me and sent me emails. I sensed some confusion, some dismay, and even loss of what, Suri so eloquently calls, innocence.
As all of you are my friends, I take it upon myself to provide an explanation of what was done.
(1) Regarding the Banning: Please understand that we take 'banning' as the last step. Very strangely in this case most of the people banned, so to say, wanted to exit from HFV. Cranky, AE, Sidharth Trehan, and Asit repeatedly requested that they be removed from the forum. So we consented and acted upon it. Asit consequently requested that he wants to continue and he was brought back immediately.
Suri is a HFV friend of mine and one I have met during the Bangalore meeting. He was locked out and literally immediate reinstated. This has nothing to do with the above issue nor what some think of as his poetical capabilities. Suri was involved in a minor but serious transgression of rules. He was locked out and once he gave an explanation, he was reinstated immediately.
SoundsGreat has been locked out for a serious violation of rules.
(2) Regarding the Forum Rule No. 3 that goes as "If any member makes any accusations about any retailer/manufacturer/distributor/dealer or individual member, they must first submit a verified/certified photo identity proof of their full name and address to forums admin along with verified/certified proof of the accusation. It's easy to exaggerate the events to favour your side of the story, but ultimately this is not the truth if you cannot backup your accusations without proof. Posting any such information without relevant proof will lead to your immediate ban without any warning."
This rule has been introduced after we have had innumerable instances of negative remarks that are aggressive, and to a large extent, written either in spite, or to belittle a company, person, product, or service. For a long time there has been a rule that states, "You may not use discussions to recommend, praise, or belittle other products or services, or any company; without first hand experience of those products or services. All complaints against any product seller or service provider must be accompanied by authentic documentary evidence and can only be posted in the forums after the permission of the administrator. Any post not meeting a moderator's criteria will be removed without notice."
Unfortunately no one seemed to take this rule seriously. I have noted words like 'rip off', 'sham', 'cheater', 'Chandni Chowk' and so many other derogatory remarks that are made in anger. This is not acceptable. If you have a complaint against an entity, it has to be worded properly and written decently. Most important serious allegations against an entity must be made only when you have proof and AFTER getting permission from the moderators.
The new rule has been set to be a deterrent against people who write without using their head. This does not mean you cannot write about a entity you do not like. But that has to be your opinion, and you opinion has to be explained properly and with some form of evidence. Let me give you an example.
What is acceptable:
"I auditioned X amplifier today. I did not like the sound as it seemed to be bloated, and pushing the high frequencies too much. At a cursory glance, I came away thinking that the quality of the cabinet, connectors, and other parts could have been better. Even the remote seemed to be made of inexpensive plastic, that to my mind, seemed easily breakable'
What is NOT acceptable:
"I auditioned X amplifier today. I tell you guys, this company is the pits and are on the verge of closure. They have picked up rejected material from Chandni Chowk, thrown away knobs, cheap plastic connectors and put it all together a box. The cabinet was crap. The remote was also crap. The capacitors inside were not worth more than 2 Rupees. I tell you, these people are cheats and taking you for a ride........" and so on.
HFV is a fun place for all of us. Yes, losing friends is always difficult. But remember only if we are decent and if we follow rules will our roads be clean and easily traversable. We will make more friends, not only from India, but across the whole world. We will prevail and continue to grow.
I am curious to see how many meaningful and productive replies I get here.
Cheers
PS. I must mention that Asit is also a friend of mine. We, along with our spouses, had a wonderful dinner in Chennai when Asit came here on a visit. I found Asit to be a very educated man and one who is extremely principled.
AND, Asit made a single request to be removed from the forum. I stand corrected.
Cheers
As all of you are my friends, I take it upon myself to provide an explanation of what was done.
(1) Regarding the Banning: Please understand that we take 'banning' as the last step. Very strangely in this case most of the people banned, so to say, wanted to exit from HFV. Cranky, AE, Sidharth Trehan, and Asit repeatedly requested that they be removed from the forum. So we consented and acted upon it. Asit consequently requested that he wants to continue and he was brought back immediately.
Suri is a HFV friend of mine and one I have met during the Bangalore meeting. He was locked out and literally immediate reinstated. This has nothing to do with the above issue nor what some think of as his poetical capabilities. Suri was involved in a minor but serious transgression of rules. He was locked out and once he gave an explanation, he was reinstated immediately.
SoundsGreat has been locked out for a serious violation of rules.
(2) Regarding the Forum Rule No. 3 that goes as "If any member makes any accusations about any retailer/manufacturer/distributor/dealer or individual member, they must first submit a verified/certified photo identity proof of their full name and address to forums admin along with verified/certified proof of the accusation. It's easy to exaggerate the events to favour your side of the story, but ultimately this is not the truth if you cannot backup your accusations without proof. Posting any such information without relevant proof will lead to your immediate ban without any warning."
This rule has been introduced after we have had innumerable instances of negative remarks that are aggressive, and to a large extent, written either in spite, or to belittle a company, person, product, or service. For a long time there has been a rule that states, "You may not use discussions to recommend, praise, or belittle other products or services, or any company; without first hand experience of those products or services. All complaints against any product seller or service provider must be accompanied by authentic documentary evidence and can only be posted in the forums after the permission of the administrator. Any post not meeting a moderator's criteria will be removed without notice."
Unfortunately no one seemed to take this rule seriously. I have noted words like 'rip off', 'sham', 'cheater', 'Chandni Chowk' and so many other derogatory remarks that are made in anger. This is not acceptable. If you have a complaint against an entity, it has to be worded properly and written decently. Most important serious allegations against an entity must be made only when you have proof and AFTER getting permission from the moderators.
The new rule has been set to be a deterrent against people who write without using their head. This does not mean you cannot write about a entity you do not like. But that has to be your opinion, and you opinion has to be explained properly and with some form of evidence. Let me give you an example.
What is acceptable:
"I auditioned X amplifier today. I did not like the sound as it seemed to be bloated, and pushing the high frequencies too much. At a cursory glance, I came away thinking that the quality of the cabinet, connectors, and other parts could have been better. Even the remote seemed to be made of inexpensive plastic, that to my mind, seemed easily breakable'
What is NOT acceptable:
"I auditioned X amplifier today. I tell you guys, this company is the pits and are on the verge of closure. They have picked up rejected material from Chandni Chowk, thrown away knobs, cheap plastic connectors and put it all together a box. The cabinet was crap. The remote was also crap. The capacitors inside were not worth more than 2 Rupees. I tell you, these people are cheats and taking you for a ride........" and so on.
HFV is a fun place for all of us. Yes, losing friends is always difficult. But remember only if we are decent and if we follow rules will our roads be clean and easily traversable. We will make more friends, not only from India, but across the whole world. We will prevail and continue to grow.
I am curious to see how many meaningful and productive replies I get here.
Cheers
PS. I must mention that Asit is also a friend of mine. We, along with our spouses, had a wonderful dinner in Chennai when Asit came here on a visit. I found Asit to be a very educated man and one who is extremely principled.
AND, Asit made a single request to be removed from the forum. I stand corrected.
Cheers
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