James - Telegraph part II

[lindenchase]

Newspapers/magazines can see the IP address of people posting and can in that way identify people who are using multiple identities. So as long as the DT allows it they are obviously not too bothered by it.

[lymaze]

We have extensive rules concerning behaviour both by members and staff on this site. I have not heard of any complaints about any one member making anothers sheer hell for their first couple of weeks. If anyone does this then it should be taken up with members of staff. If it is a member of staff it should be reported to other staff members. However, if such matters are carried out by PM, then this is a private matter between the parties involved unless one party decides to bring it to staffs attention.

However, disagreeing with one another is not against the rules, and as this is an open forum we are all as open as we choose to be. That does not mean people are liars or charlatans if they choose to withhold certain thoughts and feelings though.

[Eclair]

250+ members are not all going to get along and agree with each other on everything, but this is just a fact of life all of you already know. Everyone is unique and individual in their expression and posting style.

But as Lymaze states, we do have rules in the admin section at the top of the main page of the board, and should you feel you are being unfairly treated, please PM a member of staff. You can find these in the staff section of the members section at the top of the menu.

[lucy]

Devonsdarling, if Exasperated Dave has said anything that is untrue about you (for example, if he’s just bluffing about you being Dictionary Corner), then that is in breach of clause 4.3.6a of the newspaper’s Terms & Conditions for posting. You should report Exasperated Dave, and his posts will be deleted. He may very well be banned - because he's not the ed. if he's making all this up. All you need to do is report his post.

However, bear in mind that the DT’s staff will be aware of the actual identity of Dictionary Corner. Indeed, should he ever be bothered to ask, I suppose James May could even be told who Dictionary Corner actually is, if this doesn’t breach the DT’s privacy policy.

So, if you have a real grievance against this bloke, take action!

[stigalicious]

It's all so sad. James' column is meant to be a light hearted affair which allows everyone to share their views with him. Recently its become a battle ground where I feel people are posting under multiple names to 'protect' themselves ie. if an unfair comment is made against one of your names, you at least have another one. I post under two- one is my professional writing name, the other is just me being me. I think I have a right to do this as I keep one of those 'personalities' secret and safe for me- I am a teacher and I can't endanger my professionalism by making a comment on a paper site.
But I do feel sorry for certain people on there who are obviously hard core fans and wish to say as much. Their comments get through because the ED's obviously don't think James minds, but then these other folk come on and slate those fans and hurt their feelings. I've seen it before on another fan site. I never went back. It's just bullying. I'm really pleased it has been mentioned here and thanks Lucy for the information- it is easy to forget you have a right to complain if you feel you have been 'targetted'

PS because text doesnt carry tone! And DD, big hug! I know where ur heart lies!

[stigalicious]

PS: The lifestyle section?! Oh for pities...

[littleprincesssarah]

Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but I have a question. Well, something that I don't understand. I'm not entirely sure what the "ED" thing is about. Hope someone can help me out!

[stigalicious]

Read Lucy's first comment on this page, it's self explanatory

[lindenchase]

There is a person who is using the alias Exasperated Dave. Lucy pointed out that you can read this as ED, short for editor.
I personally don't think he is because, as I pointed out in a previous post, the editor (moderator) can see the IP addresses of people posting and can thus see if people are using more than one alias.

[stigalicious]

Agreed. Plus I don't think a) that his comments are acceptable to be an editors or b) that he'd use an alias either. He's no reason to cover himself up there.

So there you have it; obviously just another person

[lindenchase]

And whoever the moderator is, (s)he apparently took the day off because no new comments were up today.

[Deleted]

Since these unnecessarily rude posts have become more frequent on the DT it taints the light heartedness of James's initial column. Whether it is motor related or not it is light relief, and he chooses to express his opinion however mad it is.

It's a good job we can come and express our opinions without worrying about some bozo being a wet weekend.

And I echo Puss, Eclair and Ly any worries PM one of us staff peeps. ;D

[littleprincesssarah]

Ah ha! I get it now! Thank you everyone! I was a bit confused, but no more! ;D

[dutchdiva]

ok can we just go back to the column. What do you ladies think about the idea from that superbus? I have to agree with a few ladies. it sounds like a taxi and we already got enough of those.

[stigalicious]

dont like the superbus, frankly I cant see how it would ever work. But I do like the idea of going back to balloons; even just for a laugh! Obv not hydrogen ones; as James says helium would be the way to go!

[dutchdiva]

but with a balloon you need wind. We don't have that all the time

[stigalicious]

do you? interesting... I'd just stick a small motor on the back! Still environmentally friendly! we are talking zepplins though right? I dont mean hot air balloons, those are a bit pants!

[dutchdiva]

oh my mistake. But how fast will those zepplins be? I rather go on my bike if they are just as fast

[lindenchase]

Well, it's obviously not really like a taxi. That was a j.o.k.e.

In fact, it looks quite interesting and the University of Delft who's behind the project is boffin-mecca, not just some techies with time on their hands. In fact, the inventor is Wubbo Ockels, a Dutch astronaut who went up with the space shuttle somewhere in the nineties in 1985. (Time flies)

really nice picture of the superbus

[dutchdiva]

it just looks weird.

[Wyvern]

Which is why airships are fab!

They also have to be very fuel efficient, partly for safety reasons (a fire on an airship, even if filled with helium, would be virtually impossible to deal with from the ground) and partly because fuel is heavy. I think the green transport people need to look at the idea in a bit more depth because it certainly has environmental benefits over some other modes of transport.

If only everyone wasn't in such a hurry to get everywhere - they can do long distance flights successfully and even though the Hindenburg is only remembered for exploding and killing people, it actually made transatlantic crossings for over a year before the tragedy. Ironically, that tragedy could possibly have been averted too, had trade embargoes not stopped Germany from having access to helium, the original choice of gas with which the envelope would have been filled.

Having said that, if anyone can combine the cheapness of a bus with the convenience of a taxi, I'd be more than happy to use that instead

[lindenchase]

The superbus wouldn't be used for intercontinental travel obviously, so the airship could come handy in there. ;D
I have to say that I love travelling in helicopters. I have done it about a dozen times now and I think it's the coolest thing ever.
But very very noisy indeed, so not really an alternative for mass-transport.

[cantervilleghost]

James' column this week reminds me of his book, "James May's 20th Century". He truly loves the airship doesn't he? ;D I happen to agree with him though, and said so in my comment. I just posted it, so it may not be there until Monday. LOL It's not hard to figure out who I am there. ;D I quite enjoyed this week's column. I love his technical side. He's a very intelligent man!

[lindenchase]

Aug 22, 2008 16:53:35 GMT lindenchase said:

And whoever the moderator is, (s)he apparently took the day off because no new comments were up today.

Or (s)he was home, realized (s)he forgot the commenst and went back into the office. There are some more comments up by now. People really seem to like the idea of an airship.

[maureen]

Aug 22, 2008 17:58:40 GMT lindenchase said:

Well, it's obviously not really like a taxi. That was a j.o.k.e.

In fact, it looks quite interesting and the University of Delft who's behind the project is boffin-mecca, not just some techies with time on their hands. In fact, the inventor is Wubbo Ockels, a Dutch astronaut who went up with the space shuttle somewhere in the nineties in 1985. (Time flies)

really nice picture of the superbus

Very nice. That would be cool to watch and get a ride in.

I just read the new comments too. They're really good and sound interested in trying it. I know I'd like to try it out too.

[beckstar]

'superbus' is Latin for 'proud'. I have just commented recanting some rather juvenile activity in my lessons at school many years ago...

I have to say that I think it is a genuine shame that the comments page on the Telegraph has changed recently from being a bit of light hearted fun to being a place where people whinge, scold, cajole and complain, and I do think, without wishing to be rude to anyone on this site, that some people are taking things far too much to heart. There are one or two regular commenters on James's column who are, frankly, obsessed women, and one or two others who are clearly bitter and twisted jealous old blokes... but that's no reason for people to start leaving lectures on the comments, or indeed for people to make up lots of fake identities to post lots of times. Some of the comments this last couple of weeks are completely irrelevant and quite pathetic, and I am concerned that a) James reads the comments, usually - imagine what he'd think! and b) if this to-in and fro-ing carries on, the paper will just remove the comments board if it's too much effort to moderate.

[TheDaisy]

We used to have a bus service a little like that. It ran every day, but you had to phone and book your seat 24 hours in advance, and it would pick you up anywhere you liked along the route, obviously with notice given so the driver would know where to stop for you.
It was very handy, but sadly it no longer runs because, oddly enough, people didn't always know they would need the bus, and as you had to give 24 hours notice for a ride, it wasn't as convenient as you'd like.
I have the train station only 5 minutes walk from the house anyway, but only one train per hour *sigh*

[adco]

Becuse we have no public transportation here, we have a service that you can call up if you need a ride to a doctor or the supermarket. You need to call a week or so ahead of time, so it's not practical for daily things, but it does pick you up and drop you off at home and if you are below a certain income level it's free. It's a good idea, that I think may grow in the future.

[griasgirl]

Had a few glasses of wine tonight girls. Haven't read the column, but I have seen the word airship above this post and trust me where I live it wouldn't be able to take off very often, because this place is too windy.

[inky]

Aug 22, 2008 20:02:04 GMT beckstar said:

I have to say that I think it is a genuine shame that the comments page on the Telegraph has changed recently from being a bit of light hearted fun to being a place where people whinge, scold, cajole and complain, and I do think, without wishing to be rude to anyone on this site, that some people are taking things far too much to heart. There are one or two regular commenters on James's column who are, frankly, obsessed women, and one or two others who are clearly bitter and twisted jealous old blokes... but that's no reason for people to start leaving lectures on the comments, or indeed for people to make up lots of fake identities to post lots of times. Some of the comments this last couple of weeks are completely irrelevant and quite pathetic, and I am concerned that a) James reads the comments, usually - imagine what he'd think! and b) if this to-in and fro-ing carries on, the paper will just remove the comments board if it's too much effort to moderate.

The voice of reason. A breath of fresh air becks