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 Avatar-X
       
Alpha Husky
Location: West Coast
Gender: Male
yay!
 |  |  | Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
< on 4/27/2005 4:24 PM >
|  | | | For some reason I feel the urge to post this, so here goes.
When I first started UER, my lofty goal was to create an urban exploration community and website that would appeal to all urban explorers; hardened experts and total newbies, as well as people who weren't really explorers at all (interested observers and people with information).
The concept was simple. Create a messageboard and custom software package catered towards the needs of explorers. A place to put photos, stories, and other information. A place to discuss things globally. A place where regional discussions could occur. A place where exploration groups could have private discussions without being disconnected from the community at large. Furthermore, to help build the community, things like profiles and journals, which allow members to express themselves.
These are ideas that came in part as suggestions from the community, in part as suggestions from friends, and in part as my own ideas.
But it seems my dream would never reach completion, because my concept was inherently flawed. I forgot some major parts:
1. I didn't anticipate the jealousy and animosity that appeared. It seems there was a very vocal group of people who liked "the way things were before", in which the urban exploration community was split into private, invite-only discussion groups and stuff. I didn't even know these private communities existed (since they were invite only), how was I to know I was stepping on people's toes? This created a few people who were angry at UER (and as a result, me) without having ever seen it or met me.
2. I've run large communities before, but I didn't anticipate the number of people who would try so very hard to create problems for UER. You know what I mean. These people cause as much trouble as they can without actually breaking a rule, and then feel proud of themselves for doing it.
3. Urban Explorers worldwide are an incredible variety of types of people. There's people who are 14 and people who are 40. Males, females, mothers and sons, people of all religious beliefs, people of all sexual orientations, people of all styles of humanity.
In creating this website, I had hoped that all these people could be united under the common interest of Urban Exploration. But I failed to anticipate how different their viewpoints would be.
Some explorers believe it's acceptable to take anything that isn't bolted down. Others wouldn't even take a blade of grass. Some explorers think photographs are the only way to express their feelings about a place, others prefer written word. Still others prefer not to share any of their feelings online, and keep their information for in-person meetings only. Other explorers don't like meeting other people at all.
Some explorers believe that rules on a site such as this one are not needed, others clamor for more rules and more regulation. A recent experiment entitled UER Mayhem (A forum with no rules and no moderation) quickly proved the point that at least some rules and regulations are needed on the internet.
With such an incredibly wide range of beliefs and people, I find that the task of creating a site that appeals to everyone becomes impossible. Every change is contested, every rule questioned.
I realize now that my goal of creating a website that all explorers worldwide can enjoy is an ideal I can never hope to achieve. So I am changing my focus.
My new goal with UER is to create a website which appeals to the following types of people:
Urban Explorers of any age who are passionate about the hobby and explore frequently
People who enjoy exploring with others and enjoy meeting new people
People who feel it's not exactly the greatest idea to steal from sites. Ethics are arguable, some people may disagree over whether it's OK to take a random piece of paper out of a stack of thousands in an abandoned locale, but I'm hoping most people will agree it's unacceptable to take something like a worker's boots from an active building.
People who generally don't cause shit just for the sake of causing shit.
People who think it's probably not the best of ideas to share all information about a building publically.
I've tried to make something for everyone, and failed. Now it's time to make something for a smaller group, and hopefully make it way way better than ever before. I hope you, a member of UER, join me in this new way of doing things.
huskies - such fluff. |
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Roadwolf
   
The Wolf!
Location: Buffalo, NY (formerly Toronto, Canada)
Gender: Male
Living on the Road and Rails.
| |  | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 1 on 4/27/2005 4:31 PM >
| | | | agreed.. i am with ya on this one.
Add me on Skype or Steam: Roadwolf611
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oCtAnE
Location: TORONTO, CANADA
Gender: Male
EXPLORER AT LARGE
| | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 2 on 4/27/2005 4:59 PM >
| | | | Ditto. The new goal sounds like a great plan. Count me in.
-Octane
FUELED BY OCTANE. |
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Conundrum
Criticón
Location: GTA
Gender: Male
Now Entering The Bling Chamber
| | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 3 on 4/27/2005 5:15 PM >
| | | | Yea I agree 100%, and the site, since you run it, should be what you feel it should be like, and not what is dictated by people who don't even contribute to the greater good of the community.
Conundrum
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Carpe Noctem
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nostra-YOUPPI!
Umpire
Location: Shahre:'on Kaybec
Bonsoir et cest partie
| | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 4 on 4/27/2005 5:29 PM >
| | | | thats the way it should be AV
Montreal Expos 1969-2004 Forever Proud Lets Keep The Dream Alive |
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andrea
Location: Baltimore MD
Gender: Female
Apparently, I am heinous.
| | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 5 on 4/27/2005 5:31 PM >
| | | | Im down. You can't make every one happy, you tried to do a lot for a lot of people. The most vocal of those people shot you down a lot of the time, so hey screw them and do it for your self. I know I have gotten alot out of this site, a few new friends and some information about places around the world. So do what you think is best, and I know there are tons of people on this board that trust you. I wouldn't say you failed either, I think several people in the UE community failed all of us.
[last edit 4/27/2005 5:31 PM by andrea - edited 1 times]
This isn't boot camp and you are not a ninja. But you sure look like an idiot in that outfit.
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IIVQ
Location: La Sud-Est du cité majeur du North-Holland (Bijlmer), .NL
Gender: Male
Back in Urbex!
| |  |  | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 6 on 4/27/2005 5:31 PM >
| | | | I totally agree Avatar! This coincides with my "Urban Exploring Resource becomes Urban Exploring Community" post a while back.
I would only change the no-stealing part to something a little bit stronger, like "don't take unique artifacts from any site".
Tijmen
[last edit 4/27/2005 5:36 PM by IIVQ - edited 1 times]
Posted by MapMan | 18/9/2005 19:25 | Hedy Lamarr made porn?
Posted by turbozutek | 20/9/2005 2:29 | Dude, educate us! |
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Avatar-X
Alpha Husky
Location: West Coast
Gender: Male
yay!
| | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 7 on 4/27/2005 6:17 PM >
| | | | Posted by IIVQ
I would only change the no-stealing part to something a little bit stronger, like "don't take unique artifacts from any site".
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My post wasn't a set of rules, it was merely a guideline.
huskies - such fluff. |
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Spyder
Location: Ottawa
Gender: Male
Holy Fuck!!! There's a tree frog in the toilet!
| | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 8 on 4/27/2005 7:23 PM >
| | | | I agree with you Av. It's great now with the levels and rules.
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sleek
Gender: Male
| |  | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 9 on 4/27/2005 7:32 PM >
| | | | Sounds good. I feel that if I want to make all details public (generally i limit it to general area, for the address) then I will. Other than that very commendable.
Whats going on I wanna see... let me through I'm a nosy bastard |
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Archer
Location: Toronto, ON
Gender: Male
Imperator Sagittario
| | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 10 on 4/27/2005 7:38 PM >
| | | | 100% behind you on this, Av.
Abandoned UE - http://www.abandonedue.com
"We live in a twilight world... and there are no friends at dusk." |
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Jesus Jones
This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
Location: back in Belleville
Gender: Male
1973-2005
| | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 11 on 4/27/2005 7:48 PM >
|  | | | 100% behind ya Av.
[11:23:20] * nightbird looks at jj's crotch in amazement
[19:48:06] <Freak> YOUR TOAD A SPLODE
[22:04:21] <keti> in fact, im rather robotic Virginity does not collect intrest. -Andrea [15:44:19] <Kellogs> i'm part of a complete breakfast you know =P wait...that sounds so wrong |
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lordpook
Gender: Male
| | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 12 on 4/27/2005 7:59 PM >
| | | | Sounds great. I figured UER worked like this when I joined, it's nice to know it actually will. Sometime in the near future, I think it would be nice to have "commuinity" sections, where regional groups could make announcements, list members and locations...sort of a scaled down homepage. But I think you've go enough on your plate right now;) Perhaps you should add a version of this post to the about page though, for new members to see.
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McBain
Location: Kingston Ontario
Gender: Male
"My Ferrari! I had to do awful things to pay for her."
| | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 13 on 4/27/2005 9:26 PM >
| | | | Very well said and thought out Av. This is definitely the best community on the Internet for UE related discussion. The changes that you have made (Levelling system) is starting to work as expected. Anyways, what ever your plans are for the site, I am sure alot of us, including myself will be behind you 100 % to make this community even better.
McBain
My new film is a mixture of action and comedy. It's called McBain: Let's Get Silly." "The film is just me in front of a brick wall for an hour and a half. It cost eighty million dollars." |
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IanK1968
Location: Scarborough, Ontario
Gender: Male
| |  | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 14 on 4/27/2005 10:51 PM >
| | | | This is what I was looking for when I joined UER.CA God move AV. This will work alot better.
Today is tomorrows yesterday |
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Stewie
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Gender: Male
kill your idols
| | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 15 on 4/27/2005 10:55 PM >
| | | | I like this new direction, Av. You got my support.
-laughs out loud at the McBain picture-
> The hierarchy of power dictates that the person with the most power does the least amount of work and retains the highest benefit. |
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'Dukes
Noble Donor
Gender: Male
At least someone llikes me
| |  | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 16 on 4/28/2005 12:39 AM >
| | | | I'm NOT with you; in so much as I don't believe you DID fail. You didn't; the people that came here for trouble didn't REALLY cause trouble; they just made it very entertaining for the rest of us.
Not a community? Maybe not in a physical way, but I've talked to people in other countries because of this place; I even got a package from Australia (Thanks Panic, and yes yours is on the way, as soon as I complete it). And Asylonut wants to try some of the Vegemite he so kindly sent, so that's getting forwarded to MN.
In addition, the folks from the scattered "groups" seem to have come here, and although they sometimes say " I don't look at UER" (which is silly as it's just a website not a religion), but they always return to see what was said about them.
I'll admit , part of the appeal of the site is the layout; very interactive.
Other sites which shall remain nameless just seem "Dead"; you look at them and say "I've got better things to do".
I think you've done a nice job with the place but I think you've taken criticism to heart; 1 percent of the people complaining incessantly and causing trouble does not make for a bad community; in fact I'm surprised it's not more. Look at the amount of people here representing other "websites" if you will. They know damn well nobody is looking at "abandoned Alabama" (fictitious) . If they want to actually talk to other explorers they will come to the UER.
Ages? I've gotten PM's from folks 14 to 50! The young folks aren't rude and obnoxious, and the older crowd is just as interested as they were when they were young. I'm guessing the oldest member is 70 plus (NYXWITCH's dad) as we sort of railroaded him into membership); probably no posts but this guy is a wealth of knowlege).
Look at the chat for example; people are nice as can be; not because it's moderated, but because they want to have an interesting conversation. I was so impressed with the caliber of people here, that I helped one of them out financially, having never met them; within a day the money was electronically paid back! That's the type of person you've attracted.
In fact every person I've Personally met has been an upstanding individual. Not a freak vandal kid. Not a caustic personality; just a curious demeanor.
Wouldn't have happened if I didn't stumble onto this time warp called UER.
Av I think you've accomplished your goal; you'll never turn it into a Utopia where everyone is perfect, but any site that can hook me in for hours if I'm not careful?
I say mission accomplished.
And thanks for wasting half of my free time.
Your friendly neighborhood 'Dukes
I got your tour winner right here pussies, at least he'd crash out trying. |
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Sinister Crayon
Location: Colorado
Gender: Male
| | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 17 on 4/28/2005 1:11 AM >
| | | | Sounds pretty good. I'm in.
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Styrofoam15
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Gender: Male
| | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 18 on 4/28/2005 1:41 AM >
| | | | Good stuff. Can't please everyone these days. I know I've seen you take a lot of shit for supplying the community these resources.
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Jesus Jones
This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
Location: back in Belleville
Gender: Male
1973-2005
| | | Re: Theories about Communities (or UER's General Direction)
<Reply # 19 on 4/28/2005 1:44 AM >
| | | | Posted by 'Dukes
I'm NOT with you; in so much as I don't believe you DID fail. You didn't; the people that came here for trouble didn't REALLY cause trouble; they just made it very entertaining for the rest of us.
Not a community? Maybe not in a physical way, but I've talked to people in other countries because of this place; I even got a package from Australia (Thanks Panic, and yes yours is on the way, as soon as I complete it). And Asylonut wants to try some of the Vegemite he so kindly sent, so that's getting forwarded to MN.
In addition, the folks from the scattered "groups" seem to have come here, and although they sometimes say " I don't look at UER" (which is silly as it's just a website not a religion), but they always return to see what was said about them.
I'll admit , part of the appeal of the site is the layout; very interactive.
Other sites which shall remain nameless just seem "Dead"; you look at them and say "I've got better things to do".
I think you've done a nice job with the place but I think you've taken criticism to heart; 1 percent of the people complaining incessantly and causing trouble does not make for a bad community; in fact I'm surprised it's not more. Look at the amount of people here representing other "websites" if you will. They know damn well nobody is looking at "abandoned Alabama" (fictitious) . If they want to actually talk to other explorers they will come to the UER.
Ages? I've gotten PM's from folks 14 to 50! The young folks aren't rude and obnoxious, and the older crowd is just as interested as they were when they were young. I'm guessing the oldest member is 70 plus (NYXWITCH's dad) as we sort of railroaded him into membership); probably no posts but this guy is a wealth of knowlege).
Look at the chat for example; people are nice as can be; not because it's moderated, but because they want to have an interesting conversation. I was so impressed with the caliber of people here, that I helped one of them out financially, having never met them; within a day the money was electronically paid back! That's the type of person you've attracted.
In fact every person I've Personally met has been an upstanding individual. Not a freak vandal kid. Not a caustic personality; just a curious demeanor.
Wouldn't have happened if I didn't stumble onto this time warp called UER.
Av I think you've accomplished your goal; you'll never turn it into a Utopia where everyone is perfect, but any site that can hook me in for hours if I'm not careful?
I say mission accomplished.
And thanks for wasting half of my free time.
Your friendly neighborhood 'Dukes
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Wow, Dukes, you are SO right.
[11:23:20] * nightbird looks at jj's crotch in amazement
[19:48:06] <Freak> YOUR TOAD A SPLODE
[22:04:21] <keti> in fact, im rather robotic Virginity does not collect intrest. -Andrea [15:44:19] <Kellogs> i'm part of a complete breakfast you know =P wait...that sounds so wrong |
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