Post by QPR Report on Oct 12, 2009 7:34:16 GMT
EDIT a couple of years - "Launched" October 12 2008! I'll say no more (bar what I wrote back below)
"We Few, we Happy Few, we band of brothers"
October 12, 2010
Today marks two years since the QPR Report Messageboard was born as a "companion" to then several-year-old QPR Report Blog. My goal for this board was for it to be a quasi-blog/quasi-messageboard - yes with Macmoish-style "copy and pasting" - which would focus solely on QPR and football matters. No politics. No current events. No popular culture. No babes of the day. And with a board civility which would serve as meeting point for people of all perspectives.
So after two years: I'd first like to take this occasion to thank everyone: The various QPR Report Moderators both active and honorary (including two early moderators no longer associated with this board); Beyond moderating and trying to set a tone to the board, the various stylystic changes to just how this board looks is due to the activity of my fellow moderators.
And of course, I'd like to thank the posters, the signers on; the visitors. I'd even like to thank the "Detractors" - who have striven so strenuously to denigrate this site - and have failed so miserably in their efforts! A clear exemplar of Nietzsche's "What does not destroy me, makes me stronger." And the counterpart, makes these detractors look even stupider and more pathetic.
I'd say in most respects, this site has more than matched my original hopes and aspirations. As the board has developed and evolved and grown (and matured) and gotten hopefully ever-better: I would say (or at least hope) that it has become increasingly a communal site, rather than a site reflecting the views and interests of just one person or a small "clique."
To the degree that this board continues to grow and improve, lies very much in the hands of the posters rather than me or my fellow moderators
The moderators attempt to be unobtrusive, not trying to pursue an agenda; or direct discussion, etc. And of course with only discussion board, we don't try and minimize topics wedon't like. We might (and do) make mistakes, and we try to learn from those mistakes; we may disagree but we're never going to deliberately make up stories or facts. We're never going to act as the conduit for anyone at the club. Right or wrong, we will always be completely independent - and not confuses QPR owners or staffers as being the true essence of what is QPR. And criticism of staff people is not criticism of our club.
There's been an interesting phenomenon: Unlike most other QPR boards, we have been the subject of concerted criticism, denigration and attack on the part of a few people (who really need no naming). Thay have both come onto this site and tried to deliberately instigate; or have posted a slew of anti-QPR Report posts elsewhere. in some instances the very inanity -even quasi conspiratorial nature of some of these anti-QPR Reports postings, reveal so much more about the posters putting out such material than it does about QPR Report.
We've also seen various threats of a legal kind. Something I never thought would come from one QPR fan to another.
Do I wish even more people would post here? Of course? Do I wish more people who "find" something of interest on this site and then post it elsewhere, would acknowledge this site? Again, of Course! Do I wish that there was far more cross-fertilizing between various QPR Sites? Once again, of course. But that's a choice every site and every poster has to make.
Now I am obviously cognizant of the fact that these kind of anniversary posts often invite laudatory comments (which certainly won't be banned!) But as always, this site does strive to improve, so suggestions for improvement are always welcome.
Anyway thanks again
However much we continue to grow, I hope this board will never adopt the hubris of "We're #1" and always retain the ethos of "We Few, we Happy Few, we band of brothers."
Onwards and Upwards
What I posted a year ago
Marking Two Years of QPR Report: An Evaluation
First a big thanks to everyone who has visited this board and especially to all who have posted.
Thanks to everyone who has agreed to become a moderator. (And yes, the future will hopefully see yet more moderators ) And an invitation to anyone who visits to join in and offer your perspective. 
I did a toy with the idea of NOT doing what some might have rather-easily predicted that I would do! Offer a "One Year Flashback: The Launch of QPR Report." But given that I do "Flashbacks" and "Anniversaries" for almost everything else QPR, so why not for QPR Report? And those inclined to mock, would just find something else to mock! And it's probably a useful thing to do.
So hopefully without engaging in too-much navel-gazing: This is more streams of consciousness, rather than a compact "Year Review." Sorry!
I have no interest in this thread becoming either an "In Praise of QPR Report" (or an attack on any other QPR messageboard)
But I am interested in how this site can be improved - as long as such improvements don't entail changing the very raison d'etre which led me to start yet another QPR messageboard. I have no interest in this site focusing on non-QPR/non-football subjects.
I started this site (which I describe elsewhere as a combination messageboard and quasi-blog). I did hope that this site could be somewhat netural. Not that people (including the moderators) shouldn't hold and express views. But that all views should be freely expressed without personal attacks. Has this completely happened? I'll leave that to others. But the hope remains. And that was one of the primary reasons that I asked people from all the other QPR boards to join up as moderators. And I'm very grateful to all those that did (And the offer remains open to those who did not)
Looking at this site as objectively as I can do - I think that as an information source re QPR matters, big and small; curent and past (with the exception of course of "ostensibly In The Know" posts) this is a pretty good site packed with QPR and general football information. and very very often this QPR board (along with the blog) were the first site (and in quite a number of instances) the only QPR site to offer some snippet of QPR information.
Regardless of what other sites do (It is sometimes amusing to read on this other site material clearly gotten from this site) - There is no quid-pro-quo, we'll continue posting on this site links to articles of interest or posts of interest that are on other sites. If it's of QPR interest, then people on this site are probably interested.
I've certainly made some mistakes. I think I learned from them. I think briefly banning Weavie was something I shouldn't have done. But overall with a few exceptions, this site relies on people self-moderating.
Most of the other QPR sites have basically ignored this site. Neither praising, nor focusing, nor criticizing this site. On the rare occasion linking to a post on this site. (This of course is the general norm among QPR Sites) One site however of course has adopted a rather different approach, chosing to mock, denigrate.
Obviously there is a considerably greater number of readers than posters. Would I like more posters and viewers? Of course. This board was designed not to attract the maximum number of posters and viewers per se. It was designed to meet a certain perceived gap. If people are interested in such a board, fabulous. If they're not, well this board is not going to change to try and attract additional poster. This is not a popularity contest.
I regret the decision of certain people to cease posting. Despite our differences - some of which were very strong, I am appreciative of the fact that Scott was I believe this site's first moderator representative' of another site. And whatever else he may have posted, I've always been highly appreciative over for why Scott resigned as a moderator of that other site (even though of course he's back there now). And I was appreciative of Myu's signing on here. Should they ever want to return, the door is open.
Finally a reminder: I as much as anyone have strong differences with certain other posters on other sites. But be that as it may, still want to adhere to the dictum of this site: To disagree without being disagreeable. And to welcome all.
Now whether people avail themselves of this opportunity to post here is not in our hands. And if people very publicly announce their departures: That's their choice. They're not being banned whatever QPR views they hold However I am asking people to be polite. I'm not asking that they neuter themselves!
So thanks to everyone: That I made a number of QPR posters happy with this site is a positive, I'd say.
As I have in my "tag line" to my posts: "Welcome to the QPR Report messageboard: A completely Independent board, which focuses solely on football (QPR and general); never deliberately misleads its readers; actively encourages links to other QPR sites' postings; and treats with respect the views of all posters -regardless of "perspective! Welcome!" - "The dogs bark but the caravan moves on!"
So onward and upward - and G-d willing, the QPR Report Messageboard will still be here this time next year
Thanks again
Mike/QPR Report
"We Few, we Happy Few, we band of brothers"
October 12, 2010
Today marks two years since the QPR Report Messageboard was born as a "companion" to then several-year-old QPR Report Blog. My goal for this board was for it to be a quasi-blog/quasi-messageboard - yes with Macmoish-style "copy and pasting" - which would focus solely on QPR and football matters. No politics. No current events. No popular culture. No babes of the day. And with a board civility which would serve as meeting point for people of all perspectives.
So after two years: I'd first like to take this occasion to thank everyone: The various QPR Report Moderators both active and honorary (including two early moderators no longer associated with this board); Beyond moderating and trying to set a tone to the board, the various stylystic changes to just how this board looks is due to the activity of my fellow moderators.
And of course, I'd like to thank the posters, the signers on; the visitors. I'd even like to thank the "Detractors" - who have striven so strenuously to denigrate this site - and have failed so miserably in their efforts! A clear exemplar of Nietzsche's "What does not destroy me, makes me stronger." And the counterpart, makes these detractors look even stupider and more pathetic.
I'd say in most respects, this site has more than matched my original hopes and aspirations. As the board has developed and evolved and grown (and matured) and gotten hopefully ever-better: I would say (or at least hope) that it has become increasingly a communal site, rather than a site reflecting the views and interests of just one person or a small "clique."
To the degree that this board continues to grow and improve, lies very much in the hands of the posters rather than me or my fellow moderators
The moderators attempt to be unobtrusive, not trying to pursue an agenda; or direct discussion, etc. And of course with only discussion board, we don't try and minimize topics wedon't like. We might (and do) make mistakes, and we try to learn from those mistakes; we may disagree but we're never going to deliberately make up stories or facts. We're never going to act as the conduit for anyone at the club. Right or wrong, we will always be completely independent - and not confuses QPR owners or staffers as being the true essence of what is QPR. And criticism of staff people is not criticism of our club.
There's been an interesting phenomenon: Unlike most other QPR boards, we have been the subject of concerted criticism, denigration and attack on the part of a few people (who really need no naming). Thay have both come onto this site and tried to deliberately instigate; or have posted a slew of anti-QPR Report posts elsewhere. in some instances the very inanity -even quasi conspiratorial nature of some of these anti-QPR Reports postings, reveal so much more about the posters putting out such material than it does about QPR Report.
We've also seen various threats of a legal kind. Something I never thought would come from one QPR fan to another.
Do I wish even more people would post here? Of course? Do I wish more people who "find" something of interest on this site and then post it elsewhere, would acknowledge this site? Again, of Course! Do I wish that there was far more cross-fertilizing between various QPR Sites? Once again, of course. But that's a choice every site and every poster has to make.
Now I am obviously cognizant of the fact that these kind of anniversary posts often invite laudatory comments (which certainly won't be banned!) But as always, this site does strive to improve, so suggestions for improvement are always welcome.
Anyway thanks again
However much we continue to grow, I hope this board will never adopt the hubris of "We're #1" and always retain the ethos of "We Few, we Happy Few, we band of brothers."
Onwards and Upwards
What I posted a year ago
Marking Two Years of QPR Report: An Evaluation
First a big thanks to everyone who has visited this board and especially to all who have posted.
Thanks to everyone who has agreed to become a moderator. (And yes, the future will hopefully see yet more moderators ) And an invitation to anyone who visits to join in and offer your perspective. 
I did a toy with the idea of NOT doing what some might have rather-easily predicted that I would do! Offer a "One Year Flashback: The Launch of QPR Report." But given that I do "Flashbacks" and "Anniversaries" for almost everything else QPR, so why not for QPR Report? And those inclined to mock, would just find something else to mock! And it's probably a useful thing to do.
So hopefully without engaging in too-much navel-gazing: This is more streams of consciousness, rather than a compact "Year Review." Sorry!
I have no interest in this thread becoming either an "In Praise of QPR Report" (or an attack on any other QPR messageboard)
But I am interested in how this site can be improved - as long as such improvements don't entail changing the very raison d'etre which led me to start yet another QPR messageboard. I have no interest in this site focusing on non-QPR/non-football subjects.
I started this site (which I describe elsewhere as a combination messageboard and quasi-blog). I did hope that this site could be somewhat netural. Not that people (including the moderators) shouldn't hold and express views. But that all views should be freely expressed without personal attacks. Has this completely happened? I'll leave that to others. But the hope remains. And that was one of the primary reasons that I asked people from all the other QPR boards to join up as moderators. And I'm very grateful to all those that did (And the offer remains open to those who did not)
Looking at this site as objectively as I can do - I think that as an information source re QPR matters, big and small; curent and past (with the exception of course of "ostensibly In The Know" posts) this is a pretty good site packed with QPR and general football information. and very very often this QPR board (along with the blog) were the first site (and in quite a number of instances) the only QPR site to offer some snippet of QPR information.
Regardless of what other sites do (It is sometimes amusing to read on this other site material clearly gotten from this site) - There is no quid-pro-quo, we'll continue posting on this site links to articles of interest or posts of interest that are on other sites. If it's of QPR interest, then people on this site are probably interested.
I've certainly made some mistakes. I think I learned from them. I think briefly banning Weavie was something I shouldn't have done. But overall with a few exceptions, this site relies on people self-moderating.
Most of the other QPR sites have basically ignored this site. Neither praising, nor focusing, nor criticizing this site. On the rare occasion linking to a post on this site. (This of course is the general norm among QPR Sites) One site however of course has adopted a rather different approach, chosing to mock, denigrate.
Obviously there is a considerably greater number of readers than posters. Would I like more posters and viewers? Of course. This board was designed not to attract the maximum number of posters and viewers per se. It was designed to meet a certain perceived gap. If people are interested in such a board, fabulous. If they're not, well this board is not going to change to try and attract additional poster. This is not a popularity contest.
I regret the decision of certain people to cease posting. Despite our differences - some of which were very strong, I am appreciative of the fact that Scott was I believe this site's first moderator representative' of another site. And whatever else he may have posted, I've always been highly appreciative over for why Scott resigned as a moderator of that other site (even though of course he's back there now). And I was appreciative of Myu's signing on here. Should they ever want to return, the door is open.
Finally a reminder: I as much as anyone have strong differences with certain other posters on other sites. But be that as it may, still want to adhere to the dictum of this site: To disagree without being disagreeable. And to welcome all.
Now whether people avail themselves of this opportunity to post here is not in our hands. And if people very publicly announce their departures: That's their choice. They're not being banned whatever QPR views they hold However I am asking people to be polite. I'm not asking that they neuter themselves!
So thanks to everyone: That I made a number of QPR posters happy with this site is a positive, I'd say.
As I have in my "tag line" to my posts: "Welcome to the QPR Report messageboard: A completely Independent board, which focuses solely on football (QPR and general); never deliberately misleads its readers; actively encourages links to other QPR sites' postings; and treats with respect the views of all posters -regardless of "perspective! Welcome!" - "The dogs bark but the caravan moves on!"
So onward and upward - and G-d willing, the QPR Report Messageboard will still be here this time next year
Thanks again
Mike/QPR Report
but frankly its made a great difference in my life and brought QPR to life in a way few others could.
