Why I posted the poll

[techbeck]

It's flamebait because of the wording, the lack of serious options and the lack of any useful context and explanation.

Its flame bait because people cannot respond intelligently and voice opinions that are insulting and filled with way to much emotion.

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

It makes me laugh, members defend free speech, the right to carry arms, etc etc, but the second Apple is in danger of being knocked off their high horse it's a completely different story

Poll should have remained

Yes it should have an maybe people do not like Apple due to the company's attitude that we are better than everyone else.

[jakem1]

Its flame bait because people cannot respond intelligently and voice opinions that are insulting and filled with way to much emotion.

Agreed. The poll is the cause and the responses are the effect.

[djdanster]

If you use the proper Browser you can quote it.

You have to manually insert the quote like you did in your last post directed to me. You can multiquote and such, but to save space with IPB3+, IPS changed the conversation to collapse by default and then Neowin changed it to just off. That's from my experience with IPB anyway.

And.... back on topic as I don't intend to derail the thread...

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

I WILL be linked to members who might have left just due to that front page poll and hence I'll throw in my hat into this thread.

I did not leave due to the poll, but the way staff came across in this instance (granted this thread was actually a shining example of how to react to such things, no sarcasm) and a bunch more, also due to front page news quality in general and the community (partly).

I've long been thinking about leaving and today's discussion actually brought up those thoughts again on a Sunday with not much to do so I took my time to think about it and I'm not leaving without shedding a tear, because this community can be so much much more than what it sadly can also be.

I'm not going to a community I don't feel welcome at anymore, so I'm packing my stuff and leave.

I might come back again sometime, but as things stand now, I won't.

I've also received a great response by Barney, probably one of the best staff members around and he's sad to see me go.

I've noticed those who said they are happy to see me go and those who are not happy about it.

I hope Neowin gets back on track again, 2 years ago this was still a glorious place and I wouldn't have thought about leaving.

I really enjoyed my stay and maybe one day I'll come back, until then I'm going to invest the time into offline life.

Glassed Silver:mac

You will be missed especially in The Firefox section.

[techbeck]

Agreed. The poll is the cause and the responses are the effect.

Cause is unintelligent immature people posting and the effect is a flame war. Should be able to post whatever without it turning into a battle.

[Nothing Here]

No. Cause is how people word their topics. How people respond is the effect. If someone words a topic considerately, there usually aren't any flame wars. At least not until the resident trolls get a whiff of it. Of which there are a lot here.

[Cheatyface]

I'd find this 'apology' more sincere if this hadn't been posted: https://www.neowin.net/forum/statuses/id/71530/

The OP reeks of "I'm only saying sorry because I was told to."

[Growled Member]

I shouldn't have to ask for intelligent responses, but your point has been noted

Exactly. We have too many fanboys here for any intelligent responses. I've stop even trying. I sure am glad I missed it all.

[Charisma Veteran]

I'd find this 'apology' more sincere if this hadn't been posted: http://www.neowin.ne...tuses/id/71530/

The OP reeks of "I'm only saying sorry because I was told to."

Trust me, I can tell you that wasn't the case.

He apologised simply because it caused such a problem. I don't even really think he needed to at all, but he felt he did, so he did.

[ShMaunder]

Great to see Scorpus respond in the way he has.

To be honest, I'm glade you made the poll as it now goes to show who the real cry babies are on here who react to something as stupid as this.

I made a post or two in that thread Scorpus linked to.

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1133156-has-neowin-hit-a-all-time-low-if-so-one-day-boycott/page__st__60__p__595483256#entry595483256

The reason I was concerned is the kind of attraction that specific poll might bring in terms of new members to the site/forums. The front page is the "portal" as such for new members to register and join the community. Would you prefer members signing up to comment on a article like that or something that is well researched and factual? What kind of future posts will these members contribute to the site? There's enough trolling in specific threads on these forums (and to be honest, on the Internet in general), and that is with the great moderation team Neowin has which makes a great community.

Am I labelled as a cry baby for my post or just a member that doesn't want a bunch of new "trolololol" type of members joining for sh*ts and giggles? Leave that to some of the lower quality blog sites that want those kind of members in their community.

I might be bias because I'm not interested in any Microsoft or Apple news anymore; but I feel the focus of Neowin articles are over reported, recycled news where the only thing left to discuss is immaturely insulting others (or comments such as "this isn't news, it was reported on x 3 days ago"). Take a look back when Neowin had Shift, Autopatcher, UXTheme, Microsoft exclusives (which got Neowin on BBC News) amongst other things and the kind of members that attracted. I of course might be wrong, have no statistics to backup anything, admit I've not been active here lately and secretly want more open source like articles to attract people to the Linux forum section :D

[Scorpus Veteran]

The OP reeks of "I'm only saying sorry because I was told to."

I wasn't told to say sorry by anyone, just to clear that up

I might be bias because I'm not interested in any Microsoft or Apple news anymore; but I feel the focus of Neowin articles are over reported, recycled news where the only thing left to discuss is immaturely insulting others (or comments such as "this isn't news, it was reported on x 3 days ago"). Take a look back when Neowin had Shift, Autopatcher, UXTheme, Microsoft exclusives (which got Neowin on BBC News) amongst other things and the kind of members that attracted.

These days it's much harder to get Microsoft exclusives because in the past we leaked so much stuff and made them remarkably angry. It's a long road to repairing relationships with Microsoft, but we're trying our best.

[paesan]

Pulling this article is a very sad situation. I just came back to the site to read additional comments on the article to find that it has been removed. This was a poll, of course some people would be offended. Maybe Neowin should just abandon all polls as these polls will offend a certain % of the readers. I am shocked that this has been removed and makes me consider if I should waste my time on this site anymore.

This poll asked of an opinion and because some readers did not like the results and comments, the poll was removed. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MorganX]

If you had posted a "Do you hate Windows 8 poll" it would have generated heated debate and a lot of immaturity and fanboyism, but no one would have called for a boycott of neowin.

That was just absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable. The person that did that should probably get off line, and stay offline.

[superconductive]

Pulling this article is a very sad situation. I just came back to the site to read additional comments on the article to find that it has been removed. This was a poll, of course some people would be offended. Maybe Neowin should just abandon all polls as these polls will offend a certain % of the readers. I am shocked that this has been removed and makes me consider if I should waste my time on this site anymore.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the idea behind the poll. But I think most would agree that the poor wording suggested that neowin promoted hatred and divisiveness.

[McKay]

All you did was ask a question, a simple yes or no question. I can't see what the backlash was about.

[Rohdekill]

Why would you even find a need to create the poll? Simply reviewing a few threads is more than efficient proof that some feel strongly against Apple. Would your article have changed at all based on a percentage response?

[superconductive]

I'd find this 'apology' more sincere if this hadn't been posted: http://www.neowin.ne...tuses/id/71530/

The OP reeks of "I'm only saying sorry because I was told to."

We've all made our fair share of mistakes. And the apology for the initial overreaction appeared sincere to me.

[paesan]

Why would you even find a need to create the poll? Simply reviewing a few threads is more than efficient proof that some feel strongly against Apple. Would your article have changed at all based on a percentage response?

The poll was created to produce results. Reviewing and analyzing threads does not produce the results that a yes or no poll would produce. Why not ask the same question in regards to Microsoft and Google. I support both of these companies but in no way would feel offended if the same poll was asked. What has happened to society that people are so offended by such little things.

[fusi0n]

Keeping this short since I am posting from my phone.

I don't think it was just the poll that caused all of this.. What happened was a build up from the past couple of years with members flaming others and acting dumb ass kids. Mac and Linux users have to be careful now posting here because of all the criticism they get from these rude closed minded childish members. This poll was just that last push that pushed all of this flame hate build up over the edge. Mods don't do a good job and take sides. I remember many many moons ago here, I got a warning for replying to someone that was having issues with Internet explorer saying they should give Firefox a try.. A ****ing warning over that.. Now, crap likes that happens every minute here. A lot of members have ruined this community. I hope all of this sheds light to the higher ups and start to take charge. Hire more mods? I don't know.. Just my two cents..

[nohone]

On a daily basis there are a group of people who, if you don't praise Apple, they will start with the attacks and name calling of hater. In the original article I stated some of the times when I have personally been called a hater: I asked a question of how I could setup iTunes to watch a folder and automatically add new items - I am a hater; Someone mocks Apple over their dropping stock price and I said it was not called for - I am a hater; I say that I use my Surface more than my iPad - I am a hater. Then in this very forum post, we have people stating that those who like and use Microsoft products are like a "cult," and we hear over and over that they are ruining this site, and need to keep quiet.

So if you use Apple/Google/whatever products, you are a hater. If you don't use Apple/Google/whatever products, you are a hater. If you support a product in the same way that others support Apple/Google/whatever, you are a hater. And when people are asked the question if you are a hater, then it becomes a horrible, offensive, trolling, flamebait, personal attack on some of the people who read this site.

From now on, when I am called a hater or have people saying I am being a cultist, or when I am told I am destroying this site by supporting a product in the same way that others support their favorite product, I will be sure to click that little report button and report the personal attack.

Edit: A perfect example is the post above mine.

these rude closed minded childish members

But it is the other people causing problems on this site. They are the ones that are launching the attacks, but calling everyone who does not agree with you is rude, closed minded, and childish.

[Nothing Here]

All you did was ask a question, a simple yes or no question. I can't see what the backlash was about.

How about others who have just asked a simple question or posted for help and then get told to leave (insert OS here) and go back to Windows because it's the best and just works? But it's all well and good as long as no one bashes on Windows.

[fusi0n]

Nohone, I wasn't calling them childish because of products they used. Because of how they reply with rude and childish behavior.

Also NoHone, did you even read what I posted? I never said if they didn't agree with me.. Jesus. I'm always open to other options and what they have to say.

[nohone]

Nohone, I wasn't calling them childish because of products they used. Because of how they reply with rude and childish behavior.

Also NoHone, did you even read what I posted? I never said if they didn't agree with me.. Jesus. I'm always open to other options and what they have to say.

I have received warnings and had my posts deleted for simple things. I wrote the other day that one person was being condescending when he told me that I didn't understand how something worked, and he, the Apple user, would tell me the right way. That post was deleted and I was warned, so you are not the only one who have their posts deleted without real justification.

Honestly, I don't know you and don't recall ever reading one of your posts so I cannot agree nor disagree with you on how open minded you are. But what you wrote is typical - complaining about how Linux/Mac users are so put down upon, and then start calling those who you feel names - the very thing that you are complaining about.

I am just tired of people who complain that their favorite is attacked while something that is not their favorite is untouchable around here. I have replied to comments about Win8/WP stores where someone will say that there are no good apps. I point out the similarities between the iOS top 10 and Win8/WP top 10, and told flat out that I am a hater who is ruining Neowin and just waiting to attack those simply express their opinions. It is perfectly OK to start mocking Win8/WP, but provide facts - not opinions but factual data and information - and it is as if I killed a box full of puppies and kittens.

[Tom]