ANNOUNCEMENT: Boards Closing May 5 (New Date)

[JO_75]

5 hours ago, allblackraven said:

There you go - we're officially putting a blame for this disaster on @-Truth- and @Mt. Crushmore

I also blame @rmw10 as well. Teams found out that whichever team he took the players retired. So the rest of the NFL threw a fit lol.

[allblackraven]

36 minutes ago, -Truth- said:

It is a mistaken notion to automatically presume that the judgment behind the decision is sound simply because the decision was made. It essentially implies that there are no miscalculated decisions, which is obviously far from the truth. The most likely explanation behind the shutdown is that it’s a cost-cutting measure that can now be written off under the guise of an expected natural progression of migrating conversations to the more current and popular social media platforms, i.e. Facebook and Twitter, an unspoken declaration of forums being an outdated means of discussions. If this is the expectation, then we have been woefully misread as a demographic. As a long-standing member on this forum, I can personally attest to the fact that I have zero interest in migrating my sports conversations to the wholly unmoderated platforms that are the physical manifestation of thousands of people standing in a single room and talking at the same time. I certainly can’t speak for everyone, but I would assume that this would be less than ideal for a sizable portion of other seasoned members.

I’m on multiple social media sites, have been and will be. From personal experience, I can tell you that the vast majority of the football discussions that occur in the comments are a barren wasteland of misinformation, uninformed opinions, and arguments which turn into poo-flinging contest and personal insults that immediately stream away from the main topics of discussion. This is mostly because a great deal of sports fans are relatively casual observers, thus the bar set for general insight is significantly lower. Couple that with the lack of repercussions for trolling or steering off-course, and in reality, the aforementioned result no longer comes as a surprise. And ironically enough, although we do debate on other platforms under our real names and profiles, the fact that we are unlikely to see the same faces in other discussions considering the infinitely-deeper pool of participants makes the ordeal less personal in comparison. The entire reason of most members joining forums is because they have a vested interest in the details of the sport that is generally greater than that of a casual observer. It has a sense of community where there are long-term residents, so you can choose whom you gravitate towards and whom you gravitate away from. And there are rules for everyone to abide by that ensure that the overall sense of integrity is protected, that this remains a place for intelligent discussions. That doesn’t mean that you won’t see head-scratching concepts or ill-informed ideas tossed around. But it’s still a far more ideal experience than that of the other platforms. These are the points being missed in the migration. Instead, it's treated that if we like X, we must like Y. What’s being lost on whomever is pulling the plug is that most members will either cease to hold their discussions on the internet, migrate to another forum, or go through a progression from the first to the second. It is of no surprise that other forums were immediately explored once the news broke. And I personally hope to see the familiar faces there.

I love you, man!

[RavensFanMania]

18 minutes ago, The Mom Gene said:

too long for the average member to want to read.  That said.  If you're not sure of the reasoning or believe what the have said is the reasoning, as it doesn't fit your ideas, then you really cannot discount their reasoning. 

I certainly read it.  @-Truth- is a very good writer and makes his case and organizes his thoughts well.    Maybe it's too long for the average social media member to read, but definitely NOT too long for the knowledgeable Ravens fan from br.com.

 

[allblackraven]

22 minutes ago, The Mom Gene said:

too long for the average member to want to read.  That said.  If you're not sure of the reasoning or believe what the have said is the reasoning, as it doesn't fit your ideas, then you really cannot discount their reasoning. 

Exactly the point @-Truth- is making. The reason is the quest for numbers in a "flavour of the day" form, without any regard to substance.

[RavensFanMania]

16 minutes ago, The Mom Gene said:

Which got to be very difficult lately.

 

 

We have had plenty of great conversations on the forum, with a few bad.  Do you think it would be better on social media.  That should have been left off your recommendations when it was announced.  

It really is a shame that the Ravens decided cost cutting was the only decision they could make to keep a very good site intact with some pretty darn good members,  I look forward to continuing our discussions with them on another site, but would prefer it be on this website.  

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

Why exactly are the boards closing again? Main reason?

What is the main reason? Is there some kind of problem? Is it a cost factor involved? 

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

Couldn't you just do pop up adds to offset any cost? Or charge a registration fee?

[RavensFanMania]

2 minutes ago, OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL said:

Why exactly are the boards closing again? Main reason?

What is the main reason? Is there some kind of problem? Is it a cost factor involved? 

 

1 minute ago, OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL said:

Couldn't you just do pop up adds to offset any cost? Or charge a registration fee?

I'd pay that fee

[Moderator 3]

On 3/8/2017 at 9:56 AM, Admin 3 said:

After careful consideration, we have decided that we will sunset our message boards at the end of this month. Since we opened our boards a decade ago, the digital landscape has greatly evolved. While we understand there remains a smaller group of highly-engaged fans who participate in conversation in our forums, a significant amount of the dialogue about our team and our games has migrated away to other social media platforms over the past several years.

 

This is the reason we were given (1st post).  

My heart goes out to those members who don't really have another place to "talk" Ravens (like shut-ins, those living far away, etc.).  It's easy for me to have a conversation.  Heck, it happened in my dentist's office this morning.  For some, though, they have nobody but us to talk with.  

[K-Dog]

47 minutes ago, The Mom Gene said:

Which got to be very difficult lately.

 

 

With the "hide" feature engaged it is not only easy but pleasant as well.

[rossihunter2]

On 09/03/2017 at 5:36 PM, Admin 3 said:

We understand that the smaller group of regular board users here are extremely active and we very much value your avid support of our team.

This is the part of the reasoning that bugs me the most. Because there has been no evidence that they do actually value our "avid" support.

On 09/03/2017 at 5:36 PM, Admin 3 said:

And while trolls and negativity are present on those channels, we have seen (particularly over the last several years) an equal amount of trolling/attacking/negativity on these boards. (I realize the users may not have seen it, but just ask the mods how many inappropriate comments have needed to be removed from this community.)

And this unfortunately is the bit that feels almost disingenuously undervaluing the mods. Yes the mods may be dealing with more trolling and having to put in hard work but without them this board would essentially be a "budget" facebook - it is the mods taking away the trolling that allows conversation to take place - no one on this forum (I don't think) is debating that trolls are omnipresent but the reason none of us will talk football on facebook is because the mods cannot police it. The whole point is the users don't see the inappropriate comments etc. because that allows the community here to flourish.

These are the things that I cannot get my head around still - the greatest thing about this forum is its access to intelligent discussion (for the mostpart) for literally all comers from anywhere in the world. Now not to stereotype but there are a lot of people on these forums who do have access to people with whom they can discuss the NFL and the Ravens but almost all of us foreigners and I imagine many US Ravens fans don't have access to discussion like that and communicating with fans on Facebook and Twitter (as many have mentioned including Admin 3) is not a replacement... and this is where my issue lies because if we are valued as a community and a group of fans then why is there no replacement space? Where should we go?

I'm just disappointed, it's not that I don't think thought went into this decision, it's that I know thought did go into the decision and they still made this particular choice.

[ravensdfan]

In three days hence, these doors will close

No longer here will we find repose

Sweet farewell to all members here

Each in their way are held dear

When other forum doors we knock

We will remain this Ravens’ Flock

So travel safe and well my friends

Sadly all good things do meet their ends

I’ll close with a line we’ve all heard before,

“Quote the Raven, Nevermore”

 

 

[Underdogsontop!]

I've had a great time coming here to see and share info and opinions about our team. I've learned a lot about our team. The one thing we all have in common and passion for is this Ravens Nation! This forum brought us together in so many ways! We argue, fight, agree and disagree like family. We are all like brothers and sisters in this place. It's our own Ravens paraside I wish some way this could continue to be place of praise our Football Team! I hope you all get a chance to read my good bye and reply to me with the forum/website/etc you'll be moving on to. I'm Born send Raised Hawaii and I only have a Instagram. Feel free to follow and I'll follow back if I see ravens love on it. @fresh2deathbullies it's our family business of American Bullies and French Bulldogs. Thanks!

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

6 hours ago, allblackraven said:

There you go - we're officially putting a blame for this disaster on @-Truth- and @Mt. Crushmore

I blame the nine Imma roast on the last day. 

[Tank 92]

1 hour ago, The Mom Gene said:

too long for the average member to want to read.  That said.  If you're not sure of the reasoning or believe what the have said is the reasoning, as it doesn't fit your ideas, then you really cannot discount their reasoning. 

Regardless of the reasons for closing, suggesting the idea that boards like this can be replaced by Facebook, Twitter, etc. is ridiculous and demeaning to those that have shared knowledge and opinions here for the past 10 years. And while most don't post two or more lengthy paragraphs, I would venture a guess that most "average" members do read them when they are worth reading. That type of info exchange ain't happening on the popular social media outlets.

I am and always will be a die hard fan of the Ravens football team, but I have to say I've lost a lot of respect for this organization to make such a short sighted decision in shutting down the BR.com message boards. 

[The Mom Gene]

2 minutes ago, Tank 92 said:

Regardless of the reasons for closing, suggesting the idea that boards like this can be replaced by Facebook, Twitter, etc. is ridiculous and demeaning to those that have shared knowledge and opinions here for the past 10 years. And while most don't post two or more lengthy paragraphs, I would venture a guess that most "average" members do read them when they are worth reading. That type of info exchange ain't happening on the popular social media outlets.

I am and always will be a die hard fan of the Ravens football team, but I have to say I've lost a lot of respect for this organization to make such a short sighted decision in shutting down the BR.com message boards. 

I'm not sure it was short-sighted. I truly believe there was a lot of discussion and a lot of thought put into it. And as was stated, most other teams have done, or are doing the same. Change is always a difficult measure for most folks.

[Tank 92]

27 minutes ago, The Mom Gene said:

I'm not sure it was short-sighted. I truly believe there was a lot of discussion and a lot of thought put into it. And as was stated, most other teams have done, or are doing the same. Change is always a difficult measure for most folks.

Regardless of how much discussion or thought was put into it, it is extremely short sighted.  It's a sad day when any group buys into a notion or idea that endorses off the cuff, often mindless sentences rather than promoting thoughtful exchanges of opinion. Kind of a statement on why the basic art of intelligent communication is quickly dying. 

It's not about the difficulty of change, there will be new venues to continue on. It's about the lack of insight from what was a well respected organization. I think the hope was that this organization was different and more responsible than "most other teams". That disappointingly appears to not be the case. 

Edited Tuesday at 11:20 PM by Tank 92

[Tiznut]

Lol.  It's short sighted because you disagree with it.  Your opinion is short sighted because it lacks any depth of the discussion they had when deciding to go away from the mb.  

[Wisdom]

23 hours ago, rossihunter2 said:

i feel like you are a 15 year old from like 2007 who somehow time travelled to this exact forum thread because that's how dated some of your comebacks are...

LOL, I could less about your feelings.  Get over yourself and move on!!!!   Go Ravens.

[Tank 92]

Just now, Tiznut said:

Lol.  It's short sighted because you disagree with it.  Your opinion is short sighted because it lacks any depth of the discussion they had when deciding to go away from the mb.  

Nice!  Thanks for proving my point.    

[allblackraven]

2 minutes ago, Tiznut said:

Lol.  It's short sighted because you disagree with it.  Your opinion is short sighted because it lacks any depth of the discussion they had when deciding to go away from the mb.  

Good one! 

Are you one of those people allergic to text if it's longer than 140 characters?

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

1 hour ago, Moderator 3 said:

This is the reason we were given (1st post).  

My heart goes out to those members who don't really have another place to "talk" Ravens (like shut-ins, those living far away, etc.).  It's easy for me to have a conversation.  Heck, it happened in my dentist's office this morning.  For some, though, they have nobody but us to talk with.  

That sounds like a pathetic reason to be honest. Sounds like someone just doesnt want to be bothered. What a shame, there is no other forum like this one to bring real die hard fans who give a crap together. 

Very dissapointing to hear this, I really expected better from this organization. 

[Davesta]

Being from San Diego, I use this forum everyday to talk about the team I love. Now I know how San Diego fans are feeling with the chargers moving.. well not really. Still sad though. 

[RavensFanMania]

1 hour ago, The Mom Gene said:

I'm not sure it was short-sighted. I truly believe there was a lot of discussion and a lot of thought put into it. And as was stated, most other teams have done, or are doing the same. Change is always a difficult measure for most folks.

As a Ravens fan, one thing we pride ourselves in is our ability to do things the Ravens way.  We do things the right way without cutting corners.  I don't care what other organizations are doing.  That doesn't mean we have to do it that way, as you are implying.

some of the largest message boards have been in existence for much longer then thr Ravens Message Board.  One in particular that I'm aware of used to be a private site, however in 2005, that team purchased the message board and it is now owned and operated by that team and running strongly.  This team is in a top market and has a huge fan base.  The board is moderated well and although they have some trolls like any board, they have a lot of good conversation, like our board.  This board is still running strong and they aren't shutting their board down.  Maybe they should shut it down because everyone is doing so.

Such a shame.  Maybe we should do things differently than other organizations and keep thr flow of conversation going strong within thr fan base,  

In regards to change.  I take change very well and many change  is better. This is not better. Treat the fan base with respect. Shutting down this board is a HUGE MISTAKE

Edited yesterday at 12:34 AM by RavensFanMania

[gtalk12]

change is great, but I do not see how shutting down the boards is for the better. I have read the reason multiple times and it still does not make sense, if anything it feels like the boards did not make money....

 

I have been a member for years and occasionally popped in, now that I work in an office with my own space I had hoped to turn to this forum, not another one, to discuss the Ravens and learn from the OG's of this forum that clearly know the ins and outs of football.

 

I really hope you guys move over to that new purpleflock website, hopefully under our own watch we can create the community we always wanted...what we expected this one to be 

[RayRayRaven]

7 hours ago, The Mom Gene said:

We can agree to disagree on that.  If there were no good reason, then they wouldn't be shutting it down.

 

I will agree that it was a great place to bring Ravens fans together.  The site isn't going away.  Just the forums are.

mom u bean a good mod  an you guys kept the name callas from rulin the raven roost here.  prefer to make no censor and make fun of dose that are misleadin r team but those that will nevah figure a thing out for themselfs get to rude when they are being showed what they doan understan a thing or to. I went through the threads wich began in 2007 truth is the volum of post had dwindled down even by 2012 the champs yr. folks jus aint comin to post. thars a small kore of FO loyalist and smalla Kore of FO must go.  so all good things come to an end and Scout is there to continyou whar we left off.  but thank u and the otha mods for allowin fair talk now in the era of regress thars less fun hear and thats why its closin and we understan that.  we will have to talk with know lessars who thang we shuldna trade joe flacco and thats why the happy time is ovah and its the time of rebuilt now thanx for the memories

Edited yesterday at 01:07 AM by RayRayRaven

[RayRayRaven]

2 hours ago, ravensdfan said:

In three days hence, these doors will close

 

No longer here will we find repose

 

Sweet farewell to all members here

 

Each in their way are held dear

 

When other forum doors we knock

 

We will remain this Ravens’ Flock

 

So travel safe and well my friends

 

Sadly all good things do meet their ends

 

I’ll close with a line we’ve all heard before,

 

“Quote the Raven, Nevermore”

 

 

 

 

 

Impressive

[ellicottraven]

 

[JoeyFlex5]

5 hours ago, The Mom Gene said:

Which got to be very difficult lately.

 

 

Maybe if you were a good and educated fan you would see that no, it hasn't been. Maybe if you lurk around the news section and LFW comments all you see is poo flinging and cancer spewing idiots who create an account just to post a rant or 2 and never return. 

However, the ravens talk, draft, and fantasy talk sections are absolutely superb and pretty much self moderated as of those 3, ravens talk is the only one that mods ever post in. This also happens to be where the most in depth and educated football talk occurs.

[RayRayRaven]

4 hours ago, rossihunter2 said:

This is the part of the reasoning that bugs me the most. Because there has been no evidence that they do actually value our "avid" support.

And this unfortunately is the bit that feels almost disingenuously undervaluing the mods. Yes the mods may be dealing with more trolling and having to put in hard work but without them this board would essentially be a "budget" facebook - it is the mods taking away the trolling that allows conversation to take place - no one on this forum

rossi u only havta look in the mirror to see why this bd is closing.  you talk of avid support and but fer the mods havin to supress contrari opinon the conversashon culd go on with all hapily singin kumbayah. u doan understan how tuff u made their job.  anyon who called out oz and decost on their laim  moves the last five yrs u attackd and calld trolls hopin to stuffel there views so you culd sing the song of oz and his wizard way. u made there job imposible with ur wranglin desire to control speach here. becuz part of there job was to allow civil give an take.  u the reason they had to sink dis ship. corse the slide into football mediogre didna help.  when the ravens were flyin high there was less disagremant with the front office. that era is ovah and rossi you wiff ur otha ozzies sunk dis ship cuz you culdna debate what to do civily