|
|
Post by Zippy on Jun 7, 2014 11:24:25 GMT
Apologies for not replying sooner RT. I've challenged the Admin. on the DD site in the past and now banned for life, calling them dictatorial' was probably too much for there ego's to take. You're right when it comes to information being available on the www. but many people like to get in to a conversation about the fine art of certain subjects, asking those who actually have first hand experience, the do's and don'ts etc. Over on the Forum Facebook page they vehemently deny they are in the pocket of LU but it's as clear as day they are, they've lost a substantial amount of LU staff (they admitted that) simply because of the way it's now run and if they carry on the way they are more and more people will defect until it either folds or just becomes another wayside forum which would be a great shame as that is not what Dave Maloney wanted. As with so many members of this group, Dave Maloney was a great friend of mine and I know he wasn't too happy about the direction his site was taking after handing over day to day control. After he was so prematurely taken from us, I'm sure he will be turning in his grave at the way it's run now. I'd like to think that he would support the ethics of this group as the way he would like to see things done properly. |
|
|
|
Post by railtechnician on Jun 7, 2014 12:37:13 GMT
Apologies for not replying sooner RT. I've challenged the Admin. on the DD site in the past and now banned for life, calling them dictatorial' was probably too much for there ego's to take. You're right when it comes to information being available on the www. but many people like to get in to a conversation about the fine art of certain subjects, asking those who actually have first hand experience, the do's and don'ts etc. Over on the Forum Facebook page they vehemently deny they are in the pocket of LU but it's as clear as day they are, they've lost a substantial amount of LU staff (they admitted that) simply because of the way it's now run and if they carry on the way they are more and more people will defect until it either folds or just becomes another wayside forum which would be a great shame as that is not what Dave Maloney wanted. As with so many members of this group, Dave Maloney was a great friend of mine and I know he wasn't too happy about the direction his site was taking after handing over day to day control. After he was so prematurely taken from us, I'm sure he will be turning in his grave at the way it's run now. I'd like to think that he would support the ethics of this group as the way he would like to see things done properly. I didn't know Dave although I've no doubt that our paths would've crossed at some time as I spent a lot of time both travelling and working on the District line. DD was a real credit to him and I always felt it a place where professionals could openly discuss aspects of the job with the like minded and at the same time educate both enthusiasts and those members of the travelling fraternity with their questions. Ever since his untimely passing it has been more than frustrating to see the DD mods use his name to back their ever more draconian restrictions upon what can and cannot be discussed. There was a time when LT was an open book, indeed when I began my LT career I was amazed at just how open it was compared to the Post Office where I began my working life. Corporate LUL is a totally different animal with lots of non-railwaymen at many levels of the company. These days data protection, security and in particular anti-terrorism are cited as reasons for treating all and sundry as 'mushrooms'. It suits those with a little knowledge to think that banning particular topics is a method of maintaining security, keeping respect for people and is simply doing the right thing. Nothing could be further from the truth, people die every day of the week, some in unfortunate incidents, some of natural causes, few from terrorist activity. Terrorism in the UK is not new, it has been around in London all my working life, what is new is the idea that not talking about it or pretty much anything else keeps us all safe. Similarly I do not see the questions and discussion arising from any incident as being off limits on the grounds of respect or the idea that it may show LUL or its staff in a bad light. These are the hallmarks of an organisation that is 'managed' from without. Never forget that censorship may also be a form of terrorism and surprise surprise discussing that is also frowned upon at best. Many of the best contributors to DD are either no longer there or are sitting on the sidelines for good reason. Most of what I see there these days is day to day 'dross' and drivel because there is little else that can be mentioned without someone looking to slap a wrist or worse. All the best info was in the message archive and I believe that much of that is no longer accessible. |
|
|
|
Post by Nortube on Jun 8, 2014 16:41:37 GMT
Although I normally pop in to have a read, I'm not a DD member. I've not bothered because I'd no doubt get banned after a few posts! Weren't they going to run a two-tier system on the forum?. From what I recall, those posts seeming too informative etc. being only available to members to read. However, as it is easy to become a member, I don't see how that stops Mr terrorist or Mr grafitti artist or Mr cable thief etc. from finding out any information. I vaguly seem to remember that postings on S stock delivery dates(?) or something were banned at LU or BTP request. Yet anther example of the big brother "do as we say" that is taking over this country. I agree with what you say. The use of "terrorism" and other such things by companies is just used as a get-out. Look at working timetables. Originally banned, then relased under Freedom of Information requests. Now LU have finally seen common sense (or got fed up with all the FOI requests and the work they generated) and actually have them freely available to download, even though they still say "Private - for staff use only" on the cover of the new ones issued in May! www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/working-timetablesI've no idea why it was seen fit to ban working timetables from the public eye. unless it was to hide how bad the service is running under "Good Service" compared to what the timetable says it should be! After all, any grafitti artist or cable thief etc. knows when the last train should have departed just by looking at the First and Last Times information that LU make available everywhere. I can understand some things, being banned (or parts censored on a FOI), but I seem to remember that signalling changes were censored out on a FOI once. Can't have people knowing that a FRL has been moved back one metre or a starter now has a co-acting signal or, heaven forbid, an additional repeater has been added to reduce SPADs! |
|
quokka
Station Foreman
Trying to be good however not always managing it......................................
Posts: 82 
|
Post by quokka on Jun 10, 2014 5:24:50 GMT
Having been on a few different forums and knowing what goes on in them, just note that there will be people on this forum reporting back to this DD site exactly what is being said, written and discussed and probably vice versa. Q Quokka, if that's the case then it's fine by me and the others who set this Forum up. We stand for free speech without interference from outside sources, this Forum is generally moderated by it's members.
I wasn't aware (how stupid of me) that not all the Moderators on DD aren't singing from the same song sheet but I'm not surprised, if they feel disillusioned they can always come and join this Forum.
Apologies for late response, I've been away.
I hope you had a fantastic time away (where's my postcard?). Not even sure what this DD site is all about. Just didn't want some posters to put their foot in it thinking no one else knows what they write about.. Q |
|
