SDS Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 So, welcome everyone - I think. I'm going to be honest, I'm fairly nervous about this. We have had over 100 registrations in the last 24 hours and I'm not really sure how this will play out, but I'm willing to give it a shot with your cooperation. Brief site history lesson: My name is Scott and I started this website in September 1996. It was hosted on Geocities and its primary purpose was to advertise for my newly formed Bills Backers Club in Maryland. Being a Mac user, I knew nothing about computers, but I am also an engineer so I just rolled up my sleeves and got to work. I quickly realized that I would need to provide regular updates to the site if I wanted people to visit and help me get the word out. That then changed the focus of the site from a club recruitment tool to an outlet for Bills fans. We were in business for years before the NFL ever thought of starting to get involved with the internet. In Feb. of 1998, The Rochester D&C had a message board called HyperBills and they shut it down for a month or so, as it had spiraled out of control. Many posters there emailed me asking if I could add a MB feature to TBD. I think I had it up by the afternoon... Those who came - stayed and that's when we really took off. (So, we have been at this for over 20 years and the Stadium Wall just turned 19). Millions and millions of posts later and deja vu. Board Culture: Although today is probably different from yesteryear, I founded the community with the following goals in mind: 1. A place that I enjoy being around. 2. A place where smart adults would be willing to hang. This doesn't mean everyone needed/needs to be an egghead, just that the average level of discourse needed to be high enough not to chase valuable contributors away. I often contrasted us to the old usenet communities that were unmoderated filth that no educated person would ever associate with for any length of time. 3. That the way I would build this community was neither right nor wrong. Just my way. One of many equally valid ways. 4. That this community could not serve the needs of every fan. Some may want less moderation, some more moderation. We can only choose one path and we know that it could never make everyone happy. 5. Cater to adults over kids. No graphics in signatures and other busy layout schemes. In fact, the text based sigs may be going away to make the even design cleaner. 6. Lightly moderated because the quality of poster we attract wouldn't need to be heavily moderated. In general, if you have a hard time with us - you really have no desire to be a real member of this community. 99% of the members here have never received a warning. Then there are the 1% who have a dozen. 7. A place where females could feel comfortable (for the most part). 8. A place that you can load/read at work without being fired for something grossly inappropriate being displayed on your monitor. Yes, players, coaches and administrators are praised and criticized as each individual poster sees fit. We ask that this is done in good taste. For example, many posters identified Ralph Wilson as being a major part of the organization's dysfunction. That's fine. Discuss it all day. However, openly wishing he would just die was not appreciated and those types of posts were quickly addressed. So, discuss what you wish but try to do it in good taste. Curse words get filtered and I ask that you don't try to change spellings to get around the filter. Everyone can infer the emotion of the !@#$ word you wrote. You don't need to be explicit to make your point. The issue we probably have the most trouble with is "crusading". The bottom line here is that there isn't a single poster on this board that has the power to make any change with the team. And because of that, there is no reason to try and make every single person agree with you by bludgeoning everyone with the same opinion endlessly. Make your point once. Make it twice. Make it when appropriate. Just don't make the same point in every thread, every day, day after day. It just pisses people off. Please don't post racy avatars. This is a work friendly community. In general, if you have to write "NSFW" you should probably not post it. Note that I hand approve all registrations and sometimes that is slow. Please do your best to ease yourself into the community. Read more than you post to start. It would be appreciated. Please leave any BBMB baggage at the door. This is a fresh start for anyone coming here. This would also be GREATLY appreciated. That's all for now. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpile233 Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roundybout Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4_kidd_4 Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Nice writeup, thanks for having us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurricane Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Well said.. thanks.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Kevi Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thanks for the warm welcome. I can't speak for everyone, but I'll play by the rules. I really like the idea of less fighting and childish bs. Don't be too worried, we may have been an odd bunch, but there are some great football minds within these ranks. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioBills Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thanks for welcoming and having us SDS. Awesome board you have here. Look forward to meeting and talking with everyone in due time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Gal Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Appreciate the refuge. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurricane Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 I joined a little over a month ago to get away from the bbmb... I have enjoyed it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
145B4IDIE Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thanks for leaving a light on for us, Scott! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teef Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 this is a great introduction thread. thanks for the work put in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Jackson Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Scott has done a great job with this place. It is and has been (with all due respect) the best place to discuss the Bills. You'll find the posters to be reasonable, passionate and knowledgeable. Enjoy and look forward to talking football with you guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilzfancy Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Much appreciated, sounds simple enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianmoorman4jesus Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 It's truly crazy how out out nowhere the BBMB went away and sadly how much of a routine it had become. Those of us that fought on there over trivial garbage, will probably be joined together now as survivors of the site closing. I am so used to checking the BBMB for news and rumors...it was honestly an addiction. It made any other football site pretty much obsolete. If something was out there about the Bills, you only needed to check 1 place . It was going to be there. Thanks for having us here and I appreciate that there is another place to turn to for the same type of information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roundybout Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 It's truly crazy how out out nowhere the BBMB went away and sadly how much of a routine it had become. Those of us that fought on there over trivial garbage, will probably be joined together now as survivors of the site closing. I am so used to checking the BBMB for news and rumors...it was honestly an addiction. It made any other football site pretty much obsolete. If something was out there about the Bills, you only needed to check 1 place . It was going to be there. Thanks for having us here and I appreciate that there is another place to turn to for the same type of information its strange...having an empty space on my favorites bar right where the old BBMB was. Do we need a support group? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virgil Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Maybe it goes to show that someone does pay attention to the fans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elite Poster Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Be on your best behavior guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitewalkerInPhilly Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 I would like to say, for the record, that SDS has done a phenomenal job with this place. I joined about 8 years ago, which makes me a young un. There is spirited debate here. Sometimes, we go many rounds and it is infuriating. But we also have posts and posters where, no lie, I come here for my first source of news. Rob Quinn, formerly of BillsMafia and Building the Herd and currently the BillsWire reporter for USA Today posts here. Cover 1, one of the better film breakdown sites, posts here. John Wawrow, who has access to Terry Pegula, dropped in and gave us some card readings about the coaching search. There is good stuff here. Don't abuse it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thank you Scott, and welcome to all the new people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 (edited) There are many valuable posters here who are known. Respect them, we value them. John Wawrow gave us insight 2 days before it broke that McDermott was our head coach, for example. But, one important thing to remember. There are at least 3 former Bills here. Only 2 I know of active still. And thereare nnumerous professional football folks who work with various teams across the country. There are also sources who get inside info. This can make things fun. But if you're going off of an misread instagram post do not post it as rumor or a source. Its not. Most importantly. If someone actually makes you mad then do not look at them. Look at yourself. You're taking this way too seriously. And surely, you don't need to be that serious all the time. You'll be picked with from time to time or mocked if you're being ridiculous. By all means if you have anything with a political spin do not post it on the main board. Even something like Make America Great Again or Russia hacked our game film can trigger a full retard in some folks. Take that to PPP. But if you do, go there and engage in a real conversation and with factual information And, of course, Can Newton is a lousy, terrible quarterback. Edited March 3, 2017 by Boyst62 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thanks. Sounds like an excellent place for good discussion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongo Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Wow, great welcome. Thank you for giving us a spot to land. I think many of us felt lost when the rug was yanked out from under us. The BBMB, love it or hate it, had become a part of our lives (even for a lurker like me) and suddenly we had a hole. You filled it. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToledoBill Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thanks. Sounds like a great place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGBillsFan Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thank you for the warm welcome and I'm looking forward to some good Bills conversation not childish posts like I saw a lot on BBMB! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cakewalk Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thanks for welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Dude Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 In a way this is a great thing because it'll increase the Bills talk in here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Murica Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thanks for the warm welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted March 3, 2017 Author Share Posted March 3, 2017 Wow, great welcome. Thank you for giving us a spot to land. I think many of us felt lost when the rug was yanked out from under us. The BBMB, love it or hate it, had become a part of our lives (even for a lurker like me) and suddenly we had a hole. You filled it. Thank you! Oh, you don't have to explain that me - I know exactly what you mean x10. I feel every bit as attached to the posters here, both former and current, as all of you feel about your old digs. What the Bills did was extremely insensitive and it really shows a lack of understanding of what these long form communities can mean to people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalphWilson'sNewWar Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 "Make your point once. Make it twice. Make it when appropriate. Just don't make the same point in every thread, every day, day after day. It just pisses people off." I really think I will like it here! There is always a natural life cycle to any good debate. Opinion with facts to support it met possibly with resistance and other facts to counter, response followed by response, but by the 4th of 5th respone each side has said their peace and best to be honorable and leave it there. That's the way I rolled at BBMB and that's the way I will continue to do so. Strong opinions, fact based, open ears, respectful of other posters and try to end with a smile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnyp56 Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 It's truly crazy how out out nowhere the BBMB went away and sadly how much of a routine it had become. Those of us that fought on there over trivial garbage, will probably be joined together now as survivors of the site closing. I am so used to checking the BBMB for news and rumors...it was honestly an addiction. It made any other football site pretty much obsolete. If something was out there about the Bills, you only needed to check 1 place . It was going to be there. Thanks for having us here and I appreciate that there is another place to turn to for the same type of information Amen to this. I may bicker with you guys but if there weren't good people to bicker with I wouldn't be trying to keep our discussions alive by coming here. It's going to be a bif adjustment, however. Didn't see this coming at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFT Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Thank you! Great website and good to see so many familiar faces have made their way here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 SDS, if you don't mind, I'd like to add: The rules on PPP are slightly looser. That board largely self-moderates...meaning that if you come in there being all sorts of a jackass, that subform's posters will just beat on you with no mercy. What that ultimately means is that certain...shall we say, "aggressive" behavior is tolerated there that is NOT tolerated on the main boards. So if you wander over there, and get verbally flayed, and the mods do nothing about it...that's probably why. Conversely, and more importantly, if you choose to "aggressively" post on the main boards and the moderators censure you, "But I can do that on PPP!" is not an excuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpile233 Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 (edited) The loss of the message board has already eased a lot of animosity between people. Should provide some perspective. Edited March 3, 2017 by Rockpile233 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianmoorman4jesus Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 All I can say is I have been looking on here for almost a full day and have seen no mention of EJ, so this place is already a step up IMO lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeF Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 We are all bound by our love for what has become a perpetually lousy NFL football team--but just wait until next year!!!! Thanks to the light touch and great admin skills of SDS and our moderators, we have a great forum. We are also a big, mostly functional family. There are some really thoughtful frequent posters here. I know I get out of this forum far more than I contribute. I hope you all enjoy this place. Its a Bills fan's best home... Disappointed that the Bills would take away the official forum - but I have a feeling this place just gained some great folks...welcome.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mcbride Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 I've been here since the last millennium, and it is hands down the smartest of the Bills boards. It's not even really a contest, and that's a tribute to Scott. One piece of advice: be prepared to deal with the geekier side of fandom -- cover 1, footballoutsiders.com, DVOA, arguments about QBR vs. TQBR, etc. There are a lot of knowledgeable posters here who can bring it. I've learned a ton over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 The loss of the message board has already eased a lot of animosity between people. Should provide some prospective. "Perspective." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockpile233 Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 "Perspective." I type on my phone and have an English degree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 I type on my phone and have an English degree. I correct everyone's mistakes because I'm a pedantic supercilious anal orifice. Welcome aboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kettle Creek Football Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 I remember this site from when I first started accessing the "Information Super Highway!" :0 I had no idea who started it, but I visit it several times a day. Thanks, Scott, for providing me my favorite website these past 20 years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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