Is the Kopi-Talk Forum serving a good purpose?

[pegasi]

I’m a newbie, just to share some thoughts.

Interesting topic and really pick up a lot of interesting views along the way. Kopi talk indeed is a very vague term and I agree overly control may infringe the freedom of speech. It’s also very easy to go into argument over different views or meaningless exchanges till the cow come home, but at the end of the day there’s nothing to prove or gain. Keyboard heroes are not uncommon as not many walk the talk. Sometimes harmless exchanges can offer some “free” entertainment in this stressful society.

Generally my humble view / opinion or rather my practice is that I’d stay away or choose not to participate if the topic is not to my liking or only read when I have the time to kill. If someone provoke me, I’d probably clarify and walk away to spend my time on other important things or read other TS who offer constructive knowledge. In conclusion, my view is that there’s no harm with kopi talk until its gets personal or provocative, even so there’s no obligation to participate and Moderator will eventually take action (or not). Most of the time things only gets ugly or gain more attention when there are two hands (or more hands) to clap. Just my sharing, cheers.

Newbie but mature comments. Thanks

[pegasi]

kopi talk? yes it has its own purpose, otherwise why do visitors keep coming? in my opinion it is a place for anything u want to talk about, anyone can join or leave as they wish, and for those who just want to stop by, read, the curious etc. like most civil conversations people need to be respectful to each other, do onto others what you wish to be done to you. u want to act like an ass, u will be treated like one. there is certainly some commonality...love of watches and being part of a bigger forum, need to follow forum rules as well. i think some take it too seriously sometimes and say things they should not, and feel bad about it, so the golden rule always apply...don'r put into writing what u will regret later....it will always be there and cannot be undone. my 2 pennies worth.

Good points. I like the metaphor of ass.

However, I have an issue with the said golden rule - it does not apply to everyone on the forum. For members who at least face is known to other members and have a reputation to uphold, yes. For members who hide behind the computer or use multiple nicks, do you think they will be worrying about what they write?

The forum is not always a level playing field. Sometimes I was really tempted to create another nick to counter some ass, but I am proud to say that I have been using only one nick on this forum and have the same practice in every other forum I join.

[pegasi]

Kopi talk should follow this:
Freedom of speech, assembly and association
14.—(1) Subject to clauses (2) and (3) —

(a)

every citizen of Singapore has the right to freedom of speech and expression;

I don't disagree, Watcha.

However, there are other things said about freedom of speech and expression in the Article 14 of the Constitution of Singapore which you refer to, such as:

The rights guaranteed to the citizens of Singapore by Article 14(1) are subject to restrictions set out in subsection (2) of the same Article. In Chee Siok Chin, Justice V.K. Rajah elucidated the justification for these qualifications:[4]

' The right of freedom of expression should never be exercised on the basis that opinions are expressed in hermetically sealed vacuums where only the rights of those who ardently advocate their views matter. That is entirely inappropriate. Freedom of expression when left unchecked may reach a point where protest, criticism and expression culminate in nuisance or something even more serious. The law inevitably has to intervene then. '

The right to free speech is limited on the ground of the security of Singapore by the Official Secrets Act, and on the ground of public order by the Broadcasting Act and Newspaper and Printing Presses Act. Public order also justifies restrictions on both free speech and assembly imposed by the Sedition Act, Public Entertainments and Meetings Act and Public Order Act; and restrictions on the right to freedom of association imposed by the Societies Act. Freedom of speech has also been limited on the basis of morality by the Films Act, which establishes film censorship and classification regimes; and the Undesirable Publications Act, under which obscene or otherwise objectionable publications may be banned.

Referring to the laws in this discussion would be over-doing it in my opinion. And in laws, you can never just read and use a clause of an entire article.

And no, one doesn't have to be a minister or MP or lawyer to have knowledge of the above law/constitution.

[pegasi]

My last post is just to explain that freedom of speech and expression does not give you the right to say/write ANYTHING you like. Not even in American.

[Iceheller]

OT: Dun kick me out in yr discussion lah. I will behave myself SIR!
BTT: Just like life, " All work and no fun would make work boring... ". So a forum that solely focus on watch( discussion/selling/buying) would be too boring. Even utas watch forum like purist also got corner delicated to non watch discussion. Being a subject to others discussion is also unavoidable, just take it with a pinch of salt. One step forward and two step back and we will be fine.
I personally tks u for starting some threads that make ppl think and engage in robust discussion.

[watchristi]

Good points. I like the metaphor of ass.

However, I have an issue with the said golden rule - it does not apply to everyone on the forum. For members who at least face is known to other members and have a reputation to uphold, yes. For members who hide behind the computer or use multiple nicks, do you think they will be worrying about what they write?

The forum is not always a level playing field. Sometimes I was really tempted to create another nick to counter some ass, but I am proud to say that I have been using only one nick on this forum and have the same practice in every other forum I join.

ahh.. i just want to clarify. i don't mean to suggest another rule to the forum rules besides restating what is socially acceptable. But the golden rule i mentioned is really an advice not a rule. the same indiscretion can get you in hot water anytime, anywhere whether it is an inflammatory mail you send in your workplace which might be career limiting or in any public forums where you can be taken to court for slander or defaming. in these case hiding behind nicks won't save you as you can still be traced by IT forensics.

[pegasi]

OT: Dun kick me out in yr discussion lah. I will behave myself SIR!
BTT: Just like life, " All work and no fun would make work boring... ". So a forum that solely focus on watch( discussion/selling/buying) would be too boring. Even utas watch forum like purist also got corner delicated to non watch discussion. Being a subject to others discussion is also unavoidable, just take it with a pinch of salt. One step forward and two step back and we will be fine.
I personally tks u for starting some threads that make ppl think and engage in robust discussion.

Welcome back.

Agree that this forum would be less interesting if we only talk about watches. However, like what you say about work-fun balance, I think there should be a balance in the watch and non-watch discussions in a watch forum. Likewise, a balance of nonsense threads and more meaningful discussions in the kopi-talk forum. In order to achieve that, we not only have to encourage and embrace different types of discussion, we also have to respect the intent of the thread starters as well as people who are involved in discussing a specific topic.

I myself are responsible for creating many threads in this forum, including some intended nonsense. Hence there is no reason for me to want kopi-talk forum to go. I just feel that it might be time for some changes to make it even better.

[pegasi]

Having said that, I think if one creates a thread with questionable intent, he or she has to be prepared to be questioned.

[Oceanklassik]

Yes it is serving a good purpose. You just need to use it appropriately.

[pegasi]

I guess it depends on if the apology is sincere or not, and what comes next

So basically you feel that the mods should be entrusted to moderate the posts in such a situation and take necessary action? I agree with that too, but I very much doubt the mods are currently doing that actively (if at all) without a set of clear guidelines that defines what behaviours are desirable/undesirable. The only set of rules I could find refers to the garage only ("Garage Rules and Regulations" under Forum FAQ).

Finally I have been pointed to the "Netiquette" and "Some Rules & Regulations" under FAQ-Advisory: Members.

My bad for failing to locate/read that earlier

[FinnFelton]

I think Kopi Talk serves the purpose here. A lot in an entertaining way.

[pegasi]

I wonder if what happened over the last couple of days have changed some people's opinion of the kopi-talk forum...?

[wolfeyes1974]

I wonder if what happened over the last couple of days have changed some people's opinion of the kopi-talk forum...?

i doubt so...i still enjoy most of the threads here..it's one of the sections that draws me.

[kel12]

I wonder if what happened over the last couple of days have changed some people's opinion of the kopi-talk forum...?

Actually I had missed the action, despite only being away from roc for 5 days... I felt the coldness upon reading about the ban...

[pegasi]

i dont think its coldness - its impartiality

the administrator and mods in this forum have demonstrated impartiality to all members and reiterated that forum rules are not meant to be broken - no matter how long you joined, how many postings you contributed, how many gatherings you organised/participated, etc etc - offenders will not be spared

Member kel12 was just expressing his feeling.

This subject of ban has been explained by the admin in the thread you created, and you have also expressed your opinion there. We don't need to discuss it further here (which is also why that thread is closed). Thank you.