The Official Topic Suggestions Thread

[ScottyK]

So I was BSing with Xjae, who suggested that more threads and posts would help attract more interest in the club.......

Sounds logical to me :cheer:

Rather than posting a bunch of threads on my own, without any idea what our members might or might not find interesting, I'm going to ask for suggestions from everyone. A particular topic need not interest everybody, but I want to see if at least a few people like it so it doesn't drop dead after two or three posts :D

Here are a few suggestions from me, some of which I've come up with after reading whats already been written:

A where to go, this place was great thread. Did you find a great spot, or a great boat trip you want to share? Pony up the driving directions and compass headings ;) Got this one from Vternovski when he mentioned liking a particular area at Dutch Springs. Thanks Vadim!

Compliments of Docmartins post, a required/recommended reading thread. We can discuss or ask about books pertaining to our local area. This would also be a good place to post links to any online articles or websites of local interest. Thanks Martin!

A "Buddy Board" (this one is my idea :) ) This should not be confused with the "lets go diving thread". It's not for "I'm going here, who can come?" This will be a thread for local divers who are looking for a long term buddy to form a real dive team. Members can post things like skill level, prefered dive conditions etc, and hopefully find a match.

We obviously will eventually need FAQ and club rules sticky sections. We'll probably need to wait until we actually get asked some questions and have some rules though :D

I've got some more ideas, but don't want to overdue it right off the bat . We've got a long winter ahead us to "Cyber Dive" together.

Any feedback on what I have so far, and new ideas are welcome.

Regards,
Scott

[hambleto]

How about a thread discusing some LDS in the area?

Mention where they are.
Why you like them.
Perhaps even some prices on fills and such?
Someone who works there that is a good to deal with?
Good experiences?
Bad experiences?
Maybe specials or something? I am not talking about advertising for a LDS. Just a thread so people can get to know what LDSes are around and why you like them.

It is just a thought.
Ben

[BOATS313]

I like the LDS thread idea.
I move around so often that by the time I find a shop I like through trial and error it's time to go again. A thread like that could cut down on my hunting time.
Boats

[docmartin]

great ideas. i would find the lds thread very useful, too. in this context, i would also ask that members reveal any lds associations they may have. for one, it would put their comments in perspective and maybe we can get a discount :)

[NJDiveGirl]

hambleto once bubbled...
How about a thread discusing some LDS in the area?


I like that idea!!!

We could also have a thread about boats in the area - I've heard of a new one out of LBI and theres some of our old favorites!

Third (and last) beach diving - for those of us who'd like to save a few pennies and get in more diving :D Beach or inlet diving would be a good thread.

[ScottyK]

OK- sounds like everyone wants what I originally suggested + an LDS thread.

Sounds good! :D

One word of caution. Be CAREFUL what get's posted on the LDS thread. It would be prudent to post positive stuff, and leave any serious negatives for PM's or times when we get together.

I also post on some aquarium related boards. A couple of folks there were smacking down on a retail aquarium. My opinion was that the complaints were legitimate, but remember, there's a difference between knowing something is true and proving it in court.

Long story short, the place took not only the website, but a bunch of regular folks like us to court for slander. It dragged on for over a year, and they wound up having to pay a settlement and publicly recant their statements on every board they participated in.

It wasn't pretty :upset: I actually know one of the guys, and eating a sh*t sandwich on a public board and losing a couple of thousand dollars wasn't worth it.

Scott

[hambleto]

I agree competely. I would never slander a dive shop (or any other business) by name in a public forum such as this. That is why I wanted it as a place to list some different LDS and some general info about them.

Like I deal with an LDS here called xy diving (I am making that up). I would post the address, maybe the URL if they have one and that I deal with the owner (insert name here).

You might look at it and go, I live near there. I had no idea there was a LDS there! I've been driving across town all the time. That is all.
Ben

[ScottyK]

hambleto once bubbled...

Like I deal with an LDS here called xy diving (I am making that up). I would post the address, maybe the URL if they have one and that I deal with the owner (insert name here).


Exactly! If your so called XY diving has great service, but terrible instructors, just mention the great service. If someone then wants to get in depth with you about the place, they can PM you for more info.

[XJae]

this is great, a thread about threads. :)

all those ideas sound good to me.
start 'um up.

i was thinking of starting one that details the wrecks.
name, age, resting place, how it got there, etc.

[NJDiveGirl]

XJae once bubbled...
i was thinking of starting one that details the wrecks.
name, age, resting place, how it got there, etc.

Have you ever checked out this website?

New Jersey Scuba Diver (http://www.njscuba.net/)

It definitely has some great info!

[VTernovski]

I am guilty of slandering a shop publicly ( on this board) once. Boy was I pissed now that I think about it... But what can I say, the shop went out of business, and an owner is an ahole. He later PMed me cursing me out. oh well. I really dislike many of my LDSs and still haven't found a decent one that I can truly say that I will back 100% up. Most shops around here are rude, make you feel like you don't know S#$%, or insulting. I can't count how many times I've been screwd by a shop, bith financially and in terms of commitment, service, etc...

[ScottyK]

XJae once bubbled...
this is great, a thread about threads. :)


It's my tribute to Seinfeld. Remember the coffee table book about coffee tables??? :D

Good idea about the wreck thread, and cool link NJ Divegirl.
That will be a good subject for the winter.

I'll get some intro threads going tomorrow as soon as I get back from my morning dive.

Scott

[IzzyTahil]

I agree with vadim! If a LDS has given bad service why should members go thru the same bs? If facts support how badly a diver has been treated, then, I am all for exposing them. I am sure all of you, at one time or another has dealt with dive shops that are just not helpful and not objective just to push a sale? And the bs that they push onto new divers is appaling. Both good and bad comments (yes, it can be done without slander) should be the rule here.

[grouchyturtle]

That is a great site. That's where we found that silt, I mean uh Delaware Water Gap Train Wreck dive.

We have to have a thread, all about websites related to local diving.
New Jersey Scuba Diver is a great start.
The next 2 that need to go in there are the sites for checking tide times for LI and NJ for all those shore dives.

How about a thread just for posting our stinky backscatter filled pictures?

[ScottyK]

Izzy- No one is going to censor you in any way ;)

I related the story of my friend and my suggestion to make everyone aware of the potential risks involved of naming names in a bad light.

Believe me, they didn't think they were slandering either. For instance, if you say an instructor almost drowned you, the burden of proof is on you. You'd have to prove he did! If all the evidence you have is your word against his, you lose! You pay damages!

Feel free to say whatever you want. Just be careful buddy.

PS I totally agree with your statement about LDS BS. I'll tell you some funny stories sometime when we dive together.

Scott

[ScottyK]

Photo Gallery???

I like it. We'll need to get some pics Saturday of the first ever Wreck Valley dive gathering.

Scubapalooza 2003 :D

[NJDiveGirl]

grunzster once bubbled...
The next 2 that need to go in there are the sites for checking tide times for LI and NJ for all those shore dives.

How about a thread just for posting our stinky backscatter filled pictures?

Like the picture idea, though I've had vis this past September in the near 50ft range (OK, I was first one in the water and it dropped dramatically after that!).

I have a website at home for tides... I'm going to have to remember to post it here! :)

[VTernovski]

Dutch Springs fish... already on the grill!

[grouchyturtle]

I'll have my digital and my stinky underwater camera!

No housing for the digital yet.