The Night Mail

[Willie Whizz]

Indeed. I take no stance on what has occurred, because as I only spend a few minutes a day, and not every single day, looking at this thread, and they must have been the “wrong” few minutes, I seem to have entirely missed-out on the controversial posts and am thus left utterly baffled by this entire discussion. 

[Dave Hunt]

On a lighter note than my previous few posts, today is one of celebration at Hunt Towers as Jill and I have just completed 54years of married bliss and once I have finished a celebratory bacon butty we will be going to the seaside, stopping off on the way for lunch. Pastoral dancing has been put on hold due to the state of my creaking back but dipping my toes in the briny is a distinct possibility.

 

Dave

[Tony_S]

@Dave Hunt Congratulations for the anniversary. I hope the absence of dancing isn’t too disappointing but paddling is a very acceptable alternative. 
Tony

[Oldddudders]

I was not privy to the angst und sturm of recent times here, but there is something rather lovely in the emergence of a former fighter pilot as a peacemaker and mediator. Bravo Dave! 

[iL Dottore]

 Congratulations, Dave!

 

54 years, huh? It’s so heartwarming to see a teenage romance last 😁

[Dave Hunt]

4 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

 Congratulations, Dave!

 

54 years, huh? It’s so heartwarming to see a teenage romance last 😁

 

Our first date was on Jill’s 16th birthday.

 

Dave

[Hroth]

1 hour ago, Willie Whizz said:

Indeed. I take no stance on what has occurred, because as I only spend a few minutes a day, and not every single day, looking at this thread, and they must have been the “wrong” few minutes, I seem to have entirely missed-out on the controversial posts and am thus left utterly baffled by this entire discussion. 

 

Its best to stay baffled....

 

Luckily I've never been affected by the issues raised, though I took note of the problems for future reference, and refrained from adding fuel to the smouldering heap.

 

[iL Dottore]

I’ve been observing the recent events with dismay.

 

I understand (and support) the need to keep the forum free of the sort of trolling and abuse that crops up far too often on other places on social media, but should such a clampdown include a ban on reporting a factual experience? How, for example, should a factual statement (imaginary for illustrative purposes) like “last year a dodgy Venusian used-flying saucer salesbeing tried to pass off a knackered old spaceship as new” be regarded? Is it offensive to Venusians? Does it “incite hate” against Venusians? For the former, I would say “No, it’s not offensive”  (and I would also argue that in a modern liberal democracy no-one has the right NOT to be offended); for the latter, I would argue that those who feel ill-will against Venusians, would do so even if the statement was a neutral  “last year a dodgy used-flying saucer salesbeing tried to pass off a knackered old spaceship as new” -(they’d probably think “I bet it was a dodgy Venusian”).

 

I don’t envy either Phil Parker’s or AndyY’s job as moderators, but from what I’ve seen on TNM and ER debate is 99% civilised and whilst there may be the occasional testy post, even in the most heated discussion things remain on a pretty even keel. I haven’t noted many “toys thrown from pram” moments.
 

Where I do agree with the moderators is the need to avoid using any irrelevant (or especially pejorative) descriptors in recounting such experiences. So, to return to the example above, if I wrote “last year a dodgy Venusian used-flying saucer salesbeing with a heavy-North venusian accent  tried to pass off a knackered old spaceship as new” is the underlined text necessary in recounting the experience? In the context of a post on TNM or ER, I think not.

 

I do think that there is room on threads like TNM and ER for informative (and factual) posts that recount personal experience with X or Y, just as I think that there should be the freedom to disagree with orthodoxy on a wide range of topics. After all we are (mostly) grown-ups here and I’ve always felt that if I treat people like responsible adults,  they will behave like responsible adults - or am I just being idealistic here?

Edited August 9, 2023 by iL Dottore

[Dave Hunt]

I’ve just had an email allegedly from a bank asking me to verify certain details. It began, “ Helo.” Obviously genuine then 😅

 

Dave

[SteveyDee68]

19 hours ago, Mike Bellamy said:

Show your pictures, good and bad.

Tell of the things that make you mad.

I missed that the other day…

 

Things that make me mad…

 

Audi drivers

REDACTED

REDACTED

REDACTED

BMW drivers

REDACTED

REDACTED

Dapol droopy NEM couplers

REDACTED

REDACTED

Hornby - Pullman Type F coaches - lack thereof

REDACTED

REDACTED

Range Rover drivers

REDACTED

REDACTED

REDACTED

 

Phew! Glad to get all that off my chest!

 

Steve S

 

PS

Self redacted - don’t want to get into trouble!! 🤣

[Phil Parker]

OK - I've only just got back to this, because I logged out, deleted the shortcuts and walked away from RMweb yesterday, determined never to return. I've also contemplated resigning from my job, and even dropping out of the hobby altogether.  A sleepless night.

 

However, I had to log back on to talk to a member about some work on a project for the magazine, so you'll be disappointed to know that I'm back.

 

Moderating this forum is not an easy job. It's supposed to be a very tiny amount of my time. As such, I don't read every posting, or know the details, including CV of every member. I have to go on what I see on screen. If I don't recognise your RMweb username, it's normally a good thing as the ones Andy and I remember, are the troublemakers. Remember, you might all know each other - someone new visiting for the first time won't. Each post has to be read with fresh eyes, which is summed up nicely here:

 

5 hours ago, Northmoor said:

It would only take a couple of comments posted with discriminatory language for one of the national newspapers to become aware and suddenly we'd have "Racist Train Spotters Outrage" headlines, with the same old photos of diesel enthusiasts "saluting" (which look in freeze-frame and from the wrong angle like Nazi salutes) trawled from the archives.

 

This was my concern with my original post. I've looked after enough forums to spot potential flashpoints. We weren't there, and I wanted to nip any issues in the bud. Left alone, it only takes one loon at 2am to suggest something offensive and we're in trouble. That's fine for you - I'm the one losing my job, possibly worse.

 

Writing my post took time as I was keen to walk a tightrope of being firm, but not suggesting anyone was doing anything wrong at that point. Most people spotted it and took heed, something I'm grateful for. Brian's post was exactly what I was looking to avoid so it was treated in the same way as every other post where a Mod request has been ignored. This isn't the first time this has happened, and it won't be the last.

 

Everyone is equal on RMweb - there isn't IMHO a special group of people who must be treated differently. If that makes you uncomfortable, then that's your problem, not mine. Andy and I do our best to keep things flowing nicely on the forum. We've both removed highly offensive posts, and posters in the past, which those posters have thought perfectly acceptable. Ultimately, we have to make a judgement very quickly and neither of us is perfect, we do the best we can. If that's not good enough, I'm sorry.

 

[Hroth]

5 minutes ago, SteveyDee68 said:

Audi drivers

REDACTED

REDACTED

REDACTED...

 

Or, as used to be reported about the transcripts of Nixons Watergate Tapes

 

"Expletive Deleted"

"Expletive Deleted"

"Expletive Deleted"

 

 

[SteveyDee68]

5 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

I’ve just had an email allegedly from a bank asking me to verify certain details. It began, “ Helo.” Obviously genuine then 😅

 

Dave

Dozens of emails recently about my “Amazon order” requesting me to confirm it by submitting my details.

 

I have ordered a couple of things off Amazon recently, so it is interesting to be able to compare the layout/language used between the real and fake messages.

 

Real Amazon = efficient language, correct grammar, correct spelling 

 

Fake Amazon = opposite of the above

 

The scammers make the classic mistake of using too many words to try to convince the reader of the validity of their message. Every time.

 

Hope I haven’t just given free CPD to the scammers! 🫢

 

HOURS OF FUN!

[Hroth]

4 minutes ago, SteveyDee68 said:

Dozens of emails recently about my “Amazon order” requesting me to confirm it by submitting my details.

 

I have ordered a couple of things off Amazon recently, so it is interesting to be able to compare the layout/language used between the real and fake messages.

 

Real Amazon = efficient language, correct grammar, correct spelling 

 

Fake Amazon = opposite of the above

 

The scammers make the classic mistake of using too many words to try to convince the reader of the validity of their message. Every time.

 

Hope I haven’t just given free CPD to the scammers! 🫢

 

HOURS OF FUN!

 

I never respond to such emails and telephone calls, and immediately check my Amazon account (just in case...) to see if any such transaction has been attempted.  Surprisingly there is never any such transaction...

 

In addition, I've just had a phone call from a person claiming to represent the "Windows Technical Department". I told them to go away with some asperity and put the phone down.  I haven't had such calls for a while, so a new ***-*********** l* call centre must have got hold of a phone list.

 

Be warned!

 

* Better be careful about characterising the identity/location of the caller...

 

[polybear]

19 minutes ago, Phil Parker said:

Writing my post took time as I was keen to walk a tightrope of being firm, but not suggesting anyone was doing anything wrong at that point. Most people spotted it and took heed, something I'm grateful for. Brian's post was exactly what I was looking to avoid so it was treated in the same way as every other post where a Mod request has been ignored. This isn't the first time this has happened, and it won't be the last.

 

 

Phil:  I very much suspect that Brian's @br2975's post was being written and then sent during the time that your own "OK Guys (and Ladies), let's move away from this" warning went out - so I suspect it's very likely that Brian was totally unaware of it; if after sending his post he didn't trawl backwards a bit to check for any posts he may have missed then it can appear that he was disregarding your post (which I'm sure he wasn't).

 

I'm sure most of us have responded to a post at some point, only to discover that someone else has already beaten us to it (don't you just HATE it when that happens?)....if Bear had a LDC for every time that's happened to me I'd be a Very Happy Bear....

[SteveyDee68]

16 minutes ago, Hroth said:

In addition, I've just had a phone call from a person claiming to represent the "Windows Technical Department".

My mother has had a lot of these recently. As she was expecting a call from an unknown to her number, she picked them up each time (normally she leaves them). I’ve overheard her responses a couple of times…

 

”I cannot tell what you are saying. Goodbye”

 

”I don’t have a computer. Goodbye”

 

”Windows? I had the locks sorted last month. What? Updated? They are fine, thank you. Goodbye”

 

”I use my son’s computer. It’s an Apple. We only use windows to look out of. Goodbye”

 

She’s 79…

 

A friend of mine (AC) posted up a couple of years ago the interaction he had with a scam caller… I kept a copy, as I found it hilarious and a masterclass in tying up those phone scammers and sending their frustration levels through the roof…

 

____________
 

Lovely call with a nice man from O2 offering me free new iPhone 13 Max! Must be legit because he made me go through all the security procedures. The call went something like this...

 

O2: So I'm going to send a 6 digit number to your phone to establish your identity.

AC: Well that's not going to work is it?

O2: Yes it is sir. I am sending a 6 digit number to your phone. Please read it back to me.

AC: But I can't.

O2: Why not?

AC: Because I'm on the phone to you and the phone's up against my ear.

O2: Well you can look then tell me.

AC: OK!

O2: Have you got the number for me?

AC: Hang on...

O2: Please read me the number.

AC: That still wont't work.

O2: Why not.

AC: Well it doesn't prove my identity does it?

O2: Yes it does sir.

AC: No it doesn't - it just proves that the person you sent the number to is the person holding this phone and you know I'm holding this phone because you rang me.

O2: er....

AC: So I might not actually be the right person. In fact I might have stolen the phone and just answered your call. You sending me a number doesn't prove it's me! I might not be me at all! I might be somebody else. You might be somebody else. In fact I might even be you!

O2: ....

O2: Please can you verify your identity by reading the number back to me.

AC: Well I suppose so... *reads number*

O2: Thank you sir. I can confirm that you have passed the first stage of the identify check. Now please tell me your Mother's maiden name.

AC: Why do I need to tell you? You should already know it because it'll be on my records.

O2: We need to verify your identity sir. Just tell me your Mother's maiden name and I'll check it against your records.

AC: Ah I see... it's MacIntyre.

O2: Thank you. Can you spell that?

AC: Yes.

O2: ....

O2: I'm waiting...

AC: What for?

O2: You to spell your Mother's maiden name!!

AC: Oh sorry - I see... It's M.C.I.N.T.I.R.E.

O2: That's M.C.I.N.T.I.R.E.

AC: No it's M.C.I.N.T.Y.R.E

O2: That's M.C...

AC: No - it's M.A.C.I.N.T.Y.R.E.

O2: That's M.A.C.I.N.T.Y.R.E.

AC: Yes!

O2: Right I'm trying that in our system.... Oh I'm sorry sir. That has been declined as incorrect.

AC: Oh I'm really sorry... That's wrong. I must've given you my Father's maiden name by mistake.

O2: ???

AC: My Mother's maiden name is Babbercombe.

O2: Babbercombe:

AC: Yes

O2: Can you spell it?

AC: Yes.

O2:........

O2: Go ahead.

AC: Sorry?

O2: GO AHEAD!

AC: Go ahead and what?

O2: SPELL YOUR MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME!!!

AC: M.C.I.N.T.Y.R.E

O2: *hangs up*

 

🤣

[jamie92208]

3 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

On a lighter note than my previous few posts, today is one of celebration at Hunt Towers as Jill and I have just completed 54years of married bliss and once I have finished a celebratory bacon butty we will be going to the seaside, stopping off on the way for lunch. Pastoral dancing has been put on hold due to the state of my creaking back but dipping my toes in the briny is a distinct possibility.

 

Dave

Be grateful Dave.  I've banned dancing for members of this household as a dangerous occupation as that's how Beth dislocated her shoulder. 

 

Jamie

[cctransuk]

All in all - a sad reflection of the state of our supposed right of freedom of speech, when we are unable to relate factual, personal experiences.

 

....... and yes, I do understand and sympathise with the position of the Moderators - but that does not detract from the fact that we are increasingly being gagged by a sector of society who will not concede that anyone can be criticised, or their misdoings made public.

 

CJI.

[newbryford]

1 hour ago, Dave Hunt said:

I’ve just had an email allegedly from a bank asking me to verify certain details. It began, “ Helo.” Obviously genuine then 😅

 

Dave

 

Shouldn't they have started with "Jet" instead?

[Oldddudders]

5 minutes ago, cctransuk said:

All in all - a sad reflection of the state of our supposed right of freedom of speech, when we are unable to relate factual, personal experiences.

 

....... and yes, I do understand and sympathise with the position of the Moderators - but that does not detract from the fact that we are increasingly being gagged by a sector of society who will not concede that anyone can be criticised, or their misdoings made public.

Maybe true - but those leading the gagging are, in effect, lawyers, who will seize upon any opportunity to screw websites apparently defaming anyone or anything. Thus RMweb's nose needs to be kept ultra-clean, in the interests of us all. Unlike you, I pay to be here, and would resent it going away. 

 

We can indeed post whatever we like on the web, providing we own the website where we do so. 

[Tony_S]

2 hours ago, SteveyDee68 said:

Range Rover drivers

Ooh, I am on a list! Mine is only a baby Range Rover though. I try my best to be non irritating to other drivers. As it is black with security glass in the rear it does look something the police escort for minor royalty would drive about in.  

Edited August 9, 2023 by Tony_S

[polybear]

10 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

Ooh, I am on a list! Mine is only a baby Range Rover though. I try my best to be non irritating to other drivers. As it is black with security glass in the rear it does look something the police escort for minor royalty would drive about in.  

 

Or a drug dealer......

[Tim Dubya]

2 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

Or a drug dealer......

 

"Ours" tend to change their cars regularly I've noticed (you can smell the weed in Radvegas from about 2 miles away).  They also do this when getting a driving ban for whatever's reason, so the rozzers don't notice their usual vehicle. 🤔

[cctransuk]

1 hour ago, Oldddudders said:

Maybe true - but those leading the gagging are, in effect, lawyers, who will seize upon any opportunity to screw websites apparently defaming anyone or anything. Thus RMweb's nose needs to be kept ultra-clean, in the interests of us all. Unlike you, I pay to be here, and would resent it going away. 

 

We can indeed post whatever we like on the web, providing we own the website where we do so. 

 

I don't disagree with a word of that, and I made no criticism of the Moderators.

 

I was merely musing on our eroding and deteriorating 'freedom of speech'.

 

.... and my decision for or against paying a membership fee is mine, and mine alone!

 

John Isherwood.

[SteveyDee68]

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

Ooh, I am on a list! Mine is only a baby Range Rover though. I try my best to be non irritating to other drivers. As it is black with security glass in the rear it does look something the police escort for minor royalty would drive about in.  

There are, of course, exceptions to every rule! 🤣

 

I knew I’d rattle somebody’s feather’s by naming the makes of car most likely to invade my “stopping space” when driving!

 

I should add that I use radar-informed cruise control 95% of the time, and it is that which determines the necessary gap depending upon speed and driving conditions! (Clever stuff they have as standard in cars these days, ain’t it!)

 

Mind you, in terms of driving styles …

 

BMW … pushy, always nipping in and out of spaces, exhumes an air of “I need to be somewhere else NOW and YOU are in the way!

 

AUDI … new boy on the block, also pushy, will agitate to move ONE car in front of you rather than be one car BEHIND, likely to make sudden cutting in manoeuvres at slow speeds on motorways

 

RANGE ROVER … arrogant, out of my way PEASANTS! Suspected drug dealers tend to have blackened out windows together with strangely spaced numbers on their registration plates in order to spell out names or nicknames making use of “strategically placed” black screw fixings to create alternate letters, such as turning “SP11 FFS” to “SPLIFFS”! Most likely to cut you up at speed using their sheer size.

Have I managed to not offend anyone yet?! 

 

Mind you, I could start a tsunami of comments by mentioning taxi drivers and white van drivers! 
 

The very worst driving I have personally witnessed was seeing a Toyota people-carrier coming towards me on the opposite side of the road suddenly cut across and mount the pavement outside a primary school as children were leaving at the end of the day, and proceeding to drive down it at speed (scattering mothers and children) as the female driver apparently could not wait for the traffic to clear in front of her! More horrifying was the fact she had three or four children in the vehicle with her!! How nobody was hit, injured or killed was a miracle!!

 

Steve S

 

PS

All the above a bit of fun, except the people carrier story!