This thread is a perfect example if the real issue at Pinside which I can sum up in 4 simple words: You need thick skin. Once that makes sense, then you understand why many people are turned off by the site, or have a hard time recommending it to others. To me Pinside is a lot like Facebook, you may not like some things, and you will inevitably learn hard lessons about how to post without getting beaten down, but the amount of information about Pinball is unparalleled, and more than worth the effort (though I'll recommend Pinside over Facebook 100x over).

The mods do a good job of purging or hiding overly explicit pics that are almost always off-topic, and they do a good job of warning when things get to attack mode, but there's so much more confrontational banter that mods can do nothing about that makes the site tedious to visit on occasion.

The best worst example of behavior is the for sale ads... I can't count the amount of times I've seen someone post a game for sale and then get ripped one side and down the other 5 different ways. It's almost always unnecessary... if a game is overpriced, then no one will buy it. If the condition is not as reflected, it's probably ok to point out some things, but that's not how the discussion normally unfolds.

The second is the failed boutiques... and it's largely understandable there will be a lot of negativity. As long as it's kept civil and within those threads, Pinside will be better off overall. It is a necessary evil to have it here.

As to the rest, it's much better. The ignore user feature is very helpful, I've blocked only one person, and inevitably every time I see a hidden post from that person in any thread I see an immediate reply berating him for what he said, every single time. In other words, it's likely the negativity is isolated to a handful of people, and Robin has provided nice ways to deal with it. Use the person/thread drains and carry on.

I'm also opposed to posting limits, it's a huge barrier to entry, and I'm failing to see seeing what problem it solves. Moderation and peer pressure to behave are a better blanket solution.

You are correct that a large chunk of the negativity is on the threads where someone took someone elses $thousands, but that has nothing to do with boob pics.

In my leagues the composition is more like 88% male, which correlates well with attendance I see at expos. You can't really equate Pinside to a room full of guys because it is a public forum, so if Pinside is actually 99% male that's a good indicator of a possible gender issue on Pinside, because that ratio is not carrying over from the actual in-person audience composition. It is part of what Robin is trying to address.

Thread summary...

Robin: Please don't post distrespectful pics and be respectful to each other

Pinsiders read it as: Argue about whether pics and posts are actually disrespectful, and throw personal insults to those who don't agree