Saving MWSM

[Jeff Newman]

Here are several of my replies that I've posted to mwsm earlier today (well, yesterday, given that it's now after midnight):

To a post by the current mwsm moderator:

> ... if there's even a handful of righteous folks about, we can save the place. As long as nobody's wife turns around to look at the fire & brimstone...
>
> Cheers,

> Alan Brooks
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> A Schmuck With An Underwood

I do think that if we publicize this enough on various blogs and message boards, and via a simple web site that describes the group and provides a link to the (newly cleaned up) group, and maybe links to some good archived discussions, that a fair number of newbies and beyond -- who had never heard of mws or mwsm -- will take a look and give it a try.

Probably a fair number of screenwriting-related blog writers will, too -- it's a good way to cross-plug their blogs (and some of them are quite good).

We just gotta be able to block flamers and grid of the spam. (grid = get rid)

So it's great that Paulo and RonB are willing to help out with this, should you [Alan, the current moderator] desire some help.

Thanks for caring about us handful of righteous (well, in screenwriting terms, anyway) folk. For now, we can't provide more than that, because until folks can come and see a different opening page than currently, they won't want to participate. As my old ... someone ... used to say, "You only have one chance to make a good first impression."

And as someone else used to say (I always remember the expressions, never who said them), "No one wants to swim in a polluted pool -- 'cept maybe thems as are doing the polluting."

Okay -- that's it for now.

Take care, and hope this leads to a reborn mws(m) -- third time can be the charm.

Jeff Newman

==============

I strongly feel that IF and AFTER the Spam were removed, that I and others could beat the internet bushes to let those interesting in screenwriting know about this forum. The old mws, before the flamers and trolls drove out most of the good folks, was a wonderful combination of newbie screenwriters, intermediate- and advanced-level amateurs, and professionals. There are plenty of such who read the dozens of screenwriting-related blogs and the several message boards that would be interested in giving mwsm a chance -- but not, of course, if they come to the link and see all that spam, or a board dominated by flamers.

I think we naively and over-optimistically erred, when breaking off from mws which had grown toxic and nutty, by pretty much just blocking one abusive individual. But others took his place, and then the deluge of spammers. And thus, folks who were checking this out, or ones who used to post who came back for a quick look-see, took that one quick look and fled in horror.

But a cleaned up group would likely be attractive to many. I and others will post about the group (if it survives and if the spam is gone), and I think many will give it a chance, and many of them will stay on.

I would be willing to also create a website with a generic name related to screenwriting that tells about the site, and posts a link not just to the (new-improved) group, but some links to archived discussions that were fascinating, to give folks a taste of what this could be. Because that would show up on Google (and other Search Engine) searches, and would be one more way that people would find the group.

I'm guessing some of the dozens of screenwriting blog writers might decide to post here now and then, both to add to the discussions and also to cross-plug their blogs (and nothing wrong with that -- some of them are quite good). And thus, a fair number of their readers would follow.

We could well wind up with several hundred who at least read/follow the group, and many dozens who contribute posts. And that might be a low estimate. There are just as many folks interested in, and trying to become, screenwriters as ever. They just need a clean, decent place to get together.

And while the current interest level may be small, once the group is cleaned up, then we can get the word out, and folks who check it out will find a nice community.


===================

On Sunday, May 11, 2014 8:02:49 AM UTC-7, Alan Brooks wrote:

> Given that you [i.e., RonB], Paulo, Nicole & Jeff (at the very least)
> are still active here, I'm happy to maintain things as they are
> (again, perhaps cranking up the spam filtering).
>
> Alan Brooks

That's great to hear, Alan. However, I think the key thing, for us to be able to beat the internet bushes and drum up some new participants (that may be a mixed metaphor -- if so: tough), and for the folks at the Big8 or whatever it is to allow it to continue, is to remove that "perhaps." The spam would have to be gone, and nutjobs and flamers and trolls if they post too rudely and frequently would have to be blocked. It sounds like Paulo and RonB would be willing to help in that regard (and Paul Schleck, at least the initial setup of new filters if exclusive manual filtering is to be avoided).

The key to a revival -- indeed, with a concerted effort, this group could be bigger than it ever was -- is to revise the charter to give the Moderator and any designeated co-moderators the power to block those who are being abusive and toxic -- flamers and persistent trolls -- and to virtually, preferably fully eliminate, the spam.

If that were done, we can let folks know, and many will check it out and like it.

If you build it, they will come. (Sounds vaguely familiar.)

Well, if we get the word out, anyway.

But first we need to kick out the neighborhood bullies and nutjobs when they ignore an intial warning, and pick up the litter on the streets and clean off the graffiti.

I know, easy for me to say. But Paul S's stuff might do the trick. And RonB and Paulo said they'd help. So if you are willing, let's give it a try!


=============

The group is worth saving -- if the spam is gone and the flamers and persistent trolls warned and then blocked if they continue.

Then those who check it out will be willing to give it a try -- and many will stay.

Jeff Newman