Diver - 11-22-2004 at 10:21 PM
After visiting another popular baja info site, and after seeing the way the moderator elects to monitor the site (deleting many posts), I was
wondering if anyone knows if he is really a higher life form ? (or just intellectually constipated ?)
I do love the great info and range of spirited conversations on this board; thanks all !
Fred Metcalf
David K - 11-22-2004 at 11:19 PM
Hi Diver, Fred is not the only moderator on his message board. Wild Bill, Tim Walker and Dick Van Bree all share the task. His board has very strict
rules and has been the longest running Baja message board on the Internet (it was the first). So, he is doing something right. Here is Fred at my
first Viva Baja party in Oct. 2000...
Fred is an Internet God...
Herb - 11-22-2004 at 11:56 PM
although some may take offense religiously to equating any mere mortal with a deity. But, he is as close as it comes to a higher form of being when it
comes to expanding the power of the Internet. (Far more than Al Gore). If you read the other parts of Doug's (Bajanomad.com) website, he makes it
clear that Fred was an inspiration to him. You see, in the earlier days of "The Net", Fred was THE pioneer. Before the days of "The Web", Fred had
text pages available for download via FTP and Gopher giving all of us Baja addicts and "afficionados" valuable up to date information that was
heretofore only available via word of mouth. Yes, he's the Joe Friday of baja boards (just the facts, maam!) but that's OK in my book because, without
his pioneering vision, none of the rest of this would likely exist.
Others have taken it to the next level creating vibrant communities, complete with community squabble and soap-opera like drama and just plain fun.
First, Amigos de Baja and now places like Baja.net (run by Baja Blackie) and this place we all know and love, BajaNomad.com. Just remember that, over
there, it is Fred's house and you need to play by his rules. I think it is good that we have different types of Baja Forums to cater to and capture
the spirit of all who enjoy Baja.
"It's all good!" as they say.
Mike Humfreville - 11-23-2004 at 12:44 AM
Fred has set the bar. If diver can't state specifics he should dive deep. Herb has it right. We have a varied collection of Baja boards and need to
understand what makes each of them tick, even as they evolve before our own experiences. Fred's is conservative as it is a public sponsorship.
Nomad's is Doug's baby and he has his personal interpretation of what he wants which seems to be where most of us visit for many social issues. I get
confused between baja.net and baja.com but they are both interesting but slow on the post-to-hit scale. I'm certain there are more boards out there
that are just as unique.
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[Edited on 11-23-2004 by BajaNomad]
David K - 11-23-2004 at 01:21 AM
If Diver is new to the Internet Baja sites than some understanding will hopefully clear up his/her questions...
All message boards are private property for public use. The owners of the boards can do whatever they wish, including delete stuff at will. Nobody
should post on a message board and assume it is going to be there forever. Some, like Fred's dumps all posts at a certain point (30 days or when the
files are maxed).
Some boards moderate better than others, some allow personal harassment and slander, most do not. Doug (Baja Nomad) is extremely fair and generous.
Even creating an Off Topic forum where we can vent or debate non-Baja topics. He has not dumped any of the Baja forums since this version was created
in late '02.
This costs Doug $$$ to maintain, and since he has not been able to yet offer shirts, hats, stickers for us to buy and support Nomad, all we can do is
click on the google ads at the top, here... They pay a tiny bit each time we click on. Doug also offers web hosting and other Internet services...
For as much help and entertainment Baja Nomad provides, wouldn't it be okay if Doug get's a little from all of us, sort of a subscription? I don't
think any of us wants anything to happen to this site. Cable TV gets too much every month, and Nomad is better! With a little capital, Doug wants to
make some really fine apparel and promotional items we would want to buy.
Anyway, that's my thought on message boards and why the moderators/ owners can delete. There are a few, like Mike said. This one is by far the most
active. Some others I have linked at: http://vivabaja.com/davidsmessage.html in my site.
BajaNomad - 11-23-2004 at 02:59 AM
Fred Metcalf's Baja California information online was what made me sit up and think "Oh My God!" (yes, pun intended) about the power of publishing
over the Internet. A revolution was AT HAND!
There should be no problem with the moderation on Fred's site (as noted already, handled by a few different moderators). He's hosted on a public
system (University of California Riverside - UCR), and they dictate to a certain degree what he's allowed to do there. Thusly the more restrictive
nature of the site.
Each of the Baja sites all seem to offer a healthy diversity of content, opinions and interaction.
A little stroll down "amnesia lane" of the older Baja sites online:
Fred's, circa 1996:
http://web.archive.org/web/19961110060807/http://math.ucr.ed...
Baja Online from Paula McDonald, circa 1997:
http://web.archive.org/web/19970304121111/www.sandiego-onlin...
My escapist.com site (begun in '96), circa '98 (home page):
http://web.archive.org/web/19981202072026/www.escapist.com/
Amigos, first on geocities:
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/4888/
...then at bajanet.com, circa 1998:
http://web.archive.org/web/19980516172143/http://www.bajanet...
Carlos Fiesta, circa 1998:
http://web.archive.org/web/19981205063731/http://www.bajaexp...
baja.com, circa 1998:
http://web.archive.org/web/19981202102856/www.baja.com/index...
Blackie's had baja.net domain since '95, here's what he had up in '97:
http://web.archive.org/web/19970203162256/http://www.baja.ne...
...oh what a trip it's been. 
Thanks Fred.
Regards,
--
Doug Means
[Edited on 11-23-2004 by BajaNomad]
Neal Johns - 11-23-2004 at 05:41 AM
Thanks Doug, great reading.
From Lytle Creek:
Diver, did you get your answer?
The Gull - 11-23-2004 at 06:17 AM
...time for more oxygen.
Diver - 11-23-2004 at 06:19 AM
David and others,
Thank you for the information and explanations. I was not aware of the specifics of the situation, Fred's history or the university affiliation.
One thing that has bothered me about Fred's board is the way many posters are quick to insult and get nasty.
I've seen many good posts by Mike H. but his response here to dive deep was not necessary. My post was just a question. Why so defensive ? And yes, I
could state the specifics of the actions I was refering to, in boring detail, but I'm sure that's not the point.
Although I'm not an old hand on these boards, I've got many years experience in Baja and I'm grieving not being able to make a month or two this
winter; therefore more visits to the baja sites.
? about Fred's
Don Jorge - 11-23-2004 at 07:45 AM
While Fred's baoard has been an inspiration and a model for many I have always wondered if it is supported by California taxpayers due to its UC
affiliation.
Does anyone know if that board uses taxpayer money in any form to operate?
public funds
Humboldt Chris and Robin - 11-23-2004 at 10:27 AM
As a taxpayer in the State of California for all of my life, I think a little space on a server is a great use of my tax dollar - the costs are
inconsequential.
69 - 11-23-2004 at 12:37 PM
this is a great sight and i love it, especially all the regular posters
[Edited on 11-23-2004 by 69]
Diver...
Mike Humfreville - 11-23-2004 at 04:03 PM
Your sarcasm was what got me in your initial post in this thread. However, after my snap and your reply I went back and read your recent posts in
other threads. They were all quality responses.
I interpreted your words in this thread to be those of a smart a** and acusatory, rather that inqusitive and trying to understand.
There are a small number of folks who get deleted from time to time (as I was earlier in this thread) for good reasons and they just get nasty and
wreak havoc on the boards.
I will assume now, after my little exercise, that you had only good intentions and were looking for insight. I'm Sorry for the rant.
I like Mike
Sonora Wind - 11-23-2004 at 05:07 PM
But he's a little touchy
jrbaja - 11-23-2004 at 05:30 PM
at times
Anonymous - 11-23-2004 at 06:27 PM
Quote, "Is Fred Metcalf really a g-d?"
Questtion: What is it with you people who want to write a word, such as "god", but don't completely spell it out? I've seen this happen in many
postings with various words and I'm curious about it.
Let's say what we mean and mean what we say?
Neal...
Mexray - 11-23-2004 at 07:47 PM
I'd say the 'frost' is on the pumpkin up the 'creek' there at your casa!
We're going to have to give you another nick-came....'Snowshoe Johns'...might work till the spring thaw arrives!
Neal Johns - 11-23-2004 at 10:18 PM
Snowed 8" on Sunday, 95% melted on Monday!
Snowshoe
Diver - 11-23-2004 at 10:34 PM
Thanks Mike; I knew not what I said.
Fred apparently is close to sainthood and I may have mis-understood about the site affiliations and monitors. I need to learn to use the laughing
faces for punctuation.
Anonymouse; I have heard that spelling the word in full is offensive to some religious folks. I have no aversion to the word myself, but try to avoid
unneccessary offense to others whenever possible.
elgatoloco - 11-23-2004 at 11:13 PM
gawd
Omissions
Anonymous - 11-24-2004 at 11:37 PM
Diver, Th-nks f-r the expl-n-tion. W-s j-st c-rious about it:saint
I'm with
Debra - 11-25-2004 at 11:13 PM
All I know is that 99% of the folks on this board (and Fred's as well as most) okay, I'll admit I don't 'know' much.....just have an opinion.
All are good people trying to share a thought....sometimes things are missed....'tongue in cheek", "body language" hard with the printed word. Even
(again my HO) one here that has trashed me and been as mean as mean can be, I found out something from another Nomad about he/she that I really
respect and (I was AMAZED!) I had a "WOW" moment, and think that I might have more in common than either of us would have thought. (go figure!)
Someone I would want to slap (I wouldn't I'd just ignore) I would really like to meet (okay once) in person and learn about...(is he/she different
around a campfire? Is he/she what I've been told? different from the "board" thingy" a reallly nice person that just vents in cyper space?
OH well,........If we were all the same, wouldn't life be boring?
:rolleyes
Diver........"HEM,HEM".......Excuse me please.....but, it's my appointed job to heckle Mike H. 
sooooooo, back off!
Mike Humfreville - 11-27-2004 at 01:44 AM
Deb - Diver's a good guy, it was my shoot from the hip attitude and a few strong words on his part but all's well and, besides, I know how I'll be
received if I show the slightest weakness to you. You strong women should be done away with! And then what would we hombres do? Thanks for dishing
out the rations. MA's doing great if demanding, regards to Don and Brendan. Oh, yeah, and the putz too, that'd be YOU!
Debra - 11-27-2004 at 02:00 PM
Silly Michael....Do away with us? Then what would you do for fun? Fight with yourself? (I know for a FACT that you wouldn't enjoy that..) Nope...we "strong" women will be around for a long, LONG time to fight with
you(and love you) PUTZ! I thought that was Brendan, not me!!!!! (you are sooooo in trouble)
About Diver......yeah, I know......he seems to be a really nice guy. It's the old "body launague" thing again....You are the word smith.....not us..,
And those of us that know each other, know when we have been "dis'ed", and we know (usually) when we should react and in which way (sad, mad?) I
think it might be time for "M" to get us all together again (notice I didn't offer myself up fpr that task :biggrin Maybe it might be just me, but....I'm thinking there are several people (on a
one/one) that might not be as nasty as they seem.
Michael.......You had better take care of MA......or, you know I WILL KILL YOU!
Diver - 11-27-2004 at 04:33 PM
You're right; I'm not always a nice guy.
My wife keeps a "He's not always an a-hole" file with my "nice guy" accomplishments. It's not very big !
Why do I think I really like this gang of like-minded baja fans ? Maybe we are all a little craaazzzy ?? (with many good hearts I think).