The Forum - Three Years On
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State of the
NationForum Address….It’s coming up to three years now since I set up the Iron Heart Forum. When I established Iron Heart UK, one of my goals was – and still is - to provide outstanding, world class service to our customers. The creation of the Forum was an extension of this customer service: a vehicle whereby I could announce forthcoming products, and more importantly provide a place for customers to ask questions, provide feedback and indeed come up with suggestions for potential new items. It has evolved into so much more than that, and has become a large and international resource for views and information on dozens of topics, a place for a chat about our lives, and an active trading arena. Meet-ups have taken place all over the world, firm friendships have been forged and we are continually amazed and delighted at the way the Iron Heart “family” is growing.
To enable our members – and us – to get the most out of the Forum we decided from the outset that it should not be overly moderated, it was important to us that people felt they could talk freely without being over policed.
How to create and run a forum has been a massive learning experience for me (and the Mod Squad) and we’ll be the first to admit that we don’t always get it right. At times we have policed too much, at times too little. I know that from the outside what we do on a day to day basis may appear trivial, but it actually takes an enormous amount of time and effort and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to moderators past and present, I simply could not do this without them.
Recently, there has been a somewhat negative trend creep into the Forum: we have prided ourselves on the Iron Heart Forum being a fun and friendly place, we josh and joke and rib each other, give praise, encouragement and advice. Of course not everyone will have the same opinions and tastes, so agreeing to differ and offering constructive criticism in a respectful manner is fine. However, petty sniping, personal vendettas and downright nastiness is unacceptable. Apart from the drain on my and the other mods’ time and emotions, I don’t want new or existing members to think this is normal and acceptable behaviour on our Iron Heart Forum. Going forward we will clamp down on petty, nasty or vindictive behaviour (and I hope wholeheartedly that we very rarely have to implement this).
We publish a huge amount of information and encourage our members to influence the direction we take when creating new products. I expect the quid pro quo to be that all members treat other members and the Mod Squad with respect. Please remember also that we have contributors from dozens of nations throughout the world, with differing cultures and many who make the effort to post in English as a foreign language for them. Misunderstandings will happen, but can be dealt with in an adult and respectful way.
We’re in the process of sorting out some stuff that will introduce a bit of new fun and interactivity into the Forum. As soon as I have got my act together, you’ll be the first to hear about this.
The original idea behind the Forum was to give us a direct dialogue with and between our incredible customers. We continue to welcome your critique and suggestions – we are working hard to maintain the Forum as a great place to visit as it grows, so feedback on what we could do better is welcomed.
Thanks to you all for your amazing support, let’s move on to year four of the Forum with renewed energy and positivity, and let’s have lots more fun!
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Total agreement from me, and absolute 100% appreciation for the work done by the whole mod squad.
I have posted on, and been a member of, literally dozens of forums over the years, on a wide variety of subjects. This is the place I come back to and post just about every day, I love catching up with what everyone has been doing and genuinely believe that there is a strong and friendly group vibe here.
There are people here who I have shared some very personal stuff, people who have helped me out in many ways without ever meeting me, people who have shown genuine and honest interest and affection in my family. For all these things I will forever be grateful to this piece of cyberspace, and the people who make it what it is.
Long live Iron Heart
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Totally agree. I know I haven't been here that long compared to most folks but this place seems more like a family than a forum and that's what I love. More totally genuine people on here that I may never meet than I will probably come across in a year in real life. Love being here and look forward to staying for a very long time.
Brooks
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Thanks for allowing an open discussion of the products, especially when it conflicts with your financial interests. I don't know any other companies that would allow such a thing.
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Giles, know that we all appreciate what you've done by having this forum so much. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that this is what truly makes Iron Heart different from any other company.
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actually Gave said it all…
like him I also am a member of a few different forums, but this is the place I always log-in first when starting my day -
while enjoying a nice little breakfast and a cup of coffee - and the place I always leave the latest, before falling into bed!
i just love this place and all the people that are here with me...in my opinion it can't get any better than this and that's the way it actually should be.we all show alot of respect for each and everyone around here and that's the way it should be...even when guys have the feeling that they just took a serious beating, but they always should remember, that the feedback is always ment in a positive kinda way, since we all want you to look even better
I was also able to meet a bunch of guys in person already and all I can say is that the impression I had, knowing them just from the forum and all, was just the beginning of what their personalities are in real life...great great guys and girls!
thanks to everyone for making this that special place it is today...keep up the good work y'all, big H, G and P, the mod squad and all the other forum members (new and old)...you guys fekking rock
IH 4 LIFE
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Let me be the first to welcome you to the forum, Seul! We hope you'll stick around and make some contributions. Useful contributions, if possible…:D
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Ah well, worth a try, right?;)
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I've been here since November 2009 and have witnessed the forum expand and EXPLODE… But not just that... The amount of products sold by IH and made by IH also has skyrocketed… Just look at all the stuff coming out in A/W 2k13!.. The Triple Works label churning out amazing stuff!.. Compared to the catalogue in 2k08 and 2k09, well quite frankly the evolution is mindblowing.
I'm just really stoked on being a part of this all.
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. . . Recently, there has been a somewhat negative trend creep into the Forum: we have prided ourselves on the Iron Heart Forum being a fun and friendly place, we josh and joke and rib each other, give praise, encouragement and advice. Of course not everyone will have the same opinions and tastes, so agreeing to differ and offering constructive criticism in a respectful manner is fine. However, petty sniping, personal vendettas and downright nastiness is unacceptable. Apart from the drain on my and the other mods’ time and emotions, I don’t want new or existing members to think this is normal and acceptable behaviour on our Iron Heart Forum.
So true & apologies to all that have been in my cross-hairs as I am brutally honest to all in the public forum or behind PMs. I can not & will not pretend it was all constructive criticism, instead I'll say thanks for putting up with me (those that do) or putting me on their ignore list. Growing pains are normal & I'm glad the issues are being addressed as opposed to acting like nothing is going on. Hopeful this is just a small blip on a road paved with much more success & this place continues to be an incubator of sorts for not just great products & ideas, but also for a new way for companies to reach & communicate with customers. I don't know . . . you never know you are making history while you are doing it. I have a feeling in a few years a lot of people will be peeking over here to see what the Padamores & this place was/is up to as this world becomes smaller & smaller.
may all your ups & downs happen between the sheets.
still monday
**edited to get rid of an extra -ing
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