Death of BallOfSpray

[KRoundy]

Well said and worth saying. Thanks for this site!!!! I hope we can find a way forward as a community.

[Horton]

Thanks for caring guys. As I keep saying 99.999 of you guys are awesome. The point of this thread is to remind the .0001 to behave.

[Than_Bogan]

What about the remaining 0.0009? Are they allowed to harass you for math typos?

[brettmainer]

I am assuming the "be nice to others" theme here does not extend to @Dirt related commentary?

[BraceMaker]

@Than_Bogan these sig figs are all over the place.

[Horton]

@brettmainer that is correct @dirt is exempt.

[Horton]

I'm not angry and don't want to make a big deal about it but lately the negativity has been directed towards elite skiers who put up amazing scores that are yet to be certified. The two or three times this has happened in the last couple of weeks I don't think the people that posted meant any malice but sometimes I wish people would take a moment to consider how their words are going to be taken.

[matthewbrown]

@horton can i still make fun of you?

 

[Bruce_Butterfield]

@matthewbrown - If we can't make fun of Horton that would truly be the Death of Ballofspray

[Horton]

@matthewbrown yes

@Bruce_Butterfield no

[skidawg]

If we can't make fun of @Horton then there is no hope.

[ironhorse]

Horton, this site is a valuable tool for mfgs as well. The great feedback on the 2016 Vapor made me open my wallet. Without this site and the great posts, I could have saved some $$$, but missed out on a great ski!!

[kstateskier]

If you are upset that I haven't been posting @Horton all you had to do was call me. No need for a thread :D

 

In all seriousness, this thread is a huge digital asset to the skiing community. I hope it/you are around for years to come.

[DW]

Of course this site is awesome & the most informative ski site, I even have some carbon fins laying around & have one in use!

[thompjs]

Sorta surprised the URL is still working. I wonder when Horton will quit this farce?

[Horton]

@thompjs I think you need to go back and reread the original post.

[thompjs]

@Horton Just having fun with the title of the post.

[Horton]

As most of you have seen there is a bit of a political controversy being discussed at the moment. The portion of this conversation that is a debate about facts and policies is a good thing for the sport.

 

The portion of the conversation that is accusation, innuendo and sarcasm is far less constructive. I understand that there is a lot of passion by those involved but would like to remind everyone strive for facts and relevant discussion.

[jdarwin]

As one of the originals (going back to fin tweakers forum), my only complaint has been Horton. I guess that will never be resolved....

[JohnCox]

I just want to ski... What controversy? lol

[Horton]

bump for the new guys

[skidawg]

>:)

[Jmoski]

Mom always said:

 

"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"

[bigskieridaho]

Reminds me of half the skiers I see. All serious and totally lost sight of the fun in skiing. Guess we have to be serious on here too.

[Horton]

My goal is always to have a user culture that is friendly and mature enough that I do not have to moderate.

[Horton]

Seems like every day I read a post or two that is unnecessarily sarcastic or negative for no reason. The purpose of the site is to educate more than entertain. There was a day when some of the smartest guys in the sport exchanged ideas and offered coaching to lower level skiers. I see less of that every day.

[Justin_C]

@Horton I can't help but feel as though this is directed at me. My intention was not to contribute toward any sort of negativity but simply point out a pattern I've seen and ask a question. There are so many threads that speak of making the sport more affordable and accessible to people of all incomes and abilities. There is also a lot of talk regarding how the latest and greatest is what you'll need if you want to succeed and sometimes it does bother me. So yes, part of my post may have come across with a touch of sarcasm but I do feel as though the question has merit.

[Horton]

@Justin_C your post might have been the "straw the broke the camel's back” but you were not really out of line. My issue is about the overall culture of the community.

[Justin_C]

As a rule I feel as though I don't post unless I can contribute something of value and substance. I will do my best to stay positive and encouraging.

[oldmanskier]

Horton: Your site is great. You moderate and facilitate it very well. Some people do facebook I do ballofspray. I look at it every day because it is the only site for three event skiing I have found that gives great information and insight into the waterskiing world that I love. You also keep the gossip crap in control and I love that you do not tolerate people being disrespectful to each other when they disagree on sensitive topics. I for one am very thankful you started and maintain ballofspary and hope it continues for years to come.

Thanks for all you do for the sport.

oldmanskier

 

[DynaSkiPete]

Advertisers support this website. So finding fault with the advertisers products and discussion about it may piss them off. What they should do is learn from their customers.

[Horton]

@DynaSkiPete it is the flippant comments that I find irritating. Sincere and thoughtful criticism of products of advertisers and non-advertisers is always welcome. You are correct the advertisers do read this website.

[DW]

To those manufacturers that support or view this site, as a user and avid skier / barefooter I use this site as a source of information on market products, both new and previous generation. I sift through the comments and do my own personal analysis / sifting as to relative importance and accuracy of what I read. This sport has pretty much lost its previous analytical analysis sources that were rolled out from a small test sample, read Waterski Mag & some others. I am very careful to read through the lines and do my best to purge the bias (either direction) out of the comment to gain as accurate feedback as I can. Multiple comments help increase the data set to paint a better picture, I may even set up a spreadsheet to get a clearer picture if it's a product I am considering buying.

[DynaSkiPete]

I do like to try stuff before I buy stuff. I tend to place a value on comments slamming a product as BS.

[swc5150]

I have to echo @DW. Bought my Vapor, Masterline rope, Babe's products and Prostar using insight from this forum. You may be doing more good for waterski/DD ski boat enthusiasts than you realize.

[Horton]

@swc5150 for sure this forum is mostly positive but if I do not moderate it will descend into a trash fire. Seen Facebook?

[Keith_Menard]

@swc5150 Bought my Senate C (new), Vapor (used), vapor boot (new from perf ski), Radar TRA (new from perf ski), Babes bucket, and a whole bunch more because of this site, @brooks, Rini Ski School, and Perf Ski (who I learned about here).

[DynaSkiPete]

Facebook has ruined lots of people's lives including costing people their jobs. I avoid most social media. I have an account but I don't say anything.

[Horton]

It is with great frustration that I had to jettison two long time members in the last 24 hours. In both cases it was because of aggressive and unnecessarily confrontational posts and PMs. It is super frustrating because one of those guys is someone I have a lot respect for.

Nobody I know walks down to the dock in flagrantly insults the first person they see. I think some of you forget basic rules of civility when you get on the internet.  

One of the only rules around here is "just don't be a dick". 

[kmenard]

Will they still be able to ski in the Masters?

 

[Horton]

@kmenard The jokes could write themselves but you know I'm so frustrated I can't go there.

[kmenard]

@Horton I wish I had more self-restraint, but I couldn't resist. Sorry people can't play nice in the sandbox 😞

[markn]

This site is not only a great source of entertainment for skiers, but also a wealth of knowledge all thanks to @Horton  Your site, your rules and happy to comply with those rules to be able to continue benefiting from the site.  Thanks Horton!

[Jody_Seal]

@markn suck up! quit! he cant buy hats large enough now! 

[markn]

Dang @Jody_Sealthat is a bit harsh!!  But my old 196 with the Jody Seal installed ZO is still going strong!!

[MDB1056]

@markn don’t feed the beast………

[Horton]

@markn

The point is to keep the site giving you what you're asking for.Almost all water skiing, mostly slalom and as little drama as possible.

[dvskier]

You’re doing a great job!