WhiteBlaze: A Statement of Purpose

www.WhiteBlaze.net (http://www.whiteblaze.net/) is a site devoted to the Appalachian Trail Hiker. This site is a community made from those hikers so that they may share their knowledge and ideas with other hikers in a format as free as possible. All hikers are welcome and encouraged to post from the first time section hiker, who has not yet set one foot on the trail, to thru-hikers with multiple trips under their soles. But the forum not only for hikers, it includes family members of hikers, trail maintainers, hostel owners, trail angels, gear manufacturers, and just about anyone else you can think of that could be associated with the trail.

With that in mind, the cautious person may want to read some of what a hiker posts here before making the decision whether or not to follow their advice. Not everyone here is as experienced as they may claim to be, and even some very experienced hikers may have a style of hiking, gear, or something else that does not suit your hiking style. In the end, it is your hike, and you are responsible for how you do it.

It may also be noted that sometimes discussions can become very heated on the Internet. Do not let the war of words change your mind and chase you from the trail before you ever get there. Take it from those that are experienced on the trail: such things are usually confined to the Internet. On the trail, most likely anyone will be there for you when you need it and conversation will be of a polite nature.

Please feel free to lurk, that is fine. But also feel free to ask questions if you don't find what you are looking for by lurking. If you want to know, chances are someone else wants to know too. You should also feel free to post about things you know that we all may benefit from, we often learn new and interesting things from even the newest of hikers.

Keep the first paragraph, that's the purpose, and remove everything after that. The paragraphs that follow seem to be apologizing for the way the forums is... It is as it is. No apologies.

sounds good Rock,

If we are going to comment on postings in threads, I think we should say posters should not post anything they wouldn't want children to read, as children do read WhiteBlaze.

We want WhiteBlaze to be high class, not low class. So, let's say so.

Just my vote, if we do go there.

Rain:sunMan

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I'd lose "war of words" and put in "disagreement" as you sound apologetic/responsible for actions outside of your control. Similarly, the "cautious person" might be the "well advised reader."

I'd be keen to advise a newbie to use additional trail resources, including other lists and the numerous gatherings of hikers throughout the year. Cathode Ray communication is nothing like pressing the flesh in the real world. Sorry, but I don't have the language for that suggestion.

Keep the first paragraph, that's the purpose, and remove everything after that. The paragraphs that follow seem to be apologizing for the way the forums is... It is as it is. No apologies. Ditto - the purpose is what it is - but how is this for a little rewording?

www.WhiteBlaze.net (http://../) is a website devoted to all Appalachian Trail enthusiasts. This online community is composed of hikers, family members, trail maintainers, hostel owners, trail angels, gear manufacturers, and just about anyone else who shares a love for the trail and all it has to offer. Anyone is welcome, from the first time section hiker, who has not yet set one foot on the trail, to the thru-hiker with multiple trips under his soles. Everyone is encouraged to post your questions and opinions, actively participating in discussions, or merely to browse the postings and participate more passively.

How about changing the last 2 sentences, adding the gender-neutral "their" in place of "his," and these changes in bold.

Anyone is welcome, from the arm-chair adventurer, day hiker, or section hiker; to the thru-hiker with multiple trips under their soles. Everyone is encouraged to post their questions and opinions, actively participating in discussions; or merely browsing the postings, reading the comments and opinions of others, learning from their trail experiences, or just enjoying their stories.

"caveat emptor" is "buyer beware", what's "browser beware" in latin?

How about changing the last 2 sentences, adding the gender-neutral "their" in place of "his," and these changes in bold.Because "their" is plural. The English language has no gender neutral singular pronoun for people.

How about "his or her"?

(Yes, yes, I know I'm being anal retentive here. Way too much caffeine already today.)

This beginning note is to let you know what the thread is about. The idea for this post came from some users during the recent conference in Erwin, TN sponsored by Ms Janet. This should become one of the articles for the new section to basically explain what WhiteBlaze feels its mission is. Since Troll and I feel we basically host WhiteBlaze, and the members make up the site, I feel it is important to get some input and feedback in the creation of this document. Once we have it and edit it, then it will get moved into the articles, and it may get updated from time to time. Any "idea" needs to have the ability to change with the times or situation or run the risk of loosing it's impact.



OK, pick it apart and let me know what you like or don't like. Feel free to mention what should be added
Sgt. Rock, It certainly seems strange that the "Off Topic Forum" is the first listed under The Appalachian Trail Forums. I guess this might be the most popular, with all the cyber hikers now days. But don't you think, since we are an AT Website, that "Off Topic" should be demoted to below the Gear Forums, and Poll Forums.

JoeHiker-"Because "their" is plural. The English language has no gender neutral singular pronoun for people."Sorry, What I meant to post should have read: ".....to the thru-hikers with multiple trips under their soles." Gramma and speling ain't my strong points! (actually "thru" should be through to an true A-R person) :D

I like hikerjohnd's re-wording. I'm a proponent of short and to the point mission statements.

Suggestions for how to use and interpret the site are useful, but I would include them elsewhere.

If we can agree to something then I will modify my standard greeting e-mail to new registrants to incorporate these texts.

My experience with these things is that they are put together with a lot of angst and hard work. The finished product is a watered down version (the end result of being created by committee) of what the organization wants to be -- which of course is nowhere near what the organization is in reality. But that doesn't matter because the whole thing is forgotten about in less than a month.

Good luck.

Lots of frustrated editors here.

I think the statement, as written, is just fine.

Print it.

With you Jack, go for it Rock, looks great and gives a well rounded overview - to t he point - in very little space - excellent and to the point...and no sniveling ;-)

Rock,

Keep it as written...the caviats are fine...they just might help someone keep it in perspective.

Pan

OK, I changed the "the thru-hiker... his soles" to "thru-hikers with... their soles". I figured gender neutral was best. I also removed my signature from the bottom since this ain't exactly just me saying this.

As to links, I think that is a good idea, but I can't say everything in this post. We have a very cool links section on the navbar at the top of the site.

The arrangement of the forums, not really a topic for here, but maybe (since they are supposed to be an out of bounds set of threads compared to the site) we could move them to the bottom instead of the top.

I also like short and too the point, but I also don't want to have a series of three or four short and too the point ideas in the article databases. So if you just greet with something like the first paragraph Kerosene, then I think leaving the rest in as a reminder when people get to these articles will be helpful. I have had a few old timers ask me over the last year to put a statement or two just like I mentioned on the front of the site lest newbies get turned off.

"Please feel free to lurk, that is fine. But also feel free to ask questions if you don't find what you are looking for by searching the existing topics ."

just a minor suggestion for newbies to search first and then to ask questions - most do but ... :bse some don't

LOL, seems like unless you have been here a while and know what to search for, searches may end up being an easter egg hunt.

I moved the off-topic forums down to the bottom.

LOL, seems like unless you have been here a while and know what to search for, searches may end up being an easter egg hunt.

I moved the off-topic forums down to the bottom.
Thanks! I think this will be an improvement. Nice to know we have a responsive admin. Good job.