A Heli Community Editorial:

What the Heli Community Needs and What it Doesn't Need.

The on-line "Heli Community" is not just a convenient term to describe what we are.   It is, in a very real sense, a brotherhood that springs from the principles of free association, free speech, global cooperation and our love for Model Helicopters.   Unfortunately, someone within this community has developed an unwelcome monopolistic strangle-hold on this community's free speech and open exchange of information and in my opinion, and the opinion of many others, this individual is ruining a good thing.

The problem with ignorance, is that you can never know when you're afflicted with it.

-Alanism

Sadly, I do not believe that this individual is capable or suitably equipped to understand the harm they are inflicting upon our community, and I do not believe the global heli community can prosper and flourish under the influence and domination of this person.

Wisdom is called for, action is needed.

In response to this threat to our freedoms of expression, our fun and enjoyment, I and a good friend of mine, John Ketron, have decided to launch a new on-line community for all heli enthusiasts, HeliHole.com.   This new web-community will be DESIGNED to RESIST, and REMAIN immune from, the commercial coercions and the petty corruptions of life's little "Heli-Hitlers".

The problem with rules, is that their inventor never ruled out exceptions.

-Alanism

HeliHole.com will feature the following:

  • A TRULY Threaded Discussion Engine

    • No more topic hi-jacking or wandering, reply exactly to the post you intended to.

  • Community Self Moderation

    • You occasionally SHARE in the job of floating the best info to the top if you want to. You can also help turn the bad and the boring stuff into fine print.

  • Karma Encouragement System

    • Helping the Newbies and saying important stuff earns you prominence over time.

  • Gallery with automated image scaling on upload

    • No more waiting for "Thumbnail Creation and Cleanup".

  • Family Filtering

    • Members under 18 cannot view posts that have not been moderated up.

  • Member Authored In-Depth Product Reviews

    • Remember Alan's review of the Raptor 30 V2 on that other forum? You can do that too!

  • Hands-Off Editorial Policy

    • Speak openly, your post will never be deleted or modified (unless required by U.S. LAW). You will never be censored for commercial or petty personal reasons.

  • Anonymous Coward Posting Permitted

    • Have something to say that you don't want to affect your Karma? Post as an Anonymous Coward.

  • No "Banning"

    • Speak your mind, you will never be banned.

  • Special, Regionalized Forums Dedicated to Manufacturers, Distributors and Retailers

    • This was not a hard problem to solve if you have a brain bigger than a GNAT!

  • Inexpensive, Self-Service, Take-it-or-Leave-it Advertising

    • Take it or leave it advertising policy. No coersion or arm twisting allowed. The Owners of HeliHole have real day jobs and don't need the money.

I am very exited about this project and it is moving forward quickly. Please come and check it out once it is open.

1/10/2003
Alan K. McSwain