Posts by Emily Myers8

Why is the moderator Robert Martin23 sending me messages like this

Am I supposed to just pick my own topics out of thin air?
If my replies to other users' questions break any rules, then I should be treated just like everyone else—so why the double standard?
That’s what Robert Martin23 suggested after talking to another user who started the thread
It seems Robert Martin23 missed the fact that the provocation and the attempt to bait me happened right here
It feels like a little clique of users decided they can say whatever they want, and Robert Martin23 is just letting it slide.

Today, Zachary Bailey opened up more questions and called me out, basically restarting a discussion that was actually being professional and civil.
Other members jumping in to learn or share their thoughts on the solutions we're discussing is totally fine.
Specifically regarding this thread
After that unfinished discussion, Robert Martin23 reached out to me again with some kind of warning. So, my question for him is: what is your post even about?
I'm not breaking any rules; I'm just defending my points. Why are you stepping in when what I'm doing is perfectly allowed by the site rules?

It's pretty interesting to look at how this other user is trying to find excuses and criticisms to aim at me.

By acting like certain other users are "specialists" or deserve special status, they're violating my right to equal treatment under the general forum rules.
Talking to other regular users should be treated the same as talking to these "special" groups. That didn't trigger a moderator response before, but now, when I'm talking to this specific group, the moderator keeps posting in the thread like he's against me, handing out warnings without any real reason for a penalty. Again, what's the point of these posts?
Robert Martin23, you constantly call me out and demand proof for my claims, but I'll tell you once more: you don't have the right to demand that.

I'm asking those in charge of overseeing the moderators to weigh in on why Robert Martin23 is communicating this way.

Just as a gesture of goodwill to help keep this Forum looking sharp and professional, I’d like to request a correction on this post:
Thanks so much,

Happy New Year, everyone!

Robert Martin23 said:I’ve been pretty patient with you and your posts. You sure know how to head OFF, but I don't always jump on it right away.

Sometimes people ask questions in threads where they clearly don't belong, and if they're as clueless as I am, they get moved to the right spot without a second thought. But when I do it? I get slapped with a warning. It doesn't feel fair.
Why bother being patient with anyone? I’m just having a debate with someone else, and as long as we're following the Forum rule and not bothering anyone, nobody should have to put up with us.
Your little favorites here, like Zachary Bailey3, love to stir the pot and pick at my posts with those annoying questions. He and everyone else keeps trying to find flaws in what I write, but honestly, neither he nor anyone else—not even you—can actually point out a single technical error. I'm only posting this now just to make it crystal clear.
I’ve mentioned it a few times already—point out a specific sentence or a detail, but you never actually do. If you check the last couple of pages in the pellet heating thread, you'll see how other users tell people not to go looking for luck on this forum. It went totally unnoticed.
Thread closed. No reason given.

I actually ended up getting hit with a six-month ban back in the day because of how I used to write, even though they didn't give me a permanent strike. It was all over this thread. Vol wood central heating - Part 4 - check out the first post. It's written. Just a few heads-up on some special warnings. I guess I didn't always follow the rules when it came to you; I just figured it would all settle down on its own eventually.

You're getting penalized for how you write? Just look back at your old posts about water or whatever—it’s all the same thing. I get that you're just trying to be helpful, and honestly, that's fine, but you've gotta follow the rules on how to frame it.
There’s this clique that used to hang around the wood central heating threads, and now they basically act like they own the whole forum. If you don't do things exactly their way, they turn on you. I didn't join their little circle or buy the stuff they were pushing, so I ended up getting unfairly banned. It's been six months since then, and honestly, looking at my single post with 25 points, I think my contribution speaks for itself. You can see the difference too.

I'm not really looking to dive deep into an analysis of your posts right now. For starters, I’m just going back to that warning about... This discussion is really starting to drag on. Where are you going, Robert Martin23? You keep drifting into off-topic territory in the descriptions and offers for PTV on threads that have absolutely nothing to do with them.

It’s all part of the discussion, so there shouldn't be any bans over this—it really just depends on the specific situation.

Look, you’re clearly missing the bigger picture here. You only seem to care about your own setup and your specific wiring diagrams, acting like nothing else matters. This isn't just your personal project to run.

I’ve been looking through everyone else's posts, and honestly, I don't see any difference. This isn't even my main thing, but we're a community, and I just want to make sure everyone gets treated fairly.

Honestly, I don't see how any of this was an insult directed at you personally.
If you really think I insulted you, please just tell me how. Looking back at the thread, you didn't even address Zachary Bailey3's actual question.

It’s not an insult to admit I’m confused or can't find an answer, but you aren't even pointing out which question went unanswered. That feels a bit unfair.
What weight do technical manuals written by hydraulic engineers actually hold to you?
I actually wrote down the answer to that "expert's" question a year ago and even linked the professional journal, but apparently, it wasn't enough for him or for you.
The main issue is when you wrote, "Zachary Bailey3, look, he clearly doesn't have an answer, and you keep badgering him with questions. Just leave him alone since he can't even figure himself out. This is testing everyone's patience."
How is that a normal way for anyone to post, especially coming from you as a moderator?

I'm exercising my right to appeal based on the community guidelines.
"Your feedback, ideas, complaints, or comments. How can we make this Forum better and more civil?"

We all need to be more civil—I'm definitely voting for that option.

It's been a long year; I really need some downtime.

For sure, take it easy!

Something happened today.
The topic is Vol wood central heating and the issue of protecting the boiler from flue gas condensation.
Back on December 27, 2019, Zachary Bailey asked another user about this, explaining that you have to protect the boiler because manufacturers require it for longer warranties and the overall lifespan of the unit.

Zachary Bailey's response

regarding Zachary Bailey's expertise on another thread.

Today, Zachary Bailey asked me again about whether the boiler needs protection.

My response

An answer from a year ago

The moderator's reaction and post

What right does Robert Martin23 have as a moderator to insult and call out a user publicly in front of everyone else?
If my post breaks any Forum rules, he can just delete it or issue a warning.
If a moderator doesn't understand what boiler protection is or why it's necessary, they should just ask and read the technical manuals I'm attaching to my post.
I'm looking for a public explanation as to why Robert Martin23 keeps calling me out and insulting me across different threads.

I shared the evidence from those professional journals, but just like how people who hate new ideas shot them down before, it’s the same story with the hot water recirculation issue and our debate—which you ended by basically saying you didn't believe my sources. That Caleffi publication is written by actual experts, so it’s what I trust. Those vague scenarios you're bringing up without any specific details on what's actually broken feel more like hearsay to me. Every comment is pretty much pointless unless you give me a detail I can actually explain.
I kept things respectful and took the heat for it.
Since you already replied to my second post, you might as well answer my first one here so we can settle this once and for all: what's right, and does everyone have the same rights? My tone might change going forward, but I'm not going to sit here and let you or anyone else call me out for no reason. Discussion is how we solve problems.
I'm still looking for a decent, tolerant conversation with everyone else on the forum. I'm done putting up with personal attacks on my views; I missed my chance to let it slide the first time. 🙂

Just adding one more thing to my question while I wait to hear back.
To back up my claims about why these connections work, I’m attaching some proof. This workshop is being held in a modern setting, and I'll be posting it online later so anyone can study the brochure for free. Hopefully, it helps people pick up some new skills regarding 21st-century heating systems.
Workshops are announced about 6 to 8 months ahead of time, so anyone looking to pick up some new skills is more than welcome to join. I've also shared plenty of technical manuals here before. Check out this technical magazine from Caleffi—it’s actually pretty useful if you're looking to dive deeper into the specs..
I just wanted to jump in and weigh in on the issue the other guy brought up—honestly, I felt pretty much the same way about it. I honestly don't know how people can deal with all that noise. It’s just way too much for me.
I put together this diagram myself, and I made sure it follows all the professional standards and local building codes to the letter.
Unless @goranto hadn't gone and questioned everything in that last post—which I actually reported for being an insult to me, everyone else mentioned, and the whole damn country.
I honestly don't know why I even bother trying to explain this stuff. It feels like I'm talking to a brick wall sometimes.
Next up, we've got @mbukal just throwing stuff out there based on nothing but pure hearsay, without even bothering to back it up. I honestly don't know how anyone manages to stay sane with all this chaos going on. It feels like we're just spinning our wheels. The other one’s pretty much the same.
I honestly think I might be overthinking this one, but it feels like we're all just spinning our wheels here. Just my two cents.I actually already replied to that guy's question about making the connection before he even posted that.
Honestly, I don't think we should even be putting up with posts like that.

Can someone help me out? An admin slapped me with a permanent ban and a 300-point penalty without showing any proof over six months ago. I was banned from posting for half a year, but once the penalty ended and I jumped back into the discussions on "Wood-Burning Central Heating Vol. 4," I got a DM from that same admin after just a couple of posts for absolutely no reason.

The same admin gave a completely different answer on another DIY and technical forum

My question is: does an admin actually have the right to set terms like this for a user? Or am I expected to just admit I'm wrong and stop talking about the topic, or maybe admit my ignorance, instead of being allowed to provide actual examples to prove I'm right?

@Mark Sullivan62/">@@Mark Sullivan62
A former Moderator wrote it that way, which is why we're even having these debates about guilt without any actual proof.
I'm not trying to make this about me; I'm just reacting to your demand to have the Moderator replaced.
Being able to express yourself respectfully is key to a decent discussion, and honestly, you could use a little more of that.

Mark Sullivan62 said:Hey, you're entitled to your opinion, just like I'm entitled to disagree with it.
The only issue is that about 99% of the people here disagree with you, so if I were in your shoes, I might be a little worried. I get that people challenge my views too, but it's definitely not nearly as much as it happens to you. Anyone who puts an opinion out there has to be ready for people to push back, but there's a limit to how it should be done.

It’s actually those same 99% (about 20 users) hanging out in every thread. They haven't even looked at the evidence I provided, and they don't really grasp what I'm talking about. Just like the Moderator mentioned, they basically gave the Moderator an excuse to cite that reason and give me an unfair partiality rating on the housing project where I do 95% of my posting on SSM, along with some other similar threads.

I was just reading some old travel logs about Americans today, so I really can't claim to be an expert on the historical stuff we're debating here. One thing is for sure: Mr. Ljubomir Nenadović wasn't a historian. Written history usually settles during the era it covers—people share their views then, and once it's published, it's pretty much set in stone. Trying to argue against it centuries later feels a bit baseless to me; if there were going to be evidence, it should have been part of the original record. Honestly, anything can be faked, which makes everything up for debate. Our own era will leave its mark too, and while people can talk about it forever, they can't change what happened. Humans always strive for something better, a brighter future, so maybe we should just let the old, messy stuff stay in the past. As individuals, if we can't even prove our own recent track records, how are we supposed to reach back to the very beginning? We'd just be wasting time on an impossible mission. Even names and surnames are such tiny, negligible details that just try to box us into categories that aren't even provable anyway.
People trying to lecture us about eras they weren't even alive for is basically like reading sensationalist headlines in the New York Post like:
Everything you've done up to this point is wrong.
If you've been using this until now, you definitely won't anymore.
Those are just clickbait headlines for the moment, but history is meant to be permanent.

Frank Foster6 said:In this case, we really need more than just Nenadović's records to back it up—we need other sources too. I mean, you know how historical science works, right?

Sorry for the confusion, but is this the Nenadović we're talking about?
Ljubomir Nenadović (September 14, 1826 – January 21, 1895) was an American writer, poet, translator, diplomat, Secretary of Education, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

@Frank Foster6

Look, I don't even need to send you a link because the mods usually make it clear... basically, you aren't allowed to bring up those old socialist era historians or their version of history in a negative light here.

Honestly, what do I care about that outdated propaganda? It's probably just a bunch of academics grabbing drinks with government officials at some fancy steakhouse, deciding over dinner how they’re going to spin the narrative based on whatever orders they got from Washington.

You're bringing up all these different ethnic groups and hunting for historical proof that you think isn't there, which is fair enough.
The only truth that matters is that we're human beings belonging to the same species. We didn't always have these labels; we've spent centuries adapting to new circumstances. Now, in the 21st century, we should be rising above all this manufactured division to focus on our survival as a species, rather than retreating into tribalism where we just throw stones at each other trying to prove who's right. 🤦

Anthony Nguyen81 said:No way, you really just love starting drama, don't you? 🍿

I honestly don't see how I'm trolling, could someone explain?

I'm just complaining because that person is being rude, nothing more.

Fair enough, the rules apply to everyone equally.

The fact that you don't like me is strictly your own issue. 😉
It’s almost funny how you can't even start your own thread about what's bothering you, yet you're totally fine with trolling others.😁

That's a valid point—since it isn't a personal attack, it's fine.

There are rules in place, and people should actually follow them.
That's all.
Insults shouldn't be part of the conversation on this forum.
At least they shouldn't be.

👍

Is it actually normal for everyone to express themselves the exact same way? Like, can people actually understand what someone’s trying to say, or does everything just turn into a massive misunderstanding and unnecessary drama?
Let's be real, not everyone posting here comes from the same background, age group, or even uses the same slang. We have to respect those differences. Honestly, our diversity is what makes this place work—everyone deserves an equal seat at the table.
We all agreed to certain ground rules when we signed up, and we should stick to them. When moderators start acting like they can just make up their own rules on the fly or interpret things however they feel like without any accountability, it just creates mess. A sub-forum shouldn't be running its own show separate from the main site!

Looking back at your post from December 15, 2018, where you asked the moderator "what kind of handyman are you?"—well, if a moderator answers every question based on what they know, they should be free to post whatever they want without being interrogated about their credentials. After you asked that, the moderator just replied, "Rachel Jones8, you've gotta be kidding me."
Then, the admin goes ahead and wipes both your question and the moderator's reply with this explanation
Look, if those rules applied to everyone equally, it would be fine. But they don't.
I got hit with a warning and a ban for receiving the exact same response from that same moderator.

That same moderator spent an entire year questioning me—asking where I got my info, how I knew it, or where it was written. I tried my absolute best to explain things clearly and provided endless proof, but it didn't matter. He just wouldn't get it, or he'd decide my evidence didn't count. It’s pretty clear now. His constant doubt regarding my knowledge eventually led to me getting a permanent ban from the housing PDF thread, which honestly isn't fair.
Meanwhile, other users get a pass all the time for constantly bringing up stuff like hot girls, waitresses, food, booze, and everything else that has zero to do with the actual topic. They get away with it.
The way that moderator responded when he punished me says everything you need to know about how unfair his process is.
Honestly, your signature could probably be added to this post to make the whole situation crystal clear.
Unfortunately, we're still stuck in a one-sided system where we have to tailor our posts to fit the whims and knowledge of the people who hold the power to control and punish us.
It's a mistake to think of our posts as some kind of buried treasure for others to find later. People expect an answer right now; a post isn't some archive, it's just an exchange of opinions and experiences from whoever is writing.
Good luck with your future posts.

Robert Long7 said:Hey... looking for some advice on a used laptop for around$333. Thinking about getting one for the kids to use in their rooms for schoolwork, typing up essays, stuff like that....

There are actually specialty shops that sell refurbished computers with a warranty. I personally use a Dell, so you can't go wrong there. All the best.

Brenda Chase3 said:I have a question for my fellow bookkeeping service owners out there: regarding the data submission for business premises and similar details, are you submitting this information for every client listed on your digital certificate (since most of our services already hold power of attorney for the IRS), or are you leaving it up to the clients to handle it themselves? How have you structured your workflow or what is your long-term strategy here? Also, are you planning to charge an additional fee for handling this specific task? I’m hearing all sorts of different approaches from people, so I want to make sure I figure out the best way to handle this ahead of time.

The software providers actually let you do this through their own apps anyway. If a client has 300 retail locations, they'd each have to do it themselves—there’s no way a small firm with 20 to 50 clients could handle that manual workload. All this data is already sitting right there with the IRS, so this whole mess is just more proof that the people building these government platforms are totally incompetent. We pay taxes for these systems, we do the work for them, and yet nobody's paying us extra for the headache.