Posts by Robert Martin23

brightwolf48 said:From what I gather, slycyclist342 was asking who else had contributed to the discussion about brick cutting before him—and yet, here you are, dropping a link to a screenshot of his clearly deleted and banned post. For a moderator, I’d say that’s a bit hypocritical—if you'll excuse my bluntness.🤔

Perhaps even some sliders and coleslaw. When one spends their time reading posts about how to set up a roadside BBQ stand, one naturally attends to every minute detail, especially when there is an intention to follow suit. You have the opportunity to review the existing entries in the thread regarding the Garden Grill setup.

Playing lawyer can be quite profitable at times, though other times it simply isn't worth the effort, my dear friends... 🙂

A question regarding the cutting of bricks

I am well aware, I truly am, of the wounded and bruised egos on display here. How could I have possibly had the audacity to suggest that you were blowing things way out of proportion...

Everyone seems so incredibly full of advice and expertise. But let’s be clear, the moderator’s seat isn't set in concrete. If you are all so eager to share your vast wisdom, why not offer up your time and skills to help with the modeling? You certainly have the opportunity to step up and get to work...

hvala for the lessons learned, though I don't see much point in continuing to pile posts into this thread...

Ashley Vaughn79 said:Actually, he could, since the guy asks politely, doesn't ramp up the tension, and even jokes around a bit... plus, he won me over by actually reading the topic and 250 pages first. 😁

Why are you deleting his posts when he's just asking how to set up a smoker, a kitchen, a balcony, or a table? 😁
And what exactly is the problem with cutting bricks?

Those 4 pages of screenshots you linked are useless.
I guess he didn't realize there are still 3 more pages left.

And please, tone down the communication a little.
He's relatively polite and doesn't even seem particularly aggressive... which isn't something that could be said about you. 🙂

Shit!
Now when I get banned, they'll delete my post too. 🙈

It doesn't matter... it was worth it. 😬

Upon accessing the SSM page, one is met with various thematic menus, guidelines regarding topic selection, instructions on how to compose posts, methods for uploading images, and a host of other procedural directions. These instructions have been meticulously organized within that Adobe PDF to ensure that any "new forum members" might find it slightly less daunting to navigate the search for answers and relevant discussions... There are also the Rules to consider.

It is quite another matter entirely that so few members here actually show any semblance of respect, choosing instead to simply spin up their own new threads whenever they please...
New guidelines have been established regarding the uploading of images, specifically addressing those being posted in excessive quantities and at disproportionate sizes, regardless of whether they actually pertain to the subject matter at hand... While I recognize that not every single upload is irrelevant, maintaining visual clarity across both desktop monitors and mobile devices remains a priority for the integrity of our discussions...
The instructions explicitly state that images should be uploaded via external links to ensure high resolution and allow every detail to be visible... yet everyone seems to ignore that entirely, creating nothing but absolute chaos because they are more interested in monopolizing the thread, or rather, they go out of their way to state exactly that intention...
Whenever I attempt to initiate a new thread, hoping to foster an uninterrupted discussion that might eventually allow me to link all the useful information together, I am met with nothing but trouble... instead, I face insults, threats, and those rather uncivilized comments appearing in my private messages...
None of that is ever visible to the naked eye, nor is there any real necessity for it to be, yet it remains the underlying reality...

When one actually takes the time to sit down and digest two hundred and fifty pages of discourse regarding the construction of a wood-fired oven—though I suppose even attempting to grasp the sheer depth of such a topic is a feat in itself—it becomes painfully clear that we are discussing a masterclass in DIY building using purely organic, natural materials. The text provides an exhaustive breakdown of every single component required, from the specific grades of sand and various brick compositions to the exact types of mortar used, alongside technical blueprints and precise instructions on how to cut each brick... It covers nearly every minute detail imaginable, complemented by a complete visual archive of the entire process from the first stone laid to the final firing. One could almost call it the fundamental primer for anyone hoping to build their own oven...

There exists a dedicated thread regarding garden pottery, and then there is the separate discussion focused on pottery and wood-fired kilns. That second one hasn't exactly gained much momentum and only sees the occasional post, yet I wouldn't call it dead... rather, it remains a space where certain ideas could truly flourish, provided there are enough interested souls willing to engage...

So, our friend Ljutko decides to start a thread about tin planters on the balcony, uploads some photos, and lets it sit there for a while... Then, out of nowhere, he kicks off this whole debate that has absolutely nothing to do with the original topic of brick masonry, pivoting instead to tin chimneys. Naturally, I had to step in and move the thread to where it belongs. Now, he’s moved on to discussing garden features and pear ovens—all made of tin—inside a thread dedicated entirely to masonry work...
Moving this thread to its proper place was necessary, though it seems we have simply traded one set of complications for another...

There is an open invitation here to explore any topic one might desire, with absolutely no restrictions placed upon them, yet he insists on following his own narrow path... and I suppose I am the primary architect of that stubbornness...

Suddenly I am labeled as insane or mentally deficient simply because I had the audacity to moderate this thread... It is precisely at this moment that his facade of civility and polite decorum begins to crumble...
It appears I have managed to strike an equally abrasive and agitated chord with you, so hvala for the blunt honesty...👍

Naturally, several other offended parties have joined the fray because I refused to bow to their arbitrary whims, which was entirely predictable...
I am certainly not here to court affection or play the sycophant, though I do my best to act of my own volition, showing respect to the individuals behind the screen names and honoring their contributions and writings...

Certain posts and segments of written material on this Adobe PDF are being archived by the help of other community members in a dedicated section called the Forum Library. This is where we gradually compile posts containing fundamental instructions for specific topics, selecting key discussions so that less experienced users can navigate various skills more easily...
I consider this Adobe PDF to be a vital component of the SSM, serving as a sort of representative archive for the site. Of course, this exists solely due to the contributions of the community members and not because of any effort on my part... I simply strive to maintain it, though I recognize everyone holds their own perspective on the matter...

I have no intention of deleting your post. I am well aware that harsh and civil critiques are simply part of the work performed here... It would be considerably easier if the community members accepted such feedback when they are cautioned, rather than assuming they are always correct...
In the end, everyone takes offense when posts are moderated, even when they know deep down they aren't necessarily in the right, and they always have a choice in how they respond...

You asked quite clearly, and I hope I have clarified at least some of these points? I hope it proves useful...

It seems everyone who refuses to follow the Adobe PDF SSM guidelines has suddenly decided they are the ultimate authority on the matter... If the users listed below are actually correct, then there would be no need for rules in the first place.

I have no intention of justifying my actions, as such discussions rarely lead to anything productive... Had these individuals simply taken the time to read and adhere to the instructions—which are quite clearly displayed—their arbitrary behavior wouldn't be an issue. I have wasted far too much time attempting to explain things and offer persuasion to those who refuse to listen.

The administration maintains a very clear oversight of all posts, and frankly, I have nothing left to say... It is quite convenient how the users mentioned below feel so comfortable sharing their "opinions" regarding other members of this community.
No, there is just no point in continuing this...

I can certainly grasp where you're coming from, and it seems your frustration hasn't quite subsided, leaving you with the distinct impression that you've been unfairly treated... You are entitled to your perspective, whether it pertains to this forum or the quality of my own contributions here.

Kate Evans48 said:Robert Martin23 has completely drained my desire to contribute to Housing Forum (though I might occasionally drop a post as a rare exception)... I feel as though I am being targeted by his harassment.

In my view, the feeling of being targeted is mutual. I have no intention of performing a deep dive into your post history, as I find such an exercise entirely futile... I haven't directed any personal insults toward you, nor anything of that nature. As for the deleted posts, there is nothing more to be done about them; under the circumstances, those decisions were necessary. I don't view this as a personal vendetta against you, nor do I intend to go hunting for your previous comments...

I find myself agreeing with Kate Evans48; much like those veteran members who have been part of this community for ages yet lack the basic inclination to consult the TOPIC LIST before cluttering various threads, effectively killing any motivation to organize or relocate these redundant posts.
The topic list exists specifically to streamline things so one can find an answer without wading through noise, but when the same inquiry is scattered across multiple threads, you end up with nothing but congestion and unanswered questions...
It feels futile to keep listing the grievances, as all that is required is a modicum of effort to respect the rules that are meant to benefit the entire community, rather than just the moderators.

Kate Evans48 said:everyone jumps on my case whenever I ask something that’s already been asked, even though the same questions keep circling because so few people actually bother to read old discussions...

You have reached a rather astute conclusion, and it explains exactly why I react the way I do... it isn't just you, it's all of us. So many answers have already been provided in the past, yet everyone seems to demand a personalized response delivered directly to them.
There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained here, but the posts just pile up, and you've admitted yourself that searching through previous entries isn't your priority.

I am far from satisfied with much of what happens on this forum, from the general conduct of the users to the sheer nonsense being posted, and yet, I find myself returning repeatedly. If nothing else, enduring the criticisms leveled at my work allows me to see that some members are at least aware that someone is trying to clean up a mess that is created either intentionally or out of pure negligence...

I suppose I should be grateful for that, at the very least. 🙏

Bradley Carter12 , I fail to see any valid grounds for an appeal regarding the deleted post. this was your own submission. You were responding to a comment from user mala.truba, adding that you weren't welcome on this forum??

On March 14, 2021, you authored your very first post on the AFL-CIO forum. At the conclusion of your reply, you wrote, "And if anyone needs housing, I'm available, since I have a ban" on posting here."!!??

Forgive me, but I cannot make sense of that statement, nor can I find any instance where I informed you that you were unwelcome... I am quite uncertain as to where you derived this notion of a "posting ban."

Naturally, I removed that post, simply because your assertion was factually incorrect. You discuss washing machines over in the Housing section, yet this was your inaugural mention of them here on the AFL-CIO forum.

I truly struggle to grasp why you are even filing a complaint...

It seems you fail to grasp the reality that your computer already understands you far better than you realize, to the point where the machine itself dictates which advertisements you encounter.
It meticulously selects content designed to tap into your deepest, most subconscious interests and desires... 😛

I would suggest that we bring this discussion to a close...

Your current approach to writing is simply no longer sustainable on any threads pertaining to heating systems. The comments you post have become these impenetrable walls of text, overflowing with endless ideas and complex combinations that ultimately render the entire discussion incoherent and impossible to follow...
The threads are DIY enthusiast spaces where people seek practical advice alongside solutions that are actually feasible "for the DIY crowd" and easy to implement. That is the spirit of these discussions—an exchange of practical and theoretical experience. But then you step in and turn everything into a disorganized mess, where real solutions are buried under a mountain of science-fiction theories that you seem so fond of...
You are killing these threads. You exhaust everyone with proofs and debates that fail to offer significant, actionable solutions, leaving them as nothing more than abstract concepts on a page. You behave like a schoolteacher who insists on explaining the same lesson to students over and over again, using a different method every single day...
I have been patient with you for a year now. Even after your ban was lifted, you failed to adhere to the conditions and reverted to your old ways immediately. It serves no purpose anymore, which is why I wrote those last two posts as a final warning to stop...

Do not bother asking for proof, because it is evident in every thread you touch! Your behavior isn't just an issue for the administration; it’s an issue for everyone participating in these discussions...

I told you once, and I am telling you for the last time: go ahead and start a PDF thread titled DIY enthusiast dedicated to modern heating, 21st-century solutions, or whatever you care to call it. There, you can debate and present all your theories for commentary, provided you stay within the Forum rule. You certainly won't lack an audience, so there is no need to worry about that. You will have total freedom to exhaust every possible scheme, option, diagram, and theory until you are blue in the face. Try to make the topics engaging for all skill levels and backgrounds—people who might actually be able to follow you. That thread will be moderated by the SSM moderators via PDF...

But as for these existing threads involving heating, you must abandon your current way of posting...

Please suggest a thread title and let me know where you would like it placed...

My dear Emily Myers8, you seem to have neglected to ask the moderators to take a closer look at how other users interact with your posts on these heating threads... It is necessary to grasp the specific tone you adopt toward everyone if you expect my request to remain on these topics without facing a permanent ban to be granted.

You remind me of a snail spending an entire year crawling up a garden fence just to reach the other side. Just as you finally reach the top, the groundskeeper pulls you back down to prevent any damage, yet you simply begin the climb all over again... and so it continues, endlessly, from day one.

I suggested that you start your own thread—any topic you desire—with the genuine intention of fostering a discussion among interested members in a style that actually suits your temperament.

However, please refrain from entering the heating discussions altogether, as you tend to derail every conversation, and your monologues simply refuse to end...

When your last ban was issued, the condition for your return was quite clear: either step away from these specific topics or cease the exact behavior that got you banned in the first place. But...

I truly meant well, but you really crossed the line, man; you truly went too far.

Thanks for the heads-up.
I know there’s no making excuses for my behavior. It is quite curious, however, that I found myself facing such a stern reprimand simply because I dared to point out the exact same pattern in other members...👍

I will certainly endeavor to be more careful, though lapses like this do occasionally occur...

I have exercised a great deal of patience regarding you and your contributions here. You possess such a refined talent for drifting into OFF, yet I have refrained from immediate intervention...
Due to your particular style of communication, you have faced various penalties in years past, ranging from mere warnings to a six-month suspension. Within the thread Vol wood central heating vol. 4 - read 1st post, there are specific warnings laid out—guidelines I failed to strictly enforce in your case, under the naive assumption that your behavior might eventually mature...

I do not intend to perform an exhaustive autopsy of your posts. To begin, I will point back to the warning regarding * thread drifting, where you acted like Robert Martin23. You frequently veer into off-topic territory when providing descriptions or offers for buffer tanks on threads that bear no relation to them.
Naturally, you seem oblivious to these lapses, convinced that everything is perfectly fine as long as it concerns your own heating systems and diagrams. This is not your private forum...

Furthermore, I fail to see where any personal insult was directed at you...

Robert Martin23 said:Zachary Bailey3, you can clearly see he doesn't have the answer, yet you continue to blunt him with endless questions. Please, just leave him be, as he seems unable to understand himself. This is pushing the absolute limits of my patience.

If you consider that an insult, please enlighten me as to how I offended you; looking back through your previous replies, you haven't actually answered Zachary Bailey3's question...

That is all for this year; I believe it is time for some rest...

I have noted the grievance. I shall endeavor to provide a response at my earliest convenience, though I am currently unable to do so...

@ Frank Lee, you received that ban quite deservedly, though I suppose it took far too long to actually happen... You continue to push your own particular version of reality, acting under the assumption that you alone hold the truth and that your responses carry some singular weight that others lack. As I previously noted in response to your objection, everyone—yourself included—must face the necessary consequences if any rules outlined in the AFL-CIO guidelines are violated. One only needs to look at the opening post in the thread wood-burning central heating Vol. 4 - read 1st post
to see this clearly. I acted accordingly based on your report regarding the user goranto
.
I suggested that you review your own past posts and those technical diagrams you used to upload in the thread, where you stubbornly rejected every well-meaning suggestion from other members until the entire discussion lost its direction and purpose. You provoke these conflicts and then claim everyone else is at fault, playing the part of the innocent bystander whom no one on this forum seems to understand

Unsolicited legal defense for an argument I never even entered!
It feels like such a waste of energy to engage with comments like these... it truly escapes me why anyone bothers. I am perfectly capable of articulating my own thoughts and actions without feeling the need to provide a commentary on what everyone else is doing.
To each their own, I suppose!! 👍👍

I'll see you all over at the AFL-CIO.