Janet and Sweet Results
Thanks for the info! Emmas Cakes...I totally agree a 'TACTFUL CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM CORNER' would be a great tool. Only those members that want 100% honesty should go there. If you get there and don't like what you hear, or start feeling offended, don't cry about it...just hop back over to the POSITIVE ONLY CORNER. It SHOULD be as simple as that? Curious now...is it possible for Admin. to take a vote of members who would be interested in this type of 'Corner'?
Isn't it already understood that if you want constructive criticism on your cakes you should just indicate that when you post pictures?
I think dividing CC into two groups probably isn't the best way to promote understanding on the site.
Goodness! I feel like I have been watching a soap opra. I cant believe I have spent over an hour reading all this. (That is totaly on me) I actually have a question about gumpaste and now have no time to "ask" and "wait" for an answer.
Can't we all just get along?
HollyPJ,
It goes to show you just how green I am . Until I happened to randomly pick this thread, I didn't know anyone asked or received constructive criticism...now I know. Sorry , and thank you for today's lesson. I wish I had a GAZILLION hours to learn this site, how it works, the rules, etc. cause it's all so interesting and informative.
I too am new to CC but not in the least bit new when it comes to internet community.I work on a site that has 800+ bulletin boards, so I see this sort of thing all the time. I do have a few questions/suggestions though. Do we have a written up set of forum guidelines or TOS somewhere ? I briefly looked around and couldn't find anything quickly. If there is one it might be a good idea to make it more obvious and if there isn't I would strongly suggest making one. People have a hard time following the rules if they are too vague and open it is really a good idea to spell out specifically what is not ok and what would fall under the catagory of, for example, an "attack " . There needs to be a protocol that the community is aware of for how these things are handled, you need to be made aware when you're on your last warning,etc. Things need to be documented and policies need to apply to all and it truly shouldn't matter who " started it " rules are rules and I think we need a clear set of them.
Rachel
Holy Cow! For people who don't like all of the negativity, I am apalled (spelling) at all of the negativity here! This site is a tremendously useful tool, so let's use it for what it is, and get off of this soap box. Just remember that RB is someone's child, someone's little angel, and one of God's creations.
Grab a freakin bowl of icing and get moving people! Let's not ruin this beautiful tool that we have at our disposal! 
I too am new to CC but not in the least bit new when it comes to internet community.I work on a site that has 800+ bulletin boards, so I see this sort of thing all the time. I do have a few questions/suggestions though. Do we have a written up set of forum guidelines or TOS somewhere ? I briefly looked around and couldn't find anything quickly. If there is one it might be a good idea to make it more obvious and if there isn't I would strongly suggest making one. People have a hard time following the rules if they are too vague and open it is really a good idea to spell out specifically what is not ok and what would fall under the catagory of, for example, an "attack " . There needs to be a protocol that the community is aware of for how these things are handled, you need to be made aware when you're on your last warning,etc. Things need to be documented and policies need to apply to all and it truly shouldn't matter who " started it " rules are rules and I think we need a clear set of them.
Rachel
Rachel, as far as I know (and I dont know much LOL) there are several things listed in the cake central terms (found at the bottom left hand corner of my page--under my recipe box) it states things like keeping things positive and not cursing etc......also some interesting things about not posting multiple pictures of the same cake (at least no more than 2) and I have done that myself and after I read it have decided to never post more than 1 pic of each cake......anyway I obviously didnt take the time to read them when I signed up (or maybe i just forgot).
Thanks mkerton, ok I found it basically tiny link hidden under the recipe box.. we need to bump that font up or relocate it or something! lol
You know, I really did not mean to sound mean, but I feel as though I was apparently taken to be. I was not watching this topic by any means until I posted. But I only started watching it because I wanted to see what kind of comments were posted to what I said. Now, what has been said could be taken either way, but I don't really care. I am here for the advice in which everyone has been amazing. I was simply asking that people stop bashing other people and that I was tired of seeing these kinds of topics on the front page of the site.
Why am I NOT allowed my opinion now? It is sad to see the way people treat each other. Again, I really do not mean this to be a mean post. 
"Can't we all just get along?"
In all fairness to Jackie and Heath, I got the impression (from RisqueBusiness herself) that she had been asked on a few occasions to "tone it down". So, it's not like they unfairly removed her.
My parents always taught me and my 5 siblings that freedom of speech is a truly a wonderful and powerful tool, but keep in mind that every thing you utter has 1 of 2 outcomes.....it has the power to either build something or someone up, or it has the power to tear down.
I have never forgotten that lesson from them. Everytime I leave a comment or address someone or a situation, etc, the question pops into my head all the time.....
"Am I building up or tearing down".....
You don't need to be rude or dis-respectful to be honest.
Ha, here is yet another post. I was never offended by RB, but I never posted a photo under a topic as I don't want people to think I'm just looking for "good job."
in everything I do, I want to get better, I can't get better if every person I seek out to help me says "good job." So, I really apreciate it when I see other posts that honestly critisize the cake/item in question. NOTHING will ever be perfect, perfection doesn't exist, but it doesn't mean I won't try to reach it, that's how we learn. I'm just sad to see we lost someone who was willing to take the back-lash when they said what they thought, and therefore helped others learn.
I have to say something. Last night I followed the thread about commenting and It kinda ticked me off that RB said isn't it their job. I didn't write anything but it kinda bothered me. I know she has said previous things on other topics that I did not agree with. I know she has helped alot of people out on the threads. But I guess if she has been warned then serves her right. Its hard trying to get feelings out of writing, but I think why people react the way they do is because of previous things she has written. I wasn't here for the beginning, but there has to be something we all don't know. It always seems to me that she always went total opposite and was always on the threads that could get as she says flamed. Just stating my opinion. I know when I first joined I wasn't sure I would go back on because of some things that she had written. But there are to many wonderful people here to give this up! I am sorry if I hurt anyones feelings but I normally don't try to put my 2 cents in just sit back and keep my mouth shut. I just don't want it to get me in trouble with anyone.
I think this ranks as one of those threads that needs to be deleted. I am disgusted that this thread has turned into a bashing of a member - former or otherwise. Please, moderators!
HollyPJ,
It goes to show you just how green I am . Until I happened to randomly pick this thread, I didn't know anyone asked or received constructive criticism...now I know. Sorry , and thank you for today's lesson. I wish I had a GAZILLION hours to learn this site, how it works, the rules, etc. cause it's all so interesting and informative.
I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to make you feel uninformed or stupid!
Welcome to Cake Central! There is sooooo much to learn here. Trust me--it's not all drama 
I think that everyone is forgetting that this isn't about RB. It's about Jackie and Heath. This is their site and they have to make sure that everything runs smoothly here. New members should be able to come here with confidence that they will be encouraged to better themselves and to be able to learn and share.
I remember when I was a new member. This site was soooooo addicting! I loved it!! Maybe my cakes weren't fabulous but all the positive feedback is what kept me going. If I had been given any sort of negative feedback I would have just quit! I'm not saying that I'm fabulous now but I think I have grately improved. And that is due to all the wonderful CC members that have given me such positive feedback and encouragement.
I know that some people are more opinionated than others and it's ok to share your opinion as long as you do it tactfully. It's true that in posts and emails you don't really know the tone of the writer. However, when the writer types in bold print and IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS that tends to imply exactly what the tone is.
I've been a member of CC for about 1-1/2 years so I have seen a lot of heated posts which I normally do not comment in. However....I would like to say that I, too, have been known to just say what I feel BUT I also know the difference between being rude and being honest. I will never say anything to belittle another person and I take offense at those who do, even if it's not intended at me. There is no excuse in the world to be rude, mean or offensive, no matter what! I was also raised "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all", that is called "good manners." I also believe that a owner of a business (or website) has the right to run it as they see fit and if somebody doesn't like it here, they don't have to "shop" here.
I have met Mara (RisqueBusiness) in person, and found her to be very nice & informative....and I never felt that any of her posts here came across disrespectful or offensive. It makes me sad that people are bashing her now; apparently one cannot disagree or give honest opinions without being labeled "rude". I guess that makes me rude too, then - right? I will miss Mara being here, I found her quite refreshing and very talented.
I'm a realist, pouring syrup on spinach pancakes will not make them taste better. No offense to the spinach lovers out there. RB messed up.
She came to play at someone's house and couldn't play nice and was asked to leave. We are visiting someone's house and we have to play my their rules - bottom line.
I agree that it did look like she would look for a thread to stir the pot. I have seen this from the first day I was here. Over and over I've seen her go too far and ruin what started as a good thread.
Some have thin skins and get their feeling hurt, I have thin skin but I get ticked. So if it seemed that I was harsh with RB it was in self defense.
A list of rules - I would hope we could use just common sense what we can say and not say.
The funnest thing I've seen here is when a member complained about her husband and another said to kick him in the head. I had tears in my eyes. Of course the is always some one that takes it seriously.
I seen another member leave and come back by another name. Why would you want to come back?
Note: I went to get my cupcakes out of the oven because the timer went off and I had never turned the oven on - I hate it when I do that.
I use bold type if I am referring to a paragraph by paragraph reply.
I am trying real hard not to post but feel very strong about this.
Everyone has a opinion whether it be right or wrong it is truly there oipinion. Now if I went around calling people smelly monkey butts I can see that to be offensive.
If I spent thousands of dollars on my business and saw a home based illegal bakery at a wedding fair I would have a cow. Yes you can be Licensed in some states at home. There are few. we all know who is legal and not.
I try to stay on the fence and take things with a grain of salt. I have complained about a members attitude to the mods.
Since I have been here I have seen a pattern of behavior with certain members. To follow from thread to thread and so on.
I choose not to chime in..... just stop watching the topic.
Don't sweat the small stuff right!
I find it interesting that the people who are outnumbered come and back peddle what they said in previous post.
I don't think it is my place ever to state things like "good she is gone" or "it's about time". It is no ones business.
I use bold type if I am referring to a paragraph by paragraph reply.
There's nothing wrong with that. It's when certain words are singled out to show emphasis. You have to admit that you would tend to know what the tone is behind that.
AMEN BayouGatorFan. It is not a positive thing on the front page, of a great website.
I agree. This should have been in the "Lounge" if it needed to be here at all. I think a mod should either move it or lock it. This can't look good to those that are scouting out a new cake website to frequent.
Bayou,
Please, please don't be offended. I am just giving another view.
No thread should be locked or deleted because a couple of members don't like it. That's why we have the stop watching thread option.
I recently saw a thread shut down because a member requested it?
Shouldn't the aurthor or mods make that desision?
When you are here long enough the members start to become part of your life. There are those who haven't been on their computers yet today. Shouldn't they have a chance to know what's going on or express their view.
A member is gone, agree or not agree some need to express what they are feeling for closer.
Again I hoping you will understand and not take this personal.
I read the "to comment . . ." post and found nothing that RB said offensive or rude. Frankly, I sometimes find this site too sugary sweet. Not every picture is going to be great (mine included) and I am adult enough to know better. I think many people come to this website to be coddled and I find it absolutely ridiculous. I think that RB was only stating her opinion and last time I checked we lived in a country where it's perfectly acceptable to do so. I myself have felt "ganged up" on when I didn't support the majority opinion. I also find it ironic that many people that are agreeing with the decision to ask her to leave are doing EXACTLY the same thing she is being accused of. She's been asked to leave and cannot respond so how fair is it for her to be attacked??
Okay, I should seriously just let this drop, but for whatever reason I feel compelled to put in my 2 cents. I have read the posts on this. I didn't like or dislike RB, so I am fairly unbiased in this topic. I think some people are confusing Honesty with Brutality. One can be honest without being brutally honest. You don't have to be a "Paula Abdul" or a "Simon Cowel" You can be somewhere in between those two. If the "rules" of how to play nice bother you and you don't want to abide by them, then don't stay. If you want a rude, anything goes website, then No, this isn't going to be the place for you. It isn't about being policed or being treated like children, it is all about having a sense of decorum. If you were in the same room, face to face, with the person you are posting to, would you say those same words? Putting a "nice" face on things does not make them any less honest, it just makes you a nicer person.
For example someone posts a cake with smoothing issues and bulging sides asking for an honest critique of their cake. (most likely, they can already see the issues)
a honest person could say: Well, your cake is bulging and it is totally bumpy.
a brutally honest person could say: You have major issues, I don't know why you even posted this cake, not only is it bulging, but you didn't even get your icing smooth.
or an honest helpful person could say: i see you have some bulging issues, when I have had that I found the way to fix it is....yadda yadda yadda and to get a nice smooth cake I have found that blah blah blah works.
All of these are honest, but one is helpful and the others aren't. If you don't have the time or the desire or the ability to be honest as well as nice and helpful, then don't bother posting. It seems pretty simple to me.
How sad that I've just wasted my time reading yet another anger filled- lets bash another CCer thread. Shame on me!
We just went around this block with a different set of players recently.
Many times in a thread, one person will make a comment that I don't agree with , or takes the thread off track- or then again maybe I'm the person making that comment that doesn't quite fit. The next person will pick up and go from there.
One bad comment does not spoil the whole thread and it certainly does not spoil the whole forum!
Some people are more crass than others, some people are misunderstood. For me-this is part of what makes life interesting here at CC. I read the infamous thread referred to, and didn't think it would develop into all this! It must be my rose colored glasses!
I do agree that there are lines that are crossed at times- but that is for the Moderators to handle. But maybe we all need to exercise a bit a self control and instead of contributing to the bashing in comment after comment- report the thread to the moderator and let them decide.
Just adding my two cents! (Somebody must be getting rich from all the 2 cents!)
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