WebSleuths Sucks, Alternatives? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Thiussat · 04-24-2011, 07:57 PM

Are there any forums where true crime cases are discussed other than Websleuths? I find their moderating tactics a bit too Nazified for my tastes.

There is a case occurring in the news right now where it is rather obvious a family member was involved, so I posted my thoughts and theory about the case. My post was deleted because the admin says "we do not accuse family members here." Uh, well I hate to break it to them, but if family members or friends can never be discussed, that means over 80% of all murder cases cannot be discussed since murders and abductions are perpetrated by family and friends the vast majority of the time. It's stupid logic on their part. Is WS a support forum or is it a forum for objectively discussing cases? It seems to me it is more of a support forum. I have no problem with that, but they need to change the name from WebSleuths to "Web Support Of Crime Victims." It is not an objective forum where people can express opinions, and if one can't express an opinion, then why post?

At least this forum allows people to discuss their thoughts on what really happened. The problem is this forum is dead and I would like to know if there are active alternatives to WS.

Eire · 05-09-2011, 12:43 AM

I left WS a few years ago for much the same reason. Actually, they accuse whomever they damn well please and they let it slide when it suits them. Besides, there are too many people there who swallow conspiracy theories hook, line and sinker for my liking.

I prefer porchlight international. It may not be perfect and it may not be exactly what you're looking for, but it's at least friendly.

crystaldawn · 05-09-2011, 09:06 PM

Here's another similar to websleuths:

http://www.officialcoldcaseinvestiga...com/index.php?

Tighthead · 05-09-2011, 11:45 PM

Websleuths seem like a strange group to me. They get very emotional. There is also a large contingent who like to say "I can't believe this could happen" and get lathered up about every second crime that gets reported. At some point they have to stop being surprised.

Thiussat · 05-10-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tighthead

Websleuths seem like a strange group to me. They get very emotional. There is also a large contingent who like to say "I can't believe this could happen" and get lathered up about every second crime that gets reported. At some point they have to stop being surprised.

Exactly. They come across to me as a bunch of old women who post during commercial breaks of Oprah or Days of Our Lives. Every post is a "I hope they catch the killer" or "I hope they find the girl." Yes, we all hope that, but it's boring seeing 1000 posts stating the obvious. I see no point in any online forum if debate isn't allowed. WS happens to be one of those forums.

TracyLynnS · 05-17-2011, 07:39 PM

I'm going to check out the one CD posted.

I never joined WS because I have a yahoo email and they require a (dangit... forgot what it's called) anyway, they require one that's attached to your internet service like @ comcast.net or @ charter.net. Without that, I think you have to plead your case, be reviewed, and have a current WS member vouch for you. At least that's the way it was a couple years ago..

I do read there occasionally, but usually just to see if they've got more info on current cases than major news outlets are providing.

Tighthead · 07-05-2011, 03:48 PM

This may fast track me to hellfire and damnation but the hand wringing of all the Nancy Grace acolytes on websleuths now is something to behold.

Eire · 07-17-2011, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tighthead

This may fast track me to hellfire and damnation but the hand wringing of all the Nancy Grace acolytes on websleuths now is something to behold.

If it fast tracks you, then it put me on the bullet train because I laughed out loud when I read it.

I'm not surprised at all by the hand wringing and whatnot. Over there the sun rises and sets on Nancy Grace's opinion of everything.

mystery_daisy · 03-24-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thiussat

Exactly. They come across to me as a bunch of old women who post during commercial breaks of Oprah or Days of Our Lives. Every post is a "I hope they catch the killer" or "I hope they find the girl." Yes, we all hope that, but it's boring seeing 1000 posts stating the obvious. I see no point in any online forum if debate isn't allowed. WS happens to be one of those forums.

Well each case, humans are involved keep in mind. If it were your family member you'd be saying you cant believe it, and so on. And maybe it is old women who care about their own children/grandchildren but it doesn't mean they watch crap t.v. I truly hope you or your loved one never has to be "bored" like that, although i get your point about the posts being redundant. Perhaps you'd do better to read a true crime book then instead of chat boards.

WishfulDreamer · 03-26-2012, 07:38 PM

I'm not a member, but I've found some very good information on Websleuths before.

I do have to agree that there are some loonies in there, though. And the not blaming family is plain silly; you can't be a "sleuth" in any capacity if you can't investigate all angles.

Generally, though, the people seem very kindhearted and often give helpful articles or theories into cases. I'd rather have people thinking about crime, hoping it will be solved, or trying to offer fresh perspectives than turning a blind eye to crime and issues.

wiseguy182 · 04-16-2012, 02:32 AM

whoever runs websleuths is a worshipper of Hitler. Period. Every once in a while, I will lurk on there and you can get some interesting information about a wide array of cases, but like half of the people that have ever posted there have been banned.

ernmerica · 08-11-2012, 04:32 PM

Can someone help me understand why on WS they close their threads and move to another?

Might be a dumb question but there has to be a good reason for it.

I found out because I was looking at the McStay family mystery and there's like 20 threads!

Is it because they dont want people editing their own posts every so often, thanks in advance, maybe it's something stupid I am just not seeing

pardilia · 08-14-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernmerica

Can someone help me understand why on WS they close their threads and move to another?

Might be a dumb question but there has to be a good reason for it.

I found out because I was looking at the McStay family mystery and there's like 20 threads!

Is it because they dont want people editing their own posts every so often, thanks in advance, maybe it's something stupid I am just not seeing

Most boards limit each thread to x amount of posts if there isn't a limitation set by the board program itself. After awhile, the long threads get cumbersome data-wise and can slow down searches and load times (depending on the forum program). Quite a few boards I've been on have such limits.

I stopped posting there when it became "weird" or "mean" if you didn't take it seriously when someone mentioned the proliferation of human trafficking as a possible solution to a case. They also tend to be very black/white whereas I can and tend to see gray in situations. I really wish there was a good alternative to WS with more level-headed moderation. I think that site could do a lot more good than it currently does but the atmosphere isn't exactly the most friendly and welcoming for the average person.

benoitbabe · 10-25-2012, 09:55 PM

www.justicequest.net

The're great. Much better than WS.

KeshiHead · 10-31-2012, 11:46 PM

I post on there, but I don't frequent it too much anymore, except for the Lyle Stevik board. I don't post on other threads unless I really have anything to contribute.

04-24-2011, 07:57 PM	#1
Thiussat Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 09, 2007 Posts: 601	WebSleuths Sucks, Alternatives? Are there any forums where true crime cases are discussed other than Websleuths? I find their moderating tactics a bit too Nazified for my tastes. There is a case occurring in the news right now where it is rather obvious a family member was involved, so I posted my thoughts and theory about the case. My post was deleted because the admin says "we do not accuse family members here." Uh, well I hate to break it to them, but if family members or friends can never be discussed, that means over 80% of all murder cases cannot be discussed since murders and abductions are perpetrated by family and friends the vast majority of the time. It's stupid logic on their part. Is WS a support forum or is it a forum for objectively discussing cases? It seems to me it is more of a support forum. I have no problem with that, but they need to change the name from WebSleuths to "Web Support Of Crime Victims." It is not an objective forum where people can express opinions, and if one can't express an opinion, then why post? At least this forum allows people to discuss their thoughts on what really happened. The problem is this forum is dead and I would like to know if there are active alternatives to WS.

10-25-2012, 09:55 PM	#14
benoitbabe My My My Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 12, 2004 Location: Douglas,MA Posts: 120	www.justicequest.net The're great. Much better than WS.
	Last edited by TJ; 06-23-2018 at 07:01 PM. Reason: fixed url

05-09-2011, 12:43 AM	#2
Eire Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 05, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 85	I left WS a few years ago for much the same reason. Actually, they accuse whomever they damn well please and they let it slide when it suits them. Besides, there are too many people there who swallow conspiracy theories hook, line and sinker for my liking. I prefer porchlight international. It may not be perfect and it may not be exactly what you're looking for, but it's at least friendly.

05-09-2011, 09:06 PM	#3
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Here's another similar to websleuths: http://www.officialcoldcaseinvestiga...com/index.php?

05-09-2011, 11:45 PM	#4
Tighthead Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 15, 2006 Posts: 199	Websleuths seem like a strange group to me. They get very emotional. There is also a large contingent who like to say "I can't believe this could happen" and get lathered up about every second crime that gets reported. At some point they have to stop being surprised.

05-17-2011, 07:39 PM	#6
TracyLynnS Don't Look Up Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 07, 2009 Posts: 3,107	I'm going to check out the one CD posted. I never joined WS because I have a yahoo email and they require a (dangit... forgot what it's called) anyway, they require one that's attached to your internet service like @ comcast.net or @ charter.net. Without that, I think you have to plead your case, be reviewed, and have a current WS member vouch for you. At least that's the way it was a couple years ago.. I do read there occasionally, but usually just to see if they've got more info on current cases than major news outlets are providing.

07-05-2011, 03:48 PM	#7
Tighthead Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 15, 2006 Posts: 199	This may fast track me to hellfire and damnation but the hand wringing of all the Nancy Grace acolytes on websleuths now is something to behold.

03-26-2012, 07:38 PM	#10
WishfulDreamer Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 01, 2009 Location: L.A. Posts: 3,865	I'm not a member, but I've found some very good information on Websleuths before. I do have to agree that there are some loonies in there, though. And the not blaming family is plain silly; you can't be a "sleuth" in any capacity if you can't investigate all angles. Generally, though, the people seem very kindhearted and often give helpful articles or theories into cases. I'd rather have people thinking about crime, hoping it will be solved, or trying to offer fresh perspectives than turning a blind eye to crime and issues.

04-16-2012, 02:32 AM	#11
wiseguy182 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 11, 2006 Location: Wendy's salad bar Posts: 7,030	whoever runs websleuths is a worshipper of Hitler. Period. Every once in a while, I will lurk on there and you can get some interesting information about a wide array of cases, but like half of the people that have ever posted there have been banned.

08-11-2012, 04:32 PM	#12
ernmerica Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 07, 2011 Posts: 131	Can someone help me understand why on WS they close their threads and move to another? Might be a dumb question but there has to be a good reason for it. I found out because I was looking at the McStay family mystery and there's like 20 threads! Is it because they dont want people editing their own posts every so often, thanks in advance, maybe it's something stupid I am just not seeing

10-31-2012, 11:46 PM	#15
KeshiHead Do You Know Me, Miss Me? Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 31, 2012 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 8	I post on there, but I don't frequent it too much anymore, except for the Lyle Stevik board. I don't post on other threads unless I really have anything to contribute.