Locked Threads

[Infested Cats]

I've decided to add a few words:

In rule #1, it states: Posts may be deleted for any reasons the administrators and moderators deem reasonable.
Perhaps, what a moderator deems "reasonable" sometimes doesn't fit our definition of reasonable.

Also, I disagree with rule #11: Complaints concerning moderators or their actions may be discussed with that moderator or brought to the attention of an administrator via PM.

One definition of 'forum' (from Dictionary.com): A public meeting or presentation involving a discussion usually among "experts" and often including audience participation. (Note: I added quotation marks to 'experts.&#39

Isn't the whole point of a forum that everyone is able to present and discuss different points of view openly?... Free expression. But, what's the point of a forum if it's only going to include people who say what you want to hear? Censorship completely defeats the point of a forum.

[NikkiD]

Originally posted by lynx@11 October 2003 - 05:14
I think that in most cases it is obvious why a thread shoud be closed, but there are occasions where it appears to be because the mod simply doesn't like the subject matter. When this happens, it is hardly surprising that the person who's thread is closed is upset, having had what is effectively a public rebuke. And to summarily close a follow up thread with the rule 11 clause is in itself inflammatory.

I'd like to address this statement quickly - in some cases, yes it is a public rebuke of the member. However, 9 times out of 10, the reason for locking a thread is not because of the person who started it. A thread can be closed because it has gotten way off topic or has become a 'flame fest', which is the case a lot of times. Most times if this is relatively minor, I will prune away the off topic or flame posts, and then possibly post a message to please keep things on topic. If the thread continues in this manner, it will get closed. In cases such as this, it's not the topic starter who is at fault. And a lot of times, in cases such as this, when a few posts are removed from the thread, we will have a rash of "why was my post deleted?" threads started. It's a no win situation. What starts out as a good thread goes downhill because of a couple of people and then escalates. Obviously this is the case - or we wouldn't have threads such as this. People like you, lynx, are able to discuss the matter reasonably in a calm and constructive manner. Unfortunately, this is not the case with everyone.

[J'Pol]

So whats the problem with putting

Closed - Excessive Flaming

or whatever.

That way people know the reason. They may not agree but they do know.

[Lamsey]

The fact is that there are certain people among us who will be displeased and will make waves no matter what we do.

So it's a lose-lose situation.

All we can do is use our best judgement, using the forum rules as guidelines for our actions. And that is what we will continue to do.

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by Lamsey@11 October 2003 - 18:12
So it's a close-close situation.

[Lamsey]

[soopaman]

Originally posted by JPaul+11 October 2003 - 14:49--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (JPaul &#064; 11 October 2003 - 14:49)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Originally posted by MagicNakor@11 October 2003 - 14:31

Originally posted by JPaul@11 October 2003 - 13:50
<!--QuoteBegin-Lamsey

@11 October 2003 - 12:47


I&#39;m just upholding the rules until I am told otherwise.

Why am I hearing the word Nuremberg at the back of my head, Officer...

I hardly think Lamsey is like Hess, JPaul.

That&#39;s a bit h4rsh.

Same defence, it&#39;s all just a matter of scale. [/b][/quote]
Quoting Jonno
"No m8, I simply meant that when you used to get bollocked at school you never agreed with it, you were always inocent right......I was "

Didn&#39;t your family teach you anything about accepting responsibility??

Infestedcats. You are right about the needless censorship by Mods destroying the point of having a Forum. Why can&#39;t people let off a bit of steam by flaming or arguing?? It&#39;s not like anyone is getting hurt - the internet isn&#39;t real life&#33;&#33; Most members here find the flaming funny, only the overly sensitive "Spam gang" moan about it. I&#39;ve been involved in some great flame wars with people like Adam and Nahan which I actually look forward to replying when I get home from work - it&#39;s a release from REAL life. You all take it too seriously&#33;&#33;

JPaul, liked the Nuremburg comment - very apt&#33;&#33;
Hilarious. Someone has finally rumbled Sturmbanfuhrer Lamsey&#33;&#33;

[jetje]

Well reading all this gives me a sad feeling. This forum is still very liberal imo.
Think with the mod team we have left now locked topics are gonna be far less then we did had few days back

I saw people saying leave topics open and just delete the offensive posts. Think mods are more censoring then as that they just lock a topic but still everyone can read and see for themselves what was going on. Every mod makes his own calculation in how to treat a topic. We don&#39;t close topics easily... never did.
So where is this fuzz all about ? If a topic get locked some people will disagree if we delete posts, some people will disagree, we can&#39;t have a 50.000 people agreeing on things. Simple as that. I can live with the ad on that was made by JPaul, that mods will ad a reason for closing. But for the rest i think that if you really can&#39;t live with a mods decission you just pm an admin&#33;

It is so simple, we mods never can please you all, we just do what we think is best for the board and the majotity of members. No more no less


BTW i think the basic discussion is wrong, we better debate on how we can make a nice discussion board that doesn&#39;t need mods. Some suggestions?&#33; Can we agree with the next rules...

1st you all read forum rules (you to JP) and obbey them
2nd never post double, use foul language, spam, or made a post that is not on topic.
3rd search before you post so no double topics will be here
4th only post if you are 100% sure you post in the right category, and if you have something to ask or answer&#33;

I think we don&#39;t need any moderators then

[RealitY]

I&#39;ve watched topics locked on poor judgement, not jetje though, and when I found it truly irritating I PM the mod and requested it reopend and why, and it was, simple.

[Billy_Dean]

Well I&#39;ve had shutdowns I didn&#39;t agree with, one drew this response from jetje ...

No need for this kind of topic my opinion,... check the funfiles for a topic about this...

Also Board rules... there will be no.... etc... go read that&#33;

**closed**

.. very informative&#33;

I then started another thread in response to the censorship, this was also closed by jetje with this remark ...

What if you checked the funnies 1st... there is an exact the same topic just a day earlier started.. we left that one open&#33; So... I should have merged this one in there but i gues yoou then would have start with ... who deleted my topic...? etc..

An explanation should be given every time, without rudeness, or smartarse remarks.