I have some questions which I really don't want to be seen as complaints but as a user they are things that sometimes frustrate me and I wanted to note them in this Forum.

Reiteration: This thread is in no way intended as a criticism of any of the Moderators - just suggestions and frustrations that I experience sometimes as a user and I'm hoping it will be a useful rather than critical thread for the Mods.

1. Is there anywhere that tells us what the difference is between what causes a thread to be locked and what causes a thread to be deleted?

Earlier a thread created by somebody else that a few of us were contributing to was deleted and we don't know why. I have emailed the Moderator in question but I believe they have been offline since the event occured, so I may get a response on this when they're back. But it did make me wonder whether there are any rules governing this, and how we would appeal a decision.

As a user, I find it frustrating when I have been posting on a thread and it gets deleted without notification. It did take me around 10 minutes to realise it had been deleted because I was searching all the pages for it, thinking it must've slipped down the list.

(Would it be practical to have a special area of the site for "Deleted/Locked Threads" where just the original title appears so that in the event of a thread disappearing, we at least have somewhere to search that will provide us with a quick answer regarding what happened rather than trawling through the site and various forums wondering whether the thread has been deleted, moved, locked or was just a dream?)

2. The creator of this particular thread was only told that the thread was "unapproved". That left a few of us questioning "why?"

I suggested on another thread that perhaps there should be a button for the Mods, or some way that they can add to this description so that if other users do go back to the originator of a thread and ask where it is, they can at least speak with some authority and tell us. As it is, I believe the thread creator still does not know the reason this thread was removed. (I'm thinking here of a drop-down list where the Mods can select an option, not something that would be too time-consuming/impractical for them to use).

3. There seems to be some inconsistency between the mods as to what is offensive/flaming/unacceptable and the way in which the rules are applied.

I know this will always be the case - we're only human right? But I wondered whether you have forums to discuss decisions and apply a consistent approach? Some mods, for example, will snip flames and allow the thread to continue, whilst others will lock. I was surprised that this one was deleted as the comments on it didn't seem nearly so bad as other ones I've seen containing flames and/or what I would consider to be offensive comments.

I think that's it for now. Please take my comments in the spirit they're intended.

I was discussing this with the "owner" of the thread, granted I didn't see it right up until the end but surely snips and warnings would have been enough in this case. It's not even a topic people will get that mean about, no way. If somebody did I think that person needs a reality check. Or an un-hijacked acct?

Was the thread in some way offensive? because it wasnt meant to be, it was only meant to hilight the differences the way a dog is treated affects said dogs nature. Proving that there are No BadDogs only Bad Owners....

Reincarnate , I'll try to answer the best I can. I don't know if the other mods will agree with me,we all have different styles and ways of doing our job, so I'll just speak for myself.


1. Is there anywhere that tells us what the difference is between what causes a thread to be locked and what causes a thread to be deleted?


Sometimes I hide threads if what is in the thread could end up creating more drama and threads that answer what was in the locked thread, or if the thread has too many flames to edit out, or if the content is offensive.

There are no rules about how a mod should act, we use our own judgement.

2. The creator of this particular thread was only told that the thread was "unapproved". That left a few of us questioning "why?"

Mods don't have to tell anyone anything. It's nice when we do. But we are judge and jury in the forums we mod.


3. There seems to be some inconsistency between the mods as to what is offensive/flaming/unacceptable and the way in which the rules are applied.


We are all different people, what I find offensive may not offend Tom, but it might bug Nikster. We all have different levels of tolerance.I think my tolerance for nonsense is pretty high.


I wondered whether you have forums to discuss decisions and apply a consistent approach?

Yes mods do dicuss major decisions and problems, but it would be very hard to talk about everything we had to moderate. Ben made so many moderators so the work would get done quicker, having to have your decision ok'ed by other mods would slow the work down BIG TIME.

No problem sweets I know where you are coming from

Sweeny - thanks for understanding where I'm coming from.

I just wanted to add to the comments so far:

- I can understand entirely why Mods don't want to enter into lengthy discussions about the decisions they've made, however I do think they should be prepared to answer questions from the originator of a thread on why the thread was deleted. Some of us spend time thinking about whether to post particular topics and how to phrase them. When a thread just disappears and you've spent time on it, it can be frustrating, upsetting even.

- Although I can understand the wish to give Mods the final say on subjects and to not have to justify their decisions, I do think they should be more open to reflecting on and changing their decisions at times. (Thanks to the Mod who's just orgnoted me btw ... I have run out of orgnotes otherwise I would reply - as I'm typing this the moderator who made the decision has orgnoted me to say they are reviewing the thread. )

- I know the Mod job is voluntary and therefore you're giving up your own time to do this (which, let's face it, is limited for all of us). All of you are doing a great job btw. But surely it's important to make sure that decisions are consistent? I know you can't allow for the personal tastes of the moderators, but I would have assumed there would be clear guidelines for you to make your jobs easier on when to lock, delete or snip threads.

Thanks again Sweeny.

Sweeny79 said:

I concur with all Sweeny stated, but let me add this:

Many decisions are made on a daily basis regarding the content of threads. Ben added many moderators to cover several different forums. As Sweeny said - we cannot be at all places at all times. On occasion, we have met and discussed some issues that required a group decision. It's been awhile since that has happened... maybe we've grown into our roles as moderators. However, I do believe that a moderator should orgnote the creator of the thread that he/she has deleted, locked or hidden with an explanation. In the big picture - no explanation is required... but usually one is given.

Hope that helps...

Yes it does June7

Thanks all

what does "hiding a thread" mean, exactly?

also, when I report certain comments and the thread gets deleted (which has happened on numerous occasions) - what happens? do the people I report get warnings or are they let off scot free because the thread was done away with?

thanks.

Natsume said:

Hiding a thread means deleting it from the forum page that you guys can see. Sometimes it is enough to get rid of the thread. Warnings are on a case by case basis. If the offender deserves one, they get one.

Natsume said:

Hi Natsume!

We can make a thread entirely disappear when we "hide" it. Meaning, there was something so tasteless or too much flaming, or racist or _____ (fill in the blank), that it's mere presence bothers others. Unlike a locked thread, which is still visible when we lock it, a hidden thread gets deleted altoghether. Depending on the circumstances, it could be brought back after major cleaning takes place... however, this is rare - as that is a lot of work.

Regarding reporting others: Depending on what the comment was, or how often that person has been warned or striked, we take appropriate action. This is done by just snipping the reported comment, deleting the entire post, removing it and warning the author, removing it and striking the author, removing it and suspending the author, or removing it and banning the author. Of course it depends on the severity of the comment or complaint.

Hope that helps.

June7 said:

sosgemini said:

Maybe sum Mods think they're Gods. That all I can cum up with.

ChiveDavis said:

but i am..


or so some people around here seem to think that i feel that way..

ChiveDavis said:

sosgemini said:

you're close