Proposed update to front porch forum rules

[Cub 7275]

I appreciate the effort that goes in to making a useful online community. Impossible to do it alone as you need work-life balance like anyone else.

The one thing I would try to add is some explanation for everyone when something goes offsides. Deleted posts and posters does not educate the rest of us. It is not just about correcting that individual's post. "Mickey Mouse's post about Politician A, was deleted because it was effectively an unpaid campaign ad.". (or whatever)

Even better, to me, would be to quote the offending post but 'bleep' enough to make it clear why..."******** was the worst president ever and anyone who voted for ******* is a *******".

What he said, with the exception that something as simple as "edited by mod" is the bare minimum for any edit or deletion not by the original poster and should be enough for most situations. It shows respect to the poster, and to the rest of us who take the time to post, to not have what was said removed without a trace. It helps keep the thread from being too disjointed or subsequent posts from being confusingly out of context. Also for those of us with declining memory, when posts disappear without a trace it leaves one to wonder if the post was removed or if it was misremembered in a different thread, etc. which can be frustrating.


Otherwise the rules sound good. Thank you for giving it a try.

 

[sea2summit]

I appreciate the effort that goes in to making a useful online community. Impossible to do it alone as you need work-life balance like anyone else.

The one thing I would try to add is some explanation for everyone when something goes offsides. Deleted posts and posters does not educate the rest of us. It is not just about correcting that individual's post. "Mickey Mouse's post about Politician A, was deleted because it was effectively an unpaid campaign ad.". (or whatever)

Even better, to me, would be to quote the offending post but 'bleep' enough to make it clear why..."******** was the worst president ever and anyone who voted for ******* is a *******".

Maybe I’m weird but for the first example, if there are reasons (Probably with references) I actually enjoy pondering on it. Sometimes it changes my mind, sometimes it changes my thinking, sometimes it reinforces my personal opinions but always helpful, to me anyway.

 

[bdhsfz6]

A good first step IMO.

Additional changes can be made in the future if necessary.

 

[Root Cause]

Muhammad,

I suggest that the moderators have a template ready where they could be delete/copy/paste an appropriate example of a rule being broken to replace an offensive post.
That educates everyone and it is a few mouse clicks without having to give it a lot of thought.

Asking the mods to redact a post will be time-consuming. Unconsciencely, they will decide whether the post is so offensive, it warrants the efforts. And that will be interpreted by the public as showing favoritism or bias.

 

[LD1]

Works for me with one exception. You don't need multitudes of moderators. You can handle it yourself like you do on TNT.

There is over moderation on this site as it is and I have to be frank with you, you are loosing regular posters.

Just my opinion, take it or leave it, your call.

Im torn. Its either over moderation or under moderation. But the current level of moderation is not working IMO.

I have heard/seen several times moderators say they dont have time to make edits, or only remove offending comments, or (either publicly or privately) notify people of infractions. And that its "easier" to just delete or lock whole posts/threads.

Deleting whole threads or posts based on one or two words that are an infraction certainly comes across as over-moderation. Same goes for deleting some posts because of a specific infraction while other posts with the same infraction remain. Maybe moderators were only informed of the one? Maybe they missed the other? Or maybe there truly is some bias? But regardless of the "why"....it comes across as bias and unfair and over-moderation.

However.....if the moderators are constantly complaining and taking the "easy" route by just deleting entire posts, rather than actively trying to moderate and steer a topic back on track and making a few key edits....maybe more moderators are needed. More moderators that have the time to actually moderate rather than just ax posts and threads cause its the easy way out.

I also agree that there are way too many sub-forums. There is only ever one sub-forum I click on and read and thats hydraulics. Everything else I see is simply by viewing a page or two of "new" posts and clicking on anything that catches my eye. But the dilema is everytime I want to make a new post. A topic like pictures of welding up a new hydraulic toplink for my kubota could fit in a several categories. IT could go in attachments, build-it-yourself, hydraulics, welding, customization, kubota owning/operating, projects, photos, etc. And how many times do we see a new member post.....and someone else says "try posting in _________ forum for a better answer"?

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm good with this, with one possible caveat...
We're up to the fourth "Groan" thread. I assume the first three were closed due to adult content "dirty" jokes
There are a lot of jokes that are risque and borderline inappropriate...these, IMHO, should be deleted on a case by case basis, rather then closing down a popular thread.

Politics, on the other hand, always lead to hate and discontent...sometimes hard to determine where that line is drawn...but there is TNT (never visited that, BTW) if folks need to discuss and argue

 

[Diggin It]

Part of the problem here is reading comprehension. Several posts are talking about boardwide Moderation despite ....

-Appoint 5-6 new moderators for the front porch only,

Whether or not more Mods are needed sitewide would be another thread.

 

[LD1]

I'm good with this, with one possible caveat...
We're up to the fourth "Groan" thread. I assume the first three were closed due to adult content "dirty" jokes
There are a lot of jokes that are risque and borderline inappropriate...these, IMHO, should be deleted on a case by case basis, rather then closing down a popular thread.

Politics, on the other hand, always lead to hate and discontent...sometimes hard to determine where that line is drawn...but there is TNT (never visited that, BTW) if folks need to discuss and argue

Exactly the point I was making. Whole threads get closed or deleted because of a few comments and the answer is always the same. The mods dont have time and its easier to axe everything.

 

[LD1]

Part of the problem here is reading comprehension. Several posts are talking about boardwide Moderation despite ....


Whether or not more Mods are needed sitewide would be another thread.

Its not comprehension. Its all in the context of this thread. I know it is specifically asking about one sub-forum. But the whole reason this thread is even being discussed is because of sitewide issues. And lets face it...all the other threads on this subject from a few weeks ago were closed.

 

[Muhammad]

Lol, how many posts per day on this forum?

800-1000. Easy!