Which rule is a thread serving no purpose breaking?

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 14:35

Because for the life of me I can't see any rule that states that a thread must have a purpose.

In fact I'd say the free speech rule is being abused by closing threads that have breached no rule.

If a thread serves no purpose perhaps it will die of it's accord.... if not then it sure seems axiomatic that it is serving some purpose even if certain people don't perceive what that is.

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 15:29

You are so right Groucho, I too have notices that phrase, 'serving no purpose', if there are postings on the thread there must have been a purpose! So come along Simbas, play fair, or leave the threads alone, self evident in that a thread has been started, so its obviously an interest to that person/persons ...

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 15:41

On forums like this the rules have to be short and basics. If we make an attempt to cover every eventuality, we would end up like the laws of a country. So we have to keep it simple but never put our common sense aside. So if a thread serves no purpose it should be closed without a need for a specific rule. Put it down to "Common Sense".

ismet

PS: You could possibly argue what is common sense and what is not but there you have to watch Rule 4

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 15:53

Sorry Ismet, it won't wash. If two people are enjoying a good bicker it's providing them with an outlet at least. I did not mention the thread referred in particular, it was a general point. If there was a rule that all threads must serve a purpose. Information, entertainment, news, enlightenment or what's on I could understand it but this need to meddle unnecessarily is claustrophobic.

OK a lot of threads don't serve to enlighten but this use of selective censorship is too often abused of late. whilst some mindless, wittering threads go on for yonks because it suits some mods.

Adding a smiley doesn't make you right...

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 16:35

Groucho



I understand where you are coming from but if a thread is merely a few people scoring forum debating points off of each other then it isn't really serving a wider and valid purpose. these are best closed as sometimes they are joined by others and they then deteriorate into mindless insults being exchanged.



harold

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 16:46

So what you are saying then Harold2555 its a no go area for debates? think that a lot of stuff on here is done 'tongue in cheek' and shouldn't be taken so seriously... After all, its only a forum, not life or death situation for heavy handedness.....

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 16:52

No not a no go area for debates, if only there were more. it's the points scoring about matters not related to any debates that are a waste of pixels.



I can have a "debate" with No1doyen all day long about the fact he is ugly and i am wonderfully handsome but it wouldn't make a huge difference to the lives of any of the members.



Harold

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 16:55

You must make a huge difference to the sellers of fairground mirrors though Harold )

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 17:07

Gooligan



Ouch!



fair point well made!



H

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 17:31

Could a mod kindly close this thread because it is serving no purpose

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 17:40

Sorry that I keep repeating myself but I do feel very strongly about this.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 17:41

Msg 10, 11, 12.

Will a mod kindly close these posts as the reason being, the writer is suffering from 'repetitive writing syndrome'!



Richard

MsGarnet


Joined: 04/01/2009
Posts: 989

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 19:20

When I first joined this forum, I had occasion to question micro-managing an adult forum, and was sent an e.mail by one of the moderators (I sincerely don't recall who) telling me bluntly if I didn't like it, I didn't have to use the forum! The point then is clearly whomever owns a forum is entitled to make whatever rules they wish - and up to the users whether they participate or not.

Rottolover



Joined: 21/06/2009
Posts: 519

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 19:54

That's quite true Ms Garnet, and I guess that's what they call the bottom line. But it doesn't prevent people from at least questioning the closing policies, and requesting a little thought before closing posts down.



I've just emailed Simbas off-board on exactly this point, and she was a bit more diplomatic in her reply to me than your anonymous moderator.



For mine, I'd much rather posts that became lively were allowed to run, as then others who are on different time zones, for example, could join in. It's sometimes quite entertaining also, provided they don't degenerate into unacceptability.

Rottolover



Joined: 21/06/2009
Posts: 519

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 20:25

That's quite true Ms Garnet, and I guess that's what they call the bottom line. But it doesn't prevent people from at least questioning the closing policies, and requesting a little thought before closing posts down.



I've just emailed Simbas off-board on exactly this point, and she was a bit more diplomatic in her reply to me than your anonymous moderator.



For mine, I'd much rather posts that became lively were allowed to run, as then others who are on different time zones, for example, could join in. It's sometimes quite entertaining also, provided they don't degenerate into unacceptability.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 21:29

"if a thread is merely a few people scoring forum debating points off of each other then it isn't really serving a wider and valid purpose"

Who has said it must do so?

If this is the case about 75% of threads fall foul of this acid test.

Just because a mod finds a thread banal it does not mean it's a candidate for closure. That makes it a candidate for the mod not taking part.

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 21:36

I think that most of you are looking for a forum that is not moderated



Now that would be something to see LOL







Spider,X

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 21:39

I think every forum needs to be moderated but in moderation )

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 21:46

If things are getting banal on British forums it's custom and practice for a moderator to step in and say words to the effect of "can we get back on track please, boys and girls". And that's it. None of this "thread closed - serving no purpose" stuff.

Freedom of speech and censorship, Turkish style. Talk about what we want or don't talk at all. Treating people like children, although, joking apart, some here are asking for it.

MsGarnet


Joined: 04/01/2009
Posts: 989

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 00:21

Moderating on an American Paltalk political site (I am not political, I'm a member and the owner asked me to be the English moderator - there are moderators from many countries, covering many time zones, so the room is open more often than it is closed). The only moderating rules we have are banning someone for a set amount of time immediately (whomever has opened the room and is moderating decides on the spot, for how long, if there is more than one moderator on, we talk on IM and decide between us), if someone makes racist, cruel or unpleasant remarks to another member. We can, if we think it right, ban them permanently - something rarely done. On our public forum, no thread is ever closed - it is left to run its course, and if the thread digresses - oh well - so what, it can often turn into something really interesting. Although it is primarily an American political room/site - any member can open a thread on any topic they think is interesting. It has worked well for many years.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 08:23

Any moderator should ask themselves these questions before taking a heavy-handed approach to threads.

1. Is the thread's subject matter breaking a specific rule? Stop it by closing and explain why.

2. Are certain posts within the thread breaking a specific rule even though the thread is not? Blank them out.

3. None of the above... leave well alone. Certainly do not try and substitute your views for those of the membership.



It's really quite simple - have a light touch on the tiller and the good ship Cyprus44 will steer a long and happy course through the minefield.

Texas


Joined: 22/09/2009
Posts: 634

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 08:44

Groucho for the next FA.



Your best post by far.



100% agree.



Come on Barcelona. This last comment could be classed as a simple joke, or it could be classed as trying to hijack a thread. Over to the FA's.

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 09:33

All this stuff is overlooking the realities of "politics" here in the TRNC. If you don't understand what I mean by that then it is time you found out! No way I am going to spell it out for you on here.

The Forum Moderators therefore have to be VERY careful what is on the boards.

"Serving No Purpose" is a polite way of conforming to TRNC realities.

If you don't like it go and live in South Cyprus.

Geoff

Famagusta City.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 09:33

@ Groucho: I find it hard to believe that you are serious in this thread. It must be a wind up or you are willingly asking for more anarchy, insults and stupidity on this board. Below I give you and others three URL's of Cyprus boards - on two of them you can read what happens when moderation is (almost) non-existent, on the other how smart moderation and respect make it a pleasure to post.

▶ [ http://guidebooknorthcyprus.com/forum/index.php ].

▶ [ http://www.cyprus-forum.com/ ] (Home of the natural friends of Zoots).



▶ [ http://glencoecyprus.com/glencoeforum/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=926f7b9c8d828397c7ed7162eed67a19 ].



Check it out and make up your mind where you'd feel at home - I rest my case.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 11:04

DC "I rest my case."

I bet you don't.

Where have I asked for no moderation?

I'm advocating proper moderation. Not the heavy handed approach of closing perfectly valid threads every time somebody goes off topic. If they go off topic to the detriment of the debate (judgement call required here) then by all means remove the content of the post as being outside the subject matter at hand and even then only if it is offensive or so far out of court as to be pointless within the thread context.

If in doubt - leave well alone.

You go to a pub where there is a lively debate going on and say 'Oy you lot! Stop talking about this topic' (and even worse 'or you are barred') Do you?

I don't care a jot if you don't find the topic stimulating. If you don't want to join in that's fine too.

Control freaks don't make good moderators and quoting some ethereal concept of politics or 'a wider and valid purpose' doesn't hold water either... You will have to do better than that.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 12:31

Grouch

With all due respect unless you are aware of what goes on 'off board' with respect to e-mails between 'mods' and members then your comments are not valid.

There are obviously situations that you are not happy about and if the 'Mods' were to pander to your requirements then they would upset someone else.

You either accept the way the board is run or you go elsewhere. Unfortunately a very few members have lost sight of what this board is or should be about. 99% of board members use the board as it was intended to be used. It is only the few that make the requirement for moderation necessary. I would suggest that before complaining try to take some time out to discuss your feelings with the 'Mods' off board. Constructive criticism is more than welcome by all of the 'Mods' but at least have the decency to do it via e-mail first.

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 15:10

AJ (Msg 27) is spot on.

No doubt if those whingers were to exchange emails with the moderators they would soon discover that what I said in my earlier posting is indeed correct.

Geoff

Famagusta City

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 15:23

DC your links provided no information whatsoever, If you believe that,



"more anarchy, insults and stupidity on this board'



is a regular occurrence and not to your likes then why do you continue to post? It would not be due to commercial issues surely?

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 15:36

Geoff



I would certainly prefer if members emailed problems and concerns off board because from experience elsewhere boards where every or many aspects of moderation on them are discussed in threads tend to quickly turn into boards where little else is discussed. However apart from the one central tenet that posts should not question the legal right of the TRNC to exist then it would not be accurate to say that the realities of life in TRNC have massive impact on moderation. (I speak personally here)



This discussion has been useful, and I am happy to leave it going for a while as it has been conducted politely and in good faith. It does seem to have moved on from threads closed because of serving no purpose to ones closed because theey go off topic. Firstly let me say that when we close a thread we are only given the option of selecting the words to be shown from a drop down menu with about 5 choices. these don't always give the best description. (continued)

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 15:45

Secondly it is important to remember that there are a large number of members each with differing requirements.



Whilst some of you feel happy with reading through and perservering with off topic and sometimes inane posts on an otherwise interesting thread, for some this destroys the enjoyment. If we close a thread for being off topic it is of course open for those interested in continuing the original to start a new thread.



We can delete comments but this takes far longer and to be effective needs to be done very quickly so the flow is not disrupted. this means you need to be on that thread fairly regularly to take timely action. This is not always possible.



Also when do you start. if there is one off topic comment but the thread carries on then do you delete it? What about two? etc. etc.



then we get the threads Where did my post go? We can't win but that won't stop us trying to moderate to allow the forum to flow.



H

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 16:01

Harold2555 - I didn't say a MASSIVE impact, just an impact.

Geoff

Texas


Joined: 22/09/2009
Posts: 634

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 19:29

Harold.



Thanks for your comments. I did not know about the length of time it took to delete a post, nor the "timing" involved in doing so.



Sometimes, I agree, posts/comments regarding Moderation need to be done off-board, however in the case of your message(s) above, I think it was correct to give members a little understanding of the "runnings" of the board.



Everyone will now be aware of the constrainsts you are under, especially me, who has for ages been against closing threads, as opposed to just deleting a few inappropriate comments.



Having "open" discussions like this, which are handled delicately, and without coming accross heavy-handed, will attract a lot of positives feelings towards the tasks that the FA's have to deal with.