View Full Version : Closed threads
Why are we seeing an increasing number of threads getting locked without explanation? Quite often I cannot see any reason why the thread should have been locked (okay, some are pretty dumb, but seem to be within forum guidelines).
Is this a product of newly hatched mods getting overexcited?
I for one think that it would be a good idea and common courtesy for who-ever locks a thread to at least put a final post saying "Thread locked. Reason: blah blah blah"
/me waits for this thread to mysteriously become http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/images/threadclosed.gif without explanation. :p
most of the time they will, however if a thread is doubled then it will usually just get locked/deleted.
and mods don't always have the time to explain.
legal-affairs
16-Feb-04, 05:34pm
Pigman - if there's not an explanation, your best bet is to PM the moderators of the forum in which the post appeared.
I'll usually put an explanation in a thread that I lock, but when I delete (which usually means more serious breaches of the Community Guidelines) the thread starter gets a PM with that explanation.
Originally posted by legal-affairs
Pigman - if there's not an explanation, your best bet is to PM the moderators of the forum in which the post appeared.
I don't have the energy to ask each mod why it was closed.
Just think it's a good idea to explain why for all to see, even if it's just a couple of words, ie. "Breaches guidelines", "Nonsense thread", etc.
jdoodle
17-Feb-04, 02:08pm
thats a reasonable point pigman, will do that in future, if it was a sydney thread feel free to pm me, i can look into it, sure if you pm one mod from the relevant forum they will let you know
i've been locked down not once (http://inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82159) but twice (http://inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82050) in two days
fucking nazi's
heh
MadMike
17-Feb-04, 06:57pm
It's an issue I'm aware of and that we are addressing.
Cool. Thanks guys. I think it well help ensure users retain faith and resepect for their mods decisions.
8-)
First Strike
17-Feb-04, 10:03pm
Originally posted by Bracko
and mods don't always have the time to explain.
dont have time?
how long would it take 30 seconds
if you dont have time to spare should you realy be a mod ???
spare time = time to waste on a dumb ass thread like some of the ones in sydney and lifestyle.....
going on from what you said MM
I think a few things need to be addressed on the forums at the moment. there's a lot of resentment among the older member too the new mods, maybe a re-vamp of the guidelines is in order?
MadMike
18-Feb-04, 01:12pm
Originally posted by Bracko
spare time = time to waste on a dumb ass thread like some of the ones in sydney and lifestyle.....
going on from what you said MM
I think a few things need to be addressed on the forums at the moment. there's a lot of resentment among the older member too the new mods, maybe a re-vamp of the guidelines is in order?
Whilst I'm certainly not willing to get involved in a discussion on particular moderators, I have noticed some rather public spats brewing. This is something I am working on, because in the long run this is about making an ITM a better place. I more than anyone else have endured the trial-by-fire that comes with being a moderator. Being constantly put up for criticism and ridicule is chump change compared to the occasional threats of physical violence and derogatory emails I occasionally receive. (Its rare, but it happens)
So please give these guys a break. They are new, they are learning, and I am watching to try and make sure it all works out in the end. There will be a few teething problems, but so long as we all end up on the same page I think it'll be fine. A little patience and understanding will go a long way to smooth things over. I've realised that in many instances there are "unwritten" moderating rules that we've developed and adhered to. I'm going to do my best to share that information to:
a) improve consistancy;
b) develop trust within the community; and
c) clear up any misconceptions people may have.
At the end of the day I want people to see moderators as caretakers, not punitive enforcers. If you see some specific guidelines that might need updating feel free to drop marcus or myself a line.
Love and kisses,
MM
Originally posted by MadMike
I have noticed some rather public spats brewing. This is something I am working on, because in the long run this is about making an ITM a better place.
i agree. however tha guidelines do not (IMO) represent the 'vibe' here.
I guess it takes someone with a little nous and someone not thinskinned to be able to take comments here to heart.
>Whilst I'm certainly not willing to get involved
>in a discussion on particular moderators
nor would i ask you too. I was mearly commenting that some of the older members are getting fed up.
Juggalo Muli
19-Feb-04, 04:56pm
Originally posted by trAse
i've been locked down not once (http://inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82159) but twice (http://inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82050) in two days
fucking nazi's
heh
:lol: that first thread gave me a chuckle :P
make it three (http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82467) for three.
First Strike
22-Feb-04, 07:06pm
Originally posted by Bracko
spare time = time to waste on a dumb ass thread like some of the ones in sydney and lifestyle.....
going on from what you said MM
I think a few things need to be addressed on the forums at the moment. there's a lot of resentment among the older member too the new mods, maybe a re-vamp of the guidelines is in order?
how about for mods if a thred is closed, explain why....
Originally posted by Bracko
i agree. however tha guidelines do not (IMO) represent the 'vibe' here.
Bracko - I'd be very interested to know how you think the guidelines no longer reflect the vibe. If you (or anyone else!) could PM Mike with the areas you think are outdated, we'll definitely take that on board.
black font
25-Feb-04, 06:35am
Originally posted by trAse
make it three (http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82467) for three.
my Ott thread got shut down in the sydney forum... when i asked why they said there was another like it???
umm if they, bumpmeK cared to read the thread it was actually discussing stallone and his movies and elves and shit!
this is the shit that pisses me off!!!
and then they go and move it to the general forum then back to sydney???
can i get an answer to why this happened???
MadMike
25-Feb-04, 12:53pm
Originally posted by black font
my Ott thread got shut down in the sydney forum... when i asked why they said there was another like it???
umm if they, bumpmeK cared to read the thread it was actually discussing stallone and his movies and elves and shit!
this is the shit that pisses me off!!!
and then they go and move it to the general forum then back to sydney???
can i get an answer to why this happened???
You posted in the wrong forum. If you want to discuss the movie post in M&CE.
Originally posted by trAse
make it three (http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82467) for three.
your first one, whilst FAAARRRKIN hilarious, and definitely something I'd enjoy talking about, I can see why it got closed, even the second one too, but the third one - why did that get closed? You were talking about dance music!
If the mods enforced the rule that the only threads allowed to be started are ones that break entirely new ground, then FFS, there'd be no new threads AT ALL.
I can't believe how serious and formal these forums are becoming ... they used to be so much un-moderated fun. I know its way bigger these days, thats the price you pay for growth, it attracts more people and somehow that equates to more regulation.
I say just delete threads that are offensive. Don't offer any explanation. Just do it. Don't enter into discussions about it. Just do it. Only allow PMs, emails from people you know. The rest can go jump. People will soon get the idea. Over-policing only makes people resent "authority" more. And it only encourages some to provoke moderators.
Offensive? Delete it. Period.
Repeating Another Thread? Who cares? It will disappear to page 2, 3, 4, 5 before you know it.
In the wrong forum? Move it. Period.
Closing threads? Seems to be a waste of time. People see it, read it but can't engage in it - just delete it. No communication. Just do it.
Just ignore people's trivial complaints and channel the energy into writing funny, engaging or informative posts.
Take it all so seriously? No way!
I agree with Bracko, it ain't the original ITM vibe... that was special and should be nurtured.
The forums are the lifeblood of ITM - I'm guessing here, I don't know any stats. Whatever action you take, people will keep visiting the forums and the site. You might lose a few but you'll always be picking up new folk.
The less you enter into discussion with whining forum folk, the better. My guess is they'll soon fall into line and keep visiting the site.
:)
bumpmek
26-Feb-04, 02:43pm
If it ain't the original ITM etc, why does everyone keep coming back for more?
It can't be that bad!
MadMike
26-Feb-04, 03:14pm
Originally posted by Rollar
I can't believe how serious and formal these forums are becoming ... they used to be so much un-moderated fun. I know its way bigger these days, thats the price you pay for growth, it attracts more people and somehow that equates to more regulation.
I say just delete threads that are offensive. Don't offer any explanation. Just do it. Don't enter into discussions about it. Just do it. Only allow PMs, emails from people you know. The rest can go jump. People will soon get the idea. Over-policing only makes people resent "authority" more. And it only encourages some to provoke moderators.
Offensive? Delete it. Period.
Repeating Another Thread? Who cares? It will disappear to page 2, 3, 4, 5 before you know it.
In the wrong forum? Move it. Period.
Closing threads? Seems to be a waste of time. People see it, read it but can't engage in it - just delete it. No communication. Just do it.
Just ignore people's trivial complaints and channel the energy into writing funny, engaging or informative posts.
Take it all so seriously? No way!
I agree with Bracko, it ain't the original ITM vibe... that was special and should be nurtured.
The forums are the lifeblood of ITM - I'm guessing here, I don't know any stats. Whatever action you take, people will keep visiting the forums and the site. You might lose a few but you'll always be picking up new folk.
The less you enter into discussion with whining forum folk, the better. My guess is they'll soon fall into line and keep visiting the site.
:)
Dude, you just summed up my philosophy completely.
Originally posted by MadMike
Dude, you just summed up my philosophy completely.
Dude, you are the personification of my philosophy to life. Be smart, drive a nice car and give a shit.
;)
Chrysoula
26-Feb-04, 09:24pm
Originally posted by bumpmek
If it ain't the original ITM etc, why does everyone keep coming back for more?
It can't be that bad!
I still swear that drey has some kind of encripted hypnotic stuff incorporated to ensure we keep coming back to itm...
To be honest I think the mods are a bit too easy. People will complain (esp. 'old schoolers') but you have to face the facts, ITM is growing and Moderation has to be enforced. I've seen so many forums go through this stage so don't worry, it is common but it is also a chance for better things.
As much as you don't want to, I believe you have to enforce rules with an iron fist. My best example of this is the SomethingAwful forums. I started using these forums about 2000 and it had some of the funniest stuff on there but it was rife with dickheads. Eventually to join the forums you had to pay a one off fee and the moderators have no issue banning anyone for even thinking about breaking the rules (so far in Feburary they have banned 298 people). Now a lot of people, especially old timers complained about the harsh moderation but they stuck by it and now it is without a doubt the best forums on the internet. They have around 25,000 active members with generally no less that 2000 members online at any one time.
Now I'm not saying charge for these forums, :P but I think a more harsh moderation approach is required. I think more bans, and especially post count resets for people that continually break the guidelines is needed. It is a shit job to do but if you do it right, you'll end up with better forums.
As for locked threads, I think this clutters up the forums. The best way Ive seen this done is a sub-forum which is read only and all those posts go there. This way they are out of the way but people can still see what threads have been moved.
I'm not saying I know whats best for these forums, but just my opinion on what I've seen through being a member/Mod/Admin on many different forums for many different communities.
MadMike, you're doing a excellent job. I haven't seen many Mods quite as good. The job sucks at times, a lot of work and a lot of angst, but it pays off in the end. As for the new Sydney Mods, my hat goes off to ADz who I think is also doing a great job.
Jeez, don't I sound like a Little Miss Know-it-all. :lol:
bumpmek
27-Feb-04, 11:48am
That was a great post Barney, and im sure well all appreciate the positive feedback :P
MadMike
27-Feb-04, 11:52am
Barney,
That is without a doubt the most thought out and positive feedback I've ever received. Thanks a bunch for making my day a little cheerier. :)
EightBall
27-Feb-04, 04:20pm
Barney dont forget to leave the apple on Mad Mikes desk on your way out :P
;)
Good Post dude......
Originally posted by Barney
As for the new Sydney Mods, my hat goes off to ADz who I think is also doing a great job.
The cheques in the mail Barney... thanx for the kind words. :)
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