Valid Reasons to Lock a Thread


  

49 members have voted

  1. 1. Valid Reasons to Lock a Thread

    • If the subject is detrimental to the good of the Community
      5
    • Because he doesn't like the topic
      7
    • Because the posts are getting out of hand
      13
    • Because one or two people don't like it
      0
    • Because he see's no point in the subject
      4
    • I'm a Mod, I don't need a reason
      15
    • I'm a Mod, I know when a thread needs to be closed.
      5


Recommended Posts

Threads are usually locked because they are "getting out of hand" as you have put it. I like to think staff here are quite tolerant but when members insist on testing the rules, sometimes we have to take action. It could be that the thread has racist remarks, pornography, victimization, whatever the reason. If we feel rules are being broken, we either lock it up, or delete the thread if necessary.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thankyou TimeRider :)

Now, as we are on the topic of threads being locked i want to take this opportunity to point out the "report post" feature. If you feel that a user has violated community rules in his/her post than all you need do is report it. I can guarantee that in short time a member of staff will be on hand to deal with the situation. Rather than flaming the user in the forums about his behavior, report it and staff will take necessary steps to enforce community rules.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If we delete the thread other user that posted there, will lost their post number depend on how many reply the user post in the topic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's why we don't delete the thread, but if the thread is way inappropriate, then we delete it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by TimeRider

In light of some of the threads that have been locked tonight, I felt a poll was in order . . . provided the thread doesn't get locked.

If certain threads have sparked this response from you, I really think it would be better if you PM'd the mod(s) who closed these threads.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by TimeRider

P.S. To aco:

I hear what you're saying. But this is a community right? If I have a problem with the actions of the staff, shouldn't it be dealt with openly?

If you are going to point fingers at a particular member/mod, then no, I think you should send a PM.

I like to hear feedback from members, if they have a problem with something I've done, we can exchange PM's.

You are assuming that the majority of the community views this situation in the same light as you. Again, I really think this is a matter between you and the mod(s) in question, do you think you can resolve or at least discuss your problem between yourselves?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First of all, i think that if you knew the thread was closed than you must also know who is responsible for closing it. Secondly i dont think it is fair to start a thread to question a member of staffs actions. As aco has already stated, and despite what you have just said. If you have an issue concerning a member of staff and his/her decisions then it would be courteous to contact them in private and resolve whatever differences you may have. Don't turn it into a debate in public forums. Its disrespectful of both the staff member in question and to the community as a whole

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by TimeRider

I have no issue with a member of the staff. I mean no disrespect to anyone. And with all due respect, I'm not he first person who ever questioned the staff in a thread.

Being a leader of people is an art, not a science. There is a balance that you strike between regulating the conditions of the envirnonment and permitting the expression of the self.

The threads are locked. I don't expect anyone to "stand down" from their decision. I accept them as within the scope of their authority. I respect their decision.

But in a broader sense, isn't the subject something that bears discussion? I recall a thread about flaming that went on for days. That was an open discussion about where this community needed to improve in order to maintain the standard of quality that was desired. A lot of people gave an opinion in that thread. How is this thread different?

The question really comes down to this, should a Mod be accountable to the people that he/she is appointed to regulate, and if so to what degree?

Or, are the Mods only accountable to the next highest ranking staff member?

It's a fair question.

JMHO

-TR

Holy crap! There's "Active" on the boards, and then there's OBSESSED. Ease up, dude. The Mods aren't leaders of anyone (You guys will take that the right way, right???). They were just asked to help out. They hold no special power over YOU, just some words on a screen. Try to put it in perspective. It's just like any other public place. It's not just about who's offended, but who MIGHT be offended. That may sound wierd, so I'll explain: The point of Moderating these forums is not to censor, but to AVOID censorship. Would you rather lose one thread, or see the whole site taken down because someone PERCIEVED racial intolerance? Think about it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by flyers1033

Holy crap! There's "Active" on the boards, and then there's OBSESSED. Ease up, dude. The Mods aren't leaders of anyone (You guys will take that the right way, right???). They were just asked to help out. They hold no special power over YOU, just some words on a screen. Try to put it in perspective. It's just like any other public place. It's not just about who's offended, but who MIGHT be offended. That may sound wierd, so I'll explain: The point of Moderating these forums is not to censor, but to AVOID censorship. Would you rather lose one thread, or see the whole site taken down because someone PERCIEVED racial intolerance? Think about it.

but his point, and I agree, is that certain threads were closed despite a non-harmful nature. there as good heated debate, but no flaming going on. Luckily, Neobond has reopened the religion thread, one I found informative and well-under control. I don't think anyone takes Neowin too seriously, it's just a website, nothing more. This doesn't mean I don't take my JOB here seriously, just that I don't stake my life on it.... (this IS a volunteer position ya know :D )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To answer your question on a very broad scale is very easy TR

Staff at Neowin, no matter what rank. are representatives of this site. They are chosen by the admin and staff (everyone gets a say) when they make mistakes or mis-use their powers we try to reason with the action. Members help us in this process by PM'ing the said persons.

Members do not help this site in any way by making the moderators or staff decisions a course for public scrutiny. I have said time and time again that we here at Neowin are generally pretty laid back with most things. People did start threads openly critcizing staff its true, but the majority of those people are now banned for reason that go above what you see on these public forums.

When people openly criticize Neowin on public forums, they either do it to show that the staff have no powers to block bad threads or members, or its to promote an alternative or give proof that the community is weakened by its powerless staff

There are members that are banned for disrupting this community who try DAILY to re-register via various means (proxies, new email accounts) These go all unseen to you. So please do not come to me with your free world and democracy bit when you dont even take into account the powers we need to have to be able to moderate GENUINE trouble makers here.

Your open assault on this makes our work more difficult each day, so congratulations.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by timdorr

but his point, and I agree, is that certain threads were closed despite a non-harmful nature. there as good heated debate, but no flaming going on. Luckily, Neobond has reopened the religion thread, one I found informative and well-under control. I don't think anyone takes Neowin too seriously, it's just a website, nothing more. This doesn't mean I don't take my JOB here seriously, just that I don't stake my life on it.... (this IS a volunteer position ya know :D )

That's absolutely what I was saying. You guys should take it seriously, but I don't wander the boards in fear or resentment of Mods, except for that pic of you in Neobond's sig.:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To prevent of not deleting a tread that you make, search if has been posted allready. Do not post useless tread like "where you come from ?", "w00t 400 post"(This is not a contest), who cares. Keep the treads clean and nice.

Neobond disable post count.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.