Concerns Members Have About Enforcement of Forum Rules

[Bilko]

Originally Posted by Anchor

The problem with characterizing anyone as a TROLL is that it is immediately prejudicial.

We banned a lot of people recently. When we were subscription there were very few actions against members. The forum is a free for all and we cannot rely on more than several thousand members to simply "ignore". That would be naive (ideal I agree). A lot of members always think they can do better than the moderators we get endless posts telling us how to do our work. Some of it is useful, some of it make me cringe.

Some people come here to learn - others come to make fun at our expense.

The moderators are damned if they do and damned if they dont. We tried to increase the numbers of moderators, mainly to increase coverage, but also to avoid charges of "tyranny" - we try to avoid bans without internal debate. Sometimes it isnt possible.

There is no way we can do our jobs without the ability to eject people intent of working against the mission of the forum.

Note people are not ejected because they are disruptive -we need disruptive people. The new ideas and input I have seen here since the subscription requirement was lifted is fantastic. The staus quo was getting old. The new stuff is fantastic.

It comes at a price. Enforcement is sometimes needed.

Most people are banned/ejected ultimately because it is obvious that they are intent on causing harm to what avalon and camelot are supposed to be: respectful discussion forums.

It is not about censorship - but I would say that, and I remember warning all the moderators that when we ban or remove posts that is what we get accused of. Goes with the turf. Cant do anything about it.

If the moderators cease to act to keep the forum on track - then I am pretty sure the forum will slowly become useless and all the remaining people that were tenacious enough to stick with it would eventually leave.

A..

Having been a moderator over on spiritual forums i completely agree with what you have said. If you could see the constant barrage of negativity and disruption directed to forums such as this without the shield of hard working moderators you might agree too. If anything i believe that when it comes to the decorum and moral of the forum i believe the moderators have been lenient.

In order for a forum to progress in a particular direction ie positive or forward, there must be a mechanism in place to stop it slipping in the wrong direction.

[Seashore]

Originally Posted by Bilko

Having been a moderator over on spiritual forums i completely agree with what you have said. If you could see the constant barrage of negativity and disruption directed to forums such as this without the shield of hard working moderators you might agree too. If anything i believe that when it comes to the decorum and moral of the forum i believe the moderators have been lenient.

In order for a forum to progress in a particular direction ie positive or forward, there must be a mechanism in place to stop it slipping in the wrong direction.

What is your position on the banning of francie?

[Stargazer1965]

Mods....I am coming from a users position here even though I am a systems admin in the real world.

I don't like second guessing anyone and I understand in the admin world we do things that we are told to do and asked not to question.

I read back over the last posts of Francie....Was she banned for what is here or something that was removed???

Thanks for any response.

[Bilko]

Originally Posted by Seashore

What is your position on the banning of francie?

Sorry for the late reply seashore.
My response was in reply to your first post in this thread about members running the forum themselves. I am a new member here so can't comment on any past actions by members or mods without searching for and reading up on the case history.
My leniency quote was directed at thread i read yesterday concerning a member who suggested all homosexual people are pedophiles. The thread ended with a 7 day ban.

Sorry for any confusion.

[Seashore]

Originally Posted by Bilko

I am a new member here so can't comment on any past actions by members or mods without searching for and reading up on the case history.

Okay thanks.