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Why wait for an infraction/ban?

  • 24-11-2008 4:14pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,247 ✭✭✭✭


    So why don't people start feedback threads with their complaints about mods/forums before they get "punished"? I mean once someone gets a ban or whatever they come here and say how <insert mod name> is always treating people unfairly or whatever but why dont the complain before it gets as far as a ban?

    Anyone get what I am saying?
    Post edited by Shield on


«1

Comments

  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,912 Mod ✭✭✭✭Ponster


    1. A certain % of members will be unlikely to speak up in feedback pre-ban as they believe that doing so will single them out in the future and lead to a banning.

    2. I imagine that most members presume that they should be able to solve any issues with mods directly via PM and not have to resort to feedback.

    3. Some do complain here before being infracted/banned.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    Ponster wrote: »
    1. A certain % of members will be unlikely to speak up in feedback pre-ban as they believe that doing so will single them out in the future and lead to a banning.
    This is quite true.

    Why get a name as a "trouble maker", single yourself out to the mods.

    I know one mod who accused me of having "cronies" because I dared participate in a feedback thread. :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,247 ✭✭✭✭6th


    Ponster wrote: »
    1. A certain % of members will be unlikely to speak up in feedback pre-ban as they believe that doing so will single them out in the future and lead to a banning.

    2. I imagine that most members presume that they should be able to solve any issues with mods directly via PM and not have to resort to feedback.

    3. Some do complain here before being infracted/banned.

    All good answers. I can understand why some would hold off. I've seen people complain when they've seen someone treated unfairly and they get responses such as "it wasnt even you that was banned" and "why are you making a feedback trhead about someone else, is it your other account?"

    That said I believe some people dont actually have a problem until they are caught breaking a rule.

    This thread might be pointless as I started it bases on something I thought a few days ago and cant really remember all the thought processes :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    6th wrote: »
    So why don't people start feedback threads with their complaints about mods/forums before they get "punished"? I mean once someone gets a ban or whatever they come here and say how <insert mod name> is always treating people unfairly or whatever but why dont the complain before it gets as far as a ban?

    Anyone get what I am saying?


    There have been threads that have dealt with mods decisions by a third party poster. There was a GAA thread there last week.

    This being an internet forum and thus it is rife with sarcasm, plenty of people will reply "why do you care if someone else gets banned; it's none of your business " etc

    I think moderating on this board is very strict and very black and white. Of course if I don't like that I should just leave but that sort of negates the purpose of this feedback forum, which I think is a very good idea. However, I'm not quite sure how many bannings have been overturned, or how many moderator's actions have been investigated by those higher up.

    A lot of moderating on this forum is definately "nip in the bud" broken windows kinda stuff. Many "hot topic" threads dealing with contentious issues are usually locked and/or bans are given out

    On the other hand, there are a lot of knob heads on the internet and on forums, and the bigger your forum the more morons and thus more hassle you get.

    There's bans being handed out willy nilly in the Wrestling forum atm for very very minor offences. It's only a week's ban but they're jsut to make examples out of people and establish who's boss.


    http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-behave-on-an-internet-forum


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 16,663 CMod ✭✭✭✭faceman


    If there is one thing that the site has lots of, its lots of bannings. If there is one thing it needs more of, its posters and mods PM'ing to resolve issues prior to a banning.

    Some mods have massive forums to mod like AH and PI which aint going to be easy so they have to make judgement calls at times but lighter traffic forums Im sure could take some time to try resolve something before a banning is issued.

    Anytime i see more weathered posters banned from forums (i.e. those around boards for a long time) i can never understand why they get banned when im sure it could have been resolved if they, or the mod drops a PM to say cut it out. Im sure the mods their more regular posters and what they are like. And thats not a dig at mods btw, how often to threads get created here by posters before trying to resolve a situation with a mod? Not often I imagine. Im sure most mods would lift a ban or resind it if a poster apologised and agreed to cool off.

    While I have never been banned (Im such a wuss! :o), I have had disagreements with mods from time to time which could always be resolved via a PM.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    faceman wrote: »
    Anytime i see more weathered posters banned from forums (i.e. those around boards for a long time) i can never understand why they get banned when im sure it could have been resolved if they, or the mod drops a PM to say cut it out.

    What if the mods ignore the PM in the first place?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    I agree that a bit more PM communication to resolve issues would make sense.

    I posted something questionable in an AH thread and was banned for a week. I would have gladly deleted or edited the post if I was asked. Instead I got a slap on the wrist.
    Same with the PW forum post I was banned for, I told the mod I didn't mean to be aggresive or inflammatory and that I would gladly have edited/deleted the post or added a smiley to lighten the tone of the post.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,552 ✭✭✭✭GuanYin


    6th wrote: »
    So why don't people start feedback threads with their complaints about mods/forums before they get "punished"? I mean once someone gets a ban or whatever they come here and say how <insert mod name> is always treating people unfairly or whatever but why dont the complain before it gets as far as a ban?

    Anyone get what I am saying?
    I've been making this point on feedback for about 18 months now :p

    Ponster wrote: »
    1. A certain % of members will be unlikely to speak up in feedback pre-ban as they believe that doing so will single them out in the future and lead to a banning.

    2. I imagine that most members presume that they should be able to solve any issues with mods directly via PM and not have to resort to feedback.

    3. Some do complain here before being infracted/banned.
    1. That is their issue. I for one have far mroe respect for any complaint made by someone who identifies a problem and engages rather than someone who breaks a rule and then complains that "it was a stupid rule anyway".

    I think plenty of fora and rules on boards.ie are plain moronic, I still won't go breaking the rules and if I post in those fora, I'll respect and obey the mods and charter. It isn't rocket surgery.

    Des wrote: »
    This is quite true.

    Why get a name as a "trouble maker", single yourself out to the mods.

    I know one mod who accused me of having "cronies" because I dared participate in a feedback thread. :rolleyes:

    Everyone gets accused of having cronies. And why care if you're accused of being a troublemaker if what you believe in is worth fighting for.

    Des wrote: »
    What if the mods ignore the PM in the first place?
    Mods sometimes take time to discuss things before responding. The Admins often don't reply to my PMs for weeks, they're busy, I get it.

    In any case, the same logic applies. Just because mods don't respond in a fashion timely enough for a poster, it doesn't mean that poster should then ignore rules and take matters into their own hands.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,523 ✭✭✭✭Nerin


    I agree that a bit more PM communication to resolve issues would make sense.

    I posted something questionable in an AH thread and was banned for a week. I would have gladly deleted or edited the post if I was asked. Instead I got a slap on the wrist.
    Same with the PW forum post I was banned for, I told the mod I didn't mean to be aggresive or inflammatory and that I would gladly have edited/deleted the post or added a smiley to lighten the tone of the post.
    agreed, although people can be under time restraints, and sometimes its better to post on thread so everyone can see. but yes, pming is very helpful.

    its not up to a mod to ask permission to delete your posts. to be honest, when i see a post and at the end it says "feel free to move/delete if this is the wrong forum/wrong thread/a naughty post mods" it annoys me. its not a disclaimer. i see it on alot of other forums on boards, and to be fair, alot of the posts are ok, but the ones that arent shouldnt see themselves as giving permission.

    a mod sees something wrong, i'd see it as better and quicker to delete it instead of asking a user to do it.

    sure the user could be gone offline or whatever.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    I do think that mods here are a bit ban-happy.
    I've seen mods on other forums deliberate for a few days before banning someone(temporary or permanent)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,523 ✭✭✭✭Nerin


    I do think that mods here are a bit ban-happy.
    I've seen mods on other forums deliberate for a few days before banning someone(temporary or permanent)
    banned! :D

    thats other forums blah blah blah (you probably know the sentence by now)

    :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    Nerin wrote: »
    banned! :D

    thats other forums blah blah blah (you probably know the sentence by now)

    :)

    But that's like saying "oh , the UK government do X with how they run their country and we shouldn't pay any attention to how any other countries make decisions and do things so lets stick our head up high and pretend that the only thing that matters is what we do".

    I think there's a fair bit to be learned between forums on how stuff is moderated. As I said, if you've got a larger forum and more users, chances are you'll have more trouble. It seems that there's usually less trouble on specialist forums such as a band forum or a specific film forum like the Empire forum.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    faceman wrote: »
    Anytime i see more weathered posters banned from forums (i.e. those around boards for a long time) i can never understand why they get banned when im sure it could have been resolved if they, or the mod drops a PM to say cut it out. Im sure the mods their more regular posters and what they are like.

    How do you think that looks to non-regulars? It looks like preferential treatment based on your postcount/join date to me.

    The way I'd look at it is that if a posters been around the block long enough, they should know the rules and shouldn't put themselves or the mods in that situation in the first place. If they do something bannable/infractable, the mod has no choice but to take action. If they didn't it would be one rule for some posters and another rule for newbies.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,523 ✭✭✭✭Nerin


    But that's like saying "oh , the UK government do X with how they run their country and we shouldn't pay any attention to how any other countries make decisions and do things so lets stick our head up high and pretend that the only thing that matters is what we do".

    I think there's a fair bit to be learned between forums on how stuff is moderated. As I said, if you've got a larger forum and more users, chances are you'll have more trouble. It seems that there's usually less trouble on specialist forums such as a band forum or a specific film forum like the Empire forum.
    im on a fair few forums, i prefer boards tbh. there are some awwwwwwful forums out there. like gamefaqs. seriously. its like thunderdome mated with after hours and then filled the baby with steroids.
    and drank heavily while pregnant.

    agreed, you can learn lots from other forums. just because you like them and we dont use their policies though, doesnt mean we arent aware of them. theres several reasons why they arent used.

    maybe start a thread and share these opinions, think we've taken this off topic :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,067 ✭✭✭AnimalRights


    I do think that mods here are a bit ban-happy.
    I've seen mods on other forums deliberate for a few days before banning someone(temporary or permanent)
    Indeed...it's like that they have to reach a certain quota of bannings. :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,555 ✭✭✭✭AckwelFoley


    Most bans are warrented, and if you are dumb enough to post something that you think warrants a ban, well, feedback doesnt help.

    the only exception to this rule is Almightycusheon. If he doesnt get his buttsekz for any period of time, he turns into a banhappy tart.

    :fap:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    Nerin wrote: »
    im on a fair few forums, i prefer boards tbh. there are some awwwwwwful forums out there. like gamefaqs. seriously. its like thunderdome mated with after hours and then filled the baby with steroids.
    and drank heavily while pregnant.

    agreed, you can learn lots from other forums. just because you like them and we dont use their policies though, doesnt mean we arent aware of them. theres several reasons why they arent used.

    maybe start a thread and share these opinions, think we've taken this off topic :p

    I don't think we've taken it off topic. I think we've widened the topic. Internet forums more or less grew out of game forums. This very forum included. Forums started out as a kind of no holds barred envoironment and there are still loosely moderated boards (4chan or somethingawful for eg.).


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 9,689 Mod ✭✭✭✭stevenmu


    I think I speak for at least 90% of the users here when I say we do not want boards.ie to turn into 4chan :). And wasn't somethingawful the forums that started charging for access so that people would try harder not to get banned, when you were banned you had to pay up again? There are also forums out there where you get banned if your posts aren't deemed to be of a high enough quality.

    I for one think we've got a good mix here.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,778 ✭✭✭tallaght01


    To my mind, when someone complains about, say, a warning, the stock answer is "you weren't even banned for it, it was just a warning".

    That one gets rolled out just slightly slower than the fanboys favourite....."Actually there is no free speech on boards". BUt it gets rolled out nonetheless.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    ....."Actually there is no free speech on boards".

    This is mentioned a lot in these Feedback threads. Kinda makes you wonder what the real point to them is ? Is it for feedback or is it just to let people let off steam.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,096 ✭✭✭--amadeus--


    Nerin wrote: »
    to be honest, when i see a post and at the end it says "feel free to move/delete if this is the wrong forum/wrong thread/a naughty post mods" it annoys me. its not a disclaimer.

    Really? I would occasionally do that if I'm not sure where a thread should go - eg I came across an article on a US soldier who has launched a lawsuit against the military based on being bullied. He is atheist, his superiors were christians and he claims they denied him promotions, etc. Now a thread commenting on that could go in Atheism & Agnos. or Christianity so I'd put it in one or the other and put a note on the end to the mods saying to move if it fitted better elsewhere. It's not a disclaimer its a "you know the forums you decide where it should live if I have it wrong"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,509 ✭✭✭✭randylonghorn


    I might be wrong, amadeus, but I think he's more referring to people who give the impression that they are magnanimously giving the mods permission to move the post, or who obviously know damn well that they're out of order, but who use it as a get-out-of-jail-free card.

    I do see where you're coming from though, I've used the "Mods, please move if in wrong forum" line once or twice myself, and I suppose what I really mean is "This was my best guess, if I fcuked up, go easy on me!"
    tallaght01 wrote: »
    To my mind, when someone complains about, say, a warning, the stock answer is "you weren't even banned for it, it was just a warning".
    I can kind of understand that one, Tallaght, sometimes at least ... it just puzzles me to hell and back when someone starts a Feedback thread about a borderline infraction and continues to gnaw at it and gnaw at it. You know the type of one:
    OP: I don't think it deserved an infraction
    Mod: I do.
    OP: Well, I don't.
    Mod: Well, I do.
    ... and the majority of other posters are split fairly 50/50, and there are a few of the usual suspects just plain ****-stirring!

    Now, where there's some point of principle or something genuinely worth thinking about involved, fair enough ... but otherwise I'm thinking "FFS! it's an infraction ... on the internet ... you have to have a couple of handfuls of them to even get a ban, and it will expire in 7 days ... have you nothing better to do? ... honestly? ... go have a fap or something and stop giving yourself blood pressure!"
    tallaght01 wrote: »
    That one gets rolled out just slightly slower than the fanboys favourite....." Actually there is no free speech on boards". BUt it gets rolled out nonetheless.
    Here I'd be more inclined to take your point ... obviously, it's a fair enough response to those who go on a rant about their "rights" to free speech being abrogated, or claim that they should be allowed to post whatever they like ... but it does seem to have acquired the status of a mantra which is trotted out quite inappropriately at times, and only serves to muddy the waters.
    snyper wrote: »
    Most bans are warrented, and if you are dumb enough to post something that you think warrants a ban, well, feedback doesnt help.

    the only exception to this rule is Almightycusheon. If he doesnt get his buttsekz for any period of time, he turns into a banhappy tart.

    :fap:
    Just as well we have you around to keep him happy, isn't it?! :p:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,910 ✭✭✭✭RoundyMooney


    6th wrote: »
    So why don't people start feedback threads with their complaints about mods/forums before they get "punished"? I mean once someone gets a ban or whatever they come here and say how <insert mod name> is always treating people unfairly or whatever but why dont the complain before it gets as far as a ban?

    Anyone get what I am saying?

    Yes.

    But.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,247 ✭✭✭✭6th


    Yes.

    But.

    Great thread :D but its from over a year and a half ago... have you changed at all in the last 19 months? I know I have.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,555 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    6th wrote: »
    Great thread :D but its from over a year and a half ago... have you changed at all in the last 19 months? I know I have.
    Oh shit. I can see a lot of people doing a lot of searching ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,247 ✭✭✭✭6th


    Pity if that is the case cos this thread has brought up some good points. Hate to see it get derailed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,555 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    Nah, just kidding.

    I take your point that it could be useful for people to post up their gripes but sadly there is that fear that they will see themselves in a position of being a nuisance or whatever which wouldn't be the case at all.

    Personally Id prefer to deal with all issues by PM but then again the mods of PI and AH wouldn't be able to due to the volumes concerned.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 16,663 CMod ✭✭✭✭faceman


    javaboy wrote: »
    How do you think that looks to non-regulars? It looks like preferential treatment based on your postcount/join date to me.

    The way I'd look at it is that if a posters been around the block long enough, they should know the rules and shouldn't put themselves or the mods in that situation in the first place. If they do something bannable/infractable, the mod has no choice but to take action. If they didn't it would be one rule for some posters and another rule for newbies.

    It would give the impression that effort is made to defuse situations where possible. (which is what happens in most most forums as it is anyway)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,523 ✭✭✭✭Nerin


    Yup,thats what i meant,thanks randy :) gonna have to hire you as my translator


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    I think for some situations, a quick PM by the mod might have more effect than a ban.

    The vast majority of people posting are adult enough to know when they're in the wrong, and a simple PM can resolve an issue, allowing the offender to edit/remove something that may have been posted in haste.

    Some sections of boards would have a few regular posters, some more, and some sections would have lots. I guess those sections with smaller "communities" would probably benefit more from a gentle touch, rather than a harsh ban.

    At the end of the day, there should be respect for the posters (by the mods) and respect for the mods (by the posters). It does work both ways.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    Paulw wrote: »
    I think for some situations, a quick PM by the mod might have more effect than a ban.

    I agree again. I lost the rag a bit in an Aer Lingus thread and I used some strong language. Victor PMd me to keep it down, I unsubscribed to the thread and have took a week or so break myself. I respect him for that because it makes sense and any other mod would just gone with the arrogant power happy "See you in week" or some other little quip.

    Hopefully some of the mods who like to exercise their extra buttons read this thread and take the feedback


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,555 ✭✭✭✭AckwelFoley


    I do think that a pm is often more effective. I once received a pm from vexorg and i soiled my togs before i even opened it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,555 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    snyper wrote: »
    and i soiled my togs before i even opened it.
    Thats even dirty by your standards :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    faceman wrote: »
    It would give the impression that effort is made to defuse situations where possible. (which is what happens in most most forums as it is anyway)

    So first port of call when a regular breaks the rules is PM.
    And first port of call when a newbie breaks the rules is infraction/ban?

    Seems like double standards to me. If anything mods should perhaps show more leeway to people who are newer rather than the other way around.

    It's not that hard to stay inside the rules anyway.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    First port of call should be a PM I think. Unless there's already be a warning dished out in a thread.


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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 16,663 CMod ✭✭✭✭faceman


    javaboy wrote: »
    So first port of call when a regular breaks the rules is PM.
    And first port of call when a newbie breaks the rules is infraction/ban?

    I didnt say that. Im sure a PM be can be sent to all/most users were possible. Explain to me how banning a regular contributor to a forum is more productive than resolving the issue with them and (hopefully) avoiding a ban thus continuing healthy discussion within the forum?
    wrote:
    Seems like double standards to me. If anything mods should perhaps show more leeway to people who are newer rather than the other way around.

    Life isnt black and white all the time. however good point on newbies.
    wrote:
    It's not that hard to stay inside the rules anyway.

    Agreed, but heat of the moment or honest mistakes can and will arise.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    A lot of bans I've seen have occured in the "heat of the moment" . There's a discussion, someone's being a knob , someone else is trying to be civil, then they loose the rag, tell em to feck off, bam, banned for the week, month, whatever


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,247 ✭✭✭✭6th


    First port of call should be a PM I think. Unless there's already be a warning dished out in a thread.

    In busy fora like AH, Soccer etc that would be a nightmare and take a lot of time for the volume of muppets. Mods give their time and many give up hours looking after Boards on daily basic. In cases where people havent taken the time to read the charters then why should the mods take the time to PM their lazy asses?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    faceman wrote: »
    I didnt say that. Im sure a PM be can be sent to all/most users were possible. Explain to me how banning a regular contributor to a forum is more productive than resolving the issue with them and (hopefully) avoiding a ban thus continuing healthy discussion within the forum?

    In the short term it's not more productive. However as it is many people think there's a clique. How many times have you seen someone post "Oh maybe if I had 3,000 posts or an earlier join date, I'd be taken seriously" or something along those lines?

    The way I see it, that regular user you're talking about has done something to deserve a ban so they should get a ban. The same as Johnny 1 post should get a ban when he does something bannable. Maybe I read something into your earlier post that wasn't there but it seemed to me you were proposing one approach for regulars and another for newbies.

    Either PM everyone or PM nobody. Anything else will just drive non-regulars away.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    Am I alone in thinking that there's not a hell of a lot of regular posters that stay here too much ? Or at least that post in the less popular forums ? Some of them specialist sub-forums are usually just frequented by newbies.

    I think the mods and admins try to hard too to clean this place up .
    There's 100,000 members ? But how many of them have been here more than a year or two, and how many post reguarly ?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,584 ✭✭✭✭Steve


    Am I alone in thinking that there's not a hell of a lot of regular posters that stay here too much ?
    Yes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    6th wrote: »
    In busy fora like AH, Soccer etc that would be a nightmare and take a lot of time for the volume of muppets. Mods give their time and many give up hours looking after Boards on daily basic. In cases where people havent taken the time to read the charters then why should the mods take the time to PM their lazy asses?

    Yeah, some fora like AH and soccer would be a nightmare. But, some of the other areas are less busy and more frequented by regulars.

    Sometimes there can be misunderstandings, mis-interpretation of what's posted, etc, and a PM to the poster might have a better effect than a ban. This would apply equally to a newbie or a regular.

    As for why the mod should PM ... well, they're going to ban and then PM (notify) anyway, where maybe just a PM would have a more desired effect.

    Of course, there are always occasions where a ban is immediately warranted, but there are probably many more instances that could be borderline that a PM would work better.

    Also, with any online posting, things can be taken the wrong way, and in such an instance, a PM might give the poster a chance to qualify or edit the post so as not to cause an issue.

    Different mods have different styles. Some are more direct and ban quickly, while others do PM. Some like to wield their power, while others use their powers only when it's really necessary. Maybe all mods should be encouraged to use other options before selecting the ban option. :confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,509 ✭✭✭✭randylonghorn


    Nerin wrote: »
    Yup,thats what i meant,thanks randy :) gonna have to hire you as my translator
    What terms are you offering? :p
    Am I alone in thinking that there's not a hell of a lot of regular posters that stay here too much ?
    There are a lot of regular users, and some who are around for 10 years ...

    But yes, there are also lots of people who get hooked by a particular discussion or forum, post for a while, and then drift away ... they may drift back at some stage, they may not.

    If they do drift back, chances are they have forgotten their log-in, and end up setting up a new account ...

    And there are a hell of a lot of new users in the last year or so who haven't had much chance yet to become long-term users!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,526 ✭✭✭brendansmith


    Paulw wrote: »
    I think for some situations, a quick PM by the mod might have more effect than a ban.

    The vast majority of people posting are adult enough to know when they're in the wrong, and a simple PM can resolve an issue, allowing the offender to edit/remove something that may have been posted in haste.

    Some sections of boards would have a few regular posters, some more, and some sections would have lots. I guess those sections with smaller "communities" would probably benefit more from a gentle touch, rather than a harsh ban.

    At the end of the day, there should be respect for the posters (by the mods) and respect for the mods (by the posters). It does work both ways.

    I agree, your one Thaedydal hand out infractions for everything and anything and Sully is just way to strict, rediculously so.


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 24,056 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sully


    I agree, your one Thaedydal hand out infractions for everything and anything and Sully is just way to strict, rediculously so.

    Care to provide examples? I don't think I ever banned or infracted you for anything so I wouldn't say I was ridiculously strict or you probably would have done something by now if that was the case :p

    The Waterford Forum is a bit of a tough one to mod. There are 4 of us and all bans/infractions/warnings are brought to all our attention. The main problem we have is with the discussion of travellers where a lot of heavy abuse is thrown around the place. Topics derail completely off topic, people get personal with each other and make inappropriate remarks towards people which could easily result in legal action. We would be fairly strict on that to avoid a repeat of previous events. Other then that thinks are usually okay.

    Moving back on topic.. Some good points raised as to why people don't complain if they are unhappy. People seem to just winge, throw insults and hurtful comments (derailing threads) but never actually making a genuine argument and point. They seem to look for trouble. Those who don't do this usually contact us via PM and its all sorted to their satisfaction. Others sit back and do nothing until a mod crosses their path in a way they don't like.

    There is no free speech - Boards.ie is responsible for your posts. Make a slanderous or libelous comment towards any individual, group or business and its Boards that will get sued. Hence why mods curb this type of posting. A lot of other points fall back to: Boards.ie is a discussion forum. Its an online community where people can gather around and discuss various issues in a friendly civil way. Leaving Boards a free for all where people can say and do what they want would make the site very messy with threads full of random crap and never really getting a decent discussion going. Hence why there are charters and mods usually stick by this. Some forums have unique charters adapted to that forum (Airsoft and Soccer being two examples).

    I tend to find leaving a warning in thread does the trick. Don't have time to PM several users and explain things to them that is outlined in the charter / newbie forum anyway. A lot of people who repeat offend don't care. Those who do care take note, apologise and get on with it. Those who debate it civilly and nicely usually go away happy. That's my experience anyway!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,443 ✭✭✭Red Sleeping Beauty


    There's travellers talk/abuse in Waterford forum ? :confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,045 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    Cos you can all sse the number pms which are sent and the number of gentle warnings.
    Bans/ infracts are visuall, chats and warnings are not, just cos you don't' see them don't' mean they are not happening and also you don't know the history with the poster.


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 24,056 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sully


    There's travellers talk/abuse in Waterford forum ? :confused:

    Yup. Big problem in Waterford with about 3 (maybe more? Cant remember) halting sites and often illegal sites where travellers move illegally and leave the place a mess when they leave. Big row going on between travelling family's where halting sites have had bombs thrown into, houses petrol bombed, bombs found in various locations around the city, shots fired at travellers etc etc. A lot of Garda man power has been sent down to Waterford where at one stage Gardai had armed checkpoints as you entered the city.

    Hot topic in the forum and results in a lot of inappropriate comments thrown around that makes the topic a mess and creates potential legal issues.


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 24,056 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sully


    Thaedydal wrote: »
    Cos you can all sse the number pms which are sent and the number of gentle warnings.
    Bans/ infracts are visuall, chats and warnings are not, just cos you don't' see them don't' mean they are not happening and also you don't know the history with the poster.

    Exactly. I have contacted people in the past who started to act up and usually are okay who have completely ignored my PM. Others I contacted ignored my warning and continued posting the same stuff that got them a PM in the first place.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,526 ✭✭✭brendansmith


    Sully wrote: »
    Care to provide examples? I don't think I ever banned or infracted you for anything so I wouldn't say I was ridiculously strict or you probably would have done something by now if that was the case :p

    What i mean is that you can be quite rude and provoke people into arguments. Then you edit their posts and act condecending.

    I stay away from the Wtaerford forum because ive seen this happen too often and refuse to let you make me angry with ignorant statements followed by smilies at the end of them.

    Im just saying you could relax a bit and not always try to get the last word all the time.
    Just because you are a mod does not mean you are automatically right. Muffler, Karl Hungus and Watna do some excellent modding with getting in everyones face all the time.

    Just my opinion, please proceed to tell me im wrong.


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