Site is a graveyard - How can boards save itself? [Threadbanned users in 1st post]

31-03-2024 03:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959666#Comment_121959666

would’ve been long dead left in AH!

Green Peter · 31-03-2024 03:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959666#Comment_121959666

Thats the reason why

ShamoBuc · 31-03-2024 03:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959673#Comment_121959673

I certainly wouldn't have seen it as I don't venture there.

dxhound2005 · 31-03-2024 04:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959473#Comment_121959473

There is no such thing as "The Average Poster". But I would venture a guess that a big majority never have any interaction with the Mods. I very much doubt that you or any other non Mod poster knows all the stuff you claim to know about site wide moderation.

bucketybuck · 31-03-2024 04:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959660#Comment_121959660

Pitchfork? Animated?

Yet again you demonstrate just how tone deaf your posting is, you are incapable of making a point without adding in a dig.

It's a horrible trait in a moderator.

bucketybuck · 31-03-2024 04:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959516#Comment_121959516

If anything is to be considered I hope it is the role of formal dispute resolution. Because that procedure is simply a farce, I wonder if mods realise just how much contempt there is for it.

31-03-2024 04:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959636#Comment_121959636

In fairness, I've had two rulings from one particular mod overruled when I disputed them, so there is some value in the dispute process.

The biggest issue I've seen is when mods can't draw a line between their own personal opinions and their moderation decisions. It's not great when they're obviously modding posts largely because they disagree with the views, opinions and even facts stated within.

31-03-2024 04:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959294#Comment_121959294

No one branded YOU as far right. I did refer to the far right trope that you brought up.

Boards is pretty good for dealing with extreme hate speech at present. Posts reported are dealt with generally within minutes or hours, maybe a day or two in rare cases. It's hard to see that hate speech legislation will present any serious challenge to Boards, so I've no idea why you think it's worth while bringing up here.

There is one kind hate speech that Boards seems happy to permit - the use of retard or retarded as a derogatory insult. Boards doesn't allow equivalent casual derogatory terms for gay people or black people or Jewish people, but does allow the term that relates to people with intellectual disabilities, who don't deserve the same level of protection, apparently.

31-03-2024 04:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959750#Comment_121959750

You only have to read the forum on a regular basis to get a good handle on what is going on.

I never claimed to know everything about the moderation process but I do have my own experience, and the experience of others that has been shared with me. That, on top of what some former admins have shared on this thread, plus what I've read on the help desk and DRP forum, is enough.

AbusesToilets · 31-03-2024 04:37PM

One issue that I've run into a few times, relates to the climate created by the fear of libel. You see so many active discussions shut down because of it, often ones that are currently highly prominent in daily life. The Donaldson thread being the most recent example. I appreciate the difficult situation the law has created for the site, but if folks can't talk about relevant and "hot" topics here, then they're just going to leave. Rightly or wrongly, people want to be free to engage in conversation. It's particularly frustrating when there is public reporting from various news sources, yet one can't reference it on boards.

31-03-2024 04:42PM

There is so little traffic that the dominance of a few is a bit tiring. Conversation killers effectively. The volume of good dialogue is not enough to compensate for the .....

31-03-2024 04:46PM

I don't believe mods are the issue. Basic forums like plumbing, electrical and diy would have very little input from mods yet the plumbers and electricians that offer free advice have at least halved in numbers in recent years. Same with the amount of people asking questions in these forums.

Personally I think there was a massive reduction in traffic since Vanilla.

31-03-2024 05:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959493#Comment_121959493

no,

Odhran (owns the site)

Mike is the community manager/sole paid employee of boards (afaik)

Then yes it would be Admin, Cmod, Moderator

Big Bag of Chips · 31-03-2024 05:08PM

As has been said already, and even admitted by some former mods on thread, mods can be dicks too, and have actioned or banned posters just because they didn't like them.

The poster who said this wasn't a former mod. He claimed to be an acquaintance of former mods and Admins

They’d all admit to having banned posters they simply didn’t like. It’s a volunteer position and some people are just pricks. Easier to just get rid of some people than debate endlessly with them via PM and feedback threads

Now, I'd question the legitimacy of his claim that "all" admitted to banning posters they simply don't like. But I would wholeheartedly agree with banning posters rather than debate endlessly with them. I had to take that exact action on this thread yesterday.

But yes, everyone can be dicks. We're all people. None of us are above taking this personally and maybe reacting. Posters can be dicks. As can moderators. Both tend to be dealt with eventually.

31-03-2024 05:10PM

from my own perspective the problem with the site at the moment is the owners lack of engagement and refusal to as far as I can see explain why we’re stuck with this crap broken platform rather than moving elsewhere.

Vanilla is terrible but we just keep sending tickets to vanilla who in turn do F all or the bare minimum to fix it.

31-03-2024 05:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959953#Comment_121959953

IIRC there was more than one poster on the thread who claimed to be a former Admin / CMod / Mod.

But yes, everyone can be dicks. We're all people. None of us are above taking this personally and maybe reacting. Posters can be dicks. As can moderators. Both tend to be dealt with eventually.

100% agree that both posters and mods can be dicks. However the issue is when the mod is the one being a dick and the consequences fall on the poster, who may or may not have been a dick. Their only recourse then is to go to the Help Desk / Dispute Resolution, which rarely goes in favour of the poster.

There is a reason DRP its referred to as "circling the wagons" and why many just don't bother engaging in it.

That's the difference between a mod being a dick and a poster being a dick.

And if you're a poster, any actions against you remain in your moderation history, for any other moderator to then judge you by - whether it was fair or not.

Big Bag of Chips · 31-03-2024 05:16PM

I don't think anyone else claimed to ban people "just because they didn't like them" though.

JP Liz V1 · 31-03-2024 05:19PM

How are mods and cmods decided?

31-03-2024 05:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959771#Comment_121959771

Agreed.

Musicrules · 31-03-2024 05:33PM

Some mods poor behaviour is a serious issue. I think that has to be acknowledged by all at this stage. Of course poor behaviour is common amongst posters as well and I include myself in that but the difference is that there are consequences for posters but for mods, some seem to be given free reign. By that I mean, when giving warnings, they seem to be allowed to post in any manner they wish.

Now, this is not all mods but one mod in particular definitely does it and they even do it while regularly posting. It has even been pointed out on this thread. Shouldn't there be a system or set up where mods who consistently behave inappropriately receive some sort of punishment?

Obviously, mods are volunteers and most are good and honest. A free for all is not warranted. But a review system where if a mod with consistent poor behaviour should receive warning or possibly be removed as a mod. The reports would have to come from a large number of posters across the board of course and not just those who have received bans. Surely a system such as this can be put in place?

Username here · 31-03-2024 05:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121957831#Comment_121957831

Having an opposing opinion is not a problem. A non Man United fan, going into the Man United thread and saying they are shite will get you a warning. That would be an opinion but expressed directly with an agenda in mind - i.e. trolling.

And there you have it, direct from a mod - it's not the opinion that counts, it's (in this case) what team your allegiance is to, that will decide, in conjunction with what you're saying, that will get you a warning.

Man Utd were by any measure shite yesterday; from what has been posted above, it's fine to state that if you're a Utd fan, but if you happen to express the same opinion on a discussion board, and are not a fan, the mind-reading mod(s) will know that you have an agenda other than discussion, and are trolling.

Anyone who can't see why that may be an issue has no place on the moderation team.

knucklehead6 · 31-03-2024 05:53PM

I’ve been on this site with two different accounts (and about 5 different names) since about 2003, when Dangerhere.com was blown away.

In that time I’ve had 1 temp forum ban for being naughty, and it was deserved and was delivered by a mod who I have a huge amount of respect for. I had one thread ban where I pm’d the mod immediately after and when he explained why I was thread banned, I saw it from his point of view. However in the same pm sequence he said “look, you’ve engaged with me reasonably, you’ve accepted where you were our opinions differ but have been fair and engaging so threadban lifted”

In old vbulletin I had one red flag rescinded, again where I engaged with the mod.

I probably had one or two yellows over the years too

I was recently warned for a comment. I didn’t bother engaging with that mod. Not because the warning was fair but because that mod in particular is one of the worst I’ve seen here over the years.

EmmetSpiceland · 31-03-2024 05:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121960125#Comment_121960125

But, in that case, it’s not the opinions, as such, it’s the baiting/flaming/trolling that will get you in “trouble”.

31-03-2024 06:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959960#Comment_121959960

Speaking of Vanilla, what's the recent upgrade that changed sharing or editing of links all about?

And quoting of posts seems to not work about half the time.

What a crappy interface. Any chance we can revert to the previous version?

Rows Grower · 31-03-2024 06:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121959960#Comment_121959960

You don't come across as the ideal person to be modding a place you are so unhappy with.

ShamoBuc · 31-03-2024 06:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121960150#Comment_121960150

It's amazing how someone cannot understand that, clearly explained but still cannot get their head around it.

31-03-2024 07:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121960307#Comment_121960307

Exactly, and this is were people then go to Dispute Resolution with their "I was banned for no reason" stick.

31-03-2024 07:08PM

Beasty gets an awful grueling on here but in my experience, by far the best person in authority to deal with.

Always straight forward and doesn't make it up as he goes along like others.

knucklehead6 · 31-03-2024 07:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121960348#Comment_121960348

totally agree. The only ones who seem to have an issue with him would be the same types who would have had an issue with Dav of the old days.

31-03-2024 07:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121960212#Comment_121960212

tell big bag of chips then, or one of the other admins here, I’m sure theyll more than happy to help with your complaint.

Site is a graveyard - How can boards save itself? [Threadbanned users in 1st post]

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