Moderation

[nearmiss]

Originally Posted by Osprey

Totally over the top. You can stop the threads and delete posts nearmiss, be as anal as you like about it, the forum is now next to useless and not worth a visit.

The problem is...

Read the latest update thread responses and look at the number of postings some of those off topic posters have made on these forums. Many of them are loyal members, members who have basically gotten off topic as discussion advanced.

When moderators ban loyal members for 7 days for off topic, it is just not a best way to deal with the problem. We all make mistakes, but we want to keep the integrity of the thread.

Reported postings will still be dealt with.

[KG26_Alpha]

Guilty as charged

I was off topic and admitted it in the thread, but some people don't get the chance to see how some of us accumulate knowledge of "how things work" IRL.

I'm not trying to validate any comments I made a week earlier in the "flames thread" Its just sometimes I could bang my head in disbelief at the posts I see

Also

I considered the latest update thread a "dead one" as Oleg was simply showing results of the weeks previous request thread regarding exhaust flames, and was not asking for further help.

He had not responded and I don't think had any intention of either.

Nearmiss

Sorry for the off topic pics

[nearmiss]

KG26_Alpha

What good would it do to ban posters like yourself for 7 days for going with the flow of discussion. It is easy to get off topic we are all aware of it.

The update threads are probably pretty well done as far as feedback to the developer after the first day.

It is not worth all the scrutiny of dealing with Off topic posters when the developers are no longer following the thread. Sometimes the developers will pop in later in the week, but it is rare.

Reported postings will be dealt with.

The first day responses on the update threads should always have viable content for discussion, after the first day Laissez-faire.

[KOM.Nausicaa]

The problem is that both strategies -- the old and the new one -- are not clearly outlined and feel sometimes erratic and confusing, even to older members. (There is also clearly a need for more moderators, but that is so since a long time.)

Back to the strategy: IF you want update threads that stay on topic (I say IF) you need to establish some very simple rules. For example, the simplest one could be to allow only questions and comments on the update directed only to Oleg. The rest is deleted, but people are welcome to open their own discussion thread if they don't agree with each other on something.
That would be a way, but it's also the harshest one.

If not you have to establish some other rules and stick to it. Or you say that everything is ok, except personal attacks between members or/and impolite talk to Oleg or 1C members. (which has occurred in the past often enough and stayed there unmoderated for days and weeks).

But to moderate the update threads with the guideline "to stay on topic" is probably the hardest one to do, and very hard to realize. Where does "on topic" end and "off topic" start? This will only create frustrations. I think it's easier to moderate on the base of personal attitude and behavior instead.


And again, one active moderator just isn't enough for this forum. It's way to emotional and busy for that.

[nearmiss]

Originally Posted by KOM.Nausicaa

The problem is that both strategies -- the old and the new one -- are not clearly outlined and feel sometimes erratic and confusing, even to older members. (There is also clearly a need for more moderators, but that is so since a long time.)

Back to the strategy: IF you want update threads that stay on topic (I say IF) you need to establish some very simple rules. For example, the simplest one could be to allow only questions and comments on the update directed only to Oleg. The rest is deleted, but people are welcome to open their own discussion thread if they don't agree with each other on something.
That would be a way, but it's also the harshest one.

Questions and comments on the update directed only to Oleg, would be fine except there are discussions between members that work out issues developers are interested to read.

If not you have to establish some other rules and stick to it. Or you say that everything is ok, except personal attacks between members or/and impolite talk to Oleg or 1C members. (which has occurred in the past often enough and stayed there unmoderated for days and weeks).

Reported postings or PM messages are sent directly to moderators via email. Moderators are volunteers, this is a 24/7 international website where people are using the forums around the clock.

But to moderate the update threads with the guideline "to stay on topic" is probably the hardest one to do, and very hard to realize. Where does "on topic" end and "off topic" start? This will only create frustrations. I think it's easier to moderate on the base of personal attitude and behavior instead.

And again, one active moderator just isn't enough for this forum. It's way to emotional and busy for that.

It is easy to make discussion points, and many sound viable until they are put into practice.

There are so many instances where intent, and communication is unclear. Following the logic of some people requires "psycho" skills many of us don't have. LOL

Formulating strategy has drawbacks, because humans just don't all fit the mold.

We have tried numerous things, and all had merit to some degree.

It can't be a best way when we have to ban loyal members.

Moderators don't want to read every posting, just as members don't read or respond to every posting. Moderators are volunteers, and only want to preserve peace, sanity, and sensible discourse on the forums.

Reported postings will be dealt with

[T}{OR]

Is it possible to move the OT posts and create a new thread out of them? Just an idea...

[nearmiss]

It is easier to just delete or edit them.

A separate thread Off topic would just be a random mess

[philip.ed]

out of interest, has Oleg ever asked people to stay on topic? Sometimes the O/T stuff is interesting, it's the abuse that some members dish out which is just intolerable.

[Biggs [CV]]

I have not been here long, but I do visit many forums. Personally I would make an "Off topic" thread and sticky it. I would take any off topic posts and put them there. I would also get Nearmiss some help by adding a assistant moderator. Preferably someone who works differant hours and can check up on the forums a couple times a day when Nearmiss is not able to.
Being a moderator is not a fun job. This forum seems to be more mature and well behaved than most some getting him some help may work well.
Just my .02, take for what its worth...........

[philip.ed]

What needs to be drawn is a line on what kind of posts are off topic. For example, my post notifying Oleg that the codes were wrong was deleted for being O/T. But surely that is within the context of the update? IMHO that really should not have been deleted. If every post like that had been deleted in every update, then there would be a number of features in SoW which would never have been edited to suit reailty.