Cleaning house - Open Discussion

[engatwork]

We (mods) have been discussing ways to clean up OD because we are tired of the bs from certain individuals that seems to go on that revolves around politics. It is unfortunate that there are a few individuals that are not mature enough to know how to debate a subject without turning it into a personal attack. These individuals continue to pop up on the radar screen as causing trouble.

I am considering putting up a thread titled "Your political comments/links here" and all political posts will go into that thread or be combined into it. If someone does not want to find out other folks political slant then they don't need to go into the thread.

We (mods) want to thank everyone for their continued support in regards to this matter.

[Kuan]

I do not envy your job. On another site when I delete a thread it takes me like 20 PM's trying to appease people involved.

If I were a mod here I'd just say screwit. Deleting, no explanations necessary.

[engatwork]

If I were a mod here I'd just say screwit. Deleting, no explanations necessary.

Deleting/Banning - that is where I am at with this stuff now. I don't have time to babysit a bunch of supposedly grown folk.

[Stretch]

I can imagine that the moderators have a frustrating time - but I felt that OD and the way in which it can get out of hand was the forum's sacrificial lamb so that we don't get that kind of head butting on the technical forums. Or at least the head butting is reduced...

...some people need to let off steam and politics is one subject that can really get 'em going.

I don't see any benefit in keeping people who don't contribute in a positive manner on the technical forums but make trouble on OD though; that's not in the spirit of the forum. I understand it to be first and foremost to be a forum to help sell car parts - not a %&*&^* in your fellow member's face forum - there are other places for that on the internet.

[Botnst]

Cry havoc!

[Air&Road]

Jim,

I apologize for having contributed to such a situation. You guys are doing a great & thankless job. Thanks for all you do.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by engatwork

Deleting/Banning - that is where I am at with this stuff now. I don't have time to babysit a bunch of supposedly grown folk.

Personally, I like the infraction system. It gives plenty of rope. Whether the individual hangs himself is completely at his discretion.

Local2Ed would have picked up several trolling infractions and he might have changed his behavior...........might not...........but the number "4" staring him in the face would have been a powerful motivator.

As Tyler has now found out, reasoning with such people via PM is a total and complete waste of time.

Of course, some folks pick up their toys and run away when they get an infraction...............it's just too stressful.

[kerry]

I'm guessing that from the moderator point of view, the complaining e-mails are the biggest headache. I say install a 'whine' system along with the 'infraction' system. 3 whines and you're out just like 3 infractions and your out. Whines should show like infractions show.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by kerry

I'm guessing that from the moderator point of view, the complaining e-mails are the biggest headache.

The "delete PM" key is priceless.

[MS Fowler]

Jim,
I don't envy you your volunteer job. Much like I know I am not cut out to be a caregiver but I appreciate those who can do such a task, I appreciate the task moderators have set for themselves.
IMO, lumping all political threads into a single one would probably destroy OD. I agree with Brian that the infraction system is the better way to police the activity. I'd say you do not need to debate or argue with the offender, just PM the offender with the point assessment and brief explanation. If the offender complains, hit him with another infraction. It can only go on for a few rounds before they will have banned themselves. You may see players argue with an NFL official, but if its too much, out comes the yellow flag, and another penalty is assessed. People soon learn to respect the officials. Same with you guys--respect the moderators and the rules, or leave.

I like the debate and give-and-take in OD. I like reading from people who see things totally differently from me. OTOH, I do not like reading the links to propaganda as they don't further the issue, but rather obscure it.

I guess my suggestions are:
1) USE the infraction system, and don't try to discuss its merits.
2) Separate OD points from tech group points ( if any) --there are people whose technical contributions are worth this concession.
3) Call any thread starter that contains ONLY a link, and no supporting statement from the OP ( or a generic 'read this' ) as a troll, close the thread, and award infraction points.
4) Remember, YOUR judgment is final. You took the thankless job, don't make it any more difficult than it is.
5) Patronize Pelican Parts.

[10fords]

I think you guys have bent over backwards to accomodate the very small number of individuals who have chosen to use this forum as their personal propaganda outlet. Don't make everyone else suffer for the actions of a few. Infract them and ban them as has been done previously- problem solved, no explanations needed as they are already in the TOU. I am amazed at the blatant public abuse of Tyler with no consequences.

[R Leo]

Originally Posted by engatwork

Deleting/Banning - that is where I am at with this stuff now. I don't have time to babysit a bunch of supposedly grown folk.

By even considering this sort of thing, you are obviously in the pockets of the RWNJ faction.

[Botnst]

The infraction system is a silly thing: It allows us to know moderator bias more precisely with faux fairness. There is no fairness, there is moderator opinion. It is much preferable for a moderator to simply impose his bias and be done. I don't give a damn. If they don't like political threads, delete them. If they get heated, delete them. If a moderator thinks a particular person is an *********, ban him. It ain't a democracy, there is no free speech on a commercial car parts site. This site is for the betterment of the owner's business. It is not a free speech forum.

I wouldn't take the moderator's job because I know and love my own little biases more than I love yours. I'd go Bloody Mary on your Protestant butts. Ban the lot of you! Then ban myself for being an autocratic jerk.

In closing, I appreciate the PITA of being a moderator. I will not criticize you. If I don't like it, I'll take my ballet slippers and dance in a different venue. If I like it, I'll stay.

Good luck with a no win, constant bellyache.

Cry havoc!

[chilcutt]

Originally Posted by 10fords

I think you guys have bent over backwards to accomodate the very small number of individuals who have chosen to use this forum as their personal propaganda outlet. Don't make everyone else suffer for the actions of a few. Infract them and ban them as has been done previously- problem solved, no explanations needed as they are already in the TOU. I am amazed at the blatant public abuse of Tyler with no consequences.

How do you figure he is 'being abused'?
And why do u feel it nessacary to sensationalise the issue between these 2 members?
You and I have bumped heads in the past , and said worse things to each other than what 2ed is saying.

On subject: Why not simply lock a thread that does not follow the program?
I suppose I take issue with an infraction-nazi approach, as we are all adults, and should be able to speak our minds.

But then again..some folks just have a death wish complex, and at the very least do not know how to go along with the program.

Perplexing to say the least...............

[kerry]

Free speech isn't just a Constitutional thing. It's a constitutional thing. Free societies need general respect for free speech, not just legal respect for free speech.