Thread locking/deletion and banning of users

[jaseman]

OK, I figure this is the best place to post this. Somewhere that doesn't get alot of traffic, but also where Mod's and Admin's are fairly certain to se it.

I would like to propose a suggestion.

When a thread is locked, can the Mod who locked it specifically explain why in the closing/locking post (I have to say, you guys are pretty good at doing this already).

When a thread is deleted, would it be possible NOT to actually delete it, but rather delete all the posts other than the Mod's explanation for stopping it. That way, those users who were following along at least have an explanation as to why such action was taken (though most of us will probably already know).

A simple response from a Mod saying "I have locked/deleted this thread because..... please PM me if you have questions" would at least clear up a lot of confusion.

As for the banning of a member, a simple, locked thread with a quick "I have banned UserX because..... please PM me if you have questions". You wouldn't even need to go into detail, just maybe letting the community know that someone has been banned.


Members deciding to leave boards is not a new thing, and will happen no matter what. You can't please everyone. Just trying to put forth a suggestion that may help the rest of the users understand why something happens when Mod's are forced to make tough decisions.

Thanks for hearing me out,
Jaseman

[cmptrmn.1]

I agree, somewhat. Not sure about the banned part. Might get upset for reasons someone got banned because I like them. And, when getting nude pictures of women, just send them to my PM. That way you won't have to empty the garbage after you delete them.

[jaseman]

I can see what you mean about the members who get banned. Though I gotta say, sometimes it's weeks before many of us find out someone's gone. If ever. And many of us rarely know why.

I think, in general though, doing something would keep further posts popping up, just to discuss why a thread was locked/deleted.

[trikebubble]

We tend not to lock too many threads, more likely we will delete them. Personally, I will only lock a thread if I think their is some benefit to be gained by offering a moderator's opinion on why the thread was locked, or to re-affirm the forum rules and guidelines.

When threads are deleted, they are done so with good reason. Simply removing the offending posts would far too time consuming and likely still aggravate some people. In a nutshell, if everyone abides by the well laid out forum rules and guidelines threads would not get trashed in the first place.
No, it is not fair that the end result of a few sour grapes is the trashing of a thread, but it is the reality of the matter.

Everyone on board know who the forum moderators are and are free to pm us at any time for reasons behind the choices and decisions that we make.

As far as banning members go, it is the hardest task we face. Prior to any member being banned the entire moderation staff discusses the issues leading to the question of a possible banning and/or alternative choices to resolving the issue. No member here, outside of spammers, is banned without the agrrement of all the moderation staff.
I can assure you that we take the responsibility of banning any member to heart, it is not a decision that is ever made lightly.

Personally, I do not see that their is anything to gain by announcing that a member has been banned. It would likely spark more contraversy, than just letting "sleeping dogs lay" as it may be.

As moderators we follow the same set of rules and regulations that are posted on the front door for all to see. We are tasked with enforcing those rules on behalf ofthe forum owner, and I feel that we do a very good job at it. Sure, not everyone agrees with all the decisions we make, but unfortunatly not everyone always agrees to follow the requested rules and guidelines either.

Cheers,
Carlo.

[jaseman]

Thanks for the input, Carlo.

As I said, was just a thought/suggestion. 99% of the time, even if I don't agree, I at least can understand why you guys 'drop the hammer' on something/someone.

[Big Ed]

What about this:

If a thread gets deleted, can you just empty it of all posts except a "this thread is locked and deleted" post.

The only reason I ask, is I have gone searching in vain for a thread that no longer existed.

Just a thought.

[mkelley]

I'd like to see threads locked by default after a certain age. Personally I'd lock them after they're a year old. Anyone really needing to resurrect a thread could reference the old thread in a new one.

Agreed that just emptying a thread and noting that it was deleted and locked would be nice for those of us searching for older threads. I also don't see this as very important.

[jaseman]

Originally Posted by Big Ed

What about this:

If a thread gets deleted, can you just empty it of all posts except a "this thread is locked and deleted" post.

The only reason I ask, is I have gone searching in vain for a thread that no longer existed.

Just a thought.

This was a big part of the reason I asked (not the only reason, but...). When I get the email notification "Reply to post blah blah blah..." and go to check it, it can get a tad frustrating. Especially if I have not been on in a few days, and the topic started off as something I was interested in.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by mkelley

I'd like to see threads locked by default after a certain age. Personally I'd lock them after they're a year old. Anyone really needing to resurrect a thread could reference the old thread in a new one.

Agreed that just emptying a thread and noting that it was deleted and locked would be nice for those of us searching for older threads. I also don't see this as very important.

The software does have an option to auto-lock a thread after a given time. A couple of forums that I am on auto-lock after 90 days.

SOMETIMES an old thread is dredged up and it is a valid continuation of the original thread, but most of the time, it's a newbie asking the original poster a question... when the original poster maybe hasn't even been active on the forum for years.

Other times it's just someone scanning old threads and responding without thinking.

[VindianaJones]

100% agree Carlo. Thanks for clearing it up.

[Lawn Masters]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

The software does have an option to auto-lock a thread after a given time. A couple of forums that I am on auto-lock after 90 days.

SOMETIMES an old thread is dredged up and it is a valid continuation of the original thread, but most of the time, it's a newbie asking the original poster a question... when the original poster maybe hasn't even been active on the forum for years.

Other times it's just someone scanning old threads and responding without thinking.

Looking at the for sale sections, its people that are googling for xyz part for something, never looking a the date of the last post, or original post, and just joining to ask if its still being parted out, or for sale, etc. I personally find this supremely irritating.

people who respond in threads regading a technical issue much later to ask a valid question regarding the issue or how the original poster resolved it I dont mind. those can and sometimes are actualy helpful.

[GREENISBEST]

The Sticky's at least mine could do with lockiing... !

[rbentnail]

Originally Posted by GREENISBEST

The Sticky's at least mine could do with lockiing... !

+1. Locking stickies is a great idea. And so is locking a thread after 90 days.

[karisk12]

New member here. Can someone please tell me how to start a new thread. I feel I must be either blind or stupid.

[rbentnail]

Originally Posted by karisk12

New member here. Can someone please tell me how to start a new thread. I feel I must be either blind or stupid.

Sure. Open the section you want from the main page (main lobby, off topis, etc.). Top left of the topic block, below the ad banner is a button "new topic". There ya go!

[elr658]

I want to make an instruction sheet for resurrecting dead motorcycles. It will be the forum equivalent of "Gone With the Wind" BUT Dr. House resents when people are still talking while HE speaks. (Hey if y'all asked for advice, shouldn't you shut the hell up when he answers? and if you weren't gonna take it, WHY ASK??) But I'm not going to do it if it's gonna get garbaged up like my "Valves" thread.
Do I contact a mod to sticky and lock the thread first? It was no problem to do that at Old Bike Barn because I was a mod!

[RichLockyer]

Ya... Stickies would be initiated by contacting a mod and requesting it.
I would assume that should the OP make the request, a mod would be willing to lock a thread.

[usttobee50]

What happens to a post when it is listed as "MOVED"?

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by usttobee50

What happens to a post when it is listed as "MOVED"?

It means the thread has been moved to another forum... either from a tech forum to off topic, from the main lobby to "rides and get togethers", etc....

Doesn't seem to happen often lately, but there was a LOT of thread moving late last year.

[trikebubble]

Originally Posted by usttobee50

What happens to a post when it is listed as "MOVED"?

Threads are moved for a variety of reasons, some due to plain housekeeping (ie: moving a thread to the correct section), some are merged (if a member starts two identical threads in two seperate sections we will merge them together), and many threads are just sent to the circular file (or trash) for obvious, and not-so-obvious reasons.