Admins,a couple of "why not ?" questions.

Anthony,

Having photos published on the Web and linked to the Forum keeps our site and Forum running smoothly. Avatars by nature are small files so they won’t slow the system. Photos on the other hand can be huge and it doesn’t take many to begin affecting the site.

We have never discouraged people talking history, and it's not that discussions of politics are forbidden on FSM's Forum. Instead we say “strongly discouraged” and for good reason. We've seen many threads start well with several people discussing a topic with perfect civility. Unfortunately, human nature inevitably takes over, someone takes exception to something being posted, insults and vitriol follow, feelings get hurt, backs get bowed up, people threaten to leave, and, in some extreme cases, members get banned. There are plenty of places on the Internet to find discussions about politics where those things are allowed, so we don't think FSM needs to be also. Think of our Forum as a refuge from the rancor, a place where modeling comes first and is the common experience that ties all of the members together no matter the differences in their political views.

Cheers,
Aaron

First thank you for the speedy reply.  I must say I'm glad to hear that if I say, "Nixon's use of  B-52s in southeast asia was a controversial gambit"., I've not breeched some protocall in doing so.  I fully agree that cool heads should prevail in such discourse and appreciate the latittude you've outlined in you're reply.  If I should find myself involved in a thread that looks to be heading toward a verbal donnybrook, I promise to graciously excuse myself.  Thanks again Aaron, I'm grateful for the personal touch your reply represents

Brest wishes,

Anthony

Can I ask a follow up question??

In the past couple of weeks, two threads I am familiar with were locked (both for good reason, IMO).  At the same time, others were deleted.  In the past, threads have gotten a warning from an admin that they were on the verge of being locked or deleted.  So, my question is, what is the threshold?  How do you guys decide to lock some, warn some, delete some?  Truth be told, I have been in threads I was sure would get locked but never did, while others that seemed tense, but under control, spontaneously disappear like Amelia Erhardt (sorry, couldn't resist).

I'm not complaining.  You guys have a tough job.  I'm just curious if there are specific triggers (other than, say, an F-bomb) that you look for?

Ummm, interesting question, I have also wondered that....


Thanks, Jim

I think that after years of doing this, they can see when a thread is quickly spiraling out of control and going beyond a healthy debate and just go ahead and kill it. Sounds like a good policy to me. Keep in mind, they can also log in as a guest just to see how things are playing out and then step in when needed.

Regards,

Jeff

firesmacker wrote:

I think that after years of doing this, they can see when a thread is quickly spiraling out of control and going beyond a healthy debate and just go ahead and kill it. Sounds like a good policy to me. Keep in mind, they can also log in as a guest just to see how things are playing out and then step in when needed. Regards, Jeff

Jeff,

You are probably right.  I'd just be interested to see what Aaron or Matt or Kelly has to say.  As I said, there are times that to me, as a participant, the decision to delete has seemed kind of random, leaving me wondering why a particular thread wasn't simply locked.  So, I'm just curious...

Boyd,

Whilst removing threads is not our first choice sometimes it is a necessity, because the content has become inappropriate. Simply locking it in these instances leaves the inappropriate content still visible, so we remove it to avoid people seeing it.

Hope that answers the question in part.

 

Aaron Skinner wrote:

Boyd, Whilst removing threads is not our first choice sometimes it is a necessity, because the content has become inappropriate. Simply locking it in these instances leaves the inappropriate content still visible, so we remove it to avoid people seeing it. Hope that answers the question in part.

Aaron

Inappropriate content?  In a thread on FSM?  C'mon, say it ain't so...

I assumed as much.  Thanks for getting back to me.  Just out of curiousity, do all the FSM Admins have deletion 'powers' or does it fall to one or two of you?

Boyd