Thread "ownership"

[Himiko]

I am curious who controls whether a thread gets deleted or not. The starter? The folks that post to it? or the administration?

If the original poster doesn't like the way the posters are responding even though it is done courteously does that mean all the responses to a thread get erased. What is the point of sharing experiences and offering alternative points of view. I thought that was the idea of a forum? Why bother to respond if your efforts can simply be wiped out because someone doesn't like your opinion.

Where does it say the originator has that kind of power? Seems pretty selfish to me........................ and not a policy that stimulate confidence to post only to have it deleted.

[ladyfalconer]

I was seriously wondering that myself......

[Saluqi]

The decision about which threads are shutdown is based on: 1) Subject matter; 2) response to subject matter; and 3) the mood of the moderator at the moment they happen upon said thread. Pretty subjective really, but hey, we're all human and all subject to our own opinions, biases, and experience.

Oh yeah, if the originator of a thread requests that their thread be shut down, then we usually comply, many times there are reasons for such a request that neither we as moderators nor general the public have any business inquiring about.

[Himiko]

Well, in my experience as an administrator on a forum that had over 1 million members the policy was once a post is made it belongs to the forum and its members. If the material breaks some context rules, those posts were removed (or edited) but to allow members to dictate thread removal is a very slippery slope. You may soon find members regularly asking a thread be removed and only because they don't like all the posts. A thread should not belong to a single member as it is the contribution of several or many members, so it belongs to the community. I assume members of this forum don't have delete powers for in part that exact reason.

We also had the rule that photos could not be removed as that often destroys the whole purpose of a thread. Repeat offenders were banned.

Giving a thread started the right to expect to control the life of a thread is sure not in the spirit of community and could well result it members deciding not to waste their time contributing only to have their efforts wiped out.

I would also expect moderators not to act based on their mood at the time but rather within the bounds of a set of rules or policies that are of public record. Otherwise the whole situation plays into the hands of the "kid that wants to take their ball and go home because things aren't going their way".

[Saluqi]

Well, in my experience as an administrator on a forum that had over 1 million members the policy was once a post is made it belongs to the forum and its members. If the material breaks some context rules, those posts were removed (or edited) but to allow members to dictate thread removal is a very slippery slope. You may soon find members regularly asking a thread be removed and only because they don't like all the posts. A thread should not belong to a single member as it is the contribution of several or many members, so it belongs to the community. I assume members of this forum don't have delete powers for in part that exact reason.

We also had the rule that photos could not be removed as that often destroys the whole purpose of a thread. Repeat offenders were banned.

Giving a thread started the right to expect to control the life of a thread is sure not in the spirit of community and could well result it members deciding not to waste their time contributing only to have their efforts wiped out.

I would also expect moderators not to act based on their mood at the time but rather within the bounds of a set of rules or policies that are of public record. Otherwise the whole situation plays into the hands of the "kid that wants to take their ball and go home because things aren't going their way".

You are welcome to use whatever rules you want to on YOUR forum and we will use the rules that we use here on NAFEX. We decide on a case by case basis if we should shut down a thread based on a request by its originator, there are many extenuating circumstances that we have dealt with in regards to those requests. As far as pictures go, seriously? You ban people if they take down the pictures? Sounds a little like the old east Germany to me. We won't be banning a person if they delete pictures, sorry if that doesn't suit you.

My comment about us shutting down threads based on our mood was more or less tongue in cheek. I say more or less because we're human and we are not devoid of emotion, everything that we do has an emotional response, some things more than others, but occasionally a subject, or a response to a subject, or a response from a particular member will rub us the wrong way and measures will be taken.

If you feel that you are wasting your time by contributing to a thread because it may get deleted at some future date, then why contribute at all? Why waste your time sitting in front of a computer and typing out your thoughts and opinions to people who most of the time don't even really understand what you're saying? C'mon let's face it, we're all just spankin' the proverbial monkey by wasting time on internet forums, we should be out there flying birds, searching for nests, making hoods, building perches, etc. Despite the fact that we are a generation of falconers who can "practice" the sport without ever going to the field, I think that NAFEX does provide a valuable outlet, sure there's lots of chaf here but there's also lots of meat. The how-tos are invaluable, the idea exchange is excellent, the chance to voice opinions on falconry related politics is crucial.

So, now Bill let me ask you. Why this thread? What threads have we shutdown or deleted that you thought we should not have? What threads have photos missing where you think we should ban the originator?

As a moderator and in person, I can be a little harsh and sarcastic in my responses, and I know lots of people think I'm a pompous ass, but I treat everyone the same, I'd treat you the same in person as I do here on NAFEX. I don't care how I'm perceived because I'm passionate about this sport, and I work hard at the state level and I try to stay on top of the national issues. So if folks don't like me that's fine, as far as my moderating goes I try to be impartial and fair, but not everyone is going to see things the way I do.

[Saluqi]

Hey Bill,

Not that I'm stickler on rules or anything, but since you brought it up. I just visited your forum and did not see a link to NAFEX on there, you might review this thread:

http://www.nafex.net/showthread.php?t=4458

If you made arrangements with Chris to not have a link to NAFEX, that's fine, otherwise you ought to consider adding a link. Thanks.

[Himiko]

You are welcome to use whatever rules you want to on YOUR forum and we will use the rules that we use here on NAFEX. We decide on a case by case basis if we should shut down a thread based on a request by its originator, there are many extenuating circumstances that we have dealt with in regards to those requests. As far as pictures go, seriously? You ban people if they take down the pictures? Sounds a little like the old east Germany to me. We won't be banning a person if they delete pictures, sorry if that doesn't suit you.

My comment about us shutting down threads based on our mood was more or less tongue in cheek. I say more or less because we're human and we are not devoid of emotion, everything that we do has an emotional response, some things more than others, but occasionally a subject, or a response to a subject, or a response from a particular member will rub us the wrong way and measures will be taken.

If you feel that you are wasting your time by contributing to a thread because it may get deleted at some future date, then why contribute at all? Why waste your time sitting in front of a computer and typing out your thoughts and opinions to people who most of the time don't even really understand what you're saying? C'mon let's face it, we're all just spankin' the proverbial monkey by wasting time on internet forums, we should be out there flying birds, searching for nests, making hoods, building perches, etc. Despite the fact that we are a generation of falconers who can "practice" the sport without ever going to the field, I think that NAFEX does provide a valuable outlet, sure there's lots of chaf here but there's also lots of meat. The how-tos are invaluable, the idea exchange is excellent, the chance to voice opinions on falconry related politics is crucial.

So, now Bill let me ask you. Why this thread? What threads have we shutdown or deleted that you thought we should not have? What threads have photos missing where you think we should ban the originator?

As a moderator and in person, I can be a little harsh and sarcastic in my responses, and I know lots of people think I'm a pompous ass, but I treat everyone the same, I'd treat you the same in person as I do here on NAFEX. I don't care how I'm perceived because I'm passionate about this sport, and I work hard at the state level and I try to stay on top of the national issues. So if folks don't like me that's fine, as far as my moderating goes I try to be impartial and fair, but not everyone is going to see things the way I do.

Some very interesting attitudes expressed here. I could write much more but wouldn't wish to continue "Spanking my monkey" is such a public place. If this is Chris' position as well I think you will find many members will not be impressed. I won't bother to waste more of my time writing here or posting photos and rather than ask you to remove my photos (the results of "spanking my monkey" I will do so myself. Feel free to remove any of my text posts as well because they are the result of that same activity.

[Heatherg]

You are welcome to use whatever rules you want to on YOUR forum and we will use the rules that we use here on NAFEX. We decide on a case by case basis if we should shut down a thread based on a request by its originator, there are many extenuating circumstances that we have dealt with in regards to those requests. As far as pictures go, seriously? You ban people if they take down the pictures? Sounds a little like the old east Germany to me. We won't be banning a person if they delete pictures, sorry if that doesn't suit you.

My comment about us shutting down threads based on our mood was more or less tongue in cheek. I say more or less because we're human and we are not devoid of emotion, everything that we do has an emotional response, some things more than others, but occasionally a subject, or a response to a subject, or a response from a particular member will rub us the wrong way and measures will be taken.

If you feel that you are wasting your time by contributing to a thread because it may get deleted at some future date, then why contribute at all? Why waste your time sitting in front of a computer and typing out your thoughts and opinions to people who most of the time don't even really understand what you're saying? C'mon let's face it, we're all just spankin' the proverbial monkey by wasting time on internet forums, we should be out there flying birds, searching for nests, making hoods, building perches, etc. Despite the fact that we are a generation of falconers who can "practice" the sport without ever going to the field, I think that NAFEX does provide a valuable outlet, sure there's lots of chaf here but there's also lots of meat. The how-tos are invaluable, the idea exchange is excellent, the chance to voice opinions on falconry related politics is crucial.

So, now Bill let me ask you. Why this thread? What threads have we shutdown or deleted that you thought we should not have? What threads have photos missing where you think we should ban the originator?

As a moderator and in person, I can be a little harsh and sarcastic in my responses, and I know lots of people think I'm a pompous ass, but I treat everyone the same, I'd treat you the same in person as I do here on NAFEX. I don't care how I'm perceived because I'm passionate about this sport, and I work hard at the state level and I try to stay on top of the national issues. So if folks don't like me that's fine, as far as my moderating goes I try to be impartial and fair, but not everyone is going to see things the way I do.

Here is a past due/much needed and surely deserved THANK YOU!!! to Paul and the rest of the moderators. ya'll keep things in check

[sharptail]

You are welcome to use whatever rules you want to on YOUR forum and we will use the rules that we use here on NAFEX. We decide on a case by case basis if we should shut down a thread based on a request by its originator, there are many extenuating circumstances that we have dealt with in regards to those requests. As far as pictures go, seriously? You ban people if they take down the pictures? Sounds a little like the old east Germany to me. We won't be banning a person if they delete pictures, sorry if that doesn't suit you.

My comment about us shutting down threads based on our mood was more or less tongue in cheek. I say more or less because we're human and we are not devoid of emotion, everything that we do has an emotional response, some things more than others, but occasionally a subject, or a response to a subject, or a response from a particular member will rub us the wrong way and measures will be taken.

If you feel that you are wasting your time by contributing to a thread because it may get deleted at some future date, then why contribute at all? Why waste your time sitting in front of a computer and typing out your thoughts and opinions to people who most of the time don't even really understand what you're saying? C'mon let's face it, we're all just spankin' the proverbial monkey by wasting time on internet forums, we should be out there flying birds, searching for nests, making hoods, building perches, etc. Despite the fact that we are a generation of falconers who can "practice" the sport without ever going to the field, I think that NAFEX does provide a valuable outlet, sure there's lots of chaf here but there's also lots of meat. The how-tos are invaluable, the idea exchange is excellent, the chance to voice opinions on falconry related politics is crucial.

So, now Bill let me ask you. Why this thread? What threads have we shutdown or deleted that you thought we should not have? What threads have photos missing where you think we should ban the originator?

As a moderator and in person, I can be a little harsh and sarcastic in my responses, and I know lots of people think I'm a pompous ass, but I treat everyone the same, I'd treat you the same in person as I do here on NAFEX. I don't care how I'm perceived because I'm passionate about this sport, and I work hard at the state level and I try to stay on top of the national issues. So if folks don't like me that's fine, as far as my moderating goes I try to be impartial and fair, but not everyone is going to see things the way I do.

This thread has given me a chuckle! I too have had things deleted that I would have prefered aired. It is a abrupt reminder that forums are private property and also viewed by the public, not all of which are pro falconry. A lot of Pauls posts are just how I have found him to be as a mod here. A little sarcastic, on the less end of tongue in cheek. A good reminder that there are opposing views.

Pompus or not he has shut down some of my posts, but he has also worked to get some reopened when he found some redeaming content, without being asked too. He has shut down portions of one thread by mutual agreement and later the whole thread on someone elses request after consulting me and then later reopening it after sensitive deadlines had past.

I can't say that everytime that something gets shut down here that I agree that it should have been, but I am not here to agree with everyone.

It is a bit offensive to see Paul write about a generation of falconer as "practicing" without entering the field, but it made me think and there are falconers that fly out of the car window in town and only get out of the rig to retrieve a bird on a kill.

What this and other forums has made me realize is my place and my sense of where I fit it the world falconry community as well as a much more informed perspective of the community its self.