Can we please have more discretion with derailed threads

[Slayer]

Now I understand from a moderators point of view that when a thread runs away because some individuals choose to steer its path out of topic to a point where it becomes annoying to the eye that closing the thread is a nice easy neat way of enforcing the guidelines.

But no one said moderating was supposed to be a 5 minute job and this direct intervention is fundamentally flawed.


I suggest a new strategy; once a thread has been identified as being derailed to any measured level the timer starts and the culprits identified and the thread is supervised. Upon the decision that the thread would normally be closed (due to continuing decay) ALL posts and replies created by this new trend should be deleted and the judged culprits given those infringement points and perhaps involved not to post in that thread again, ever.


I am getting a little tired of not being able to enjoy threads to there logical conclusion before someone comes along with there own bloody chip on there shoulder to complain about something they don't even own! or someone they want to scrutinise and only serve to kill yet another thread of such topic.


What problem this now creates is the entire membership develops this subliminal dislike of similair titled threads appearing because the original one is closed.


Why don't moderators kick individuals out and direct them to start there own threads when it is plainly obviously they want to harp on about something in a completely different direction!


This PC crap needs to end and sensible common sense enforcement implemented, it really isn't the end of the world if you rub some people up the wrong way, some people just don't want to play nice.

---------- Post added at 10:51 ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 ----------

Actually, maybe this should be moved to the feedback/suggestion section? I'm not actually moaning LOL

 

[cosmicfrog]

mostly I find threads the ver of topic to be the most interesting and informative

 

[Slayer]

That's just great, you can't win can you.

Even if that is true that is what we call the means justifies the end mentally, I wonder if you apply that to other situations in your life. I could almost accuse you of trolling LOL although I don't think that was your intention, I think, perhaps someone who knows you better could gauge it more correctly.

 

[roy_bates]

wouldent it just be easier for the mods to just step in and say "#ahem#can we keep this on track please" and do this 2 or 3 times.

its only human for subjects to drift off sometimes.

 

[Bad_Ad84]

You say being PC needs to stop, you cant please everyone etc - then complain when someone disagrees with you.

I agree with froggy & roy personally.

 

[Slayer]

Well I think perhaps I've wasted my time but nothing lost

I didn't complain that he disgreed I was merely pointing out he was basically derailing this thread by commenting on something that wasn't related but perhaps you don't want to see that


eg He wants to preserve the content that is actually supposed to be against the rules because he finds it enjoyable to read which has nothing to do with me asking that they stop closing threads and actually just weed out the unrelated

---------- Post added at 11:29 ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 ----------

wouldent it just be easier for the mods to just step in and say "#ahem#can we keep this on track please" and do this 2 or 3 times.

its only human for subjects to drift off sometimes.

They try to do this but it doesn't work, so instead of making the culprit pay everyone pays which is (as far as I can logically evaluate it) not how it should be handled.


And the "human" arguement is void, this relates to my PC comment about allowing people to be "human"


Haven't you heard that saying


blah doesn't just happen it's allowed to happen


Anyway, spin it all you want now, I'm off to bed!

 

[Allen1]

I know what you mean about threads going off topic and yes it can be annoying at times but on the whole I agree with froggy & roy and Bad_Ad84 on this subject. Mind you I am also guilty of going off topic in quite a few threads (mainly elsewhere), a gentle reminder by a Mod is more than adequate in 99% of such situations.

 

[roy_bates]

i dont think youve waisted your time.


but also to bear in mind that the mods are also human,i dont know how hard it would be to delete posts that havent got anyting to do with the threads in question,but i would imagine it would be time consuming to go through them all.

 

[Slayer]

Let me just be clear, it's not that they go off topic as such it is that they are closed as a consequence. Why should the original thread be closed because of other peoples actions.

 

[Bad_Ad84]

That makes a little more sense actually and I kinda agree with you.

If a post has gone far enough to warrant closing, then a clean up and remaining open is preferred IMO.

However, I also feel "stay on topic!" is taken a little too far/strict.

 

[Slayer]

but also to bear in mind that the mods are also human,i dont know how hard it would be to delete posts that havent got anyting to do with the threads in question,but i would imagine it would be time consuming to go through them all.

Hey, I'm trying to go to bed!


The thing is, the rules are set, they must implement a system that works that governs these rules. If the work load is so great, get more mods, if the system doesn't work in one area because the options are too difficult then you optimise the procedure. Lets just see action on offense 1 NOT offense 3 kind of thing with the goal of NOT closing a thread because it's easier from an Admins POV. I'm not trying to set policy I'm trying to get a message through


And I'm probably being less than concise because I'm trying to go to bed

 

[AndyLandy]

As a general rule, we usually do allow threads to drift off-topic. It's only when they deteriorate into flame-throwing and trolling that we close them. It's also important to remember that it takes two to troll. If people just ignored the idiots, it'd be fine, but people respond to them and threads will nosedive.

If there are threads that people feel should genuinely remain open, then let us know, we have the discretion to re-open a thread if we think it's appropriate to do so, removing crap from it if necessary.

 

[roy_bates]

there you slayer,that was painless wasent it.

 

[Mendel]

How about splitting threads? For example, x1000news thread could have been split to x1000 news and a spawn thread about amigakit, a-eon and the amiga hardware sales industry today.

Of some forums I use and love, Beyond3d sometimes uses this strategy of splitting and spawning new threads from derailed threads.

 

[BrooksterMax]

Theres a report post option under the avatar bit on the left which us (the general community) can use to notify admins of inappropriate things.

 

[slk486]

I've never seen a thread closed on Amibay if it wasn't either starting to burn or on subjects infringing the rules. Is there an example I can feast my eyes on?

And I agree with everybody


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[AndyLandy]

How about splitting threads? For example, x1000news thread could have been split to x1000 news and a spawn thread about amigakit, a-eon and the amiga hardware sales industry today.

Yep, we can (and sometimes do) do that. All of these are options and we're happy to do that if that's what's needed. Sometimes we might decide a thread is best left closed, but you can always ask. If it's this X1000 thread that's caused all this uproar then I'll go and clear out the crap and re-open it, it's not a problem!

Theres a report post option under the avatar bit on the left which us (the general community) can use to notify admins of inappropriate things.

Yes, people should use this more. What it does is creates a new thread in the staff area of the forums, so all staff members get to see what's been reported and why, and discuss what needs done. It makes life really easy for us to get straight to the thread in question and do what's necessary.

Hope that's answered your questions folks, if not, feel free to ask more. We are here for your benefit, sometimes we have to deal with rubbish, but at the end of the day, this site is run for its members.

 

[FOL]

It's also important to remember that it takes two to troll.

Thats not entirely true, it can take one, . You cant win in some cases, you feed them, they moan. You ignore them, they moan even more and make up lots of stuff to destroy the threads to the point they end up locked.

 

[Mendel]

How about splitting threads? For example, x1000news thread could have been split to x1000 news and a spawn thread about amigakit, a-eon and the amiga hardware sales industry today.

Yep, we can (and sometimes do) do that. All of these are options and we're happy to do that if that's what's needed. Sometimes we might decide a thread is best left closed, but you can always ask. If it's this X1000 thread that's caused all this uproar then I'll go and clear out the crap and re-open it, it's not a problem!

Seems like a new x1000 thread was already made though .
Oh well. I wouldn´t be sure what to do if I was a mod either

 

[AndyLandy]

It's also important to remember that it takes two to troll.

Thats not entirely true, it can take one, . You cant win in some cases, you feed them, they moan. You ignore them, they moan even more and make up lots of stuff to destroy the threads to the point they end up locked.

It's usually true. Although I'll concede that you're right, it's not entirely true. Very occasionally you'll get someone that spoils it whatever you do...