there are a few threads floating around regarding a sort of 'dissatisfaction' with the forums. some people seem to think they are over-moderated, some think they are under-moderated, some think they'd better not think about it.
so since this is the community we 'live in', perhaps those who want to should, in a central thread, discuss how we ourselves, at least, should act and what standards we should set to make the forums 'better' (starting this thread was actually sirlosealot's idea that i have stolen because he went off to play chess in one of the other threads)
possibly, discussion here may be of help to the mods who have the thankless job of dealing with the problems. possibly, the policy and implementation thereof will also be clarified considerably.
i have collected some of the significant recent posts on the issue below so we have a starting point from which to proceed.
in friendship,
prad
I have noticed that we are all spending alot of time fighting in the forums. I have stayed away of late in silent protest. People used to have a battle of wits, wich is always fun for all. Now people are violent and abusive. There is name calling and accusations.
I would just like to say that it is all very dissapointing, especially for the more seasoned members of this site, who should be setting an example. If this keeps up, this site will start to attract more of the same. (birds of a feather). When that day comes I will be gone, as I am sure others that feel the same will be. I joined this community because I liked it and felt that I fit in. Now I am not so sure of it.
Mike
i have noticed thread
Ah,I see now.
Well,this is exactly why I felt so strong about the whole closing threads deal.Which,btw,was so very much unappreciated by the rest of the community.Now a player with 43577 moves on his record leaves because of a moderating issue?So sad.....
Maybe it is time to reconsider the whole moderating system,make it better?
Maybe I should post this in the debate forum?
bye bye thread
...and disallow moderators from editing posts as these debates get heated and ugly words start getting tossed about, but that's what makes it interesting and lively(look how the Korean Congress debates...looks like a WWF slugfest)...if people get offended by heated dialogue, let them go visit the Mother Goose forums...
political debates thread
This is a good point, although I know there are many children on rhp, so my only concern is that 'ugly words' mainly means words unsuitable for children. I'm more than happy with the use of colourful language, just concerned that it appears in an area where children could see it. Perhaps if the moderation was just such that they removed swear words? I see no problem with vigorous arguing and contestation of points, just when you get 'ugly words' used in a context where children will be able to pick up on them.
Just my tuppence worth.
Gary.
political debates thread
for some people these might be part of funny statements, whether they are part of the group targeted by the 'joke' or not. For others it won't be. Just because a statement is obviously a joke to some does not mean it is inoffensive to others. The "get a sense of humour" line is often used, but only shows a lack of empathy for the other persons position.
bye bye thread
We have created a new 'debates' forum.
This is an area for discussions on subjects such as religion or politics or any other subject where differing views may lead to heated discussion.
Please be aware that while we accept that discussions may get emotional, all normal forum etiquette rules apply.
Please do not use offensive language, and please continue to respect other posters even if you do not agree with their views. It is fair to attack a person's viewpoint but is unacceptable to attack a poster personally.
You can access the forum via the 'forum list'. A link from the menu will appear shortly.
Enjoy!
debates forum now live thread
I do think there should be moderators.
Not for things as swearing, I personally believe everyone should be able to express themselves with language as they see fitting.
What I do think should be moderated is name calling and personal attacks.
For instance. Someone called me a jew-hater and I retaliated by telling this person to sucka tale pipe.
I totally agree that these comments (by both of us) should be moderated as they bear no contribution to the discussion which was taking place, are highly negative, not thought provoking and probably serve to make people less inclined to participate.
I can also agree with moderators removing posts which have nothing to do with the topic being discussed.
Originally posted by shavixmirYou are full of it. I'm the one who you told to go suck a tail pipe and I told you what to do also. I'm not the only who thinks you dislike the Jews according to some of the threads in the forum. I've read most of your drivel and it boils down to I hate the US, Israel, sometimes England, but your terrorist friends in Hamas can do no wrong. According to you 99% of the worlds problems are because of the US. Maybe we should let Holland take care of the problems of the world since it is so perfect a country. I've been to Holland and while I think it is a beautiful country I still would rather live here. You probably never even been to the US before unless it was a vacation. I guess my 9 years of living in Europe doesn't count. I agree with you on one thing though, the US should quit trying to be the policeman of the world because we sure aren't appreciated for doing it. we should also get out of that ineffectual clown circus the UN and use that money we give them to fix the problems we have in this country. Until that day comes I can guarantee you that I will not sit idle and have you bad mouth my country and not defend it. That said. Have a nice day!ðŸ˜
I do think there should be moderators.
Not for things as swearing, I personally believe everyone should be able to express themselves with language as they see fitting.
What I do think should be moderated is name calling and personal attacks.
For instance. Someone called me a jew-hater and I retaliated by telling this person to sucka tale pipe.
I ...[text shortened]... o agree with moderators removing posts which have nothing to do with the topic being discussed.
I think all posts with cap-lock on should be moderated out for yelling in the forums.
I think 70 percent of posts using 😠should be moderated.
I think half the posts with 😵 in it should be moderated .
I think 25 percent of posts with 😛 should be moderated....
(These would all just be random generated chances, save the moderators some time.) 😉
I really don't see what is so hard about it, I have had one thread removed, and I was told why... it was a response to a post that was moderated. RHP needs to keep a certain level of acceptability.
I have clicked alert moderators more than once and every time the post is gone when I come back.... These were direct slams against RHP with foul language, or direct attacks against another player. Some were just people seeing how many curse words they could fit in a post I guess.
I don't think it's too hard to figure out what might get erased... I've seen good jokes go, but they must have upset someone... a lot of good jokes do that. I'll even go as far as to say some people post something knowing it will be moderated out just so they can act like someone is taking away their right to speak their mind.
As for the strange post that turned into this latest debate... move the conversation to another thread or PM... Moderators do a good job in my mind. (for the most part, they are human too.)
Doesn't Russ and Chrismo have a final say on what posts are to go? Can't we trust them that removing these posts is in their best interest for running a great site?
P-
Awhile back I was EXTREMELY bored and started sifting through past threads. I went all the way back as far as I could go, started at the beginning. Maybe some of the seasoned members here should speak up and tell how insane the forums used to be. I was appalled at what used to go on- people cursing at each other left and right, arguing about everything under the sun and they got really personal too. I got through maybe 10 pages of threads (did I say I was bored?:-)) and gave up because there was absolutely nothing of substance whatsoever. What went on back then was a hundred times worse than what is going on now.
So that said, I completely understand the reasoning behind moderators and feel that if we didn't have them it would go back to just the way it used to be. They are a great thing whether we realize it or not.
ncrosby🙂
Originally posted by slimjimFar be it for me to be one to run and get mummy, but I find your claims about me highly insulting, and therefor I have contacted a moderator.
You are full of it. I'm the one who you told to go suck a tail pipe and I told you what to do also. I'm not the only who thinks you dislike the Jews according to some of the threads in the forum. I've read most of your drivel and it boil ...[text shortened]... mouth my country and not defend it. That said. Have a nice day!ðŸ˜
- Joined
- 20 Feb 02
- Moves
- 58336
Originally posted by ncrosbyYes, basically read any post by Xenophobe to get the idea
speak up and tell how insane the forums used to be. I was appalled at what used to go on- people cursing at each other left and right, arguing about everything under the sun and they got really personal too.
ncrosby🙂
Andrew
Originally posted by Phlabibitmore than human from what i have seen in some cases!
Moderators do a good job in my mind. (for the most part, they are human too.)
Here's my 3 point take on all this.
1. Moderators should never be publically criticized or be made to feel they have to defend their actions on the forums. Naturally, under no circumstances should they be subjected to hostile PMs from anyone.
These people are putting in their time to make this place better for us. They should never be hassled. I have been told by Russ that one moderator actually quit because he was fed up with what had become an abusive job. It is absolutely ridiculous for users of the forums to act this way towards moderators!
2. The TOS is clear. We don't do things that are:
"unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another's privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable"
(the otherwise presumably includes sexist and violent as well)
While 'objectionable' may be subjected to a certain amount of interpretation, it really isn't that difficult to figure out most situations. The best guideline was provided by Chrismo when speaking about the debates forum:
"continue to respect other posters even if you do not agree with their views. It is fair to attack a person's viewpoint but is unacceptable to attack a poster personally"
I have seen this simple idea in several forums - it really isn't that hard to do.
Even when someone writes something blatantly offensive, it can be dealt with using
a) humor:
"The eloquence with which you refute your opponents is breathtaking. Maybe we should all sit back and admire your debating skills as you once again destroy an opponent with the power of your wit." (kyngi)
b) courtesy:
"you must really NOT use this language within this community. No-one here has insulted you personally and all you did with your last comments is make people dislike you." (The Slow Pawn)
The above got through to the offender and he apologized. The moderators meanwhile had one offensive post to remove rather than a flurry of them.
It is never necessary to violate the TOS in order to defend it!
3. Offensive language may also be a subjective issue, but I believe on the forums it is not. I think we are all sufficiently educated to know what is considered to be a swear word and what is not. Cleverly encrypting it with #$%* really doesn't do it justice and can only serve to confuse the reader (for instance, I'll bet none of you have a clue what I have just written with #$%*).
Encrypted or not, it's not supposed to be on here. If it is absolutely necessary to utilize a colorful metaphor then perhaps you should resort to the expanded variations such as 'excrement' or 'fornicate'. You may lose some of your panache, but you will undoubtedly make everyone respectfully take a step back in awe of your cultural refinement!
The forums allow us to participate in a wonderful, worldwide community. It is fun, educational and even inspiring thanks to the efforts of 2 creative individuals and a group of volunteers. Being part of this community is a privilege that we must appreciate and support in order to enjoy.
in friendship,
prad