If that's a reason for closing a thread then I can see that shiny new button rapidly dulling through over use
I can accept it's an experiment (though DB did close one of the Cerocport threads briefly IIRC), it was just a surprise to see this one closed without warning. I didn't feel it had gone too far though clearly there were intractable differences of opinion between some of the contributors (though no more so than on the recent 'Without God' thread).
There is no 'conspiracy why'.
Closing the thread was an option, and in this case it felt like the right thing to do, especially as the last few times we sent threads outside there was heavy criticism. It was worth trying as a moderation option.
Thanks to the feedback on this thread, we (the moderating team) are able to see where its use would be appropriate (or not). I particularly like David Franklin's suggestion of a "Cool it guys, or we'll have to close the thread" warning.
In any event, if you all feel very strongly about it, we can re-open the thread, put it outside and let the downward spiral resume. Having read the thread, I think that would do nobody involved any favours, but I might be wrong.
Keep giving your feedback either way!
Franck.
There's an A.P.P. for that!
My tuppenceworth
According to the Cambridge Online Dictionary:
censor
noun [C]
a person whose job is to read books, watch films, etc. in order to remove anything offensive from them, or who reads private letters, especially sent during war or from prison, to remove parts considered unsuitable
and
moderator
noun [C]
1 (US USUALLY mediator) FORMAL someone who tries to help other people come to an agreement:
An independent moderator should be appointed to oversee the negotiations.
2 US someone who makes certain that a formal discussion happens without problems and follows the rules:
He challenged the president to a series of TV debates. Just the two of them, with no moderator.
I think that it might be useful if we got a "Circles Warning" from a moderator for threads that become a bit repetitive - even just that "might" get us back on topic.
On the other hand - Franck would have to employ far more moderators - after all getting off topic is our favourite hobby
Whitetiger
I thought it had been pretty much tied up to be honest. I think any points that were going to me made already had, and I was prepared to let it pass on. In fact, I think that was probably the perfect place to end it, although it was rather sudden.
I'm not frustrated that the thread has been closed. Surprised, but not frustrated.
That's not a useful definition - there's a better one here:
Heh, "knowledgeable and trustworthy"Originally Posted by From Wikipedia
On a lighter note:
Because I'm power-crazed. Didn't you get the memo? Minions, can't trust them to do anything right....
Did I? Don't think so... Someone else may have, but I don't recall that either.
So, possibly, I'm both power-crazed and very forgetful.
I does feel like a bit of a fascist tool that can stifle debate (if you can call the last few posts debate) but to be honest I never felt more grateful to see an end of a thread (help have I now become pro fascist)
You did. Here is the evidence
You certainly seem to enjoy a selective memory.
Well, as with TV, the option is always to avoid watching that channel/thread .
Personally, I'd rather decide what threads are boring for myself, rather than let the mods decide it for me. That's what I already do with most of the "Who's going where this weekend?" and various games threads. And I'm sure lots of (most?) folk do likewise with their own particular bête noire threads.
Hey, perhaps I should become a moderator, and decide which threads are boring for everyone else.
IMO if a thread's not offensive, not spam, and not straying into legally/commercially sensitive areas, there's no valid reason to close it down. A gentle [MOD][/MOD] message, nudging folk back on-topic and away from the flames, would be far more sensible.
1. Only enough that conversations remain civil.
2. I suggest euthanasia
Did it? Can't say I noticed
Absolutely. There have been a few religion related threads, as well as many threads with either Rocky vs Everyone or Andy McGregor vs everyone that have been much less civil than the one in question here.
But why? There are many threads that become boring and people naturally stop reading them or posting to them. I would have suggested the life of this grammar one had approximately 2 days of effective life left. maximum. And if theres anything more boring than a thread on grammar, it has to be any thread on moderation. So now THIS thread is FAR more deserving of closure than the one we are talking about !
They are "employed" ? Is it minimum wage ?On the other hand - Franck would have to employ far more moderators - after all getting off topic is our favourite hobby
although i was making jokes in it, I'd actually stopped reading it yesterday. Why would you be bothered about the "end of the thread"? just stop reading it
Yes. I'm writing a PM requesting - nay, demanding in the strongest terms - that this boring thread be closed now
I'm well aware of it, and one of the useful things about the thread now closed was that it helped me decide on some changes to my own.
I think this thread could do with a button to close it before it starts to become too personal after all we know djb is a sensative sort be nice to him people
I don't think anyone is suggesting there is*! Anyway, I'm definitely not!
My point is simple (as am I ), but I'll make it again, just so that you realise there's no hidden agenda.
You already have a feature that is far more sophisticated than in most other forums. I've always been impressed at how enlightened it is. It has the advantage of allowing folks to vent off steam, whilst removing those threads that have descended beyond hope of redemption into a separate area where they eventually wither & die.
And they do. It works.
By simply closing a thread you lose the ability for venting. Frustrations will appear elsewhere on the forum where they are more visible to all (for example, this particular closed thread quickly spawned 3 new threads - 2 of which formed this very thread). Ironically, that thread seemed to be in its deaththrows anyway, so closing it has probably added to its lifespan.
It just seems odd to me that you'd take such a backwards step.
*unless I'm missing something**!
** like a conspiracy?
I had stopped reading most of it but it was getting on my nerves coming up in my unread threads so just occasionally dipped in and at the then instantly regretted it, you would have thought I’d learnt but I did it a couple of times
I tried but I am weak
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Bookmarks