A question for Admin & moderators

[MacAdder]

A question for Admin & moderators

In my opinion if a thread is locked it would be for a very good reason. Common curiously would obligate the staff member in question to warn the thread participants of his or her plan if the ‘problem’ continues.

The Moderator or Admin then would give a conclusive reason for locking the thread. What I’ve seen is that threads are locked on this forum without due process or explanation.

I doubt that locking threads indiscriminately encourages anyone to take the time to post.

[Reptile_Reptile]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh

[infernalis]

Like I said in the PM, tons of old threads were closed prior to my having any control over it, Hell most of them were closed before I even found this web site.

In my time here as moderator I have closed no more that 5-6 threads and always for a really good reason and almost always with the last post being from me explaining why I closed it.

As far as your Jokes mate, I like them I have even re-told them on other forums myself. But really is it worth getting upset that half year old jokes were closed?

I did just close Feebos thread, but he asked more than once for that to happen.

I have gone through a lot of the older threads, They are archived for your viewing, There is a whole lot of rubbish that really does not need to be in current circulation.

As for all the old closings, as I said (this applies to everyone) if you ever find a thread that you want to see re-opened, I will gladly do it.

[MacAdder]

Infernalis thanks for your reply mate. As this is a forum where we are encouraged to respectfully debate or bring bothersome issues to the attention of members.
I noted the thread 'Albino Monacled Cobra' was closed without any reasonable explanation.
With all due respect I personally find this indiscriminant closing of threads a little rude.

[infernalis]

The thread was doing nothing but creating more arguing.

Randy had made his intentions clear, yet derogatory posts kept on pouring in.

I'm sure I speak for the majority that no one wants the board mired by petty arguing, name calling and exchanging of insults.

That thread alone was generating more insults than any other thread in the last several months... I deleted quite a few "jabs" where name calling was posted.

Just like a live forum where all of the people are in one room, occasionally the guy in the George Washington wig has to drop the hammer to keep order on the floor. ;)

It's a grim task, and not one I take lightly.

So that having been said, if everyone could just refrain from name calling and insults, we can move forward with productive exchange of information and occasional off topic benign chatter without me having to close threads to stop fights.

[MacAdder]

The thread was doing nothing but creating more arguing.
Discussing venomiods is a sensitive issue and will quickly get out of hand if no one is around to keep order. If you personally noted an infraction you should have stepped in and made your presents known. In short, a warning so everyone is aware that the situation is under scrutiny and personal insults will not be tolerated.
To close a thread because of an individual making a nuisance of him or herself is a little over handed. (In my opinion that is.)
You closed this thread in question without giving a reason which accomplishes nothing other than frustration.

[Freebody]

Randy is a good guys, we are all friends with him here, its just the topic is so heated its was just turning into a problem, it got derailed, no one here can help him with the question, so trying a differnent forum which will have actuall answere for him vrs just a dog fight about that specific heated topic, im sure randy understands as i have been conversing with him on a different thread after the one being closed for good reason. all is good in the end :)

[MacAdder]

Randy is a good guy…
I don’t doubt that but pls I am not disrespecting anyone but bring a concern to light. A forum is supposed to encourage that we debate and discuss our differences as this is how we learn. It is the manner that the opinions are expressed that can lead to problems.
To simply close a thread without due process or explanation affects all. This is the incorrect way in dealing with a debate and being dictated over certainly does not help a website.

[RandyRhoads420]

Also, I asked him to close it, but I think that got overlooked at least for a while with all the other posts.... It seemed to cause more arguments and anger than it was worth for my answer.

[MacAdder]

Also, I asked him to close it, but I think that got overlooked at least for a while with all the other posts.... It seemed to cause more arguments and anger than it was worth for my answer.

RandyRhoads the point is that there should be a procedure to follow when closing any thread. With respect this is the descent thing to do.
If you personally start a thread and to find that it does not go the way you want it to go its just your hard luck mate. You cannot be the judge and jury on what others think or say.

This closing of threads without explanation on the whims of one member is not a strengths and cannot be regarded as a good management practice.

[marvelfreak]

MacAdder (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/members/macadder.html)
Member

Join Date: Jul-2009
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Re: Albino Monacled Cobra
"save a snake, kill a venomoid lover"
__________________
If you want to dance with a Cobra, you had better know your steps.


I am sure comments like this lead to the decision to close it. This could be considered a theat. When people start say other people should be killed because they don't agree with them. It's time for the thread to be closed. We don't need all the negativity that I for one believe there's been way to much of on here lately. And i like to say right now i am sorry for being part of that negativity.

[MacAdder]

"save a snake, kill a venomoid lover"

Marvelfreak I thank you for quoting me but your point is??:confused: because you are missing the point.

[shaunyboy]

i just went and read the thread this ones about

although i personally do not agree with randys views on this procedure on cobra's i do see his point.

he did not ask how folk felt regarding the subject

the guy only wanted specific information on the company providing said cobra's.

surley randy is entitled to have his own opinion and do what he likes with his cash

what he does not deserve is all the snide comments especially after he said he realised how everyone felt and the last thing he wanted was a debate on the ethics of it all.

the kill a venimoid lover statment imo was enough to close the thread

so you only have yourself to blame macadder.

i assume your mad at it getting locked as you were not finished firing into randy with your views

why should your views be more important than randys question ?

to moan about a thread being locked when you were part if not wholey resposible for it happening is just bad blood imo.

cheers shaun

[shaunyboy]

Marvelfreak I thank you for quoting me but your point is??:confused: because you are missing the point.


if you read what marvelfreak wrote under your quote you would know what his point was. no ?

cheers shaun

[shaunyboy]

we get your point and how passionate you feel on this subject macadder

i think it is you who is not getting the point

you just cant expect to come on here and angerly force your view and opinion on everyone

even though most of us agree with what you think regards the procedures done to the cobras

my point being theres a right way and a wrong way to get your point across

you chose the wrong way imo

cheers shaun

[MacAdder]

so you only have yourself to blame macadder.

I disagree Shaun. I personally don`t care if this particular thread was closed or not but I am looking at the bigger picture here. If a thread goes off topic or goes 'south' it is up to the moderators or admin staff to step in and rectify the issue with warnings or moderating a post within reason. (with an explanation)

Just closing a thread on a whim without a reasonable explanation or procedure goes against the general accepted reason we call a Forum a Forum. Yes, No ?

[shaunyboy]

fair enough mate i hear what your saying regards an explanation.

maybe when a thread is closed a moderator could give a brief explanation for doing it

that in itself would give folk an idea of what will and will not be tolerated

but after randy made it very clear that he did not want to hear folks views on the cobra's procedure and only wanted to know if anyone had any knowledge of the company

surely it was wrong to keep trying to ram your view across.,

i can even under stand posting once to say you dont agree but to keep it going was just asking for it the thread to be locked.


cheers shaun

[MacAdder]

fair enough mate i hear what your saying regards an explanation.
… folk an idea of what will and will not be tolerated
Thanks Shaun that was what I’ve been trying to highlight.

…i can even under stand posting once to say you dont agree but to keep it going…
I believe I have made my opinion on the issue of venomoids an uncompromised one. I have many years experience with snakes and especially venomous animals. I have very little time or consideration for cruelty or the use of these animals for selfish styled bragging rights. This also applies to free handling of venomous snakes and the damage this foolishness does to our hobby in general worldwide.

I will however attempt to express my opinion without personal attack but I will without doubt be as direct and to the point as possible. This will avoid any misunderstandings of my strong opinion on these issues.

This thread was not created to express my opinion about venomoids but it was what I thought about the closing of threads without due procedure. Shaun thank you again for considering my request regards ‘random’ locking of discussion opportunities.:)

[shaunyboy]

yes mate this thread was about the locking of threads but you did use randys thread as an example

if you had maybe just said

what do you folks think about threads being locked without an explanation ?

im sure you would have got a better result.

so where i do agree with you in it would be nice if an explanation was given

i do not agree with the way you persisted in attacking randys views.

he is entitled to them after all

for the record
i hate the suffering caused to the snakes and our hobby by the de venoming procedure.i too think its cruel and unjust

i still say you could have went about putting your case across in a much better less confrontational way

you and i would most likely get on in a face to face meeting.i too am always honest and stand up for my beliefs.i always speak my mind but try to do it in as polite a way as possible.

there are some things where people just have to agree to disagree

you and randy have imo just found one of these occasions.

as said maybe you should have left randys thread out of it and only brought up the matter of why do threads get locked with no explanation.i feel in bringing randy into it made it look personal between you and him (whether that was the case or not).

on here lately i honestly feel there has been too many personal insults and folk getting flamed just because they do not share the view of the majority or those who deem themselves all knowing.

yes we are all very passionate about snakes but lets not forget we also need to be civil to each other or it just turns into one big slagging match.

there are youngsters on here and those youngsters are the future of our hobby.surely we must lead by example and not resort to personal attacks on each other.

cheers shaun

[MacAdder]

i do not agree with the way you persisted in attacking Randys views.
Shaun no you are mistaken mate. I never attacked Randy or anyone else thus never persisted in any such act. If the said person due to a misunderstanding believes I did attack him or her then I am sincerely sorry for this and will categorically apologies as this was not my intention.
If Randy has a view that I do not agree with I believe it would not be a personal attack. Please keep in mind that diversity enables us to learn from each other.

An example: If an organization uses violence such as bombing the innocent we generally refer to the group as terrorists. In my opinion if I am aware of anyone being a member of the said organization I will refer to him or her as a terrorist. Even if that individual has not physically been a participant of an act of terror. In short I regard that individual being guilty by association.
I doubt that there will be any ‘nice’ way to express an opinion regards this issue without it being misunderstood as making a personal gesture. (I am not calling anyone a terrorist but using this as an example)

[Lankyrob]

The written medium is pretty much the worst way to have any sort of passionate discussion, face to face seventy per cent ofmthe conversatiom is non verbal and therefore people can readily adapt their own tone of voice, posture and way of speaking to ensure no hurt is caused (or to increase the amount of hurt!). In the written medium it is impossible to do this so we need to all take a step back and read things with a more open mind and the thought thtat if something can be taken the wrong way reread it and see if the person really is trying to attack you. If so Pm them politely and sort it out out of the public eye so that we dont end up with big public arguments.

[Reptile_Reptile]

MacAdder (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/members/macadder.html)
Member

Join Date: Jul-2009
Location: Cape Town / South Africa
Posts: 46
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Re: Albino Monacled Cobra
"save a snake, kill a venomoid lover"
__________________
If you want to dance with a Cobra, you had better know your steps.


I am sure comments like this lead to the decision to close it. This could be considered a theat. When people start say other people should be killed because they don't agree with them. It's time for the thread to be closed. We don't need all the negativity that I for one believe there's been way to much of on here lately. And i like to say right now i am sorry for being part of that negativity.

i agree wholeheartedly

[MacAdder]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh

i agree wholeheartedly

You agree with what exactly?

[Reptile_Reptile]

When people start say other people should be killed because they don't agree with them. It's time for the thread to be closed

[MacAdder]

… so we need to all take a step back and read things with a more open mind and the thought thtat if something can be taken the wrong way …
Lankyrob I agree because face to face has body language which is void in print. I am no English language professor so can easily express what I deem necessary and be misunderstood due to tone or the readers bias view.
It works both ways but the maturity of the reader plays a significant role. The important aspect is communication allowing experience to see a little deeper into an issue with more understanding.

[Reptile_Reptile]

i also agree with that

[MacAdder]

When people start say other people should be killed because they don't agree with them. It's time for the thread to be closed
Maybe you have not understood what I’ve been trying to say in this thread. Let me try explaining again so you are able to see the wood from the trees.

If the moderator has a problem with what someone says as he or she deems what was said as impolite then the moderator should take it up with the individual concerned or post a warning so all are aware that some rule was bent broken or buckled. To punish the entire thread because of one members opinion is a little over the top. By closing a thread without indicating a reason does not ‘educate’ anyone so no one knows why or learns anything to avoid a reoccurrence etc.

[Reptile_Reptile]

i agreed with you about that point maybe if you clearly read my post you would understand and stop trolling me... i will not return to this thread so say anything in response you want i wont be reading it

[shaunyboy]

Maybe you have not understood what I’ve been trying to say in this thread. Let me try explaining again so you are able to see the wood from the trees.

If the moderator has a problem with what someone says as he or she deems what was said as impolite then the moderator should take it up with the individual concerned or post a warning so all are aware that some rule was bent broken or buckled. To punish the entire thread because of one members opinion is a little over the top. By closing a thread without indicating a reason does not ‘educate’ anyone so no one knows why or learns anything to avoid a reoccurrence etc.


as said an explanation would be nice how ever after thinking about it overnight i now also feel that i also should have said,if you look at most locked threads and apply a touch of common sense its not hard to work out why a thread has been locked.

the mods on here imo do a a good job in keeping our forum decent.they are fair and open minded to all the needs of a forum like this.

i may have been a bit hasty in suggesting they give us explanations everytime a thread is locked.im also pretty sure the rules of the forum let us all know what is and is not acceptable on here.

for some reason lately there has been a lot of name calling and non productive posts.

i really do not envy the mods task of trying to keep the site amicable and acceptable for all ages lately.

i now feel im going round in circles so most likely wont post on this particular thread again

rob
i could'nt agree more with what you said mate,trying to guage what a person really means from a written post devoid of voice tones and facial expressions is a very hard task indeed.

and the end of the day we all share the same passion is it really so hard for us all to keep it polite and mannerable ?????

if you feel so passionate that you feel like you have to tare into someone,then why not do what big rob suggested and take it up in private using pm's

cheers shaun

[MacAdder]

...stop trolling me...

Look young man your little out bust and silly accusation is not appreciated. I suggest you go and post in the kinder garden section because what I have seen from your posts is that you think you know everything about everything.
Maybe I don`t agree or care what you think.

[MacAdder]

if you feel so passionate that you feel like you have to tare into someone,then why not do what big rob suggested and take it up in private using pm's

If someone makes a silly accusation or profuseness his or here support for an act of cruelty or some other uncivilized act on a public forum. That person should be answered in public as this is a forum and forum is supposed to be the place to respectfully express your distaste or support for what ever the issue being discussed.
What is the point of a forum if everyone Private Mails each other?? :rolleyes:

[infernalis]

What a reading experience guys....

Where do I even start??

There is an old saying, older than I am it goes like this...

"You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time"

Upon signing up for any forum, blog or chat board every user agrees to a terms of service agreement (TOS) that clearly states that inflammatory posts and name calling are not permitted.

Way too many forums are lax in policing for violations and simply let the board run itself.

That scenario played out once right here at ssnakess.com and a once very active flourishing primarily Canadian forum crumbled into ruin.

Now the forum is beginning to grow at a rapid rate... (I approved 4 new members yesterday alone) and is taking on members from every corner of planet earth, people from diversely different cultures with diversely different personalities...

So here is how I plan to proceed with this, I will try my best to notify someone when I have to delete or edit anything, but also forgive me if I miss that step.

If someone calls another person a name or intentionally insults another member, the post will vanish, that easy.. to do otherwise would be incompetent on my part.

[MacAdder]

So here is how I plan to proceed with this, I will try my best to notify someone when I have to delete or edit anything,
Thank you as this will be the correct thing to do without exception.

If someone calls another person a name or intentionally insults another member, the post will vanish .
With respect you have the ‘power’ but to make something “vanish” will not teach anyone anything but only give you work.

“This post has been moderated by …. due to ….. . “

"moderated by …."

[infernalis]

Excellent point....

All I ask is that each member do their best to be polite and orderly as possible.

A good case in point will be this scenario.

"You are a moron" "go stuff yourself" "get off the board noob" and statements like that I should never have to explain myself to remove them.

That sort of stuff is your responsibility to refrain from.

In all honesty, If that scenario was to persist or reoccur, then I have no choice but to ban the person creating the problem.

Think of it like this, A forum is a machine, keep the squeaks oiled and if the noise does not stop, well you have to replace the part.

[MacAdder]

...A forum is a machine, keep the squeaks oiled and if the noise does not stop, well you have to replace the part.

I am a moderator on three forums and an admin on two so have a little experience. When someones opinion is directed at the post or issue on a thread it cannot be deemed an attack.
Only a personalize insult directed at someone can be seen as bad manners. Someone expressing an opinion un-politely is not a crime.

For an example: -Good- "If you want to stop an army stop the general."
-Bad - "Its easier to stop that tosser general MacDuke than the whole army."

[MacAdder]

Why am I being prevented from posting a new thread on Front Page News?

Why has everyone of the threads on this section of the forum closed because no explanation has been given and I see no conflict?

[infernalis]

Why am I being prevented from posting a new thread on Front Page News?

Why has everyone of the threads on this section of the forum closed because no explanation has been given and I see no conflict?


Because front page news is like the name implies. Just like any other news it's a "current event"

Also any thread in that forum is to be started or moved by either Admin or a moderator, since it is "front page news" ;)

[MacAdder]

Because front page news is like the name implies. Just like any other news it's a "current event"

I often read reptile & amphibian related news from all over the world. If I am unable to post it were the name applies (Front Page News) where would you want us to post it so you would have to move it?

The other question still remains unanswered. :rolleyes:

[infernalis]

I will ask admin, but honestly the more I mull it over, front page news was created for forum news anyways, meaning software changes, down time and personnel announcements.

[shaunyboy]

after re reading this thread

i honestly think that wayne gave more than enough of an explanation in his FIRST 2 posts.

he covered it well and imo that should have been the end of the matter.

to be honest this thread should now be locked as its just going round in circles

cheers shaun

[Freebody]

i was thinking the same thing, i dont really see the big deal on closing a problem thread, i could understand if threads were not regulated so well, and closed on random no good reason like implied, but i think wayne is more than fair, look at this thread, i would have locked it up already as soon as the thread began to go in circles. :) gl

[shaunyboy]

i was thinking the same thing, i dont really see the big deal on closing a problem thread, i could understand if threads were not regulated so well, and closed on random no good reason like implied, but i think wayne is more than fair, look at this thread, i would have locked it up already as soon as the thread began to go in circles. :) gl


also randys thread should have been closed after the crap about killing people was posted

i do not envy your job wayne mate:wacky:

cheers shaun

[infernalis]

Hammer time...

Nothing personal McAdder, but..... Your profile says it all.

If you don't like the way we do things here, then you are welcome to go some place you like better.

All of your threads are either jokes or attempting to advertise other sites.

Those of us who are here to discuss herps are getting distracted by this nonsense, You are welcome to stick around, but if the way we do things offends you, then follow your path and do what you must to find your happiness and stop dragging the rest of us down.

http://www.ssnakess.info/duh/MA.gif

[infernalis]

I'm going to leave this open for a little while longer, but I am closing it soon.

[shaunyboy]

you just made a fair point wayne

macadder your contributions have been minimal on here

obviously you feel passionate about randys thread as its the most ive seen you post

but on reflection mate surely you see you have went about it all the wrong way

ive got a gut feeling your going to come on giving it

oh you dont like what i say so you tell me to leave

its not that at all mate

im sure like myself wayne has given you and your posts a lot of consideration before coming up with the opinion we have of you and your latest offering to the forum

its just not how we go about things on here mate

we are a friendly family orientated forum

imo you sort of blew it with your talk of killing people also trying to pick holes in the way a very fair and open minded moderator goes about his job.

as harsh as it sounds mate if you dont like it then you do not have to be here

just because our moderator does not operate in the same way you do on your forums theres no need to go on and on about it

i for one like the way this forum is ran thats why i come here so often

no hard feelings whatever you decide macadder.its just sad that things have got this far

all the best shaun

[MacAdder]

also randys thread should have been closed after the crap about killing people was posted
Come on mate let’s get real here. It was a figure of speech and not supposed to have been taken literally.

… i dont really see the big deal on closing a problem thread…
I agree but have a look around this forum and you will see that threads are closed and locked for no reasonable motive and no reason given. This is in my humble opinion is a little rude and bad management. I apologies if what I am saying upsets anyone but I believe that closing any thread without a good reason to be bad.

If you don't like the way we do things here, then you are welcome to go some place you like better.
as harsh as it sounds mate if you dont like it then you do not have to be here
Thank you for that. Both of you take personalized cheap shots so impressing on me that I am unwelcome because I have an opinion regards the closing of threads without the reasonable justification or explanation.

The main reason for this thread is that I often get reminded of old posts on forums that I have not seen for months but go back due to a notification reply on a thread I’ve posted on. This reminder then motivates me to post or rely but would never have returned if the said thread was closed.

Shaun yeah you are correct as it’s truly sad to see that you chaps can’t accept constructive criticism.
Ahh what’s the point. O.K thanks, it has been a great waste of time cheers.
Close & Lock the thread because I am unsubscribed.
Hey better yet why not just delete the entire thread like it was never there?:blink:

[infernalis]

I think you missed the whole point, but that's OK.

No one wants you gone mate, and your voice matters just as much as anyone else.

Already told you, if you find an old thread you want to make reference to, either include a link and start a new thread or simply PM me and I will re-open as long as it's not a "problem thread"

I am going to ask Jason to stop closing threads that are at least reasonably current... But I know that when he bought ssnakess.com from the last owner, he closed it all so the forum could start over fresh.

I have personally read a few of those old threads and found posts that made sexual innuendos, insults and other such nonsense that it was deemed best to just close up shop and start over. (for new management to try and read 10,000+ old posts to remove indavidual posts would be an impossible task, so mass thread closing would be the most logical way to get rid of the fodder.)

In the final days of the old management, moderators were almost non existing on the board, posts did not require approval from new members, and the whole place was going to the dogs.

Recently the forum has been growing and with that comes "growing pains"

[Freebody]

you should close this thread wayne, he is not listening to a word being said, as valid as either side is, its litterally beating a dead horse here, its the same thing being said over and over, mac adder you obviously not happy with the closing of the thread but it not getting opened back up so litterally you have not choice but to agree to dissagree a little and move on, this is redundantly going back and forth and wayne has said he can open up other thread deemed fit but the one case in point is closed for good reason, you keep saying closed for no reason but that you opinion not the majorities and even if it was , its a moderators decision at the end of the day dispite what anyone says. stick around help out others and get some good tips for yourself . hope you change your mind but if not best of luck to you and yours :)