[luis]

I think this might have been discussed before.
I have to say that I really don't like when moderators decide to "close" a thread without a clear reason.
I completely understand that some posts have to be edited and some posts may even have to be deleted to follow the rules of this site, rules that I respect. What I don't understand is why a moderator can decide when a thread should be closed, if there're some topics that are forbidden I'd like a list of them to be explained in the rules since I really don't like the idea of moderators closing threads just because they don't like the topic being discussed.

Luis.

[scoob]

keep in mind a few important factors; we do not pay to any of bbo's services, and as such have no right to complain. we are welcome and encouraged to make suggestions for the betterement of the site, software, and it's inherent community.

the moderators are chosen carefully and volunteer much of their time combing through each and every thread to keep the experience as enjoyable for the rest of us as possible.

sometimes they are forced to make a judgement call based on their experience and are often privy to information that the casual reader of a closed thread might not be.

the recently closed thread, which i can only assume you refer to, was a rehash of an old topic - one that lived an ugly existence from what i understand

further, the OP of said thread was what is commonly referred to as "trolling" which means they were not looking for or expecting any type of constructive discussion, only to make a negative statement

(when someone's very first post on a forum is negative in nature, it's not usually a good sign)

my two cents

[uday]

Moderation is always unilateral. A moderator makes a decision, and we live with it.

Polite, constructive posts are very rarely moderated.

[Chamaco]

luis, on Jul 7 2004, 06:03 PM, said:

I think this might have been discussed before.
I have to say that I really don't like when moderators decide to "close" a thread without a clear reason.
I completely understand that some posts have to be edited and some posts may even have to be deleted to follow the rules of this site, rules that I respect. What I don't understand is why a moderator can decide when a thread should be closed, if there're some topics that are forbidden I'd like a list of them to be explained in the rules since I really don't like the idea of moderators closing threads just because they don't like the topic being discussed.

Luis.

As far as I could see, the only threads that were closed were those becoming flames or getting too personal.
In a few instances, also those that were drifting too much offtopic.

Whilst I am not by any means a fan of censorship, I think 99% of the editing and threads closing was simply common sense.

Sometimes the boundary between "freedom of word" and "decency" (in a broad sense, meaning, "being nice") is a very thin line; the best way not to cross it is to walk far from it.

[the hog]

I may disagree with some of Luis' bidding theories, but I agree 100% with his comments above. Unless someone is personally abused censorship is odious and smacks of high handed parochialism.

[1eyedjack]

Closing a thread is not that effective anyway, if you feel particularly strongly about continuing it. There is nothing to stop you from starting another thread on the same topic. Just clutters up the notice board. Better to keep the whole thing in a single thread, I feel. Easier to ignore.