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Posted by: Iommi Sep 26 2009, 12:31 PM

Since the beginning of this board there have been instances of members, like myself, getting into a squabble; often wrecking threads. Do you think these boards, therefore, should be better moderated? Perhaps short bans to allow members to cool off? What do you think?

Posted by: Darren Sep 26 2009, 12:46 PM

There is a very fine line between firm moderation and censorship.

As the board is run by a business, it really has to be down to them, but does it warrant having a dedicated moderator as this would pull someone from their normal role within NWN. Reactive moderation does happen, but only following a complaint.

Perhaps one of the Admins can give an overview on how the site is managed?

Posted by: Iommi Sep 26 2009, 12:57 PM

Sometimes, moderators are volunteers, board members. I don't endorse censureship as such, but when there is a situation where, say, GMR and I have both ends of a bone in our jaws and won't let go, it might be handy to have a mod to say stop it, or simply lock the accounts for a short period of time. Possibly even clear up the mess, so to speak.

Posted by: Sarah Sep 26 2009, 01:07 PM

I don't think your little squabbles are that serious to be honest, certainly nothing like some of the troll type attacks you can see on other forums.

The problem is that you both like to have the last word, most of us just ignore it all.

Posted by: lordtup Sep 26 2009, 01:13 PM

There is nothing wrong with a good old ding dong providing it doesn't get personal . I am sure the other contributors ( me included ) are quite happy to let you have your little spat providing it doesn't digress from the initial posting .

Having the site monitored would stifle the freedom of expression we all enjoy , after all we can always start another topic and leave the two protagonists to slug it out in a corner somewhere .

So seconds out round 47

Posted by: Iommi Sep 26 2009, 01:25 PM

Fair enough, when a thread wears out, but I find it regrettable when a thread cannot even get off the ground. The poster from Turnpike annoys me so much that I sometimes feel like taking the issue further. No other board member from any other forum does that to me.

So, some of you might think that it is a problem that I must deal with, which is true, but on other forums I have used, there will be a mod that will sometimes step in and simply say cut it out and also clean up the mess as well. It need not disrupt the flow of discussions, but it might also encourage the more shy amongst us to post.

The best option for me, I think, because I cannot easily let things lie, is to create a new thread when things start to boil, where them and I can call each other names until mummy calls us in for tea.

Posted by: Sarah Sep 26 2009, 01:35 PM

I understand what you say about moderators on other forums and you're right, but I don't think your spats with GMR really disrupt a thread, nor are either of you shrinking violets who need a mod to sort it out. If members have something to say on the topic they will carry on posting and ignore you both.

If you do start a new thread to have a slanging match I suspect you will have quite an audience.

Posted by: JeffG Sep 26 2009, 02:18 PM

There is one already, actually, which was started back in July:

http://forum.newburytoday.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=158

Posted by: GMR Sep 26 2009, 02:23 PM

I agree with what Lordup and Sarah have said.



I think the main no-no on any boards is not to get abusive. I think the way NWN has moderated these boards (i.e. observing) is about right and they only should step in when there is real abuse or one of their rules has been broken.



Concerning humour and ‘and not letting the boards get off the ground”: I have put threads up where another member has come in and said something jokily, thus sending it another direction (I’ve never got cross over it, but accept that it takes all sorts to make any boards successful; at the end of the day members decide what direction the original thread goes, not the original writer). However, if somebody puts something up that the original poster finds not ‘appropriate’ then they should PM the person concerned, rather than say something on the boards that takes it further afield. I am quite happy to apologise to any member if they found my humour not to their tastes or it was in the wrong place; however, if somebody wishes to attack instead of letting the matter rest then that also doesn’t help.



If Iommi wishes an apology to help move things along I am quite happy to do so; I apologise. No evil intent was intended in my replies. What I have learnt about boards... is what upsets one probably delights another (in other words what is one man’s meat, is another man’s poison).

Regards,



Glenn

Posted by: Iommi Sep 26 2009, 03:32 PM

This is the point I make, unless people just shut-up, one ends up with post after post of drivel. While some members seem to think it OK, I think it is annoying. A mod, however, could just divert the thread, as I have done here, so as not to spoil the thread. There are many people that will read these things in one go at the end of a day and it doesn't enhance the boards.


Whether you wish to apologise is more important than whether I am asking for one. I don't think anyone has to apologise for anything on this board, but if one does, then it should be genuine - as mine are.

Posted by: Strafin Sep 26 2009, 03:39 PM

Why does GMR have to write bigger than everyone else?

Posted by: GMR Sep 26 2009, 03:39 PM

My apologies are always genuine.

Posted by: GMR Sep 26 2009, 03:44 PM

That is how it comes out sometimes.... I don't do anything to change it.

Posted by: Sarah Sep 26 2009, 03:44 PM

I see your point. But the problem for moderators is in the different way members view their actions. What to one member seems like a necessary and correct action, to another seems like censorship. It is only in very extreme circumstances that all members will agree on the actions of admin. Maybe that's why the admin on this site leave well alone unless things become too nasty.

Posted by: GMR Sep 26 2009, 05:47 PM

I like to add to that.



I agree with you and if the same situation happened on my boards we wouldn't have intervened (with the tete-a-tete). If Admin start playing God/ dictator then the members will leave (and I have been on such forums where the admin staff started laying down the law... they ended up laying down the law to nobody, but themselves, as everybody had left). However, where the language is more emotive (such as 'p*** off' or 'idiot' etc) and it was aimed at one of our members we would have removed it and sent the offender a warming. If such language was aimed at me I probably would have left it, if it was aimed at one of the moderators or other admin staff they would deal with it as they saw fit (unless it was really bad then it would have been removed and possibly the offender banned, suspended or warned).

Posted by: On the edge Sep 26 2009, 06:48 PM

Shouldn't worry - cat fights are all part and parcel! They happen in the best circles - listen to 'Today in Parliament' (when they come back!!). At least it demonstrates people still have a passion.

Posted by: lordtup Sep 26 2009, 06:58 PM

Passionate politicians , that I have to see

Posted by: On the edge Sep 26 2009, 07:29 PM

Being naughty and totally off thread - there are some famous examples. The wholly unexpected revelations about an erstwhile 'grey' Prime Minister. Shame no viedo's exist, oh, then again.....!

Posted by: GMR Sep 26 2009, 07:30 PM

it is all about passion at the end of the day and the freedom to express it.

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Sep 26 2009, 08:15 PM

Prescott and one of his staff? John Major v Edwina Curry?

Posted by: GMR Sep 26 2009, 09:36 PM

We could go further back to Lloyd George who also had affairs as well. That could be construed as passionate politics as well.

Posted by: blackdog Sep 26 2009, 10:33 PM

[/size]Glenn [/font]

But do you agree with what Iommi has said?

And can you stop posting in that naff font?

In fact, can the board be set to remove font html?

Posted by: GMR Sep 26 2009, 10:47 PM

Why... what did Iommi say?

First of all I don't think it is a naff font and secondly I didn't decide it.... and I can't be bothered in trying to put it back to another font... more so when I quite like it.

it seems sometimes when I write it comes out one way, and then other times it comes out differently... maybe there is gremlins in these boards?

Posted by: Iommi Sep 27 2009, 12:34 AM

GMR, your font usage is deliberate so don't lie, just like your apology was a lie.

Posted by: Biker1 Sep 27 2009, 05:52 AM

If you just stick to the debate and avoid personal insults and comments and bad language then I don't see a problem.

Unfortunately this is not always the case on this forum.

Comments such as "that is a silly argument" or "that is a load of b******s" which I have experienced are not constructive and to not add to the debate.

Oh look I can change the font!!!

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 09:43 AM

I am not lying... and my apologies, unlike yours, are always truthful.

As for the font; occasionally I write on word and transfer it over and there is were the problem lies; it is not deliberate.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 09:45 AM

I agree about the bad language/ emotive language; sadly that is the way their parents brought them up; they know no different.

Posted by: Iommi Sep 27 2009, 10:16 AM

That's right, that's why you are pillock.

Posted by: Biker1 Sep 27 2009, 10:21 AM

In answer to the question "Should this board be better moderated?" I have now come the conclusion YES!

Posted by: Iommi Sep 27 2009, 10:26 AM

I do in word sometimes doesn't do it to my posts.

You 'apologies' would come across more genuine and sincere if they weren't formatted like this...


So you are only apologising because you think I want it, thus wasn't sponsored by a desire to do so. It was also clearly designed to make you appear in a better light, but for me, it just showed you up for who you are.


In other words, 'I don't see a problem'.

Posted by: Iommi Sep 27 2009, 10:33 AM

Biker1, anyone that deliberately brings parents into an argument knowing that it is inflammatory will 'get some abuse', as he did in the post that inspired my 'pillock' comment.

GMRs method of being obscene is simply less direct than mine, but no less vulgar. I will not bring his family into any of my posts that is vile behaviour, more than any common colloquial that I might use to describe him. Any disrespect I show to GMR will be direct, I will not stoop so low as to involve his family in this.

But this is his style all over, making 'jokes' about animal cruelty and child abuse, as he has done in the past, seems to be his style, perhaps he can't help himself for 'he know not what he does'.

Call me any name you like and it wouldn't bother me in the slightest, they are merely words and I am secure in my own self esteem not to care. GMR has a different approach.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 10:40 AM

So you agree with me and then use such language to prove my point. Is that the only contribution you can add to this debate? By showing your pedigree.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 10:41 AM

To be honest that is all some are capable of. So in this respect they should be better moderated to stop such abusive behaviour.

Posted by: Iommi Sep 27 2009, 10:42 AM

You are equally abusive, only in a different way, but it is just as vulgar.


That is exactly what I mean. For give my rudeness for I can't help it.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 10:42 AM

you don't see a problem with your language, but others do.

Twisting what I say doesn't also help matters.

Posted by: Iommi Sep 27 2009, 10:45 AM

As you have just done yourself here.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 10:45 AM

I didn't make jokes about animal cruelty.... and as for parents; even you have agreed that some of our problems on our streets are through a lack of good parenting... the same applies to these boards; that is the only point I was making.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 10:45 AM

I haven't twisted anything.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 10:47 AM

I'll let others judge your behaviour (and mine)... but I am not going to take these boards where you wish to take them.

Posted by: Iommi Sep 27 2009, 10:49 AM

It wasn't the only point you were trying to make, you were trying to bate me and you got what you wanted. You wanted me to go off on one; to say any different, would further prove you are a fibber.

I had poor parentage (although I have never been in trouble with the police and was on good speaking terms with all my tutors, headmasters and mistresses and remain so), so you can expect some robust language, especially if you bring my parents into this.


My behaviour, in parts, is unacceptable and I realise this, but you singularly bring the worst out of me. For me, you wreck this board. When I see you have commented, I think, 'Oh no, what banal comment as he posted now'.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 11:21 AM

I wasn't trying to 'bait' you, that is your interpretation. Of course I didn't want you to go off on one; that was entirely up to you. I never use emotive language and neither do I get upset. You've obviously got anger management problems.









You've been using such language long before I questioned why you use it. Not being in trouble doesn't mean that you are snow white.







That is just how you read things; not everybody, luckily, is like you or interprets things your way. For me your language wrecks the boards.... which I find sad.



I think we should now move on; I think you've done enough to prove why certain people should be moderated because of their language.



I don't hold grudges and prepared to move on with no hard feelings. We just have to agree to disagree and not let us take these boards where they shouldn't go.





All the best to you.

Posted by: On the edge Sep 27 2009, 01:19 PM

Perhaps we should use parliamentary rules - they are quite elementary, but have worked over the years. For instance, no one should call anyone else a liar, etc. However, as Michael Winner might say - calm down its only a local forum!

Posted by: lordtup Sep 27 2009, 01:27 PM

Is there a hidden agenda here ? With all the problems that we need to debate are you not filling up this forum with mindless twaddle ? With the conference season in full swing I can see the spin doctors burning the midnight oil on ideas of how to detract from the gaze of public scrutiny .

" I know " says an eager beaver , " lets create a reality online forum so they can slag each other off and not us , bit like a cyber big brother "

" Brilliant wheeze " says the chief of propaganda . We'll call it Random Rants , better tell "Call me Dave "

Posted by: Sarah Sep 27 2009, 01:28 PM

Would you all stand and join me in a verse of

Here we go again.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 01:54 PM

I agree with on the edge, Lordup and Sarah and it is now time to move on. If there is anything else to say it should be by PM; we don't want to bring these boards into disrepute.

All the best and have a happy sunshine day (to all),

Glenn

Posted by: Iommi Sep 27 2009, 03:38 PM

Yes I have anger management, with liars like you and you have proved it once again.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 03:44 PM

You are obviously attention seeking; wouldn't it be better to deal with this through Pm's instead of open boards?

For the record I don't lie... and your emotive language doesn't make you look good.

Posted by: Iommi Sep 27 2009, 03:45 PM

I know, nor does lying.

Posted by: GMR Sep 27 2009, 03:56 PM

I think you really should stop; at least for the sake of the forums. If you have a problem then let us do it by PM's. Which would be proper; this is not a suitable place.

Posted by: Sarah Sep 27 2009, 04:00 PM

I think you should both SHUTUP.

Try ignoring each other.

Posted by: user23 Sep 27 2009, 06:07 PM

What has he lied about, I've got him on "ignore".

Posted by: Sarah Sep 27 2009, 06:12 PM

You're priceless

Posted by: lordtup Sep 27 2009, 06:26 PM

And the last word goes to ?

Posted by: admin Sep 27 2009, 06:34 PM

That was an interesting discussion on moderation until the personal abuse kicked in...... and prompted moderation. I suggest we move on.

Admin.