To moderate or dictate???

[DonJuan]

Here in Australia we are governed by a democracy which essentially allows the people to speak. Why is it then that a forum would over-moderate people sharing opinions in a public gallery. The tuner 'wars' is really a beat up 'mines better than yours' and not a direct insult or attack on anyone personally. If it is, ban those people. To disallow people to participate in a discussion is an absolute crock.

On various other forms I hear bad things about the moderators on this forum and having only met hawk, I can only vouch for him. Top bloke and a great family man. But why must people be banned or face 'infractions' for posting in a public discussion thread on tunes?

Can someone please explain why a forum doesn't allow members to participate in public discussion. If it is a private discussion, send pm's. To see this type of dictatorship is disheartening considering everyone is here to enjoy the VAG experience and learn more.

Wikipedia states "An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages."

[brimway]

*1 Don My tame post attracted a response from the mod and a PM which had an apologetic tone ??????

[FJ Steve]

Don Juan...be keen to know if you scored a "nastygram" on this one.

FWIW....I'm with the OP.

FFS...lighten up guys.....it's a discussion for crying out loud...unless, maybe, forum revenue is at stake?

[h100vw]

Don Juan...be keen to know if you scored a "nastygram" on this one.

FWIW....I'm with the OP.

FFS...lighten up guys.....it's a discussion for crying out loud...unless, maybe, forum revenue is at stake?

There's plenty of revenue, so that's not a consideration.

Not everything that gets posted is discussion.

Australia is a democracy and looks what that has got us. There's still rules to follow and plenty of Australians that don't like them, me included.

Moderation is a tough thing at times, maybe you guys fancy having a go?

Gavin

[DonJuan]

Understand it would be an incredibly tough assignment Gavin. My problem is this all started because one tuner invaded another tuner's thread then the talk started. Public didn't start this, the company's did. Leave the public to do what they do, handle the company's appropriately.

People will always have a difference of opinion and a desire to express their thoughts with regard to tuning companies. No one can stop that.

[Tim]

Can I have a go at being a moderator? Id start by deleting that stupid thread.
It sets a nasty precedent as to what is permissible between supporting vendors.

Greg has appologised and backed down. He was perhaps out of line and gotten a slap on the wrist but that should be the end of it.

[DonJuan]

Can I have a go at being a moderator? Id start by deleting that stupid thread.
It sets a nasty precedent as to what is permissible between supporting vendors.

Can I vote for you Tim?

I've met Guy recently who invited me around for a beer and a chat to finally meet. Great bloke and I'll be doing it again sometime again soon.

Agree this thread should not have been allowed to run its course. It has, so now the forum should take appropriate action against both parties.

My point is don't blame the rest of the public for this when the forum allowed it to continue.

[Diesel_vert]

Can someone please explain why a forum doesn't allow members to participate in public discussion. If it is a private discussion, send pm's. To see this type of dictatorship is disheartening considering everyone is here to enjoy the VAG experience and learn more.

You seem to have confused VWWatercooled.org.au with some kind of democracy.

Out of their own free will, members can participate within VWWatercooled.org.au in exchange with agreeing with the terms and conditions when they first register.

Thus, within the domain of VWWatercooled.org.au, we are bound by their rules (as long as they're not illegal).

Essentially, the moderators decide how liberal the forum is. But you are of course free to make your own judgement on how liberal this forum is, and that some are more liberal than others.

[ParaBul]

I'm a member of a few forums (and I'm sure I'm not alone there) and moderate on one.

I am firmly of the opinion that a significant number of moderators get carried away with their "power" - they have the power to moderate, and moderate purely because they can, not because moderation is required.

I haven't read the thread being discussed here, but from the posts made so far, it seems that (as happens way too regularly) a discussion has been locked because of an inappropriate argument between two members.

In my opinion, in circumstances like that, the solution is to ban the argumentative members (to let them cool off) and allow the discussion to continue. If it truly was "finished" (other than the argumentative members) then it will drop down the list and disappear. If there was more to be said by others, then let them say it.

My 2c.

[h100vw]

I'll put you forward Tim if you want.

I agree that neither side has come out on top, knowing when to let something go takes character.

Maybe there should be a max number of characters as well as a minimum?

[DonJuan]

I'm a member of a few forums (and I'm sure I'm not alone there) and moderate on one.

I am firmly of the opinion that a significant number of moderators get carried away with their "power" - they have the power to moderate, and moderate purely because they can, not because moderation is required.

I haven't read the thread being discussed here, but from the posts made so far, it seems that (as happens way too regularly) a discussion has been locked because of an inappropriate argument between two members.

In my opinion, in circumstances like that, the solution is to ban the argumentative members (to let them cool off) and allow the discussion to continue. If it truly was "finished" (other than the argumentative members) then it will drop down the list and disappear. If there was more to be said by others, then let them say it.

My 2c.

Agree with this. Don't put it out there for the people if you don't want the people to have an opinion. Blame the two parties involved.

You seem to have confused VWWatercooled.org.au with some kind of democracy.

Out of their own free will, members can participate within VWWatercooled.org.au in exchange with agreeing with the terms and conditions when they first register.

Thus, within the domain of VWWatercooled.org.au, we are bound by their rules (as long as they're not illegal).

Essentially, the moderators decide how liberal the forum is. But you are of course free to make your own judgement on how liberal this forum is, and that some are more liberal than others.

Have you seen the other moderator who joined in? So the rules are ok for some and not others or are moderators allowed to have and share opinions and then tell others not to. IMO this is not a good way to run things if you are chasing supporters.

Don't get me wrong, Gavin and hawk I have met (sorry I forgot about you earlier Gav). Think they're great. I don't have anything against moderation or the people doing it. Just needs some thought before action.

[Tim]

I'll put you forward Tim if you want.

I dont think I could be trusted with the power to edit posts
I love a laugh far too much for that

[Diesel_vert]

Have you seen the other moderator who joined in? So the rules are ok for some and not others or are moderators allowed to have and share opinions and then tell others not to.

IMO this is not a good way to run things if you are chasing supporters.

Definitely.

But at the end of the day, it's their forum.

Just needs some thought before action.

Society in general would go a long way if everyone did that.

[FJ Steve]

There's plenty of revenue, so that's not a consideration.

Not everything that gets posted is discussion.

Australia is a democracy and looks what that has got us. There's still rules to follow and plenty of Australians that don't like them, me included.

Moderation is a tough thing at times, maybe you guys fancy having a go?

Gavin

I'm an Administrator on a national/international forum already. I know what it's like...but in 5 years of operation, we've never had to issue an infraction, or bring out the banning stick.

I don't fancy having a go......and I don't think that was the KPI that Don Juan posted the thread for in the first place. Many of us acknowledge the responsibilities of the roles....we're just saying...don't get too exuberant with that lock button.

[Blitzen]

I dont think I could be trusted with the power to edit posts
I love a laugh far too much for that

Hahaha, I was a Mod for a while... It was worth it, especially banning Rocket36 for a week, but apparently telling Maverick to perform auto fellatio was doing to far... I learned from that... You can be too forward apparently...