BS: When Threads get closed

Subject: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Raptor
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 05:27 PM

Could you give a hint why they were closed in the notice at the bottom of the thread please. Sometimes its not clear why a thread should be shut down.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: PoppaGator
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 05:32 PM

I think it's usually a result of consolidating two or more threads on the exact same subject.

When the problem is objectionable content, I believe the thread just disappears, and does not remain accessible even though "closed."

My opinion, unofficial. I'm sure Joe or a compatriot will chime in with a more definitive answer before long. And then, just maybe, cloe the thread...

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 05:37 PM

If I remember correctly, the simple answer is that if a reason is given, it just provides ammunition for arguing.

'Sometimes' it is obvious, and sometimes Joe does explain...

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 07:01 PM

I think BS threads get closed automatically after a certain amount of time has passed since the last person posted to them. I don't know why.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 07:14 PM

After a funny name of a coffee shop posted by Jeri I wanted to post a couple of funny names of shops in the UK

http://www.shophorror.co.uk/photos/batterseacodshome.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nwhQg-sqL._AA240_.jpg

but found for some reason a nice little amusing thread was closed!

maybe there is a 'reason' but I don't understand

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 07:17 PM

Joe will usually explain if you PM him. Perhaps it was a mistake...threads sometimes get reopened.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 07:24 PM

You're right there, Bill. Joe might explain by PM but putting anything in the actual thread isn't a good idea. In the past it has just led to discussions ad nauseum as to the decision to close.

If it is a duplicate thread, as noted, it may be closed with a link to the other thread, until the two get merged.

BS threads close automatically after a certain amount of time, but can be reopened if one asks.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 07:25 PM

sorry this thread

mabe someone could explain why it was shut down?

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 07:36 PM

I think older BS threads are automatically closed to make it impossible for Spambots to use them as platforms from which to attempt to sell us Viagra. They can usually be re-opened by asking Joe Offer to do so.

But I don't think that's what Raptor's talking about. I think he's talking about editorial decisions to close contentious threads. I've ranted, raved, and got myself in a royal tither about the subject numerous times in the past, but I've finally concluded that it's not important enough to get upset about. Hell, most of the other forums I frequent wouldn't even allow half the stuff that gets discussed here.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Raptor
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 07:52 PM

The most recent one was about the other N-word and it seemed like reasonable discussion.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 08:08 PM

The most recent one was about the other N-word and it seemed like reasonable discussion.

Perhaps it seemed so to you, but from others' perspective, it had some non-reasonable aspects that seemed unlikely to become reasonable. I dunno why it was closed, though. Sometimes people violate site policy in ways we may not immediately grasp, so if it's important to you, ask Joe via PM and then pay attention to what he says and try to learn from it.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 09:25 PM

EmmaB, that was an old thread, so the closure was automatic. I have reopened it, if you'd like to post it.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Bee
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 09:35 PM

The use of the term 'Nazi' thread does not appear to be closed.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Peace
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 10:49 PM

It was reopened, Bee.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 05:26 PM

FAQ: There are some people who use the Internet as their platform for hatred and racism. We will not allow Mudcat to be used as a vehicle for hate information, and we will delete all racist information as soon as it comes to our attention.

I've always wondered why anti-religion hate-mongering IS allowed. Sometimes, IMO, it has crossed the line.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 06:44 PM

Depends on whether it's hatred or just snottiness. I don't read threads about religion after a day or so because they're GUARANTEED to get stupid and repetitive and full of disdain. But then, many, if not most, of the BS threads get that way. Bush and anything, Obama, Hillary - ANY thread about politics has the same people posting the same things they always post with the same 'you're an idiot and I'm not' attitude, and I can't stand to read most of them. Sometimes, they just go south after certain people sink their teeth in.

Troll topics? Religion, politics, how you should speak, act, write, younameit. Grudges rule some people. We've listened to folks for long enough that their little rough spots are huge character flaws making them nearly indistinguishable from axe murderers in evilness. Also, name certain musicians and you can bet on a flame war. Jerks invaded Mudcat, and infected many of us with jerkness to the point where we can't even be considerate to one another any more.

Loathing other people seems to be a favorite hobby of some.

I don't like a lot of Mudcat these days, and I don't even like a lot of the people I once did, often because they never shut up. (My apology if I'm one of those for you.)

There's a line between outright hatred and disdain. If we got rid of all the threads in which people voiced (yet again) their dislike of something or someone and went on to talk about how they were better than others, we'd have to shut down a good chunk of Mudcat, because that's what the most prolific posters here write about these days.

I don't know whether it's a reflection of the way the world is these days, whether a bunch of nasty people have moved in, or whether it's something else, but Mudcat sure isn't a whole lot of fun.

End of rant.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 07:46 PM

Well, I don't mind being on a black list. But I really don't like being on a green list or a blue list or a purple list.

:o)

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 08:22 AM

But Azizi - that's being colourist!!! :D

I'd like to be on a purple list. I like purple. I'm on enough people's blacklists as it is!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 08:29 AM

Aren't we all Liz? :)
But do we care?
No we don't.
G

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Azizi
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 09:27 AM

Just for the record, my comment about being on a color coded list was in response to another poster who mentioned being blacklisted.

I was trying to allude to how the word "black" is often used to denote something bad. But that's another subject...

With regard to the topic of this thread:

I hope that decisions that are made about closing any Mudcat thread and deleting any post are based on the content of the thread and not whether the poster is liked or disliked by the person making that decision.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 09:30 AM

I would hope so too Azizi

I agree about the word "black" could be an interesting topic in general as well as other colour associations too

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 10:25 AM

Thread closure is done on the basis of thread content, not personalities. That said, if a particular poster consistently posts derogatory remarks, personal insults, inflammatory statements or duplicate postings of huge cut and pastes, the moderators or 'clones' will ask them to stop. Only as a last resort are all their posts deleted immediately - that's what happened with a couple of people who insist on repeatedly breaking the guidelines and posted deliberate, inflammatory and offensive material despite being asked not to. Un-named guest posters are also deleted as there has been a lot of trouble with them posting insults and personal information.

Personal comments on thread etiquette should be restricted to PMs and even then, it needs to be done in a fair and arbitrary manner, not just because one of their chums is a bit upset.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Big Mick
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 10:25 AM

As someone alluded to above, we usually don't discuss the reasons for closing threads, as that just sparks more discussion. In general, if a thread devolves into personal attacks, it is closed or the offending posts deleted. If a thread is being targeted by spambots, we used to close them for a bit, and they could be reopened on request. Since Jeff made an upgrade to the programming, most of that type of thing isn't necessary any longer. We have tried to reopen the threads that were closed, but may have missed some. Feel free to PM me if there is one you would like reopened that we missed.

I can tell you that most of us never close threads based on personalities. I only use the term "most" because there may be an instance where this has occurred that I am not aware of. If you suspect that is the case, feel free to PM me, or Joe, and we will be happy to look into it. At the very least, we will determine why the thread was closed.

It isn't a democracy, folks, but our intent is to allow as much free discussion as possible, with as few rules as possible. I hope you agree that the old site continues to cruise along pretty well. We are not perfect, but we try to be as even handed as possible.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 11:12 AM

Wasn't there a guy here who made it his life mission to rant about closed threads?

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 11:18 AM

Actually you can PM any clone if you have questions about deletions or closures, but you may still be referred to Joe.

There is a member who has refused to contact Max, from many years ago, in order to have their membership reinstated. They consistently post personal attacks, derogatory comments, etc. as a guest and as such are subject to deletion.

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 12:29 PM

I do like the feature on other message boards where an offensive post can be reported to mods with just one click. Oh, I'm sure that in the first month or so there would be a deluge of misunderstanding and overuse, but over time I think it would save a lot of crap because people would have a quick and non-personalized recourse readily available.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 12:37 PM

That's assuming there are clones on alert all of the time, though, Susan. I know we try t cover things 24/7, but I am sure there are times when we may seem a bit slow in getting back to folks.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 12:42 PM

No--

It doesn't result in instant action except on the part of the person reporting the offensive post. Which mod responds, and how-- if they respond at all-- is according to whatever are that site's lines of authority and responsibility. It does not assume that the reporting of the post will control what happens next, only that a complaint can easily be registered.

The net effect in a forum like that is that the member knows that s/he has reported it, that it will be looked at whenever it gets looked at, and the mod and mod-supervisors will deal with is as they choose to deal with it when they choose to deal with it-- you report it and let it go.

I would guess that another result is that the mods in such a case become aware of how many people find a particular post offensive. Perhaps over time that guides policy as well, but without the public kerfuffle we have here.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 01:23 PM

...you report it and let it go. That would be nice!

...the mods in such a case become aware of how many people find a particular post offensive. I think this has already happened here, esp. during the Spam Wars.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 02:13 PM

Guests can't PM

Subject: RE: BS: When Threads get closed
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 02:50 PM

I'm a member of another forum where the reason why a thread is closed is plainly posted. If someone doesn't like it being closed he's free to communicate with a moderator by PM, but if he starts another thread to voice his displeasure, he gets a ban. Simple enough.