where has it gone?

[Spectre]

I split out Nitroxbabe's question about UK diving to This thread in the UK Wreck Ferrets forum.

This way if this thread gets out of control and needs to be pulled for major cleaning we don't end up with another 'the censorship sky is falling' thread that takes up all our time and prevents us from being able to clean threads or otherwise take some time to decide how we want to handle a certain thread.

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In the future. I would greatly appreciate someone PMing the moderators and/or the admin of the board to find out what might have happened to certain threads. These 'where'd my thread go' threads don't do one bit of good, and is completely counterproductive to anything we could be doing.

If you have not received a PM regarding the demise of a thread, you have every right to ask about it. With a PM to the regulators, so we can look into it. It's very possible it could have been flakeyness in the database that caused a thread to vanish for a little while [it's happened before]. It's also very possible that the thread was pulled while we discuss it's validity. Some mailing lists and message boards [and even some certain forums on this board] have built in moderation, where everything gets approved by moderators before it's posted to the general public. I don't see anything wrong with pulling a thread 'just in case' while we discuss it, and either PM the collective reason it's pulled, or place it back.

I in fact have done that on _many_ an occasion. I pull it 'just in case', and then put it back when we've decided it's ok, or cleaned it up enough so that it won't start a holy war. If we let it sit there while we decide, then the cleanup of the war becomes a much tougher job. When those get pulled, discussed, and returned a couple hours later, 99.9% of the population here probably don't even notice...

So in review:
1) If you notice a thread missing, check your PMs
2) If you don't have a PM, ask a moderator.
3) Wait until the moderators check into your issue and let you know what happened.

Don't start crying to the membership; it doesn't help.

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Now... the above is all _general_ information. For the thread in particular; It was pulled by scubaboard admin, and if you would like to discuss it's reasons for being pulled, and have any sort of chance of having it cleaned up and returned to you; you need to take that up with scubaboard admin [e.g. LD and/or KN]. Whining in public isn't going to much for your cause, and definately won't gain you any sympathy points.

 

[diverkim]

I jumped in near the beginning of the Bush Joke thread and supported your 1st Admendment Rights that a regulator was challenging.
I am unaware of which direction the thread took but people don't have to read or respond to the threads if they choose not to. It seems this was a undemocratic act.

Benjamin Franklin once was quoted as saying: "The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either."

 

[clive francis]

Spectre once bubbled...


Don't start crying to the membership; it doesn't help.


Now...

Whining in public isn't going to much for your cause, and definately won't gain you any sympathy points.

Spectre, I don't seem to remember any one crying or whining in public.

however you can see members asking legitimate questions and having a civil debate.

saying members are crying and whining IMO is not really the way forward, more of a step back.

the original thread was pulled because of name calling and the regulators finish it with name calling, where is the logic in that?

 

[ScubaBaby]

Irishdiver

As it has already been mentioned by Cavediver - but thought it best to confirm, we (as moderators) have KN and LD to answer to. We all have "areas" we look at, however we all see and can moderate in all forums.

If a thread is "removed" it is not deleted. It is moved to a private area where all the moderators and KN&LD will discuss as to whether it is or isnt appropriate. It can and is reinstated if deemed suitable.

Also, you mentioned later in this thread that you have seen another thread like it - threads being removed without notification is rare. However it does happen. As Dee has already stated, the Humour forum is the only forum where it is standard that a PM will not go out.

Regarding the non-diving issue. I too agree a lot of the content of Scubaboard is non-diving related as there is even a non-diving related section to this board, we do not see "non-diving related" as a reason to pull.

The thread in question was pulled for a number of reasons that most are now aware of. This is a family board with children able to view all sections. When name calling starts, something must be done.

DannyBurchett

As a moderator it is YOUR responsibility to calm things down rather than just sey hey ho, this looks bad on me... Delete.

I'm not aware how much of the thread you saw, however, I believe the majority of moderators got involved in one way or another. I am sure you have come across similar situations on your boards where a situation just doesnt appear to calm down. It was in everyones best interest that this be removed before more serious insults and comments started flying round.

As for the issue of "freedom of speech" - you should take a look at KNs signature "Before you go off crying about your right to "Free Speech" ... stop and calculate what those words are REALLY going to cost!" This thread was "costing" a lot of people quite a number of insults and I'm sure if those were aimed at you, you would want action taken.

I know everyone is disappointed at this thread being removed as it was a very lively thread which did have some interesting points.

I sympathize with your points however it was getting out of control (as anyone who followed it would have seen).

If you have any further comments, please PM me or another moderator.

 

[Jonathan]

oh dear ScubaBaby you are being assimilated:

sympathize

please, please swtich your internal spellchecker back to English...

with that little :boom: I wish you all good night from very cold Tokyo, time to get under my duvet!

 

[shellbird]

Truly disappointing.


:upset:

 

[divemistress]

just a reminder:

this is not a public board, this is a private board owned by kn.

 

[shellbird]

however, I am still annoyed at the moderators in this case, nothing against anyone, just my opinion. They are doing a good job, but I think they should at least be receptive to hearing how we feel about things. Some get annoyed at even being asked about the situation and defensive and have almost lashed back in response.

I think that some, given a little power, can over use it and use LD and KN's name in defense. Fine and good. They are operating in their stead. But obviously I am not the only one involved that felt this was a bit of a harsh decision given the circumstances.

Bottom line: I love the board, I am grateful to LD and KN as well as the moderators who devote their time to making it even better. Hopefully they may listen to our gripes (whether we are right or wrong) the next time the pull a post. Without feedback how will they improve.

 

[ScubaBaby]

shellbird once bubbled...
Some get annoyed at even being asked about the situation and defensive and have almost lashed back in response.

Shellbird.....no moderator is perfect. However, if you ever feel a moderator has been rude, or said/reacted in a way that is not suitable for the board send another moderator or even LD or KN a PM about it with a direction or copy of what was said or done.

We are only human so don't be too harsh but if any moderator is directly rude for no reason - let us know.

Just cause we're moderators doesnt mean we can behave however we like.

I haven't really seen a moderator act out of turn but if you see it - report it.

As for the comment about us not hearing what the members say, if we didn't want to hear what your opinions are - we wouldnt be so intent on ensuring what we do is for your best interests. And also we wouldnt be interested in threads such as this one.

 

[shellbird]

I hear you. I'll shut up now.