As a long time users and moderator of online forums, I understand the need for moderators. I also understand that sometimes posts must be removed, users given time-outs or banned, and so forth.
I have one issue however, that I'd like to address.
In a recent case a post of mine was edited by moderators, with several words removed... without my knowledge or my permission. My post didn't violate any forum guidelines. However, a follow up poster took offense and wrote a lengthy political diatribe in response.
When users post messages, the messages represent that person's thoughts, down to the choice of specific words. I use my actual name when I post, since I believe that if one has something to say in a public forum one should be willing to attach their name to it.
These ae my words,a nd I own them. I do not think that it is ethical moderation to secretly alter the content of a user's post without their knowledge. My worlds, appearing under my name, are no longer my words at that point.
I urge you to reconsider and adopt a different approach.
1. When necessary — specifically for violating forum rules, and especially for repeated violations — continue to delete posts as necessary. I would do the same.
2. When an angry member responds to a post that itself would not have violated any rules, do NOT remove the post that the angry member responded to. That gives them a win, just for being a jerk.
3. Do not edit a forum member's post without interacting with them about the post. At a minimum, tell the member how (and why) you intend to alter their words, and give them the option of either changing their own message or deleting it entirely. (In my case, I would have made a case that my post did not cross any forum lines, but would have asked that it be deleted rather than altered if you disagreed.)
I have to admit, I have never seen an "edited" post by Fred or, if there are, a Moderator. It is usually "Deleted" or left alone.
There are people who like nothing more to do than agitate members!
"Personalization" of a members post, calling the member names, denegrating members is uncalled for no matter what the post states.
Good discussion Dan and Steve.
Dan
Someone did alter his post. Mine was removed in it's entirety. No explanation was offered. I have my assumptions about the reasons, but Fred's site, his "rules."
At least one other post was removed, a rather lengthy and emotional, mostly political screed.
