| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 10/23/2007 12:17:42 PM | post14
Bottom line is there are "haters" out there who are either jealous or out to put someone down, who have their groupees out to delete people.
seems that the Conspiracy Theory is alive and well.
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 10/28/2007 4:42:50 AM | I've just done a topic on Net addictions in the off topic forum...and...it's gone!
Excuse me a moment while I just gaze at all the steam coming out of my ears...
Most threads are deleted for redundancy. Search for a related thread before you post.
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/2/2007 3:14:55 PM | I have replied to MANY well thought out threads that were ON topic, not self pity, or troll posts just to have the thread deleted for no apparent reason...perhaps you people SHOULD pay more attention who is voting to delete, as this feature seems to be being badly abused. Why should I waste my time trying to help someone when they will never see the answer due to overactive self appointed forum police?
Just about ready to give up on this site | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/2/2007 3:59:43 PM | Why should I waste my time trying to help someone when they will never see the answer due to overactive self appointed forum police?
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| Alternately, report any Posting Violations so the Thread does not become deleted, or don't post until the Voting Process is over. |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/2/2007 5:17:16 PM | I've run into the same problem. Followed all the rules, and gotten deleted.
When in question, contact a moderator and have them approve the thread for you.
When I inquire I never get a response from the moderator who sent the e-mail. How do you get them to review the thread?
When I post threads in the sports forum about soccer they get deleted. Last night I posted one about the MLS playoffs and it got deleted. A number of weeks ago I posted a thread about soccer and it was going good until a lady got on and answered as if she had no idea that we were talking about soccer. She thought we were talking about American football. I got on and told her we were talking about soccer and within a couple hours the thread was deleted!
This really looks like sports fans who don't like soccer and there are lots of them here in the US.
I think if a thread is deleted we should at least get the reason "which is posted when you vote" as part of the message we recieve.
In most cases, threads are deleted in the Sports forum for violating the forum posting rules involving chat.
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/2/2007 5:34:12 PM |
I think if a thread is deleted we should at least get the reason "which is posted when you vote" as part of the message we recieve.
I think anyone who expects an answer for every deletion should be the people who volunteer to do that work. They should constantly monitor the forums and read every message posted and be able to determine exactly why each thread is deleted by privately contacting the "seven of Ten" in some way and then send a mail to the OP of the deleted thread and then take care of the discussion that follows and save every message of every thread so that if the Op whose thread is deleted can convince them that the thread should have survived, the data will be there to re-install the thread into the database.
Any volunteers?
Not a Mod | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/2/2007 5:49:13 PM | "I think anyone who expects an answer for every deletion should be the people who volunteer to do that work. They should constantly monitor the forums and read every message posted and be able to determine exactly why each thread is deleted by privately contacting the "seven of Ten" in some way and then send a mail to the OP of the deleted thread and then take care of the discussion that follows and save every message of every thread so that if the Op whose thread is deleted can convince them that the thread should have survived, the data will be there to re-install the thread into the database."
Couldn't agree more, there are less than 10 mods and thousands of posts and new threads started every day. I've been on several forums that had paid moderators and they didn't ever send an email or give a reason for deletion. And none of those other sites had a help/suggestions thread or moderators who took their time to post long extended explanations of the rules. It was assumed a member had read the rules when they joined and clicked "I agree" meaning they agreed to abide by them. Their moderators weren't nearly as patient or tolerant as the mods here are.
Not realistic to be demanding of people who are volunteering their time so this can still be FREE.  | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 9:10:31 AM | I think anyone who expects an answer for every deletion should be the people who volunteer to do that work. They should constantly monitor the forums and read every message posted and be able to determine exactly why each thread is deleted by privately contacting the "seven of Ten" in some way and then send a mail to the OP of the deleted thread and then take care of the discussion that follows and save every message of every thread so that if the Op whose thread is deleted can convince them that the thread should have survived, the data will be there to re-install the thread into the database.
I posted the thread before I went to bed and checked it as soon as I got up, it was already gone. I can't monitor a thread in my sleep.
The thread wasn't a chat. I was trying to get a discussion going about the MLS playoffs. The exact same thing is common for American football, baseball, racing, boxing, etc. People delete the soccer threads though. | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 10:40:31 AM |
I posted the thread before I went to bed and checked it as soon as I got up, it was already gone. I can't monitor a thread in my sleep.
While sleeping you missed how the thread progressed and got deleted. So you have no idea if/how many rules were violated, and what caused it to be deleted.
The thread wasn't a chat. I was trying to get a discussion going It could have turned into chat when you were sleeping. It's a fine line between discussion and chat.
I guess the lesson learned is: Don't post a new thread before going to bed. Do it when you have time to monitor its progression.
You have responsibilities as an OP, as well as rights. One never exists without the other. | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 10:52:47 AM | I totally disagree with the choice to delete someone's. I think too many people are just out to delete threads. In addition, it is only opinion as to where I actually think someone's thread should go. We may have the opinion that a thread, which I will refer to as the one I recently posted, should be posted under broken hearts as in your opinion it should go there; but, I posted it under relationships because it was a post about a relationship that ended. It's all in how a person views that thread as to where it belongs in the forums. And, we all know we have our own opinions.
Obviously we by nature choose to like and dislike people, which also adds to whether someone chooses to delete a thread.
This is my opinion and I respect others. | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 10:54:32 AM |
Most threads are deleted for redundancy. Search for a related thread before you post.
If I want to post a feeling or an incident or just a topic? Lord, God and heaven above, I guess I choose not to go through 100 pages of posted threads to find out if this has been posted before. I don't have that kind of time. | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 10:58:33 AM |
When I post threads in the sports forum about soccer they get deleted. Last night I posted one about the MLS playoffs and it got deleted. | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 11:06:37 AM |
If I want to post a feeling or an incident or just a topic? Lord, God and heaven above, I guess I choose not to go through 100 pages of posted threads to find out if this has been posted before. I don't have that kind of time.
Which is why there is a search function at the top right of the forums screen. Type in keywords and voila! Find out if you'll be deleted for redundancy before you post. | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 11:07:55 AM | "If I want to post a feeling or an incident or just a topic? Lord, God and heaven above, I guess I choose not to go through 100 pages of posted threads to find out if this has been posted before. I don't have that kind of time."
You used "I" 4 times in 3 sentences. So you let everyone know what's best for you. The forums are a community, what about everyone else in the community? Following the rules is just a waste of your time or inconvenient. Hmm...well if you want something suited just to you, start your own website then you can have things just like you want.
Starting threads that the mods have to delete, that's just being inconsiderate of the time they volunteer to make sure everyone follows the rules. I bet if someone was harrassing you on the site, you'd be glad the mods were here to "help" you. It's like police and lawyers, some complain about them but they're dang sure glad to have them around when they need them.
You agreed to abide by the rules when you joined. Same as everyone else, if you choose to disregard them, then don't complain when they're enforced. | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 11:39:20 AM | I've had threads deleted. At first I took it personally; now I don't care. What's important to me is not necessarily important to the community. Just buck up and move on The first time I had a thread deleted, I wrote the ADMIN and canceled my first account thinking I had overstepped something; somewhere. I apologized perfusely and felt terrible. I took it personal and after a while decided to come back to find out many threads get deleted, but I didn't know that and don't post here often for that very reason. One can take a thread with heartfelt meaning and then you can have a post that just pi**es people of so they write out of anger and that thread goes on forever.
You agreed to abide by the rules when you joined. Same as everyone else, if you choose to disregard them, then don't complain when they're enforced. I don't think we are really complaining; just looking for information and understanding the process. We so often seek information that others view as complaining. | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 12:45:26 PM |
Don't post a new thread before going to bed.
Not only accurate, it is poetic. That is excellent advice.
Another way to make a determination is to watch other threads and see what happens when they get deleted. One way to find them (I believe I mentioned) is to look at the "violations" thread. You can read the reports and go to the links provided and see exactly what is going on. After a while, you will then see the moderator's remarks and you get a clear idea of what gets a thread deleted or a post erased or (in some cases) a person banned or ejected completely.
It is a great learning experience. After a while you are able to recognize not only a thread which is likely to disappear (therefore a waste to post into) but you become able to monitor your own posts and stop short of making similar mistakes.
Not a Mod | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 1:09:00 PM |
I don't think we are really complaining; just looking for information and understanding the process. We so often seek information that others view as complaining.
Please allow me to explain (I've got lots of time that mods don't have). What people are trying to tell you is that your approach to the forums is guided by a misunderstanding of the grand plan. The forums here are meant as an archive of information (even that idea can be found via a search of threads with the word "forum" or "archive"). The idea is that if you want opinions about how people feel when a relationship ends and how they cope with a broken heart, there will be countless messages already in existence and readily available by searching.
On the other hand, if you want to know opinions on how to begin or end a relationship or learn what people think makes a good relationship, then that is in a different section and also available via a search.
The problem comes when you want to ignore all that (and ignore the basic plan for the forums) and just write about your own relationship and your own broken heart, then it becomes redundant and not of great value to the community unless you have a special case that nobody ever encountered before (your boyfriend was a famous person or your relationship was in the news, etc). If your's is sufficiently unique, then your thread will survive and become a part of that archive of information.
If your opinion or your situation is just another similar broken heart, then what you do is open up one of the archival threads on the subject and add your views to the information. You will still get the same amount of attention to the situation because that old thread will pop right up to the forefront and be just as visible as any new one you might start.
As for threads that seemingly don't deserve to go on forever, those are the ones you report. I saw a thread disappear that had over 800 replies and was over two years old. Someone reported it and it came to moderator attention and it rightfully disappeared. It existed probably only because no one had bothered to make it known.
Not a Mod | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 1:17:33 PM | They should constantly monitor the forums and read every message posted and be able to determine exactly why each thread is deleted by privately contacting the "seven of Ten" in some way
They better be damn good-looking ... j/k ... 
Not possible, even if another 20 Moderators were added on. Then correspondence Mails back & fro ... until the Whining & Tears finally stop ... any Volunteers? ...
Oh, you are all already here for that. Cool ...  * straightens up the Couch *
I've been on several forums that had paid moderators and they didn't ever send an email or give a reason for deletion.
Nor do they give a Shit.
We are Volunteers, entirely different Basis.
And none of those other sites had a help/suggestions thread or moderators who took their time to post long extended explanations of the rules. It was assumed a member had read the rules when they joined and clicked "I agree" meaning they agreed to abide by them. Their moderators weren't nearly as patient or tolerant as the mods here are.
Exactly. You get your Ass flamed being FAQ-thumped by the Users almost exclusively.
I posted the thread before I went to bed and checked it as soon as I got up, it was already gone. I can't monitor a thread in my sleep.
I already posted the Links and your Answer above. I'll post it in full here again:
If your Threads keep getting deleted, even though you have done careful and meticulous Searches for Redundancy beforehand, and were unable to find a Thread on a very similar or identical Topic, then E-Mail any of the Moderators for a Resolution:
| 1. | E-Mail your "Opening Post" along with the Subject Header for a Redundancy Evaluation. |
| 2. | We will then conduct a Search, and if no similar or identical Thread Topic is found, give you the "Green Light" to go ahead and make the Thread. |
| 4. | E-Mail us to have your Thread "Set Off" and all User Voting cancelled. |
| 5. | A Moderator will then edit the Subject Line of your Thread something on the Order of "Valid Topic", "OK Topic", etc. using colored HTML Tags to prevent Forgeries. |
However, this is no Guarantee that your Thread will not be deleted.
It just won't be deleted for Redundancy.
Should the Topic of the Thread become hijacked, excessive Chatting take place, Flame Wars ensue, and the Thread would not be salvageable in any reasonable Framework of Time, or anything else referred to in the Frequently Asked Questions Thread, a Moderator may delete the Thread.
Thus it becomes your Responsibility to know and abide by the Forum Rules and Forum Posting Guidelines and file Reports on those Forum Posters whose Posting Habits may lead to the Deletion of the Thread.
In this Manner, there is no Reason why your Thread shouldn't last until Time immemorial.
Lord, God and heaven above, I guess I choose not to go through 100 pages of posted threads to find out if this has been posted before. I don't have that kind of time.
 | Irrelevant. ---> Thread Search Instructions
We don't have the Time to clean up after you because you don't have the Time play by the Rules, hence you get kicked off the Forums. |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 2:53:24 PM |
Oh, you are all already here for that. Cool ... * straightens up the Couch *
Point taken. I suppose I am being naive. I am a perfect example of my own theory that some of us would not be capable of being a moderator because we would fall into that trap of trying desperately to explain some point to people over and over again, who would not listen and who should be capable of looking up the information they are directed to read.
I think someone else said it more eloquently - you can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink. | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 3:16:14 PM | I am a perfect example of my own theory that some of us would not be capable of being a moderator because we would fall into that trap of trying desperately to explain some point to people over and over again, who would not listen and who should be capable of looking up the information they are directed to read.
I do not post References to FAQs where a Poster has to weed through 8 Pages of Blah-blah to find his Answer, if its even there.
Its something they can do on their own, at their own Leisure.
Nevertheless, this usually Results in more E-Mail Queries because they don't feel they are being helped on the Forums, and won't spend the Next Hour looking for something they cannot find. Hence I post the exact Links to the exact Answers wasting the least Amount of Everybody's Time.
It takes me 1 Minute to post it, it could take them over an Hour to find it on their own.
In many Cases a User hasn't got the faintest Clue what he doesn't know and what Answers he actually needs to look for. Thus it becomes a Moderator Function to assess what the Problem is and in many Cases submit a linked Sequence or Checklist to assist the Poster that will eventually lead to a Resolution at some Point.
| Posting in the Help Section is only 1 of many Responsibilities we have. Continuously cleaning up the Floor consumes most of our Time. |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/3/2007 9:11:02 PM | If a post or thread of mine is deleted, I appreciate knowing I mucked up in some way, but would it be possible to send a copy of the offending entry so I can remember what it was?
That's part of why I have trouble sometimes: I can't recall the text of my comment, and I'm thus at a loss about the content I went wrong on.
Would that be a feature POF could consider offering?
I was actually about to open a new thread about this very thing but I saw it had been addressed already. I do make the effort to abide by the rules. Sometimes the enforcements tend to sound punitive rather than instructive. I don't think POF-fers are in general trying to be deliberately careless, disrespectful or ignorant.
Thanks,
WizeChiklet | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/4/2007 7:45:03 AM | "If a post or thread of mine is deleted, I appreciate knowing I mucked up in some way, but would it be possible to send a copy of the offending entry so I can remember what it was?" It's been suggested that if you want to start a new thread you write your opening post in word. That way you can do spell/grammar check and save it. That way is the thread is deleted by user vote, you still have your OP. Some people do this (save in word) for their email messages and profile. I have a whole section of saved files that are various things called "POF". I can go look at them anytime I want to. That way you wouldn't be asking the site or mods to do something you can do yourself.
For all those claiming they have "haters" who follow them around deleting their threads for no reason, the votes for thread deletion is monitored. Some people have their voting privileges taken away if they have a pattern of doing just that. So while it may happen, it's not going to continue to happen.
Not every forum even has the drop down vote option available. If a thread is reported, it's still up to the mods to decide if the reason is legit. In addition to answering all their personal emails, keeping up with the help/suggestions thread is a huge volume of work.
The other option for a thread being deleted is a report on the report thread or an email to a mod or forum_mod account. I've had threads deleted for members chatting, that is above and beyond any OP's control. If you are "monitoring" your own thread, and see it happening if you report it before someone else does, it can be dealt with and may save your thread. There's also the "delete post" button for every new post, that is also a privilege that can be taken away.
The latest report thread was started 8/12, is already 128 pages, 3200 responses all handled by 5 or 6 mods. Think if you got 3200 emails in that period of time, split among 6 friends. Sometimes it's a single message, sometimes an entire thread. For every closed for review thread, a mod has had to read through ALL of it, for those that are obviously in violation can be deleted.
This is the only forum that is this well moderated I've ever some across and does allow the membership to help "self police". That is also a privilege that if abused could either limit or take away privileges or perhaps get a vacation to banned camp or their profile deleted enitrely.
I wouldn't even want to guess at the volume of mail to the forum_mod account and the mods personal email accounts.
It'd good that this site does offer the opportunity to submit suggestions, but a huge consideration is what volume of work either the programming and debugging would involve or God forbid, increase the workload of the mods. I don't know this for a fact as I've never directly asked admin, but I think it'd be a good guess.
My sweetie and I started and still maintain a message board. Quite simplistic compared to this site, and take my word for it, it's more work and time invested than you'd ever imagine. | |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/4/2007 9:35:05 AM | Would that be a feature POF could consider offering?
Nope, as explained in earlier posts on this Thread.
Sometimes the enforcements tend to sound punitive rather than instructive.
| Can become somewhat punitive in Nature when "Instructive" simply does not arrive. |
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| deleted threads - real answers
Posted: 11/4/2007 9:41:44 AM | here's what i started doing:
if i have an issue or a question, i will identify a handful of posters with the ability, insight and/or expertise to respond to my query or discussion topic. then, i email those people directly. this way i get information, advice or opinions directly relating to what i present. i don't have to put up with b.s. or off-topic comments. posters have contacted me off the board in much the same way for months. i finally got a clue and realized it's a remarkably efficient method of discussion and problem-solving. | |
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