Moderation rules

Simon Mitchell

Simon Mitchell

Well-Known Member
Hello,

For the second time on this board I have had a post edited / removed by a moderator I was debating. This also happened to several other members.The pretext on this occasion was that the post was not strictly on topic. This is disingenuous in the extreme, especially since it was a reply (using quotes) to a post (which still appears in the thread) by the moderator concerned . By any standard of fairness it seems utterly inappropriate for a moderator engaged in a debate with other members of this forum to start editing or removing posts that disagree with his or her opinion. If a post needs moderating in that setting, then one of the other moderators should do it.

After the first time it happened I made it clear to the moderator involved and the forum owner that if it ever happened again I would withdraw from this board. That is what is going to happen unless I / we get a clear and public assurance that moderators will no longer edit or remove posts that pertain to debate between the poster and the moderator. That does not mean the posts can't be moderated; it just needs to be done by someone not directly involved in the debate.

I welcome other comments on this issue. I think is important that members get an opportunity to discuss this.

Simon Mitchell
 
Simon Mitchell said:
For the second time on this board I have had a post edited / removed by a moderator I was debating. This also happened to several other members.The pretext on this occasion was that the post was not strictly on topic.
Click to expand...
I'm very sorry that I am the coauthor of the problem.

Because I am also an active inventor in the field of diving equipment, that form of mild stress is mobilizing. Therefore, the threat of a moderator do not affect me.

With intimidation in another topic which I started, I have new interesting solution SCR constant ppO2. (I had to be sure of their position.)
Not all companies prey on naive inventors.
Again, I received a reply, that it was only after filing with the Patent Office will be able to join the conversation.

Level moderation Dave is better than Linda Bowen.
Must protect the main sponsor. Dave not know how to lead discussions, in the Army did not learned. He can overcome resistance.
Not a barrier to overcome is the designer, who is sure of his position.

So please do not make impulsive decisions, it is not worth to die on forum.
Dave has no power over me, I do not have to be in this forum.
I am active designer (P-377789, P-386700, P-393223)

greet rc
 
Simon

I've posted on the other thread and reopened it.

Dave was calling for help on the mod forum, aware of the conflict of interest and staring very clearly that be would prefer someone else dealt with it. I am saddened that, perhaps due to the time difference, none of us saw this for hours. We let him down on this one and he felt, rightly or wrongly, that he should try to keep the thread on track in the meantime. Moderation is difficult, especially when you have an active interest in the subject.

I have undeleted the posts. Not because I agree with them but because they don't breach any terms and conditions. I have reminded the mods that if they use T&Cs as a moderating guide they are on firm ground. That is not to say that there are not other grounds for moderating, but we really do aim for a light touch here.

The report post function emails all the mods. Posting on a forum just waits until one of us logs in.

I would gently remind all involved in the other thread that posting here is not a right. Contributions are welcome. Personal attacks are not. I understand frustrations but it is also right that we acknowledge that people can make mistakes whilst still having good motivations.

This board exists only because I am prepared to underwrite to costs to ensure people have somewhere, open to all, to chat and learn about rebreather diving and the mods agree and are happy to help me run it. Unmoderated boards are fun for a month or to then descend into unusable bickering. We are all volunteers, we will make mistakes but we all do our best.

I would be grateful if members now leave this. They have been heard.
 
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Happy to have PMs but to be clear for all members.

Our moderation policy is to ensure that the board keeps to T&Cs. These were designed to ensure debate which allows for discussion without personal attack, retaining the right to remove any post which would open up the board to any legal action.

Moderators help clean up, get rid of spam (that is the most time consuming thing which most of you will, hopefully, be unaware of) and deal with any reported posts. Splitting threads which have wandered off topic helps keep things searchable in future. It's housekeeping not censorship.

It is a hard job sometimes. *sigh* Help us enjoy doing it - tis a hobby after all.
 
Without wishing to violate rule 13..

Perhaps there needs to be a clause in the T&C regarding moderation conflicts.

I moderate on a forum so I know the work it can be (diving, believe it or not, is not the most truculent forum species out there).

Thanks for your work.
 
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