Thread Closing

[OmahaStar]

I think it was premature for Ranger1 to close the "Easter Egg" thread in the B5 forum ... Just cuz he doesn't like threads longer than 2 posts is no reason to piss off the posters who were enjoying it.

Please reopen it and think first in the future. Thank you.

[Capt.Montoya]

I think the thread itself made it perfectly clear that it would drift into other territory:

________
Originally posted by Gkar4ever
Well, that sure killed the thread. What do we talk about now?
_________

Easter Eggs we'd like to see?

Jan

Then it took yet another direction from there.... yes, it might be confusing for a newbie, but for all of us that have been following the thread or any newbie that clicked on the first page it would be perfectly clear.

That's been the way in these forums, there was that "huge news" thread that became a discussion of bad driving in several cities... it was a fun distraction.

Don't stop the fun please.

It's just like real life, conversations wander and go into unexpected directions. Nothing wrong with that.

Split the threads, move them to a proper forum, rename them if necessary, but don't close them unless it's a clear violation of the rules or some other major reason (e.g. it's become so heated that it's best to declare the topic dead and force everyone to cool down).
Sure, maybe people should have started a "bloopers we'd like to see" thread instead of contining in that one, and split it yet again when it became "bloomers we'd like to see (off)"
But you could also argue that is best not to start so many small threads.

I've been on both ends of overzealous moderation, so I can understand that Ranger1 may just have been trying to do his job as best as he can and understands it, but I agree with OmahaStar, this move was unnecessary and disrupting.
Moderating should be more about guiding things along than hammering them into place.

Of course Doug has the last word, these are just suggestions, it's what this forum is about, no?

[Ranger1]

Yup,that was my point exactly,whole 3 pages...and nothing to do with the original post,thats why i locked it.

No one stopping you from opening another thread,why do you want me to re-open a thread and to continue posting stuff that doesn't have anything to do with the original post?
I don't have a problem re-opening it but why?

- Example: why no one is posting different chat topics in the Fund Raising for R. Biggs Memorial thread?
because you have respect for Jan and for that thread,so its only fair to respect other users and their thread.

[OmahaStar]

Ranger1, that's a load of crap, and you know it.

Of course nobody is going to "derail" Jan's thread - it's a memorial for Rick Biggs. That was pure idiocy on your part to even suggest such a thing.

You're imposing your own rules of order, which have nothing to do with the community here or with your fellow Mod and Admin.

Now please, before the calls for your resignation begin (it's only a matter of time), try to actually think here and reopen the thread ... or split it. That is, after all, what you're here for.

[Jan]

Since it was requested twice, I've reopened the thread.

Omaha, please tone down the personal comments, okay? In every new situation there's some settling-in. I'm sure we'll all get through this as long as we respect each other.

Jan

[DougO]

Thanks everyone for your comments on how to handle the "Easter Egg" thread.

Ranger1 was correct in recognizing that that the thread had digressed into a completely separate topic from where it started. In this case, I think splitting the thread would have been a better course of action because it would have allowed the secondary conversation to continue (without starting a new thread). It would also allow someone to come along and post another message on the original DVD Easter Egg subject without it being lost in the new conversation.

I went ahead and split the new conversation off into a "Easter Eggs we'd like to see" thread.

General note: I haven't provided very much guidance on issues like this to our Moderators so they will be making judgment calls as situations come up. If you disagree with a Moderator's action please try to resolve it privately with the Moderator or contact another Moderator or myself.

Since moderation is a new thing on the JMSNews forums, I think it is okay to discuss general policy issues here until we settle into a reasonable set of procedures.

Thanks,

-DougO

[Gkar4ever]

Omahastar, with all due respect, our moderators are new. They haven't been doing this all their lives. Don't insult their technique or their decisions until they have a bit more practice doing what they do. We should all be grateful for their assistance.



<<Ranger1, that's a load of crap, and you know it.>>

Maybe he doesn't? We can't all be all-knowing moderators. He made a judgement call, good or bad.



<<You're imposing your own rules of order, which have nothing to do with the community here or with your fellow Mod and Admin.>>

Any rule, anywhere, is open to personal interpretation. If we were raised to speak C++ we'd be OK. But we don't.

And Ranger1, Jan, keep up the good work, and from me, Thanks for devoting your time to this site!

[Ranger1]

Thanks guys,i was really trying to make sense,and as you said we are new and we learn as we go,splitting the thread was the best solution to this problem i agree,it was incorrect of me to just lock the thread (as i say...im still learning)

- Those are some harsh things to say Omaha but don't worry,i still love you,every B5 fan is a friend in my point of view.
If you were to private msg me from the beginning i would unlock the thread but im glade you didn't,now we know what we suppose to do in such cases.

- Don't let me stop you from having fun.