Site Moderation - Have your Say!

[Spike]

I don't have a problem with Off Topic forums, no one expects to find valuable growing information there, and no one has to read or respond to anything posted there. It's strictly an optional place to open up about things that please or bother you. I don't see a reason to start limiting what can be discussed, as long as posters stay polite and within the rules.

What bugs me more personally, is thread hijacking in subject labeled threads where I expect to follow a tomato related discussion, but end up having to scan through long strings of personal banter having nothing to do with the topic. A certain amount is unavoidable, as the topic will drift as information is added from others and other lines of thinking appear. I think all of us have been guilty of this at one time or another, but it would be good to keep it to a minimum.

Well said [mention]ddsack[/mention]!!

[Rajun Gardener]

What bugs me more personally, is thread hijacking in subject labeled threads where I expect to follow a tomato related discussion, but end up having to scan through long strings of personal banter having nothing to do with the topic. A certain amount is unavoidable, as the topic will drift as information is added from others and other lines of thinking appear. I think all of us have been guilty of this at one time or another, but it would be good to keep it to a minimum.

This is something all members need to moderate to an extent, if you see it blatantly happening just politely mention that's it's getting off topic.
People don't realize how fast a thread can go off topic, it's starts about tomatoes, then tomato clips and before you know it the topic changed to cucumbers and squash. It's only natural to see beautiful plants and production then want to know the fertilizer/watering info so we really can't be so sterile it gets boring and unproductive to be here.

[bower]

What bugs me more personally, is thread hijacking in subject labeled threads where I expect to follow a tomato related discussion, but end up having to scan through long strings of personal banter having nothing to do with the topic. A certain amount is unavoidable, as the topic will drift as information is added from others and other lines of thinking appear. I think all of us have been guilty of this at one time or another, but it would be good to keep it to a minimum.

This is something all members need to moderate to an extent, if you see it blatantly happening just politely mention that's it's getting off topic.
People don't realize how fast a thread can go off topic, it's starts about tomatoes, then tomato clips and before you know it the topic changed to cucumbers and squash. It's only natural to see beautiful plants and production then want to know the fertilizer/watering info so we really can't be so sterile it gets boring and unproductive to be here.

I will add that, if there's a thread where off topic banter is excessive and beyond polite intervention, you can always bring it to the mods attention. We do have the ability to remove the distracting posts. Obviously that wouldn't work if the subject is just drifting from tomatoes to squash - it would apply to really irrelevant stuff that should be elsewhere.

[SQWIB]

Factual information about someone's bad behavior can be inflammatory, though.

No that wouldn't be factual that would be an opinion.

[SQWIB]

Here's an example of why I am for locking a thread as opposed to deleting it.
I know I would be upset if someone flamed on one of my threads and it was deleted.

Here's an example
Forum member Joetomato posts "I have been getting harassed by forum member through PM, what can I do?

Forum member Robbiecarrot post a similar experience with the forum members name mentioned,

Forum Member Carolcucumber posts a nasty post about the problem.

Forum member Angelaeggplant says " You can add him to your ignore list and he won't be able to pm you"

(Not sure if we have this setup here yet but it's just an example)

Now the solution is there for all to see but because of 2 forum members that have to add their 2 cents and broken forum rules, that not only didn't answer the question, it gets the post deleted.

This is unfair to the original poster and also a loss of information that someone may have found useful.

Please don't say, but folks should know this already, because I have found out some folks go right to the forum with their questions rather than try to figure it out.

The thread should then be locked and the other posts deleted and at the least, the naming of the forum member be deleted, mods discretion here.

[Rajun Gardener]

Good Post! I agree with that scenario.

[bower]

I agree SQUIB, and also I would not want to see a good thread locked just because of some bad actors. Instead the trouble posts could be removed, and your thread would continue to be active.

[Rajun Gardener]

Don't you love forums and everyone's view of what is appropriate to post on a gardening forum?

Put yourself in a Mods shoes and discuss this post.
Does it cross the line? If so why? We did agree to let members discuss medical problems, does that include everything?

If someone trolls him/jokes about it/makes fun if him, do we delete those post and allow his to stay?

You make the call, what action if any should be taken?


"
Talk to my doctor about ED meds because my wife is now interested again.
"

[Nan6b]

There is a line item in those resolutions that makes me uncomfortable. I like talking about new year's resolutions, but I'm not sure I'd participate in a discussion that includes ED. I have a hard time either ignoring that item or addressing it. I'm glad the poster is in the happy position of improving his sex life, but it's too much information. I'd love it if the poster removed that one line item. JMHO.

[pondgardener]

And when making a post, think about if it is something that could be talked about in mixed company in a face-to-face conversation...

[bower]

Rule 6 covers pics and jokes, but doesn't rule out discussion of your sex life. Maybe it should?

[Rajun Gardener]

We'll add this to the rules, it covers everything for the most part.

"Before you click the Submit button, ask, is it OK for:
My MOM to see it?
My kids to see it?
My wife to see it?
Can I show it at the dinner table?"

[Rajun Gardener]

New Rule Alert!!!
app.php/rules

[TheDante]

I have no idea what ED is till it got kinda explained sorry ... my bad. Still no idea what ED is though.

and noooooooo… don´t need to tell too

[MissS]

That is a great rule to have. Thanks Rajun.

[worth1]

I don't disagree with decisions but the television is ate up with these commercials.
I had a lady ask me if they embarrassed me.
I told her no I just tuned out commercials.
These adds are on at all times of the day.
Kids can see them.
I dont agree with it.
We live in a bold new age whether you or I like or agree with it.

[MissS]

I understand, but we are ad-free....

[Rajun Gardener]

This is going off topic but we're here already.

We all see the ads and the extent of what they will air but we still have to comply with COPPA laws. Coppa is basically informing the parents that we collect personal information from kids 13 and younger, IE email, username..... Parents have to complete a form acknowledging we collect this info and we've had 2 applications so far.

Where do we draw the line? If a parent is a user and their kids want to join should we not allow it so adult conversations like ED can be discussed? That's not what this forum is about so if we keep it family friendly it's a win for everyone.

On a lighter note: ED meds should fall under the fertilizer section, right?

[bower]

Personally, I am thrilled to have kids in our forum learning about gardening. I hope they will post about their gardens, too!

[Ginger2778]

Numbering system. Ugh!