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Thoughts on Forum Rules

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Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
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From gentle redirection to outright banning.

Normally a redirection or warning is enough to cause user/registraints to mind the rules. Seldom is outright banning needed to maintain the desired level. The most effective tool has proven to be a 30 day ban (for the good of the forum) as it carries with it a personal message that cannot be ignored.

Nevertheless, over the years we have accuulated hundreds, thousands of those so banned. It occurs to me that reinstating those banned would increase our numbers = greater influence/power. Obviously those banned for posting same or with a history of that on other forums would be excepted. In the normal course of events, we try to be tolerant, forgiving.

Considering, thinkng on this.
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Do not look to have the serious transgressor rewarded. 99.9 per cent of those so identified earned it the old fashioned way.

B.T. Barnum said it best - there is a sucker born every minute + there is no free lunch.

Moderation will continue. You pick the style dependig on how you post.
 

OC for ME

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
12,452
Location
White Oak Plantation
Do not look to have the serious transgressor rewarded. 99.9 per cent of those so identified earned it the old fashioned way.

B.T. Barnum said it best - there is a sucker born every minute + there is no free lunch.

Moderation will continue. You pick the style depending on how you post.
My question was serious. I continue to not have the edit post function. That function was disabled several years ago after I did a wholesale delete of my posts. It was disabled after one member commented that I deleted my posts. If am to remain "in the dog house" for my actions then a simple say so is all that I request.
 

OC for ME

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
12,452
Location
White Oak Plantation
My question was serious. I continue to not have the edit post function. That function was disabled several years ago after I did a wholesale delete of my posts. It was disabled after one member commented that I deleted my posts. If am to remain "in the dog house" for my actions then a simple say so is all that I request.
My current member status.

[h=4]Posting Permissions[/h]
  • You may post new threads
  • You may post replies
  • You may post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

 
B

Bikenut

Guest
From gentle redirection to outright banning.

Normally a redirection or warning is enough to cause user/registraints to mind the rules. Seldom is outright banning needed to maintain the desired level. The most effective tool has proven to be a 30 day ban (for the good of the forum) as it carries with it a personal message that cannot be ignored.

Nevertheless, over the years we have accuulated hundreds, thousands of those so banned. It occurs to me that reinstating those banned would increase our numbers = greater influence/power. Obviously those banned for posting same or with a history of that on other forums would be excepted. In the normal course of events, we try to be tolerant, forgiving.

Considering, thinkng on this.
Are you looking for input or just thinking in print?
 

The Truth

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2014
Messages
1,972
Location
Henrico
My thoughts are we need more simple effective communication going on and less personal "showing of teeth," or ego. Just like we believe you can't legislate away crime you can't moderate away the trolls. Some are smarter than others and utilize cunning linguistics so as to avoid the ban hammer, while others are more overt in their defiance of certain graces. Sometimes we need one or two around to remind us of fringe ideas, even if we disagree with them. There are also some posts of late which to me carry a certain elitist or borderline racist rhetoric that I believe we should stay away from promoting here. Also, once it becomes an echo chamber in here you get what we have going on now. Seems this forum's voices are tired. Personally I get sick of the puffing of chests and paragraphs that are more difficult for me to read than the writing of Aldous Huxley. I'm not a total idiot, but I'm not a genius either. Sometimes I just don't relate to certain things being said whatsoever. Truthfully I've been enjoying the California Carry guy's posts lately. He seems to be one of the few activist-type lawyers that posts regularly anymore with current work going on, and in California no less. I know there are others, and I don't mean to detract from their work - it does not go unnoticed. Just throwing some meaningless thoughts out there.

FWIW, YMMV
 
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TXOC16

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2016
Messages
111
Location
USA
In my own experienced, educated, and never-to-be-humble opinion, and as I expressed to you quite some time ago privately (oh, and I'm still awaiting from you the long-overdue and well-deserved public apology), the most successful, vibrant, and actively participated forums (and, no, I don't, nor will I ever use the term "fora") are those that strive to adhere to a philosophy of imposing the absolute least amount of moderation possible, about 99.9999999% of which, when actually merited, can be dealt with quickly, privately, and effectively with nary a public "shaming" required. Additionally, truly "permanent" bans should generally be reserved only for those who have demonstrated a clear, consistent, and repeated proclivity towards violating accepted standards and reasonable forum rules, rather than to those with whom you may have some sort of philosophical, cultural, or political difference.

That said, a few non-negotiables with regard to moderation actions should always include: Any profanity (yes, as a matter of fact, as part of their overall education, my children do read this forum from time to time, but I don't use nor like profanity, either); direct/flagrant/vicious attacks (not to be confused with significant/animated/heated disagreements); and, obviously, the intentional posting of completely irrelevant matter (read: spam bots).

The above notwithstanding, perhaps the most important part of a successfully moderated board is that regardless of the level of moderation in place, it should be meted out consistently and evenhandedly, which appears to be something of an issue on this board as there are a few individuals who are apparently under lifetime bans who, at least publicly, have behaved in a far less egregious manner than other active, non-banned individuals who appear to have been given something of a free reign. The Internet world is full of very-poorly moderated boards that end up with a handful of long-time sycophants and a lot of relatively new posters who don't participate much or hang around very long.

And, as always, this advice is worth far more than what you paid for it, so you may send the check to the address already on file.
 

HPmatt

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
1,467
Location
Dallas
Some threads just go on and on with a few posters bickering - reminds me of arguments I had with my brothers in the car driving from Houston to visit grandparents in Ohio. 'He is staring at me'..'did not'; 'he is on my side of the seat'...'am not'; 'can we stop at Stuckeys?'....'I don't want to'...

Don't know if you can moderate your way out of these - maybe a new rule 'If you csn't say something (in a a tone) nice, don't say anything.'. Bringing on old cantankerous members might be exciting and give the moderators some reasons to wake up in the morning (however some old cantankerous members are missed and won't be back to we meet again).
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
In my own experienced, educated, and never-to-be-humble opinion, and as I expressed to you quite some time ago privately (oh, and I'm still awaiting from you the long-overdue and well-deserved public apology), the most successful, vibrant, and actively participated forums (and, no, I don't, nor will I ever use the term "fora") are those that strive to adhere to a philosophy of imposing the absolute least amount of moderation possible, about 99.9999999% of which, when actually merited, can be dealt with quickly, privately, and effectively with nary a public "shaming" required. Additionally, truly "permanent" bans should generally be reserved only for those who have demonstrated a clear, consistent, and repeated proclivity towards violating accepted standards and reasonable forum rules, rather than to those with whom you may have some sort of philosophical, cultural, or political difference.

That said, a few non-negotiables with regard to moderation actions should always include: Any profanity (yes, as a matter of fact, as part of their overall education, my children do read this forum from time to time, but I don't use nor like profanity, either); direct/flagrant/vicious attacks (not to be confused with significant/animated/heated disagreements); and, obviously, the intentional posting of completely irrelevant matter (read: spam bots).

The above notwithstanding, perhaps the most important part of a successfully moderated board is that regardless of the level of moderation in place, it should be meted out consistently and evenhandedly, which appears to be something of an issue on this board as there are a few individuals who are apparently under lifetime bans who, at least publicly, have behaved in a far less egregious manner than other active, non-banned individuals who appear to have been given something of a free reign. The Internet world is full of very-poorly moderated boards that end up with a handful of long-time sycophants and a lot of relatively new posters who don't participate much or hang around very long.

And, as always, this advice is worth far more than what you paid for it, so you may send the check to the address already on file.

Please feel free to set up and run your own forum in whatever manner you wish. OCDO is structured by our owners to reflect their wishes/goals.
 

TXOC16

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2016
Messages
111
Location
USA
Please feel free to set up and run your own forum in whatever manner you wish. OCDO is structured by our owners to reflect their wishes/goals.

Uh oh, touched that nerve once again, did I?
 

solus

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2013
Messages
9,315
Location
here nc
as one of the individuals being regularly talked about in the third person, i have to wonder how much dialogue would actually transpire if all forum members were saying the same thing, the same way; or totally accepting as gospel of every forum member's data/information being placed on the forum's threads.

some of the discussions have been quite informative on a myriad of topics, but because of the forum's innate characteristic of the Ethernet being anonymous, all members are faceless sages bringing forth their bravado (read: BS nonsense) for their own purposes and rational. Again, as stated elsewhere, i have been concerned on the recent slant brought by alt-rants postings/fake news with their 'European' ethnicity only BS discussions.

now as just pointed out...the bickering some object to out here in the forum's frontiers seem to have had the same activities within their familial cohorts, yet they expect folks from across this great land, with their differing up-brings and culture, education, and backgrounds to all to play nice. sorry in the real world and even during the founding father's period, disagreements arose ~ ask Hamilton how the culmination of his and Burr's political differences worked out for him!

those folk that engage, whenever their presented material is viably challenged, in the bravado of playground slurs; insulting commentary about reading ability, etc., threats of putting members on ignore, whine about the forum and those members who frequent this private enterprise ~ i have no use for them and feel they should be ban'd for a month since they are not contributing a bloody thing to anybody's understanding.

i personally look forward to continue engaging in lively discussions and if your BS won't stand up to even the slightest scrutiny, please do not blame me for engaging in a mediocre amount of critical thinking cuz you put misinformation out here as gospel. if you rant and rage, fine, but put up objective evidence to rebut my (others) thinking on the subject.

bottom line, for a national forum, i personally feel the moderation has been extremely fair and reasonable and am glad i am not put in the place to decide if an individual has crossed the line or not, and if so what punishment fits the individual's sin. i have seen boards where if you cross the moderator (real or perceived) you are expelled and banished immediately.

ipse

added...prime example is the last post of whine w/o a bit of substantive material!!
 
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KBCraig

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
4,886
Location
Granite State of Mind
Please feel free to set up and run your own forum in whatever manner you wish. OCDO is structured by our owners to reflect their wishes/goals.

So were you actually wanting input about the wisdom of different ways to enforce forum rules, or not?

I'm curious on this point: is anyone an active moderator here other than yourself? Mike and John are the owners, but seem to be long gone.

Most forums have died from lack of participation as people have moved to Facebook (and active LISTSERVs are even more unusual). Heavy-handed moderation, especially when the moderator is in active disagreement with those who get moderated, has never been good for forum participation.
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Depends on what is an active moderator. A moderator may be detected by attempting to but one on your ignore list. It is not allowed and will generate a warning that effect.

Both Mike and John have recent activity, though perhaps not reflected in their profiles. In particular John's argument for G00gle.
'Tis true - a moderator cannot be blocked. All in all, IMHO, OCDO is doing exceptionally well within the designed target area. None better.
 

Wstar425

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
570
Location
Tomahawk and Abbotsford, Wi.
Talked to a lady at church yesterday, telling me how friendly and inviting the church was. I humbly submitted that she and we didn't get to make that judgement. The people that come for the first time decide how friendly the church is, and if they decide not too friendly, they probably won't come back.

How that relates to this post, if at all, I will leave up to your own individual determination.
 
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Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
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May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Talked to a lady at church yesterday, telling me how friendly and inviting the church was. I humbly submitted that she and we didn't get make that judgement. The people that come for the first time decide how friendly the church is, and if they decide not too friendly, they probably won't come back.

How that relates to this post, if at all, I will leave up to your own individual determination.

Interesting, but off topic for this thread.
 

countryclubjoe

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
2,505
Location
nj
How about creating a common sense rule, that if one starts a thread, the OP is obligated to comment or articulate an opinion thereof..

Sidebar, Grape, keep up the good job, monitoring the level of sophomoric rhetoric that has been posted in the " social lounge" currently is not an easy task.. A hi five, for a job well done..

Regards
CCJ
 

Wstar425

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
570
Location
Tomahawk and Abbotsford, Wi.
Interesting, but off topic for this thread.

I'm not saying moderator(s) are doing a bad job or a good job. I'm saying I don't think THEY get to decide whether they are doing a good job or not. Gets close to beating your own drum.....

It seems to me that the number of regular posters here (not a lot) for the only public forum of its type, and importance, is kind of a shame. Whether that is due to over or under moderation, or something else entirely is a question unanswered. I've strongly considered not coming here anymore, but there are really no other options for this topic. The level of moderation plays into that decision. I'm not big on ignoring people. I do get sick of what I see as the constant oneupsmanship and how nearly every thread gets drug off topic with personal vendettas. If I ignored the five people that I would really like to, content would drop by 70 percent. New posters seem to be greeted with a less than welcoming attitude, firmly put in their place immediately, and I suspect many don't ever return. Not a good recipe for growth and sustained existence.
 
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