Over Moderating ?

[Marcus26]

Exactly.
About once a year I get someone have a go at how I run AF with comments about democracy blah blah. Forums are not a democracy. It is the same as us visiting Dave's house and the mods are the family members. We are his guests and stay on his approval. If he doesn't like our behavior he can ask us to leave.
If I went to Dave's house and then told him what I can talk to his other visitors about he would have the right to tell me to shut up if it was upsetting his other guests. If I continued he has the right to throw me out. Same applies here.

[Flying Whale]

Originally Posted by Marcus26

Exactly.
About once a year I get someone have a go at how I run AF with comments about democracy blah blah. Forums are not a democracy. It is the same as us visiting Dave's house and the mods are the family members. We are his guests and stay on his approval. If he doesn't like our behavior he can ask us to leave.
If I went to Dave's house and then told him what I can talk to his other visitors about he would have the right to tell me to shut up if it was upsetting his other guests. If I continued he has the right to throw me out. Same applies here.

Totally agree with the analogy, and the sentiments

The counter is that if Dave, or his family members get all uppity (not suggesting this is the case), and throw everyone out for very little reason, then they end up with no friends.

The watch word for everyone is please respect others here abouts. It is fine to disagree with people, but not to abuse them. It is better to disgaree if you can also back up your viewpoint with well argued reasoning, or with a wealth of experience...however we all have to start somewhere, and rely on the more experienced to show us the way

[Watch_Man]

Originally Posted by Watch_Man

There is no way any aggressive, racist, deflamatory or overtly sexist post should be tolerated - however this one wasn't.

Hopefully I made it clear that I am not against moderating and certainly appreciate the work the mods do to ensure we can all enjoy the forum. Like Flying whale said though

The counter is that if Dave, or his family members get all uppity (not suggesting this is the case), and throw everyone out for very little reason, then they end up with no friends.

Krela you say:

I agree, people who bleat on about freedom of speech on forums really get on my ****. A forum is set up, generally paid for, and maintained by whoever runs it and the moderators they chose (generally none of whom get paid for doing so),

So because I make a small financial contribution to the costs of this forum does this give me extra rights over those who just come on here as normal members or guests???? I don't think so and nor should it be so. But I do expect that my opinion (provided it is not aggresive, sexist etc etc) should be allowed to stand without fear of moderation because it clashes with the personal views of someone else.

However I think we are digressing from the main thread......... but isn't it good we can discuss these issues and disagree with each other

[krela]

Originally Posted by Watch_Man

So because I make a small financial contribution to the costs of this forum does this give me extra rights over those who just come on here as normal members or guests???? I don't think so and nor should it be so. But I do expect that my opinion (provided it is not aggresive, sexist etc etc) should be allowed to stand without fear of moderation because it clashes with the personal views of someone else.

No, I assume people chose to donate and in return get a few extra services for their money and for a sense of wellbeing knowing that Dave isn't spending too much giving us a place to share our archery interest. That's why I donate anyway.

As far as I can tell no-ones fairly expressed opinion has been moderated, and only that have turned aggressive have been closed. Threads are usually closed because one person in a conversation gets aggressive and unfortunately as in this case it leaves the other party feeling hard done by because often they don't get the chance to reply to the aggressive post. There's not much can be done about this really, it's a bit of an all or nothing situation.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by krela

...and unfortunately as in this case it leaves the other party feeling hard done by because often they don't get the chance to reply to the aggressive post. There's not much can be done about this really, it's a bit of an all or nothing situation.

A thread being closed isn't final. You can contact a mod. or admin. and ask that the thread be re-opened. So long as you can give a good reason then it shouldn't be a problem.

[TJ Mason]

Originally Posted by Whitehart

As the person most likely to have responded to HB's post and the recipient of two posts of abuse, one now deleted but I have copies for sale on ebay - NOT I agree that by locking the thread and taking it out of context suggests that the other party was the poster that kicked it all off and this was his right of reply, it also stopped my public right of reply to set the record straight.

I locked that thread immediately for several reasons. Firstly, his own words indicted him better than any response could. Secondly, any responses would just have kept a boring, unconstructive squabble going. Thirdly, he said he was going away - I thought, if we make sure he has the last word, then hopefully he really WILL go away.

[WhitehartFB]

Originally Posted by TJ Mason

I locked that thread immediately for several reasons. Firstly, his own words indicted him better than any response could. Secondly, any responses would just have kept a boring, unconstructive squabble going. Thirdly, he said he was going away - I thought, if we make sure he has the last word, then hopefully he really WILL go away.

fair enough

[Watch_Man]

Originally Posted by krela

No, I assume people chose to donate and in return get a few extra services for their money and for a sense of wellbeing knowing that Dave isn't spending too much giving us a place to share our archery interest. That's why I donate anyway.
.

That is exactly right.

[geoffretired]

Most of the people who post on this forum don't need moderators; they have no intention of upsetting anyone. Real life, however, means there will always be a few who don't play to the same rules.Eventually they have to abide by the rules/guidance set by Dave and the moderators or leave. It's as Marcus so rightly said in his post.
If the forum was being over moderated, it would be losing membership. It is growing, and that speaks for itself.Well managed disagreements bring progress.
I was unable to get onto the forum for over four days(technical reasons). I had a lot of help and support from Dave, even though the problem was probably a local one to me. The point is, I felt cut off from people I wanted to talk to and the support made me feel that it was important to him, too.
It's a very good place to be, in my opinion.

[worthipa]

I think that just about sums it up for the rest of us geoffretired.

Nice one.