Poll for agony aunt sub-board

dmg24

Quasar wrote: »

Good point dmg, but isn't there a danger that the usual suspects - ie, certain AEs or other disruptive users - would just home into those threads and cause distress to already upset users? But then maybe they do already anyway...

That said, I have nothing against a sub-forum of this nature.

Though it would be preferable if they just stayed away, maybe if the trolls show their true colours in a place where it is made clear that it is not welcome, it would be a good way for the MSE Team to see what they are like and (hopefully) take action?

bunty109

dmg24 wrote: »

Though it would be preferable if they just stayed away, maybe if the trolls show their true colours in a place where it is made clear that it is not welcome, it would be a good way for the MSE Team to see what they are like and (hopefully) take action?

I think that's a good point. I do appreciate trolls might be attracted to a sub-forum as suggested, but at least they could be rooted out. I really like the Arms, but do think at times to move some "heavyweight" threads there tends to kill them: and all because the original thread has diverted from the strict "moneysaving" aspect of the original board. It just seems wrong, when it's a relationship issue and that's where the poster originally felt comfortable posting.

Quasar

dmg24 wrote: »

Though it would be preferable if they just stayed away, maybe if the trolls show their true colours in a place where it is made clear that it is not welcome, it would be a good way for the MSE Team to see what they are like and (hopefully) take action?

Good point, I suppose.

Emma37

I like the idea of an Agony Aunt sub-forum. Until it's up and running can we have an Agony Aunt thread?

Savvy_Sue

Emma37 wrote: »

I like the idea of an Agony Aunt sub-forum. Until it's up and running can we have an Agony Aunt thread?

Could I suggest that unless there is a clear MONEYSAVING focus to it, it would be best in DT or The Arms.

The Families board is, after all, the MONEYSAVING in Marriages, Relationships and Families Board. And there's a sticky explaining this.

As Board Guides, we don't move posts just for the fun of it (although I know some of you suspect we do!)

Glad

bunty109 wrote: »

I think that's a good point. I do appreciate trolls might be attracted to a sub-forum as suggested, but at least they could be rooted out. I really like the Arms, but do think at times to move some "heavyweight" threads there tends to kill them: and all because the original thread has diverted from the strict "moneysaving" aspect of the original board. It just seems wrong, when it's a relationship issue and that's where the poster originally felt comfortable posting.

But the family. marriages and relationships board is not for relationship issues at all, only for ways of saving money when in a relationship.

Apart from an agony aunt type sub board being out of place alongside a main moneysaving board, I would be very worried about personal advice being given and wher MSE would stand if anyone was given the wrong advice. Another worry is that, in the past, people have posted highly personal issues and their partners have the joined MSE to post their side of the story. This has led to people being upset/ threatening to sue etc and threads being deleted.
One member did offer once to provide a counselling thread and although this was a heartfelt offer, it had to be turned down. You can read Martins and other members thoughts HERE

Emma37

But people ask for financial advice all the time and are given it by MSE members. How would the implications of inaccurate advice on an agony board be different? Surely Martin would be in a worse position if wrong financial advice was taken.

bunty109

Glad wrote: »

But the family. marriages and relationships board is not for relationship issues at all, only for ways of saving money when in a relationship.

Apart from an agony aunt type sub board being out of place alongside a main moneysaving board, I would be very worried about personal advice being given and wher MSE would stand if anyone was given the wrong advice. Another worry is that, in the past, people have posted highly personal issues and their partners have the joined MSE to post their side of the story. This has led to people being upset/ threatening to sue etc and threads being deleted.
One member did offer once to provide a counselling thread and although this was a heartfelt offer, it had to be turned down. You can read Martins and other members thoughts HERE

Surely you're at risk of being sued or whatever with any advice given on here? There's people giving advice on property and boundary issues and all sorts of other things that could have legal repercussions. I'm sure we've all agreed to disclaimers for that sort of thing when we joined the site anyway.

Another money-saving site I visit has a family matters sub-board. If the term "agony aunt" for a sub-board or thread might be problematic/attract unwanted attention for posters, then I'd suggest something like relationship matters as a title.

I thought that origianlly the relationships board didn't have the moneysaving bit in the title, but I could be confused......

MSE_Martin

Thanks for the feedback guys - but this is a Money Saving forum and I try and keep the boards within that context. I dont think an agony aunt sub-board is that appropriate.

Sorry

Martin