We have deleted two smilies

MSE_Martin

We've noticed there are a number of threads on this - so while I know my team have posted on this - I wanted to add my weight to that.

Why we deleted the smilies

We try to make this a happy forum to be in - try to keep friction down - and hope for open debate without friction. Sadly it doesn't always happen.

We've noticed that the two smilies in question that've gone were a very substantially disproportionate part of arguments, and disagreements. People interpreted them sometimes fairly, sometimes not, as nastiness or sarcasm and things blew up from there.

Therefore when reviewing the forum - at a very strong request from the abuse team I agreed to delete the smilies.

The smilies won't be coming back

While I know change is never much liked on the forum, I am afraid when we weigh up the disbenefit of losing smilies that some people like against the benefit of getting rid of what has rather bizarrely, but accurately been a minor destructive force - we're getting rid of the smilies.

I know its disappointing for some, and I know people liked them. Yet we're responding to many requests (often from the same people as who want the smilies to stay) to try and make the forum a less antagonistic place.

Please grin and bear this one - and lets hope it helps.

Martin

Burlesque_Babe

in response to your post on the other thread that you won't be following the thread you've just posted onto.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=29125759&postcount=75

fermi

I'm all for reducing antagonism on the boards, but............

........ sorry Martin, all you have succeeded in doing is making MSE look very very foolish.

Ames

As someone who recently started a thread and had insulting responses using the smileys, I can say that my problem was with the people posting, not the smileys! I'm sure that had the smileys not been there then the words used instead would have made the answers much, much worse.

Deal with the people being antagonistic, deleting the smileys is as silly as stopping people replying by typing words!

Sorry Martin, but I have to disagree on this one.

MSE_Martin

Folks,

Frankly two smilies isn't a big deal. We think it will reduce some abuse reports and antaganism. We may be wrong, but if the only cost is losing two smilies on the site its a bet we're willing to take.

I've read the discussions, we know its not popular with a few users and that 'we look silly'.

But equally it could be argued that if "its only a couple of smilies" then there's no problem getting rid of them

As for the argument its the "people not the smilies" or "itd be the same with words". That's the whole point, people who use smilies to antogonise then claim they had an entirely different meaning and we're being unjust. If people use words its more clear cut.

While I will look at this thread again - Im afraid I can't see there's much more to be said on this. The team think it'll work, it causes them issues, and therefore the smilies are I'm afraid PPRd. Sorry

Martin (I'm not going to post again on it.)

zebidee1

This will now forever be known as the site that deals with baddies by taking away their smilies. :rotfl: Go MSE!

jamespir

if anyone can get upset by smilies they probably shouldn't be using the internet

grumbler

:idea:Could we all click the button in the first post?







Just joking...

Burlesque_Babe

I'd insert a rolling eye smiley but I really don't want to be told off......I'll just let out a big sigh instead.......all I can suggest is re-visit this 'idea' in 6 months time and do a comparable study on the 'reduction' in posts which are deemed to be having a go at others.

I can almost guarantee there won't be a change.

blind-as-a-bat_2

After spending a week trying to draw fire of a poster that got PPR'ed four times in two days....................but kept comeing back under a new name...........................because it was attacking newer posters with not as thick a skin as me...............and your worried about smilies????????


:think: :wall:

I think your missing the point Martin, Sorry

Oh, and i can not be sure, but dont think it used either of those smilies

Numpty_Monkey

Oh well,
I don't want a PPR

Can we turn the smilies off?