We have deleted two smilies

Zazen999

Thanks Martin.

Can I take this opportunity to thank you for your fab site, and remind you that St David's Day is in 5 weeks.

Thanks

xxx

custardy

sub us a fiver martin

fermi

MSE_Martin wrote: »

I do find it slightly hard to believe that some people think the deletion of two smilies cracks mine and the sites credibitlity.

You may find that hard to believe, but it is the reasoning behind it that makes you look very very foolish.

I still love the site BTW.

The_Banker_5

MSE_Martin wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies folks.

I've read them.

I do find it slightly hard to believe that some people think the deletion of two smilies cracks mine and the sites credibitlity.

As noted - the abuse team believe these smiies make their life more difficult and create argument both in their use and interpretation that cause time and upset. So we've deleted them.

I dont mind being an unpaid volunteer moderator Martin.

I promise I will use my powers wisely and not PPR anyone in the motoring section for annoying me.;)

My offer is there until midnight today.:D

MSE_Martin

On a personal note - can I just say how depressing I find this whole thread.

I love this forum. I'm very proud of it. It does a tremendous amount of good, is a mine field of incredible info and a dynamic helpful community that moves me constantly.

Behind the scenes we deal with a host of abuse reports from people - some reasonable, some not. Some by vulnerable people, some not. Some we agree with, some not - yet we try and help all.

Its a big, but free, institution, we need lawyers, fight legal notes about whats said constantly, put huge time and resouce into it. All with an aim to make it work best for users and provide info for consumers.

Much goes on behind the scenes to make it work - and lots of people are involved. No one has a vested interest in making the site worse - all hae the aim of making it better and protection it.

We have complaints that make you pull your hair out with despair - or cry with sympathy.

We don't charge anyone - we try and make the forum a good place to be - its not easy.

We can't read every post and we don't have the wisdom of solomon (no forum of this size could work by a moderator system - and legally i cannot operate it via that method as then each post would deam to have been legitimisted by me).

We try and make small changes, iterative change to see if they improve things.

And we get berated and rude comments - told "it won't work", "you've lost your credibility", "we're going to leave the site." I'm personally told its a nonesense that I listen to my team who deal with abuse day in and day out - well you know what actually Im a good employer who has to balance their concerns out with my users.

Yet you know what perhaps you're right - perhaps it won't make any difference. Is that a reason to not try. Is it a reason to come and make insulting noises that we don't know what we're doing. If it shows a mild incremental decrease in problems I'd be delighted. If not I'm willing to sacrifice two smilies. Its my decision ultimately, I listen to the evidence and try it.

There are things that its worth lobbying on - things where I know it has an impact. This is two smilies for heavens sake.

We're in the midst of dealing with real matters -we'e got 15,000 people about to be chucked out of court on bank charges, we've got thousand of new people in debt to help, we're in the midst at looking at the financial eduation programme, working with consumer first on trying to get decent change on a range of scams, getting involed in trying to stop credit card stealth charges and a lot more - I've done a 70 hour week alreadh and have another ahead.

And here I am on Sunday night taking a kicking over a couple of smilies.

This is depressing, frustrating and ridiculous. I shouldn't make this post - normally Im much better at venting privately - but this makes me despair.

Martin.

The_Banker_5

MSE_Martin wrote: »

On a personal note - can I just say how depressing I find this whole thread.

I love this forum. I'm very proud of it. It does a tremendous amount of good, is a mine field of incredible info and a dynamic helpful community that moves me constantly.

Behind the scenes we deal with a host of abuse reports from people - some reasonable, some not. Some by vulnerable people, some not. Some we agree with, some not - yet we try and help all.

Its a bit institution, we need lawyers, fight legal notes about whats said constantly, put huge time and resouce into it. All with an aim to make it work best for users and provide info for consumers.

Much goes on behind the scenes to make it work - and lots of people are involved. No one has a vested interest in making the site worse - all hae the aim of making it better and protection it.

We have complaints that make you pull your hair out with despair - or cry with sympathy.

We don't charge anyone - we try and make the forum a good place to be - its not easy. We can't read every post and we don't have the wisdom of solomon (no forum of this size could work by a moderator system - and legally i cannot operate it via that method as then each post would deam to have been legitimisted by me).

We try and make small changes, iterative change to see if they improve things. And we get berated and rude comments - told "it won't work", "you've lost your credibility", "we're going to leave the site."

For goodness sake, we're in the midst of dealing with real matters -we'e got 15,000 people about to be chucked out of court on bank charges, we've got thousand of new people in debt to help, we're in the midst at looking at the financial eduation programme, working with consumer first on trying to get decent change on a range of scams, getting involed in trying to stop credit card stealth charges.

And here I am on Sunday night taking a kicking over a couple of smilies.

You know what perhaps you're right - perhaps it won't make any difference. Is that a reason to not try. Is it a reason to come and make insulting noises that we don't know what we're doing.

This is depressing, frustrating and ridiculous. I shouldn't make this post - normally Im much better at venting privately - but this makes me despair.
.

Congratulations on 7,000 posts BTW.:D

custardy

MSE_Martin wrote: »

We can't read every post and we don't have the wisdom of solomon (no forum of this size could work by a moderator system - and legally i cannot operate it via that method as then each post would deam to have been legitimisted by me).



Martin.

martin on the site i moderate(not a small site!) the owner looked into the same issue
it was deemed as long as the post wasnt edited by forum staff then it was the views of the poster
so as long as it was left or deleted it was fine,only when edited did it become 'legitimised' by the staff

moneymakestheworldgoround

The_Banker wrote: »

Congratulations on 7,000 posts BTW.:D

The guy pours his heart out, and that was your response? Bless you

The_Banker_5

moneymakestheworldgoround wrote: »

The guy pours his heart out, and that was your response? Bless you

Well I offered to moderate the forum free as well.:D


Keep on topic please.;)

fermi

MSE_Martin wrote: »

On a personal note - can I just say how depressing I find this whole thread.

So do I to be honest.

Partly, it's the attutude of you and your team that has upset me, in the light of current problems.

I've heard of 4 (confirmed) people on the DFW/BR board last year committing suicide over their debts, and you are worried over smilies?