Staying On Topic

cockneysean

I have had a few suggestions to make lately, and here is another that I would like to make; do you think that the admins of their respective forum sections could do more to make sure that threads stay on topic and remove posts that cause threads to drift severely off topic where posts are made that detract completely from the issue at hand and are actually deemed quite insensitive?

MSE is a really good website with lots of valuable information but there are certain users that jump into the middle of a thread and make pedantic remarks that provide absolutely no information and add nothing of value to the thread at all? I have reported a few posts but nothing seems to be done about them. It is a shame as in particular I think that it can put new users off, and after all the site should feel open and welcome to all whether they be newcomers or posters of old. I feel that this is why there are a number of users seen that make one post and then disappear never to be seen again as they are probably put off by the way that certain users "close ranks" and act in a bullying and condescending manner.

If you want to act that way there are better websites than this for you to go and do that on. This is a website about money matters and I believe that it should be kept that way!

grumbler

cockneysean wrote: »

.... do you think that the admins of their respective forum sections could do more to make sure that threads stay on topic and remove posts that cause threads to drift severely off topic where posts are made that detract completely from the issue at hand and are actually deemed quite insensitive?

I think you want far too much from people that volunteered to be board guides (not 'admins').

there are certain users that jump into the middle of a thread and make pedantic remarks that provide absolutely no information and add nothing of value to the thread at all?

I think I am one of these pedants

I have reported a few posts but nothing seems to be done about them.

Reported for what?
The button is for reporting "inappropriate, offensive, or racist" posts only.

Did you read the Forum rules?

fermi

Board Guides are not admins, and the roles don't quite work as you might be thinking.

May be useful to read: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/forum-faqs#team

Aquamania

cockneysean wrote: »

I have had a few suggestions to make lately, and here is another that I would like to make; do you think that the admins of their respective forum sections could do more to make sure that threads stay on topic and remove posts that cause threads to drift severely off topic where posts are made that detract completely from the issue at hand and are actually deemed quite insensitive?

MSE is a really good website with lots of valuable information but there are certain users that jump into the middle of a thread and make pedantic remarks that provide absolutely no information and add nothing of value to the thread at all? I have reported a few posts but nothing seems to be done about them. It is a shame as in particular I think that it can put new users off, and after all the site should feel open and welcome to all whether they be newcomers or posters of old. I feel that this is why there are a number of users seen that make one post and then disappear never to be seen again as they are probably put off by the way that certain users "close ranks" and act in a bullying and condescending manner.

If you want to act that way there are better websites than this for you to go and do that on. This is a website about money matters and I believe that it should be kept that way!

It is indeed part of the role of the volunteer Board Guides on this site to help keep threads on topic. (as per the link posted by fermi). As in all walks of like, some are better at performing this function than others. (and I sould also point out I have become aware of some Board Guides who are 'volunteered' onto some boards that they have no real interest of and so often don't read posts/threads there unless you ask them to)

As regards to reporting posts, it is often impossible to tell if any action has been taken. Sometimes posts are removed which you may spot, but this isn't the only form of action than can take place. Any other action is usually done in private between the Forum Team and the poster(s) concerned.

But if you do spot any inappropriate posts, particularly those which could be perceived as bullying, please do help us all and continue to report such posts.

grumbler

Aquamania wrote: »

It is indeed part of the role of the volunteer Board Guides on this site to help keep threads on topic....

Not by deleting of-topic posts as the OP suggested. AFAIK, they don't even have powers for this. All they can is post comments, lock threads and report them to the Towers.

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi!

Our board guides are fantastic at helping keep their forums running smoothly but we don't ask them to read every thread - in fact we ask them not to.

If you think a thread can do with some help from them at keeping it on topic feel free to send them the link so they see it. We don't generally remove off-topic posts though, simply aim to steer it back to the MoneySaving topic to help the original poster.

Andrea