A moment's reflection, and fermi for moderator

nearlyrich

rog2 wrote: »

Please, nr, do not take anything in this thread personally - we do appreciate your role as board guide. Sometimes the roles of board-guides and moderators can become confused. Occasionally, too, there is an intervention by 'forum manager' who has openly stated that he 'can close threads'.
Sometimes, as I'm sure you will agree, it is difficult to ignore posts which are so obviously designed to be 'bankruptcy knocking' and ther could be a viable reason for having some internal input to the role of moderation.

Rog I work in sales, I don't take anything personally but as you say there is some confusion about the role of the BG and who deleted what!

Whilst it is difficult to ignore people knocking bankruptcy as I have explained above it would mean less lost threads all round, there isn't enough resource to enable constant monitoring of all the boards.

tight_jock

nearlyrich wrote: »

IIf someone is abusive and their comments are ignored and left in isolation a) they won't get any reaction will probably get bored and go away and b) it will be easier for the abuse team to just delete one post and the thread can continue.

The problem with this is that the subject matter is so emotive on this section and can be ( literally) life or death at times. Those who need help can be subjected to totally inappropriate comments and information. Those who know the BR system WILL jump in to defend or challenge.

It`s not just about ignoring a bit of name calling here. The stakes can be much higher here.

nearlyrich

I understand exactly what you mean TJ, the quickest way to get rid of an abusive poster is to report it to abuse.

ImStillAlive

nearlyrich wrote: »

I understand exactly what you mean TJ, the quickest way to get rid of an abusive poster is to report it to abuse.

And unfortunately that is the problem, up to 48HRs is far too long in the situation TJ describes, and although it is usually faster I have seen it take that long.

But having a more active board guide (and that is meant in no way as a criticism upon yourself) who can ‘hide’ threads as you say, will go some way towards alleviating that at least.

So maybe a dedicated board guide for the BR board may be a step in the right direction here.

As I said in my first post, not only is it putting new posters off, it is also forcing other posters who have a lot to contribute to leave the board which is a great loss to everyone.

nearlyrich

If you drop me a pm at the same time as reporting it to abuse if I am about I can hide the thread but I'm not always around because I work.....

Richard_S

nearlyrich wrote: »

If you drop me a pm at the same time as reporting it to abuse if I am about I can hide the thread but I'm not always around because I work.....

Hi rich,

That's an interesting comment. I've had the Debt Charities links deleted from my signature, despite emailing for permission, and getting no respone. I sent you a PM to ask what I needed to do, and your PM Inbox exceeds the permitted limit so it was returned.

It's pointless trying to convince intelligent people that have held reponsible jobs and run their own businesses that nothing can be done about the problems on here because it's just not true; it's the will to do it that's lacking, not the means.

Regards

Richard

P.S Can anybody tell me what I need to do to get the Debt Charity links re-instated? Or would MSE rather people use google and come up with fee paying sites?

squirrel_pigeon

Whilst I agree that the board guides do a good job, and NRs appearance PROVES they do read the boards, their job is not to deal with abuse.

Recent events on this board have proven the need for active moderation. Waiting nearly 2 days for threads to be deleted is just wrong on a board that is so emotive. How many first time viewers saw the debacle that occured over a few days the other week and have decided never to return?

We're all (apart from perhaps Fermi ) guilty of letting our emotions get the better of us, but if the threads had been deleted when the first abuse report was made, it would never have got that far.

We know that the board guides have jobs and families. Most people do. And I'm not saying that they shouldn't be doing the job. But they SHOULD have the power to delete (or at least review) abusive threads.

The point that was made earlier about having the right of appeal is also valid. I've seen forums on other topics descend into chaos and I'd hate to see that happen here.

rog2

nearlyrich wrote: »

If someone is abusive and their comments are ignored and left in isolation a) they won't get any reaction will probably get bored and go away and b) it will be easier for the abuse team to just delete one post and the thread can continue.

Therein lies the problem, nr. It takes a lot of courage for someone to make their first post on this board - they have probably been 'bottling up' their emotions, maybe even not discussing their problems with their closest partner (I know I was like that) and many people 'lurk' for several days even weeks before posting.
If their first post is met with a torrent of abuse about 'taking the easy way out' they are likely to be frightened off of the board forever, unless they also see supportive posts.
It is difficult just to 'ignore' a post which is obviously designed to be vitriolic - they don't just hurt the OP, they are an insult to all of us. For such posts to remain unchallenged, often for daysm can be seen as a victory for the troll that posts them.
It's a very difficult one nr - I don't know the solution - over 'moderation' becomes, in effect, censorship which is the last thing we need.

Glad

ImStillAlive wrote: »

May i be so bold as to ask for a bit of clarification regarding the role of board guide?

Is it correct that although you have no power to delete posts are you able to lock threads if they have got too far out of hand, until the the moderators can review them and decide what action to take?

:: BOARD GUIDE ROLE DESCRIPTION ::

the above is a link to the official BG description posted in the Site Feedback: Questions & suggestions board

ClaireLR

Here is a thread that was about this subject from a while back

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=464627&highlight=%27moderating%27