POSTS GOING INTO THE WRONG CATEGORY

I'm not sure 'the problem' is forum moderation;  note that their header posting says that posts are deleted "when reported".  It wouldn't surprise me that some members who consider themselves "forum policemen" are reporting any posts that don't meet THEIR narrow view of what content a particular forum should have, and those are the more controversial deletions.

SZ

@Steinzeit posted:

I'm not sure 'the problem' is forum moderation;  note that their header posting says that posts are deleted "when reported".  It wouldn't surprise me that some members who consider themselves "forum policemen" are reporting any posts that don't meet THEIR narrow view of what content a particular forum should have, and those are the more controversial deletions.

SZ

I agree this is part of the issue. The chronic “alerters” are part of the problem in equal part. But so is the willingness of forum moderation to jump to their service each time they whine. It just enables them further. If the “alerters” were ignored for some period of time, they would cry it out and realize their tantrums get no attention. Then moderation could become less of a chore.

SZ and Greg R, you guys are putting forth a pretty harsh assessment of the situation.

There are several forum members who send alerts on  a regular basis about this kind of thing. It's not that the posts, "...don't meet THEIR narrow view..." of where posts should go. Rather they are trying to help us keep this place organized.

As I write this, there are 161,926 threads on this forum, containing 1,793,417 replies. So far this month, the forum has served 6,067,219 pages. More than a hundred new threads are started every day. There is absolutely no way that anyone on the OGR staff can monitor all that activity and keep the place organized. OGR would have to hire two people full-time just to monitor this action.

Instead, we have several members who volunteer their time to watch for new posts and check them to see if they are in the right place. Without their help, this forum would be a mess.

Instead of criticizing them, you should be thanking them.

I'm sure, Mr Melvin, that the volunteers in toto make the correct decisions about the wrong forum most of the time -- I did qualify my post in that regard.

But let's be specific:  It was the deletion from the 3R Scale Forum of the Carey Williams' post on the 1953 G that in my opinion really lit the fuse on this deletion discussion -- a post with really good information by a respected poster.  So if it didn't belong in that forum, where did it belong, and why ?   And isn't this a case where, even if  it were in the wrong forum, the volunteer should have used some discretion ?

I imagine you always thanked the FRA Inspectors who were there "just to help" too....[ insert smiley face thing here ].

SZ

OK...got an alert to take a look at this thread.  First, read the TOS.  Discussion about deletion of posts, forum moderation, etc. is not allowed simply because of some of the condescending comments above.

Directly from the TOS:

MODERATION OF THIS FORUM OGR Publishing, Inc. reserves the right to delete any message, at any time, for any reason. OGR Publishing, Inc. reserves the right to reject any registration for this Forum for any reason. User accounts that have been inactive for a prolonged period of time may be deleted without notice. This Forum is for the purpose of discussing trains and model railroading. Questions or comments about the moderation of this forum will be deleted with or without out comment. If you have a question about a deleted posting, please send us email. Do not post your question because that post will also be deleted. You may or may not receive a response to your Email. Breaking of this rule may result in either a termination of your account or a temporary disabling of your account.

We have been warning folks for a long time about placing posts in the wrong category so don't get your dander up.

Now, I could just delete this thread because of the TOS rule but I will leave it up long enough for GregR and others to read it.  Then if you don't agree, so be it.  You have choices.

@GregR posted:

In a recent post, a moderator asked for help with this particular issue. Here is my advice:

1. If you ask for help, kindly leave the thread open. Don’t block replies from members. If you solicit assistance, please be prepared to receive it. Conversations are productive.

2. Moderation states that repeat offenders are a major issue. Therefore, why not deal with offenders on an individual basis and impose restrictions, if necessary, to stop recurrence?

3. Please consider re-writing your descriptions of each category. They are currently ambiguous and confusing. I state this from the perspective of someone with 40 years in this hobby. With these fuzzy descriptions it is no wonder posts keep getting miscategorized. You cited 3-rail scale as a specific problem area. Define it better. Describe it as a category to post 1:48 scale, high-end product, intended for the adult hobbyist which excludes toy trains or trains operated on tinplate toy track.

4. Do not delete subscriber posts. It is disrespectful. OGR members invest their time, energy, and thoughts into making posts that seek help, or contribute to the betterment of the hobby. Moreover, their subscription and financial support contributes to the welfare of the magazine and forum.

One more point here.  The original thread was closed BECAUSE we were not inviting discussion per our TOS.  You point out about it being disrespectful to delete member's posts....boy do you need to spend just a few days moderating this forum.  You have no idea!

By the way Greg, the categories, at least some of them, do have brief definitions associated with them BUT if you think you can better define them, then please do so and send those definitions to me directly.  I will be more than happy to consider your suggestions.