Good form

[Freedomlover]

To: the management,

I don't particularly mind having a thread shut off wherein another member and I were discussing the cultural application of common English words because I understand that the owners can do as they jolly well please. But I do consider it extremely low class to do it without even the common courtesy of mentioning your lack of semantic appreciation to either of us. (Notwithstanding insipid "keep it down boys" admonitions since there was nothing to keep down except perhaps the somewhat refined terms of our discussion.)

We were always on topic, but perhaps it required more than pedestrian perspicasity to follow us. Sorry about that.

And this post is not a complaint about the rules, it is an observation that there seem to be certain tenuous extensions of the actual published rules that are at the discretion of the moderators. We are not mindreaders.

But Apollo has spoken, hasn't he? Or perhaps more accurately, the limited minds of some have been catered to.

For a forum that claims to promote diversity the deletion of a 180 odd post thread that a lot of thought went into (at least from most) because at best a very few people could not follow the logic of it is shameful.

[Archangel]

Some of the posters were pushing buttons and being insensitive. The thread was really an old issue oozing out of some place again. It was answered in the first few posts. I was surprised it lasted that long.
Your sarcasm probably didn't help your cause. You also have no right to appeal to diversity since you claimed it was a modern foible, you used better words.
So, a quaint Scottish expression: tough.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Mods,

Out of curiousity, how many posts did that thread get to? I agree with Archangel that it had gone on too long. The only reason I continued to monitor it was because it seemed to be the longest thread that I could find and I wondered if it would break 200 posts. The number of views was also pretty large, over 3000 I believe.

I would like to have seen it kept around but closed for new posts as I think that there was a lot of good discussion that would be valuable to new people coming to the site.

[macwilkin]

Mods,

Out of curiousity, how many posts did that thread get to? I agree with Archangel that it had gone on too long. The only reason I continued to monitor it was because it seemed to be the longest thread that I could find and I wondered if it would break 200 posts. The number of views was also pretty large, over 3000 I believe.

I would like to have seen it kept around but closed for new posts as I think that there was a lot of good discussion that would be valuable to new people coming to the site.

The thread is back in the General Kilt section, but in "lock down" mode.

Regards,

Todd

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

The thread is back in the General Kilt section, but in "lock down" mode.

Regards,

Todd

Todd, Thanks! And in reviewing the few posts I had not seen, I see my last post that attempted to add some humor and levity was taken as a serious post. Should have added a smiley :grin:

Although it did get them to agree to something!

Jkdesq and Freedomlover, there was no malice intended, sorry if it was taken that way.

RJI

[Freedomlover]

Jkdesq and Freedomlover, there was no malice intended, sorry if it was taken that way.
RJI

I never thought there was. In the year or so I have been around here I have found only one malicious person (who shall remain anonymous).

[jjoseph]

I do not know which thread is being referred to, but I have seen several posts over the last weeks re. threads which moderators had pulled/locked, etc. Maybe I'm missing the point, but isn't that what moderators do? Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I figure while I'm on Xmarks, I'm someone's guest, not a paying member of a club or a voting member of a board. It's their house; if I'm not comfortable with the rules, shouldn't I go to the host rather than the other guests? Besides, isn't the idea to foster relationship and communication about kilts and kilt-wearing? If a thread, even a good and lively one in "off topic" is starting to either wreck relationships or be a distraction, isn't that just what moderators are for? to pull the thread and help us get back to the business of building up the list? Imperfections and all this is a really cool thing. Some folks are doing a lot of hard work to create and maintain it. Kudos to the guys who love discussion. Kudos to the ones who help us keep it good.

[jkdesq]

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I figure while I'm on Xmarks, I'm someone's guest, not a paying member of a club or a voting member of a board. It's their house; if I'm not comfortable with the rules, shouldn't I go to the host rather than the other guests? Besides, isn't the idea to foster relationship and communication about kilts and kilt-wearing? If a thread, even a good and lively one in "off topic" is starting to either wreck relationships or be a distraction, isn't that just what moderators are for?

I guess I don't see it that way. If one invites people to one's house for a political decision, one should not be suprized when a political disagreement arises. Same if one invites people for a Bible study. Whether the dispute is over the rights of the proletariat, con or transubstantiation, If people are intended to discuss things, there is going to be disagreement. If a person inviting discussion is not anticipating disagreement, I would suggest that the person is not really seeking a full and frank exchange of ideas.

It surprized me that the entire thread was pulled without any word of why. As I couldn't check what I posted (as I had no access), I couldn't go back and make sure that I didn't say something offensive. It was open to speculate that someone had said something way beyond the pale that I had not seen. My suggestion is that if threads are going to be pulled or locked, the recent posters should be given some reason as to why. If their conduct is impugned, they should be told what they did wrong and what rule they broke.

If people don't know why these things happen, there will be a chill effect. People will be afraid to say anything controversial. Posts will become less interesting and forum members will loose interest. The page will loose momentum. My two cents.

[highlandtide]

If people don't know why these things happen, there will be a chill effect. People will be afraid to say anything controversial. Posts will become less interesting and forum members will loose interest. The page will loose momentum. My two cents.

Maybe you should refer to the FAQ/Rules.

Also refer to this which I posted a while back, and a while back before that. Man I feel like I am on a loop with this one...

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...56&postcount=5

[Colin]

If people don't know why these things happen, there will be a chill effect. People will be afraid to say anything controversial. Posts will become less interesting and forum members will loose interest. The page will loose momentum. My two cents.

I was one of the first members here, and people have been saying that exact same thing since the day I signed up. Hank has gotten more vigilant in that time (call it tried and tested experience) and yet interest in this site has only increased more rapidly. Jjoseph is right, we are not paying members of this forum, not are we members of a board. This is a free service for like minded people that enjoy Highland dress. As for less interesting posts, I find the controversial ones the most boring of the lot.

Hank and the moderator team (which was originally just Nelson than added Rufus, and now stands at 5) have always been clear about the rules and their desire to maintain the peace on this forum. If people do have an issue with any of the political or religious discussions being removed in an attempt to keep that peace, I suggest that you start your own side forum where those discussions can take place and where you can make the rules.

I was always raised that when you are a guest, that you pay respect to the hosts rules. Do I always like it or agree with them.....no I don't, but I am still a guest so I will keep my mouth shut and live with it.