Thinking of Leaving

[Bing]

Posted by Bing:
"There's no argument because (in my experience) there is no opportunity to argue. One is contacted by the mods who informs you of the report, alleged infraction and then disappears behind the scenes to continue the trial via PM with the rest of Star Chamber. When all is done a mod reappears in your PM box to announce the verdict and pass sentence if appropriate."


Actually Bing, this is incorrect.

In your case you were contacted by the Moderators and given ample opportunity to speak, to present a defense or to state your position. You chose not to take part in the discussion, present any evidence, or even to state your position.

I have just checked the proceedings in the case you refer to and your response to the Moderators was a single, short, terse sentence.
If you wish I can quote you here.

I do recall letting the mod know to go ahead and edit my post if that's the terse sentence to which you refer. I would have edited it myself but as it was in Cooling Off I no longer had access to the button.

Makes no nevermind to me though, as I've come to a decision from watching the ebb and flow of this thread.

As attributed to Groucho Marx in a wire sent to The Friar's Club of Beverly Hills,

PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT PEOPLE LIKE ME AS A MEMBER

[BobsYourUncle]

Jock Scot is a cool dude.

That's what I have to say in this thread.

*** Jock Scot RULES. If everyone just abided by WWJSD, none of the issues discussed herein would arise. [What Would Jock Scot Do] End of Sermon

[Jock Scot]

*** Jock Scot RULES. If everyone just abided by WWJSD, none of the issues discussed herein would arise. [What Would Jock Scot Do] End of Sermon

Just remember that Jock Scot is not by any means perfect!

[Redshank]

Just remember that Jock Scot is not by any means perfect!

Almost

[Jock Scot]

Almost

Well OK, it would be churlish of me to disagree with you, but I should really!

[Steve Ashton]

I re-read this thread from start to finish again and somehow a very important part of a message way back in post #40 seems to have been overlooked by many.

The OP, Biblemonkey in post #40 said:

" The warmth and appreciation of some here is very encouraging but if I open a thread and am afraid of posting because I see a particular name on there then it's like being at a party with someone you know is going to get drunk and treat you like crap."

Whether or not you want to believe it very few posts get reported to the Moderators. There is currently only one under deliberation. On average they receive one, or seldom two in a week.

And contrary to what some have said on this thread it is not "a few thin-skinned individuals" who always report posts. Quite the contrary.

What is relevant to this discussion was pointed out by the OP of this thread when he tried to clarify his reason for thinking about leaving.

The facts bear out that it is the same people being reported over and over. This small but vocal group seem to revel in posting to incite controversy. They post only on what they call "The juicy threads". They post in a way that they know will cause further controversy and they seem to delight in barely skirting the rules in their posts. They like the controversy and do whatever they can to keep it going.

It's not a group of "thin skinned whiners" who report posts that is the problem. It is those who seem to enjoy disturbing the forum for others.

When I read through posts, if I see familiar names in a thread, those who have been reported before, I can usually expect another report to be filed. Not about the thread but about a post from one of these repeat offenders.

From the staff side of the house the problem is not an overly sensitive reporter, it is the repeat offender. In some ways the old system where a member could be banned instantly was much easier on the moderators. Under the current policy the Moderatos seem to spend a lot of time dealing with the same people.

It is not the same names who file the reports, it is the same names who are being reported.

Take a careful look over the posts that have needed to be sent to the cooling off corner and you will see the same names over and over posting and causing the threads to become derailed and sent there.

The facts are there for those who would care to look.

[McClef]

I feel strongly that any report should include specific reasons for the report action, including the numbers of specific posts if the thread is lengthy. I do not think a thread should be at all effected simply because a report was filed. If the report does not include enough information for the mods to make a decision, I think the thread should continue while the mods investigate and deliberate. To allow a thread to be closed or quarantined simply because a report was lodged is disingenuous.

I wish to assure you that it is NOT the case that a thread is always closed or quarantined simply because a report has been lodged.

I would refer you to the policy at http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...dispute_policy

and specifically to:

Reporting a Post sends an alert notice to the Forum Moderators. The first Moderator on-line, will review the post or thread that has been reported.
If the Moderator deems that the post or thread needs to be moved off the open forum, it will be moved to our Holding Cell until such time as the other Moderators have had a chance to log-in, review, discuss and vote on the report.

If the Moderator feels that further posting to the thread may cause dissent or further inflame the issue the thread may be locked. Locked threads and reported threads are moved to our Cool Off Corner while the discussions with everyone involved take place.

And indeed the other Moderators can overrule such action by the first Moderator if they feel that such drastic action was inappropriate. We are all individuals and therefore may see things in a different way - we are not assimilated into the Moderatorial Borg when we join the staff.

[Cynthia]

There is no such thing as a perfect forum online. I don't care what anyone says... what may seem like a perfect place for them would be blah for someone else.

That said, I appreciate this forum and it's one of the ones I've felt most comfortable on. I consider it my "home" forum, even if I don't post frequently. I have never had any problems with anyone, nor have I ever been reported. Sure, I've been frustrated about things and even vented to friends, but I never bothered to report something. I do sometimes wish I could have more options to ignore threads, but at least there is the ignore feature. I've never even used the report feature. I still get irritated, offended, and annoyed like any other human being might... but I've learned over time it's just not worth my time to let things get to me too much. To be honest, the sort of things that bother me here are far worse at another forum I'm on, and while I almost never post there I do still visit and skim the posts.

I also know that moderators have a thankless job and due to past experience as well as seeing what friends have gone through as moderators (not necessarily here), it's no wonder I will never be a moderator and have turned it down twice here.

It's great to discuss differing views and opinions. It's awesome to be able to work through things and understand other sides. And if it doesn't work out, then best wishes... I'm sure that person will find another community more to their liking -- and I truly mean that. It's a shame to see anyone leave, but if they're not happy, then why continue to be unhappy?

That's the nature of the Internet. Things change, people's needs change, and there are always others elsewhere that can suit their needs better.

So thank you to Steve and all the moderators. And thank you especially to the members of XMTS. I'm here to stay for a while.

Best wishes!