Four Ums and a Te Chris

[monki]

it probably is the weather but i just cant be bothered with it anymore. gone are the times where dm.c used to be worth posting in. scurvydog posts [bovine eyelashes], he's single handedly ruined these forums for me. im not backing Chris cos i know him, im backing chris cos im sick of scurvydog talking drivel. we all support Dunedin music as much as each other but [shirt], someone back hand that fool

[scurvydog]

[The Spruce Moose]

I think floyndinator is right about ‘these trollers’ targeting scurvydog’s threads

That's because it's so [forking] easy. Scurvydog has also ruined the forum for me. Some of the pointless [bovine eyelashes] that he posts just makes me cringe. Restrict him to one post a week or something...

[scurvydog]

How about if there is less trolling from now on, then I won't post such bovine eylelash topics? That way we are all happy.

[evan]

Sigh.

I'll wade in here, and I will keep my opinions about what went on in that other thread to myself.

When I moderate, no matter what I do, I get flak for it.
When I don't moderate, I get flak for it.

My intention is this: That everyone can feel comfortable to use these forums. That includes the left, the right, young, old, everyone. I get emails from people telling me they can't, and won't, because too much swearing goes on. And then on the other hand you have the constant whining about the swear-filter - from people who actually post here, it has to be said, which gives them a bigger voice. I say this only to demonstrate that there is a wide body of opinion on how this place should be run, which is cool, because it means people want to be involved.

On the OT/troll issue I've been clear before - if you start a thread and are upset that it's been taken off topic, then tell me and I'll sort it out. As far as I'm concerned most of what goes on is generally light facetiousness, and I certainly have a much darker view of, for example, threats of violence.

So the issue here, as always, is, how do we make everyone happy?

I have one idea (yep, just one) and I'd appreciate your opinions on it:
We split the forums into two well-defined "zones" - one zone which is heavily moderated, no swearing, no off-topic, and disagreements are handled calmly. Posts are deleted if they fall outside these bounds, and people lose posting privileges if they abuse them. The second zone has no filtering, and is only moderated to make sure there is no directly abusive stuff going on - like illegality, threats of violence, revealing of identities and so forth.
I figure that this way maybe we can attract some of the people who always wanted to join the fray but for a number of reasons did not. Because we all know that the dialogue here will be far more rewarding if it is not being dominated by two or three people.

[scurvydog]

Thanks Evan, the voice of wisdom as ever.
It is obvious that certain posters - me included - have somewhat spoiled things recently for some.
If nothing else, this thread has brought it to a head and we need a solution.
My wish is we all reflect on what we post a bit more carefully. I am sure we can all get along if we refrain from:
* saying things we know will wind people up, just for fun
*scurvy dog 'special' topics
*taking adverse comments too much to heart
So personally I don't think we need a two stream forum, but maybe a moderator 'yellow card' system. Too many and you are sanctioned.

[evan]

Yes, but we have nothing in our rules that says "don't be immature" or anything like that, so warnings at the moment would have to be for serious stuff.
I don't know, I suppose I don't want people to have to refrain form anything either...
... and your third asterisk is a good piece of advice for us all, in most situations!

[ketan611]

Why the bad juju all of a sudden?

kumbaya, my lord, kumbaya.

[scurvydog]

Dunedin music is pretty damn strong at the moment, it would be stronger if we all pulled together and made Dunners the centre of exciting new music in NZ. And that comes from the forums up. I will endeavour to improve my contribution. I hope others follow.

[Elvis_Christ]

blah

[blixa bartab]

They should put IHC ads in all your threads...

Uh, isn't that a bit 'Paul Henry'?

Anyway, on to what I was gonna post -

... kumbaya, my lord, kumbaya.

At last, something about music. Sorta. Just barely.


--------- --------------------------- ---------------


Now, to something completely not different –

Being a moderator can be a thankless task (which means yeah, I’ve done it) but it can also be a necessary one. NO-ONE should be giving Evan flak when he is doing his best to be a voice of reason; if they don’t like his arbitration, then they should simply sod off & start their own site where they can be as obnoxious & immature as they please

From past experience I know smaller sites are vulnerable to being gate-crashed by idiots - there are people who don’t give a sh*te about anything but their own egos.

Whether it’s ‘normal’ sites (like dundinmusic.com, or BDSMforbeginners), or weirdo ones (such as teaspooncollector.org, & vauxhallvivasrule4eva.co.uk), habitual trolling and/or hijacking of threads kills sensible discussion.

Eventually people give up 'cause it’s not worth bothering.

So I reckon that moderators/moderation are an unfortunate necessity.

Sorry to be awkward Evan, but I think a two zone system will just end up with the options of either unnatural, even stilted expression, or a complete free-for-all - at worst a cyber bar-brawl. Either of which would be a bit sucky.

If people can't use restraint they should be get some warning, but if they refuse to take notice then I think they should be barred. Yeah - I include myself in that.

[Elvis_Christ]

Uh, isn't that a bit 'Paul Henry'?

I hear he's commentating the next Special Olympics.

[blixa bartab]

Whoah! That reminds me of a deeply offensive, but very funny joke - one that I'll keep to myself - if only to stop from going 'off topic'

[scurvydog]

Very 'punk rock' Elvis_Christ. Denegrating intellectual/physical disabilities. Yeah, I would rather listen to your diatribe of obvious superior posts.

[Elvis_Christ]

Yeah, I would rather listen to your diatribe of obvious superior posts.

Yeh they should be printed on gold paper and sold by the millions. You're right there man.