Thread Deletion

[pphilipko]

Why are so many useful (an popular) threads being removed for permanent "review", especially since they were once stickies?

Everytime someone asks this, the topic is locked by a moderator, esp. nonny. And he/she isn't helping. "just find another way.", I quote.

Well, it seems to me that this forum is beginning to lose its usefulness, looking at the way its run...

I must admit however that it's still one of the better forums, despite its shortcomings in the way this forum is moderated.

[JaneL]

Everytime someone asks this, the topic is locked by a moderator, esp. nonny. And he/she isn't helping. "just find another way.", I quote.

Paraphrasing is one thing, but if you're going to quote me, at least have the courtesy to quote me correctly. I believe I said "For now, just assume it's not coming back, and proceed accordingly." and "It was pulled for review and is not available at the present.".

And, for the record, I'm a she.

[emorphien]

I agree, I have also been disappointed with the manners and methods of a certain moderator who shall remain nameless.

[pphilipko]

Everytime someone asks this, the topic is locked by a moderator, esp. nonny. And he/she isn't helping. "just find another way.", I quote.

Paraphrasing is one thing, but if you're going to quote me, at least have the courtesy to quote me correctly. I believe I said "For now, just assume it's not coming back, and proceed accordingly." and "It was pulled for review and is not available at the present.".

And, for the record, I'm a she.

Sorry for summarizing what you basically meant. But it would be enlightening to all if you could spare a few seconds to justify such actions!

[BillMorrow]

Why are so many useful (an popular) threads being
removed for permanent "review", especially since they were once stickies?

how many..?
which ones..?

Everytime someone asks this, the topic is locked by a moderator, esp.
nonny. And he/she isn't helping. "just find another way.", I quote.

every time..!
when, please..?
and please do not make this into a flame..

Well, it seems to me that this forum is beginning to lose its usefulness,
looking at the way its run...

please expand..?
maybe you want to say what "useful" means to you..?

I must admit however that it's still one of the better forums, despite its
shortcomings in the way this forum is moderated.

gee, thanks..

perhaps i should add some click through advertising or some pop-up ads..?
or, how about ask for donations to pay the costs..?
maybe that way i could quit my day job and devote more time to this, like take the time to re-do the read-me's..!?

[AlphaKilo470]

I like this forum but I do think that in many cases, threads are closed prematurely by the moderators. I figure that if there's a fight going on, you might as well let it finish and dwindle down so the users have it out of their systems and everyone else can get a little entertainment. Well, unless of course other users start jumping in like crazy.

Well, with that said, I'm not going to question any mod's decisions, just state my opinion and trust that the mods know what they're doing. I know the mod's aren't picked at random.

[BillMorrow]

I like this forum but I do think that in many cases, threads are closed prematurely by the moderators. I figure that if there's a fight going on, you might as well let it finish and dwindle down so the users have it out of their systems and everyone else can get a little entertainment. Well, unless of course other users start jumping in like crazy.

Well, with that said, I'm not going to question any mod's decisions, just state my opinion and trust that the mods know what they're doing. I know the mod's aren't picked at random.

uhmm, thanks for that thought..
but i think it is a waste of bandwidth to allow flame wars to burn out of control..
batuta, who i have sold a new 760CD, 760ED and 770 to, in past years, was becoming a bit too argumentative, for no good reason, to allow to stay..
so i banned him with DEEP REGRET, since he had a lot of experience and knowledge..
(and i feel very bad about having to do so)
i tend to agree with you that others can get a good laugh out of those flame wars, but i think its better to try for a courteous conversation..

because some may take it a bit too seriously..

no threads are deleted (except for some like a for sale item that has been sold)..
i store them in a place hidden from view until i can go through them and if there be merit, then restore it..
other threads do get moved to the correct confrence..
some leave a shadow link, i personally, do not..

i am always open to good thoughts and suggestions..

[pphilipko]

Well, there are several, but the one that I most recall is the one that summarizes everything, e.g. who to call to buy a thinkpad, cases, adapters, software, etc. It was VERY useful...to me, anyway.

Sorry, I think a better word would be "most of the time". When someone asked what happened to a thread, and it got locked. It was in the T-series forum. Interestingly enough, it got locked both times when someone asked.

It means that some threads that I often use are deleted, thereby, reducing the usefulness of the forum. However, I could always ask again, though I don't seem to understand the logic of it.

You don't need to get upset, Bill. It's not your fault, of course. I just hope moderators could justify their decisions when locking or removing threads, instead of saying "proceed accordingly".

I hope I'm not creating a flame war! I just want someone to restore those threads!!!

[JaneL]

Re emorphien's reference, there's no need to be coy. I'm the moderator who locked those two threads asking about the removed FAQ. I'm also the same moderator who has stopped several fights that were rapidly escalating. Posts that were deleted have, for the most part, been moved over to the moderator's private forum for review by the moderation team.

Re pphillipko's questions about the T series FAQ threads, I answered both questions to the best of my ability and then locked the threads to discourage the incessant questions. The simple answer is that the FAQ has been removed for review and is not available at this time. It is an admin decision, and there's nothing more to say on the matter at this time or, perhaps, ever.

I'm sorry that you don't like my succinct and terse style of writing, however, after many years, it's not likely to change.

[Deb Suran]

I figure that if there's a fight going on, you might as well let it finish and dwindle down so the users have it out of their systems and everyone else can get a little entertainment.
That's one of the quickest ways for a forum to sink to a lowest common denominator. We expect people here to be polite, and to behave as they would if they were guests in Bill's home. It would be well to remember that we are all Bill's guests here. The discussions that were removed were removed appropriately, the behavior in them was not the kind we want to see become commonplace on this forum.

[wolfman]

Here, here. Can't agree more. This is a wonderful resource and moderation (and hosting!) is a largely thankless, time consuming, and costly (in terms of hosting) job. On the level I think things are run well here and am grateful for the availability of the forum...so thanks - I don't think it's said very often and I've been watching here a while.

[BillMorrow]

Well, there are several, but the one that I most recall is the one that summarizes everything, e.g. who to call to buy a thinkpad, cases, adapters, software, etc. It was VERY useful...to me, anyway.

call ibm or lenovo to buy a thinkpad, case or the like..
or you can email me since i sell new thinkpads, memory, HDD's and the like, when i am not undercut on price by an extremely agressive vendor with better sources than i have been able to develop..

i know the one particular thread you mean..
it needs extensive editing..
it is the work of another who, in a fit of pique, over having his opus questioned, took himself away to a corner, someplace, to do what ever he is doing, now.. perhaps to study for his degree or some such.. or to find another "entitlement" with which to "work" the system..

why?
opinion presented as fact..
how to spoof the system..
semi legal comments..
and one or two other reasons, real or imagined, i can't recall just now..

i could do some cut and paste and re-present the good part, but having misplaced my drive, now is not the time..

IRT flames:
for reasons really obvious to any with an open mind,
there will be none of that, here.. period.. thanks..

It means that some threads that I often use are deleted, thereby, reducing the usefulness of the forum. However, I could always ask again, though I don't seem to understand the logic of it.

You don't need to get upset, Bill. It's not your fault, of course. I just hope moderators could justify their decisions when locking or removing threads, instead of saying "proceed accordingly".

not upset, just in a "terse" mood..

I hope I'm not creating a flame war! I just want someone to restore those threads!!!

no flame war..
a flame war is when one poster calls another a name that does NOT make most readers have a good chuckle..

but i hate to integrate the work of others, into the FAQ, without permission or attribution..

perhaps i'll take the time to do so..
soon..

if you tell me what you are seeking i may have some of it already cut out..

[K. Eng]

Every moderator has different standards for closing threads, so I can't speak for everyone. I'll close a thread only if it completely disolves into insults and no more helpful content is being added. IMO locking up threads should be done as seldom as possible, and reasons should be given why a thread is locked.

I like the moderation at Ars OpenForum (Elected & appointed mods who are accountable for their actions). I despise much of the moderation at AnandTech forums (annonymous mods who are inconsistent or hypocritical).

I like this forum but I do think that in many cases, threads are closed prematurely by the moderators. I figure that if there's a fight going on, you might as well let it finish and dwindle down so the users have it out of their systems and everyone else can get a little entertainment. Well, unless of course other users start jumping in like crazy.

Well, with that said, I'm not going to question any mod's decisions, just state my opinion and trust that the mods know what they're doing. I know the mod's aren't picked at random.