Ask a Webmaster- here's a chance to ask anything you've been wondering about!

[MUFFYCAT]

Do I need to ask the Dis if it is OK to burp within the next 30 minutes?

I did last night.

 

[Southern4sure]

I did last night.

Oops... , didnt know that. Did you get many responses?

 

[mickeyfan2]

5) How do you make sure the person doing the reporting of a post is not out to get the poster?

Not sure exactly what you're asking here, but you can always send an email to the webmasters at admin@wdwinfo.com if you have concerns or questions. We do take these very seriously, and consider what's in the best interest of fairness for all.

What if poster A had it out for poster B. Everytime poster B posted a possible snarky comment poster A reported their post. This could go on for days and poster B finding themselves with tons of points. How do you prevent this?

Kathy says:

Easy! You prevent it by not posting snarky comments.



If a person reports a post that is months old, why would the mods give points. Seems there should be a time limit on violating posts.

There's really not a time limit, but we don't get a lot of reports on old posts.

But that seems unfair. So something that was ok a month ago can now be dug up to get me points? Seems like these could be kept until the person loses their signature and then reported, so they go over the top with points.

If a poster habitually posts attacking or rude posts, it doesn't really matter if it happened yesterday or last week or last month. Anyone who's posted enough of those to lose their posting privileges really isn't someone who should be posting on the DISboards. There are lots of other forums on the www where anything goes, and maybe that person would be a better fit on one of those forums.

 

[goldhawk]

Thanks for the response to my post above. I didn't realize you were responding so quickly or I would have asked the question that's really on my mind:

Will my 8 year old like Space Mountain?

 

[boomhauer]

5) How do you make sure the person doing the reporting of a post is not out to get the poster?

Not sure exactly what you're asking here, but you can always send an email to the webmasters at admin@wdwinfo.com if you have concerns or questions. We do take these very seriously, and consider what's in the best interest of fairness for all.

What if poster A had it out for poster B. Everytime poster B posted a possible snarky comment poster A reported their post. This could go on for days and poster B finding themselves with tons of points. How do you prevent this?

Kathy says:

Easy! You prevent it by not posting snarky comments.



If a person reports a post that is months old, why would the mods give points. Seems there should be a time limit on violating posts.

There's really not a time limit, but we don't get a lot of reports on old posts.

But that seems unfair. So something that was ok a month ago can now be dug up to get me points? Seems like these could be kept until the person loses their signature and then reported, so they go over the top with points.

If a poster habitually posts attacking or rude posts, it doesn't really matter if it happened yesterday or last week or last month. Anyone who's posted enough of those to lose their posting privileges really isn't someone who should be posting on the DISboards. There are lots of other forums on the www where anything goes, and maybe that person would be a better fit on one of those forums.

This is a very dangerous thread.

Mickeyfan2, you bring up some excellent points (no pun intended). One thing true about ANY message board is that the way something is intended by the poster could be read completely in a different way by someone else, be it another poster, moderator, webmaster, etc. I think the reason some are asking these questions (and I would include myself in this as well) is because we've seen instances involving ourselves as well as others, where certain posters get points or banned on a regular basis for "rude" or "attacking" posts. Granted, much of the time, they certainly earned it, but it's tough to swallow the "it doesn't matter who started it" rule. That rule is fine, but shouldn't mean that those who started it are immune to the same penalties as the one who responded.

Kathy says:

Who ever said that those who "started it" are immune to the penalties? The fact is that you know only what penalties have been applied to you, not what has been discussed or points issued to other posters.

You won't see what was said or what penalties were given to another poster, as we keep communications between admin here and individual posters private. But no one is immune to the consequences of rude behavior.

There are some that get away time and time again with posting the above mentioned type of posts. It's disheartening to think that there might be mods or webmasters who just have it out for certain posters while at the same time, are so friendly with other posters that they would allow them to post rude or attacking comments without penalty.

Again, the truth is that you simply do not see those communications, and should not assume that there was no penalty.

The only behavior you have control of is your own.

It happens on all message boards unfortunately.

 

[rer1972]

I don't know nuttin

I AGREE, SHE DOESN'T!

 

[kaw1218]

I AGREE, SHE DOESN'T!

That's right!!!


Hey!!!!

 

[JR6ooo4]

What about moving all the chat threads (1500 replies or more) to their own page.

Sometimes people here have real questions they would like their friends to help with, and their post gets shunted to page two in only moments.

Mikeeee

 

[rayelias]

What is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything?

Kathy says:
Wow. You *really* overestimate the powers of a webmaster.

42.

I thought this was a softball question!

Don't you just hate a know-it-all frog?

Froggyswife: you should be proud and lucky to be married to such a brillianly smart, well-informed, and obviously intellectual superior being. Albeit, no more intelligent than dolphins.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Originally Posted by DISMUDDA
I'll take this one Webmaster kathy! Such a sweetie you are!

The same reason they have them in Parking Garages!

Ok I gotz to go watch my SupperNannies show! Good night!

Uh, uh...not a legitimate answer to my question. Anyone else. I said who is it for...not why they are somewhere else.

What if the blind person was in the back or middle seat. Then the driver could pull up so the machine lines up with their window and the persons transaction will still be private.

Mikeeee

 

[lovetoscrap]

I'm just hoping that some of the posts that happened prior to the point system got grandfathered in. Not for me of course. I have a friend.

That shouldn't be a problem.

Anyone else hearing Garth Brooks in their mind right about now?

Sometimes I wonder about things like that. I was thinking are you a fan of Mickey and the number 2, were you saying Mickey fan also or was that the best available. I'm sure I'll be able to sleep better at nights now. Hey, at least you don't have crap in your name like some people.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Kathy says:

You don't think it's possible to post meaningful and interesting posts that are not snarky and rude?

One can have meaningful posts and have them deemed snarky and rude by others.

 

[phorsenuf]

Kathy says:

You don't think it's possible to post meaningful and interesting posts that are not snarky and rude?

But what could be snarky and rude to one person could be funny to another. It's hard to tell on a monotone message board how something is being said. Some posters already have their panties in a wad and tend to take things out of context or too personally when in fact it was just a joke. How does it get determined if the post was rude or was to come across as a ribbing.

Also, if someone gets points can they appeal the desicion to clarify what they meant in case it was taken wrong?

Absolutely! The best method is to contact the moderator who issued the points, and explain to them if you think they misunderstood. They can then request that the webmasters reverse the infraction if appropriate.

Remember that you're not having a private conversation with a friend when you post on the DISboards. This is a public forum, and your post will probably be read by many people.

Remember that the friend you are addressing with "You loser, you're the biggest slob who ever lived!" may know that you're joking, but dozens of other readers who see that and don't know your inside jokes or relationship may be offended if they perceive you're arguing.

It's best to keep the inside jokes and personal ribbing in private communications to reduce that confusion.

 

[MushyMushy]

But what could be snarky and rude to one person could be funny to another. It's hard to tell on a monotone message board how something is being said. Some posters already have their panties in a wad and tend to take things out of context or too personally when in fact it was just a joke. How does it get determined if the post was rude or was to come across as a ribbing.

Also, if someone gets points can they appeal the desicion to clarify what they meant in case it was taken wrong?

That actually did happen to me. I felt that the mod was very reasonable about it. I got points for something I said that was taken wrong (to be fair, it did sound bad when I went back and looked at it!), and I discussed it with the mod and she revoked the points.

If someone were to post things that got them points 10 times, then I think they need to sit back and maybe review their posting style.

 

[boomhauer]

Kathy says:

You don't think it's possible to post meaningful and interesting posts that are not snarky and rude?

I think it's possible. Lord knows, I've been guilty of not being able to contain my emotions on several occassions.

The part I don't udnerstand is when I get points for replying to a rude post, but the person who made the rude post does not. Granted, it's impossible for us to know whenever a user gets points, but for personal attacks, their points would usually be enough to warrant a missing signature. So, you can tell in some cases.

I guess I'll be the skapegoat and put my butt on the line, but I think from PM's I've received and other posts on this thread one question is "Why are some users evidently immune to receiving points?"

No one is immune, and it's entirely based on the content of the posts.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I can understand appealing to points that were given because of a misunderstanding, however I believe that most of us know when we're either crossing the line or at least straddling it. I've gotten points twice, admitted that I used poor judgement, and started watching my posting style a bit more. It's not really rocket science...I knew that I was crossing the line and chose to step over it for giggles. Plain and simple.

Kathy says: Thank you, T&B. That's really the point of the whole infraction system- to help let people know when they've hit that point!

Banning people for repeated infractions really isn't fun, and isn't our goal.

 

[phorsenuf]

I can understand appealing to points that were given because of a misunderstanding, however I believe that most of us know when we're either crossing the line or at least straddling it. I've gotten points twice, admitted that I used poor judgement, and started watching my posting style a bit more. It's not really rocket science...I knew that I was crossing the line and chose to step over it for giggles. Plain and simple.

Kathy says: Thank you, T&B. That's really the point of the whole infraction system- to help let people know when they've hit that point!

Banning people for repeated infractions really isn't fun, and isn't our goal.

Sucking up is not going to help you avoid getting points in the future you know....

Sorry, T&B, but

 

[Southern4sure]

4's, you beat me to it........

 

[boomhauer]

I can understand appealing to points that were given because of a misunderstanding, however I believe that most of us know when we're either crossing the line or at least straddling it. I've gotten points twice, admitted that I used poor judgement, and started watching my posting style a bit more. It's not really rocket science...I knew that I was crossing the line and chose to step over it for giggles. Plain and simple.

I agree. Tough as it is sometimes, if you can't keep it in, deal with the penalties.

I've received points a few times. Never would contest it. They expire in a matter of days and if you've received them, you probably should back off for a while as you were probably riled up about something.

Someone once told me a message board can be your best friend one second, and your worst enemy the next. You're bound to have some people that like you and some that don't. Just like in real life.

 

[bavaria]

Is it true that one can be banned from one or more boards but not the entire website?

Kathy says:

Yes, that's true. We've had a few cases where a poster had a specific "hot button" that only kicked in on a specific topic, and where that poster was helpful and positive on other forums. We have tried banning them only from the forum where they had trouble. I'm not sure if any of these posters are still active or not.

And what about the chronic 'innocent' potstirrers? the ones who seem to have a lot of their threads locked by starting a controversial/offensive/outrageous thread? do they get a little talking to? edited to add - I have no idea about the CB, but it happens elsewhere on this website (I'm still a little scared of the CB even though Tigger&Belle keeps telling me to come on over and play!)

These are a challenge to handle, as they tend to never actually step over the lines themselves, but seem to enjoy starting the drama and then sitting back to watch the fireworks. We have banned a few people over the years for this behavior when it became really disruptive, simple telling them that the DISboards is really not a good fit with their posting style.