Can I ask a question...this will probably get locked but I don't understand!

[Beauty]

Can we no longer title a post here asking for another person?? I have been on this board for quite a few years now and it was never any problem to post....say for example,


Thread Title : Leslie how did it go at the school today

(yes I made up Leslie...)

There have been a few threads locked in the past days because someone asked a particular person a question. In the past YEARS this has never been a problem.....what is going on???? I guess I just don't get it. Posts like that aren't hurting anyone and I'm sure there are tons of people who would like to know the answers to these questions so pm or email just doesn't seem right.

I just think things are going a bit over the top lately. I'm not trying to start a fight but would love to understand why for years and years this has been fine and now all of a sudden it isn't. This, after all is a COMMUNITY BOARD why is it wrong for one member to ask the other questions on this forum??

 

[Claudia1]

Did I miss an announcement?

There are times that a person is doing something special that several of us are following. We can't ask if a baby is born to a certain person or if somebody has resolved a problem that has be previously discussed on the CB.

Believe me, I'm not trying to start anything either!!!!! This is news to me and I'm trying to sort it out.

 

[wovenwonder]

I agree that it has gone over the top lately. I beleive that when most of us make such a post we do not intend for it to be a private conversation BUT instead expect other people to also join in --- thus is why it is posted on the community board.

It's one thing if two people were trying to hold a 'private' conversation using the board -- then a PM is appropriate. But lately I don't believe that has been the case.

It would be like me posting
PRINCESS VIJA - how did you make out with the 'talk' to your DD?

I'm sure many people would like to know how the 'talk' went as many people have joined in on the topic (currently on page one and that is why i used that as an example). Often the original posts fall many pages back and it is just easier to post and easier to read if such a new topic is started.

 

[Dodie]

Originally posted by wovenwonder
It's one thing if two people were trying to hold a 'private' conversation using the board -- then a PM is appropriate. But lately I don't believe that has been the case.

I'm certainly NO DEBATER, but let me play devil's advocate here by stating that often those posts DO appear to be private conversations held between 2 or 3 or 4 people about a little private joke. Maybe it is something that came up in chat or maybe you know one another outside of the DIS Boards.

Although we all should just lighten up and ignore that if it bothers us, that kind of thing does make some people feel uncomfortable and left out...kind of like there's a clique and you're not in on the joke because you're not one of the cool kids.

I honestly don't know if this is what has led to the recent crackdown.

I've been here a long time too (even though I have never quite reached the "cult status" of some regular posters). I've seen this topic (cliques, inside jokes, etc.) flame up and die before.

 

[Beauty]

Jody, EXACTLY!

To be honest I think it has more to do with certain people not liking other people and so its okay to lock threads by or about that person. Again double standard!! In my opinion if you can't moderate fairly why take the job?

I am not meaning this as an attack on any moderator or person, I am just stating what I see. Just because one person doesn't like another doesn't mean that they can't be a part of the Community unless or until it turns into public attacks.

 

[Patrick IL.]

Originally posted by Beauty
Jody, EXACTLY!

To be honest I think it has more to do with certain people not liking other people and so its okay to lock threads by or about that person. Again double standard!! In my opinion if you can't moderate fairly why take the job?

I am not meaning this as an attack on any moderator or person, I am just stating what I see.

Beth if you have have a problem with any moderator or thier moderating abilities feel free to email any of the webmasters and report them. Sometimes people need to walk in our shoes before they see the whole picture.

 

[caitycaity]

Again double standard!!

one thing i learned long ago, is that it is what it is. if pete wants there to be a double standard on his boards, that's up to him. it's his boards and he should run them as he wants. people either have to agree to his rules, or not post here.

i'm not necessarily saying i think there is a double standard, but basically we need to follow the rules set out for us, since we are here as guests.

the dis isn't a democracy.

 

[JohnTBap]

It's geographic, darlin'.

 

[kdibattista]

Although we all should just lighten up and ignore that if it bothers us, that kind of thing does make some people feel uncomfortable and left out...kind of like there's a clique and you're not in on the joke because you're not one of the cool kids.

Dodie - I know you are just playing "devil's advocate" and this is in no way directed at you but..... I feel like I am in grade school again

 

[glo]

In my opinion, it has nothing to do with anything personal. There was a call that personal conversations be kept personal. Moderators were told to enforce it. This board gets more traffic than any other board on the site. Sometimes we get posts that sink to the bottom without any answers. If something is between two people, then that is why we have the pm and email feature right there., there is no discussion there. If I see it I close it.

Remember that moderators are posters and have been here for quite a bit. All of us (atleast I know I have) have been checked once or twice, or more in my instance for doing something. To be honest, it is not the end of the world, and nothing to take personal. It is the rules. As moderators there really isn't anything we get out of this. No money, no incentives...not getting rich here, and definitely no power trip. This site conitnues without any of us here.


Ok, I am babbling...but I agree with Patrick. We are here to do what Pete asks us to do. It is his board, and he runs it. If you do not like it email Pete. Remember we all have lives too....

 

[CathyCanada]

If anyone has read the Board guidelines, they will know that there is a guideline that says, no personal messages on the boards. The Community Board has always been "looser" with that guideline than others such as the topic boards because of the nature of this board. While the CB is full of frivolous posts, there are times when a serious thread is posted and someone is in need of help. We think it is more important to see that these kinds of posts are not ignored because of the personal back and forth messages that really could be kept to e-mail or PMs. It has nothing to do with a "double standard" or a popularity contest. It has to do with moderating a board for "everyone" not just a few.

As always, if you wish to discuss Board policies, feel free to e-mail any of the webmasters at admin@wdwinfo.com.
Cathy

 

[Buckalew]

I'm confused (as usual). I need a bit of clarification.

I am not to make a thread that says, say, "Attention Saffron: I need advice on buying silver jewelry."

But I can ask it like "Anyone have some helpful hints about buying silver jewelry?"

I realize there are many posts that ask specific people questions that could be done as PMs. I don't have a problem with that at all.

But to ask a question that many CBers would be wondering about--maybe a parent of a soldier who had recently left for Iraq--would that be wrong. Sure, I think it could be done in a PM but so many folks might be wondering the same thing. Does that make sense?

I rarely see the clique thing happening here (as I know many people post about from time to time) I'm sure it exists but I don't see it myself. If a few people are having a conversation on the boards, I have been known to put in my two cents and more than likely they bring you right in on the conversation. I ususally feel like none of these people are 'together' so to speak--they are usually miles and miles away from each other so I'll just join in if I choose to. Rarely have I ever felt like I was intruding. Most of the time everyone seems to welcome people into the thread. OK. That is called rambling...sorry...I just had to say my thing about cliques again.
I hope you all will help me understand the concept of the questions. I think I understand but that last question about general questions that many would wonder about seems like it should be OK to me.
Thanks guys!!

 

[CathyCanada]

Brenda, the kind of question that you described is fine, because it can be helpful to others too. But the ones that are of a personal nature that only pertain to the 2 people really should be kept to PM.
I have no idea what this is about to be honest, no one "reported a post to a moderator" to complain about that type of post being locked, as is the usual way to get an answer from a mod or webmaster, so I am not sure why it is even being brought up??
CC

 

[Buckalew]

CC,
Me neither but I thought I'd ask so I can stay of trouble. Thanks for the answer.