Deleted posts! over zealous moderation of this site is borderline ridiculous!

[wjwoodward]

Well ftldave,

The only difference here is that the mods don't come right out with the "or else" in writing, the attitude is still the same and you've been a member here long enough to see that for yourself. Maybe the moderators wouldn't have such a "tough job" as you put is if there were clearly defined rules and guidelines for them to follow in moderating as opposed to the way it is right now with everybody doing whatever they please. One thing for certain, the postings about over zealous moderating that are a recurring theme here would not be quite so frequent.

As I've stated numerous times before I know from personal experience as a moderator on a worldwide site, moderating a forum in a country with a population over double that of the USA, I know the task is not easy. That is not the point being argued here. The point is that there is a complete lack of direction for the moderators and this acts to the detriment of the membership in general. Clear rules for the members to follow and equally clear rules regarding moderation would lead to universal and fair application of those rules.

When a posting does not violate any of the rules that already exist, when it expresses an opinion or mentions a topic and gets deleted simply because somebody doesn't want to hear that opinion; or in their abundant wisdom feel the issue isn't important enough to "waste" forum space and that action is taken arbitrarily and with absolutely no recourse it is patently wrong, privately owned forum or not. Since when do we as members all have to share the same opinion as the forum administrators and moderators? I'd hate to see nothing but a bunch of xerox copies of certain members or moderators filling the forums.

If you don't believe what I'm saying is true then just post a thread that puts down Microsoft Windows 7 or 8, criticizes something about Flightsim.com and see for yourself just how fast you get shut down. Maybe you're lucky you only have posted 63 topics... hardly enough to ruffle any feathers yet. Just wait it will happen, I'm sure. Perhaps when it does then you will remember the people who stepped up and tried to do something about the situation. Maybe you will also remember the American take-off on an old quote from WWII

First they came for the socialists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.

[Smutley]

So it's all moderators then?????

I tend to stand in the background watching these posts, but when my good name starts being dragged through the gutter I get rather upset!!!!!

[JSkorna]

So it's all moderators then?????

Na, just me and Daryll! I am on my second batch of popcorn even.

Pretty sad when we equate war and social injustice to a little hobby forum.

[wjwoodward]

No sir, nobody here has ever said it was ALL moderators. Certainly I have never seen any complaints about your moderating over the years that I've been a member and you are to be commended. On the other hand I've seen numerous complaints about some of your fellow moderators and all of those go unaddressed.

Since most of the forums have three or more mods I think that a fair and reasonable solution is that all forums should have at least 3 mods, a moderator should have the authority to temporarily lock a thread, but in order to delete a thread, delete particular postings,, lock a thread permanently that decision should be jointly made by all the moderators for that particular forum. At least then nobody can complain that moderators are acting unilaterally and arbitrarily. The ability to temporarily lock a thread would give each moderator the ability to nip any particular problem in the bud until there can be a discussion and concensus reached with the other moderators.

[mgh]

First they came for the socialists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.

That quotation is from, Martin Niemöller who opposed the Nazis in Germany and was imprisoned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps from 1937 to 1945.

And you think it is relevant to this childish childish squabble in these forums?

[wjwoodward]

Yes mgh, when you take the quote in context with what was said to ftldave....

"If you don't believe what I'm saying is true then just post a thread that puts down Microsoft Windows 7 or 8, criticizes something about Flightsim.com and see for yourself just how fast you get shut down. Maybe you're lucky you only have posted 63 topics... hardly enough to ruffle any feathers yet. Just wait it will happen, I'm sure. Perhaps when it does then you will remember the people who stepped up and tried to do something about the situation. Maybe you will also remember the American take-off on an old quote from WWII"

it is an appropriate comment stating that if nobody ever speaks out, one day when he needs somebody to speak on his behalf there might not be anyone around to do it. Especially when the topic we are discussing is about the sometimes "dicatorial" attitudes and actions taken around here.

But of course, as a "SENIOR MEMBER" you have the absolute authority to decide which discussions are childish and which are not. Dialogue and criticism are never childish, only to those with narrow minds.

[fxsttcb]

Geez, I'm glad I've taken all of my locked and/or deleted posts with a grain of salt. And there have been plenty...
Miffed? Sure! But, carrying on like this? Not Freakin' hardly.
Go to the local Pub, have a drink, or twenty, and put these life changing events behind you...Don

Wake up, Paxx!...Happy New Year!

[mgh]

I don't have to be a Senior Member to recognise childish "dialogue and criticism" whan I see it. Comparing Nazi atrocities to deleting a thread in a private games forum simply is childish.

[cbear]

wow thanks for laffs, i can't believe anyone would get this worked up over such a petty thing.

I think ALL the mods do a great and thankless job.


THANKS

bruce

[Nels_Anderson]

A few things:

To the OP: I asked your to contact me BY EMAIL and gave you the address to do so. If you ignored what I said, then don't be surprised if you did not get an answer. I read my email multiple times per day so it's the fastest way to get in touch with me:

webmaster@flightsim.com

To Mr. Woodward: This very thread is proof against your claim that we don't allow criticism of FlightSim.Com. We've allowed you to go on and on about how we're all doing everything wrong. You say we need better rules, OK I'd be interested in hear some specifics. Direct me to this large forum you keep mentioning that has a quality set of forums rules. I'd really like to see it and if it's everything you say I will seriously consider making changes here.