I think that when a thread is closed, the topic starter should be notified of why it was closed. Maybe the person in charge of closing it should leave a reply as of why it is being closed, then close it. Thanks

 

Yeah good point. It's too bad some moderators don;t just leave even a brief reply. Even if it's obvious the topic has strayed big time, it still would be nice to leave a little note.

 

If it is obvious that it has strayed then there really is no reason for a moderator to post why it has been locked.

I agree though that it is also good etiqette (sp?) to post a reason why it is being locked and generally I do.

If someone gets their panties in a wad over why a thread was locked, and they cannot figure it out, then that is their problem. All threads that are locked are usually judged in a fair manor and I trust the judgement of my fellow moderators.

 

Actually, you don't have a right to know why. If a reason is left, it is out of courtesy, not because you are owed an explanation at all. I often will close threads with no reason left, simply because I feel that no reason is needed.

I know I sound like an ******* when I say this, but everyone needs to remember that you have no rights on this site or any other site on the Internet. The server that this site resides on is owned by Dirk, and as such, it is his personal property and not public domain. As his personal property, you are subject to the rules placed forth by him. If these rules allow for closing of threads with no explanation, so be it.

With all that in mind, Guido stated it best. It is *nice* to have a reason for why a thread was locked. Most of the time, an explanation is left. But if you don't get one, please don't go on some kind of crusade for justice. It will only get you in more trouble.

 

I understand what you're saying, and I'm not saying that whenever a thread is closed, we are all OWED an explination why, i'm just saying that it would be NICE. The reason I brought this up is because I had a thread closed, which seemed unnecissary. (I didn't start this thread to find out why, i really dont care about it.) I started a thread, and some guy came in being an ***, then 2 more people posted in response to the thread, then it was closed. Now the thread might have not been in the best forum, if so, I can see why it was closed, but it seems to me like my thread was closed all because that one guy came in being an ***...now is that fair to me or others that could have used that info? But had the moderator that closed it said why it would have helped. Once again, to clarify...i didn't start this thread to find out why my thread was closed....that's just what made me think of this.
Another example....BRAD, you just closed the thread about a "rice forum"...I assume that you closed the thread because it wasnt' appropriate (which it wasn't), but it's possible that you closed it just because you didn't like the idea....but how do we know that's not the case? You did say "this isn't happening" before you closed it, so maybe you closed it to prevent the idea from getting any further? Who knows?
I understand that threads need to be closed when the get out of hand, off subject, but if it's none of the above, let us know why you did it....that will let us know not to do it again.

 

i think in most of the threads i see closed its pretty obvious it will get closed.If the user wants to know why its closed,then they can pm a moderator if they want to know so badly.

 

I agree with Brad on this one.

It's Dirk's site. Dirk makes the rules.

Usually, I try to leave a note if I need to lock something, or I'll lock it, let it sit for a while, then delete the thread.

We're trying to keep only thirdgen content on the site here, and things revolving around thirdgens.

It's nice that we have some of our other members (Nic, 5.0Mustang, and RX to name just a few) who can contribute something to the thirdgen community. That's fine.

I've always stated that if someone needs to ask me something about how I handle something, just ask me. I'll gladly explain my actions if it isn't noted in the thread.

EDIT-- I just looked at the thread about the "rice" board. I also agree with Brad that it isn't going to happen. It would be way out of control, fights would start, and I'm fairly certain Dirk would get tired of putting out fires, and pull the plug on the server.

That's something that I don't want to have happen.

Look, if you want to make fun of rice, go to a rice board, or if you have the time, network connection, and administrative skills, start your own rice bashing message board. Just don't bring it here.

 

I agree on the rice issue...i stated that here, and on that thread, that's beside the point, I was just using that as an example. So your comment about starting my own "rice bashing board" was unnecissary....that is not the point of this thread. My point is this.....if you close a thread because it was in a wrong forum, had no relevence to thirdgens, is inapropriate, something of that nature, let us know why, so that next time we go to post, we will know.....so that everyone can learn from their mistakes.
Sorry if my title was misleading....this is not a "fight for justice", this has nothing to do w/ rice bashing, this was not meant to start an argument. Just a suggestion....that's what this forum is for correct?

 

Moderators don't typically close a thread just because it's in the wrong forum.. In that circumstance, it's simply moved to the more appropriate forum. If there isn't a readily apparent forum for a topic, then chances are good that it doesn't belong here anywhere, and is closed. I like the idea of keeping this site tech-only. There are several other thirdgen-related sites to go to if you really feel like talking about something else. Personally, I come here to learn and help "educate" about the car. If I want to go have a conversation, I'll go to a bar or something.

If your thread gets closed because of one or two troublemakers, then don't take it personally. Just restart the topic with a little more specificity to help narrow out the margin for bickering. If it's obvious that some topic is going to be nothing but trouble regardless, then I'd advise against re-posting it. Use your head on what's going to cause trouble or not.

And any type of post for the sole purpose of bashing someone's car (import or domestic) can never produce anything positive, so an "anti-rice" or "anti-anything" forum is a very bad idea (not to mention it's unrelated to F-bodies), and I'm glad the admins see it that way too.

 

True, this is a tech site and anything that's meant to hurt another person's feelings is non-tech and unnecessary. I originally thought that a rice forum would be neat so we can all post pics and look at them in a civil manner. But I don't think we could honestly keep it civil, especially the way the post ended up; imagine if that was an actual forum.

 

If you go shooting off your mouth and the thread gets closed the thread gets closed.

 

"Panties in a wad " :sillylol: Well put!

 

It's no big deal, and as Jza stated, a lot of stuff just gets posted in the wrong places. So we just send stuff over to the proper board.

For example, someone posted in my board about a cruise in Virginia. I let it stay for a few days, then I sent it over to the Mid Atlantic Board, where a lot of the Virginia people hang out.

I've had a few people post classified-related material on the board. It doesn't belong on the boards. At the time, I would transfer it to the Classified board. Now I simply lock the post, explain why, then delete the post about a week later or so.

I let some stuff slide, as long as it doesn't go too far off course. But then again, it's a regional board, mainly for planning gatherings, cruises, and whatnot.

I also like the idea of keeping the main boards Tech only. Less hassle with flaming, etc.

 

You obviously haven't been keeping up with what's going on. I guess you thought your comment would be and "end of discussion" comment, but it's outta place and doesn't fit in with what we've been talking about....so keep your .02

 

I didn't start this to start a discussion....i started it as sort of a suggestion, and now that the moderators have read it, it has served it's purpose.....so we can end it....

 

I generally close a thread that is obviously off topic, and try to leave at least a hint of why - but not always. Sometimes the reasons are obvious and require no explanation. Anyone who wonders and doesn't get an explanation can always email moderators@thirdgen.org, and all moderators will get the note.

If I delete a thread, unless it is obviously someone just popping off, I try to send a note with reasons why - but again, not always. Trolls and vulgar, threatening, or abusive posters will get no such courtesy from me. I might sign up their email address for junk mail site, though...

There are no hard and fast rules about explanations, so if the post is way off color I don't usually bother. If the posters of those threads aren't bright enough to know why their threads are dumped, we don't need them on the boards. If there is an issue of some sensitivity, I'll generally try to send an email with an explanation and reminder of the board rules.

No one is perfect, so if you hae a serious problem with the way a forum is moderated, email Dirk. He'll either agree and take care of the problem or will tell you where to hide yourself. Give him time to reply, since he's a pretty busy guy at times, but he will get back to you as long as the mail is not a flame thrower.

 

Vader....you are the man!!!!....LOL

 

Brad, can we close this topic off now? I get the impression that it has run its course, and hopefully things will move along.

 

Yea....as I stated before....we should end this...thanks

 

I thnk they should have the right to know, but in most cases it is ovious of what is was closed
Aj