Topic ID 1978
Might I be so bold as to incite a conversation on the topic of forum editorial control? This is a forum after all so it can't be off topic. Perhaps not surprisingly I'm a geezer who commonly finds my colourful contributions mercilessly plucked from threads and frankly it upsets me. If I'm to be regarded as an arse, then folk should come to that conclusion armed with the full experience. Of course I'm not denying the need to manage plainly offensive material but most of my 'surgically removed' material has been little more than excessively verbose, often absurd stuff (on topic I might add - well at least in thread response). I happen to find it very funny. Is that worth less than the five word (though I'm sure very earnest) posts that regularly populate forums? Errm, discuss. (Unless of course this is pulled too)
Reply ID 25767
There's a fair bit of humour here, but it is not the object of the forum. If your post's have no content other than humour, that is not in the spirit of the forum. Its members are not an audience at Jongleurs. You will note that by posting some content other than humour, you are edited less often and the humour gets through too. Forums can degenerate with too many flippant posts as they can be posted in quantity and rarely invite participation or an answer.
Reply ID 25768
Well there you go. I was misunderstanding the premise all along. Case dismissed!
Reply ID 25769
Already discussed at http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.php?id=1799
Reply ID 25770
quote:You are an arse. (Sorry Herbert, I couldn't resist it! I do love a nice arse.) [:X]Nora.
Originally posted by Herbert Lemons If I'm to be regarded as an arse, then folk should come to that conclusion armed with the full experience. errm, discuss. (Unless of course this is pulled too)
Reply ID 25771
I'm not sure if any research has been done into the behaviour types of forum contributors (though I'm sure there must have been) but it's only just occurred to me that I feel like the teenager to the admin/earnest contributors parent. I guess that whatever I'm told I don't want to hear it. I'm just happy to occupy a space away from somebody's attempt to fashion me. This is probably not a healthy admission but I guess that any of you who know me (as many of you unwittingly do) will not find surprising. Ah - pub time!
Reply ID 25772
This archived thread might also be helpful... http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=601
Reply ID 25773
Indeed the lot of a moderator is a thankless one. At the same time we're all very important to ourselves and by extension our contributions have their own personal value - even if they do appear ludicrous to others. Yes I accept that I'm right at the front of the queue when it comes to out of focus gibbering. Believe it or not, I guess what I find most uncomfortable is the effect the removal of individual posts has on the overall cumulative narrative effect of posts (even I'm laughing at what I've just typed). It's kinda 'love me - love my dog'. It's best to have it all or have none of it (we don't need to put this to a vote by the way...). Johnny's lesson for the day: It comes with the territory - the hertford.net forum is not your personal plaything
Reply ID 25774
Ha! Did I just type 'Johnny'! Ooh, what a giveaway. Definitely going to the pub now.
Reply ID 25775
quote:This is taken into account, which is one of the reasons why there sometimes appears to be an inconsistent logic at work when some posts are retained whilst others are removed.
Originally posted by Herbert Lemons
...I guess what I find most uncomfortable is the effect the removal of individual posts has on the overall cumulative narrative effect of posts...
Reply ID 25780
quote:Why have you removed your comments to the Sainsbury's thread (and others??)?!? I look a right berk now, answering questions which aren't there![:I]
Originally posted by Herbert Lemons
Ha! Did I just type 'Johnny'! Ooh, what a giveaway. Definitely going to the pub now.
Reply ID 25783
If it's any consolation, I've had a "witty" remark removed recently too. It was blindingly funny in my opinion, but totally irrelavent to the topic and thanks to the ommission of a qualifying participle, might have been construed as directed at one person. Fair enough. I'd rather be overcautiously edited than accidently cause offence.
Reply ID 25844
Maybe Admin could publish a deleted posts top 10....figure I might be near the top!
Reply ID 25858
quote:Good plan, but some of our gaffs were probably deleted for being not strictly PC or liable to offend, so it would be a dangerous move. I'm not sure many would work out of context.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
Maybe Admin could publish a deleted posts top 10....figure I might be near the top!
Reply ID 25860
Don't mean the actual posts...just a chart based on deletions.
Reply ID 25863
Would be quite interesting - I suspect the instigator of this post may get first place & I have a personal bet on a top 10 in rough order (occasional kiddies attempting to troll taken out of the equation - not you Wee J). Suspect a cross reference to time of posting may prove illuminating.. Shortly off for a Lemonade with Herbert....
Reply ID 25881
The forum is meant for the people! I mentioned a subject (unnamed) that had been (apparently) mentioned on here before on several occasions. As the population of Hertford is an ever changing dynamic, it is not relevant to everyone that a topic was discussed 3 years or 3 weeks ago. The people should dictate content, unless there is a legal issue.
Reply ID 25894
If you are posting a new thread that has already been the subject of a previous discussion, it is important that you are aware of what has been previously contributed, so that the same ground is not gone over again. It is also important that there are not multiple threads on the same subject. Whilst you are absolutely right that people should dictate the content, it needs to be presented in an organised and structured way.
Reply ID 25896
It is not simple or straightforward to locate old threads, I mean do you keep every thread from day 1? and how can i find them? what about locked topics? Also I recently posted a thread on The Stone House which was classified as Shopping, so the "structure" was not that useful in this case.
Reply ID 25899
Or what about Little Hartham - Police Info Required that was closed temporarily on Sep 9th. When is this being re-opened or do I start a new topic??
Reply ID 25900
quote:Yes
Originally posted by OldCross
I mean do you keep every thread from day 1?
quote:http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/search.asp
Originally posted by OldCross
and how can i find them?
quote:Topics are locked for a reason, usually because they are beyond the scope of the forum, but sometimes because they have "gone bad", ie the discussion has become irretrievably un-constructive.
Originally posted by OldCross
what about locked topics?
quote:Your Stonehouse post was moved to Leisure and Entertainment.
Originally posted by OldCross
Also I recently posted a thread on The Stone House which was classified as Shopping, so the "structure" was not that useful in this case.
Reply ID 25902
quote:Thankyou for drawing my attention to this. My fault - apologies. [:)]
Originally posted by OldCross
Or what about Little Hartham - Police Info Required that was closed temporarily on Sep 9th. When is this being re-opened or do I start a new topic??
Reply ID 25905
Many thanks.
Reply ID 26002
The only 'crit' I have of this great site is that Admin is a bit too heavy on personal opinion. Some posts are removed, some aren't. I have been a bit wayward when posting comments, granted, but some of the posts from others still remain. I accept that foul language is a definite 'no-no' but surely the views expressed by people new to the town, or oldies like myself, should be read and debated. It does come across as a bit dictatorial at times but perhaps that is now the type of era we live in and have to try to get used to. PS - I don't want to label anyone but Herbert Lemons has to be the most direct person on here.
Reply ID 26021
I'm sooo misunderstood.
Reply ID 26052
quote:I'd already read it and taken ofence though[:)] As it was my first post on the forum, it did make me wonder what sort of people post on here if a serious question gets a sarky comment as an answer.
Originally posted by shunt
If it's any consolation, I've had a "witty" remark removed recently too. It was blindingly funny in my opinion, but totally irrelavent to the topic and thanks to the ommission of a qualifying participle, might have been construed as directed at one person. Fair enough. I'd rather be overcautiously edited than accidently cause offence.
Reply ID 26062
quote:My apologies Felix. As I said it wasn't directed at you or anyone in particular and it was only after it was removed and some serious thought as to why, that I realised how it might have been taken.
Originally posted by felixquote:I'd already read it and taken ofence though[:)] As it was my first post on the forum, it did make me wonder what sort of people post on here if a serious question gets a sarky comment as an answer.
Originally posted by shunt
If it's any consolation, I've had a "witty" remark removed recently too. It was blindingly funny in my opinion, but totally irrelavent to the topic and thanks to the ommission of a qualifying participle, might have been construed as directed at one person. Fair enough. I'd rather be overcautiously edited than accidently cause offence.
Reply ID 26336
[quote]Originally posted by Herbert Lemons
Indeed the lot of a moderator is a thankless one. At the same time we're all very important to ourselves and by extension our contributions have their own personal value - even if they do appear ludicrous to others. Yes I accept that I'm right at the front of the queue when it comes to out of focus gibbering.
[:0]
It's becoming very worrying - do we share the shallow end of the same gene pool?
Reply ID 26341
All are welcome to my gene puddle. The primary characteristic is the inability to walk & see colour at the same time.
Reply ID 27011
I accept (no I don't) that this place needs to be protected from people like me and their tendencies to bark gonads till the small hours. Might I suggest a 'gibbering area' where people like myself might go to see what they actually posted in a pre-edited styleee? Those with delicate constitutions need never approach it. Like this very moment, I'm really very uncomfortable being presented with the narratively sanitised version of myself after me and Monsieur Sauvignon Blanc had spent so much time crafting (ok - typing) schtuff. It's like I went to bed at midnight - Ha!
Reply ID 27013
Maybe someone could come up with a gadget which measures blood/alcohol level and switches off the keyboard should there be any attempt to access any site which looks like a forum or contains the word "ebay". A computer version of an air-bag. Inflates at great speed between you and the machine should you even think of typing anything vaguely humorous or inane. On second thoughts...no fun. The serious issues and small talk needs a balance. Even sanitised and perhaps less abstract than intended, your posts are much appreciated J.
Reply ID 27057
Herbert, I love reading your posts, they make me laugh SO much. There's also nothing wrong with being unable to take matters seriously for very long - there should be more of it. You're a ray of light in this sometimes dark and bitter place. I think there should be "tone of voice" and hand gesture emoticons. Mmmm, that might make things worse...
Reply ID 27075
Aww - Thank you Mr P. That's very generous. I like the idea of 'tone of voice' emoticons. The real beauty for me though, is the opportunity this forum has in helping me (moderator sensitivity permitting) reconstruct my night before. Sometimes I come to this place in the morning and look back on my previous nights posts with my hands over my eyes. I don't know how it happened, but I've managed to create a state where I'm telling myself uncomfortable jokes. Based on some of the posts here, this is not a unique condition.
Reply ID 27214
quote:Herbert Dear Soul, I have just chanced upon your innane gibbering and once again I have throughly enjoyed it. Personally I think the ability to swing off on a tangent without a moment's notice is something that should be nutured and alowed to blossom. I think a gibbering corner is a damn good idea, preferably one that allows rocking back and forth whilst keening in a high pitched ullulating voice and hair tugging/thumb sucking. Drooling should also be encouraged if it enhances the process. Unfortunately (or furtunately even) I do this without the help of any alcohol at all, so I don't know if that means I was dropped on my head as a baby, if I was grievously affected by my convent education or I just have some sort of serious electrical disorder that savagely disorganises all synapse function. There are times when Mr Fishwife is seriously scared.........Still, it keeps him keen, on his toes and alert with just a frisson of fear to keep the sinuses clear. Keep up the good work!
Originally posted by Herbert Lemons
I accept (no I don't) that this place needs to be protected from people like me and their tendencies to bark gonads till the small hours. Might I suggest a 'gibbering area' where people like myself might go to see what they actually posted in a pre-edited styleee? Those with delicate constitutions need never approach it. Like this very moment, I'm really very uncomfortable being presented with the narratively sanitised version of myself after me and Monsieur Sauvignon Blanc had spent so much time crafting (ok - typing) schtuff. It's like I went to bed at midnight - Ha!
Reply ID 28184
I pinch the back of my hand - yes I'm here and again I find myself subject to that body which I shall call 'Forum Zeus' playing 'discretion tombola' with me. OK, I admit, I sit here and poke my keyboard and ASCII based fatuousness comes out. Sometimes though, the tracks of my nonsense disappear, sometimes they don't. I can see no pattern to it. I read similar fatuousness borne of others and no matter how hard I try, I can't get theirs to go away. Is this a solitary experience?
Reply ID 28194
quote:Herbert, while my posts are somewhat less ornate than yours I too have encountered similar disparity. Sometimes my posts are simply b******s and deserve to be removed. Whereas other times simple jovial responses suffer the same fate. I understand the need to stay on-topic but a forum that merely delivers facts or answers questions on local issues is devoid of personality. A forum for discussion thrives on personality and opinion.
Originally posted by Herbert Lemons
I pinch the back of my hand - yes I'm here and again I find myself subject to that body which I shall call 'Forum Zeus' playing 'discretion tombola' with me. OK, I admit, I sit here and poke my keyboard and ASCII based fatuousness comes out. Sometimes though, the tracks of my nonsense disappear, sometimes they don't. I can see no pattern to it. I read similar fatuousness borne of others and no matter how hard I try, I can't get theirs to go away. Is this a solitary experience?
Reply ID 28196
was it my imagination or had I taken the wrong tablets. Were there some posts on here yesterday about bad driving in hartham and buckets of glitter? If so,bring them back.If not,back to the doctor
Reply ID 28199
quote:Nope - and as you say, you have to pinch the back of your hand because you sometime start to doubt whether you hit the post new reply button or not. If a post gets censored I'd like to see the box it was originally in remain and the text replaced by 'removed by admin' or similar just so we know.
Originally posted by Herbert Lemons
I pinch the back of my hand - yes I'm here and again I find myself subject to that body which I shall call 'Forum Zeus' playing 'discretion tombola' with me. OK, I admit, I sit here and poke my keyboard and ASCII based fatuousness comes out. Sometimes though, the tracks of my nonsense disappear, sometimes they don't. I can see no pattern to it. I read similar fatuousness borne of others and no matter how hard I try, I can't get theirs to go away. Is this a solitary experience?