For those who haven't noticed the site announcement, there's a new feature which allows us to send an internal SOL message to whoever posted a comment on a forum.
Just hit the 'DM' option and it's all obvious from there.
For those who haven't noticed the site announcement, there's a new feature which allows us to send an internal SOL message to whoever posted a comment on a forum.
Just hit the 'DM' option and it's all obvious from there.
So did I. I think Ross is about to test the DM-blocking feature!
I think that's more likely when I'm the sender of messages, rather than the recipient. :-)
Sorry, I was away elsewhere, but both messages were received.
The new DM feature duplicates the similar capabilities we had on the old Google-based Forum. The best thing about it is, as the arguments heat up, we can take take our arguments off line, rather than airing our dirty laundry in an open Forum for everyone to observe. This should make the entire forum a slightly less intimidating place, and should reduce the number of complaints users file with Lazeez over 'out of control' threads.
Here's hoping, at least!
The best thing about it is, as the arguments heat up, we can take take our arguments off line, rather than airing our dirty laundry in an open Forum for everyone to observe.
As I said in the other tread:
What's the fun of that? I really enjoy reading the heated discussions, rantings and good natured "abuses", whether I participate or not.
What's the fun of that? I really enjoy reading the heated discussions, rantings and good natured "abuses", whether I participate or not.
The problem is, while it's entertaining watching a train wreck, as everyone makes complete asses of themselves, someone always tries to get someone else banned from the site, someone makes vague threats, and several people complain to Lazeez, forcing him to lock the thread to shut down the argument.
It just isn't a good look for any of us. (And I'm always in the thick of things, because while I'm always opinionated, like others here, I've got the thinnest skin and can't handle the stress of a good argument due to health reasons. Yet, that never seems to change my behavior a bit.)
someone always tries to get someone else banned from the site
I'm not present at these forums as long as others and probably you yourself but I have never seen deliberate attempts to get someone banned.
Lazeez shutting down a thread when he thinks it's enough, got to far of track or whatever other reasons is a prefect way to keep all to a civilized level. He banned politics because he rightly didn't feel like playing moderator on a forum that should not need one.
I'm not present at these forums as long as others and probably you yourself but I have never seen deliberate attempts to get someone banned.
What you do not know will not hurt you. :-)
Things have never become as bad here as I've heard they often are on some sites with no moderation.
Most of the time, I think most here prefer the freedom of egos running rampant without the suppression of active moderation.
I think the "Hand of God" descending from the clouds occasionally has worked well, and our God has earned our trust in the judgement calls he has made.
What you do not know will not hurt you. :-)
Things have never become as bad here as I've heard they often are on some sites with no moderation.
Most of the time, I think most here prefer the freedom of egos running rampant without the suppression of active moderation.
I think the "Hand of God" descending from the clouds occasionally has worked well, and our God has earned our trust in the judgement calls he has made.
I totally agree!
I'm not present at these forums as long as others and probably you yourself but I have never seen deliberate attempts to get someone banned.
It's happened to me when I was trying to use science and scientific principles to justify counter-trend creative writing techniques, hence I rarely broach the subject these days.
I was informed one of my posts had been reported but I wasn't banned or suspended because I hadn't done anything offensive.
AJ
It's happened to me when I was trying to use science and scientific principles to justify counter-trend creative writing techniques, hence I rarely broach the subject these days.
It's sad to see that your freedom of speech is hindered by some troll. It's the troll that should be banned.
I was informed one of my posts had been reported but I wasn't banned or suspended because I hadn't done anything offensive.
Awnlee and Ross are both correct. Lazeez has never "banned" and ejected everyone, but he has frozen certain individuals from Forum posts for a short 'cooling off' period so everyone had time to recover and get their barrings once again, and often those affected for slighted. But again, the technique works, as once they've had time to consider it, and the temporary ban is lifted, they generally agree that it works.
Thus I see the "DM" key as a means of allowing the participants to take the pressure down, rather than forcing Lazeez to step in each time.
Often, our worst fights are simply a matter of a disagreement between two people over relatively small details (such as the precise meaning of a term), rather than over anything which impacts the community at large. That's when it's handy to let the two of them continue arguing the arcane details between them, rather than dragging everyone into the mud with them.
I've seen some disputes start from nothing more than someone hitting Reply to Post instead of Reply to Thread. That comes across as a challenge when the intention may only have been to add to another's comment, without appearing to disagree.
I am hopeful of preventing some misunderstandings BECOMING disagreements with 'Will You Please Clarify?' and/or 'May I Please Clarify?' private messages.
I am hopeful of preventing some misunderstandings BECOMING disagreements with 'Will You Please Clarify?' and/or 'May I Please Clarify?' private messages.
Now that's expecting a bit much? Actual polite behavior and general civility? Never gonna happen when someone can instead unload on someone they'll never encounter in real life. 'D