Some moderation please!

[Comfortably Numb]

Lately it seems all I see are long threads of personal attacks or language that would shame a sailor. Nothing seems to be done about any of it. I know a lot of members access this site from their work, with the language that is in some threads I'm sure they have to look over their shoulders before opening a thread so that no one files a complaint. Where are the moderators?

It's gotten to the point that I'm ashamed to recommend this site to anyone. I'm not really a prude, but I believe that in a publicly viewable forum language and content need to be controlled.

Perhaps a new forum for adult oreinted material would be in order? Someplace that can only be accessed by those members who have verified their age & desire for that kind of forum.

Something needs to be done. I've seen other BB's die because of this type of thing.

[Eric]

Originally posted by MoabTamer:
Lately it seems all I see are long threads of personal attacks or language that would shame a sailor. Nothing seems to be done about any of it. The moderators aren't on this site 24/7 but we do try to catch as much as we can. Over the last week I think we've received only two (2) moderator alerts so if the forums are getting out of hand I need to ask why so few are helping to keep this place clean? Are most not aware of the Alert Moderator feature, are afraid to use it, feel it isn't their responsibility, some of the above, other, :confused: If you see something that is inappropriate please help us by letting us know about it. A post like this is helpful by letting me know there is a problem, however I don't know specifically what threads you're talking about. I'll scour the forums and try to find what you're referring to.

I'm not really a prude, but I believe that in a publicly viewable forum language and content need to be controlled.Agreed.

Perhaps a new forum for adult oreinted material would be in order? Someplace that can only be accessed by those members who have verified their age & desire for that kind of forum.Not an option, there are other forums on the net that cater to that kind of content. IMO that causes more problems than it solves.

Something needs to be done. I've seen other BB's die because of this type of thing. I don't believe we need more moderators (yet), but that isn't out of the question. If we need more moderators we'll get more moderators. In the meantime I'd like to ask every member to be a "moderator" by simply using the Alert Moderator feature. It takes much less time and effort for us to review one or two suspect posts than to review every single topic in search of something inappropriate. I don't expect everyone to be a saint, but we're not a group of drunken sailors on weekend leave either. Help us keep CO4x4 clean!

We're not using the "censorship" option of the BB software, but if language is spiraling out of control it's always there as an option for dealing with it. Thank you for bringing this to our attention!

graemlins/beer.gif

[firegod33]

I agree with Rick. Things haven't been spiraling out of control... yet. They have certainly taken a turn for the worse, though.
For a while I started avoiding the site. I felt it was becoming "JUish" (no offence). It started getting better, but then took the turn. Perhaps a word to a certain few members, from you, Eric, would be all that's needed to straighten things out.
My older daughter (10 yrs) has an interest in wheeling and will, often sit with me to look at the boards. Lately, the most innocent of threads have turned into personal attacks, swearing (without self censorship), and talk of illegal drug use. Sorry, but I have problems with that.
Now that I'm aware of it, I will use the moderator alert function, if I feel it appropriate.
Thanks for looking into the problem, Eric.

[Tiffany]

I think the membership here is doing a fantastic job of self moderating. When a member gets out of line the board seems to take care of it in their own way.

There was a few weeks of stupidity, but that passed and folks got in line.

If there was more moderation then folks would be whining about the "goderators". Things are fine the way they are.

This forum is of a more mature content than others. You should know this by now and might want to keep your kiddies off your lap while your surfin'.

[Pioneer]

Originally posted by firegod33:
I agree with Rick. Things haven't been spiraling out of control... yet. They have certainly taken a turn for the worse, though.
For a while I started avoiding the site. I felt it was becoming "JUish" (no offence). It started getting better, but then took the turn. Perhaps a word to a certain few members, from you, Eric, would be all that's needed to straighten things out.
My older daughter (10 yrs) has an interest in wheeling and will, often sit with me to look at the boards. Lately, the most innocent of threads have turned into personal attacks, swearing (without self censorship), and talk of illegal drug use. Sorry, but I have problems with that.
Now that I'm aware of it, I will use the moderator alert function, if I feel it appropriate.
Thanks for looking into the problem, Eric. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I am guilty of some of the above problems and have tried to not post were I feel it is wrong. But I agree 100% there is to much discussion about smokin weed, personal attacks, etc....

[ October 10, 2003, 01:18 PM: Message edited by: Pioneer ]

[Snotty]

The moderation on this forum is just fine. It was a place for all the CO Pirate peeps in the beginning and has grown like crazy.

If you feel things get out of line use the alert feature and it?s warranted, it will be taken care of. Threads gone, posts gone and or edited.

Some of the language can get bad but really no more then any of my friend?s kids or I can hear on TV. If you don't want your kids to hear or see something it?s your responsibility to govern what they do. Why is that people always feel it?s someone else?s responsibility to govern what someone?s kids might get into?

We do a hell of a bang up job self moderating as well. Most of the people with posting problems are rooted out and leave or they change. Why? Because for the most part we all know each other. That characteristic of this BBS is what elevates it above all others. I can be ranting at someone and then drinking a beer with them at the next M&G. Take a look at how Jordan is posting now. Sure we can get a little crazy, but some of use this site, not only for valued information, but as a way to let go of some steam as well.

This site from the beginning has been a little fringe like and maybe a bit more adult content orientated then some others. My question for those that seek a higher level of moderation is this; Why should anything be twisted to one persons particular view or ideal?

As for the personal attacks on a BBS, it's the internet and, well, I'll leave it at that.

[ October 10, 2003, 02:43 PM: Message edited by: Snotty ]

[Steve]

Originally posted by Eric:
Over the last week I think we've received only two (2) moderator alerts so if the forums are getting out of hand I need to ask why so few are helping to keep this place clean? Are most not aware of the Alert Moderator feature, are afraid to use it, feel it isn't their responsibility, some of the above, other, :confused: I've noticed that over the past 2-3 weeks there's been lots more flaming, personal attacks, foul language, etc. as well. And, it's not just in the Chit Chat section. I didn't know there was a Alert Moderator feature. I just searched for it, and think I found it, but I suspect that a lot of people aren't aware of it.

That said, this board is still much better than others I visit. POR is well known for its overall attitude and indiscrimate flaming, but I'm also on a couple of EB-only BBs and this is still a better one and generally more useful to me than any of those others. So, Eric, it's still a great site overall and very useful; thanks for running it! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[dave@rokmen]

Definitely agree - The level of decent posts has declined just in the past 4-5 months.

For the past couple of years we've poked fun at each other with the occasional - graemlins/rainbow.gif , you must be graemlins/smokin.gif , and the infamous graemlins/thefinger.gif . We've also brought up some good contraversial topics. Remember when we used to debate on wether or not having a beer or two on the trail was OK every other week? Sure it was boring but now the posts have kicked it up a notch and are talking openly about "let's link up and graemlins/smokin.gif at the top or Redcone" ..

The world is made up of all kinds - No problem there, but sometimes these posts are done without much thought as to the effects they will have on the image other wheelers get when they find this forum - and sometimes they are also made with little thought as to how they can dammage ones own character.

Just seems like the place could use a good cleaning up for a little while.

[Bill]

I would agree that the language, content and tone of some posts here lately have been less than the standard I would hope we would set for this board. I don't think it's an out-of-control crisis but a little more common decency would be nice. If that takes a little more "moderating", fine but I would also hope the members of this board could simply show a little more restraint and courtesy on their own. I have used the alert moderator function a few times, I guess maybe I should use it more if I am offended by something.

[Eric]

Originally posted by GJ Broncoman [Steve]:
I didn't know there was a Alert Moderator feature. I just searched for it, and think I found it, but I suspect that a lot of people aren't aware of it.Oops, I should help clarify that. At the bottom of every post is a button that looks like this:

http://www.colorado4x4.org/ubb/reportpost.gif

That's the one you want to click to alert the moderators of a possible issue. My apologies for not connecting the Alert Moderator functionality with the Report Post button, hopefully I didn't confuse too many people with that one. Anyway, please let us (moderators) know if you see something inappropriate.

graemlins/beer.gif

Btw, I agree with the comment about the "local" significance of this website. At nearly 3000 "local" members there's a good chance of meeting someone on the trail who has been to CO4x4. ;)