Locked Topics and User Rights

[joey3k]

Open Message to RFD Admins:
I assume you guys work off of some type of 'rules and regulations' sheet which the moderators follow in order to determine when to lock a thread, but would it be at all possible to add a clause into the procedure of locking a thread? Here is what I'm thinking: the moderator who locks the thread must state the reason for locking the thread.

I've stumbled across some threads lately that have been locked for no apparent reason, and that's almost like giving somebody the cold shoulder or perhaps a better analogy would be receiving a parking ticket with the reason field left empty...how is that fair?

[Kalel]

I think thats a good idea and even have someway where the OP can comment on it. Plus how about also adding that if a post is moved to another forum the OP is PM to be notified of this and where it was. Lastly I do not know if this has ever been addressed but how are moderators picked/selected?

[hagbard]

Had one of mine locked a few days ago (even got some banishment "points") because it was "political". Only indirectly, maybe it was, but no more so than many other threads that are left alone (like the TAX poem someone posted). Its appears that the determination is left to the bias of the moderator with really no recourse than to complain to the person locking the thread or giving "points". So, IOW, no recourse at all.

Now, its the owner's site, and up to them ultimately, but a lot of those threads and people who've been banished are the ones that have made the site a lot more lively than other "deal" sites out there (and there are other ones). What's needed isn't more banning and locking but thicker skin and more respect by many of the members (who appear to have very low tolerance levels for views that deviate an inch from their own).

As long as one is respectful to other members, there shouldn't be a reason to banish a member. At least, if I were running a site, that would be my criteria.

[Ryan]

Basically, don't start a thread about politics (or post a thread that contains political baiting), race or religion. It will either be locked right away or when it goes off the rails. If you restart a locked thread, you will get an infraction for trolling.

If a user gets an infraction, they always get a private message. That's how that system works. Infractions are private and other users can't see your infractions.

Dozens of threads are moved everyday. If there's already a conversation started we'll post a move notice, but if it's a new post and it is simply in the wrong category, it will just be moved. Posting a thread in Off Topic because you think more people will view it, is not a valid excuse. Also, it doesn't work, the users who frequent Off Topic visit more often, but there are less than of them than those who visit any of the topic specific forums. You're also much more likely to get helpful advice by posting in the correct forum.

[Kalel]

Ryan,

The reason I put up the topic of moving is to cite a example is this past summer I created a posted in the photography forum a topic on asking other photographers where would be good spots to get pictures of the air show. Anyway it was moved to off topic which if I did not visit that forum every once and a while I would not of been aware thinking it was deleted for some reason.