Get Yer Ya-Yas Out [FR Moderating Gripe Thread]

[I Am Not A Mod]

LM here.

It's been a while since we had a thread along these lines.

I can tell from comments I am seeing in threads, on abuse reports, and in Freepmail that some people are unhappy with various policies and their implementations by the staff here.

I've seen allegations that certain factions are picked on. I've seen allegations that the moderators have killed activism. I've heard rumors that we killed Kenny, and even that we killed the radio star. I see certain personality conflicts acting up, and know that one (or both) sides in it feel that we aren't doing what we should.

So let's open this can of worms.

This thread is for making your grievances heard. If you think something stinks or is wrong, make your case here. Back it up with facts. Let the audience at large weigh in on your evidence.

I'll read the thread. Jim will too in all likelihood. So will the other moderators. Depending upon how well you make your point, and depending on if you can convince Jim, me, the other moderators, and/or the world, maybe you can change things. And if you don't, then it might make you feel better to have vented, so it won't make this thread a total loss.

I'm not going to reply to this thread for quite a while. Rather, I am going to sit back and watch to try and get a feel for the general tenor. I encourage those who are both happy and unhappy with things to particpate in this thread.

Let's rock.

[netmilsmom]

I have one! I wondered what that thing was. It didn't come with an instruction manual. And where do I plug it in?

[Cinnamon Girl]

Thanks for this opportunity. Sometimes I get really frustrated with the way things are "moderated."

1. "thesummerwind" has been banned from posting. As far as I can tell, it's because he posted some stuff that sounded anti-semitic. He said he didn't mean what it sounded like. Other than that, I don't know why he was banned, but he really wants to be able to post again so I'm putting in a request on his behalf, based on the little I know.

2. Sometimes I work really hard on a "vanity" post and post it for discussion purposes or to report an event I attended, and then my post is up for a few hours and then a new mod comes along, I guess, and SPIKES it. No one tells me why.

3. It seems like some people can come along to a thread, complain that they don't like it or something, and it gets SPIKED. As far as I'm concerned, being in "chat" or not having a post listed in the column on the right is practically the same as being nowhere. The crybabies who don't read posts through and then complain that they were confused should take responsibility for themselves and not ask to have the post SPIKED.

4. I agree that troll posts should be removed immediately. Why should the DU/Mobey nuts have the satisfaction of seeing their junky comments on FR?

5. Maybe there should be a "opinions/vanities" heading on the sidebar. How 'bout that?

6. I'm sick of seeing the guy projectile vomiting, the fat chick in a bikini, and the image of the obese person on the sidewalk. All GROSS! ;)

[optimistically_conservative]

I don't see your complaint as much different from others that think liberal trolls should have more time to have their say.

If you want to be an advocate for the CP, LP, or DP, fine. Make your case. I've seen a few threads and posts recommending the 'third way' mentality. I don't remember them being pulled.

I've also had a few debates with "Cons that don't like Bush" and I'm glad they're here. I'd prefer debating someone more intelligent than a lib, if slightly, that disagrees with Bush.

Usually, I concede on the obvious concerning Bush's liberal social policies and debate the more substantive issues on WoT, etc.

I don't think you have much of a case against the mods for "Bush activism" lately. I think your FReeper peers are the problem.

[Willie Green]

Restored.

Cool! Thank-you!

[Sabertooth]

You scared me so much I was ready to post it to my ping list.

Do it anyway.

It's not payback, but it's the next best thing.

[Fierce Allegiance]

I can see most of the other forums, but not chat.

I have tried clearing this up w/ mods and Jim, to no avail. If you have any ideas, i am all for giving them a try.

[Lead Moderator]

I am going to hold off on answering your other questions to see how the discussion unfolds for a while. But I will answer this one now.

"Maybe there should be a "opinions/vanities" heading on the sidebar."

Click here and you will have the vanity (AKA Your Opinions/Questions) topic as a sidebar.

I guess I will also touch on vanity postings being moved. If you write a vanity, and post it to vanity and not to things like extended, breaking, fr, frontpage, and so forth, the chances that it will be moved (or, in your terms, SPIKED) become miniscule.

Unless it is a one line vanity, in which case the chances go up substantially.

Regards, LM

[optimistically_conservative]

Good point.

Yours, A. Pole, and others provide reasonable economic criticism of Bush policies.

I think your socialistic bleeding hearts that just don't get the value of economic Darwinism and "invisible hand" thing.

But, hey, you should be allowed to collect as many flaming arrows as you can muster.

[Admin Moderator]

When a newbie troll is nuked, all his posts and threads are removed. If there are certain posts you'd like restored, just ask, most times, unless vulgar or profane, we will restore them.

[Lead Moderator]

Are you saying that from the account Fierce Allegiance, the General Interest (Chat) forum does not show up on the list of forums on the latest posts page?

And further that it depends on which computer you are using?

[Luis Gonzalez]

Naw...too much of a flame warrior.

The LePers think that I am, it's fun to let them think it.

Funny thing about that bastion of free speech.

They've banned about a half dozen people for suspicion of being Luis!

It's fun, I register there once in a while just to keep them paranoid.

[Trinity_Tx]

I've never reported anyone before, or complained about the way this site was moderated, because my basic thought is that it's your site, and you've proven to be sucessful in building it up to the great place it is. Besides, moderating it has to be an incredibly frustrating task. Consistency, even once you are sure the direction to take, is nearly impossible.

But if you're gonna ask... lol

I think that there are a small handful of "high output" freepers who drag the level of debate down to the point where the signal-to-noise ratio makes some threads not worth the agony of reading. They are consistently petty, personal, and generally obnoxious - even in the eyes of those with whom there is no disagreement on politics or the issue at hand.

I've seen them post valuable information, so I understand why they aren't thrown out as trolls. But the old saying "with friends like this, who needs enemies" applies.

These posters make themselves the topic of discussion. They post so much, they quickly bring the threads into the gutter, making it harder to find the thoughtful posts, and cause many of us to hesitate or refuse to "side with" someone who's being obnoxious - especially when by their attitude they give the impression of lead advocates for Our Cause.

I know I am far from alone in not wanting to be associated with that sort of petty bickering. And because many of us aren't the type to go running to you, I think you'd be surprised how many valuable freepers wish these others would be leashed.

I don't understand why they are allowed to run rampant as they do. And I really don't understand why, in the case of the thread referenced below, they are allowed to ruin a good discussion for everyone else. When it is just 2-3 people stinking things up, especially if the tit-for-tat is at the tail end, they should have their posts pulled - not everyone's, IMHO.

Case in point

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Good. Could you restore the post where I linked to the "idiot" page? Please?

[Cinnamon Girl]

Has that always been there? (opinions/questions)? Can people post any kind of vanity there?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

As an aside... I bought my mother in law one of those little electric sweepers for her kitchen. It's really lightweight, doesn't take up any space, and is really quick and easy to use. (It's in the closet, still in the box. When the dear passes on, a relative will receive a perfectly new gadget!) IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS. :) If you don't have one of these, BUY one. They are terrific.

[Fierce Allegiance]

I am not able to access the chat forum. Whenever someone pings me from a chat forum, i can't respond. I have a different computer from when I started freeping, and have a new account, neither of which allowed me to access chat.

I can access chat from my computer at home, though, so i beleive it has something to do with the way our network is set up or something with how i can access FR. (like i said, i am no techie)

It's not such a big deal, except that i cannot access Mr Silverbacks caption-a-rama and sometimes the Nascar threads get dumped into chat.

One of the moderators spent a significant amount of time a while back helping me with no change.

Thanks.

[Admin Moderator]

It has been restored

[RandallFlagg]

Agree with you all. Could we designate a seperate section titled, "The Litterbox," and just banish the trolls there so they couldn't post on any of the other areas; yet we can rip them up?

I have to go to the Metallica forums if I'm in the mood for some leftist grubs. Lots over there.

[Admin Moderator]

What do you all wish to see in front page? We've been trying to keep it to not quite breaking news, but it seems as if everyone wants their story in front page since most know the thread will be removed from breaking news. Front page has become the default breaking news catagory for many. Suggestions are welcome.

[OLD REGGIE]

Do it anyway.

It's not payback, but it's the next best thing.

I did. But then I confessed the "trick". I don't have the heart.