I think this is the first time I've noticed this at Railforum, but the thread of Chrisg about an e-mail to McCain has disappeared, or would censored be a better term. I know it was getting substantially off-topic, but at the very least if Railforum is now a moderated board, then the moderator should post a reason for the deletion (censorship).
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
It was getting too polarized. It was probably best for it to disappear.
{Yes, I know I was one of the problems}
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
So the on topic posts get thrown out with the off topic ones. So if I write a post and someone takes the thread off topic, my legit post still gets the boot right along with the illegitimate ones. And that's exactly what happened to me, Chris, and a few others who took the time to write something thoughtful and relevant. Why did I bother?
Posted by David (Member # 3) on :
Perhaps the moderators could do what British newspapers say after several letters-to-the-editor on a given subject: "This correspondence is now closed."
Posted by Moderator (Member # 2933) on :
Sorry for the delay, I've been trying to find out what happened to the McCain thread since I saw the new thread from royaltrain. I did not delete it.
the Moderator
Posted by royaltrain (Member # 622) on :
My apologies to the moderator for suggesting that he removed the McCain thread. Perhaps some hacker was able to attack this forum.
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
If the moderator didn't remove it, then Chris probably took it down.
Posted by chrisg (Member # 2488) on :
I took it off because it went so off topic and it is the right of the orginal poster to remove or the moderator.
Chris
Posted by royaltrain (Member # 622) on :
Interesting. I hadn't realized that you could remove all the replies to your posting, I always thought you could only remove your post not those who responded. Perhaps in the future the person who removed the entire thread should say so, and thus avoid confusion.
Posted by 20th Century (Member # 2196) on :
Chris, so sorry it journeyed so off topic.
Posted by Santa Fe buff (Member # 8125) on :
I think all topics do that, we talk about the main thing, but we often wonder off. I've always noticed that in some, but only so far off is allowed.
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
That's the nature of political discourse -- somebody says something, another person has to argue, a third has to chime in, and before you know it we're hip-deep in huggermugger. I don't blame Chris one bit for removing the thread.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Apparently, the topic originator does have the prerogative to remove material that results in discussion that the originator finds unacceptable. In this instance, I commend Mr. Guenzler's decision.
Be it assured, during my two terms as Moderator at another forum, had material taken such a diversion away from any matters relating to the railroad industry, such would have been 'aggressively" addressed.
For ready reference, here is the additional dialogue that is displayed when a topic originator "clicks" the Edit/Delete tab.
Note: deleting this post will result in the deletion of the entire topic, since this post is the first post in the topic
Finally, lest it be of concern, regarding my originated "GBN Takes a Joyride" topic, nothing has been posted there that I find offensive in any way. I set forth a trip report factual to my best knowledge; our "poets" around here took it from there!
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
Without thread creep, I would argue, we might never encounter the serependitous joys of digression. That is the heart of both science and art.
For this reason I am no longer a participant on another railroad forum whose moderators so "aggressively" address thread creep -- without bothering to explain their actions -- that they stifle original thinking.
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
It also occurs to me that this forum is very different from others in that many of us have become "friends". We know that a good discussion will ensue on both sides of any question. It is true some of us have made off topic friends but that is impossible for everyone. It gives us a new viewpoint on things. I would have never had the pleasure of "hearing " Ira's poems any other way.We have so many varing ideas and thoughts it is an education to click in. So from my view point hooray for a moderator who understands this.
Posted by Geoff M (Member # 153) on :
I don't think, Mr. Norman, that you implying that you would have "aggressively addressed" Mr. Guenzler's thread (through no fault of his own), had you been a moderator, really helps matters here - it was not a decision that was yours for the taking. Presumably this is why, through your own admission, you were no longer welcome at said forum.
A certain aviation forum I was at objected to some site improvement ideas I had and a moderator removed the thread. I expressed a complaint and the moderator himself was removed instead. Some moderators sadly become power crazy and let their own opinions guide their chainsaw rather than taking a view from on top of a suitable fence.
Thankfully our moderator here is very relaxed and I therefore wholeheartedly agree with Train Lady's views on this.
A rail forum I run (for my own software, not in rival to Railforum) is largely unmoderated, population around 700. Does it go off-topic? Sure. Is it friendly? Definitely. Would it be as friendly if it was heavily moderated to stay on topic? Unlikely.
Geoff M.
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
Geoff, your forum sounds enticing -- can you give us the URL?
Are you perchance a pilot as well?
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by train lady: It also occurs to me that this forum is very different from others in that many of us have become "friends". We know that a good discussion will ensue on both sides of any question. It is true some of us have made off topic friends but that is impossible for everyone. It gives us a new viewpoint on things. I would have never had the pleasure of "hearing " Ira's poems any other way.We have so many varing ideas and thoughts it is an education to click in. So from my view point hooray for a moderator who understands this.
I try so hard to be relavant but every so often something like a pony or a bagpiper or a train haiku will distract me........
And there's not anything wrong with that sometimes.
Posted by Geoff M (Member # 153) on :
Henry, my website is http://www.simsig.co.uk - it's software that simulates the work a signaller (aka dispatcher) has to do - and it's free. The same core software was sold to Network Rail (as it is now), the not-for-profit organisation that manages the rail infrastructure (permanent way, signalling, etc) and to date is used in over 30 signalling centres for training and assessment. Overseas markets are starting to show an interest now as well. The credentials have gotten me into various places, including BNSF's NOC in Fort Worth, TX. (Don't worry, I'll give my ego a rest for the rest of the year now).
Pilot? No, but I do have an interest in aviation, partly ATC. I did play the odd flight sim but it took up too much of my time. My eyesight isn't good enough for the Real Thing.