I run a few internet groups on a social networking sight. I'ts called "are you pondering what I'm pondering" From the cartoon "Pinky & the Brain" We have pinkies & brain's in the group Any way these are the guidlines..which gives you all an idea of how I feel about this topic.....
WELCOME TO PONDERINGS! (member info)
TO KEEP THIS A SAFE & CIVIL SANCTUARY...
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THOU SHALL NOT...
GIVE UNSOLICITED ADVICE!
JUDGE OTHERS OR THEIR TOPICS!
TROLL & OR BAIT!
POST LINKS TO OTHER FORUMS!
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Text more than 5 inches worth (extra long posts) shall be put in reply!
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Violations will result in a deleted post. Multiple violations will result in removal from group.
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Mongo & myself have decided that as the administrator's of this group, quickly deleting posts that serve only to inflame the discussion & or directly attack another member, puts the agressive posters on notice. They are denied the satisfaction of seeing their dirty work continuing to be displayed.
Now to most this seems rather strict. However it works since we have a lot of heated political debates/discusssions. Also I have mods who uphold these guidelines. It's rather disturbing when you will occationally find a mod who appears to be a troll. ...
I could never join any forum with rules like those!
I run a few forums (only a Moderator here, and most of what I do is keep spambots away, but I'm the whole thing at a few others!) and have learned that over moderation does nobody any good.
It's nonsensical. People argue. It's normal and nothing to be quelled. Let it happen, just don't let it go on and on too long. Once both sides have stated their case, and only if it goes into repetition, then let a mod step in and ask for it to stop. But never at the first sign of dissent. It's not right to even try and create a falsely sterile environment.
No links to other forums sound like repression to me. I can't even begin to fathom the logic behind that one. Unless it's forums hosting illegal materials!
How do you measure "5 inches" of text? Different computers and different monitor resolutions will make that measurement meaningless. If you must limit people's speech - try limiting the number of characters per post (every forum software I ever used has that option).
And deleting people's posts is just wrong. It's part of what happened. Smacks of rewriting history to me (Never wise!).
And the bit about not giving feedback to people's posts makes no sense at all!! Why would anyone post something, Anything, if they are not willing to get feedback and hear other people's opinions?
Finally, using words like "baiting" "trolling" and "flaming" should be avoided. They only have meaning to those familiar with internet slang. The language used should be written for all, not just those "Hip to your lingo."
We are supposed to be adults here. If somebody can't handle feedback they don't want to hear, they should stop associating with other people. At every level. Until they grow up.
That's just my opinion, and not that of the admin here (or probably anyone else here). But it's how I feel and I am compelled to post it here!