Mahoning Valley Forum

Youngstown & The Mahoning Valley => Announcements & Events => Topic started by: ForumManager on August 05, 2010, 10:42:00 AM

Title: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 05, 2010, 10:42:00 AM
Folks, we are cracking down on inappropriate posts.
Please report inappropriate posts and the abusers will be given a warning if moderators feel it is warranted.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: Rick Rowlands on August 05, 2010, 01:49:10 PM
Thanks for stepping up the moderation of this Forum. 

Might I suggest that Dennis Spisak's excessive "variation on a theme" posts be inappropriate for this forum.  This year it is "dirty coal Strickland", before that it was Bob Hagan.  Then the unceasing personal attacks on Dan Moadus, Sarge, Youngstownshrimp and myself because of the conservative viewpoints that we have.  His posts are "hit and run".  He makes statements and accusations then when refuted will simply make a personal insult and then run away. It can be offensive to me and my "pea sized brain" (his words)!

To be fair sometimes I do make personal attacks, but I try to not make it a habit. I'll watch what I post a little more carefully from now on.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: iwasthere on August 05, 2010, 02:00:36 PM
RR i do not take anyone personal attacks against me personally. i worked in a factory for thirty yrs that made my skin tuff as leather. i survived chairs being thrown at me, barroom fights, Italian holidays with family, brothers and sisters not speaking to me because what i said to them whether i was somber or intoxicated and vise versa. did i take those personal attacks personal? no, i say i still have that special touch that brings the best out of people when debating. it is part of the debate on this forum. i do find offensive is incorrect information or half truths about discussed topics.  have a nice day RR and watch out for flying chairs on this board. ;D
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 05, 2010, 04:05:58 PM
If posts are reported we can better monitor. We cannot read every post. Please use the report feature if you feel someone is not following the board's guidelines.
Iwasthere, Please read the Terms of Use before egging anyone on.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: Rick Rowlands on August 05, 2010, 10:06:18 PM
Why can't you read every post?  I have an obviously busy schedule, but still manage to read every post on the MV forum, and visit at least three other and much more active forums on a daily basis.  We may get a dozen new posts here on a good day and that is certainly within the realm of a moderator to be able to keep track of.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 05, 2010, 11:40:25 PM
I volunteer for several organizations and work full time. I have been at organization meetings every night this week and have just walked in  the door. I receive and write  copious emails related to work and orgs.  I simply don't have the time to keep up. Sorry
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: Youngstownshrimp on August 05, 2010, 11:40:59 PM
I don't know, I think ever since the last clean up the post have been more hear say free and civil.  Sometimes free association is stimulated by a topic and the side topic is more interesting.  Rick stands out more because his post are more of facts than mudslinging.  Again since the last purge, it seems that the members who engage in character assassination have fled.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 05, 2010, 11:47:20 PM
However the recent complaints have been about people not staying on topic and hijacking threads with side topics. People can post more topics if they feel the need,. Reminder to do so.   I appreciate all  of the conversation if kept civil, however netiquette does ask that forum posts stay on topic.

Quote from: Youngstownshrimp on August 05, 2010, 11:40:59 PM
I don't know, I think ever since the last clean up the post have been more hear say free and civil.  Sometimes free association is stimulated by a topic and the side topic is more interesting.  Rick stands out more because his post are more of facts than mudslinging.  Again since the last purge, it seems that the members who engage in character assassination have fled.
Title: Warnings - More Info
Post by: ForumManager on August 10, 2010, 06:55:42 PM
Warnings will only be issued if a post is reported to a moderator through the forum system.  Emails on the side will not be considered.

Do not assume that a filed report will automatically result in a warning. It will be taken under consideration. When reporting, please give details of the offense.

Levels that will commonly  be used on this forum

Off topic after being addressed once about staying stay on topic - Warning level 5

Abusive language, name calling, harassment, antagonism   - Warning level 10

Details about warning levels on this forum

Warning level for user watch - 10
The user warning level after which a user watch is put in place

Warning level for user muting - 100
The user warning level after which a user cannot post any further

Maximum user warning points per day - 20
This value is the maximum amount of warning points a single moderator can assign to a user in a 24 hour period

Users who can see warning status - all members
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: irishbobcat on August 11, 2010, 09:51:48 AM
Is it 1984 already? Big Brother is watching me.

So, if I understand this correctly, all members can see who has been warned? If so, why don't you just pin a yellow star
on us like the Nazi's pinned on the Jews?

Also, If I understand this correctly, once you assume a warning and are issued points, those points are never removed?

thus, one is labeled for life as a "text offender?"  Should I register my computer with law officials, since I am now a known

voiolator of the Forum Director?

Yes, Big Brother is alive and well and now living on this forum. This should make all the neo-cons happy......

next step, removing us violators to Mexico!!!!!
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 11, 2010, 11:25:49 AM
BobCat,

You have been warned due to complaints about your abusive language - name calling.

I will be happy to remove your warning if you can go a week without attacking someone or using abusive language.
Is that possible?

And, yes members can see your warning  so they can ignore posts from those with warnings.

The members  of this forum have received  many reminders to behave in a civil manner.

If you feel someone else is in need of a warning for abuse, please report the posts.

I have provided an ignore feature but apparently folks WANT to see the stuff that angers them.

Please take the time to get your point across without abuse.

This is not a government project... I support freedom of speech but not abuse. READ THE TERMS OF USE. I don't care if you don't like them.
If you want your own forum there are plenty of places online for you to set one up as well as blogging sites where you can rant and insult anyone.
They are user friendly and you don't need a CS degree to get them up and running. I know you have your own website, Dennis  so it shouldn't be a problem to get your own forum up and running.  Then you call anyone, anything you like. They probably won't stick around.  WHAT EVER

Here's a link to get you started on you very own, brand spanking new forum where you can tell anyone where to go and vice versa.  I can't wait.  I'll be the first one in line to join and say whatever nasty thing I care to about you.
http://www.smfforfree.com/

How's that for antagonistic?

I am weary of the ungrateful attitudes expressed here by some members.  To compare me to a Nazi  is, as far as I'm concerned,  abusive.  You are way out of line here,  Dennis.   I have received emails  just this week asking me to remove a member  that has posted "antagonistic" posts.  I have received messages asking me to reveal a person's identity so they can be prosecuted for slander.  I basically said  get a warrant  and I will give the authorities an IP.   I  have been criticized  for letting abusive posts slide.  Well, you know what?? You can all go on your merry ways and attack each other elsewhere. I can shut this forum down in a second and I'm on the verge of tossing it to the wind.

Nazi? Big Brother?  Sorry to say  I've lost any respect I had for you. While you are running for governor, people will probably do some online searching  to find out who you are and what you represent. What will they think when they find this and other abusive posts?  Does your running mate even  know how you behave here?

The forum can be set to decrement warnings over time. I chose not to do it.
I will ask users in a poll. Or better yet- why don't you ask users what they think of the warnings and decrementing the warning points over time.
Please feel free to make any poll you like.

Here's an example -
Is the Forum Manager a Nazi?
Yes
No
Maybe
Is this for real?

Sieg Heil !!!
FM
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: irishbobcat on August 11, 2010, 01:13:24 PM


oh...I feel like I've been issued a yellow card in soccer........

What! Am I calling you a bias blind world cup soccer ref??????   ABUSIVE!!!!  HA HA













Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: AllanY2525 on August 11, 2010, 01:18:15 PM
Forum Manager,

Your forum provides a VALUABLE SERVICE to the community.  Please do not shut down
the forum.

As for mis-behaving people here on the boards, you hit the nail right on the head.  Folks
posting messages here need to either AGREE TO AND ABIDE BY the terms of service,
or MOVE ON.

If they do not agree to, or wish to abide by, the terms of service - then they need to be
banned from the forum and not allowed to come back.  PERIOD.

This is NOT acting like "Big Brother" - users' right to free speech only extends to the point
where it VIOLATES YOUR RIGHTS as the forum owner to have an intelligent, peaceful,
POLITE venue for the exchange of ideas, news and info, and FRIENDLY DEBATE of the
issues.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 11, 2010, 10:08:06 PM
Quote from: irishbobcat on August 11, 2010, 01:13:24 PM

oh...I feel like I've been issued a yellow card in soccer........

What! Am I calling you a bias blind world cup soccer ref??????   ABUSIVE!!!!  HA HA


Pushing for a red card.
Your soccer referee analogy is quite tame and cutsey compared to making light of one of the most horrible periods in modern man's history.  I have shed tears in both Auschwitz and in the Holocaust Museum in DC for the victims and their misguided and cruel captors. The fact that you can diminish that tragedy with trite sarcasm has permanently affected my opinion of you.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: irishbobcat on August 12, 2010, 10:01:46 AM
 I am an educator....I have been to the Holocaust Museum in Washington and have been moved as well.....

Please spare me the melodrama.......Elmo........

Before the executions.......there was "identifying"...... pointing out the non-civilized.....with a yellow star.....

The Forum manager's desire to let all who post here know who is being watched is the same as being identified.....

and then we are removed from the forum......exterminated....

can't take the analogy?????

boy, you folks are wound too tightly......

Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 12, 2010, 10:34:36 AM

You just don't get it.  You don't need to explain or "educate" us about the analogy.  Elmo and I are not idiots.  Comparing your warning points to the branding and attempted genocide of an entire populous is unacceptable to me.  I feel the  flippant manner in which you conveyed the analogy showed disrespect.   I can see why so many forum exchanges with you turn into brawls.

Even if I agreed with your party's viewpoint on every Ohio issue, i would not vote for you.  My opinion  is based on your behavior on this forum. 

Stick with the sports analogies.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: Why?Town on August 12, 2010, 10:49:52 AM
I've been on a couple of sites that delete all posts by a user when they are banned.

If Dennis gets....exterminated, it would be a shame to delete all his posts showing his true colors.

Potential voters need to know.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: irishbobcat on August 12, 2010, 10:55:05 AM
Ms. Manager:

I am sorry if my analogy is unacceptable to you....but that's your opinion.....

And my intial response was my opinion......

I find your ranting and raving now unacceptable......so maybe I should ask you to place a watched sign on your name.....

If the shoe fits......
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: irishbobcat on August 12, 2010, 10:57:24 AM
Why Town:

thanks for your two cents......

thanks for playing....next!
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 12, 2010, 11:04:20 AM
Quote from: irishbobcat on August 12, 2010, 10:55:05 AM
I find your ranting and raving now unacceptable......so maybe I should ask you to place a watched sign on your name.....

Dennis,
Please  use the up and down arrows to indicate good and bad topic on my posts or report me to the moderators.
If a person gets enough down arrows their posts can be hidden in your profile settings.
I rarely post so no one will miss my input.
FM

Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 12, 2010, 11:06:23 AM
Quote from: Why?Town on August 12, 2010, 10:49:52 AM
I've been on a couple of sites that delete all posts by a user when they are banned.

If Dennis gets....exterminated, it would be a shame to delete all his posts showing his true colors.

Potential voters need to know.

On this forum system. when members are banned or deleted, there is a choice to delete or maintain their posts.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: irishbobcat on August 12, 2010, 11:11:49 AM
Ms. Manager:

Fine.

Can we end this conversation now? I believe you have made your point.....
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 12, 2010, 11:30:28 AM
Just one more thing.
I see that in the last few minutes, you have reported posts on this thread as being abusive.
I am recusing  myself for obvious reasons. 
We have 2 additional  moderators and one is on vacation until next week. 
I feel that they can decide whether a warning is in order.
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: yfdgricker on August 13, 2010, 05:54:28 PM
Ahh, it's good to be back from vacation. Back to the roll of babysitter again.

Sadly, whenever you start a forum or open up a place to allow free speech, you will eventually get those on the site whom make you wish you hadn't.  This is a site for intelligent discussion on topics of interest to the Youngstown, Ohio area. That is not a difficult concept to comprehend. Let's make this easy, ForumManager started mahoningvalley.info and these forums to exchange ideas and promote discussion with other like minded individuals. No we are not all created equal. I personally don't read half of what is posted on these forums because I really don't care about some of the topics of discussions here. I come here, I read topics I am interested in and I leave and go about my business. I stay away from the political sections because I know many people here don't express the same views and ideals I have. That's ok. But there is a time and a place for everything and I don't think this is the place for some of the discussions that goes on here.  If you choose to mudsling, name call and hijack posts, fine. But expect to get a warning from one of us. If you don't want to follow the one simple rule of this forum, to have intelligent discussion on topics of interest to Youngstown, then feel free to go start your own forum. Every forum and discussion board needs some type of moderation, that's just the way it is.

I've had to kick people off of my forums and yes those people have whined that the forums will no longer operate without them there. In fact, just the opposite happened. Kick off the troublemakers and name callers and the board grows stronger. You get new people signing up and participating because they are no longer afraid of what the bullies might say. Keep the discussions on topic and civilized and everything will be fine. If you want to name call and bash, find somewhere else to do that.

Also, can we please not use the Holocaust analogy? Thank you.

 
Title: Re: Cracking Down
Post by: ForumManager on August 13, 2010, 06:53:43 PM
Welcome back Greg AKA voice of reason!!