[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

You're not alone. It happened to me and others I know. If that wasn't bad enough, I even had my posting priviledges suspended without explaination, even when I asked. I was eventually restored but only after I apologized for what my wife thought might be the reason they preceeved... being that I was disclosing something (as a former website administrator for a statewide organization) about how the internet worked that could have a remote chance of scaring off a few forum members. What I posted was not something that was specific to this site, and it's almost always benign. It was what's called "spiders" and they've been crawling around the internet to every website since probably before most of us were even on the internet. So it doesn't scare anybody I'll briefly explain what it is in a sentence... A spider is software used by search engines like Google to index the internet, and it's needed to make them run. Want more info about it, just Google "definition: web spiders."

Skyguy, Like you, I had more than one post disappear without explanation. In fact, gracie and I had one series of posts deleted with exteme prejudice. When I pressed for the reason, I was told that we were making fun of the Morse Hunting Fiasco and the attitude of the reply was rudely condescending. The admin was extremely off-base as Gracie and I were actually off-topic at that point. I am really looking forward to a less dictatorial and even-handed administration. Welcome to the new admin.

HOWEVER! I just read the thread about the needy school children that Admin closed and I am going on record that, lacking any explanation, closing that thread in that way tarnishes our reputation as the "Friendliest".

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by golf4me

yeah. I think a lot more people wanted to say thanks to Russ. I don't post much, never met him, but he is a smart guy. I think some other people should have left, not him.

I remember threads that Russ said he was through with but came back a few posts later. He can't help himself. He will be back.

[Skybo]

I kind of understood closing the Russ thread, simply because it had a high probability of going south and would probably have needed constant monitoring. But I’m still scratching my head over the “back to school” thread being closed. That made no sense to me at all.

[rubicon]

I have reviewed every post in this thread and believe one manner to avoid offending anyone is to speak to the subject or topic. If a member disagrees with a fellow member's comments then the member when replying should explain why he disagrees and not direct his/her words in a personal rebuttal. Even then I have seen some members take a burn because the subject or topic is kryptonite to them and so they attack. Conversely I see a great need in this country of ours to break free of political correctness because it shuts down true communications.

Another problem here has to do with character issues concerning prominent and well known people that are well know and published? What to do? what to say?

A priest friend once told me that I am by design a "naturalist" as we discussed the purposes of God's will. As a naturalist I accept that people are who they are and hence error often because they are just human. I therefore am not as quick to take umbrage when receiving a personal verbal attack because I reason that it must be this person had a bad day for whatever reason. And so my response would be to apply logic. Sometime it works and sometime I get a stick in the eye. But I prefer that approach because at least temporaily it a settled issue.

At this stage in my life my feelings don't get hurt too quickly. Life is too short. I enjoy TOTV it is a wealth of information both positive and negative helpful or funny. It is in fact a composite of the human experience. So continue doing what you do because that is who you are.

[steamdogman]

As Abraham Lincoln once said "you can please some of the people some of the time, you can please some of the people all of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time"

[steamdogman]

As Abraham Lincoln once said oh by the way I am taking a little poetic license in this quote. "you can please some of the people some of the time, you can please some of the people all of the time but, you cannot please all of the people all of the time

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by bobkendrigan

As Abraham Lincoln once said oh by the way I am taking a little poetic license in this quote. "you can please some of the people some of the time, you can please some of the people all of the time but, you cannot please all of the people all of the time

And a new broom always sweeps clean. Sorry Topicop, Sir.

[faithfulfrank]

Yes, one good rule I subscribe to when Modding the forum I mod is...

"Discuss the topic, NOT the poster"

Sometimes the problem is simply a misinterpretation of the written word, because one cannot hear the tone of voice, see facial features, etc.

The other problem is that some folks are more bold and less tactful when they are behind a computer monitor......I doubt some would say or act the same if everyone here posting were face to face in one big room. There is an online anonymity that sometimes lends itself to being more bold and less tactful.

Frank

[villagegolfer]

In what you say of another, apply the test of kindness, necessity and truth, and let nothing pass your lips without a 2/3 majority. ~Liz Armbruster,[/url]

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

I visit here on a regular basis. I like TOTV.
There seem to be two groups of folks here.....People who live or own in The Villages, and folks thinking about it. I am a oddity here....I'm currently living in my NY home that is for sale and I own in a smaller community just south of you good people. TOTV is one way I get my "Florida fix".

That being said, I have most always been welcome here and I have tried to post helpful info and be respectful. I appreciate you all allowing an "outsider" like me to post.

The current new "Admins" will do fine. Respect is the word here. It seems that some of the frustration stems with how threads are managed.

I am a forum Moderator on one of the biggest, most active forums in the country. There we use the same v-bulletin software, etc. Perhaps if I may share some suggestions that we do on that forum, it may help.

We have a Terms of Service that folks agree to when joining. We have that posted as a sticky so that folks can read it more then just the first time when they join. Many folks do not even read the rules when joining, but they should.

As a Moderator there, I have the power to edit a post, (I do a "Mod Cut") if a small part of a post is bad....

If a post is off topic, a rant, disrespectful, etc, I will just delete the post and put a reason why. If I get to it too late and someone has posted a reply to that now deleted post, their post also gets deleted as an "orphaned post". This makes the thread then less confusing.

Since Moderators do have a life, and cannot watch things 24/7....there is a report feature where if someone posts something offensive, etc, anyone can click the report button and it goes right to a Moderator so they can deal with it, etc.

Folks, trust me....the "problems" here are nothing. This is a very smooth, quiet, well run forum with hardly any problems. You have no trolls, attackers, etc. You do not have to contend with Rep points, Infractions, Banning problem posters, fake IP addresses, etc.

Moderating is more of an Art then a Science. I do not always get it right on the forum I Mod. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, as this forum in my opinion is wonderful.

Respectfully, Frank

Excellent post, frank. As usual.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

Yes, one good rule I subscribe to when Modding the forum I mod is...

"Discuss the topic, NOT the poster"

Sometimes the problem is simply a misinterpretation of the written word, because one cannot hear the tone of voice, see facial features, etc.

The other problem is that some folks are more bold and less tactful when they are behind a computer monitor......I doubt some would say or act the same if everyone here posting were face to face in one big room. There is an online anonymity that sometimes lends itself to being more bold and less tactful.

Frank

Frank, You are "spot on" again.

[The Great Fumar]

Originally Posted by bobkendrigan

As Abraham Lincoln once said oh by the way I am taking a little poetic license in this quote. "you can please some of the people some of the time, you can please some of the people all of the time but, you cannot please all of the people all of the time

Hey thats catchy , thats catchy.............

[The Great Fumar]

Originally Posted by rubicon

I have reviewed every post in this thread and believe one manner to avoid offending anyone is to speak to the subject or topic. If a member disagrees with a fellow member's comments then the member when replying should explain why he disagrees and not direct his/her words in a personal rebuttal. Even then I have seen some members take a burn because the subject or topic is kryptonite to them and so they attack. Conversely I see a great need in this country of ours to break free of political correctness because it shuts down true communications.

Another problem here has to do with character issues concerning prominent and well known people that are well know and published? What to do? what to say?

A priest friend once told me that I am by design a "naturalist" as we discussed the purposes of God's will. As a naturalist I accept that people are who they are and hence error often because they are just human. I therefore am not as quick to take umbrage when receiving a personal verbal attack because I reason that it must be this person had a bad day for whatever reason. And so my response would be to apply logic. Sometime it works and sometime I get a stick in the eye. But I prefer that approach because at least temporaily it a settled issue.

At this stage in my life my feelings don't get hurt too quickly. Life is too short. I enjoy TOTV it is a wealth of information both positive and negative helpful or funny. It is in fact a composite of the human experience. So continue doing what you do because that is who you are.

Hey I remember that guy, he was in Boys Town !!!!!!!

[Pturner]

Hey Fumar,
I just noticed your new tagline. Now that's catchy. In fact, seems the whole country has caught the blame virus.

Hijack over and out.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by rubicon

A priest friend once told me that I am by design a "naturalist" as we discussed the purposes of God's will.

Silly me, and I always thought that a "naturalist" was a person who like to enjoy themselves in the all-to-gether; the way God placed them on this earth!