Policy, Off Topic Forums and frustrated users and staff.
Let me share with you my thoughts
:neener:
Having said that, let me explain:gar-La;
Yesterday, a lot of things got out of hand. The moderators were trying to stop the discussion of economics policy,etc. They were having a hard time. I read the thread and posts and agreed we needed to do something. Not only were the topics not allowed by policy, but in the opinion of some of the staff the threads were going in the direction of NOT SO polite a debate.
So much staff time was being taken up by this that an individual post that was a veiled racist remark was totally missed.
However, some of the feedback I was getting from users by PM clearly showed that there was a disconnect between policy and definition. Also several people were saying if we had a written policy they would follow it.
I also found that many of the staff were getting frustrated and didn't understand why users just wouldn't stop posting on the issue.
At this point, I shut down the Off Topic forum becuase there was no way we could resolve all the different issues immediately.
Some points I would like to make.
1. For those that asked for a policy, there already is one. Please take some time to read it.
2. There is one major issue with the policy that I know of, the definition of "political". We have always used a very broad defintion, but if you read a dictionary defintion , it does not cover what we intended. We need to clarify that area so that posters and moderators are wrk from the same base.
3. We have started the staff discussion on the definition of political
4. The off topic forums was never meant to be a place for discussions of things controversial. Why? Becuase outside of the woodworking controversial issues, :dontknow::icon_scra:rotflm:, controversial issues are, well, controversial:swoon: They will only lead to heated debate which almost always ends with hurt feelings and/or anger. You may not think they, but generally they will.
5. So what is the off topic forum for? Well, they are meant to foster a sense of community, a place to show pictures of grandchildren, ask for prayers, announce death of a loved one(pets included), etc. etc.
6 The Off Topic forum will be re-opened when and if we can adjust our policies so that they are clearer and it appears that it will work.
OK, please keep it civil. thoughts, suggestions, complaints?
Let me share with you my thoughts
:neener:
Having said that, let me explain:gar-La;
Yesterday, a lot of things got out of hand. The moderators were trying to stop the discussion of economics policy,etc. They were having a hard time. I read the thread and posts and agreed we needed to do something. Not only were the topics not allowed by policy, but in the opinion of some of the staff the threads were going in the direction of NOT SO polite a debate.
So much staff time was being taken up by this that an individual post that was a veiled racist remark was totally missed.
However, some of the feedback I was getting from users by PM clearly showed that there was a disconnect between policy and definition. Also several people were saying if we had a written policy they would follow it.
I also found that many of the staff were getting frustrated and didn't understand why users just wouldn't stop posting on the issue.
At this point, I shut down the Off Topic forum becuase there was no way we could resolve all the different issues immediately.
Some points I would like to make.
1. For those that asked for a policy, there already is one. Please take some time to read it.
2. There is one major issue with the policy that I know of, the definition of "political". We have always used a very broad defintion, but if you read a dictionary defintion , it does not cover what we intended. We need to clarify that area so that posters and moderators are wrk from the same base.
3. We have started the staff discussion on the definition of political
Staff Member said:To me, a thread is in the political realm if it discusses any issue that involves our government decision making -- war, taxes, economy, voting, etc. In other words, issues like the economic stimulus package versus tax cuts should be prohibited and frankly, I think the Buy American issue is borderline... We may find some issues that relate to woodworking may get close -- e.g., discussions about the new Consumer Product Safety Information Act should be allowed because they impact the woodworking industry. It should be okay to talk about one's personal plight (some members have been laid off), but not to the extent that it is so-and-so's [insert political party] fault.
Staff Mmeber said:new definition like "hot button topics are not allowed
4. The off topic forums was never meant to be a place for discussions of things controversial. Why? Becuase outside of the woodworking controversial issues, :dontknow::icon_scra:rotflm:, controversial issues are, well, controversial:swoon: They will only lead to heated debate which almost always ends with hurt feelings and/or anger. You may not think they, but generally they will.
5. So what is the off topic forum for? Well, they are meant to foster a sense of community, a place to show pictures of grandchildren, ask for prayers, announce death of a loved one(pets included), etc. etc.
6 The Off Topic forum will be re-opened when and if we can adjust our policies so that they are clearer and it appears that it will work.
OK, please keep it civil. thoughts, suggestions, complaints?