The fine art of moderating...

[72targa]

Hello all,

I got a very nice note with some excellent constructive criticism today. Here it is...

"I felt compelled to write you this email. I consider myself one of the younger newer guys around this forum. The reason I felt compelled to write you was I have seen some posts that you have deleted or edited. I know your job must be a thankless PIA job, but I feel that unless a post is considered offensive it should be left alone. Again, I am not trying to offend you here, I just believe strongly that these forums and the folks that use them need to be an open free line of communications. The forums that are like this are so much more interesting and ultimately attract more users. Our hobby is hard enough to get young folks into, but if we can have fun forums it would help."

I am still learning that proper balance in the Classified Section. I will definitely take this note to heart and try my best to properly apply the suggestions. As always, your comments are welcome!

Peter

[Frank Beck]

Hello all,

I got a very nice note with some excellent constructive criticism today. Here it is...

"I felt compelled to write you this email. I consider myself one of the younger newer guys around this forum. The reason I felt compelled to write you was I have seen some posts that you have deleted or edited. I know your job must be a thankless PIA job, but I feel that unless a post is considered offensive it should be left alone. Again, I am not trying to offend you here, I just believe strongly that these forums and the folks that use them need to be an open free line of communications. The forums that are like this are so much more interesting and ultimately attract more users. Our hobby is hard enough to get young folks into, but if we can have fun forums it would help."

I am still learning that proper balance in the Classified Section. I will definitely take this note to heart and try my best to properly apply the suggestions. As always, your comments are welcome!

Peter

Here, Here! As another young member I couldn't have stated it better myself.

Peter, thanks for your service and your humility but dialing back the big bro a bit would make for a more honest forum. I know in your neck of the woods people walk around naked in public so you're used to shielding the eyes of children but we're all adults here.

[72targa]

^^^^^ Am I allowed to say LOL? Thanks for the laugh! I'm learning...

[jaudette3]

Moderating is a benevolent dictatorship.

JohnA

[kentf14]

Thanks for the great job you're doing Peter. I know that I wouldn't want to be in your shoes as moderator. I do agree with the youngsters (Frank & Anonymous). The over-use of thread locking and deleting can be a little off putting and Big Bro like. The members here have always impressed me with their overall maturity level when it comes to posts (unlike some other forums... like that one named after a bird).
Unless we're seeing a shift in the type of EarlyS member, I'd expect the community to self-regulate to a degree. Overly negative posters have a way of being driven away by the group. Also, some of the very serious subjects we discuss are bound to generate heated posts (window regulators, steering wheels etc) It's through these sometimes heated discussions that we not only solve the heavy issues of lonhood ownership, but also self-regulate.
Keep up the good work man.

Kent

[Xavier PJB]

I would say the content makes a site, the way it is moderated gives its flavour, and this forum smells good.
Cheers
Xavier

[John Straub]

Doing a great job Peter!

John

[jaudette3]

Doing a great job Peter!

John

+1. You walk a fine line as a benevolent dictator.

JohnA

[Frank Beck]

Nailed it Kent: This isn't a terminal cancer forum. How serious can it really get when all we're talking about is cars?

We're here for the enjoyment among kindred spirits. I enjoy this forum because it seems to attract solid citizens who have an appreciation for their chosen marque. I also agree that the subject matter and members do an awesome job of self policing. When the banter and debate reaches a Really uncomfortable level, we all know it and do a reasonable job of keeping it respectful.

Remember: If you haven't been on the other side of someone else's errant opinion you're either a tremendous brown noser, a politician (oops, redundancy), or your turn hasn't come up yet.

[bob tilton]

Peter - thank you for a truly thankless job. My only comments are that if (this portion has been moderated) and when there are times (this portion has been moderated) but I do understand the people (this portion has been moderated) but other than that...great job.