Posting topics in General Chat

[Jen]

You guys are just lucky that this is a mostly male site you should see the girley ones go at it

[PCH (Paul)]

Originally Posted by xstream

Well said Mike.

Also some people think it is okay to bypass the profanity filter, it is not okay to bypass it. Yes, I have edited one post in this thread.

Could we also please request you all familiarise your selves with TOS.

Thanks for your co-operation.

John,

I'd imagine it was my post in this thread that you're referring to that was edited. In my post I quoted, verbatim, what was posted by a longer serving and probably more valued, certainly stronger (clue?) member.

I'd be interested to hear why you didn't edit it in it's original post by said person. My earlier comment stands about selective moderation. But hey, I can live with that. However, it is one of the reasons I don't post all that often.

Just my 2c

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

I'd just like to apologise for my sunburnt upper back description in a recent post on a thread created by me .... perhaps it was a bit strong and I will retract it.

Yes it is a topic I have strong views on...plus I guess I work in an environment where there are many people who form opinions based on, well, not much really and as a result really have no idea of the real problems and/or their causes (not that I know it all either of course).

I wasn't necessarily refering to anyone on this forum as requiring suntan lotion for their necks, I was just exagerating for clarity I guess

Again sorry if I offended ...am'e luv yu's all

Mike

[Dennis]

I do not find the sometimes (seemingly) varied responses from Mods that surprising in a free to air Forum managed and operated by unsalaried people. Things are rarely B&W, except for mono CCD chips!

The man of strength in question, (Mike Sid) is a well respected astro photographer who over the years has contributed much to amateur astronomy in Australia and to this Forum, in a (mostly) likeable manner. Okay, so he might have had a brain snap and blew up for just one post – this is not his usual behaviour so maybe the mods just let it go to avoid the inevitable (groan!) criticism of “too much interference” being leveled at them. Or they didn’t see it? Or no one used the “Report Post” Button? Or no-one was on watch? Or all of the above? Who knows - my guesses entirely.

It also might be the case that other posters who may have had their posts locked just do not have an equivalent history of posting and contribution that Mike Sid has, and so the mods might not know if their behaviour is a one off brain explosion or maybe a posting trend? Again, my guess entirely.

I suspect that assessing posts culled from the numerous daily post count and trying to weigh up… “is it on topic?”…and if not…”will it go off the rails?” etc… is not an easy or pleasant task, given that they also have full time jobs, families and let’s also not forget, a hobby to get out and enjoy in their spare time.

Give the mods a break - this is a fun hobby; the Forum is a free place to meet. It is financed, serviced and supported by Mike and his volunteer team for the amateur astronomy community, for us to share our interest and love for (mainly) astronomy. Let them make their (few) mistakes just as others let us make our mistakes – don’t be in such a hurry to judge or demand justice. No-one is breaking your front door down with an axe trying to steal your telescope!

I have problems looking after my own PC, performing backups and installing patches – imagine the work that goes on behind the scenes in managing just those mechanical aspects of this Forum, let alone the personal interactions.

Astronomy is fun; the stuff we do is out-of-this-world and inspirational. If you really want to discuss the other stuff that we all know invariably gets locked, just go and join another Forum that provides for that outlet and have your say and fun there, amongst like minded people, but remain here on IIS for the astronomy stuff and general chat stuff that isn’t as controversial.

Cheers

Dennis

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Okay, so he might have had a brain snap and blew up for just one post – this is not his usual behaviour

...again, sorry for that

Mike

[matt]

I pretty much have to agree with you, Dennis.

At the end of the day the mods have to make judgement calls, very often quickly, about where their instincts tell them a certain thread is going to head.

If sometimes a thread is closed too quickly, well, that's erring on the side of caution. I'm sure Mike or any of the mod crew, if you had a chance to chat with them about a particular thread, might agree that perhaps they could have let this or that thread go a few extra posts, but what for? Yes, it might stay on track and self-moderate...and eventually reach some kind of rational conclusion. But it might also blow up big time. And they are called on to make the decision, in the face of what a blow up might look like...and this site has worked long and hard to appear moderate, and 'family friendly'. So, why risk blowing it for the sake of a circular political or religious stoush which most likely will not resolve anything?

They (the mods) have to make a decision at some point whether to nip something in the bud before it gets silly, and be able to walk away and take care of their own business with family and work as they are entitled to, or sit there....hovering over their laptops....for hours....waiting until someone offends (or not) and then to make a decision, or not!

And let's be honest...this is a very heated issue,based in the socio/political sphere, which is likely to draw some very strong opinion. As others have said, you can express that as forcefully as you like at a myriad of other sites. Not doing so here does not diminish in any way the strength and quality of discussion which takes place on so many other issues across so many broad boundaries.

At the end of the day, it never ceases to amaze and amuse that some members here at IIS have an expectation that the mods should never make mistakes, simply by virtue of their position. These people are human.....they do their best

[Hagar (Doug)]

The above couple of posts seem to be of the opinion that this was some sortof knee jerk descision on behalf of the moderators. I doubt that to be the fact considering Mikes post at 7:30 this morning and then the on going edits. The fact that a new set of rules has been created is of course Mikes perogative but should there be an implementation of the said rules then carry it equally across the board.
The rule states quite clearly topics on climate change should be taken up on a listed forum, The thread regarding the politics and belief in climate change still seems to be active.
Mike Sidonio was not out of line in my opinion with any of the comments he made and I doubt he actually called anyone a red neck. He used the description as a graphic generalisation, something that happens regularly on this and every other forum on the net.

It does seem a pitty, with a resource like IIS that w have to take a topic to another forum when we have an Australian site here and cannot bring up items of importance happening in Australia, in a general chat forum.
This section in red is from the TOS and allows such posts and threads in the General chat Forum.

3. Posting Topics

• Avoid topics about race, politics or religion. These can be very sensitive topics and it can be very easy to take things the wrong way, creating arguments.
• Please keep threads on-topic and avoid spam or "chit-chat" within the specialised forums. The "General Chat" forum should be used for all off-topic posts that don't belong in the specialised forums. Off-topic means posts about stuff that isn't related to astronomy.
• "Spam" is a post with no useful content, no purpose except to get other people to reply with spam, and to increase your post count. Spam is not welcome anywhere on the forum.
• When creating a new thread, please ensure the thread title is descriptive of the content of the post.

Some topics will always become heated on all forums, this is the reason Mike chooses to moderate the forum and not leave himself open to legal intervention.

This thread has been going for quite some time without any explanation from Mike or the moderators concerned. Their absence is very visible and I am surprised this has not been locked.
Respect is something earned not given and as such some explanation as to why the new rules have been applied to one and not to another thread which quite obviously is in breach of the rules would help to earn that respect.

[matt]

I certainly wasn't implying there was any sort of knee-jerk reaction, Doug, if you're refering to my post? It certainly wasn't my intent...and I think I went to some lengths to make it clear I believe their decisions are quite considered...if not always correct, in my humble opinion. But that's the nature of the beast, as I've also already said.

And as far as respect goes...I think that's been earnt over a long time of largely even-handed moderation. Not just from Mike, but the larger team, current and prior.

I don't expect the mods to pop up on the forum and explain/justify every action they take, even if those decisions seem perplexing at times. I'm not nearly so self-involved to demand an explanation for the actions they've been appointed to take/make Although, I have on occasion sought a clarification, if only for my own enlightenment.

I just let it roll off me, and accept it as the umpire's decision whether I like it or not.

Cheers ...and clear skies, which is really what we're here for

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Hagar

The above couple of posts seem to be of the opinion that this was some sortof knee jerk descision on behalf of the moderators.
>snip
Their absence is very visible...
>snip

Hi Doug

If you are referring to my previous post, and as we’re not chatting face to face, having to use just the written word can lead to misunderstanding. So just for the record, no where did I use the term knee jerk reaction, nor was that meaning intended.

I’m not sure why you read that into my words, granted you used the term “seeming”, but I was not suggesting that was the modus operandi of the mods.

In terms of their absence, perhaps they are attending to the long list of weekend chores that face most working families?

Cheers

Dennis

PS – Also, in my interpretation of Matt’s post, I did not consider that he was also implying a knee jerk response from the mods.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I reckon all the mods are out setting up their scopes.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

I reckon all the mods are out setting up their scopes.

LOL
Wish the clouds here would go away so we al could too

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Cause when you get right down to it, astronomy is what this forum is all about.

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Schturm und Drang, Ja Ja

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Cause when you get right down to it, astronomy is what this forum is all about.

Well said

Chris

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by matt

I pretty much have to agree with you, Dennis.

At the end of the day the mods have to make judgement calls, very often quickly, about where their instincts tell them a certain thread is going to head.

If sometimes a thread is closed too quickly, well, that's erring on the side of caution. .they do their best

If this is not knee jerk then what constitutes a reaction without knowing the facts.

The fact is the rules were changed without being implemented across the site. A reaction to one thread while leaving the gate open to stop others. No wonder I don't usually post in General Chat. It is often full of pure dribble (Check out the AB Machines post) Comedy maybe but I doubt that was the intention.
Anyway I have had my rant, Falls on deaf ears anyway.

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Cause when you get right down to it, astronomy is what this forum is all about.

I could not agree more. I for one would not like to see this great community spoiled by heated reactions and negativity.

We cannot say "just what we like". The internet is a part of the mass media, just as the print media, radio and TV, and the owners and moderators have a perfect right to step in when they think fit.

[matt]

Originally Posted by Hagar

If this is not knee jerk then what constitutes a reaction without knowing the facts.

The fact is the rules were changed without being implemented across the site. A reaction to one thread while leaving the gate open to stop others. No wonder I don't usually post in General Chat. It is often full of pure dribble (Check out the AB Machines post) Comedy maybe but I doubt that was the intention.
Anyway I have had my rant, Falls on deaf ears anyway.

Read the words 'very often quickly'...Doug.

And 'if sometimes a thread is closed too quickly....'.

They are qualified statements, Doug. And look at the rest of the post in which I qualify almost everything I say. It's not black and white, and I don't appreciate my comments being taken out of context. That's what causes arguments.

Don't misrepresent me. That's percisely why mods shut down some threads sooner than others. They make a judgement call on individuals and personalities, as well as the direction a thread is likely to take.

Anyway...I'm wasting my time too

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Bah, so much drama.

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Cause when you get right down to it, astronomy is what this forum is all about.

Well, not only, its a social gathering too. I love a few sparks on occassion, in fact I look forward to it .

Mike locks when appropriate, leave it the way it is .

[matt]

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Mike locks when appropriate, leave it the way it is .

That's about the size of it, Fred

[matt]

Originally Posted by Hagar

3. Posting Topics

• Avoid topics about race, politics or religion. These can be very sensitive topics and it can be very easy to take things the wrong way, creating arguments..

So...what part of that don't you understand, Doug?

I would have thought a discussion about boat people and our immigration policy falls irrefutably under the 'political' banner? Afterall, policy is set by governments. Governments are political by nature.

It seems obvious to me

Anyway. It's not worth any of us getting too seriously bent out of shape over. Do we really have so few other outlets for discussion that we need to bring these sorts of debates to an astro forum?