Posts being deleted by moderators

In the last two days, posts by me in two topics have been deleted, obviously by a moderator. I'd like to know the reason for this. I've used Internet forums for many years and have never before encountered such actions by moderators.

The aspect of this that's most disturbing is simply that there's no feedback on the reason for deleting the post. These posts contained no language that would be offensive to someone. So, apparently, the moderator just didn't agree with the technical content and deleted it.

This seems like a very immature approach. Instead of rudely deleting a post with no feedback, why not post a counterpoint to the technical point of my post that they disagree with? If they feel my logic is flawed on the issue or I'm missed a point in the original post, why not point that out in a reply in the thread instead of just deleting a post with no explanation?

Surely, the moderators are fully aware that original posts by forum users are often not clearly stated. Thus, anyone contemplating a reply must try to apply their own interpretation of the intent of the original post. There may be other viewers out there who were thinking along the same lines as me and would benefit from seeing my post and the feedback to it.

 

usaf, check your PMs, I listed the reason.

MA has already stated it, though.

 

I can appreciate your objective of maintaining some quality control over this forum but I think your approach is too aggressive and unreasonable. The thread at http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=136427 is practically worthless; very little can be gleamed from it. The original post did not clearly state whether he's talking about animated GIFs, still images, or both. It could have been more interesting if some discussion of image optimization had been permitted, which is where I was going with my post.

You mean the size limit for avatars? Is it the 7K figure? That was not clearly stated in the OP. I guess you’re saying it was implied. Are those of us who have not used an avatar in MG forums supposed to know that?

I just inserted an avatar for the first time in this forum. I took a 320x240 JPG image, 7,452 bytes, and used it. I see that the forum resized it to 64x48 (1609 bytes). So, if the forum resizes images used for avatars, why is OP having the problem? Is there some upper limit on file size for the original image? If so, why couldn’t this discussion have been continued to bring out these facts?
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Regarding the discussion at http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=136239, where I suggested a restore of the system, I realize that does not troubleshoot the underlying problem but it is a solution. Yes, I generally like to get to the underlying problem too, but, let’s face it, when various troubleshooting efforts have been tried and the problem has still not been resolved, it’s time for other solutions to be considered.

Where does the OP in that discussion stand now? Has his problem been resolved through troubleshooting? No. He’s says there was slight improvement after trying suggested fixes but IE is still very slow. So, again, restore is a solution and a sensible one in the circumstances. He recently purchased the computer, which is an indication he may not have accumulated a lot of files, installed a lot of programs, etc, that he’d need to save, reinstall, etc. after a restore.

As previously said, it sure would be helpful to have a counterpoint, a reply, posted rather than the message just deleted. As I said in my OP, “There may be other viewers out there who were thinking along the same lines as me and would benefit from seeing my post and the feedback to it.” I don’t see how that’s a serious problem with Google hits leading to MG forums. Obviously, the viewers need to read the discussion to see the context of each post. If the discussion contains a post is not completely technically accurate and that has been pointed out by someone else, then I’d think that discussion’s value has not been the least bit degraded by having such content in it.

These deletions of posts and the non-constructive statement that “quite a few of your posts are simply wrong” are quite frustrating. If I, or any member, sees a topic to which we feel we could make a worthwhile contribution, it seems we need to pause, anticipate that our post might be deleted, and perhaps decide that’s it just not worth taking time to post; in other words, avoid the risk, the frustration, of having a post deleted with no explanation.

 

usafveteran before I became a "Moderator" I too had some posts deleted, but instead of "airing" my personal concerns in the "Open Forum". I contacted M.A., I may or may not have agreed with his reasons for the deletion, but he always listened to my input(which is more than can be said for other sites I visit), and I figured that this is his site, and he has every right to run it as he see's fit. That said and I think you as a long standing member will agree, this is the best "Open Forum" out there. M.A. has to daily deal with those that complain that the advise they receive here hasn't solved there problem. Hence the recently posted "Announcement" link http://forums.majorgeeks.com/announcement.php?f=21 that he has put up.

Being a "Moderator" on such a "Open" site is not an easy job, regardless of what you do, there is always "someone" who is not happy. Having a few posts deleted is not a pleasant experience, but if it makes for a better site then that is the price we ALL must pay. And just for your Info Adrynalyne, took extra time to open your PM, so he could infact tell you his reasons for "Deleting" your post, not many "Mods" on other sites would take such care and time to make certain you were truly notified. Great Job Adrynalyne, just sorry it wasn't appreciated.

Sorry M.A. you got your posts in before mine, if you want to scrub this one fine

 

Without making any judgments about this situation in particular, one observation I will make is this. The deletion of posts made by members, with the obvious exception of spam or malicious replies, is best done with the highest degree of discretion. To do otherwise opens up the forum to the risk of people feeling reluctant to post, believing that their input may not be appreciated, and a forum with no replies can be a lonely place.

 

oh come on you know what adryns like give him a little power and he thinks hes GOD!!!

Thats why hes had to have all the doorways widened in his house!!!
















J/K

sorry adryn how are you? long time no see

 

You have a PM, so as to not derail the thread

 

I for one come here in desperation having very little computer knowledge except for what i need to do my job. It could and many times would be disastrous if i followed the wrong advise! That being said it comforts me to see a thread on this subject. It lets us all know that there people out there monitoring this forum with the knowledge and expertise that when something is going in the wrong direction they have the sense to stop it.
ONE MORE REASON TO LOVE THIS SITE AND THE MAJOR GEEKSThe only thing that kind of throws me off is BCGray being a moderator :wave BC please don't delete me :wave

Thank you Major Geeks,
Dan

Sheesh dromano don't tell everyone, being a gnome I snuck in the Back Door.............now where oh where did that darn "Delete Me" button goLOLLOL

 

As long as a decent balance is struck, I see no problem with the quality over quantity argument. There's a line which can be crossed, after which I think things can become negative. The trick is to know where that line is.

I remember a forum (and others might also, so I won't mention its name here) and it used to be very active, and very good. There was one particular subforum which became the subject of quite a lot of moderation. This got completely out of hand and resulted in many longstanding and regular contributors leaving. The result is that now the forum is a shadow of its former self, and there are questions left unanswered for days at a time. The place just hasn't got the vibrance it once had.

I'd hate to see that happen here, or anywhere else, and the reason I've mentioned striking a balance is because I hope it doesn't.

 

I had a post deleted a while back. I wasn't happy but after a few PM's between MA and myself, who explained exactly what he did here, I realized that it's the site that's important, not us. (meaning our egos). I had answered with a guess about an OS I do not use. To me it seemed viable, but until I install that OS, I won't know and my answer is still a guess.
My solution was to pick a new niche where I saw people needing help and were either getting it slowly or not at all. I studied up on some basics, PM'd a Mod (one that I trust decisions by, even though some consider him incapable), sent him a list of steps I planned on using in helping those people and got a positive response back, along with some pointers.
I started out a little unsure of the territory I was stepping into (and a little afraid of getting deleted) but since then have refined my steps and it has gotten much easier. Since then not one post has been deleted and over 20 people got quick advice that solved all but one person's problems and that person didn't follow my advice.
I feel that if my post hadn't been deleted I wouldn't have taken the steps to provide better advice. This helped me learn quite a bit more about PC's and also helps the people that needed help, which I know is the MAIN purpose of this site.

 

Musksnipe,this is very cool answer.BUT we must remember something that we forgot to see::major:majorhttp://forums.majorgeeks.com/announcement.php?f=21:major:major
Everyone must see this,and that is why this is in the first place in every section.

 

I think that got posted either just before or as a result of my fiasco. :banghead It appeared the same day.

 

"I think that got posted either just before or as a result of my fiasco." by musksnipe.

Why fiasco?We can learn from other people mistakes,don't we? You just wrote the truth about you,and explain why mods must do their work.I don't see anything stupid in your post.And pointing Sticky thread made by MA is cos I want to remind the rest of us about the importace of keeping the thread clean.Why then in malware section only the chosen one can work? If MA alouds us to post there,it would be the haos,right?

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=130714
So we must pay attention,and think before write the post.

 

Ya Goran, malware is a good example as to the confusion people can cause just trying to honestly help. I commend MA and CP for starting the concept and the folk who work there to keep it going.

 

I visited many forums when looking for somewhere to settle many were just incompetent a number were downright stupid and some were as far as i could see unmoderated.

i only use this site now because i trust the people who run it and moderate it, i have had posts deleted and been warned by the moderators for stepping over the line but it is not a personal thing they do it to preserve the integrity of the forum and its members.

this is MAs site and he set out to improve on some of the garbage that was (and still is ) out there he has final decision on a dispute but if you think he is unfair just consider this post you were given open replies as well as PMs on the subject and the post has been left open so that others can read or respond to it that's DEMACRATIC others would not tolerate criticism and just terminate the post.

accept what has been said and move on.