Question about locking threads.

LilJoe · December 22, 2001, 12:33 AM

Just a simple question, I hope, why is it that a thread can be started and a couple of members post good hearted replies and a couple of moderators post the same and even an administrator posts with in it then, when a moderator that doesn't like the thread for some reason locks the thread? Yes there are the ones that get out of hand and really need to be closed but there are others that aren't. If it's exceptable to one mod or admin shouldn't it be acceptable for the rest unless it get out of hand after the fact? It's not a freedom of speach thing its more of a censorship. First time I've seen censorship for something non-offensive.

**Mal H** · December 22, 2001, 01:03 AM

LilJoe, please cite some thread examples so we can evaluate the situations you describe.

In general, without knowing the specifics of the threads you have seen closed, I believe you are confusing the simple closing of an off-topic thread with censorship. Censorship would entail the deleting of a thread or portions of an existing thread. Locking a thread doesn't keep anyone on the entire internet from seeing its contents; it does, however, prevent further responses. I don't believe that is censorship since we would have no idea what the unposted response from an unknown member would have been and therefore could not, by definition, censor it.

LilJoe · December 22, 2001, 01:09 AM

Yes I understand the off topic but if you review the posts you'll find many that are off topic that weren't closed and are still usefull in some way or there other. You'll have a PM in a moment.

Thanks for your reply.

Hal · December 23, 2001, 09:38 AM

took to PM

LilJoe · December 25, 2001, 11:12 PM

Mal H,
Sorry for bringing this up again. But, this is getting out of hand. Closing threads that are on topic. Correct a few of the comments were OT but most of the replies were on topic. The post right before the mod reading might be off topic but the reply before that was on. And the amount of closings reminds me of a Rookie law enforcement officer pushing the limits of their authority. I can understand being the first mod reading the post and closing it because it's off topic but when a bunch of mods and admins reply to the post without closing it then closing it because you don't like it or what ever is out of line.

This forum was the best forum but at this date I would have to think for a few minutes before answering.

Joe

**Rich Lucibella** · December 26, 2001, 12:01 AM

LJ-
Staff is not perfect. Nor do we march in lockstep fashion. We do, however, try to maintain some sense of continuity to our actions and, almost invariably, these are communicated between us. Sometimes one Staff member will step in to attempt to salvage an off topic thread and, later, another will make the call.

In December, TFL saw 33,042 posts in 3,295 threads. I don't have stats on how many were locked, but I think we need to view these in perspective. I know that's not a perfect answer when a topic, of interest to you, gets locked. Unfotunately, as I said, we're not perfect.

Your point is noted and further discussion/workable solutions are welcome.
Rich

**Mal H** · December 26, 2001, 12:10 AM

LilJoe, again you have complained about this action and yet you give no example of the type of thread you are speaking of. Surely you must know that all moderators and all administrators don't keep on top of all threads in all forums. Which thread are you talking about? Please post the link here.

Hal · December 30, 2001, 08:28 AM

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...threadid=94846

Not to be a jerk or anything, but why is this thread locked and not moved to the hunt? There must be tons of game/food threads I've read there.

**Rich Lucibella** · December 30, 2001, 08:47 AM

RAE-
Like I said, we're human. Sensop is new to Staff and not as facile with the Admin options as the vets. His post demonstrates his intent to move the thread to The Hunt. His keyboard evidently didn't comply.

I've resolved it. Thanks for the heads up.
Rich

December 22, 2001, 12:33 AM	#1
LilJoe Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2001 Location: North Eastern Ohio Posts: 185	Question about locking threads. Just a simple question, I hope, why is it that a thread can be started and a couple of members post good hearted replies and a couple of moderators post the same and even an administrator posts with in it then, when a moderator that doesn't like the thread for some reason locks the thread? Yes there are the ones that get out of hand and really need to be closed but there are others that aren't. If it's exceptable to one mod or admin shouldn't it be acceptable for the rest unless it get out of hand after the fact? It's not a freedom of speach thing its more of a censorship. First time I've seen censorship for something non-offensive.

December 23, 2001, 09:38 AM	#4
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	Exhibit "whatever": took to PM

December 26, 2001, 12:01 AM	#6
Rich Lucibella Staff Join Date: October 6, 1998 Location: South Florida Posts: 10,229	LJ- Staff is not perfect. Nor do we march in lockstep fashion. We do, however, try to maintain some sense of continuity to our actions and, almost invariably, these are communicated between us. Sometimes one Staff member will step in to attempt to salvage an off topic thread and, later, another will make the call. In December, TFL saw 33,042 posts in 3,295 threads. I don't have stats on how many were locked, but I think we need to view these in perspective. I know that's not a perfect answer when a topic, of interest to you, gets locked. Unfotunately, as I said, we're not perfect. Your point is noted and further discussion/workable solutions are welcome. Rich __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

December 30, 2001, 08:47 AM	#9
Rich Lucibella Staff Join Date: October 6, 1998 Location: South Florida Posts: 10,229	RAE- Like I said, we're human. Sensop is new to Staff and not as facile with the Admin options as the vets. His post demonstrates his intent to move the thread to The Hunt. His keyboard evidently didn't comply. I've resolved it. Thanks for the heads up. Rich __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

December 22, 2001, 01:03 AM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	LilJoe, please cite some thread examples so we can evaluate the situations you describe. In general, without knowing the specifics of the threads you have seen closed, I believe you are confusing the simple closing of an off-topic thread with censorship. Censorship would entail the deleting of a thread or portions of an existing thread. Locking a thread doesn't keep anyone on the entire internet from seeing its contents; it does, however, prevent further responses. I don't believe that is censorship since we would have no idea what the unposted response from an unknown member would have been and therefore could not, by definition, censor it.

December 22, 2001, 01:09 AM	#3
LilJoe Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2001 Location: North Eastern Ohio Posts: 185	Yes I understand the off topic but if you review the posts you'll find many that are off topic that weren't closed and are still usefull in some way or there other. You'll have a PM in a moment. Thanks for your reply.

December 25, 2001, 11:12 PM	#5
LilJoe Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2001 Location: North Eastern Ohio Posts: 185	Mal H, Sorry for bringing this up again. But, this is getting out of hand. Closing threads that are on topic. Correct a few of the comments were OT but most of the replies were on topic. The post right before the mod reading might be off topic but the reply before that was on. And the amount of closings reminds me of a Rookie law enforcement officer pushing the limits of their authority. I can understand being the first mod reading the post and closing it because it's off topic but when a bunch of mods and admins reply to the post without closing it then closing it because you don't like it or what ever is out of line. This forum was the best forum but at this date I would have to think for a few minutes before answering. Joe

December 26, 2001, 12:10 AM	#7
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	LilJoe, again you have complained about this action and yet you give no example of the type of thread you are speaking of. Surely you must know that all moderators and all administrators don't keep on top of all threads in all forums. Which thread are you talking about? Please post the link here.

December 30, 2001, 08:28 AM	#8
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...threadid=94846 Not to be a jerk or anything, but why is this thread locked and not moved to the hunt? There must be tons of game/food threads I've read there.