Explanation for Recently Locked Threads

AnandTech Moderator · Feb 25, 2001

AnandTech Off-Topic Posters and Lurkers:

I am currently discussing posting a general "rules" statement in the thread with the other moderators, to help people understand what is and what is not allowed to be posted in the Off-Topic Forum. For the time being, please remember this:

AnandTech is a private forum. Your arguments about Freedom of Speech do not apply here. For the most part, we are trying to be fair to everyone involved; however, you must understand that we (the moderators) are unpaid volunteers. We do this in our spare time, and have a rather large workload at times. Posting useless threads ? which will be locked ? does not help our workload, nor does it contribute anything of value to this forum. The OT forum is not a chat room.

In the past few months, the amount of useless posts in the Off Topic area has increased exponentially. Our job is to moderate such threads. If a thread that I feel is improper, useless, etc., comes along, it will be locked. An explanation, however, is not always as quickly forthcoming, for whatever reason. If your thread is locked, assume it is for a reason. Feel free to PM us to ask why. Posting questions such as: ?Why was my thread locked?? will not accomplish anything but having one more thread locked, and upsetting one, if not more, of us.

In summary:

Please limit the amount of useless threads to none. It is much easier to moderate yourselves than to enter into an argument with us about it. Any dissenters will be shot.

AnandTech Moderator

This thread will remain at the top for 5 days, at which point in time it will disappear. I have temporarily unlocked this thread. Please feel free to post frustrations, etc., in here. Just remember: be reasonable.

IBhacknU · Feb 25, 2001

Good for you Mods.. this should be part of a FAQs or General info

GoldenTiger · Feb 25, 2001

Can you tell us a few things that are specifically not allowed??

Swearing? Very adult jokes? etc.?

Xzaver · Feb 25, 2001

Good Work mod.

~X~

Pretender · Feb 25, 2001

I didn't mean my thread as an insult, I was simply stating that it'd be nice if the mod took a few seconds out of their understandably busy life to state why the thread was locked.

bigrash · Feb 25, 2001

thanks mod, for clarifying everything out

John · Feb 25, 2001

Thanks for the clarification. I am growing tired of the NEF'ing.

uncouth · Feb 25, 2001

/area for sale

Sluggo · Feb 25, 2001

<< Any dissenters will be shot. >>

Finally, some gratuitous violence

GoldenTiger · Feb 25, 2001

LOL Sluggo.

Suicidal · Feb 25, 2001

You post 'em, we lock 'em. That would be my motto if i were a mod here. I would be the least liked mod but dang it, i'd be having fun.

p.s., i think the mods do a great job here (as long as they don't lock my threads).

Pacfanweb · Feb 25, 2001

A post that stays at the top with the general rules would be a nice idea, kind of like the one in FS/FT.

Also, thanks for my new sig.

Soybomb · Feb 25, 2001

Hmmmm seems pretty clear cut, I agree that most of the lcoked threads tonight were useless and I think you guys did well........

Whitedog · Feb 25, 2001

Cool! Thanks for hearing my voice Mods.

Link
<<I say add a Tab to the top of top of the page that says Rules. In it have a list of Ban words/phrases, reason they ARE ban words/phrases... I general description of WHAT Kind of Threads get locked, and why...etc...>>

Woof

AMDJunkie · Feb 26, 2001

What if we explain the hidden meaning behind a seemingly useless locked thread? If the meaning is found acceptable, will it be unlocked?

guyver01 · Feb 26, 2001

i dont think the mods owe anyone an explanation for locked threads. Apparently they found the thread useles.. their perogative. As the mods usually say.. this aint a public place.. you dont like the rules... leave.

Dexion · Feb 26, 2001

<< i dont think the mods owe anyone an explanation for locked threads. Apparently they found the thread useles.. their perogative. As the mods usually say.. this aint a public place.. you dont like the rules... leave. >>

Probably not an explanation. However, being a frequent user and with posts reaching almost 1000. I still don't know the term for a "useless" thread til now. I think this shows that the forum rules(and a more detailed one for OT) should be posted as reference and as a reminder for all of us.

GoldenTiger · Feb 26, 2001

Exactly my thoughts, Dexion.

JellyBaby · Feb 26, 2001

Not sure what the difficulty is figuring out the difference between the valid posts and the pointless. All you need do is look at which threads get locked (and you know you do this), store these in memory and you can interpolate which material might be objectionable in the future.

My only concern about posting a set of rules is that some will intentionally create pointless threads that aren't covered by the rules just to test them. In other words they'll explore the limits of that document and then some. Mods should expect that document to be "dynamic" and ever-growing.

It's a shame the mods must play parents in dealing with all this "limitation testing". But I'm glad they exist and the "general rules" statement was inevitable I suppose.

Well my $.02 anyway. I wonder what it's like being a parent?

Duckers · Feb 26, 2001

Dexion · Feb 26, 2001

hmm Duckers, your right. The same applies to 90% of the Off Topic forum as well. Should the forum be removed totally under the notible change of OT rules?

Of course I'm exaggerating. However, the same question applies: What is a "useless" thread? I think its totally a personal opinion. Maybe someone else's SAT score is actually relevant to another or someone likes a mustang over a corvette. Who knows? It maybe is useless information however its not something we can flick a switch and ban it in a blink of an eye.

Dexion,

The point of this thread was to help you to understand that everything we lock is a discretionary call, and we fully acknowledge that. There is simply too much traffic on this forum to enable a committee for every possible-locked thread. Trust me: we've tried. The decision was made a long time ago to moderate this board, and we are merely continuing that tradition. There are plenty of unmoderated boards out there, if you would like to post whatever you want; but while here, you must play by the rules - if you want to post, try to make it useful. If it is locked, it was considered useless or against the rules.

And, as I said, the "rules" as such will be forthcoming.

AnandTech Moderator

ltk007 · Feb 26, 2001

Ahh it'll be like the good ol' days. Only a few of us nefs to shake it up now and then and stir up some fun

Dexion · Feb 26, 2001

For constructive discussion go here and cause less Moderator grief(less exposure)

Locking and Banning Thread

somethingwitty · Feb 26, 2001

I think the point that Duckers was trying to make was a simple one-use the search feature.

if I'm wrong, then I'd like to make a simple point-use the search feature!

heat23 · Feb 26, 2001

hey MOD do yall even check your PM???
If so do you ever reply?

Yes; CYPM.

AnandTech Moderator

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