Delete Or Lock?

[TheWickerFan]

Just curious how the majority of members feel on this subject:

When a heated argument occurs between members (whether or not it temporarily derails the thread subject) should the entire exchange be deleted or should the thread be locked if the argument shows no sign of letting up?

[_____V_____]

Deletion = further discussion can continue on the thread topic.

Locked = no further discussion permissible in thread.

In most cases, locking a thread in the middle of a heated argument does not solve any purpose. Members then open a new thread and vent their frustrations on the Mods, instead of the people they are arguing with. That is why deletion is a better option - at least it makes members cool off a bit and they can return to discuss on the thread topic.

Remember, we are a public international forum. We usually have 8-10 members online and over 80-90 guests, who are browsing through thread topics looking for info on the same. Unnecessary arguments and derailments results in a bad image of the forum to the visitors.

Too bad horror never set some rules for this place.

[TheWickerFan]

I understand where you're coming from, but I think having all posts deleted might cause more friction. I've seen both approaches in action, and it seems like once a thread is locked, the argument does indeed stop. Deleting seems dangerously close to censorship, and I, for one, don't appreciate posts disappearing. I could be the only one; that's why I asked everyone.

[_____V_____]

If a topic has been discussed enough and then there are arguments which lead to derailment, locking the thread is the better option. But for a new topic, this is a pretty tough decision.

It's not about censorship as much as it is about pointless posts filling up threads - censorship is removing things which are said by someone's free will on the topic/subject being discussed. If the argument/discussion is beyond the topic/point, it's actually pointless posting, and stands to be removed. A casual observer will rummage through such posts and find nothing of use to him. He has come to read about info on the subject, not deviated stuff which he either: 1) already knows, 2) doesn't want to know.

Like I said, we should have had rules on this. Makes a forum much easier to moderate.

I am a member of this forum as well :- http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ , and it is one of the strictest forums on the Internet (in terms of moderation), with a complete set of rules and announcements to be followed. If you deviate from them, you get infractions in points. 10 points mean temporary banning of 1 month, and a 3rd temporary banning results in permanent banishment.

Check this - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/announ...on-system.html

Horror should have set up something like this ^ for HDC as well.

[TheWickerFan]

Wow! Hardcore! Newb wouldn't last a day.:D

[ManchestrMorgue]

Originally Posted by _____V_____

If a topic has been discussed enough and then there are arguments which lead to derailment, locking the thread is the better option. But for a new topic, this is a pretty tough decision.

This is the dilemma, isn't it.

I mean, locking a thread ends up in the discussion stopping dead - both constructive and destructive additions.

It is a shame for someone's thread to be shut down when there might be more constructive input out there, that subsequently does not get to be voiced.

Deleting posts "cleans up" a thread, but allows further discussion to continue. In a lot of instances, this is preferable.

With regards to the censorship vs freedom argument, I can sympathise. However, there is a difference between censoring (or deleting) on-topic posts and totally off-topic posts. Like lots of things, which is the lesser evil? Censoring some posts or allowing threads to become totally derailed, leaving people who start threads possibly in the position where they can't achieve what they had set out to do by starting the topic?

If posts have to be deleted, I like the way they do it on another forum that I am a participant on. The posts don't totally "disappear" but they remain, with the body of the text deleted and replaced with a reason for deletion (e.g." Deleted: personal attack" or "Deleted: off-topic"). This seems a bit more transparent in that it demonstrates to those viewing (and those who were deleted) that there was indeed a post in that place, but that it was removed in accordance with forum rules.

I am glad that horror.com forums are not too heavily moderated with regards to deleting posts. The character of this place is that it is a bit irreverent, a bit unforgiving. And that is OK, all forums have a cetain character, and that character tends to select the sort of members that stick around. And those that stick around this place for any reasonable period of time tend to be people who have an interest in the genre and a passion for discussing it (for the most part, anyway). Sure, some people who are passionate about horror are probably turned away, but that would happen no matter what sort of environment this forum had. Can't be all things to all people ...

Naturally, there are also dickheads who turn up here from time to time. Some are more persistent than others. But they mostly get bored after a while and leave.

Now, to take this post off-topic :D I didn't realise you were a rev-head too, V. Nice to know.

[hammerfan]

Just my opinion: if two (or more) members are going to have an argument that has nothing to do with the particular thread that said argument is in, I wish they would take it to PMs.

[TheWickerFan]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

Just my opinion: if two (or more) members are going to have an argument that has nothing to do with the particular thread that said argument is in, I wish they would take it to PMs.

I think in the heat of the moment you're not thinking 'let's take this someplace private' with the person you're arguing with. Of course I'm strictly talking about the vicious arguments rather than debates, when you're not so hot under the collar.

[newb]

Originally Posted by TheWickerFan

Wow! Hardcore! Newb wouldn't last a day.:D

yeah...fuck that shit...I need a beer just reading it.

[TheWickerFan]

Originally Posted by newb

yeah...fuck that shit...I need a beer just reading it.

For shame! 5 points.;) Oh wait, profanity AND alcohol, you are banned!

I definitely understand the frustration of starting a thread and having it go wildly off topic, but deleting all evidence that an exchange took place just doesn't seem right.