Moderating

As we know, there's been above-average levels of moderation on this forum, and some of us have had 'witty' posts removed which wouldn't have been a few weeks ago. But I don't think the problem has originated with the moderators.

Not all criticism is constructive. 'Constructive criticism' is said in a tone of helpfulness and respect, but recently, the way some people have been interacting on here seems to have taken its inspiration from Youtube comments - unnecessarily antagonistic and unprovoked.

And let's leave the whole 'free speech' thing out of it. This isn't the House of Commons. Not being moderated isn't an entitlement, nor does it give you any political empowerment.

Now let's get back to work and be nice to each other! mtvan was much friendlier when i first signed up!

I agree. We are all here to either gain more work, or cover excess work. That is the whole point and existence of this website. There is no reason be be impolite or unprofessional towards each another. In my opinion, there is the potential for a great network here, if we can all work together in (relative) harmony.

Quite. We don't have to agree with each other in order to get along.

I find there is generally a very good reason that lies behind any disagreements, and it isn't a coincidence that the topics and threads that have been removed are generally discussing one theme. Admin has actually got it wrong on one occasion, assuming something was about someone it wasn't, but that aside I say there's no smoke without fire.

What was a pretty harmonious group of people (not always but more often than not resolved without intervention) still is a pretty harmonious group, we just have an awful lot who feel passionately about certain things, and to have us "gagged" does not make the issue go away, if anything it just adds fuel to the fire.

At the end of the day members will vote with their feet.

I agree, they will vote with their feet. However, my opinion is that if people can see a network where people actually work together, rather than continually sniping at each other, then there should be more feet walking in, than walking out.

So you'd rather people were prevented from voicing their opinions?

I hear what you're saying but thats avoiding the issue isn't it and causes resentment... Which is why I suggested pulling the forum altogether on a previous thread

Yep I think we should continue saying what we feel (In a constructive way) and leave the personal digs out.

Hey Buddy thats my point, some topics have been pulled with no personalities mentioned whatsoever

Assumptions have been made and not always correctly

Some threads would naturally peter out without intervention, some would resolve themselves by reasoned debate, but to delete or close topics that have yet to run their course, i find a bit off

We are all adults and I think most things can be sorted without the need for teacher to get involved

I'm not saying we're all angels by any means, and there is certianly the need for a moderator, but the last 7-10 days has seen a rather Stalinistic approach to its members views

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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So you'd rather people were prevented from voicing their opinions?

I hear what you're saying but thats avoiding the issue isn't it and causes resentment... Which is why I suggested pulling the forum altogether on a previous thread

I cannot see why mtvan should have to shut the forum, simply because people cannot behave like professionals or in some case, even like adults. That's what moderators are for anyway.

I believe the vast majority do not join mtvan, to go looking for something to argue about. They join (or are thinking about joining) because they are looking to join a professional network, where trade work can be exchanged.

Oh come on [Admin: Snip], you're the worst culprit.

...

You're [Admin: Snip], simple as that.

[Admin: The above kind of post is not welcome, it lays into another member and is unconstructive. A better approach would be to politely and helpfully suggest ways the other member might be able to avoid confrontation without being confrontational yourself. Although this post minor in isolation, there is a pattern of this kind of post from this member. We have been working on effective methods to deal with this kind of post, this will be the first time we implement them.]

Oh, what did i miss? lol

I will reply to this thread properly when I get the chance (I'm super busy and without a decent computer). In short: Zenith, I think you see things the same way as we do. Please excuse the odd removal of innocent 'witty' post, when you're trying to keep up with a wave of abusive posts you tend to treat things with more suspicion.

Courier Expert said:

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Oh, what did i miss? Lol

We are introducing timed suspensions for the forum as we feel there is a handful of poster that spoil things for the majority. I will follow with more information later today I hope. In the mean time, please do not discuss any timed suspensions we impose or ridicule the suspended.

It's worth noting that all communities experience this sort of issue (online communities and offline ones). This is nothing unique to mtvan.

BusinessBuddy said:

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Yep I think we should continue saying what we feel (In a constructive way) and leave the personal digs out.

I'm not sure there are many if any personal digs, there are however disagreements with business models and the way they conduct business whether it be running for low rates, paying low rates or what ever (I am careful not to make that last comment personal) also treading a line on what is right or wrong gets some peoples backs up I'm not sure you will ever get harmony when there are people worlds apart within the same industry.

ZENITH Courier Services said:

Now let's get back to work and be nice to each other! mtvan was much friendlier when i first signed up!

This didn't last very long did it?

This subject started with a very valid point and I still agree with it.

Speed Couriers (Stansted) said:

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Admin has actually got it wrong on one occasion, assuming something was about someone it wasn't

I don't believe we have got anything wrong. We've been over this before and I assumed it was about one member when in fact it was about another. Who it was about is irreverent, what is relevant is that an attack was made on another member, we don't care which.

Here's a post about the changes we've made today, everyone should read them.

Ooh! I've never had the honour of solitary confinement before. Are there any special privileges?

It is ze cooler for you!

Sin Bin! Is that really necessary? Nanny state strikes again.

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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Sin Bin! Is that really necessary? Nanny state strikes again.

I don't see why the enforcement of a forum's code of behaviour by the overseeing authority is an example of a nanny state?! As i said, this is not a political forum, and it's not as if human rights are being infringed! It's just a slap on the wrist - no need to turn it into an issue of political ideology.

I wonder who will be the first one condemned to the kazi, I have a good idea but dare not say who in case it's considered as slagging of a member cos then it may well be me :-(

moray couriers said:

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I wonder who will be the first one condemned to the kazi, I have a good idea but dare not say who in case it's considered as slagging of a member cos then it may well be me :-(

Please share your thoughts. We welcome discussing of thoughts and ideas. We don't welcome language such as "xxxx is a xxxxx". If your contributions are useful and not nasty then you have nothing to worry about.

Website Admin said:

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moray couriers said:

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I wonder who will be the first one condemned to the kazi, I have a good idea but dare not say who in case it's considered as slagging of a member cos then it may well be me :-(

Please share your thoughts. We welcome discussing of thoughts and ideas. We don't welcome language such as "xxxx is a xxxxx". If your contributions are useful and not nasty then you have nothing to worry about.

Also you can always send me a pm if you're that worried, feel free to send me whatever you want.

Twas meant as a funny comment, but... Thanks for the offer but no thanks

ZENITH Courier Services said:

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DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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Sin Bin! Is that really necessary? Nanny state strikes again.

I don't see why the enforcement of a forum's code of behaviour by the overseeing authority is an example of a nanny state?! As i said, this is not a political forum, and it's not as if human rights are being infringed! It's just a slap on the wrist - no need to turn it into an issue of political ideology.

I am a free man, not a number. I am quite capable of policing myself. I am not political and my behaviour on an open forum will be impeccable. I will never name or shame anybody as everybody is entitled to voice their own opinion. I comment and offer advice and will not be drawn into other peoples issues. I am not bitter and twisted and am quite easy going and good natured, any comments made an this forum by myself are not directed or meant to cause offence. I do like to read other peoples comments and views and I don't think they should be punished for having an opinion. That's just my view and I don't have any political agenda, it was a figure of speech highlighting an unnecessary action.

Dont worry, be happy. Lets start a cooperative lol (jokin)

I agree there has to be certain amount of moderation on every forum and I don't disagree with moderation and comments that are offensive, insulting and inflammatory should be removed. Its over moderation I have an issue with.

DJ Specialist Couriers said:

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Its over moderation I have an issue with.

Totally with you on that one, I also find inconsistent moderation a real bugbear.

I found a couple of interesting definitions of the word 'forum'.......

Forum:
A place on the internet within a site in which people can discuss topics with other people. A Forum is separted by topic sections and those are divided by sections called "threads" (You are the one who creates the thread, and see how many people respond to you, or view your opinion). Forums are operated by moderators. Forum moderators are usually offended by the smallest imperfections (they are usually power freaks). In many Forums, you are not allowed to swear or insult people, displaying pictures of naked people or gory/bloody incidents.

Forum: Best described as a torrent of little children running around in a minefield (users), some armed with weapons (moderators), forums are the flagship of internet discussion, spam, and flame wars. Smaller forums tend to be more habitable, but the larger ones have many distinct and similar features. For example, within approximately seven seconds of the creation of a topic, you will have at least one reply, garunteed. Large forums also tend to spawn makeshift caste systems within themselves, and you're automatically a malefactor in the forum until you have a 4-digit post count. A forum can sometimes be helpful, but normally they become a time consuming and frustrating thing if you pay too much attention to them.