[epiphany]

Originally Posted by Tweety

99% of the threads and posts are left alone. However that 1% out of the hundreds of posts a day can really stand out sometimes and make us look heavy handed at times.

There should be a good reason why a thread is being shut down, and not based on a quota. I think most people are not looking at it as "why are so many threads being shut down" so much as the legitimacy of shutting each one.

Maybe you don't mean that way, but it sounds a bit like a you're pulling out the power card when you imply that we should appreciate how many threads/posts are being left alone. I bring up this point because the one of the important issues on this thread is whether or not the moderators do whatever they want without being questioned or facing consequences.

[Suesquatch]

Originally Posted by Tweety

We're a big wide message board and what's o.k. for a native New Yorker might not be o.k. for a conservative somewhere else who is complaining about your language. However, it's not the expectation of the mods that anyone be "mealy mouthed".

Again, you're opinions and interpretations, and definitions of what is and isn't appropriate is welcome.

You're finding any way you can to dismiss what I am saying as meaningless.

I don't swear at all on this board.

[MLOS]

Originally Posted by epiphany

There should be a good reason why a thread is being shut down, and not based on a quota. I think most people are not looking at it as "why are so many threads being shut down" so much as the legitimacy of shutting each one.

Maybe you don't mean that way, but it sounds a bit like a you're pulling out the power card when you imply that we should appreciate how many threads/posts are being left alone. I bring up this point because the one of the important issues on this thread is whether or not the moderators do whatever they want without being questioned or facing consequences.

As has been discussed earlier in the thread, this is a business, run by the owner of the business and those to whom he delegates various responsibilities. The performance of those moderators will be judged by the business owner. Just as any business owner assesses the performance of those who contribute to an organization.

I don't think Tweety implied a "quota" of threads are shut down - I believe he was just using a small fraction to make his point.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

You're finding any way you can to dismiss what I am saying as meaningless.

I don't swear at all on this board.

I'm not dismissing what you've said. I have said a couple of things. First I said that I appreciate your input in this thread.

Second I said we are in the process of revising and reconsidering what we edit out and what we don't, so your thoughts will be considered

Third we don't "slap wrists" for the fun of it. I didn't mean to imply that you swear. I apologize if that's how I sounded. There is a reason people are edited and it's not always because a person uses profanity...again a lot of it has to do with tone, intent, and sometimes even the forum. The Current Events forum, which the above poster was "personally attacked" in is a volatile forum, and sometimes we are less inclined to edit the premium members there, especially if the member doesn't complain that they are attacked, because it is a forum with much debate.

You might not like it or agree with it when you are edited.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by epiphany

There should be a good reason why a thread is being shut down, and not based on a quota. I think most people are not looking at it as "why are so many threads being shut down" so much as the legitimacy of shutting each one.

Maybe you don't mean that way, but it sounds a bit like a you're pulling out the power card when you imply that we should appreciate how many threads/posts are being left alone. I bring up this point because the one of the important issues on this thread is whether or not the moderators do whatever they want without being questioned or facing consequences.

Trust me when I say that moderators can't just do what they want without consequences. There have been moderators that have had to be removed from their duties. There have been times when we've disagreed with a mods actions and asked them to back track. There have been moderators whom we've reported and edited them. None of us has free reign to do what we want to do. This is Brian's site, not ours.

There have been times when personallly I've taken an action, gotten a complaint from a member and then reversed my action because I can see another side. This is why I always appreciate feedback and from members when they are edited.

Secondly, I wasn't saying that we are required to close a certain quota of threads. You've completely misunderstood me. I was merely trying to get people to see the big picture. Because the truth is we rarely close posts in the scheme of things here. It's a huge website with literally hundreds of threads posted daily and we might close a few of those each week. The percentage of threads we close is very low.

Also trust me on this, there is always a reason why we close a thread and other than clear Terms of Service Violation such as those asking for medical advice, there is always discussion and it's a group decision.

Thanks for your comments. I hope this clarified things.

[epiphany]

Originally Posted by Tweety

Secondly, I wasn't saying that we are required to close a certain quota of threads. You've completely misunderstood me. I was merely trying to get people to see the big picture. Because the truth is we rarely close posts in the scheme of things here. It's a huge website with literally hundreds of threads posted daily and we might close a few of those each week. The percentage of threads we close is very low.

I never thought that you're required to "close a certain quota" of threads. I just felt a certain "well, look at those posts we are letting through" nature of your comment. Okay, I if buy in that that you're just trying to get people to see the big picture, then my comment is - people don't care about the big picture when there is censorship. It's an emotional reaction to what they deem is unfair.

Even if there 10 percent of threads being shut down because of real trouble makers, it's not the same as the few threads being closed because the moderators are being unreasonable.

If the moderators are being overzealous enforcers and there's just no discussion, it feels like a police state, and nobody likes to live in one. If some rules are blatantly broken, I have total confidence that AN subscribers can tell. But as it often happens when you have high levels sharing and emotion, things are not always black and white. That's why we talk so much here. We sort out stuff.

To have one moderator come in and make a decision on complex post that could or maybe not so much be asking for legal advice - at least the moderator should explain a bit more. "we are sorry for what you are going through but this thread is closed" is kinda insincere and rather insulting - to the poster and the subscribers here who would feel the decision is made on their behalf.

Okay, this is a big place to run. But we are a chatty bunch who share emotionally. At least try to give a compelling reason for the closing of thread that seems to come from someone who is clearly hurting.

[NRSKarenRN]

As in life, our bulletin board is a work in progress.

Da boss Brian is always tinkering with now options, bells and whistles to make the site interesting. Joe V, IT Admin has undone some of the bosses work so AN will have speedier page views.

Our Terms Of Service was developed at members request back in 2003 and periodically updated as new issues are brought to our attention by our members. It's what we use as the basis for moving or closing threads.

To make it easier for members to self moderate the board and bring to Mod Teams attention post concerns and TOS violations, this icon:
developed. We've been working on educating new staff and reeducating seasoned Mods to respond back to reporter "thanks for report" to acknowledge getting message. However, individual Mod/ Admin actions not discussed due to privacy concerns.

About two yrs ago, edit /delete feature introduced. Mod Team is able to leave a message at bottom of post describing action we took.
For example:
Last edited by NRSKarenRN : Today at 10:52 AM. Reason: edited ad
Last edited by XB9S : Today at 05:08 AM. Reason: TOS member pm'd
This message has been deleted by dianah. Reason: duplicate post

So a message should be seen at bottom of any edited or deleted post.
Threads we close that we leave on the main board after closing also have a message left, usually in last post or at bottom last post. All staff actions are viewable to Assistant Admin and Admin Team; Admin Team checks staff area daily to review and discuss moderators actions and on some occasions, reverse decisions.

Anyone can contact our staff via Meet Our Staff link bottom every page to discuss why action taken about post/ thread. You might have had a really juicy or interesting thread ongoing, when out of the blue a newbie posts blistering attack or shoe spammer posts or worse yet vulgar poster comes along or worst yet bb goes down.
In the AM, I eat my breakfast at the computer while working on bb needs...suddenly 2 hours gone by and I'm late leaving for work, so that last piece of business is unfinished.

Our Admin Help Desk forum was developed so if members had concern re moderators actions could quickly bring issue to our attention: only the poster and Admin Team sees the conversation and best place to share concern re moderators individual actions. We can only help with issues that are brought to our attention when members hurting.
Recently, Admin Team began moving threads started by new posters with WAY TO MUCH personal info, legal issues, or work place incidents that potentially could cause lawsuit to this area so that we can dialogue with poster regarding our concerns over public posts instead of just moving thread off the public board and cutting off discussion.

We do care about our members and value their feedback. Brian developed these resources Getting Started - allnurses.com university (ANU) and allnurses.com comments and suggestions forums with our membership in mind.

Hopefully our Mod/ Admin Team responses have explained why "Sorry this thread is closed" occurs.



Karen

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by epiphany

I never thought that you're required to "close a certain quota" of threads. I just felt a certain "well, look at those posts we are letting through" nature of your comment. Okay, I if buy in that that you're just trying to get people to see the big picture, then my comment is - people don't care about the big picture when there is censorship. It's an emotional reaction to what they deem is unfair.

Even if there 10 percent of threads being shut down because of real trouble makers, it's not the same as the few threads being closed because the moderators are being unreasonable.

If the moderators are being overzealous enforcers and there's just no discussion, it feels like a police state, and nobody likes to live in one. If some rules are blatantly broken, I have total confidence that AN subscribers can tell. But as it often happens when you have high levels sharing and emotion, things are not always black and white. That's why we talk so much here. We sort out stuff.

To have one moderator come in and make a decision on complex post that could or maybe not so much be asking for legal advice - at least the moderator should explain a bit more. "we are sorry for what you are going through but this thread is closed" is kinda insincere and rather insulting - to the poster and the subscribers here who would feel the decision is made on their behalf.

Okay, this is a big place to run. But we are a chatty bunch who share emotionally. At least try to give a compelling reason for the closing of thread that seems to come from someone who is clearly hurting.

Thanks for your post and points are well taken.

The owner asks us to close down as few threads as possible.

I'm sure a few slip through that are closed without explanation, but most of the time, we do include the "we can't offer medical advice" in our reason, not just a "we're sorry you're going through this, thread closed". I've found this true in other threads we close down. This is not us being overzealous enforcers. It's the Terms of Service and yes - end of discussion. If that feels like a police state to you, you certainly have a right to feel that way and I won't try to tell you how to feel. Sometimes it is a curt "closed for moderator review", and while not a great explanation, it's because we're discussing it and trying to come to an agreement.

Again, while it looks like one moderator swooped in and made a rash decision, it's often not the case, but for clear TOS violations.

Again, if you ever want clarification, or just to vent, or think we're being unfair and rude, please use the feedback/help forum to express yourself. I know I've done that in the past myself.

[Tracylvn]

Originally Posted by PsychNurseWannaBe

I just wanted to clarify something I stated in my post...if I may.
I know several posters mentioned that they would like to see this be a member only type board. I am one of the posters that mentioned it...but what I meant is that you have to be registered (freebie) or subscriber (paid)...not that you have to be a paid member to see the posts. I mostly was talking about guests. And that is why I said that some of the forum could be open to the general public (including guests) while other forums where for registered and premium members.

I have seen this on some other sites where you can look at a few forums but if you wanted to see more, then you needed to register.

Hugs

Again tho how many of us did a google search to look for a nursing group to join VS how many stumble upon it by accident. Many were looking for something totally different and this site came up in the search we were impressed by what we saw and then joined. I can only speak for myself in that I have come across other sites where you have to regiter before you can view and its a waste of time more often than not because thier site(group) does not have exactly what I was looking for. The able to view feature is what drew many of the members in.

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

All I know is, before I became a Mod, I had no idea how many trolls, spammers, sockpuppets, and just plain mischief-makers amused themselves by coming to this site and posting.

Some post to every forum on the board. Some are soliciting or recruiting. Some are obviously PWI (posting while impaired). Some claim to be licensed nurses when they aren't or claim to have expertise in an area that they obviously do not. Some think they're being original with double entendre user names. Some are haters. Some attempt to derail perfectly good threads with their shennanigans because they disagree with the thread content and are not articulate enough to debate on an even playing field. Some just want to vent their spleen at some stranger and choose to project their personal issues anonymously onto posters.

Some people need to find something constructive to do with their time and some people genuinely need psychiatric help.

On the other hand, sometimes we -- and I include myself here -- post and we don't realize how the message is being received. We might intend for it one way, but it is perceived in another.

When I post, I tend to regard the post or the thread as "mine." Even when it's out there for umpteen million people to see and it has essentially become public property, I still think of it as "mine." Therefore, if some stranger comes along and edits it, I take it personally, whether or not the edit was warranted. Over the years, I've learned to be less inclined to take offense.

So someone deletes a post that was poorly thought out or that could land me in trouble legally, or that might embarrass me ten years later when someone drags it out of the archives and all's well in my new relationship. A thread gets deleted that's strayed so far off the main topic that no one remembers what the discussion was about.

It's not the end of the world. I'll get over it. I'm an adult. Even if I'm of the opinion that it was a mistake to edit or delete it in the long run, I can take the high road and be gracious about other people's mistakes.

Because I've never met a person, nurse, or moderator who was perfect. There is no such thing as the perfect BB. I'm just of the opinion that this one comes the closest.