Good morning folks. I'd like to open up this discussion before we take further action, because I hate, hate, hate having to deal with this stuff, and take action. My primary job is not to babysit anyone here, nor any topic, but I am finding myself doing just that.

 

There are three topics:

1. Useless Conversation and Other Dribble
2. Moaners, Groaners, and other dribble
3. How to Start a Fight

Within those topics we have found racial jokes, foul language, jokes involving sex and women's and men's body parts among others. These posts are clearly against our policy. I had to lock down those topics on the list because of violations.

Actually, I may have to delete the three topics, because of the volume of the posts in each topic I do not want to spend my day going through each one and sorting through the posts and delete the bad ones and keep the innocent ones, deleting the three topics just seems more efficient.

 

I love the fact that there are dedicated topics to just let it fly, but I don't like the fact that I have to police the three topics if we keep them live.

 

I am open to suggestions on how you all want to proceed.

 

Thanks for your ear and your suggestions

I'd hate to see them shut down but, I understand. 

I don't read them. Do what you have to do, it's OK with me.

I also hate to see them shut down, but if they must be closed, I understand

I am not to the point of deleting them completely, I was hoping for some out of the box ideas on this subject.

I donate to them daily but maybe it is time they go.  No sense it being a burden to you.

2 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

I donate to them daily but maybe it is time they go.  No sense it being a burden to you.

Dan, if folks would agree to keep it clean, they can stay, but we'd also need to hire someone to go through them and delete the offending posts.

If we had any volunteers to do this, that could be a viable option.

 

I'm with Lew, I don't know if I have ever read either of those threads. Instead of having to sift through all the messages is it possible for the software to alert you when a key word, or even a phrase has been used? It wouldn't automatically delete but maybe give you a heads up to a potential problem?

 

Steve

 

1 minute ago, John Morris said:

Dan, if folks would agree to keep it clean, they can stay, but we'd also need to hire someone to go through them and delete the offending posts.

If we had any volunteers to do this, that could be a viable option.

 

 

I have been visiting forums I think since the 1990's and on every forum I ever visited this issue arises. It's the same old story, 90% of the members will follow the rules and the other 10 will ruin it for everyone.

 

Steve

I understand your position and they don't relate to woodworking either, and some posts  I have read, I was wondering if they were appropriate. wouldn't hurt my feelings.

Herb

2 minutes ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

 

I have been visiting forums I think since the 1990's and on every forum I ever visited this issue arises. It's the same old story, 90% of the members will follow the rules and the other 10 will ruin it for everyone.

 

Steve

Steve, we have never ever had this issue before. This is new territory for us in this community and for me on a personal level. I am soliciting ideas and solutions from everyone, no finger pointing, just a solution we can all be happy with.

7 minutes ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

Instead of having to sift through all the messages is it possible for the software to alert you when a key word

We do have a foul language filter that is very good, and it works, but we cannot filter images that contain foul language or content.

John, if any of my posts are offensive, I would like to know.  A simple PM, and I'll be happy to tone it down. I DO read that section every morning, to start my day with a chuckle.

John

Maybe lock it down for a few day, until we get it cleaned up. Repost the criteria/rules again. See if that fixes the problem. If not, well, we do what we have to do.

At the moment, I guess I'm a fence straddler as to the fate of these three threads. Like possessing a Driver's License in the State of Indiana..."it is a privilege, not a right..."

 

Each person who utilizes these threads (or any other for that matter) needs to ask some questions of themselves before hitting Submit...Would I want my spouse, son/daughter/grandchild/niece/nephew, minister/pastor, or any child's elementary school teacher to read my post? Would I want this post to appear in my local newspaper or on the evening news with my name on it? We (I) often forget our circle extends far beyond those who regularly post here.

 

Above all, the most important consideration is to have a site of integrity that is family friendly and is inviting to all who share a passion for woodworking while having a venue to support our military men & women.

 

FWIW...my opinions only...that and ~$0.24 will buy you a generic Donut Blend K'cup coffee which I'm fixin' to make R-3 today...

It's obviously not related to woodworking but it does provide a little light hearted humor. I believe that those visiting the site should police it themselves and if something looks unexceptable, they should report it, or PM the individual who made the post to let them know why it is unexceptable so he/she can at least erase the content. Based on the present happenings, you've obviously had complaints. I guess what disturbs some people doesn't disturb others,so how can a line be drawn. If it has to go, it won't change my visiting habits.

1 hour ago, lew said:

Maybe lock it down for a few day, until we get it cleaned up. Repost the criteria/rules again. See if that fixes the problem. If not, well, we do what we have to do.

I'll take volunteers to clean it up Lew. It's a great idea, It think the topics can be salvaged. I hate to shut it all down, folks can go there and just be funny, but sometimes it goes a tad too far.

We'll have to create forum specific guidelines besides our general guidelines.

Thanks

1 hour ago, It Was Al B said:

so how can a line be drawn

It's a really simple line Al, we are not prudes here, but we have had to delete serious expletives, and sexual suggestions, and racial jokes.

We've even had the big bad F word posted in the topics, it's an obvious line that should not be crossed.

I think Grandpa Dave said it best in his reply above.

 

What I don't want to have to do, is contact someone everyone time they post questionable content, it's an area of maintenance I don't want to get into.

I am open to Free For All forums moderator(s) who can keep it policed up.

Any Volunteers?

Not knowing for sure but I don't make it a habit of visiting those three sites. The guys are okay that do go there but at my age I seem to have  been down that road enough.. Kinda like I use to drink beer every night till I got to be about 44 years old then decided what the heck, I could save lots of money by cutting out the beer. So I did. I even quit smoking that same year. One day I decided to quit smoking but still kept a pack of cigarettes in my pocket for I knew it had to be up to me to quit.

   I don't think it will make anyone mad or upset and it seems they should understand even though no direct vocals should be needed.

2 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

FWIW...my opinions only...

 

agreed...