Usually the mods do a very good job at keeping things under control here. But just now TubaDiva closed two threads in ATMB that were not out of control. Well, in one of them, the thread had lost sight of the original question, and had just become variations on a joke. But the other hadn’t lost sight of the original question, and was (IMHO) a useful debate on what the SDMB is all about.
Admittedly, the two guests that were posting in that thread were not “getting it”, i.e., probably would never be interested in joining the board as real members. However, I thought it was still a useful debate, and had avoided descending into a flame war.
So I’ll just ask why, TubaDiva, did you feel that you had to close that thread?
In my limited experience here, TubaDiva doesn’t drop by the Pit ro answer these threads. However, other Admins and/or Mods are likely to do so. Should be fun!
I don’t really see anything of value in either thread. One had degenerated into a joke thread that had nothing to do with the OP or the forum in general, the other was a “discussion” where one entire side of the argument consisted of nothing but a pair of socks. Once they were banned, what else was there to do in the thread? Everyone else was on the same side.
You will probably notice that *Mr Feldman * was banned. He was probably a troll or a sock or both. It does not seem unusual for an admin or a mod to close a thread started by a guest that was Banned.
As you said the other thread had turned into a joke thread and **TubaDiva ** routinely cleans the ATMB of these threads. You will see a pattern of this occurring. She just likes to keep that forum clean and lean.
Well, it is possible that DOShaw was a sock puppet – he or she has now been banned – and that he or she was the same person as Mr Feldman. I guess we were just debating with thin air at that stage, then.
(And I wasn’t all that upset that the “Anyone ever banned for a pit thread?” thread was closed, since it had strayed from the original point – helped on its way by C K Dexter Haven:
– dear og, if you get into trouble for pitting moderators, what happens when you simultaneoiusly pit two administrators?)
::: hanging head in shame ::: I thought the discussion had run its course. Question asked had been answered. Usually, when that happens, a joke or two ensues and then the thread is closed. That’s kinda standard approach.
TubaDiva closed the thread because the person who started it opened up a sock-puppet to support his stance. Both have been banned. Normally, we would disappear such a thread, but so many had posted to it (and such good/bad jokes) that she obviously decided to just close it and leave it.
I am also new and hope that nobody will close my threads just because I do a little something wrong. Just tell me I am doing it wrong, don’t kick me out. Okay?
That avatar question is a good one. We have avatars on my UFO forum and they are a lot of fun. It is a good way to get to know other members and to remember who is who.
No one gets kicked out for making a mistake. The SDMB does not permit sock puppets and the two usernames in question were owned by a single idiot who had registered multiple names for the sole purpose of picking fights with the staff.
There is nothing “wrong” with (ick) avatars. However, the general consensus on this board is that they are overly “cutesy” for most posters, here, and that this board runs slowly enough without adding the drag of more bits running up and down the lines to the server. It is a fair question to which the answer is “No.”
Having a thread closed is not necessarily a disciplinary deal. If there’s a problem, a mod will issue an official warning, which can’t be mistaken for anything else.
I seem to recall some semi-coherent druidic geek dude told Giraffe to go fuck himself (or herself) with a broom handle last week. The guy was kinda surly throughout the thread, but there were no rules broken (it was in the pit), and no warnings were issued. Thus I…er…that asshole guy…is in no danger of getting the boot. The local Mod Squad are generally pretty fair about such things.
Threads are closed for lots of reasons, only a few because of bad behavior. Sometimes, a questions is asked and answered, and the thread has rambled in a total tangent that should be in a separate thread, so the original is closed. Sometimes, there are multiple threads on the same topic, so one is closed with a link to the other. Sometimes, the poster asks that a thread be closed because it’s been misinterpreted.
In this particular case, the poster was deliberately and maliciously violating the rules about not having multiple usernames on the Boards, and seemed to have no purpose other than to taunt. That’s pretty much trolling, and not tolerated here. The standards of behavior are set forth in the Registration Agreement and in the thread called FAQ - Rules for Posting
So, Mama Hound, you’re welcomed here and need have no fear.
My observation is that the rule “Don’t be a jerk” is treated in a very generous way here. An occasional slip-up, including personal insults in the heat of the moment, will be forgiven if you accept that you made a mistake and apologise. And you can argue with the mods’ decisions, though it’s not all that often that they will change their minds. The people who get banned are those who can’t or won’t learn.
The only problem I have with the two thread closings is that
(1) I never could think of an appropriate pun to post to that first thread, and now I’ve lost my chance.
(2) I wanted to play with the troll.
