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Admin  
#1 Posted : 16 November 2007 09:03:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert K Lewis
Jane

The complete removal of the RoSPA thread is a bit perplexing when some of the responses do not contain copyright information. I fully accept the need not to infringe copyright but some of the responses were making comparisons concerning the superior ability of RoSPA to promote itself compared with IOSH is this too to be prevented from being aired?
Admin  
#2 Posted : 16 November 2007 09:23:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By peter gotch
Hi Robert

The moderators cannot remove an initial posting without removing the entire thread.

Regards, Peter
Admin  
#3 Posted : 16 November 2007 09:34:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert K Lewis
Can they not eliminate the offending parts? It was also a situation where the quotes were made from press releases which to my mind are intended by the provider to be as widely read as possible.

It is a moot point but the mechanics of our forums ought to be able to deal with such simple operations.

Bob
Admin  
#4 Posted : 16 November 2007 09:35:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Taff
Yet another shining example of IOSH manipulating the forum to stifle healthy and constructive debate. Why do we bother?
Admin  
#5 Posted : 16 November 2007 09:40:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert K Lewis
Taff

In a sense there are similar problems on the closed forums where an interpretation has been made that members cannot discuss technical aspects of H&S because of a somewhat spurious interpretation of the Charity Commission rules. One is left with a feeling that somewhere somebody is not wanting debates on certain issues.

If I was to put my conspiracy theorist hat on I think I coud get a story together to explain all of this. Of course if I am opposed for my views it will prove I am correct:-)

Bob
Admin  
#6 Posted : 16 November 2007 09:55:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By IOSH Moderator
Sorry Bob and Taff, your interpretation is way off the mark.

The Moderators job is to look for breaches of the Acceptable Use Guidelines. Unfortunately, if they happen to be in threads that are lively and interesting and their moderation interferes wit that debate, this is a totally unwanted side effect. Forum users have a responsibility themselves to keep within the guidelines.

In this case I am afraid it was quite simple - the message at the head of the thread contained the breach, and that effectively killed the thread.

We do not have the technology to alter a person's posting - and I am sure you would not want us to be able to edit your postings. That would be censorship!

Regards
Jane




Admin  
#7 Posted : 16 November 2007 10:08:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert K Lewis
Jane

Of course being a total postmodernist in my reading I can take whet you say as confirmation of whatever I choose to make it read:-)

I think that there actually is a case to be able to red pencil parts of a posting if removal disrupts a thread where other related issues have also come forward from the discussion. I suppose I could initiate a thread however that merely links to the RoSPA release and questions why our communications team cannot meet the sexiness of the RoSPA team.

Bob
Admin  
#8 Posted : 16 November 2007 10:29:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Heather Collins
I've said before that I think Mods ought to be able to delete the initial post if it breaks AUGs without deleting the thread (provided this doesn't turn it into nonsense). There are different forum formats where this is quite possible.

Mind you I've said quite a lot about the structure and workings of this forum but am starting to believe that I am wasting my time even mentioning it.
Admin  
#9 Posted : 16 November 2007 10:39:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By IOSH Moderator
Heather, we don't delete - we only hide things or move things.

In most cases if the initial message in a thread has gone, the rest is turned into nonsense - you then have a string of answers, but what was the question??

Do keep making suggestions. The Moderators are taking notice. However, do bear in mind that:

- we only meet once a year to chew over the feedback from users,
- that the technical changes we ask for may or may not be possible within the framework of the forums,
- we do not either do the coding or pay for it!
- nothing is ever instant!

Moderators are all volunteers, drawn from the membership.
Regards
Jane
Admin  
#10 Posted : 16 November 2007 10:45:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Heather Collins
Jane

This was absolutely not a criticism of the moderators. I think you guys (and girls) do a great job within the confines of what the antiquated forum structure permits you to do.

I believe you should have the functionality to delete (or hide) the first post. I didn't see the thread in question this morning so don't know if it would have been nonsense without the opening post or not.

I don't think it's up to the moderators (unpaid volunteers) to acknowledge and/or implement suggestions for changes to the forum structure and mechanisms. I would have expected this to come into the remit of the IOSH PR team or webteam (who are presumably not unpaid volunteers!)

Thanks for the quick response though and keep up the good work!
Admin  
#11 Posted : 16 November 2007 11:17:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By CFT
Heather

I can assure you you are NOT wasting your time! This is a forum for discussion and much of said discussion requests/recommendations/proposals over the years has either come to fruition or are being considered in the greater scheme of things; as it happens you make some valid points of which I find difficult to disagree with!

Don't give up and think it is a waste of time, it most certainly is not!

Back on Christmas card list for latest response in another thread.

Charley
Admin  
#12 Posted : 16 November 2007 12:35:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Jim Walker
I participate in another forum for amateur woodworkers.

That forum has the "technology" to enable both posters to edit their own threads & Moderators to edit all. This is run totally free in their spare time by essentially "carpenters" rather than a highly paid full time IT dept.
Admin  
#13 Posted : 16 November 2007 13:32:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By peter gotch
Hi Robert.

To enable your debate to be repeated I have posted in the Members forum with link to the RoSPA press release.

Regards, Peter
Admin  
#14 Posted : 19 November 2007 08:41:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Raymond Rapp
Good thinking Peter, I was about to suggest something similar.

Ray
Admin  
#15 Posted : 19 November 2007 09:10:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Robert K Lewis
The real problem now is that the members forum is very effective long grass!!

Bob
Admin  
#16 Posted : 19 November 2007 14:43:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By John Murgatroyd
As the originator of the thread I agreed with the mods decision to remove it, because there was no way [then] to confirm no breach of copyright.
Since then I have received confirmation, from a press representative at RoSPA, that all their press releases are public domain.
Admin  
#17 Posted : 20 November 2007 15:46:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Tim
Folks

If you are interested I have started a club on www.my428.net for all those who get frustrated with moderators deleting their postings.

I would welcome your company over there.

Tim

Act fast this posting may also be removed ;-)
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