28 minutes ago, DaveCT2003 said:

The general public doesn't understand forum moderation, it's one of those things that until you've done it for a few years, you just don't fully understand the complexities.  I thought I did before I started moderating, and I changed my attitude after a few years of doing so. 

That said, the public certainly has the right to complain or call something out, and I'll be the first to admit that I've made moderation mistakes and I probably will again because I'm human.  But in this case, I have to agree with the removal of the thread as a preemptive measure.  I do not believe it was presumptive, especially given the nature of both our hobby (very assertive people, not a lot of respect for others opinion overall) and the venue.

Given that our hobby has really smart people in it, but also more than our fair share of Type-As, moderation and associated premptive measure is truly warranted.  Believe me, I deal with it all the time.

As moderators gain experience, they can help curb things before the become issues in the forums and the long term affect of this is to make a venue more friendly or at least less adversarial. 

Best wishes to all!

 

 

Dave, I think you have always done a fair and curtious job as well as been helpful technically. Just saying to encourage you to stick with it.

Kind of wish the Leonardo froum hadn't been kicked off even though they have their own froum. Always enjoy hearing from the community on that great production.

It's good to remember that we all are subject to the AVSIM T.O.S. (Terms Of Service or Terms of Use) when we post something here. Probably a refresh is needed?.

Cheers, Ed

 

20 minutes ago, PATCO LCH said:

Dave, I think you have always done a fair and curtious job as well as been helpful technically. Just saying to encourage you to stick with it.

Kind of wish the Leonardo froum hadn't been kicked off even though they have their own froum. Always enjoy hearing from the community on that great production.

Thank you Vic!  Very kind of you to say!

Best wishes for great flights!

 

 

OK jim if this is game you want to play.

1> EXACTLY how is Draconian abusive?  It describes very well what happened to the stated thread (and mine)

2> Show me where and how EXACTLY I've been "the leader of the community that causes a topic to "go South".?

Phil , Chill , If you ask for an example I couldn't say one need look further than here in this thread .

 

2 hours ago, Jim Young said:

name calling with "Draconian moderation".

How is this in any way 'name calling'? It is a descriptive idiom for an action, which granted someone might not like or agree with, but it is in no way name calling.

Thank you chock

And for the record, in all my years here, I've only ever had ONE 'run in' with moderatorS.  Haven't I Rick;))

1 hour ago, Dougal said:

OK jim if this is game you want to play.

1> EXACTLY how is Draconian abusive?  It describes very well what happened to the stated thread (and mine)

2> Show me where and how EXACTLY I've been "the leader of the community that causes a topic to "go South".?

Not sure dougal why you want to argue other than you believe you are the authority on everything.  One of my jobs is to try to protect my moderators and the AVSIM Staff.  When I see atttacks I take necessary action.  Consider this necessary action.  Like I said earlier, like Tom always told me and many others, "please don't do it again".  Enough said.

What happened to the days when someone could speak freely within reason and not face consequences because someone might become offended or get there poor feelings hurt?  I am not speaking in reference to just Avsim but our society in general.  I am scared to death of what the future holds for my 3 year old daughter.  I know several close families that will not be spending thanksgiving together because of political differences. It’s only going to get worse people.

That's because people only speak freely. Reason appears to be optional.

Its strange......

The thread explaining the reason for deletion has much more political commentary and negative back and forth than the original deleted thread (which had nothing negative happening at all at that point) ever did.

Not to mention opining by people who I'm pretty sure never saw the actual thread.

I keep thinking of that movie Minority Report, where they nabbed you for crimes you had not committed yet, but that it was predicted you would/might. 😸

The whole incident has gone into my "strange things that happened on the internet today" box, and I'm ready to move on.

Strange indeed. We just have to remember that there are also many great Mods here at AVSIM. Just like the rest of us they can have a bad day or make a bad choice. Something about being human.👽

On 11/21/2018 at 10:09 AM, martin-w said:

 

I do. I was a moderator over at Just Flight for many years. Still am but not currently active. It's not easy being a moderator that's for sure. My approach and that of JF admin and other mods was... if we were dealing with a single word in an otherwise harmless thread we would edit it, then inform the poster. That way a thread that was of great interest would remain and all was well.

 

It's up to Avsim to decide what they want to do here of course, that is their right. But I fully understand the dismay of the OP and the opinion that there was a better way. I mean he wasn't even informed what had gone on until he started a new thread. 

 

What do moderators do? Edit or delete posts? What else can they do?  (I'm wondering). If something is offensive, of course delete it, or modify it... and warn the offender. 

CAUTION:  However, if the moderator controls the forum "according to his opinions, ideas, feelings, mood, full moon vs half moon etc, etc>" you will see all type of nonsense on forums. Let the forum be a professional place to be.. This is not MySpace, Your Space, Facebook, Chat-a-Buddy,  Your-opinion-is-not-my-opinion, nor a bar. Therefore if you're not qualified to be a moderator, please stay far away. This is about keeping things civil ; not about dictating YOUR opinions. 

8 hours ago, joemiller said:

CAUTION:  However, if the moderator controls the forum "according to his opinions, ideas, feelings, mood, full moon vs half moon etc, etc>" you will see all type of nonsense on forums. Let the forum be a professional place to be.. This is not MySpace, Your Space, Facebook, Chat-a-Buddy,  Your-opinion-is-not-my-opinion, nor a bar. Therefore if you're not qualified to be a moderator, please stay far away. This is about keeping things civil ; not about dictating YOUR opinions.  

I'm sure that is a given.

At AVSIM, Aerosoft and Flightsim.com. the moderator selection process is quite involved . One's background, experience, knowledge level, and temperament is looked at very carefully often with years of posts at all flight sim websites being carefully reviewed. Selection is not based on popularity or friendship.

Moderators opearate under a microscope both by the communury, other moderators, the lead moderator and owners. It is not really an enjoyable position, and it pays nothing. The mods I know do it purely for the hobby and community.