Thread Moderation
 

I don't know if this belongs under Brainstorm or not, but I really think this is needed. Here it goes.

I believe that thread starters should be able to moderate their own thread. I don't mean moving and merging their own threads, I'm just talking about moderating replies. Deleting inappropriate comments mainly.

Too many times I see people go off on tangents. If a thread starter could moderate their own thread, threads could stay on topic much easier.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

But then what is to stop someone from just deleting anything they don't agree with? Usually threads will self-correct, but occasionally they will get seriously derailed and a mod will move part/all to off topic.

I see what you're getting at, but I think it just has far too much potential for abuse.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

It'll never work. Actually, I'm sure it would only increase the amount of drama and *****ing seen here.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

This will only work if implemented in conjunction with PvP TMO!

Seriously though, i don't like the idea. OP is not always the best person to moderate. This may even start another armed race of thread control competition or some such...

Not enough benefit for the potential chaos that it may generate.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

I like the idea, but only to a limited extent. Maybe a way for a "thread moderator" to mark a comment "off topic", then allow people to choose how/if they want to view off-topic replies. You could have a "never show", "always show" and "show placeholder" that has a clickable to show the OT comment when clicked?

That prevents OPs from just deleting content they dislike on their thread, but allows them to "filter" things for people who don't want to read all the OT garbage.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

That's not a good idea, its a forum and a place where people share their thoughts and not always on topic which is OK. If you dont like they way TMO operates try Apple's official forum where they remove pretty much everything they want/ dont like

Re: Thread Moderation
 

I've mentioned it before in this forum, but I really like the way engadget's comment section works. Posters can vote on the usefulness of a comment and if it receives enough negative votes it will disappear from the active view with the text "This post has been downranked into oblivion" or something like that. It does a really good job of filtering out most of the bs IMO.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

I'd like to see a thumbs up/thumbs down approach; any comments that are whiney/b1tchy/offtopic can be hidden/deleted once they reach a certain threshold.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

I feel the only moderation should be done by the moderators, it's why we have a "Report This" link on each reply.
Freedom of speak is one of the most important things to have in a free society, people should be alowed to express themselves, if not they might leave and then the community will loose.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

I'm not dead set on my idea. I just think an OP should have some control over the direction his post takes. Actually maybe not even that far. Like these other people I also like how engadget's comments work with the ranking and autohiding.

Keep in mind that everyone still has the freedom to speak and start new threads. Its just when one person opens a thread that person can moderate what is said.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

Hi, I'm from mywayorthehighway.com. I think this idea sucks and this thread should be deleted. Thank you :)

Re: Thread Moderation
 

Glad to hear you are not dead set on the idea.

If you start removing peoples comments and they start a new thread then it will all get in a mess. Better to keep it all in one place and unmodified IMO.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

I checked with your superior at mywayorthehighway.com and she said we should conduct a poll. And that you need to pick up a gallon of milk on your way home.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

People who start threads CAN moderate them, I found with my PR1.2 thread, started in response to a moderator who wanted to add Chuck Norris to the original PR1.2 thread (my interpretation, sorry.)

I was afraid that I was going to be invaded by Chuck Norris posters inspired by the frivolity enhanced by the moderator thread, and indeed, eventually some DID come.

I simply attacked them a bit bitterly and they stopped posting. I said in no uncertain terms that the thread was trying to be for serious discussion of PR1.2.

To my partial surprise, it worked!

If you see Texrat's comments in threads, you will notice that when he isn't making threats (which I couldn't do, having no power to threaten), he simply asks people to cool it, and they do!

You can do that with your threads. I think that what this site has occasionally lacked is more self-moderation. If people want threads to stay on topic, in general they don't need no stinking moderators (no offense, just trying to use the movie cliche -- see Treasure of the Sierra Madre).

Re: Thread Moderation
 

1. There's no reason the OP should get special status just because he starts a thread.

2. If the moderation concern is due to extreme OOT or trolling, it's already covered by the ToS and you just need to report to forum mod for assistance.

3. Talking and asking people nicely works wonder :)

The worst thing that can happen with freely delegated moderation like this is that people use it to moderate the content to fit their bias in the debate/discussion.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

AND there will be a flood of threads debating unfair moderation by other people. In other words, chaos.

Re: Thread Moderation
 

I don't make threats, just promises. :p

Re: Thread Moderation
 

I think a person asking a question has a certain inherent status. That person should be the worlds #1 expert on what they meant by the question and whether they understand the answers given. Responders owe the questioner some attention. I have seen threads in which no one appears to be even trying to answer the actual question.