When mods lock out of control threads

[Solarjetman]

I've been thinking recently about when mods lock threads that get out of hand. Sometimes in their "locking post" they give their own opinion about the topic of discussion. I'm having mixed feelings about this. Might I suggest to the mods that when they do lock the thread, it may be better that they not express an opinion?

I am not talking about any particular thread or any particular mod as I have seen a couple recently. Sometimes I agree with the mod, sometimes not. However, there is a conflict of interest involved here. When a mod locks a thread, they are essentially saying "This topic or behavior is not tolerated at videohelp.com". But at the same time they are involving themselves in that very same topic or behavior.

Just a thought that crossed my mind.

[lordsmurf]

Mods are the ownership. Nowhere have I seen where it says they must stay neutral.

[The village idiot]

Guess I'm not reading the good posts. Mostly all I see is something like, "This thread has served its purpose, and is out of control", etc.

[Solarjetman]

Mods are the ownership. Nowhere have I seen where it says they must stay neutral.

I 100% agree, in fact some of my old posts have supported this. What I am saying though is not that they should stay neutral on a topic of discussion, rather if that topic of discussion is inappropriate (signified by the locked thread), it may be better if they did not express an opinion. As by doing so it undermines the legitimacy of locking it.

[Capmaster]

I agree that locking a thread with a parting shot is an easy way to "win" an argument by a mod. I have seen this happen, but it isn't often and far more are just merely locked because they have run their course or are venturing into dangerous territory (politics, religion, etc.).

I'm glad the moderators here aren't neutral. I wouldn't want them to be merely rule-enforcing drones with no opinion. I can't imagine a lively thread without the sage tidbits offered by Pacmania, offline or TGPO, or the dry sarcasm Baldrick offers up with almost painful brevity

Some of the best zingers have come from mods, and I'd hate to see that stop. After all, mods are nothing more than members who have taken on additional responsibilities to keep the board clean, free from spammers, and free from flame wars. And I think they do an excellent job

(I just know I'm going to get flamed for kissing mod ass for this one, and my pre-emptive response is "what's your point?" )

[offline]

it may be better if they did not express an opinion. As by doing so it undermines the legitimacy of locking it.

Sounds like you want some sort of IRC Bot to moderate the forums.

Mods are human, dealing with humans. If, in the opinion of a mod,
a topic needs to be closed, then that opinion should be made public
so people can judge for themselves. Just closing a topic means
what?

[flaninacupboard]

i'm just waiting for will hay to find this topic....

offline, why is all your member info blue?

[offline]

offline, why is all your member info blue?

The Admin has promoted me from Moderator to umm.. Moderator
with more powers and near complete control.

-edit-

I'm practicing my dry wit with painful brevity as we speak.

[andkiich]

I think it owuld be funny for a mod to lock this thread and leave a parting remark for the original poster.

[lordsmurf]

I think it owuld be funny for a mod to lock this thread and leave a parting remark for the original poster.

Sounds like something pacmania or tgpo would do. Hilarious!

[Will Hay]

i'm just waiting for will hay to find this topic....

I'd hate to disappoint you
Offline is a complete and utter twat (and I only use that terminology as apparently it's moderator speak and therefore acceptable).

Will Hay

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning. But following a mod constantly
while continuously making such remarks is abuse. And abuse is against
the spirit of the rules and AUP.
/ Moderator offline

[Supreme2k]

I tried locking a thread, but since I don't have any actual permissions to do so, I simply wrote LOCKED across my screen with a Sharpie. It worked a little too well, as every topic I view is now locked.

My question is, can a mod or Baldrick please disable this feature? It is very difficult to get anything accomplished on my PC when everything is locked. Even my copy of Notepad is locked, so I'm afraid to use it to type out business letters since I might get banned.

[flaninacupboard]

i'm just waiting for will hay to find this topic....

I'd hate to disappoint you
Offline is a complete and utter twat (and I only use that terminology as apparently it's moderator speak and therefore acceptable).

Will Hay

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning. But following a mod constantly
while continuously making such remarks is abuse. And abuse is against
the spirit of the rules and AUP. I await your 'mature' reaction with interest
/ Moderator offline

It's going to be a fun week!!

[offline]

Yes, my apologies in advance to Solarjetman as
I forsee the need to lock this thread shortly. In the
interests of science I will try to keep it open as
long as possible - unless I'm losing the argument of course

[flaninacupboard]

ah man, if you though will hated you before.....

[Conquest10]

So what do you think is the best religion?

[flaninacupboard]

oh, Islam is the way of the future and all you christians, jews, catholics and mexicans can shove a rat up your ******* arse and burn in hell. i'd sooner spit on you filthy pieces of shit than look at you, **** sucking scumbags.

wow, all this time with jeex -has- had an effect on me

[Conquest10]

oh, Islam is the way of the future and all you christians, jews, catholics and mexicans can shove a rat up your ******* arse and burn in hell. i'd sooner spit on you filthy pieces of shit than look at you, **** sucking scumbags.

wow, all this time with jeex -has- had an effect on me

I'm going to have to disagree with you there and say the Church of Scientology.

[lordsmurf]

With all the people that are cheap around here, buying penny CDs and you-know-who blank DVDs, dollar video cards, onboard sound, etc ... going as cheap as you can ... I'm sure many of them shop cheap all the time. Same for their Bibles.

I'm sure many a great outlet/dollar-store shopper in this forum worships the words of Gob.

Cheapotology is the next religion. The word of Gob, his majestic name brought to us by a misprint.

[stiltman]

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning. But following a mod constantly
while continuously making such remarks is abuse. And abuse is against
the spirit of the rules and AUP. I await your 'mature' reaction with interest
/ Moderator offline

Wouldn't that be considered egging him on?

[flaninacupboard]

*pushes stiltman* shut up, dude! let em get on with it!

[Conquest10]

I'm sure many a great outlet/dollar-store shopper in this forum worships the words of Gob.

Oh, man... GOB!

[offline]

@ stiltman...Thanks. I am not inclined to agree but I would not want
to be seen to be doing so. I almost always make comments
when I flag someone but it is edited now.

@ Conquest10 thanks very much

[stiltman]

@ stiltman...Thanks. I am not inclined to agree but I would not wantto be seen to be doing so. I almost always make comments
when I flag someone but it is edited now.

It was just a question 8)

stiltman (The Saint)

[flaninacupboard]

he edited my post! HE EDITED MY POST! i'm gonna go hulk on your ass! ROARRGH!!!!

Did to.. thought it was mine but wondered why the quote "white"
was covering it. Looked at mine then wondered why my edit had
not gone though. Just realised my error. I was tired this moning

Offline

[presto]

oh, Islam is the way of the future and all you christians, jews, catholics and mexicans can shove a ...

As a recent convert to the mexican religion I am highly offended.

[stiltman]

oh, Islam is the way of the future and all you christians, jews, catholics and mexicans can shove a ...

As a recent convert to the mexican religeon I am highly offended.

Mexico has it's own religion?????????

[Conquest10]

Yeah, didn't you know?

[stiltman]

Yeah, didn't you know?

I just asked my aunt, as she's from Mexico, and she's never heard of a Mexican religion 8)

Then she talk about religion for the last 10 minutes in spanish, which I don't understand but a couple words of

[stiltman]

he edited my post! HE EDITED MY POST! i'm gonna go hulk on your ass! ROARRGH!!!!

He skipped my on purpose I bet