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[MikeH]

Does anyone actually believe my above post merits a warning about criticising the Mods?

I'm quite glad this was posted this as it highlights the issues myself and the moderators have to deal with. I'm going to temporarily suspend my policy of not discussing individual cases on here in a bid to clarify our workings for once and all.

Here's the warning I sent to iaing at 20.53 last night. It's worth noting I sent similar warnings to two other users who also posted what I viewed as public criticism of moderators/moderator decisions

Hi Iain
I'm sending you a warning about a number of your posts today which are clear criticism of moderator decisions and therefore in breach of the guidelines and rules
I introduced this rule a few months ago (it's standard stuff on most forums) as the constant criticism of moderators was way over the top, divisive and making the forum an unpleasant place.
I gave users the option to email me if they had any issue with moderators/moderator decisions and I'd give further explanation/clarification on a decision.
Few users take this option and I can only assume they choose to post their criticisms in order to stir things up (flaming). Again, I can’t sit back and watch that happen.
In light of the fact your contributions to the forum are normally very positive I've chosen to make it only a warning but if you keep on posting messages criticising moderator decisions I'll have no choice but to make the infraction a live one
Multiple infractions may result in a temporary or even permanent ban
For information of infractions and guidelines on forum etiquette please consult this post
http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/sho...les-guidelines
Mike Harris
Golf Monthly editor

Things to note...
1. My warning is very clear about why I was issuing it. Note the plural 'a number of your posts today' as there were two made by the user in the same thread not just the one the user refers to. The first at 13.53 and the second at 16.46
2. I showed what I think is fairly high degree of leniency. That was not only because as I said Iain's contributions are general really positive but also because I have met Iain before at a GM forum meet and he seemed like a good guy so was giving him the benefit of the doubt - something that is done an awful lot by the moderators but you don’t see it.
3. I explained why I introduced the infraction for crticising moderators/moderator decision
4. The bottom line is it really matter what anyone thinks about the fact he was issued with a warning. As the person who ultimately makes the decisions it comes done to my view.
5. Iain chose not to email me to ask for clarification on the warning but instead posted what I viewed as a message that...
a) cricitised a moderator/moderator decision
b) sought to inflame the thread
c) Ignored previous advice (i.e. the warning he was just issued with)

All of the above carry an infraction that I regret I've had to issue.

Moving on...
Any user who is banned is issued with a warning (unless it's obvious spammer) and usually multiple infractions before they are banned.
So contrary to what Farneyman suggests thecrawsghost was issued with a very clear warning - at 20.58 on Aug 13 and here's the text of the warning he was sent via the infraction system.

thecrawsghost
As a new member you may not yet have got accustomed to the nature of the Golf Monthly forum but after monitoring your posts I am advising you that I find your contributions to the debates of very little value and serve to do little more than flame or stir bad feeling.
I am therefore issuing you with a warning infraction for Unacceptable Conduct/Behaviour but if you do not modify your contributions the infraction will become live. Multiple infractions may result in a temporary or even permanent ban
For information of infractions and guidelines on forum etiquette please consult this post
http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/sho...les-guidelines
Mike Harris
Golf Monthly editor

The user thecrawsghost chose to ignore that advice and continued to post what I saw as comments that breached multiple rules and guidelines so at 08.46 on August 16 was sent a message to inform them they were temporarily suspended from the forum pending a review.

So, there you have it. That’s how the moderating process works. The three most salient things to note are
1. It’s a judgment call on most things
2. As the person in overall charge of this forum It's my call on whether. If I think you’ve broken rules and guidelines an infraction or ban will be issued
2. As I’ve stated recently I'm being a lot more hardline on those who I see as problem users and stepping up the use of infractions as result. This stance will continue until things settle
3. And, the by now well worn phrase...If you don’t like the way this forum is run or if you are not prepared to play by the rules then find another forum to post on.

And finally...
It's my birthday tomorrow. Joy of joys I'm also moving house tomorrow and then spending a few days unpacking. Then I'm going away on holiday and not back in the office till September 2nd. I want to spend my time unpacking boxes (as quickly as possible) then drinking lots of real ale, playing a bit of golf and chilling out with the family.

In the interests of a quiet life and guaranteeing the above I did consider hitting the off switch and taking the forum offline until Sept 2nd but that just punishes the vast vast majority of folk who use the forum for what its intended. Chatting about golf and other stuff.

Instead what I will do (and have asked the moderators to do) is issue temporary bans that restrict access until I'm back to anyone who in my view of the view of the moderators is seeking to cause unrest on the forum.

Call it heavy-handed, call it a police state or make reference to hardline regimes in history or whatever you like, but I'm afraid that's the way it is for the next two weeks. Ladies and gents you have had fair warning.

Thanks for reading this. Feel free to debate the above but remember the rules and guidelines. I'll stop now as i really am going round in circles

 

[Pin-seeker]

I got a a infraction a couple of wk back (inappropriate language) & I received a PM from the mod explaining why. I also had a spat with a forumer a while back,a different mod deleted a couple of comments & sent us both a PM. No problem with either instances.

 

[AmandaJR]

I find it amazing that we're here again with Mike having to (again) remind users of the rules. I just can't understand why those who think said rules are "unfair" continue to want to use the forum - and continue to moan about the rules!

Happy Birthday Mike and good luck moving house (don't forget where you packed the beer and clubs)!

 

[richart]

Happy birthday Mike, and if you fancy a sneaking off for a game when no one is looking, you know where to find me.

 

[JustOne]

if you fancy a sneaking off for a game when no one is looking, you know where to find me.

I don't think Mike drinks in those kind of places!!


Happy Birthday Mike. Unfortunately I've sent your present to your old address

 

[pokerjoke]

The END

 

[Mungoscorner]

I'm not taking sides with anybody here, and i've never been warned about my conduct or posting, but i see Racism and Sexism on this forum every other day, it's either dressed up as patriotism or opinion, its the same posters every time and yet there still here !!!!
It's all very well having concrete/ set in stone rules and regulations, but theres far too much inconsistency with regards to modding/bans.
As for the "mods do a tireless/thankless job for no pay", the answer to that is simple, you don't HAVE to do it.
I find it strange that calling somebody a "chomper" is offensive and shows the forum/magazine in a bad light, yet its ok to be racist or sexist (or both in many case's).
I have black/mixed race family members, and i find some of the posts on this forum highly offensive, but i have never spat my dummy out and complained.
My wife finds some of the comments on womens golf offensive and insulting, but she's never asked me to complain about that, because in her words " little things please little brains".
I await my ban/infraction with baited breath.


RANT OVER

 

[Hacker Khan]

I'm not taking sides with anybody here, and i've never been warned about my conduct or posting, but i see Racism and Sexism on this forum every other day, it's either dressed up as patriotism or opinion, its the same posters every time and yet there still here !!!!
It's all very well having concrete/ set in stone rules and regulations, but theres far too much inconsistency with regards to modding/bans.
As for the "mods do a tireless/thankless job for no pay", the answer to that is simple, you don't HAVE to do it.
I find it strange that calling somebody a "chomper" is offensive and shows the forum/magazine in a bad light, yet its ok to be racist or sexist (or both in many case's).
I have black/mixed race family members, and i find some of the posts on this forum highly offensive, but i have never spat my dummy out and complained.
My wife finds some of the comments on womens golf offensive and insulting, but she's never asked me to complain about that, because in her words " little things please little brains".
I await my ban/infraction with baited breath.


RANT OVER

I think you make some very fine points. I also find some of the attitudes displayed regarding casual racism and sexism much more disturbing than if someone used an asterisk here and there.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I have always had a healthy respect for the mods after they let my Rangers post run for half a year and [was it] 5,000 posts.
That was quite unbelievable and a great show of restraint from all concerned.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Another inconsistent point I've noted on here is bad language. Again, the rules are clear but I regularly see both swear words and words asterisked out. Personally, I don't have too much of an issue with this as you can walk down any high street and hear much worse but again, I would like consistent rules to be applied so we all know where we stand.

ANOTHER rant over

 

[bladeplayer]

I think you make some very fine points. I also find some of the attitudes displayed regarding casual racism and sexism much more disturbing than if someone used an asterisk here and there.

Have you reported any.?its in our intrests to keep the forum in order aswell

 

[user2009]

You can see where this is going, people reporting the slightest thing from now on?

 

[Pin-seeker]

I'm not taking sides with anybody here, and i've never been warned about my conduct or posting, but i see Racism and Sexism on this forum every other day, it's either dressed up as patriotism or opinion, its the same posters every time and yet there still here !!!!
It's all very well having concrete/ set in stone rules and regulations, but theres far too much inconsistency with regards to modding/bans.
As for the "mods do a tireless/thankless job for no pay", the answer to that is simple, you don't HAVE to do it.
I find it strange that calling somebody a "chomper" is offensive and shows the forum/magazine in a bad light, yet its ok to be racist or sexist (or both in many case's).
I have black/mixed race family members, and i find some of the posts on this forum highly offensive, but i have never spat my dummy out and complained.
My wife finds some of the comments on womens golf offensive and insulting, but she's never asked me to complain about that, because in her words " little things please little brains".
I await my ban/infraction with baited breath.


RANT OVER

I think your talking rubbish. Seriously racism every other day???
This is getting beyond a joke.

 

[Ethan]

I'm not taking sides with anybody here, and i've never been warned about my conduct or posting, but i see Racism and Sexism on this forum every other day, it's either dressed up as patriotism or opinion, its the same posters every time and yet there still here !!!!
It's all very well having concrete/ set in stone rules and regulations, but theres far too much inconsistency with regards to modding/bans.
As for the "mods do a tireless/thankless job for no pay", the answer to that is simple, you don't HAVE to do it.
I find it strange that calling somebody a "chomper" is offensive and shows the forum/magazine in a bad light, yet its ok to be racist or sexist (or both in many case's).
I have black/mixed race family members, and i find some of the posts on this forum highly offensive, but i have never spat my dummy out and complained.
My wife finds some of the comments on womens golf offensive and insulting, but she's never asked me to complain about that, because in her words " little things please little brains".
I await my ban/infraction with baited breath.


RANT OVER

The problem is that people vary in their sensitivity to words or phrases, as well as their willingness to report. It is very difficult to ensure absolute consistency and we Mods probably fail to do so quite often, but what we are hoping for is a general acknowledgement that some degree of good order is needed to keep the forum open and running in a way that GM can continue to support. Also, some members test the limits deliberately, and/or provoke others into intemperate language by pressing their buttons.

You will also have missed some troublesome posts which were quickly moderated, and you will not have seen some of the PMs to Mods or to other members and reported to Mods which add fuel to some of the fire. These other communications may contribute to the infraction or ban which might otherwise seem harsh or inconsistent.

Trust me when I tell you that the Mods and MikeH would really much prefer a situation where no warnings, infractions or bans were needed and good community order prevailed.

On the thankless job Mods point, if it wasn't the current cast of ruffians doing it, it would be another set, six of one etc, and some degree of moderation will always be needed by GM to keep the forum alive.

Can we go back to debating the latest Taylor Made driver, the Solheim Cup, US Amateur and all that golfy stuff now?

 

[palindromicbob]

Have you reported any.?its in our intrests to keep the forum in order aswell

This is it. Where posts are reported the mods will pick them up. They don't/can't read every single post that comes and the report button is the way to flag them. All these complaints about inconsistent modding are more likely a result of inconsistent reporting. Some of the "larger" charaters with more divisive opinions and posting styles are more likely to get reported and hence come to the attention of the mods and MikeH.

Mike could easily have pulled the pin on the forum already and save a few trees by removing the 2 pages about the forum from the magazine. Thankfully he seems sensible enough to realise it is a troublesome minority.

 

[Mungoscorner]

I think your talking rubbish. Seriously racism every other day???
This is getting beyond a joke.

If you don't agree with my post, report me to a mod

 

[Slime]

I find it amazing that we're here again with Mike having to (again) remind users of the rules. I just can't understand why those who think said rules are "unfair" continue to want to use the forum - and continue to moan about the rules!

Happy Birthday Mike and good luck moving house (don't forget where you packed the beer and clubs)!

Exactly what AmandaJR said.
Have a good break & don't worry about the forum, your real ale consumption is far more impotant :thup:.

I'm not taking sides with anybody here, and i've never been warned about my conduct or posting, but i see Racism and Sexism on this forum every other day, it's either dressed up as patriotism or opinion, its the same posters every time and yet there still here !!!!
It's all very well having concrete/ set in stone rules and regulations, but theres far too much inconsistency with regards to modding/bans.
As for the "mods do a tireless/thankless job for no pay", the answer to that is simple, you don't HAVE to do it.
I find it strange that calling somebody a "chomper" is offensive and shows the forum/magazine in a bad light, yet its ok to be racist or sexist (or both in many case's).
I have black/mixed race family members, and i find some of the posts on this forum highly offensive, but i have never spat my dummy out and complained.
My wife finds some of the comments on womens golf offensive and insulting, but she's never asked me to complain about that, because in her words " little things please little brains".
I await my ban/infraction with baited breath.
RANT OVER

Why don't I see it, or is it because I'm not looking for it?
Or maybe I'm just reading it differently or have different perceptions of what is racism/sexism and what is banter.
Or maybe I'm just a bit thick.
If you find it that unacceptable and offensive either leave the forum or volunteer to be a moderator.

Slime.

 

[Ethan]

If you don't agree with my post, report me to a mod

See, that is not really helpful.

If you see racism, report it.

 

[MizunoMike]

There seems a lot of unrest on the Forum, hopefully the Mods can do the right thing and get it back on track.

I am sure there are 2 sides to every story and some of the members are getting another side of the story from their mates.

Anyway let's hope it can all get back on track.

 

[CMAC]

There seems a lot of unrest on the Forum, hopefully the Mods can do the right thing and get it back on track.

I am sure there are 2 sides to every story and some of the members are getting another side of the story from their mates.

Anyway let's hope it can all get back on track.

agreed, what track do you play at Mike?