Locked/deleted messages/threads

I understand that you guys are trying to make this the best Guild Wars website on the web, and it shows. I think I can speak for everyone when I say it's really nice to come to quality, professional site, where the boards aren't filled with horrible grammar and childish, 12 year-old rants. But I offer one word of advice, which of course is just my opinion. Don't delete people's posts, unless it's an extreme. Locking threads and giving warnings to offenders works fine, and if they keep it up, ban them. But, there is nothing more agrivating than an admin playing censor and editing posts for various reasons. It's a really quick way to alienate your posters and your auidence. Thanks for your time.

-Virt

Censorship is grand!

In all seriousness, we are an open community. Which means that posts that are flammable [or oily and prone to massive heat] will likely be removed because ... well ... they have no place here. The posts that were removed [and not only yours] were removed because they contributed nothing other than making people angry.

And thusly they were removed.

I understand the need for a civil enviornment and I can even understand why my post was deleted. I just felt I should voice my opinion on the subject of post deletion, as it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and I'm sure does the same to other people. All I was saying is that there are other ways to keep a conversation under control without deleting posts. To me, getting my post deleted is one of the worst things that can happen. I'd rather be called names and cursed at than to have my thoughts changed or censored by someone I don't even know. But, that is just my opinion and I understand that this is your court, your ball, so I will gladly play by your rules or not play at all. Thank you for your time.

-Virt

Well to be honest then - if you understand the need for a civil environment and understand why the post was deleted, why not delete it then? The only difference between deleting it and editing it with a [--Post removed by Admin--] is trivial - in fact I prefer the delete method as then I dont have to wonder what the content was that got it deleted. And it saves me precious vertical scrollage!

We will never edit the content/tone of your post [at least without being explicit about it]. And we dont censor either [just refer to the discussion about gameanalysis being valid for FF or not in the general forum - most fansites refuse to even allow external links! (speaking of which I am going to rant about that soon)]. In regards to name calling and cursing, Gurus never resort to that

Its just simpler really - if it is flammable, it will be doused

I've always had a "ophorolas" feeling (made up word) whenever my posts are quickly closed. Never had it deleted though. I mean it feels so rude when I'm posting something serious for a discussion (i.e. How come I'm not allowed two accounts for so and so game) Then some admin gently replies,

You're not allowed two accounts because its part of the terms and agreement
BLAM Closed!

However that never happens here and the admins are very friendly and community is friendly also.

I agree with Virtuoso (probably for the first time ever), that every person is entitled to speak his voice and opinion. It is this individuality that sparks the greatest debates (not arguments) and contributes the most to the readers. I DO completely agree with closing a thread if it is obvious there is no ground being made and only tempers flaring (but to take one person's voice from them is appalling). But I guess Virtuoso has a point with your court and your ball. I don't know what he did to offend you so I will not try to defend him and I'm speaking in general (never had a post deleted on any forum that I'm aware of).

Lansing Kai Don

POWER TO THE PEOPLE! jk

here's the deal. Often it is better to the discourse of the thread to just delete the offending posts and keep the thread going than to just kill the thread so those posts will be deleted generally with a message that states who deleted it and why.

The majority of posts that are deleted are mainly only flaming. In other cases we tend to just close them. Of course there is always the exception. We never desire to stifle a good conversation as long as it is civil, but if it turns into an argument there's a good chance it will go away.

Quote: Originally Posted by Lansing Kai Don

lol virtuoso I've only just recently seen your name in posts, but may I ask what did you do to get deleted? Like was it a post that said "eff you jerk" and nothing else or was it a valid heated arguement?

Co2, PMing you to keep it off the boards.

-Virt

well you wanna know why this board isnt full of bad grammer, and flares and stuff? its because the guru staff does a great job of preventing/deleting/editing bad posts. and yes we have a right to our own oppinion, but our oppinion should be on topic, is needed in the conversation, and not a flare. if someone reads your post and says "YOU NOOB! THATS NOT WHATS RIGHT, YOUR A F---ING ------!" i personally would want to yell back, but luckly no one has done it to me. so by deleting and editing these posts, they wont have to people yelling their heads off at each other in what could of beed a great disscusion. i learned from like a "pre-warning" that i should check that my post A) made sense B) was needed in the conversation and C) had no spelling mistakes (yes i still have some, but i dont spell well anyways :/) well dont take this post as a flare, cause it is not ment to be that at all, but i do think this topic is really rude to the guru staff, or at least i would be offended if i was on the guru staff. well anyways, just try doing what i did above, and youll see your post come out more educated, and people will think more of you.

edit- i did not say you were trying to, and i did not say it would, i was just saying that in my eyes its a little rude, but remember i am not them, and can not tell you what they think (but im working on it )

just trying to help,
Whosa

Rude for suggesting they be a little more considerate when thinking about deleting posts? I did not tell them how to run their forums, only that it offends and alienates people when you delete posts. I have no problems with the people who run this site and these forums. In fact, they are a godsend to the Guild Wars community. I was merely voicing my displeasure.

-Virt

Post deleting, although often perceived by the visitor as being offensive... is quite frankly what keeps the forum afloat. Deleting posts allows us to cover up what we don't like others to see, as if it were to be public it would be no different than encouraging such practices. Think of it this way, the forum is a melting pot and it is our (moderators/admins) job to have new members conform to our standards. People are more likely to be informative and positive if they see others act in such a way. If threads are filled with immature ramblings, they are less likely to feel obliged to create more constructive and coherent threads.

Posts/threads are not deleted for our enjoyment, it's actually quite a bit of work. If you notice a post has been deleted, tell yourself it was for the good of the hive

Quote: Originally Posted by THX

we're human, we may make mistakes from time to time, but we do our best. We want nothing more than well thought out reasoned debates on issues and thought provoking insights. That is what makes a forum great. You're free to disagree with someone all you want, just try to keep it to a civil discourse.

Someone's idea may seem idiotic, but they are not idiotic. And remember if you're going to call someones argument idiotic you best have the ability to back it up. I think this site stands out from the other sites because 80% of our threads are great in depth threads and not how cool it would be to have ninjas in the game.

Please note that as THX stated, we don't enjoy deleting posts. It is a lot of work, but we do it because we think it makes this site great. If we delete something of yours and you have a problem with it, send us a pm and we can discuss it.

Well I know it probably is a pain, but I think it might be helpful if you could leave a quick pm or post regarding why a post was deleted or why a thread was closed. That way not only would people most likely not be quite as bothered by such actions but also people would be able to see why the action was taken so they understand what was inappropriate about their comments thus in the future preventing repetition of whatever inappropriate behavior occured.

For example a thread in the OT section that I had put some comments in (gauss rifle ) was closed and I am still unsure exactly why. If it was something that I posted then I want to know about it so I can correct such faults in the future. On the other hand something was mentioned about an iToilet so if that was in some way offensive and that was the reason for closing such information would be helpful.

All in all forum-monitoring and editing is a necessary "demon" for lack of a better word and it is important in order to keep forums healthy and fun. It is not up to us users to determine what is and what isn't acceptable. What's important is that we follow the site's rules because there are a bunch of people who have worked their patootey's off to make this site into what it is today and they should be the one's deciding it what manner they want their site to be run and used.

we shouldnt delete some posts because some of the pplz posts are important to all peoplez!!!!

Maybe I am a bit blind William - only two posts were closed semi-recently in OT, both by me, and with a post at the end.

Which thread are you referring to?

Hey I opened a thread about Guild Wars being play-able with a 3gb download-limit....the thread just disappeared without even a lrespond/link to a existing thread

Quote: Originally Posted by Aladdar