Author: Dan Honeycutt
Date: 12:55:40 01/04/06
While recent events prompt this post, my comments are intended to be general and not directed at any specific moderator decision. How should the moderators deal with off-topic posts? One solution: Off topic posts are not allowed by the charter and will not be permitted. Period. IMHO, a bad solution. CCC would become a stale and lifeless place. Plus, too much work for the moderators for what they get paid. Another solution: Off topic posts will be allowed unless someone complains, in which case they are deleted. IMHO, another bad solution. Some stick-in-the-mud can spoil the fun for everyone else. Or, someone has a hard-on for a particular member and so always complains if that member says anything off-topic. Complaints in cases like this should be rejected. But, can a moderator reject a complaint about a post that is clearly forbidden by the charter? I think so. Since I've been a member of CCC, three sorts of off-topic posts have usually been allowed - (1) those intended to be humor, (2) those related to computers in general, and (3) those related to chess in general. A fourth situation occasionally arises where a member feels that other member(s) have the expertise to help them with some problem that is completely unrelated to computer chess. The sort of off-topic posts that have been allowed have set a historical precedent. The members have accepted this precedent, otherwise they wouldn't be members. Every member would probably like to see more of this or less of that, but members come here because they mostly like what they find. Moderators are elected by the members, yes, to enforce the charter, but also to represent the members - to make the forum the sort of place where the members like to come. I know as a CTF moderator I've left posts that were over the line regarding the charter because I felt the topic was worthy of discussion. I've also deleted posts that did not violate the charter in any way, but I felt they added no value at all to the forum. I view the charter as a guide, not an iron-clad rule. The final decision of the moderator should be based on what, in his judgment, is best for the forum. My opinion is that off-topic posts of the types listed above should be allowed unless in the opinion of the moderators they have run too far afield or the thread looks to be about to erupt in flames. Just my 2 cents. Best Dan H.
This page took 0 seconds to execute
Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700
Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.