New Rules.
- 8 March 2012 09:07158064The time has come now to eliminate nasty and aggressive posting. Feedback tells us that people everywhere, both readers and members, have had enough of it. There have been many complaints.
Abusive comments to the poster who has just posted previously..saying how stupid and moronic they are etc etc is not the way we want to do it. This kind of thing has crept in even more so lately and it reads very miserably indeed. It looks very bad.
Some posts are very aggressive too, posting as though we are on the wider web and posting to anonymous strangers. It's not good...we almost all know each other on Doverforum and we would not talk that way to each other when we meet, and many of us often meet. It's a clubhouse and the spirit of the clubhouse should prevail.
Bullying other posters out of having an opinion is not the way. All the opinions are valuable, fun and necessary. Every member's post is welcome. Everyone should enjoy Doverforum..not get beaten up over posting or have his/her posting taken to shreds in bullying manner. We have found that some people are reluctant to post for fear of getting an abusive mauling. Also very bad. We could end up with just four or five posting at this rate which is no good for anybody.
We are now going to introduce a draconian system as follows:
1.If a member posts a nasty agressive post they will be suspended for 3 days with immediate effect once the post is seen. No chatter about it..we dont have time and manpower for discussion. It will be automatic. This apllies to all, no fear or favour.
2.If it happens by the same member a second time the suspension will be 5 days.
3.If it happens a third time we wont be asking the member back.
How it will work is this. Howard will see a post, will tell me, and the lever will be pulled. No point in asking people politely on the spot not to post horribly..we've tried that one.
One little anecdote. Nobody misses a misery. We deleted a member about 6 or 8 weeks ago who was a regular but unpleasant nasty poster. Nobody at all, not a single person, has enquired as to where he is.
If anyone has any questions pleases ask below.
If at anytime anyone has a complaint, my email is dover7@msn.com..it's at the bottom of all my posts.email: dover7@msn.com - 8 March 2012 09:21158067No argument from me on that score Boss.Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!! - 8 March 2012 09:49158070the sooner we get back to the club spirit the better it will be, still can have vigorous debate.
i know of a number of people that read but will not join for the reasons paul has stated. - 8 March 2012 09:56158073
- 8 March 2012 10:10158077 Yorkshire Born And Yorkshire Bred
- 8 March 2012 11:11158093Go for it boss, i just hope mickey taking is exemptbeer the food of the gods
- 8 March 2012 11:16158095Agree
- 8 March 2012 11:21158097If we are naughty and upset Teacher, do we get named and shamed while we stand in the corner?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson - 8 March 2012 11:26158098I am heartened to hear that so many that read the forum feel enough for it to communicate their concerns. This is further confirmation of the merit and worth of the contributions Councillors and townsfolk alike make to the everyday lives of their neighbours via this space.
Fear not! I say, to those who wish to join in. Dover & district is very much you too and any positive contribution could hold the key to all manner of issues; local, national and beyond.
For the want of a nail the shoe was lost....
As far as spelling and grammar are concerned...the Mavericks of the English language who are members here already manage to get their points across.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing. - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
8 March 2012 11:27158099 ok boss, - 8 March 2012 11:57158107..........could you send a copy to the House of Commons for PMQ`s..................
- 8 March 2012 12:27158110An excellent idea from the honorable member for Shepherdswell.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 8 March 2012 13:48158122To All.
I feel I am somewhat to blame for these rules being applied and although I am in total agreement with them, I do feel it is a shame it has come to this.
I have made aggressive remarks that should not have been made, I had my reason's for them but that does not excuse them, so for that, I wish to make my apologies.
I will continue to defend my family and my principles but I will endeavour to do so with decorum.
This Forum plays a big part in community life and it is important that it is used properly for and by everyone."My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum" - 8 March 2012 13:54158124Most of us have posted stuff we wish we hadn't, Gary, don't beat yourself up over it.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 8 March 2012 14:00158125Well done, team.
- 8 March 2012 14:04158127agreed peter, the new rules are aimed at all of us and we have all probably posted something over the top at different times.
if i may be allowed to quote from the good book "let he/she who is without sin lob the first house brick". - 8 March 2012 14:20158130Yes, it is easily done in the heat of the moment and in the 'vigour' of a debate. I do post what I would say face to face but, something I am guilty of forgetting, is that it comes across more aggressive in this kind of media than face to face because of the lack of body language, which is a very significant part of communication.
- 8 March 2012 14:39158136I think it's worse than that Barry, it's a kind of cyber-rage much like road rage, in which people feel cocooned and almost anonymous behind their keyboard (or steering wheel) and we behave more aggressively than we would face to face. It's something I constantly have to guard against and I think many others do too. Phil used to have an amusing signature 'never post after the pub' and I think that's also a sound piece of advice.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
8 March 2012 15:23158148I was recently suspended for upsetting somebody, I do not know who it was as nothing was mentioned on the thread in question. Sadly I feel I will now have to watch what I say as I might inadvertently offend so am not bothering to post.-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
------------------------------------------------------------------- - 8 March 2012 15:42158150It occurred to me on reading PaulB's #1 that mention might have been made of warning action taken. In that, perhaps, those who were the subject of the several adverse reports could have been given the 'heads-up' by e-mail. At the time I put this down to my own accrued RC sense of guilt.
On reading of your own uncertainty Jan I now feel the need to put the above 'view' out there for consideration.
We are none of us exempt from error, being each human and all that. Plus, in all walks of life and in all positions of authority the expectation of explanation and justification can go a long way in staying the whip hand.
Out here in the internet world, where the written word has a far sharper point than the spoken word it behoves each to grow a little thicker skin. Howard's oft announced philosophy of beginning each day anew is a good attitude to adopt.Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.