Mods, when you deny a "Discovering Therevada" post...

[SDC]

...I thought you send an explanation why.

[mikenz66]

Hi SDC,

The only thing we can easily do it tick a box. Usually I tick "off topic". Lately I have rejected the majority of the posts in that Forum, since what we want is a simple, straightforward, answer to the question. Any discussion, argument, posting as if one is trying to be the questioner's teacher, and so on, will probably be rejected.

All those things are fine on other areas, of course.


Mike

[David N. Snyder]

And when a moderator denies a post the system asks if we want to notify the poster of the denial and I think all mods. do click that box, but unfortunately I think the internal email notification system is not working right now. There are just strict guidelines in the Discovering Theravada sub-forum, but otherwise the posts, even the rejected ones are not bad in anyway, just not appropriate for the strict guidelines of that forum.

[SDC]

I thought what I said was brief, simple and quite on topic. I guess not. It does, however, say in the guidelines that we would be given an explanation via PM. Look, I really don't care just was expecting to see something. No worries.

[Ben]

I thought what I said was brief, simple and quite on topic. I guess not. It does, however, say in the guidelines that we would be given an explanation via PM. Look, I really don't care just was expecting to see something. No worries.

Not a problem. You are welcome to ask questions about this issue - or any others you may have.

I'm surprised you didn't receive feedback. I always click the check box to let the user know that their post was not approved and I always type a reason as to why the post was not approved. But as David says - perhaps its the result of the email module not working.

The forum is moderated strictly to the special guidelines for the discovering theravada forum. So, as Mike said, even seemingly good posts don't get approved if they do not comply with the guidelines.

I apologise if there is any hurt. I'm a real stickler for making sure that the moderation in the DT forum strictly complies to the special guidelines for the forum, as our moderators can attest. The reason is that i believe it is important for the forum to be focused on the needs of beginners and those new to the tradition so that they can receive good information that best suits their level of knowledge and interest.
kind regards,

Ben

[Hanzze]

Over all a very responsible and sensible work with a lot of danger of critice as well as mistakes, which needs its honore and gratefulness.

[Ben]

Thanks, Hanzze!

[Hanzze]

"We will undertake & practice those qualities that make one a contemplative... so that the services of those whose robes, alms-food, lodging, and medicinal requisites we use will bring them great fruit & great reward."

— MN 39

from Lessons of gratitude

[mikenz66]

I'm surprised you didn't receive feedback. I always click the check box to let the user know that their post was not approved and I always type a reason as to why the post was not approved. But as David says - perhaps its the result of the email module not working.

Unfortunately, there also seems to be almost no record kept if the post is not approved. I can see, for a short time, that someone has rejected a post, but not who it is from, or what it was about.

SDC, did you get no message at all? I can see that Ben did type in a message to you. If the mail isn't working, there isn't much that we can do.


Mike

[Annapurna]

I thought what I said was brief, simple and quite on topic. I guess not. It does, however, say in the guidelines that we would be given an explanation via PM. Look, I really don't care just was expecting to see something. No worries.

Not a problem. You are welcome to ask questions about this issue - or any others you may have.

I'm surprised you didn't receive feedback. I always click the check box to let the user know that their post was not approved and I always type a reason as to why the post was not approved. But as David says - perhaps its the result of the email module not working.

Ben

I also had a post removed recently and received no explanation. I felt a little unwelcome thereafter, as if I was told in a subtle way to disappear, but decided not to care...

[Annapurna]

I'm surprised you didn't receive feedback. I always click the check box to let the user know that their post was not approved and I always type a reason as to why the post was not approved. But as David says - perhaps its the result of the email module not working.

Unfortunately, there also seems to be almost no record kept if the post is not approved. I can see, for a short time, that someone has rejected a post, but not who it is from, or what it was about.

SDC, did you get no message at all? I can see that Ben did type in a message to you. If the mail isn't working, there isn't much that we can do.


Mike

You could send an extra PM....

[mikenz66]

You could send an extra PM....

Yes, that's possible, but since there is no automatic way of doing it when a post is moved, or, apparently, in this case, that is a rather time-consuming option. I certainly do that if I think there would be some confusion. If you have a query, by all means PM a moderator.


Mike

[Ben]

I thought what I said was brief, simple and quite on topic. I guess not. It does, however, say in the guidelines that we would be given an explanation via PM. Look, I really don't care just was expecting to see something. No worries.

Not a problem. You are welcome to ask questions about this issue - or any others you may have.

I'm surprised you didn't receive feedback. I always click the check box to let the user know that their post was not approved and I always type a reason as to why the post was not approved. But as David says - perhaps its the result of the email module not working.

Ben

I also had a post removed recently and received no explanation. I felt a little unwelcome thereafter, as if I was told in a subtle way to disappear, but decided not to care...

I can assure you, Anna, if you had posted in the DT forum and a post was not approved - you should have received notification with an explanation.
The fact that you had not received notification indicates there is a glitch with the system which we were all unaware of.
kind regards,

Ben

[SDC]

I'm surprised you didn't receive feedback. I always click the check box to let the user know that their post was not approved and I always type a reason as to why the post was not approved. But as David says - perhaps its the result of the email module not working.

Unfortunately, there also seems to be almost no record kept if the post is not approved. I can see, for a short time, that someone has rejected a post, but not who it is from, or what it was about.

SDC, did you get no message at all? I can see that Ben did type in a message to you. If the mail isn't working, there isn't much that we can do.


Mike

No, I didn't receive anything. Like I said, it's really not a big deal. I was just curious. You guys do a great job and this is hardly cause for me cry foul.

[Annapurna]

I also had a post removed recently and received no explanation. I felt a little unwelcome thereafter, as if I was told in a subtle way to disappear, but decided not to care...

I can assure you, Anna, if you had posted in the DT forum and a post was not approved - you should have received notification with an explanation.
The fact that you had not received notification indicates there is a glitch with the system which we were all unaware of.
kind regards,

Ben

Thank you Ben, that is good to know. ♥

A "glitch", isn't that the word used in the Matrix when they climbed upstairs...?

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

If you have a query, by all means PM a moderator.

I think that's the most pragmatic solution nowadays, and perhaps the guidelines can be reflected accordingly.

Metta,
Retro.

[Hanzze]

How ever one might do it, there is aways the danger of giving thoughts of strange intention. Maybe you like to thinks about it one more time: Deleted posts. There is nothing lost with a public "trash" box as it would be just regarded as putted a little aside.

[Annapurna]

I support Hanzze's suggestion.

[Ben]

I'm not in favour of Hanzze's suggestion.
I think it could give rise to some people feeling humiliated because their 'deleted' post is on display.
It may also inspire some people to engage in metadiscussion or public discussion of moderation decisions.

Its up to each and every member to ensure that their post is compliant with the TOS and the special-forum based guidelines. Some fora, such as the Discovering Theravada forum, those guidelines are strictly enforced. If posts are removed it is because it is not compliant with the TOS and/or guidelines.

If the member is a repeat offender or engaged in other anti-social behaviour then it is likely mod staff will contact that person and be subject to further disciplinary sanctions that may include warnings, suspensions and a permanent ban.
kind regards,

Ben

[Ben]

Dear Hanzze,

Moderation at Dhamma Wheel is rule-based. The rules are the Terms of Service and special forum-based guidelines.

I think our membership numbers, traffic, and culture here is testament that we have a good balance. We wanted to develop this site as a safe and respectful environment where Dhamma can be discussed and for those interested in the Dhamma can get get together and I think we have that. It takes some work to maintain Dhamma Wheel and its culture but despite that I think its worth it.

I can understand if one is on the receiving end of moderation attention one may feel that the moderators are acting out of unwholesome mind state. The fact is far from that. Nearly all moderation decisions are discussed in the admin forum before any decision is implemented. Moderators who are active in particular discussion threads, by convention, do not enact moderation decisions in those threads.

I acknowledge your suggestion for a public trash bin. As I said earlier, I am not in favour of it. However, David and I will be guided by the membership and the mod/admin team and act accordingly.
kind regards,

Ben