What happens when I deleate a post??

[peter halle]

Matthew,

There has been much discussion and controversey as of late regarding a poster who deletes a post after the fact and frankly what that triggers.  This question has nothing to do with your administration.

I would guess that internet posters - including myself - can be impatient and not knowing all may jump to conclusions.  In the light of other controversial threads here pehaps if you you could take the time to let people know how the software reacts to deletions it might smooth out the path somewhat.

Peter

 

[peter halle]

Sorry for the mis-spelling of the word delete.

Peter

 

[Brice Burrell]

Peter, I'll let Matthew give you the official response, until them here's my take. Members can delete their post as long as it isn't the first post in the thread (the post that started the thread). Generally it's not proper etiquette to delete posts, missing content can lead to confusion in threads. Matthew moves a thread to a more appropriate section from time to time. Once in a while he will take a part of a thread and starts a new discussion with the approval of the posters. The bottom line is don't jump to conclusions in you can't find a thread or a particular post, it may have been moved. Matthew has deleted very, very few post/threads.

 

[peter halle]

Brice,  thank you for your reply.  Matthew has posted throughout many other threads about the deleting aspect.  I was hoping to get it here in one thread so that others could easily find it and hopefully understand fully.  I have no issue with the administrator doing what he feels appropriate in the moving of deleting of posts.

Peter

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Peter,
I think it's a good idea to have a discussion about deleting, so it can be used for future reference by all members.

Members in good standing have the choice to delete (remove) their posts.  The only exception is, you cannot delete the first post in a discussion.  No one can do that, not even the administrator.

When you delete a post, it is removed immediately.  However, people who are reading a discussion when you delete it will still see it on their screen until their browser refreshes.

Sometimes, I move posts into more appropriate boards, and people assume the posts have been deleted.  This may be the cause of some of the recent controversy.

If you have other questions, let me know!

Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[peter halle]

Matthew,

Thanks for the explanation.  Is there a way when, and if, posts are moved to insert a notice in the original locaction of the post that it has been moved to ____?  It might help if it is possible and is not too dificult to do.

I realize that this might be the tail wagging the dog based on the relative infrequencies, but just thinking.

Peter

 

[Forrest Anderson]

I think it's a good idea to have a discussion about deleting, so it can be used for future reference by all members.

Since Matthew has invited comment, I'll add some suggestions...

Thanks for the explanation.  Is there a way when, and if, posts are moved to insert a notice in the original locaction of the post that it has been moved to ____?  It might help if it is possible and is not too dificult to do.

...and this was going to be my first suggestion! If a member finds that his post is no longer where he put it, he's going to think that it's been deleted and will probably get worried or annoyed by its disappearance. If a note is left in its place, ideally with an explanation of why it's been moved to another board or deleted entirely, then I think most people would be mollified.

The second thing people don't like is when their posts are altered by someone else! So my second suggestion is that if a post is modified by the Administrator/Moderator, then the Administrator/Moderator should make a note at the bottom of the post, eg  >

Thirdly, when the Administrator/Moderator deletes or modifies a member's post, I suggest he sends a polite PM to the member saying what has happened and why.

I suspect that the deletion and modification of posts "by stealth" is a significant reason behind the departure of several valuable and long-standing members.

Forrest

 

[Daviddubya]

Thanks for the explanation.  Is there a way when, and if, posts are moved to insert a notice in the original locaction of the post that it has been moved to ____?  It might help if it is possible and is not too dificult to do.

...and this was going to be my first suggestion! If a member finds that his post is no longer where he put it, he's going to think that it's been deleted and will probably get worried or annoyed by its disappearance. If a note is left in its place, ideally with an explanation of why it's been moved to another board or deleted entirely, then I think most people would be mollified.

The second thing people don't like is when their posts are altered by someone else! So my second suggestion is that if a post is modified by the Administrator/Moderator, then the Administrator/Moderator should make a note at the bottom of the post, eg  >

Thirdly, when the Administrator/Moderator deletes or modifies a member's post, I suggest he sends a polite PM to the member saying what has happened and why.

I suspect that the deletion and modification of posts "by stealth" is a significant reason behind the departure of several valuable and long-standing members.

Forrest

Forrest and Peter,

Thanks - these are all excellent suggestions, IMHO.

I think that "stealth" has been an absence of notification to the forum in general and to the poster individually of what has transpired.  That notification should be made.  Hopefully it will be made in the future.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Thanks for the explanation.  Is there a way when, and if, posts are moved to insert a notice in the original locaction of the post that it has been moved to ____?  It might help if it is possible and is not too dificult to do.

...and this was going to be my first suggestion! If a member finds that his post is no longer where he put it, he's going to think that it's been deleted and will probably get worried or annoyed by its disappearance. If a note is left in its place, ideally with an explanation of why it's been moved to another board or deleted entirely, then I think most people would be mollified.

I can do this.  Generally, the only reason I have not done this is to avoid cluttering a discussion with notes about where something has been moved to.  But I can easily begin following this suggestion.

The second thing people don't like is when their posts are altered by someone else! So my second suggestion is that if a post is modified by the Administrator/Moderator, then the Administrator/Moderator should make a note at the bottom of the post, eg >

I have never altered anyone's post, so this is moot.  But in the future, if I do alter someone's post I will follow this suggestion.

Thirdly, when the Administrator/Moderator deletes or modifies a member's post, I suggest he sends a polite PM to the member saying what has happened and why.

I suspect that the deletion and modification of posts "by stealth" is a significant reason behind the departure of several valuable and long-standing members.

I see your point, and will use the notifications in the future.

Thank you for stating your opinion in a reasonable and professional manner!  I really appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Matthew

 

[graphex]

I try to keep everything I say from being personal, but I have to admit that I am very bothered when you delete my posts without any notification, especially when you claim that this is not happening. Please either refrain from deleting posts in the first place, or include a placeholder message stating the reason for deletion. DO NOT claim that you did not delete posts when you have actually deleted them.

 

[graphex]

Just as an example, in the "Festool Junkie/TalkFestool/Walko Compact Portable Work Bench" which you recently locked, you deleted several posts from me, Bob Swensen, and Per Swensen, as well as Tom Gensmer.

I'm not personally attacking you, but I don't appreciate your style of moderating when it involves being anything less than 100% transparent.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
From now on, when I delete a post, I will add a note to that effect.
As an example, see this post.

Just as an example, in the "Festool Junkie/TalkFestool/Walko Compact Portable Work Bench" which you recently locked, you deleted several posts from me, Bob Swensen, and Per Swensen, as well as Tom Gensmer.

I'm not personally attacking you, but I don't appreciate your style of moderating when it involves being anything less than 100% transparent.

This forum has always been extremely transparent, some would say too much!  But there is a new system in place of more transparency on administrative actions.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
Matthew