When a thread has nowhere to go on the current topic, but the new topic is valid. The post can be closed and the original poster informed with a recommendation of starting a new thread to follow the new topic. The posting of this change in the thread is optional, and to save questions later is often done. But it is up to the staff to decide if posting this info is necessary, or preferable. Also sometimes this action can be requested by the original poster, and is granted by a mod.
Closed threads
- Thread starter PhotoAV8R
- Start date
Nathan Lanni
Senior Member
I think we're in agreement on each point you make.
However, after reading and re-reading the d610 thread I can't see a reason to close it. The d610 thread's op asked if people had or anticipated d600-like problems with the d610. Hippie responded and others likewise. There has to be something else - and back to PhotoAV8R's point, a simple explanation in line would have sufficed.
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But then we wouldn't have had this great conversation! Lol 
Nathan Lanni
Senior Member
Browncoat
Senior Member
There are some misconceptions that go along with any forum on the internet, and some of them have been echoed here. As someone who has moderated several forums (including this one) and chat rooms over the years, I'll address the most glaring issue:
This site is privately owned, operated, and paid for. There is a prevailing mentality that freedom of speech applies on an internet forum, but in fact, it does not. Just because someone entered their email and pressed the register button doesn't mean that they can post whatever they want. Internet forums are not owned by the communities they represent. Forums are a tough gig. You build a site, invest money in the software, advertising, and hosting in the hopes that it will attract membership and grow into a flourishing community. Forums are like a small business, and many die in the first year or never even really get off the ground. Many forums also suffer the fate of a split community where someone or a group of someones gets pissed off and they go and start their own forum because they think they can do it better. That has happened here also.
Being a moderator is a tough and thankless job. These people are the public faces of the forum. They're the beat cops who do most of the grunt work and have to make a lot of judgement calls, often without a lot of guidance or official policies laid down by site owners. They have to be friendly, but firm. They have to be able to deal with spammers and flamethrowers, and worst of all...members like me who have a knack for being controversial and confrontational. But it all comes down to their own personalities and how they choose to address a situation.
Frankly, I'm surprised this thread even exists at all, much less at 3 pages deep. The moderators don't have to explain their actions publicly to suppress the "need" for someone to know their methods.
This site is privately owned, operated, and paid for. There is a prevailing mentality that freedom of speech applies on an internet forum, but in fact, it does not. Just because someone entered their email and pressed the register button doesn't mean that they can post whatever they want. Internet forums are not owned by the communities they represent. Forums are a tough gig. You build a site, invest money in the software, advertising, and hosting in the hopes that it will attract membership and grow into a flourishing community. Forums are like a small business, and many die in the first year or never even really get off the ground. Many forums also suffer the fate of a split community where someone or a group of someones gets pissed off and they go and start their own forum because they think they can do it better. That has happened here also.
Being a moderator is a tough and thankless job. These people are the public faces of the forum. They're the beat cops who do most of the grunt work and have to make a lot of judgement calls, often without a lot of guidance or official policies laid down by site owners. They have to be friendly, but firm. They have to be able to deal with spammers and flamethrowers, and worst of all...members like me who have a knack for being controversial and confrontational. But it all comes down to their own personalities and how they choose to address a situation.
Frankly, I'm surprised this thread even exists at all, much less at 3 pages deep. The moderators don't have to explain their actions publicly to suppress the "need" for someone to know their methods.
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Excellent description of the truth of a forum's exsistance, and issues and needs @Browncoat my friend! Lol
Nathan Lanni
Senior Member
Understood.
Privately owned and operated business - true. Always knew that but appreciative.
Appearance of a democratic system or transparency on a social networking site - not true.
My first and final suggestion, with the purpose of alleviating the thanklessness to mods (jobs for which you're all volunteers) is to close the "Feedback and Suggestions" topic area of the forum. Clearly this area of discussion is a hindrance.
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Browncoat
Senior Member
It's not a hindrance. There have been good feedback and suggestions posted here, and some ideas have even been implemented. However, it's generally not a good idea to question the moderator staff in the public forums. Considering the originator of this thread, I'm sure that it's already served it's darker purpose of creating some dissension among the rank and file.
Moderator rule over a forum isn't a topic of public discussion. If there is an issue with a moderator, take it up with them personally, another moderator, or contact the site admin. There is a good team in place here and it will be worked out privately. Airing the dirty laundry only works for the Kardashians.
I believe the only reason that this thread has been allowed to remain is because nobody is getting bashed. Plus, I don't smell any smoke yet. On the forum I help moderate questioning a mod on the open forum is a sure fire way to get warned, or worse. I don't take this topic here as a question towrds the mods actions but, rather a question over a given practice. If you were to single out a mod and challenge him to explain an action, well, that's a different subject all together. Being a mod is usually a thankless job. The site I help on has over 12000 mermbers and only 10 moderators. So I can appreciate the work that's done here.
One of the recent closures (not the D610 one) was due to personal attacks on another member. Once the thread was closed, the offending posts were removed. These things can happen very quickly and are cleaned up ASAP so the insults do not linger for everyone to review. That is why you may stumble across a thread that seems fine but is closed.
Nathan Lanni
Senior Member
I want to submit a public apology to all mods of this forum.
At no point was it ever my intent to belittle, browbeat or question any mod or admin here at Nikonites.
I know that I can be very direct, and one aspect of that directness is that I've lived long enough to regret a number of things I've said and written. The miracle is that people still want to be freinds with me (well, most people).
But let me be clear, it's my belief this forum is very well run. I have seen absolutley no evidence of heavy handedness at this forum. What I have seen very clearly is people (mods) working selflessly to assist new and old members, with variously levels of experience.
Thanks for your dedication and service.
Nathan
At no point was it ever my intent to belittle, browbeat or question any mod or admin here at Nikonites.
I know that I can be very direct, and one aspect of that directness is that I've lived long enough to regret a number of things I've said and written. The miracle is that people still want to be freinds with me (well, most people).
But let me be clear, it's my belief this forum is very well run. I have seen absolutley no evidence of heavy handedness at this forum. What I have seen very clearly is people (mods) working selflessly to assist new and old members, with variously levels of experience.
Thanks for your dedication and service.
Nathan
Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
We try to work as a team and talk over transgressions that are minor but major ones get handled by the first one with the power to do it. There is nothing we all hate more than one member bashing another member. I am not talking about criticizing a photo but criticizing a person. There is never a reason to do that in public. If you really want to bet on the moderators bad side just start calling a fellow member names. You will be out on your ear in a heartbeat. Out hope is that the member never has a chance to see it and that one of us can clean it up fast. I know we moderators get all the perks like the use of the beach house, the company cars and expense accounts but the main reason that we do what we do is that we really do care about what goes on here. Personally I have learned so much and am learning more every day I just want to give back a little.