Very dissapointed and tired of this

[Leatherneck]

Que Sera, Sera

Early in my membership, I found a rebuke in my PM for a political jab I wrote and I didn't care for the tone in which it was written. I was ready to crack some Black Walnuts...then, I took a look at the posting policy.

A ZERO tolerance policy on POLITICS and RELIGION is the only way to maintain a forum. POLITICAL and RELIGOUS views are passionate and divisive...preferring broccoli over cauliflower is trivial.

bt3central.com is a giant collective resource of some brilliant woodworking folks who will offer advice for no $$ in short order.

I got my money's worth the day I joined.

[bruce hylton]

I too got a rebuke about something I had written and for the life of me I couldn't see where it was coming from. So I put it in the back of my mind that people see things and thoughts different when they are from different areas. Crick is spelled creek when it has water in it and crick when it is in your neck. Unless you live in the eastern parts of the USA.

[Mrs. Wallnut]

I believe that the moderation on this forum is fair. I have from the day that I have joined this forum. And I know that some of you will think that I am "defending" Mark or some other thing, and to a point you might be right. He takes this job as serious as the one that he goes to every day. There are some days that he will spend a lot of time thinking and reading and taking his time to either weigh in on a topic or edit something. And I am sorry that there are some out there that feel he is being mean.

I personally think that people need to just let things like this settle down and not dwell on it.

And if you think I have it easy with Mark being an admin. then you are wrong. I will get a talking to about grammar and other things and if I ever post anything that is out of line then I REALLY hear about. I live with the admin and he will communicate what I have done wrong.

With that said.......CAN'T WE ALL JUST BE FRIENDS.

[drillman88]

I have been watching this post debating whether or not to post. I try to be as objective as possible about the moderation of this forum. I have edited quite a few of my own posts after rereading them, because I know the poilicies regarding religion and politics. One post I remember editing in particular was very similar to the comment that the OP was asked to edit.
I am not a go along get along type of individual. I form my own opinions and I am not afraid to express them when needed. I do however understand that the context and content of my views need to be expressed within the boundaries placed on me by the policies of this forum.

This is the only forum that I have chosen to share my ideas, show my work, and if possible help someone or give an attaboy to. I do this because I find it comfortable and do not have to be concerned about being attacked.

I believe that is because of the quality people who choose to post here and because of the job of the moderators. The moderation may not satisfy everyone, but I think it has kept this forum among the most civil on the web.

[gsmittle]

Like many of us, I too have been going back and forth about posting. What the heck, I may as well jump in.

I've had a thread or two locked, and had my hand slapped via PM a time or two. I don't always agree, but hey, it's not my bat, ball, or field. I do remember asking via PM about one of the hand slaps, and I got a cogent explanation. I remember I didn't exactly agree, but that's not the point. The point is, in my opinion, the rules are applied pretty fairly, allowing for the difference in whoever's moderating that day.

Life's too short to get one's shorts in a knot over a minor difference in opinion. FWIW, I don't like broccoli or cauliflower.

g.

[jeepman71]

And I like my drama on weekday afternoon television. Can't we end this thread now?

[Black wallnut]

I truely wish to thank all of you for taking time to express your thoughts. Believe it or not that goes to those that do not like or agree with me or my actions. As always I am leaving this open so that folks can weigh in on what they percieve as the best way to moderate a forum. It makes me sad that we can not put aside our personal disagreements and coexist in peace. Believe it or not I depend greatly on the entire forum staff in decisions of moderation; we are almost 100 % in agreement when enforcement action is taken. I try to err on the side of less moderation although since most of this is behind the scenes it may not always appear to be that.

Sam, BT3Central's creator, owner, and host has entrusted to me the day to day running of this forum. He has made the statement to myself and others that "I(Sam) am not the Administrator of BT3Central, Mark is and I stand behind his decisions 100%." Just as Lee has asked if any has a better idea of how we can moderate please tell us. Feedback is a gift and should be packaged as such. If it is not given because you truely care for who you are giving it to then it ceases to be a gift. If you only care to complain go elsewhere. If your desire is to be helpful then post away.

My vision for this forum has not changed since the day I joined. It is that BT3Central be the one place online where woodworkers can gather to learn from one another without fear of belittlement or sniping. Where the code of conduct is such that my mother, Grandmother, and my children may read threads that are in good taste.

Politics and religion when discussed, mentioned and sometimes even hinted at simply do not fit the above. This thread is a case in point. A members feelings were hurt because he was told to edit out political comment. Had he choosen to not include a political line there would have been no issue.

[gsmittle]

And I like my drama on weekday afternoon television. Can't we end this thread now?

+1 on that! Now back to our regularly scheduled program…

g.

[Stytooner]

I thought it was over when I asked for a better way to do moderation.

[MilDoc]

so that folks can weigh in on what they percieve as the best way to moderate a forum.

There simply is no "best" way. Each forum sets its own ideal and should stick to it. I think you mods do a good job.

I like political discussion so I belong to a board that is only political, but their policy is: no swearing, no belittling of anyone's opinion, no name calling, etc. Violate a rule twice and you are banned for good. Over 1,000 members and it is usually the newbies that get banned after being warned. The rest of us agree that we will agree to disagree, period. And sometimes even change our minds.

I try to err on the side of less moderation although since most of this is behind the scenes it may not always appear to be that.

Less moderation is OK, but stick to this board's philosophy. You locked one of my threads, when my ego got the best of me - and you should have! I was embarrassed when you did (as I should have been ), but not insulted.

Just as Lee has asked if any has a better idea of how we can moderate please tell us.

Nope, that's one reason I love this place and keep coming back when I have had "enforced leaves of absence." I won't leave until I get buried. And maybe not even then.

It is that BT3Central be the one place online where woodworkers can gather to learn from one another without fear of belittlement or sniping.

Good! But do realize that sometimes folks step out of line maybe only with one political snipe that has nothing to really do with the discussion. And maybe without knowing it.

After looking at all the OPs threads, I found the one you edited. I agree (although of course I don't know exactly what his original snipe was - to my perception it was not in his SMT posts.)

He should not have taken offense. And in his SMT threads I see nothing that seemed to say "it must be the user." All I see is numerous suggestions, some way off what the manual says. Just folks who have a different solution to the manual. And I copied them in case I run into SMT problems. I appreciate all who posted "out of the box" solutions.

IMHO, the editing of his political comment caused anger and that spread to other posts. That is a real shame. I learned from the SMT posts. That's why I am here, although I don't have a lot of WW knowledge to post.

Politics and religion when discussed, mentioned and sometimes even hinted at simply do not fit the above.

I agree. Keep religion and politics out of here. If you want that, find boards set up for that purpose.

OTOH BW, some of your replies to the OP here were a bit patronizing, as another member said. Not your fault. We are all human and get upset ourselves sometimes when we post or answer posts. Human nature.

I do wish sailor would stick around. Forgive and forget, learn the policies, live by them, and learn, and post to help others learn

Keep up the good work BW and all you mods. And thanks again!

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Man, I go away for a few years and you guys go nuts!

[MilDoc]

Yep, but welcome back!

[RodKirby]

I shudder to think how many person-hours this "topic" has occupied

[Stytooner]

I shudder to think how many person-hours this "topic" has occupied

Ain't it warming up down there yet?


Guys, I appreciate the support. That is what helps this board maintain a general self policing policy. I doubt I would be much of a moderator on a board that was less so. I only have a few guidelines to work with as we all do. In those boundaries, we honestly do the best we can. I know you have all heard that before, but when it's the truth, it can't be repeated often enough.

IMO this ain't a nuts type thread. It's a nuts and bolts thread that helps air out issues. Everyone has pretty much remained civil. Some seeming disrespect that has been addressed off board, but generally okay.

Look fellas, you don't have to like or agree with any of the mods. To get along without a ping, you only need post within the guidelines. That post alerting feature is there for all your benefit. It helps us as a forum, because we do not see every post and when we do see it, it doesn't mean we've grasped all implications of it.

I never expected to have a job that deals with interpreting the written word. I can honestly say this is a cave that should have a big warning sign out front. It has really stretched my imagination and adjusted my thought pattern.

I must also relay that Mark, IMHO, was a fantastic choice as an Administrator. He does take the job to heart and that is certainly the kind of passion needed to run a good forum. He generally replies using the same tone the OP pulled him out with. Would any of us do differently in the same spot? Sure! Some would. Mark doesn't. He lays out his thoughts succinctly. Either you are on board or not. It is an effective way to enforce the rules. I applaud him for putting his foot down when push comes to shove, so to speak. THAT is an absolute necessity at times.

I hate to seem like I am taking up for Mark, however that is exactly what I am doing. He IS THE GUY IN CHARGE and to the other important part, he's generally right given the parameters of the board. What keeps me in awe sometimes is the assumption that Mark rules the board. That assumption is absolutely incorrect. He is the last word on the board, but that is never done without a consultation of the mods and the input from the members.


All that said, how can we do it better?

[JSUPreston]

All that said, how can we do it better?

How 'bout sliding a Shark Guard for a Delta Contractor saw up north about 100 miles.

Seriously, you guys do a great job. Lee, I do plan on ordering a guard before too long. I've got two or three projects about to start up, and I'm tired of the POS that Delta put on my saw. Great saw, except for that guard.