[Aileen]

Oh George That was a fun period

Was it, Hazel?  I don't seem to recall you thinking that at the time.

James is harmless in real life.

I have to believe so.   But I wonder what makes people change their persona when they get on a forum like this, whether consciously or otherwise (and I've no idea how I come across on here because as far as I'm concerned I'm just being myself).  I can only think that anonymity has a lot to do with it.  Perhaps some people think they can say what they like, secure in the knowledge that, apart from a few on here, they're never going to meet any other members.  However, if they did - and on this I have to disagree with Nigel - I expect that, on the whole, they'd be quite friendly. 

[Aileen]

The forum represents the public and the mixed opinions and attitudes that come with that. Do you really want a forum that comes down hard with censorship?

Our more liberal approach is one of the things that sets us apart from the rest. Believe me that when you become a member of certain other forums that have strong censorship, it really starts to feel stale fast.

Mark, I do not want a forum which is restricted by censorship, and I appreciate the liberalness of this forum, but I've sometimes felt that this liberalness is taken a little too far on threads other than this one.  The Forum Rules clearly state

Personal Attacks: While debating and discussion is fine, we do not allow rudeness, insulting posts, personal attacks.

Baiting: No baiting. Dropping things in the forums just to stir the waters will not be tolerated.

but it seems to me that these particular rules are lax, therefore what is the point of having rules that (a) some members choose to ignore (assuming they ever bothered to read them in the first place), and (b) are rarely enforced?   After all, as another rule states, "We are here for people of all ages, and want everyone to feel comfortable", yet it's become pretty obvious recently that there are quite a few members, particularly older ones, who do feel uncomfortable, and I've been the victim of insulting posts myself, although admittedly on only one particular thread.

What I don't understand either is that this forum has three Moderators, and yet it seems to be left to you to do the moderating.  Surely the other two Mods should have more involvement?

[top_spin]

I have met 10+ people from here and 3 more next week and they have always been really lovely and there has never been an argument but that's because I've chosen to meet people I get on with, social circles will form in any type of situation. The arguments have only started in the last few years and by no means am I blaming the newbies but its because the number of visitors is expanding and so the number of opinions which can only be a good thing.

As for the stuff me and Allan do, that is solely at Mark's discretion.

[Caz]

Mark, I do not want a forum which is restricted by censorship, and I appreciate the liberalness of this forum, but I've sometimes felt that this liberalness is taken a little too far on threads other than this one.  The Forum Rules clearly state

Personal Attacks: While debating and discussion is fine, we do not allow rudeness, insulting posts, personal attacks.

Baiting: No baiting. Dropping things in the forums just to stir the waters will not be tolerated.

but it seems to me that these particular rules are lax, therefore what is the point of having rules that (a) some members choose to ignore (assuming they ever bothered to read them in the first place), and (b) are rarely enforced?   After all, as another rule states, "We are here for people of all ages, and want everyone to feel comfortable", yet it's become pretty obvious recently that there are quite a few members, particularly older ones, who do feel uncomfortable, and I've been the victim of insulting posts myself, although admittedly on only one particular thread.

What I don't understand either is that this forum has three Moderators, and yet it seems to be left to you to do the moderating.  Surely the other two Mods should have more involvement?

Aileen, I couldn't agree more!

[top_spin]

You stripped me of my job when legal action was threatened over our gallery!    









That's the excuse anyways!

[top_spin]

Does that mean you're no longer a Mod, Julia?

Nope. Should I not be?

[Aileen]

Nope. Should I not be?

Just wondered from your post, that's all.

[Mark]

You stripped me of my job when legal action was threatened over our gallery!    

That's the excuse anyways!

Fair point

Does that mean you're no longer a Mod, Julia?

Managing content on the main website is pretty much an unofficial responsibility so having that aspect removed doesn't change the reason she is a mod.