Deletion of threads by the thread originator

[leccyflyer]

Jim

Could you explain something for me. It appears to be the case that the originator of a thread can remove the entire thread by deleting their first post. Is this an option that can be set in the software and what is the rationale behind this?

I can see that a case could be made that without a first post there is no need for the thread, but the way threads develop there is a potential to lose much useful information where this occurs. This is particularly so for corrections made by 'zoners of misinformation when the thread has developed in a way the originator did not want it to go in. These threads then dissapear without trace (or without the explanatory notes that locking or moving a thread by a moderator gets).

I can think of several examples in the past couple of weeks where this has apparently occurred. Should the thread not remain unless removed by a moderator, even if a poster decides to remove his/her own posts??

I've removed posts of my own, generally within a few minutes of posting them where I had second thoughts on their content. The BMFA discussion forum, which only receives approximately between 1 and 3 posts per day (on a good day) has a system whereby the poster cannot delete or edit the post after it has been up for about an hour - hence what one posts is "for the record".

I wonder if the ezone software would be capable of making whole threads only removable by a moderator- the poster could then make a reasonable request for the entire thread to be removed and the moderator could consider that request.

Or am I way off the mark??

cheers

Brian

[jbourke]

Brian,

I agree that it would be better if it worked in the way that you suggest.

We don't have control over that right now, though.

I have a lot of new features that I can add to this forum software once I get done with something else I've been working on that is super-secret for now.

Jim

[SassyCat]

Have you ever started a thread you really wish that you hadn't?

SassyCat

[JTinCT]

It is not a case of wishing that he had not started the thread, it is a case of where he decided that the posts placed may somehow incriminate him. In each post made attacks and accusations are made. When someone points out that there may be something wrong with his thinking he deletes the post so that no-one can read about it. The user the he is talking attacks in a public forum and as soon as there is a defense that may discredit his accusations he cowardly removes the whole thread from existance and starts a new one.

Yes, as mentioned in another post this is extremely disrespectful to the other users who had taking the time to respond to the thread. The purpose of the forum is open access to information. This info is now being censored by the original tread starter. I don't apprecciate having my posts removed with out my permission and I'm sure neither does Leccyflyer.

I take the time to post my opinion on a matter when and because, I feel that it is worth sharing. I have had quite a few of my posts removed, disregarded because the thread starter did not like what I said. That is sort of a Nazi thing to do don't you think?

This user is such a coward that he uses different names to diguise himself. I f he had something real to say he should do it with his own name and not hide, He should also have the courage to stand up what is said about him. He has the nerve to cut apart a business by his condeming accusations but if someone begins to cut him apart by exposing him, he promptly hides this by deleting the thread.


I did a search on eplanedude and discovered that the only other posts he made (besides in support of SLOWFLYER)were in 3 other threads. It so happens the he said the same thing in each. Basiclly he cut and pasted the same thing over and over. What he had to say was a blantent complaint about the conditions of a meet that he attended. I have no doubt that he used this name to hide behind because he did not have the gonads to use his real name.
I hope that there will be an end to the abuse of user names that has been going on lately. It is a name, an identity, you shouldn't be able to just use it up and throw it out like an old hat. I don't trust anyone who would. Nuf said, John Tracey

[This message has been edited by JTinCT (edited 04-09-2001).]

[jbourke]

I'm sorry, but I just don't have a satisfactory solution to this problem.

I agree completely that people on this forum should use their real names. However, the enforcement of this policy is logistically impossible. So I leave the decision up to individual users.

I am especially disturbed by people who say negative things about companies or people but who hide behind aliases. I think that people who are accused of wrongdoing have the right to face their accuser.

For the record, eplanedude and slowflyer have distinct IP addresses and, therefore, are probably not the same person.

Jim

[Neil Stainton]

> I agree completely that people on this forum should use their real names. However, the enforcement of this policy is logistically impossible.

I think there is a fallacy here. Although you certainly can't make people use their real names, you can encourage them to.

The Internet has a bee in its bonnet about anomninity (because it is possible), and I must admit I fell into this trap when registering in the discussion area - I used a User Name of emodeler.

However after making about 30 posts I realised it was a mistake, and I would prefer people to know who it was that was making the posts. As I had no intention to spread misinformation there was no benefit in using a nom-de-plume, and it would take a long time to build up a good reputation for that ID.

So I re-registered with a User Name of Neil Stainton, lost my posting history, and had to wrestle with my browser that was trying to fill in the wrong User Name and password.

So what I am finally saying is that you can encourage people to use their real name, not a nom-de-plume, when they intially register on the discussion area. You can make it clear what the advantages are, both to that person, and to the Ezone, of using real names. And you can make the form ask for their first name, their last name, and their password. Then you can construct an ID from the names they give. If they give silly names it will be clear to everyone, and their posts will have reduced credibility.

Also perhaps it would be possible to have a facility for people with non-name IDs to change their IDs without losing their posting history, and info could be given on how to reset the browser's auto-fillin defaults.

I also think that the location info should be made mandatory. It gives useful info to the reader, and it will help in identifying impostors. Also I don't see why the IP number should only be available to administrators - though it doesn't mean much, here in the UK it is very easy to have several (free) ISPs.

Neil.

[This message has been edited by Neil Stainton (edited 04-09-2001).]

[Philip Aberer]

Originally posted by jbourke:
I agree completely that people on this forum should use their real names. However, the enforcement of this policy is logistically impossible. So I leave the decision up to individual users.

I would imagine that that is reason enough for most people http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/wink.gif

Bf109G

[SassyCat]

It's not that I mind people who are regulars here knowing my name. It's, anyone can look in here. I switched names once too. Was KAZEGRL but was told I'd be linked to KMKAZE til I changed it, so I did.

If anyone wants to see my real name they can look on my webpage.

SassyCat

[This message has been edited by SassyCat (edited 04-09-2001).]

[Mark Wood]

Not to mention the very real fact that some people (females especially) feel much more comfortable keeping their identities open to only select people for obvious reasons. We're not all hard cases that feel that we can handle any anonymous threat that may come along and there are plenty of predators out there.
Me, my Nom de plume (groundloop) reflects my sense of humor and flying style at the time of my registering. I don't care who knows who I am. It was/is a part of my persona like my email address ~ipscxtc~ which stands for: International Practical Shooting Confederation-Ecxtasy. (see www.uspsa.com) (http://www.uspsa.com))
I use my "handle" when making my more smart aleck comments so as not to reflect on Ezone and my "regular" identity when being Mr. Nice Guy Moderator.
My $.02. Don't spend it all in one place. http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/smile.gif

mw

[shelby]

In case anyone was wondering, Shelby is indeed my real name.
Regards,
Shelby Estell

[tim hooper]

Originally posted by shelby:
In case anyone was wondering, Shelby is indeed my real name.
Regards,
Shelby Estell

All those sleepless nights.......(sigh)

tim http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/wink.gif

[Regecide]

If anyone wants to know my real name is Alex Lautenschlager, quite a mouthfull, one of the reasons I don't use it as my zone name. Also at the time of regestering Regecide was my nick for things such as online games and icq, so I didn't see any need of changing it. I figure if I change it now people won't know me and I would have to 'rebuild' my personality online. Anyway I'll stick to Regecide for the time being, but I have no problem with revealing my real name if someone wants to know and asks for it
Alex (BTW i usually sign off with Alex anyway)