Allowing Non-Registered Guest Postings

[Deleted]

There is a thread in the HO forum on containers and a "guest" or non-registered user (CSXT) took a swing at two REGISTERED members of the forum. Why does this forum allow non-registered users to post? This isn't the first time a "guest" has lobbed a grenade or taken a swing at registered members of the forum or the forum itself. I can see this type of decisive postings causing problems in the future.

[CSXT]

Dude, those weren't shots, that was the truth. This forum is dominated by the same 2 clowns complaining about prices. It isn't good reading.

[kentuckysouthernrwy]

Join or if it's not what you want to read, move along. Like the TV there is an on-off switch.

[Donnell Wells]

Hello Members,

I applaud your efforts to maintain some civility here. Overall, this place is running fairly smooth, except for the occasional bit of controversy. I have notice a few "unregs" making waves, but not enough to overly cause concern.

I do monitor the forum regularly, however, my moderation style is much more relaxed than most. I do tolerate a lot more as I'm trying to let people express themselves freely, but doing so with a sense of diplomacy. Again, we are adults, and we should choose carefully the words we use to express our views. I personally do not like heavy-handed moderation. It's like sending your kid to the corner becuase they misbehave. But, if the number of rouge and inciting posts increase, I may be forced either quickly address (delete or ban) those specific postings, or worst, disable guest from posting (which I really don't want to do). I'm affraid the latter might be the best option as I don't see many people joining just to take "pot shots", especially when they face expulsion for just such activity.

Keep positive guys, and thanks for sticking around. I know it gets tough in here sometimes, but it's still a good place to talk and share experiences.

Thanks, Donnell

[nebrzephyr]

I guess I feel if a person is not interested enough to register, why let them post. There have been a couple "posts" looking for help, well, if you really need help, then register and participate in the forum.

Registering doesn't stop people from "hiding", and if you ban them they can just turn around and register with a new ID. But at least it forces them to at least expend some effort.

Just my 2 cents. Bob

[atsfan]

Feb 12, 2013 12:42:28 GMT -8 @CSXT said:

Dude, those weren't shots, that was the truth. This forum is dominated by the same 2 clowns complaining about prices. It isn't good reading.

And he is still here:

[atsfan]

Feb 13, 2013 11:48:46 GMT -8 Donnell Wells said:

Hello Members,

I applaud your efforts to maintain some civility here. Overall, this place is running fairly smooth, except for the occasional bit of controversy. I have notice a few "unregs" making waves, but not enough to overly cause concern.

I do monitor the forum regularly, however, my moderation style is much more relaxed than most. I do tolerate a lot more as I'm trying to let people express themselves freely, but doing so with a sense of diplomacy. Again, we are adults, and we should choose carefully the words we use to express our views. I personally do not like heavy-handed moderation. It's like sending your kid to the corner becuase they misbehave. But, if the number of rouge and inciting posts increase, I may be forced either quickly address (delete or ban) those specific postings, or worst, disable guest from posting (which I really don't want to do). I'm affraid the latter might be the best option as I don't see many people joining just to take "pot shots", especially when they face expulsion for just such activity.

Keep positive guys, and thanks for sticking around. I know it gets tough in here sometimes, but it's still a good place to talk and share experiences.

Thanks, Donnell

Donnell, the vast majority of this forum is fine. Thank you.
Yes Bruce or someone pretending to be him has arrived, but if we ignore him he will retreat. ;D

[umtrrauthor]

I AM registered and I DO agree that this forum is rapidly descending to complaining, whining and moaning.

And I do know where the exit is, thanks. If it's a "gated community" you want, more power to you.

[mlehman]

Totally do not have a dog in this specific fight, but have loooooong experience moderating forums that allow unregistered or anonymous posting. So FWIW...

I think users can assess the status of the poster and what they say in context that bad behavior, if present, will be ignored. In fact, that's the best reaction to someone who does seem like they're pushing buttons...It may turn out that it's only your button getting pushed. Don't give in to what may be exactly what they want -- to draw your reaction.

[cnw]

Great video, showed it to my wife too. We both got a great laugh.

[riogrande]

Donnell et al.

I understand you want to keep a light touch in moderating style but if you and other admin/mods allow flaming and trolling to continue unabated, it's going to have a long term ill effect here and drive away decent folks. Whats more, if new users come here and see petty arguing and trolling left up and perpetuated, it's going to be a turn-off and discourage future participation, as well as make this forum appear to be an unfriendly place to talk trains. In an ideal world, we would all have manners and be decent but it isn't an ideal world.

I enjoyed being a part of the Atlas community for over 15 years, and would like to see this forums continue on with the fun and stimulating discussion here unhindered by bickering and trolling. I would urge the admins and moderators to be proactive and keep this a forum clean and decent. Leaving post up which include personal attacks, insults and trolling sends the wrong message - basically that its ok and will be tolerated. That is plainly the wrong message to send to readers. This should be a place which we would be proud to tell others about, and where manufacturers and of professional to novice ability would feel welcome.

Many thanks

[Donnell Wells]

Hello Rio,

I appreciate your comment and am taking everything you guys are saying to heart. I did (and still do) want this to be the place that you described. I value the input of modelers like you and everyone else here that contributes to making this a great hang out to discuss our hobby and just be amongst friends, but alas, this is not a perfect world and there are just some that just plain do not subscribe to the "Golden Rule".

So with that in mind, I will be instituting a set of forum rules and a disciplinary policy to enforce them. This will be the governing authority, and must adhered to in order to participate in the forum. I am new at moderating this forum, and may have been optimistically naive in thinking that things would be, or could be different with a new start, however, it's painfully obvious that there are some who delight in causing mischief and strife, and like to "sow discord among the bretheren".

Shortly following the implementation of the participation policy, I will most likely disable guest posting. I am a member of many forums, both hobby related and not. Many of them require membership before participation, and I can understand why. As some here have expressed, joining a forum in order to participate is a personal investment. To do so for the sake of deriding others is just plain mean and evil, and WILL NOT be tolerated!

With that said, give me a few days to draft this policy, and I will make an announcement prior to its implementation.

Sincerely,
Donnell

[riogrande]

Donnell,

Thaks for listening. I remember that "golden rule" from my childhood in the 1960's!

As you noted, and is humorously depicted in that youtube video, there are those who delight in mischief and strife. It will likely be that way until the new heaven and new earth come to pass. It is reasonable to require users to register for membership and agree to a set of terms and conditions - basically to hold us accountable for our behavior.

Cheers!
Jim

[bnsf971]

Donnell, here is a link to the community rules of a forum which I helped craft, as a result of bitter experience. The rules are enforced by several volunteer moderators, with some admins to be the "go to" people in case of additional problems. That forum has been functioning well for over a decade, and with something like 60,000 members, it has become the unofficially official forum for that particular hobby. Maybe you can look the rules over and adapt them to this forum.
www.airforums.com/forums/misc.php?do=sknetwork&page=rules

[Donnell Wells]

Thanks Terry, for the link. I'll look it over and see if we can adapt something similar for here.

Best Regards,
Donnell

[jamesbrodie67281]

I'll stick with you baby even though I am past my three score and ten.
Hope you find a way to ensure smooth running(no pun meant).
Best wishes to all you modellers and suppliers of information to help and guide us modellers who wish to increase our railway knowledge and improve our modelling skills.
Jim Brodie.

[Donnell Wells]

Guest posting has been disabled. From now on, you must be a registered member to post in the fourm.

Thanks,
Donnell

[cf7]

You did the right thing, Donnell. I agree with all of the above comments about holding each person accountable through membership. I never understood guests being able to post...they have free rein over what they type and answer to no one. I don't want that type of atmosphere here. Even though I don't post that much, I do enjoy it here.

[calzephyr]

Feb 16, 2013 17:47:23 GMT -8 Donnell Wells said:

Guest posting has been disabled. From now on, you must be a registered member to post in the fourm.

Thanks,
Donnell

Donnell

Thanks for that action to limit guests to reading the forum, but not posting unless they sign up.

This forum is very interesting and informative. If someone really has a great thought or question, they need to sign up.

Larry