Anyone else feel like a particular Mod picks on them?

[MacDawg]

There is also such a thing as people being entitled, arrogant, smug, abrasive and proud. Some who feel the rules shouldn't apply to them, or that in their minds, they are right and everyone should bow to their wisdom and world view. I am often astonished at how some people are clearly out of bounds and see nothing wrong with their words or actions. People can be polar opposite on their views and be dumbfounded how the other side could possibly be so stupid.

I'm not saying the Moderation team always gets everything 100% right, that would be impossible, especially since the posts and users are rarely 100% black and white. It is the murky middle where decisions are made. I would say if a situation were anonymously laid out for all to behold, the Forum members themselves would often be split in their judgement on how it should be handled and unable to believe others would see it differently. One need not look any further than the PRSI to see such widespread differences in world view and attitudes. I would also hazard that if after making a judgement on such a "blind" situation, the actual users involved were revealed, some would want to change their decision based solely on who did or said what.

I have to say in my experience here, the ones who publicly cry and gnash their teeth the loudest about injustices in moderation are typically the ones who I personally feel prolly richly deserved all they got and more.

 

[HexMonkey]

The thing that gets me is that I had no idea that there was a new PRSI 3 strike rule, it wasn’t out in any of the warning I received. The only place I would have known was to go and look for it. The only thing I look at in the forum is “new post” and the front page.

Please do. My last "vacation" included a message that it would be lifted one week later. But, it said nothing regarding my ability to post on PRSI being removed. When I came back from vacation, I had no ability to post in PRSI, with no notice of such. When I questioned it, I was told to go read the rules and figure it out.

We've now made changes to reminder and warning messages for applicable violations in the PRSI forum that will hopefully make things clearer. As of a couple of weeks ago, we've also started better informing members if their PRSI access is removed in the applicable warning message. If anyone feels we aren't communicating these details well enough in the future, please let us know.

I’m referring to the fact some moderators are particularly seinsitive when it comes to certain topics and will be much quicker to black hole your comments than other mods.

If you have actual evidence of this, please send it through in a contact.

 

[MacNut]

We've now made changes to reminder and warning messages for applicable violations in the PRSI forum that will hopefully make things clearer. As of a couple of weeks ago, we've also started better informing members if their PRSI access is removed in the applicable warning message. If anyone feels we aren't communicating these details well enough in the future, please let us know.



If you have actual evidence of this, please send it through in a contact.

If you are going to have a warning system and shut people out of a forum the infractions better be worthy of it. Getting people on a minor infraction and not warning in advance that it counts towards the 3 seems to go against the spirit of the rule. These enforcements seem to be uneven and not applied to all offenders. Why are the worst offenders still allowed into the forum with no recourse and still allowed to create troll threads and posts? The current system seems to be picking favorites on who gets infractions from who gets away clean.

I'm wondering if we need an open audit of the moderation practices into the PRSI. You guys seem to be making up the rules as you go with no oversight.

 

[MacDawg]

I'm wondering if we need an open audit of the moderation practices into the PRSI.

Good luck with that

 

[MacNut]

Good luck with that

I remember years ago when there was a huge exodus of long time members over the moderation here. They said they were going to fix the way the site was run but I wonder if we are sliding back into those long held problems. There is defiantly a disconnect between what are written in the rules from how those rules are enforced or not enforced.

 

[MacDawg]

I remember years ago when there was a huge exodus of long time members over the moderation here. They said they were going to fix the way the site was run but I wonder if we are sliding back into those long held problems. There is defiantly a disconnect between what are written in the rules from how those rules are enforced or not enforced.

I remember, and there was even an attempt to start a rival alternative site/Forum. That was prolly the biggest exodus I remember, although there have been some other smaller ones from time to time. I agree, moderation has been uneven at times over the years, but it has always leveled off over time and reset itself.

I can't speak to the moderation in the PRSI since I don't go there, but I suspect that the climate in the world and US at this time contributes heavily to the activities and need for moderation. The more polarizing world events are, the more heated the conversations are. Moderating in such an environment is a thankless job and open to criticism from every side.

 

[MacNut]

I remember, and there was even an attempt to start a rival alternative site/Forum. That was prolly the biggest exodus I remember, although there have been some other smaller ones from time to time. I agree, moderation has been uneven at times over the years, but it has always leveled off over time and reset itself.

I can't speak to the moderation in the PRSI since I don't go there, but I suspect that the climate in the world and US at this time contributes heavily to the activities and need for moderation. The more polarizing world events are, the more heated the conversations are. Moderating in such an environment is a thankless job and open to criticism from every side.

For years the debate has been why even bother to moderate the PRSI, especially in this political climate. Everyone in there are grownups and don't need to be babysat. I would argue that letting peoples true feelings be heard would police itself and we would get around the half insults and trolling. Save the moderation for the truly unruly Facebook type posts that seem to be running rampant through the internet. But to start banning people over the equivalent of people sitting at a bar getting into a heated discussion is not helping anything.

 

[TheAppleFairy]

We've now made changes to reminder and warning messages for applicable violations in the PRSI forum that will hopefully make things clearer. As of a couple of weeks ago, we've also started better informing members if their PRSI access is removed in the applicable warning message. If anyone feels we aren't communicating these details well enough in the future, please let us know.

That's good to know, a little too late for me...but I think that's the right thing to do. Thanks

 

[Glockworkorange]

We've now made changes to reminder and warning messages for applicable violations in the PRSI forum that will hopefully make things clearer. As of a couple of weeks ago, we've also started better informing members if their PRSI access is removed in the applicable warning message. If anyone feels we aren't communicating these details well enough in the future, please let us know.



If you have actual evidence of this, please send it through in a contact.

We've now made changes to reminder and warning messages for applicable violations in the PRSI forum that will hopefully make things clearer. As of a couple of weeks ago, we've also started better informing members if their PRSI access is removed in the applicable warning message. If anyone feels we aren't communicating these details well enough in the future, please let us know.



If you have actual evidence of this, please send it through in a contact.

Moderators are human and have their own biases. I seem to get dinged by one moderator in particular and on particular topics. I also reported another user who implied I was a Nazi. Response from the mods? Nothing to see here. So yea, I think there are certain moderators who lean in a particular way and are quicker to pull the trigger on those they don't agree with while giving a pass to those who engage in questionable behavior, but are on the same side as them on certain issues.

I don't have the time or desire to escalate it, but I don't mind contributing to a forum topic it one has already been started. I'm sure you have access to my history if you truly want to look into it.

 

[MacNut]

Moderators are human and have their own biases. I seem to get dinged by one moderator in particular and on particular topics. I also reported another user who implied I was a Nazi. Response from the mods? Nothing to see here. So yea, I think there are certain moderators who lean in a particular way and are quicker to pull the trigger on those they don't agree with while giving a pass to those who engage in questionable behavior, but are on the same side as them on certain issues.

I don't have the time or desire to escalate it, but I don't mind contributing to a forum topic it one has already been started. I'm sure you have access to my history if you truly want to look into it.

I agree that there is defiantly a personal bias going on.

 

[MacDawg]

For years the debate has been why even bother to moderate the PRSI, especially in this political climate. Everyone in there are grownups and don't need to be babysat. I would argue that letting peoples true feelings be heard would police itself and we would get around the half insults and trolling. Save the moderation for the truly unruly Facebook type posts that seem to be running rampant through the internet. But to start banning people over the equivalent of people sitting at a bar getting into a heated discussion is not helping anything.

I concede it is a certainly a fair point, and one I'm sure the moderators and admins have discussed on more than one occasion, but I think the owners of the site seek to at least try to ensure a modicum of civility in the PRSI, if for no other reason than for the sake of appearances and branding if nothing else, even if it is superficial and more like trying to clean up a food fight in a middle school cafeteria.

I have a sneaky suspicion if all moderation were to be lifted, it wouldn't take long for the PRSI to become a veritable safe haven for bullies (on both sides) who run off anybody who is rational and fair minded (on either side) and who revel in their own self importance and ability to terrorize anyone who chooses to venture there and who live for the joy of the fight and blood lust. Most well adjusted folks would likely say "why bother, its not worth it" and move along, making it rather useless for any helpful discourse and more a parody of our times.

But then again, I made my choice a long time back that my quality of life was significantly improved when I blocked the PRSI.

 

[Glockworkorange]

I agree that there is defiantly a personal bias going on.

Probably. But then again, at the end of the day it's just a web site. If get slapped with the BAN HAMMER while someone else freely calls other members Nazis with no consequences, oh well.

I can just mosey on over to The Verge and get banned super quick for calling Anita Sarkeesian a fraudster

 

[MacNut]

I concede it is a certainly a fair point, and one I'm sure the moderators and admins have discussed on more than one occasion, but I think the owners of the site seek to at least try to ensure a modicum of civility in the PRSI, if for no other reason than for the sake of appearances and branding if nothing else, even if it is superficial and more like trying to clean up a food fight in a middle school cafeteria.

I have a sneaky suspicion if all moderation were to be lifted, it wouldn't take long for the PRSI to become a veritable safe haven for bullies (on both sides) who run off anybody who is rational and fair minded (on either side) and who revel in their own self importance and ability to terrorize anyone who chooses to venture there and who live for the joy of the fight and blood lust. Most well adjusted folks would likely say "why bother, its not worth it" and move along, making it rather useless for any helpful discourse and more a parody of our times.

But then again, I made my choice a long time back that my quality of life was significantly improved when I blocked the PRSI.

What I see happening in PRSI is a person will report a post because they don't agree with it. Not because it is against a forum rule. But for what ever reason these people get their way and the poster gets punished for it. So the bullies are really taking out the narrative they don't agree with and getting their way.

 

[Glockworkorange]

What I see happening in PRSI is a person will report a post because they don't agree with it. Not because it is against a forum rule. But for what ever reason these people get their way and the poster gets punished for it. So the bullies are really taking out the narrative they don't agree with and getting their way.

Oh yes. Agree, agree. One person is offended by something mild, the poster is reported in order to shut him up and the comment is black holed.

 

[MacNut]

Oh yes. Agree, agree. One person is offended by something mild, the poster is reported in order to shut him up and the comment is black holed.

It's the new rules being used against good posters. This is what PRSI has become. I don't agree with your comments so I will report you and claim my feelings were hurt and I want this person punished.

 

[0388631]

There's maybe a handful of posters on PRSI whose posts I read, chuckle at and continue to ignore because they're in their own fantasy world. The rest are fine. I think people get too worked up over a debate when it's clear as day that core group won't ever change their mind.

Will say that PRSI members are generally well behaved. When a thread from another section of the site gets moved, with it goes a stream of some of the most obnoxious and foul posts I've ever read on a forum. And I've been using forums in one form or another since the early 90s.

 

[MacNut]

There's maybe a handful of posters on PRSI whose posts I read, chuckle at and continue to ignore because they're in their own fantasy world. The rest are fine. I think people get too worked up over a debate when it's clear as day that core group won't ever change their mind.

Will say that PRSI members are generally well behaved. When a thread from another section of the site gets moved, with it goes a stream of some of the most obnoxious and foul posts I've ever read on a forum. And I've been using forums in one form or another since the early 90s.

I think you are referring to the iPhone effect. That was the beginning of the end for this site.

 

[0388631]

I think you are referring to the iPhone effect. That was the beginning of the end for this site.

I kid you not that thought has passed my mind before but I decided I was just seeing things that weren't there.

 

[MacNut]

I kid you not that thought has passed my mind before but I decided I was just seeing things that weren't there.

Trust me, as someone who has been here long before the iPhone was even a thought in Steve Jobs head, it's a real disease that spread through this site like the flu.

 

[0388631]

Trust me, as someone who has been here long before the iPhone was even a thought in Steve Jobs head, it's a real disease that spread through this site like the flu.

I've been an Apple consumer in one form or another for a very, very long time. Though if I ever wanted to discuss technical matters, I've used other sites. This isn't a bad site, but I'd prefer a near level-headed and near-unbiased discussion over products. There's this GIF online. It's of, what I believe is Homer Simpson, backing into bushes after he's realized something gone awry. That's my reaction when I peruse some of the news threads or pop into some of the "waiting for..." threads.

 

[BigMcGuire]

So you guys/gals? are saying that the advent of the iPhone and iPhone threads brought crowds here that were similar to a disease?

I'm only 32 and I grew up with Windows but I do know the interactions I had with Mac before the iPhone were pretty amazing - all the people I knew were usually a lot older and had vast technical knowledge. The iPhone was like a pop icon, I wanted one really bad but couldn't get one till the 4s.

The Android phones I had (HTC MyTouch, Droid 1, HTC Thunderbolt) brought me to DroidForums.net and other Android forums that were full of really technical people helping others root, countless developers romming and letting kids like me beta test their latest builds and knock out bugs. Pete's Bugless Beast FTW! But eventually all that died out.

When I joined this site was kinda known for being snobby, harsh, "If Steve Jobs didn't include it, you don't need it!" etc. But I found a handful of people I enjoyed following.

I stayed out of PSRI until recently - I just know every time I get involved, my posts are removed, I get a warning, or someone gets suspended.

 

[MacNut]

So you guys/gals? are saying that the advent of the iPhone and iPhone threads brought crowds here that were similar to a disease?

I'm only 32 and I grew up with Windows but I do know the interactions I had with Mac before the iPhone were pretty amazing - all the people I knew were usually a lot older and had vast technical knowledge. The iPhone was like a pop icon, I wanted one really bad but couldn't get one till the 4s.

The Android phones I had (HTC MyTouch, Droid 1, HTC Thunderbolt) brought me to DroidForums.net and other Android forums that were full of really technical people helping others root, countless developers romming and letting kids like me beta test their latest builds and knock out bugs. Pete's Bugless Beast FTW! But eventually all that died out.

When I joined this site was kinda known for being snobby, harsh, "If Steve Jobs didn't include it, you don't need it!" etc. But I found a handful of people I enjoyed following.

I stayed out of PSRI until recently - I just know every time I get involved, my posts are removed, I get a warning, or someone gets suspended.

If by disease you mean people who only think the iPhone is the best thing ever created and it's the only Apple product they had ever heard of, yes.

 

[Glockworkorange]

I feel like I have to be very careful in PRSI. I'm a centrist but sometimes my opinion is very opposed to certain views at times. So I've felt that I have to speak more diplomatically, watering down my words. I'm not mad at this but I do know that my skin has to stay thick.

As soon as I say who I voted for, I open up to a verbal assault. So I've learned that keeping a cool head is my only chance. I find that admitting when a person has a good point instead of going on offense diffuses the situation.

Politics and social issues are like walking over landmine riddled fields.

The tech community, in general, is very, very far to the left. I think the mods of this site are no different.

 

[TheAppleFairy]

Every time someone continues this thread I have mixed feelings. I think we are wasting our time and just give it a rest, but I am glad I am not the only one who thinks there is a real issue here when you have to wear kids gloves to have a little debate because everyone seems to be a snowflake or maybe some mods just enjoy their powers too much.

 

[Glockworkorange]

So you guys/gals? are saying that the advent of the iPhone and iPhone threads brought crowds here that were similar to a disease?

I'm only 32 and I grew up with Windows but I do know the interactions I had with Mac before the iPhone were pretty amazing - all the people I knew were usually a lot older and had vast technical knowledge. The iPhone was like a pop icon, I wanted one really bad but couldn't get one till the 4s.

The Android phones I had (HTC MyTouch, Droid 1, HTC Thunderbolt) brought me to DroidForums.net and other Android forums that were full of really technical people helping others root, countless developers romming and letting kids like me beta test their latest builds and knock out bugs. Pete's Bugless Beast FTW! But eventually all that died out.

When I joined this site was kinda known for being snobby, harsh, "If Steve Jobs didn't include it, you don't need it!" etc. But I found a handful of people I enjoyed following.

I stayed out of PSRI until recently - I just know every time I get involved, my posts are removed, I get a warning, or someone gets suspended.

It's a minefield. I usually don't specifically go in there; a topic on the front page will reside there and I will comment.