killing threads

[benpatient]

Why do mods close threads that they don't like and say things like "use search before posting" all of the time?

I ask because a thread was just closed before anyone had a chance to respond, and the only other post after OP was the mod saying "search first" and then a list of supposedly helpful links to other posts that I happened to look at. The OP in this case was asking what the best P2P apps are on OS X. The Mod's response was to link to a few threads about torrents. Guess what...there are other forms of P2P that are worth mentioning.

And the search functions on macrumors are not good enough to get a real answer to such a simple question without bending over backwards. For example, searching for P2P doesn't turn up any of the results the mod posted. you have to search for torrents to get those.

You can't sort your search results by anything useful, either, like number of views or number of posts. They just show up in consecutive chronological order.

I actually have the same question as the OP from the now-closed thread that will soon sink to the bottom of the thread list (along with this soon-to-be-closed thread as well, i'm sure). I want to know if there are any decent P2P apps out there that don't rely on torrents or newsgroups.

There are lots of (legal) things out there that you can find a torrent of but will never find someone hosting a seed for. obscure or old things that most people don't want.

a direct one-to-one P2P application a'la napster of old would be the best solution to situations like this.

I don't know that there is one currently, and if there is, it probably doesn't work on a mac. So it seems like a valid question, because searching for it on the forums doesn't turn up a lot of useful information.

i understand closing threads that are spam, and closing threads that spiral out of control and go flamin' and personal. I don't see the point in closing threads when someone asks a legitimate question. If it is such an common and well-discussed topic, why isn't it a sticky?

i don't understand why moderators need to be hostile towards the idea of posting.

 

[Blue Velvet]

Why do mods close threads that they don't like and say things like "use search before posting" all of the time?

We don't do it all the time, and we get many complaints from other forum members that too many repetitive threads are being created with the same topic time and time again, when a simple search can show bring up results that may have relevance. Usually, the most recent of those is a perfect place to post.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Also, many newbie users don't know that a thread has been talked about to death, resulting in a flame war, insult fight, and some member getting banned. So to prevent all of that they close them down. One good example is anything that has to do with upcoming Apple products and events.

The Mac Pro update is one very real example. A new member that has been here a few days just posted his rant about how Apple sucks and they need to update the Mac Pro, and what's taking so long, Imma switch to PCs, yadda yadda yadda....

Hundreds of other threads like it.

 

[benpatient]

wow. moved AND edited without attribution....

 

[EricNau]

If you're having problems with the MacRumors search function, you can use the custom Google search which can provide very accurate results.

Remember, the moderators are simply acting on behalf of the MacRumors community, trying to provide everyone with the most helpful and pleasant experience. A moderator only intervenes when a post is reported or breaks forum rules.

 

[Blue Velvet]

wow. moved AND edited without attribution....

Moved because it was not an appropriate topic for the forum in which the thread was created. This forum is where matters like these are discussed.

Edited because we do not discuss individual moderating decisions publicly.

The point of moderation is not to limit discussion, promote or suppress points of view, or any other secret agenda. Even though the site is private, we encourage discussion among all members. The goal of moderation is to keep the forums enjoyable and free from problems that detract from the experiences of our users...

...You can use the Contact form to send a message to the moderators/administrators if you have questions about specific cases of moderation. This is more appropriate than sending Private Messages or email to individual moderators. If you use Private Messages or email to contact a moderator about a moderation issue, you may be directed to send it again via the Contact Form, because this ensures proper review and accountability and because the moderators work as a team. Moderation is not personal; don't make it so.

When contacting us about moderation, please identify the posts or threads in question; the moderators deal with many every day. Posting questions/complaints about specific cases of moderation in the forums is frowned upon because they are not relevant to others and we can be more frank communicating in private. If you have general questions about moderation or site policies (not about a specific case), use the Contact form or the Site and Forum Feedback forum.

https://macrumors.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

Thanks

 

[ReanimationLP]

I found that the best way to kill a thread is to stab it.

 

[solvs]

I found that the best way to kill a thread is to stab it.

I prefer subtly and methodically berating it until it kills itself.

And to at least appear on topic, I might want to point out that while P2P itself is ok to discuss, sometimes specifics of certain *ahem* uses of P2P are not.