What's wrong with our forum moderator staff?

[Alec§taar]

Originally Posted by AshenSugar

thanks for any info u can give me on dirrectly connecting to the IRC server

Telnet into it...



* It IS 'doable'...

http://www.ucc.asn.au/~matt/mirror/irctelnet.html

APK

[PVTCaboose1337]

Mods are great. Some are too quick to act sometimes, but they are now in the past month alot better about keeping controversial threads open. I greatly like our mods here. No complaints.

[cdawall]

i have been in forums that are much worse this one has its days but is not terrible just the occasional mod needs to remember to leave his ego at home and not come to the forums all heavy headed that they will end up banning someone that day for the smallest thing. also i think the mods let things go a little to far occasionally, but thats what makes this forum fun.


OH AND OFF TOPIC, but why is thee forum been so slow lately?????





70+sec load time WTF?

[PVTCaboose1337]

Originally Posted by cdawall

i have been in forums that are much worse this one has its days but is not terrible just the occasional mod needs to remember to leave his ego at home and not come to the forums all heavy headed that they will end up banning someone that day for the smallest thing. also i think the mods let things go a little to far occasionally, but thats what makes this forum fun.

Yeah, the mods sometimes do take their ego with them to the forums, but they need it somewhat to moderate. A mods does control us so...

If the mods do let things go too far, someone pulls out the banstick. Thats how thinks are "balanced out." If things did not go so far, no one would get banned.

[Thermopylae_480]

In regards to freedom of speech, and censorship, there are several factors which must be taken into account. Mainly who's definition of freedom of speech is to be followed. As a forum with a multinational membership, with each member belonging to a sovereign nation beholden to its own varying laws one interpretation of freedom of speech may be more liberal than others. I will default to the U.S. Constitution for the purpose of argument.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Although this is rather vague and open to interpretation for government entities it is quite clear that, when not in conflict with state law, private institutions are not beholden under the constitution to be guarantors of freedom of speech. Since membership within private organizations is not an obligation, but rather a choice, any individual at any time may leave if they feel wronged in any manner. Thusly their rights as individuals are not impeded upon. Since private organizations are not beholden to uphold freedom of speech they have the opportunity to announce to any individual wishing to join their ranks any rules, not violative of any laws, that they require their members to abide by. I provide as such an example the Terms of Service of Techpowerup!

Forum Rules

Registration to this forum is free! We do insist that you abide by the rules and policies detailed below. If you agree to the terms, please check the 'I agree' checkbox and press the 'Register' button below. If you would like to cancel the registration, click here to return to the forums index.

Although the administrators and moderators of techPowerUp! Forums will attempt to keep all objectionable messages off this forum, it is impossible for us to review all messages. All messages express the views of the author, and neither the owners of techPowerUp! Forums, nor Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. (developers of vBulletin) will be held responsible for the content of any message.

By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws.

The owners of TechPowerUp! Forums reserve the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any

reason.

Now that we have established the legality of the issue, we must question the morals involved in limiting the freedom of speech of individuals, even though such limitations are acceptable under the law. It is generally accepted as "nice" for private organizations not the impede the freedom of speech members, by the established majority. To this I agree. I however, disagree that it should be upheld in the same manner as a governmental organization. Having complete freedom of speech can be an impedance to the purpose of a private organization. Insulting, and inflammatory statements can create an environment which negates the purpose of an organization as it is lost in the turmoil surrounding the incident. As a result it becomes more prudent to the stability of the organization to limit the rights of its members in order to achieve its desired goals. This can be a dangerous concept when applied to governments (don't make me discuss freedom of speech as it pertains to governments. Suffice to say I hate oppression, and totalitarian regimes), but in a voluntary organization where the rules are agreed upon prior to membership, it is much more practical. So, in an ideal situation I feel that freedom of speech must be limited to a certain degree to create the environment I describe below. I know this represents a duality of ethics, but I see governments and private organizations completely differently. e.g. I don't think ethics and policy that is necessarily good for a government, is good for a web forum.

My Ideal View of TPU

A polite equitable environment where people may come regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, Intellect or nationality, to engage in free civil discussion, and information exchange, of technology related material without worry of discrimination or persecution, and with freedom from insult. So long as the discussions are not violative of any laws.

As a result of this view, this is how I try to proceed before the closure on any thread containing a controversial topic, such as when discussing warez/drugs/social issues.

1) Does the thread contain any illegal material, is it violative of any laws, does it contain admission of guilt in any crime? Does it provide information meant to aid in committing a crime?

2) Is the topic despite its controversial nature, being discussed in a manner, that is for the most part, polite and civil? In other words, lacking in direct insults, racial slurs, and other material that is not generally contributive to a fair intellectual discussion.

3) Threads that begin with hate mongering, illegal material, or topics that are deliberately begun to illicit angered argument I will not tolerate. Movies/photos of such things as people/animals getting tortured, I'm not going to tolerate.

4) I would like to add that nowhere in here does my personal opinion of the topic enter as a factor. E.g. I don't like drug use, but I'm not going to alter someone's post that supports it simply because their view conflicts with mine. So long as their opinion is presented in an appropriate manner.

So, there is a right and a wrong way to discuss controversial issues. Basically you can discuss almost anything you want. If you want to discuss the legality of marijuana use, that is completely acceptable. You can not however, create a thread where you show pictures of your stash, and talk about the last time you got high, and try to coerce others to post similar information. If you did something illegal, but you need to tell others about it in the course of an argument, you can tell them about it without telling them it was you. You can say such things as, "I know someone who," without losing validity to your argument.

There is absolutely no reason to insult, or use foul language in an argument or discussion. There are better, and more intelligent, ways to inform others of your views. There is no reason, to say such things as "You're a fucking idiot!" and then tell them why they are incorrect. It didn't accomplish anything except start a fight, and make you look like an uneducated fool. Then a moderator comes along, and hands out infractions which you are then upset about. Instead try telling them you simply disagree, and why. Guess what? You won't get an infraction for that.

If you are excited about something, is there really a reason to say something is "Fucking Great!?" I don't think anything would suffer a loss if you were to describe your elation in a more descriptive manner, using words that have definitions that actually apply to something that is exciting. God forbid someone actually mistake you for someone capable of muttering an intelligent statement.

Honestly, if you can't post something the contributes to the discussion in a polite manner, without cursing, or insulting. I probably don't want to hear from you. No one in the real world would take you seriously if you were trying to debate with them and spoke like that, and I frankly won't take it seriously here either.

Of course these are my opinions alone, and nobody else's in case any of you are wondering.

[Alec§taar]

Originally Posted by cdawall

OH AND OFF TOPIC, but why is thee forum been so slow lately?????

ThePlanet.com has a router that is going 'nutty', imo @ least, but based on data W1zz had a few of us gather... see here, traceroutes tend to show it as proof:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showth...257#post268257



* I do think that server is having problems... but, I could be wrong!

APK

[PVTCaboose1337]

@Thermopylae_480,

Keep in mind this is not the US, this is the internet. (no disrespect, I'm from the US too...) As far as I know, the constitution does not apply here, nor where the servers are hosted.

And cursing in control is fine. Using it every other sentence is over doing it.

[PVTCaboose1337]

Originally Posted by Alec§taar

ThePlanet.com has a router that is going 'nutty', imo @ least, but based on data W1zz had a few of us gather... see here, traceroutes tend to show it as proof:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showth...257#post268257



* I do think that server is having problems... but, I could be wrong!

APK

On the server note, it is not any slower here. Loads as fast as always.

[DanTheBanjoman]

Originally Posted by Thermopylae_480

So, there is a right and a wrong way to discuss controversial issues. Basically you can discuss almost anything you want. If you want to discuss the legality of marijuana use, that is completely acceptable. You can not however, create a thread where you show pictures of your stash, and talk about the last time you got high, and try to coerce others to post similar information. If you did something illegal, but you need to tell others about it in the course of an argument, you can tell them about it without telling them it was you. You can say such things as, "I know someone who," without losing validity to your argument.

I think that's a nice example of a problem that arrises due to the international nature of the forums (and the site) as it isn't illegal everywhere. Personally I believe such cases should be left to the discretion of the mod. One mod might let it be, another might close or delete the thread. I think this is natural though, some cops here would give you a ticket if you have no lights on your bike, others would just tell you, yet again another cop would ignore it all together. Does that make them hypocrits? I think not, it just makes some stricter than others. After all, we're still human beings and therefor have our own opinions and react in a different manner.
And whenever a user really feels mistreated there is no reason you can't talk to the mod privately or ask another mod if he could act as a third party.

[Thermopylae_480]

Originally Posted by PVTCaboose1337

@Thermopylae_480,

Keep in mind this is not the US, this is the internet. (no disrespect, I'm from the US too...) As far as I know, the constitution does not apply here, nor where the servers are hosted.

And cursing in control is fine. Using it every other sentence is over doing it.

lol, I said I used the constitution for the purpose of argument. To prove a point. You skimmed it didn't you, without reading it that's ok. As far as the language. It's my opinion. I let it slide most of the time, because it's unrealistic to expect everyone to use a formal manner of speech. Everyone likes their dialects, and mannerisms and have incorporated slang and foul speech inseparably into their personality. I've probably given 1 or 2 infractions for it, but typically I only moderate it when it's in conjunction with another problem.

Lol, you know what bugs me the most though? What really makes me want to abuse the power? Some of the atrocious spelling, grammar and punctuation. Oh, how I wish.

I know some of you hate me for some of my moderations, but I'm only human, and I think I'm typically fair. Whenever you're in a position of authority invariably someone will disagree with you, and there is nothing you can do.

[PVTCaboose1337]

Originally Posted by Thermopylae_480

lol, I said I used the constitution for the purpose of argument. To prove a point. You skimmed it didn't you, without reading it that's ok. As far as the language. It's my opinion. I let it slide most of the time, because it's unrealistic to expect everyone to use a formal manner of speech. Everyone likes their dialects, and mannerisms and have incorporated slang and foul speech inseparably into their personality. I've probably given 1 or 2 infractions for it, but typically I only moderate it when it's in conjunction with another problem.

Lol, you know what bugs me the most though? What really makes me want to abuse the power? Some of the atrocious spelling, grammar and punctuation. Oh, how I wish.

I know some of you hate me for some of my moderations, but I'm only human, and I think I'm typically fair. Whenever you're in a position of authority invariably someone will disagree with you, and there is nothing you can do.

Firefox checks my spelling for me Also, yes, I did skim the article without reading all your points. No harm, no foul

[Thermopylae_480]

I just wanted to add, I think this is good how this is proceeding. If everyone continues discussing in this manner I think it could be rather productive.

[Alec§taar]

Originally Posted by PVTCaboose1337

On the server note, it is not any slower here. Loads as fast as always.

Well, could be... that was hours ago now, & they might have been "appraised of the situation" by now & corrected for it - this IS quite possible!



* The only reason I state this is simple: I was not the only person having trouble w/ "THE PLANET" (lol, that sounds weird), if you look in that thread again, you'll see what I mean!

E.G.-> Protius @ the bottom of that page being another... you can examine other folks' traces as well to either bear this out, or disprove it... no big deal either way @ this point!

(LOL, not as long as 'it all works now' & all that!)

APK

[i_am_mustang_man]

I see a lot of discussion already going on, but i just wanted to add my $.02.
i love tpu. my home on the internet. I am definitely the most hardware savvy person I know, and that is largely due to the community at tpu. Don't change anything. People can get off topic, and mean, whatever, but mods generally let it happen. sometimes not, but it's their prerogative when to let it slide, and when not to.

I have only had two issues with tpu. The first is: the disrespectful and shameless handling of markkleb's departure, but it happened, it's over, whatever.

and secondly, I feel like I kill a lot of threads. maybe it's just me being paranoid, but I will comment, and then bam, no more comments. Do I smell, or do people not like me for some reason or another? Oh well, I will probably never stop coming here, discussing, having fun, and being awkward and killing threads. sorry to everyone whose thread I've killed.

[zekrahminator]

With 12 members viewing the thread right now, this thread ain't going down for a LONG time .

[pt]

Originally Posted by i_am_mustang_man

and secondly, I feel like I kill a lot of threads. maybe it's just me being paranoid, but I will comment, and then bam, no more comments. Do I smell, or do people not like me for some reason or another? Oh well, I will probably never stop coming here, discussing, having fun, and being awkward and killing threads. sorry to everyone whose thread I've killed.

that has happen to me too
join the paranoid club


really, it's weird

[AshenSugar]

Originally Posted by DanTheBanjoman

I think that's a nice example of a problem that arrises due to the international nature of the forums (and the site) as it isn't illegal everywhere. Personally I believe such cases should be left to the discretion of the mod. One mod might let it be, another might close or delete the thread. I think this is natural though, some cops here would give you a ticket if you have no lights on your bike, others would just tell you, yet again another cop would ignore it all together. Does that make them hypocrits? I think not, it just makes some stricter than others. After all, we're still human beings and therefor have our own opinions and react in a different manner.
And whenever a user really feels mistreated there is no reason you can't talk to the mod privately or ask another mod if he could act as a third party.

no but it would be if the cop ticketed you then drove off without lights on his bike.

or a cop arrests you for having drugs then goesout and gets high on those same drugs.

hypocracy is saying one thing and doing another, such as a mod telling people not to state their oppenion as fact even going as far as to threten them and posably infract them for it then turning around and stating his oppenion as fact on a regular basis. thats hypocracy.

[Guttboy]

I'm a new member here but I have found this to be the best forum for support and advice out there. Members are genuinely friendly, helpful, and funny to boot! There was only one instance of some individual spamming that I saw...no helpful info whatsoever even after being warned...and boom...No More! That was helpful...thanks mods!

I am also continually amazed at the insights and wealth of knowledge that is passed on here....heck I am almost 40 and some of the best info I have found is from folks 20 years or so younger than I am...cough cough...ZEK...LOL.....

So keep this site going...mods are doing fine as far as I can tell...and I will be here for a long time!!!!

[AshenSugar]

Originally Posted by i_am_mustang_man

I see a lot of discussion already going on, but i just wanted to add my $.02.
i love tpu. my home on the internet. I am definitely the most hardware savvy person I know, and that is largely due to the community at tpu. Don't change anything. People can get off topic, and mean, whatever, but mods generally let it happen. sometimes not, but it's their prerogative when to let it slide, and when not to.

I have only had two issues with tpu. The first is: the disrespectful and shameless handling of markkleb's departure, but it happened, it's over, whatever.

and secondly, I feel like I kill a lot of threads. maybe it's just me being paranoid, but I will comment, and then bam, no more comments. Do I smell, or do people not like me for some reason or another? Oh well, I will probably never stop coming here, discussing, having fun, and being awkward and killing threads. sorry to everyone whose thread I've killed.

yes :P
yes ur ugly and u smell funny

btw this was "ha ha" not seirous, its called scarcasim or satire,

anyway nobody smells as bad as zek

[BXtreme]

well... TPU ROCKS, and mods do a fine job , but some ppl are itching inside i.e can't raise voices, so y not make a poll ?

[Alec§taar]

Originally Posted by Guttboy

I'm a new member here but I have found this to be the best forum for support and advice out there. Members are genuinely friendly, helpful, and funny to boot! There was only one instance of some individual spamming that I saw...no helpful info whatsoever even after being warned...and boom...No More! That was helpful...thanks mods!

I am also continually amazed at the insights and wealth of knowledge that is passed on here....heck I am almost 40 and some of the best info I have found is from folks 20 years or so younger than I am...cough cough...ZEK...LOL.....

So keep this site going...mods are doing fine as far as I can tell...and I will be here for a long time!!!!

Cool... it seems that the membership here is NOT ALL THAT BAD, eh? We've made a good impression on folks, especially new folks!

Especially "Z" (he's cool, I like him as well... he's been "good to me" @ times, & when I really didn't merit it, lol!) - he WILL know what I mean here (no, nothing "weird" either, because that statement of mine opens up some doors for being "ribbed on", lol!)



(LOL (<- sinister laff): Wait until you get to REALLY know us! Muwhahahaha!!!)

APK

P.S.=> Guttboy, that HOSTS file I sent you work out like you like/ok & all that? Let me know here, or in "PM"... thanks! apk

[zekrahminator]

Wow, thanks guys, I didn't know I was so appreciated around here .

[y eye]

I am a new member and I have already had a post deleted. I did not like it because I was not given a warning or a chance to edit or delete myself. The post was in the general bs slot and I was singing the old Coasters song "take out the garbage and the trash or you don't get no friendly cash yakity yak ...yakity yak", kinda hard to figure the delete. I have been ripped off for a post by members and I will email the names. So what... noone has been able to bomb my post, a few have tried. Pretty lame really. I believe that the above is normal and part of breaking out except for the ripoff. This is the first forum where I have seen a rip .

Most threads are clean and it is a joy to read and be a part of them. If necessary you should bust some heads. They will smarten up if given a chance.
.y

[pt]

have you reported to a supermod or other mod that it was injusted deleted?

[ex_reven]

Originally Posted by y eye

I am a new member and I have already had a post deleted.
.y

No offense, but one of your first posts confused the absolute hell out of many a person , especially me . But then again I havnt seen any other posts by you, so Im not one to judge.

IMO the forums are great, and the mods are superb. Ive never had problems with the mods, and ive been PM'ed once or twice about some discretions in my posts ive made in the past, and i appreciate the way they handle things. They are firm, but fair.

And face it, if one mod is stricter than another mod, who cares? People are different, and acting in a way that is acceptable for ALL people is an advantage that you can gain over others in todays society. Politicians do it all the time ...(except when they screw up )
Its just another of life's lessons that you can take onboard and gain friends/respect from, or you can reject the lesson and deal with more serious consequences later on.

TPU is like the intelligent family i never had