Mod Overkill

[Raider]

I don't know where some of you get off expecting the mods to correct threads that are in violation of the rules... It's almost like expecting a police officer to pump air in your tires to avoid a fix-it-ticket for under inflation.... The mods are not babysitters.

The part I do agree on is; If your going to close a thread, A reason SHOULD be noted in the thread, Not just to inform the OP so he wont make the same mistake again, but because every member who participated in the thread is entitled to know why it was closed.

[Focus]

Raider, I don't know that I have ever suggested any mods need to fix our threads...but we should at least have an opportunity to do so or certain draconian rules be revised. But you make an excellent point Raider about informing us all about thread locking, not only to INFORM but to possibly PROTECT members close to buying a domain name and it having issues, not being owned by the seller, being brokered, etc. If a certain mod wants to run around closing threads all day then he/she better be damn well prepared to contact those members and fully advise them that their thread was closed so they are aware their freshly posted sale for instance is no longer active when they might possibly be missing out on a sale opportunity all day when they thought they had an active thread, and definitely note in the thread why it was closed, and maybe possibly make some effort to allow just a little bit more leeway to those who obviously don't need to post screenshots of light traffic domains that obviously get traffic and are from a seller who has excellent high feedback of say OVER 100 positive ratings and should'nt be forced to post private screenshots of domain income and traffic on public forum pages just to TRY to sell a traffic name in a sales thread on a forum we paid to be members on when that screenshot exchange can be done privately with the potential buyers via PM & email, etc. Sometimes there is really good reason why it's NOT a good idea to post the traffic/revenue screenshots of a domain.

There should surely be a exceptions made based on who posts the sale thread. Let me say it again... There should surely be a exceptions made based on who posts the sale thread. Obviously there is a huge difference between a newbie from some third world country saying blahblahblahyeahright.info gets 1000 hits a day and makes $100k a year for sale and a seller who obviously is not going to lie about their domain stats to buyers and lists a quality .com traffic domain, nor should we have to be basically accused of such by having our threads closed for no screenshot in that case described above. Not to mention screenshots are sometimes not available at that exact moment and sometimes people need to sell domains and have a million and one other things going on and can't make one because they are posting on a mobile device, etc.

Also, I think the whole domain name in the title rule really is ridiculous and caused by one or two idiots selling IDN domains on here and causing a big headache which was really a very limited time issue and we should'nt all have to suffer because of it constantly, it's one thing IF it's a misleading sales title or no form of the domain name whatsoever in it, obviously no cookie cutter rule needs to apply here and judgement and leniency can be exercised more imo...but I mean really, if someone seperates words to avoid search engine spiders and puts some brackets around the extension or leaves the ext. off for that matter, is that really a reason to lock his/her sales thread and just close it when the domain name itself is clearly stated in the thread? Geez man, give me a frickin' break that is totally idiotic..what are we playing chinese democracy here with only guns & no roses? lol

When I'm selling a domain and getting questions posted in the thread about it and PM's and then it just get's closed all of the sudden with no posted explanation that makes ME look really bad and scares away potential buyers because of the "mystery" reason the thread got locked and that is NOT cool. The person doing the secret thread closing maybe just does'nt want to "man up" to being the one closing a thread and in which case maybe is'nt fit to be a moderator if they can't handle the responses to their actions..same with removing people's posts and comments with no explanation and no PM about it. Don't remove our posts unless you have good reason to do so and can justify it in the thread and care to post such and send us a PM about it, otherwise maybe it's just being removed because a certain mod disagrees with what we have to say & that is just NOT right.

[Onward]

The mods are babysitters ....Focus...please double space....I want to read your post but it is making me dizzy

[Focus]

okay, good idea dude

We don't want any closing of this thread for run-on paragraphs..we would probably never even know why it got locked..lol

[Onward]

okay, good idea dude

We don't want any closing of this thread for run-on paragraphs..we would probably never even know why it got locked..lol

Gave me a good laugh.

[Raider]

Raider, I don't know that I have ever suggested any mods need to fix our threads...

I dont know where you got the idea I was referring to you.

I understand why threads are closed. But, if business is happening it seems that the mod taking the extra 15 seconds to copy/paste a domain into the title is not that much to ask.

Many others, especially newbies have suggested the same in other threads, always shifting the blame to the mods rather than themselves.

[Onward]

Many others, especially newbies have suggested the same in other threads, always shifting the blame to the mods rather than themselves.

I agree - newbies need to read the rules

[draggar]

I now realized you were closely watching my threads whethere in good or bad , I don't really know.

When you make an accusation (or even just a statement - even in sarcasm / jest) expect that thread to be looked at closely.

I say we eliminate more than half of these categories.

Who on earth looks at all of them anyways?

The thing is that we had people (in the past - before my day) beg for ccTLD sales sections and discussion areas - now, very few people use them. So it's a catch-22. Keep them and the forum seems cluttered to some, get rid of them and the others complain that we're killing their sales.

Sorry I opened a can of worms, guys.

Mmmmm lunch.

Dude... I am sure I will somehow end up being the bad guy here somehow

I thought you were already? (j/k)

We need a rock opera for domainers. Call it Tommy.mobi

I used to be good at pinball but I haven't played it in years. I will wear the Doc Martens, though.

The mods are babysitters

Aye, captain.

Many others, especially newbies have suggested the same in other threads, always shifting the blame to the mods rather than themselves.

(replying to your post because it is too early for me to go back and find where the post you quoted came from, I'm still half asleep).

The issue is not as simple as "copying and pasting" a domain into the title, too. What if they list several domains? We don't have the time to pick and choose which one, two, three, etc.. go into the title - we do the wrong one then we're yelled at, if we don't try to "de-google" their 55-letter .bz domain then we get yelled at, if we put them in the wrong order, we get yelled at.

There is a very simple solution:

Decide on a title (say from "Domains for sale!" to "Domains for sale - domain1.com, domain2.net, domain3.vg") and then report the post asking to have it changed - yes, we have re-opened threads after people have done this.

(Even simpler solution- they can put at least one domain in the title).

[Onward]

...

[biggedon]

there are members who have been here for years.

they also have modest to high trading ratings, but they don't use them as a means of intimidation or to put themselves above others.

they post on regular basis and you never see or hear them complain about mods or posting rules.

you will rarely see their posts get "reported by other members".

as they carry on about their business in a respectful manner to both the staff and membership alike.

often, if they have questions about starting a thread, they will inquire first via pm.

asking "where is the most appropriate area" or "is this okay to post"?

it's no big deal for them to "do the right thing" and conform to forum rules.


but you are always going to have the few (10 or less) group of complainers, whiners, and wannabe intimidators.

these people try to disrupt, disrespect, and disassemble the structure of controls in this environment.


they come and go in cycles.. but we must not let these negative influences affect the highest standards that we strive to achieve.


as mod, one can be friendly and have long lasting business relationships with other members.

however, i won't let those ties prevent me from carrying out my duties here.


imo...

[Anthony Ng]

Simple. Just drop ALL rules. Yes, anything goes: multiple (as in 200 a day) sales threads, personal attacks, porn (make sure the img tags are allowed), profanity (so I could tell those *ssh*les to shut the f*ck up), etc. Then when most of the serious buyers and sellers are gone, and only trollers left behind (with a few mods who have nothing to do) in say a few months time, everybody will be begging for RULES.

[Acro]

I know biggedon didn't vote for Obama, because he's against all change Don is a nice guy but every time someone makes an observation regarding adjusting, improving or expanding the rules to suit e.g. new market conditions or trends, biggedon's off the cuff response is "no". Don, it's not 2002 anymore and DNForum is probably 25 times as big, so change is necessary with a lot of things. To achieve "high standards" as you profess, you personally need to refrain from running the show like Fidel Castro did. Rules are necessary but common sense is needed even more when you have the privilege of being a moderator, especially when you're setting forth a claim of bias by identifying a number of active and potentially outspoken or energized users as a "group of complainers, whiners, and wannabe intimidators."

[Focus]

"group of complainers, whiners, and wannabe intimidators."

Classic.


Very glad to know that's how you view the outspoken & active members here who have issue with you closing their threads and not bothering to contact them about it & ask that you at least note a reason in the thread for locking it. Or those who disagree with your views and get their posts removed from threads with no trace left behind. So, the way you view us as stated above really puts things into perspective for everyone a little bit better I think today. Good to know.

I guess we would be considered "wannabe intimidators" though because we are'nt the all knowing perfect mod like you with the power to bully people around. (not what mods are suppose to be doing)

Reminds me of a once mighty but now all but forgotten Giant Domains....ahhhh memories.

[David G]

The way so many are insulting Don I would not be surprised to see him resign. Which would be a big loss.

BTW, what is the big deal about using the example(.) com format in the subject line?

[Gerry]

The thing is that we had people (in the past - before my day) beg for ccTLD sales sections and discussion areas - now, very few people use them. So it's a catch-22. Keep them and the forum seems cluttered to some, get rid of them and the others complain that we're killing their sales.

Sales come from quality domain name put in the title to lead people into the thread. It is that simple.

Sales do not come from a special section rarely used to house a particular ccTLD.

Playing devils advocate here, why are there not subsections for the 260 cctld's?

I have seen the complaints - LLLL needs its own sub 100 buck section because it is cluttering the forum.

Okay, the forum responded to complaints. Now the forum has a new set of complaints. Too much non essential BS rarely used by a core group of members.

When I log on, I totally ignore the categories. I look entirely at the thread title. Honestly, it the quality is not in the title (including the topic) then I move on. If I have no interest, I have no interest IRREGARDLESS of the where the thread lives.

Giant Domains....ahhhh memories.

I farted once and he gave me an infraction.

[Acro]

I have a simple question to ask: are mods paid positions?

[james2002]

I have a simple question to ask: are mods paid positions?

Yes. Like to know it as well.

[biggedon]

I know biggedon didn't vote for Obama, because he's against all change Don is a nice guy but every time someone makes an observation regarding adjusting, improving or expanding the rules to suit e.g. new market conditions or trends, biggedon's off the cuff response is "no". Don, it's not 2002 anymore and DNForum is probably 25 times as big, so change is necessary with a lot of things. To achieve "high standards" as you profess, you personally need to refrain from running the show like Fidel Castro did. Rules are necessary but common sense is needed even more when you have the privilege of being a moderator, especially when you're setting forth a claim of bias by identifying a number of active and potentially outspoken or energized users as a "group of complainers, whiners, and wannabe intimidators."

Theo

if i wasn't exercising good judgement and showing a common sense approach to assisting with managing this forum, then Adam probably would have let me go long time ago.

but just to repeat again, i don't run the show and i don't make the rules.

the show/forum runs itself

we just try to make sure the production is in line with the scripts.

sure each actor may ad-lib on his/her lines occasionally, but basically all are required to stick to the script.

only the Executive Producer (Adam) or Director (Admin) can change the scripts in this show.

mods (script supervisors)only give their opinion, just like you and others.


i didn't set forth any claims, only responding to claims made by others and have every right to defend my actions when they are being attacked by members who's past actions caused them to be banned more than once.

i'm very active, highly energized and quite outspoken by nature, but i've never been banned from "any domain forum" and none of my threads have been closed.

how many members have reported my posts since i've been a member here?
how many times have i received warning points or infractions in that time?

if members make suggestions and i respond, then i want them to illustrate how a change or suggestion will benefit the forum as a whole, not just to serve their special interests.

if they can't do that, then in many instances i won't/don't feel the need to support that change.

when members can show how a change will benefit the forum, in a logical, respectful manner....then i'm all ears.


imo...

[Focus]

Well...in response to trader's post a few above, nobody wants to insult Don, surely not me...I have tried to ignore this for awhile but saw the thread here posted by another member and decided to vent about it. I did not start the thread, nor did Acro.

He was not singled out by me but rather I used the term "mystery mod" until he gladly made it be known that he was the person in question by so many people lately including myself and proceeded to warn other members not to "jump on this bandwagon". Sounds alot like intimidation to me.

He can't expect to go around referring to us the forum members with his various name calling and then use his attacking manner like he has done in this thread a few posts before his nice warm fuzzy post above about scripts, movies, and actors when it's usually gustapo tough guy tactics all the time when you disagree with him on the forum or he disagrees with you and not have it come back at him eventually when people just get fed up with it. He is not better than any of us just because he is a mod and can edit forum posts. It would be different if he were the owner of this site but he is not.

Unless I am clearly misleading people or there is a major problem with my sales post (like a valid complaint from a concerned member) then it should simply be left alone because without us, the active members, this forum will cease to exist and without good domains like the ones myself and others post for sale from time to time then the buyers don't do much business here and the place becomes quite barren like it did for awhile not long ago. We are'nt really here to do much other than discuss things and buy and sell domains. When we come here and start selling domains again it seems a certain someone goes out of their way to lock down the post for just about any reason they can find along with closing any discussions they don't find agreeable to them. Some people can easily seperate business & personal in general. Others for some reason or another have a much harder time doing so and I think in this specific case that is probably the culprit.

It simply does'nt take a rocket scientist to know when to exercise some discretion and that a sales post does NOT need to be locked & closed. It's become like a constant aggravating game lately and this forum just is'nt a fun place anymore, it's becoming cold & overly rigid lately imo. This is my personal opinion on the matter and with all due respect to all parties involved.

[Acro]

Don, in your own eyes you're doing the right thing but in fact you're acting like a true bureaucrat. Do you know why I don't list domains on DNForum anymore? Because when I have a real business need, you're bound to pop like Mr. No with a "we don't need that feature" answer, as if anyone really asked your moderating intervention. I'm referring to the request I made some time ago - and not to you in person - to ask for brokers for a particular region without disclosing the domain name. That refusal cost me the ability to justify my $400 I paid for Exclusive membership a few years ago, when I have to jump through hoops and seek other channels of finding a damn broker who works the Japanese market.

So no, Don, despite what you think about yourself, you're stifling a lot of the expected progress in this forum with regards to observing not the letter but the essence of the law.

With regards to your argument about activity and energy, I will ask again if you're getting paid for the position you're holding. Because if you are, that would explain the defensive approach you've been taking all along with respect to *any* change.

It's easy to be around, shoot the shit a bit when needed, delete a few posts and move a couple of threads when needed. The *real* challenge is to function in a manner that displays understanding, a grasp of common sense and a need to improve what's in place, not freeze it in time.

All my criticism above reflects my opinion of you as a moderator for the past couple of years. Times have changed, we need new "blood".