"A Few Words About Forum Moderation" Topic

With regard to moderation of the forums, please understand that:

1. The editors do not read every topic. If we did, we would never get anything else done!

2. Even if we read a topic, we probably didn't read it the instant it was posted, or the instant someone makes a crass, insensitive, or otherwise bothersome reply to that post.

3. If we see a problem, we take care of it immediately.

4. If for some reason we didn't spot the problem, then we reply on the TMP membership to hit the Complaint button to draw our attention to that topic or post.

5. Editors are not on duty 24/7 to handle forum complaints. So if you file a complaint at, say, 3AM Monday morning, it may be a few hours before we get to it.

There's currently a minor storm on the internet because there was a topic posted on Sunday that some felt was offensive, or that the replies were offensive.

The editorial staff became aware of the problem when we reviewed the overnight complaints on Monday morning, and we instantly removed that topic.

To those who feel we should have acted faster: I'm sorry, we're human, we took care of it as soon as we were made aware of the problem.

I'm told that some (on other forums) are also complaining because we removed the topic, as if we're trying to cover something up. That's just silly.

TMP member Kaptain Kobold has protested by changing his membername to Bye Bye TMP, and proclaiming this on his member profile:

Former TMP member who left because of it's bizarre editorial policy toward well … just about everything, but especially its tolerance of racism, sexism and homophobia. The games stuff has been fun, but it is no longer a site I wish to represent my hobby. Bye

TMP does not tolerate racism, sexism and certainly not homophobia. There is a difference between allowing people to express their opinions, and endorsing such opinions. Those who feel that TMP is too tolerant are usually the ones guilty of being intolerant toward others.

Frothers are running out of things to complain about.
One dude in particular…..

Some folks need to lighten up. The Editors are doing fine in my opinion. Of course I'm still disappointed that someone complained about my old moniker and you made me change it. 😉 (It was taken from an SNL character from the old south)

I've been sent this link to a Facebook discussion, but I'm also told that those who speak up for TMP are being banned from further participation: link

I come here for miniatures, history and wargaming information. Thank you, Bill and other Editors for doing your best to allow me to enjoy those things on an easy-to-use forum.

I come here for miniatures, history and wargaming information. Thank you, Bill and other Editors for doing your best to allow me to enjoy those things on an easy-to-use forum.

Thanks! We realize that some people come to TMP just for the wargaming, and other people want to discuss a world of topics with their wargaming buddies, and we try to make both groups as happy as we can.

TMP is my homepage on 3 out of 5 devices I use. It *is* thd internet to me. I really wish that a lot of people could put on their Grown Up Pants and realize that not everyone is going to agree. There is no reason we cannot disagree amicably.

Oh for the love of Pete. Someone posts something someone else didn't like on the internet and it wasn't immediately and automatically evaporated. Someone please call the authorities! Or better yet, mis-characterize it on Facebook and get other people who don't know what they are talking about to pile on. That'll show em!

I'm sorry to hear about this, Bill. Being the editor of a community can be really no fun some days.

Being the editor of a community can be really no fun some days.

I think it's time for Michael Stockin to focus on his own website, and stop obsessing about TMP.

May I ask why you never lock threads?

It seems there would be value in excoriating bad behavior at times as opposed to sanitizing it.

I didn't see the thread.

You didn't miss much Private. I don't see what the all fuss was about. But, this thread does kinda make more fuss and probably shouldn't.

Some pixels may have been inconvenienced,but hey, no-one got hurt, right?

And Tango is getting a little naughty in his old age.

There can be a tendency for those who leave to, shroud it as a high moral stance forced upon them in their fight against facism/racism,genocide. etc. (choose any ). They also widen it to "everyone" "they are all..", "people on TMP are all" etc.

Normal social tactics/respones.
You do a good and appreciated job Bill.

martin

But the thread Mr Stockin linked to, has now been removed, so maybe he had a point.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Those who feel that TMP is too tolerant are usually the ones guilty of being intolerant toward others.

If this is being implied of Kaptain Kobold then it is as far from the truth as one could possibly get

I've said this before, but it bares repeating, you get out of TMP what you put into it. On any day you can get answers to all kinds of uniforms or wargaming questions, as well as modeling tips or you can descend down a rabbit hole to who knows where. The choice is yours!

1st world problems…
The editor has been criticized ever since he started selling memberships.
a lot of the bitchyness is from non-subscribers.
perhaps TMP should go subscription only?

"By Bye TMP" was a supporting member. As was Michael Stockin.

So yeah, great idea, that'll fix it.

But the thread Mr Stockin linked to, has now been removed, so maybe he had a point.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
That thread SHOULD have been nuked.

I think Bill is handling this all wrong. If people want real-time 24/7 forum moderation, then they have the right to pay for it! The last estimate I got at work for real-time (15 minutes) 24/7 help desk response was around $300,000 USD/year.

TMP should have special memberships that allow individuals who want this service to sponsor a single board of their choice at that rate. You should even allow people to split their sponsorship for a board amoung two or three hard charging civic-minded individuals.

Me ..? I'm OK with the current activity and latency in response. I'll drop that $300,000 USD at my FLGS and various TMP miniature advertisers.

Those who feel that TMP is too tolerant are usually the ones guilty of being intolerant toward others.

If this is being implied of Kaptain Kobold then it is as far from the truth as one could possibly get

I hope this will stay generic and not become attacks on individuals.

Actually I do not know Kapitan Kobold so the second quote may well apply and anyone who doesn't know him/her should be wary of implications. While others should be aware of assigning inferences unduly.

But… the first quote does apply to many of us. TMP does have an American (for good or bad) "rough and tumble" air at times. John the OFM and I disagree a lot but I would rather yell at the screen than try and muzzle him. Assuming such was even feasible… Old Guys carry an attitude (and sometimes a cane…)

I did see that thread, and moved on quickly. I understand that it's not possible to instantly police every thread. One the other hand, it did seem like a case of SSDD.

Besides the title, if something is unapealing to me here… i just don't read it. Would not even think of baring others who might like it to open it!
This is not like a wide subway poster in front of your nese when waiting ten minutes you can hardly escape. And even.
No one is compelled to read anything here, certainly not to carry on down one topic which goes astray or was off line by itself. And I at time let my fingers run in too.;))

Freedom. A much maligned word…

I come to TMP for discussion of war games and the positive content. I've learned that getting involved with other entangling issues only leads to stress and frustration. I come for the discussion of war games and positive content. Now and then we might actually get some.

Of course it would help if people starting topics paused for just a few seconds before hitting "post" to think

"does this topic actually have anything to do with wargaming?"

"is this post going to make the hobby look like it is populated by s?"

"is this post going to make me look like a ?"

If the answer is anything but "yes, no, no" then carry on……

I come for the discussion of war games and positive content. Now and then we might actually get some.

Live in hope, Otto.

+1 David Manley

+2 David Manley

There are trolls on the internet.
Some of them post on TMP.
Some of them used to be supporting members
Some of the still are.
I dont lose sleep over it.
Nothing we discuss here will change that.
There are trolls on the internet.

"They have a cave troll!"

Bring in the TSS:

youtu.be/CjIU-zqxJEA

May I ask why you never lock threads?

I've never seen the point of locking threads. Why prevent discussion? And if the topic is toxic, then the whole thing should go away.

I would agree with David Manley, but the thread in question was posted by a person who would hit spam filters anywhere else.

And all posters, users and advertisers on TMP are judged by its threads, from the dullest minutiae of uniform details to the most sexist, racist or obnoxious thread you can find.

Broad brush hits all.

What "TMP" accepts or tolerates would seem to have three different answers:

What is accepted/tolerated by the owner of the site.

What is accepted/tolerated by the user base at large.

What is accepted/tolerated by the smaller subsection of the userbase that shapes debate on a given board.

Read different boards and you'll find very different atmospheres existing.

I'm going to be a bit controversial here. It has slowly come to my attention, especially after being DH'd for calling someone a troll, that a lot of the people getting all upset with certain boards/topics never really contribute wargaming wise. They never contribute to wargaming discussions or post in galleries, which makes me wonder how many people on here are just being a pain for the sake of it. Not that I'm suggesting that you can't lurk or just stay in the background and not be a wargamer. Or I could just be wrong and they post in the boards I have no interest in.

Hey … All I know is Bill and his minions never miss DH'ing !

Otherwise … Kind'a like Fox has said. If you are not interested in a thread … Especially if you think it does not have anything to do with modeling, gaming, history, etc., … then don't go to that thread.

I don't go to threads about zombies. Because I'm not interested in Zombies … But Always do what works for you … not me or others. And remember, there is always the [1] and stifle …

For what it's worth, you can read Kaptain Kobold's opinion over on his blog: link

…the thread in question was posted by a person who would hit spam filters anywhere else.

The TMP community has had multiple opportunities to vote on this subject, and that's why we're not limiting Tango01's ability to post. However, we've given our readers the tools to control what they see.

Of course it would help if people starting topics paused for just a few seconds before hitting "post" to think

In the 80's I had a script that captured posting protocols and text, then queued it for transmission one hour later based on your approval. Basically, you had an hour (or any other time you want) cooling off/perspective period before your post went out into the public sphere. Lots of people borrowed that from me.

…the thread in question was posted by a person who would hit spam filters anywhere else.

He posts to the appropriate boards, so how is that "spam?"

He posts a lot, but how is that "spam?"

Seems that some people don't like it, so they just throw the "spam" tag around.

+1, even though I get annoyed sometimes.

To add the opposite of what Legion said (and I do give the gentleman credit when he's right) it'd also be nice if people could keep their political axe-grinding to those boards rather than stinking up threads elsewhere.

Yes Foxweasel. That is the problem. They are ankle-biters, here to bring down anyone who tries to talk about the hobby, but rarely talk or offer anything constructive. It's not totally their fault, look at

Went to the Kapitan Kobold blog and found almost as bigoted in its own way as some members here. YMMV but then I would expect that from some of you.

LAF is a great resource in many ways but daily visits there are like eating pablum regularly. Amazing painters but "… Sunshine, Lollypops, and Rainbows.." get old even when sung by Lesley Gore. If I wanted constructive criticism of my pathetic painting it would be hard to find candid honesty from most members.

The Wargames Website has potential but it is still maturing and does not cover my interests in enough depth at this time to sustain my interest.

As for TMP (warts and all) if someone actually think pedophilia is being posted I suggest you contact the appropriate legal authorities. I only frequent a limited number of sub-forums * and never see such. Such activity is a reprehensible crime and rather than bitch/moan/whine about put your ass on the line, be a man (or woman) and file a legal report to stop it. If you fail to act on such items than you indirectly support such by your inactivity.

Are there people I stifle? Yes. Do I block Tango's new posts? Yes, among others. Are some members irritating but worth the head shaking (John/Winston to name a name)? Yes. Are some absolutely worthless? Yes, see stifle. Is there a better forum for information about the hobby? Not Yet but I am sure there may be one eventually. Will there EVER be a perfect forum (whatever that means)? Hell, no.

*
15mm Sci-Fi
6mm Sci-Fi
Dirtside
Victorian Science Fiction
15mm Fantasy
Fantasy Discussion
TMP Poll Suggestions (though only God Knows why)
Wargaming in General
Cold War
Modern Aviation
WW2 Aviation
Biplanes
Victorian Colonial Board
6mm Napoleonics
18th Century Discussion
Edit: TMP Talk and Wargaming in the USA added

To add the opposite of what Legion said (and I do give the gentleman credit when he's right) it'd also be nice if people could keep their political axe-grinding to those boards rather than stinking up threads elsewhere.

Who you call'n a gentleman Pilgrim !!!!? And I normally keep my axe-grinding to the UMW board …

I see Howard Whitehouse is pontificating on Facebook again…

And Michael Stockin feels 'named and shamed' because I posted a link to his Facebook discussion. Did he think Facebook was a private website?

Bill, I'm free to 'pontificate' on Facebook. It's not 'Bill's House'. 'Bill's Rules' do not apply there. I'm not certain you understand how any of this works.

I'm not certain you understand how any of this works.

Wow, you got me there, Howard. I was just going to write a letter to Facebook to have you stopped… but I guess you're right, I don't own Facebook.

But I'm curious… just who on TMP do you think the pigs are? You think you are better than they are?

Speaking personally, it offends me to see you make judgmental statements about our fellow gamers. I'd rather see a spirit of love and tolerance than snarky comments behind their backs on Facebook.

Facebook and some other places on the web are poorly or not really moderated. So it's the Wild, Wild West. Just look at all the stories on the media about tweets by some, etc., … I only go to 2 FB pages that deals with 6mm Sci-fi. And I've only had one "altercation".

So FB is like a free fire zone. I stay away from 98% of FB pages. Too many , , etc., out there. At least Bill does try to maintain some sort of control here. I know … believe me !

who on TMP do you think the pigs are

Porkie, Arnold Ziffel, Missy Piggy, Animal Farm … oh wait you said on TMP !

Well I'm overweight … so …

But after going thru the comments on the blog … I'm glad to see at least got one "honorable" mention. Which I disagree with. But even bad publicity is good !

So I guess if you express an opinion that is different than some. And they make your comments fit their narrative … It's no surprise to see some of the posts on that blog …