Holy schnikies, did I miss a humdinger here! I actually read through this, and man my eyes are tired!
LarryFine said:
At the risk of this post being deleted, I want to take this opportunity say that, in my opinion, it's unfair (I know, this is a private forum, so there is no guarantee, or even suggestion, of fairness) that the moderators can re-open closed threads to add last-minute witticisms, while we peons have to sit on our thumbs (and any other fingers with which we type) and let the urge to add a comment pass with total disappointment.
Larry, I remember quite a few occasions in the past where I've been typing a response to a thread to discover that right before I'd hit the "submit reply" button, the thread had been locked and a moderator had gotten the last word. I've been there, and it has annoyed me in the past. Kinda like hitting every light red on the way to work, that kind of annoying.
One thing I think isn't very clear about how the software works for a moderator is, we don't have to unlock and lock threads to post in them. We just click on the "Closed" button where the "post reply" button is on an open thread, and it behaves as though the thread is open even though it's not.
With the few mentions I'd seen of "opening and closing" it made it sound like it took pains to post in a closed thread - I wouldn't work that hard for a little laugh.
LarryFine said:
Now, please understand that I'm not complaining that they can and sometimes do so, just that the rest of us cannot do so when the chance is there. Some things just get left hanging when it would be so much fun to throw in that one last comment.
Larry, I agree with Bob that you are probably the most censored member, and I put this offer to you and only you, for holding that position and keeping your humor (as best you can) about it: From now on, if a thread is closed, and you want the last word, I will make it happen. If you open a new thread with the last response, as long as it is dated after the last post of a closed thread, when your post and the closed thread are merged, chronologically you will have the last word.
That is my personal offer to you, and I mean it.
LarryFine said:
Perhaps it would be possible to add a no-holds-barred, enter-at-one's-own-risk, uncensored, parental-guidance-suggested forum where we can make reference to closed threads, have off-topic discudssions, post links to pics and videos, tell slightly-off-color jokes, etc.
Okay, on second thought, that's pressing it a bit too far, I admit.
Anyone can always start a thread regarding a closed one, it's happened successfully quite a few times in the past.
LarryFine said:
Still, I wonder if it could be considered an abuse of power for a moderator to re-open a closed thread; otherwise, it's not really closed, it's just restricted to the "elite" members of the Mod Squad to open and close at will.
Note: Please don't take this post too seriously, guys.
Your point is well taken, and I will behave myself from now on. All those times where the thread was closed when I had the perfect zinger led me to do what I just did, and it was unfair of me.
Bob Peterson said:
Does it seem to anyone else that there is a lot more moderation going on lately?
I do what I can to explain why I touched something, usually it's to fix quotes or delete duplicate posts/threads. I don't feel as though I edit too much "editorially" as far as profane language and such, and when I do I try make it fairly clear what I editted, to avoid people feeling too manhandled.
I echo what Bob said about the calibre of people who come here, and what keeps them here. You want to see the other side of the spectrum, cruise over to the JLC Electric Shop forum, it's unmoderated and unholy as hell. Pretty much, if any thread has potential of going somewhere, someone comes along to pick a fight and it's over with. Very little of technical substance has a chance of going anywhere.
This thread went unmoderated, and nobody fought, nobody took cheap shots at anyone else, nothing over the top really happened - in my mind, it's because the tone of this forum is set and populated by good people.
Anyway, if anyone feels I've crossed a line in something I've done (as in, last week or something I do next week), drop me a PM. I personally can't do better without feedback.
