Recent Decisions and Thread Deletions

[east tx skier]

I hesitate to write this because, after all, it’s just a web forum. On the other hand, I have dedicated some time and effort, both as a moderator and user as well as a MC owner and family member of a MC owner, in an attempt to make this place a good resource for boat owners, both on the technical and fun side. So, in spite of my hesitation, I will speak my mind.

Time and again over the past year, I have read of threads deleted without explanation and long time users banned. Most recently, and on a personal note, I will mention that the “Neverending Threadjack,” which I started several years ago was deleted in its entirety without any notice to me, the person with whom the thread originated. It may have been a lot of off topic nonsense, but at least it was organized off topic nonsense. It served the function of being an aggregate dumping ground for things people wanted to say without starting a new thread or jacking an existing thread. It was not useless. I certainly don’t know what happened to trigger its sudden inexplicable demise. But the deletion of the entire thread, most of which violated no rule whatsoever, was, in this user’s opinion, an overstepping of the bounds of fair play (and perhaps authority depending on who did it).

Suffice it to say, despite some of the tension that existed when I was more involved in the site, these extreme remedies were not trotted out with such frequency and disregard for the history of the site, even if it was a somewhat nonsensical history. I think it is a mistake if it is MasterCraft’s policy with regard to how it wants its forum run, although it is certainly is prerogative to make that mistake (see authority parenthetical above). If it is a lone moderator who is acting on his/her own accord, I think MasterCraft needs to exercise greater oversight in that regard. Far be it from me to be a Monday morning quarterback. I resigned from that position and do not wish to relive it. I have long stood by the decisions I have seen as a genuine effort to keep this site true to purpose and form. Having once held the moderator position, I acknowledge that it is not an easy job. Rather, it is a horrible job. Nonetheless, the unpleasantness of the task should not interfere with its appropriate application.

I hope this message is not received as derogatory. It is meant to be suggestive that things may be off track, but could still be righted. I write this with a genuine affection for this site and the community that has evolved around it. I simply do not wish to see it subjected to irresponsible whims.

Sincerely,

Doug Ames
East TX Skier
Regular Old Team Talk Forum Member

[flipper]

Well said eastie.

[H20BOY]

Originally Posted by flipper

Well said eastie.

I agree. This was put very well.

[flipper]

Another thing I will add, most of us come here for the fun. We read around and help others as we can in between the fun. If you take all the fun out, and leave nothing but business here, nobody is going to show up unless they have a problem. Then you are left with a forum with nothing but problems and nobody to answer the questions because everybody with an answer is off having fun.

[scott023]

Well said Doug. I appreciate you taking the time to put what everyone is wondering into such eloquent words.

[06197ttlq9-footer]

Originally Posted by flipper

Another thing I will add, most of us come here for the fun. We read around and help others as we can in between the fun. If you take all the fun out, and leave nothing but business here, nobody is going to show up unless they have a problem. Then you are left with a forum with nothing but problems and nobody to answer the questions because everybody with an answer is off having fun.

Agree, if you can't take a lil' ribbing or get offended when someone laughs at your situation, you are taking life way to seriously. Lighten up, listen, input when you can, and only delete enough to keep it clean enough for kids.

Thanks Doug, for caring enough to speak out.

This is water sports.......not the largest oil spill in the history of the world.

[east tx skier]

Originally Posted by 06197ttlq9-footer

Agree, if you can't take a lil' ribbing or get offended when someone laughs at your situation, you are taking life way to seriously. Lighten up, listen, input when you can, and only delete enough to keep it clean enough for kids.

Thanks Doug, for caring enough to speak out.

This is water sports.......not the largest oil spill in the history of the world.

I'd say I gave it both barrels, but you'd go off on some dual exhaust tangent.

[JohnE]

Very heartfelt and well worded post Doug. It means all the more coming from the one guy who has contributed more to this forum than any other IMO. You were moderating when I joined and I haven't seen anyone contribute nearly as much as you. You've had my respect since day one.

I can't think of a more disrespectful action than deleting a man's thread that was in no way a forum rules violation. (well maybe one or two things come to mind but I don't think I can mention them. ) Even if a reply to the thread ended up violating the rules, the entire thread would not need to go bye bye.

I don't know what happened to the thread...I have to figure that there is a way to bring it back. It must be on the server somewhere, no?

Bet you wish the bullets were still rubber, eh?

[TX.X-30 fan]

Well said ETS, the most upsetting part is I can't disagree with any of what your stated.

[east tx skier]

Originally Posted by TX.X-30 fan

Well said ETS, the most upsetting part is I can't disagree with any of what your stated.

See, Stu isn't nearly as disagreeable as he's been made out to be.