Deleted thread question general question

[SilverFox]

[SIZE=3]Bombs Selfish or not was deleted it seems.

Now I am not questioning the merits of deleting a specific thread or not as I am sure there is a basis for whomever did it to have done it. The last time I looked at it the thread was closed by Darrel at the request of the OP which was fine by me again not questioning this particular thread rather than to get an understanding of when and why a thread is deleted.

So I have in the past seen some very heated threads in CS that have eventually been closed by the mods and in my opinion more often than not they have been more tolerant than need be or than perhaps I would have been. What I have not seen however is a deleted thread ( I know a bit of an oxymoron) I guess I would not have seen it given that I hadn't posted in it. I digress.

What I am getting at is what is the basis for deleting a thread, I had two posts in that thread one that I don't believe was any issue it was in fact a reply directly to the OP's initial query. The other was in fact a bit of a tirade (however it was not abusive nor derogatory) to one of the posters in the thread.

So to be clear, maybe we can clarify

1. What is the general basis that would constitute deletion of a thread vs just closing it?

2. Is the person or persons that make the comment or comments in the thread advised in some way (PM would seem the best) that there posts constitute some type of violation and therefore the thread is to be deleted? My basis for asking this is to insure that if there was a violation of some type by myself that I can address it.

To be clear I am not looking to stir things up, I have not in my knowledge been involved in a deleted thread here on CS and would like to insure that

A) I have not inadvertently broken some policy either past or new. and

B) Insure that if a thread is looking as though it is moving towards deletion that I don't waste my time making what I deem to be thoughtful and relevant posts that are doomed to vanish into the ether of cyberspace.

Thank you[/SIZE]

[kayaker]

Hey Shawn,

The last I saw it was suggested that it be moved to the Complaints forum, but I can't even find that.

[tzaddi]

Thread deletion can be a valuable tool when used with great care and can have a clear benefit to the community as a whole but IMHO censorship & suppression of thought can be a dark path.

[SilverFox]

Originally Posted by kayaker

Hey Shawn,

The last I saw it was suggested that it be moved to the Complaints forum, but I can't even find that.

[SIZE=3]
Yup I had seen that and also too re clarify it isn't so much as what or where that particular thread went as the policy and process around deletion I am curious about.[/SIZE]

[madurolover]

Shawn, if I recall correctly, it was moved to the complaints forum. The entire complaints forum has been removed. We probably did not go about this in the correct fashion but you must remember that we are new to this moderating thing. I would like to assure you that you did nothing wrong. You are a valuable assett to this community. Please just have a little patience with the new mod crew as we learn and grow along with every one else here.

[replicant_argent]

Valid points sir, and I look forward to knowing the answers to your questions. I probably missed it when I last read the stickies, and it is probably a useful thing for me to know, as I have some of the same issues as yourself.

[Andyman]

Deleting entire threads is at the bottom of the list of actions to take in a thread. The thread you started got lost in the shuffle and was not intended to be deleted. On behalf of the mod team I apologize.

Reasons for a thread to be deleted? Most obvious reason would be blatant spam. Any political or religious thread will be deleted. (there is a sticky on this) Sometimes a post in a thread will be deleted if there is offensive comments made or a blatant breach in CS forum Rules. (see stickies)

Reasons for closing a thread? If a thread has run it's course. If the horse is already dead and is still being beaten.

Keep in mind in a lot of cases it is a judgment call. We are four separate individuals and may have different ideas where the line should be drawn. I can tell you we are going to consult at least one other moderator before taking action so we can start working together as one.

I think it is a good idea that we inform the person who started the thread as to why action is being taken.

[ssutton219]

I personally don't mind a thread being deleted. It ran its course and the forum it was in was deleted. I for one am glad we have 4 guys who are dedicating thier time for the betterment of this community.



I do not believe that any of the discussions in that forum were in need of deletion but the Mods and Admin make those decisions.




Shawn

[icehog3]

I think this thread should be deleted.

[Blaylock]

I want to thank Andy for explaining our positions on deletions and closing threads, so well; and I also want to reiterate that we (Mods) are... learning "on the fly" here.

We just met our "team" less than 48 hrs ago. We're communicating our concerns with each other and trying to make decisions that will benefit the entire community. The only thing we aren't doing is getting enough sleep!

Please be patient with us, and help us to keep this "community" a great place to come to and enjoy.

[ggainey]

Originally Posted by icehog3

I think this thread should be deleted.

That's funny.

[NCRadioMan]

FWIW, I have seen many threads deleted in my years here. Most for very good reasons that I agreed with.

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by icehog3

I think this thread should be deleted.

and Fox banned?

[Da Klugs]

New ownership, new mods everyone needs to cut these folks wide slack. That being said, if a call is made to delete vs close, it might be a good idea not to delete things but move them to non-public viewable areas. The option to restore them based upon additional input then exists. This was the typical method used in the past. Which does not necessarily make it wrong.

[Old Sailor]

And here I thought I was going nuts again, couldn't find the post!!