15 replies to this topic

[tecno40]

I think mods should PM member whenever they delete their post or topic explaining why it was deleted. It can be very confusing if your topic disappears into thin air, and no one tells you they deleted it.

[Snail_Man]

While I think this is a good idea, it might be a lot of work for the moderators to PM somebody every time they deleted a post or closed a topic.
Still, if I ever got a post deleted, it might be nice to know why.

[Mnementh]

You're right, it is a good idea. We'll almost always find some way of explaining what's happened, so that its clear why the offending topic/post was removed. That being said, sometimes, especially if it seems obvious, a message might not be sent, so feel free to ask any staff member (via PM, preferably) why your topic or post was removed.

I took a quick look, and I don't see any topic of your that have been deleted, although I certainly could have missed something. Frequently, people think that their topics have been deleted, when in fact they've just been moved. Could that be the case here?

[flexaplex]

It's a shame the forum software doesn't automatically send a notification when a user's post or topic has been moved/deleted.

[Dangerous_Dave]

If you post isn't in Off Topic, then it's quite unlikely to be deleted. Sometimes closed topics in community get deleted to clean up, but that's about it.

Moved topics can still be found in your "Find My Content" link, which can be found from your profile page, under your avatar/photo. This is a fantastic tool that I use many times daily, it lists every topic you have posted in, in order of the most recently posted in by yourself or others (by default). That way you can use the link to check for any new posts in topics you've posted in.

[paul23]

Most of the times simply reading the rules can be enough to understand deletion/moving: double posts, illegal (offending) posts etc. When I notice someone is new I often leave a link when moving a topic so he can understand where I moved it.


But honestly: if you're not reading the rules, how can I expect you to read a pm. - And why would I spent time to write a pm when you don't spent time to read the forums.

[Mike.Dailly]

Yeah, interesting idea.... but too much work for the mods. They spend a huge amount of time simply moderating stuff, and adding this would be a burden. Also, if there are several folk responding, then what about the rest of them as well.

If it could be made automatic, perhaps, but as it stands. nope.

[chance]

...too much work for the mods. They spend a huge amount of time simply moderating stuff, and adding this would be a burden.

Nonsense. First of all, not many topics are deleted (other than spam).

Secondly, a PM saying Your topic was deleted. Read the rules. only takes a few seconds.

Thirdly, it's actually in the Moderator's best interest to send a PM. Otherwise...

1. the member will PM a random moderator asking about his topic.
2. he'll post a topic asking "where is my topic? "
3. he'll just re-post the same topic.

So to save a few seconds, the moderator ultimately causes himself (and other moderators) MORE work.

[tecno40]

But honestly: if you're not reading the rules, how can I expect you to read a pm. - And why would I spent time to write a pm when you don't spent time to read the forums.

The problem isn't users not reading the rules. It's not know what happened when your topic is deleted. Like chance said if the user doesn't know what happened to their topic they may assume it was a bug and just repost the exact same thing.

And it's not that much work to send them a PM. It would only be 5 more mouse clicks, which can easily be done in under 30 seconds. Also a user is going to PM a mod (or repost the same thing) whether or not they get a PM, so I don’t think it would increase reply PM mail.

[Mike.Dailly]

It's not just the effort to send a PM, its that they already do lots, so doing that ON TOP of what they do now, is more than I'm willing to ask them to do.

It all adds up.

[NakedPaulToast]

Assuming topics are rarely deleted, the few occasions they are deleted it will be because the rule has been flagrantly disregarded. Well beyond common sense.

Secondly, a PM saying Your topic was deleted. Read the rules. only takes a few seconds.

And then what happens next?

The member wants to know what rule has been broken, and then he wants to argue.

The moderators have enough common sense to correspond with members when deletion of a topic fits into a grey area, but they shouldn't be obligated to, especially when common sense should have been used by the OP.

[Mike.Dailly]

yeah... pretty much. I've had this before. It's hardly ever just a case of a PM and "oh, sorry - thanks". the conversation is ongoing, and burns time.

People want to know why, and discuss it - just a fact of life.

[ugriffin]

Usually, the way I moderate is to close topics which have no point in being opened, and delete topics which have a flagrant disregard for the rules (e.g. porn, spam, bots, pointless topic).

I believe this is the way most moderators deal with things too. If you find your topic is missing and it doesn't contain any of the above, then, it's probably simply been moved: look for it via your 'Find my content' profile feature.

[roytheshort]

If the person is a spamming rulebreaker anyway a PM isn't going to make any change.
If the person is as sane as the next person then they probably don't need a PM as they should know the rules.

[chance]

The moderators have enough common sense to correspond with members when deletion of a topic fits into a grey area, but they shouldn't be obligated to...

I agree. I think most moderators understand when a PM is useful, and when a PM is pointless.

I was just responding to the notion that moderators "don't have time and can't be bothered" to explain their actions. Because frankly, that's just not true. The good moderators here take the time to explain their decisions. At least that's been my experience with deleted posts.

[Mike.Dailly]

Okay, simply put.... if they want to do it off their own back, then I obviously have no problem with that.

But..... it's not going to become a rule.

As has been stated, these can flare up into ongoing discussions/rants (which is what I have issue with), and most messages that are outright delete are rubbish anyway, so there shouldn't be too many folk "offended" by this.