Modding Notice - Crossroads

Nines and I think that we have reached a crossroads on this forum. The levels of personal abuse, trolling, baiting and wumming are increasing and, until now, we’ve fought our natural instinct to get involved at every outbreak. We have been discussing this for a while and agree that it is time to test the water and find out how the majority of you want the forum to proceed.

There are two ways of looking at this. This is a football forum and so will there will inevitably be robust opinion, terrace style banter and politically incorrect exchanges, or we want a positive talk shop where people can discuss topics in a mature and measured manner, without attracting unwarranted abuse and incessant baiting for expressing their views.

However beyond that we seem to have some posters who are more concerned with commenting on other posters rather than the football that brings us all here in the first place, and others who resort to profanity with minimal provocation. In the last few months we have been accused of being too lenient, too strict, too laid back and too controlling so we are coming to you all for guidance. Either the majority of you want the forum to continue in this vein, or you want Nines and I to stamp it out.

I guess it is really a case of how strictly people want Brixton’s rules applied. There will, of course, be a wide divergence of views on this so we think it is important for everyone who is interested to discuss this before putting up a poll to ascertain the way forwards. Brixton’s rules effectively give us carte blanche to act in any manner we see fit, but to ensure that we are not out of step with the majority view we would rather get a general agreement as to where the line is drawn and then maybe Nines and I can get back to enjoying being on the forum.

We welcome your thoughts.

 

It's a real shame that you guys feel the need to post this. IMO, the rules are the rules. I don't see it as a draconian measure to have to implement them when necessary.
Being a Mod is a thankless job and any mature adult will realise that you can't please all of the people all of the time.
You have my vote to implement them as you see fit.

 

It tends to be the 'usual suspects' so I'd be inclined to leave it to the Mod's discretion. I've every faith in Roller and Nines's judgement on these issues and those who push the boundaries should take this warning as a 'shot across the bows'...

 

This. Abuse I can get anywhere, but decent conversation with fellow QPR fans is a rarer commodity...

 

Yes the level has been rising, that is obvious. Some of it has turned quite personal. Whatever some people post, there are others that will attack them regardless of what they said....it becomes tedious. Is Flyer always wrong?However the wumming from outside seems to be selflimiting...we ignore them, they go away or stay here and are quite fun. I like the banter...after all, I am a bit to old to be bothered by verbal bullying....

A question to you who participate in the heavy duty bickering...how do you feel afterwards...upset, unconcerned, disturbed, amused....does it effect you?.
Our mods are brilliant, they do a great job...with a very soft touch. I would like this forum to look after itself without Roller and 999s holding our hands. Is it too much to ask that we self mod except in the most extreme cases.

 

I agree with Beths comment. Self mod and if it gets out of hand ask for help. One of the things that attracted me to not606 was that there was so much less abuse than some other forums. Lets keep it that way.

 

May be an extreme way out, but if you and Nines are not enjoying being on the forum, let alone modding it, just ban the people who are ruining it for you (which I think is well within Brix's legacy). For all I know I am one of the offenders, but I trust your judgement and suspect you will simply give up if this becomes too much of a pain in the arse, and I for one wouldn't blame you.

 

Firstly am I right in thinking its no more than a handful of posters/usual suspects?
I don't envy you guys, I don't have the patients to do the job so thanks.
Not everyone is going to agree with every decision you make(me included) but such is life I'm afraid.
I'm happy for you guys to continue to mod as you see fit.

 

I have to agree that the majority of threads these days tend to meander way off subject about half way through and become a slanging match. These "spats" are becoming more and more frequent and personal, and I have to say I don't enjoy them.
As to what can be done to curb this trend is difficult. What may offend one, may not offend another, so moderation becomes almost impossible. The notion that we moderate ourselves is excellent in principle, but clearly is not happening.
In my humble opinion lengthy bans of 12 months or so are the answer, during which time the offenders will either have gone to another forum or given up altogether. Punishment though, must not be meted out just because of a disagreement.
I'm all for diverse views and opinions, but not when they get personal for whatever reason.

 

Totally this, our mods do a good job, we have two or three that need to be kept in line from time to time that's all, firstly those people should mod themselves, when that fails cut the culprits off for a week month or forever depending on the crime, it is always a shame when the fun of many is spoilt by a few

 

If we can get rid of the personal abuse I'd be happy. I'm all for disagreement on opinions, but when it degenerates into abuse on a personal level, then it needs to be stamped out.

If the mods feel that the comments are personally attacking a poster, then they should act, otherwise the comments on here are usually sound thoughts of fellow R's.

Thanks mods for the great work you both do.

 

I agree.

Also, I think that it is wise not to get too upset when someone has a personal dig. I like the fact that a genuine football based opinion - based on my own observation - can get some really pithy replies.

I also know well that a few posters on here may totally disagree and choose to express this by undermining the poster making comment rather than the efficacy of the comment itself.

But isn't that a reflection of what is said at the pub or in the ground? For me it adds to the richness, though I accept that just like at the pub, if it goes too far, it's time for the landlord to ask the drinker to find a new boozer for a few weeks.

 

Roller & Nines do a job that most on here wouldn't touch with a barge pole, some people just can't self moderate and these are the ones that need sorting out, banter is fine but there's no place for personal abuse,im all for allowing Roller & Nines to run this forum in the way Brixton meant it to be.

 

I've not been unduly concerned by some of the spats that break out on here but they do sometimes spoil the thread. I wish the perpetrators would pause for breath sometimes and let it go rather than spoil it for other users and, importantly, for the mods. I'm quite happy for the mods to take WHATEVER action they deem necessary. (Give the perpetrators a yellow card and if they offend again within a month, give them a ban for a month.) Mods, thanks for your efforts: you make this board what it is.

 

Agree 100% with the sentiments above. We're really lucky to have Roller and Nines in charge. We do not want to lose them due to them having too much hassel from a small number of problem posters. We all have a duty to ensure banter stays light hearted and does not become malicious. Where we see two posters going for each other, step in and try and cool it. Take responsibility. The mods can't be on call 24/7.

And as to sanctions against troublemakers, the mods will have all relevant information before them ( unlike us posters who usually have only part of the story) and should have absolute discretion. They have my full support.

 

I notice some of the culprits haven't responded yet. Let's be having ya.

It can get tiresome but I largely ignore it. The shame is how it spoils some threads.

 

I guess it's how the individuals concerned see it.
For example, i find some of Swords baiting of people as obvious wind ups and tongue in cheek.....The victims might see it otherwise (Sorry to use you as an example Swords).
I'd like to hope i can have a reasonable and constructive discussion of sometimes far differing views with everyone on here, without it becoming abusive and obnoxious (The Anelka thread being a recent example). I'd hate for that to vanish from the board.

Personally, knowing Roller and Nines to be the fellas they are......I'm willing to let them rule as they see fit, they aint done anything wrong so far. If some on here don't like their rules....F*** 'Em !!!

 

Top marks for facing this Roller and Nines...I appreciate it. I know I am not a massively regular poster, but one of the reasons I don't contribute more is the bickering. I don't care if anyone abuses me, but when decent topical threads are started, and then soon turn into slagging matches between two people (who have probably never met, and never will) I find it boring, and don't therefore don't contribute to the thread.

Could we maybe start a thread along the lines of 'Venting space', where those who want to go and hurl abuse at each other, and make bold rash statements, to their hearts delight, and leave the rest of the threads for football matters.

 

Completely as you see fit as great Mods. But don't use a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The usual suspects need to be dealt with for the benefit of all.

 

just ban everyone and put your feet up