One thing I forgot to mention....
When I mess up, giving the wrong information or need to apologize, I do it in my next response. I need to do it asap, so as I can go on, with a clear conscence. I do it in front of all you 125k plus members. I'll take the heat, only because I know how forgiving you guys are, and we can move forward.
Being a moderator is difficult at times, but is also fun as well.
I appreciate the fact that any moderator can and will step up to the plate and defend you if you are right and will shut you down when you mess up.
It has happened to me, and it's done with such professionalism. I've received e-mails from moderators to keep it simple and private. I've had a thread get deleted, due to the lack of response.
I will report a thread to a moderator that I think is in bad taste or has been done before, or even been placed numerous times in different catagories, to get a response from more people. But the final decision is theirs.
I'm not going to reply again to this thread, because it has been done before. I just want to show my appreciation to all of those who do their best to provide us with some great information and some great entertainment. Talk with you guys later....

 

Spaces. Its a big "don't do" and usually results in a weeks suspension because its an intentional by-pass of filters.

 

I voted "no". This site is well moderated, and my hat goes off to all the "bosses" who have to deal with moving posts, profanity, etc., and keeping this place clean, and usable to everyone.

Good job !!

We still didn't hear why Alan posted "yes" though . . . . . . .

 

Ken, do you mean the asterics ?(sp?)

I thought it was just a fill-in-the-blank kind of thing. I have seen some of the other ones I've and I've questioned them, and couldn't figure out how a swear word could even fit into the context.

 

I think there are more mature people here and not just age wise. The moderators are doing a fine job.

 

OK, since no one who voted yes has replied I guess I will. I can tell you one thing though. The reason they did not reply was because they were afraid that you guys would bash them in. So, don't do that to me.
Moderation is required, of course. However, I think this website goes overboard. I have seen posts moved all over the place because they weren't in the correct area, but yet they were in a forum that was still acceptable. I have seen people be reprimanded for things that just aren't necessary to be reprimanded for. Some things can JUST BE LEFT ALONE. Let things slide sometimes. If you don't, it just makes people think you are showing off (for lack of a better phrase) Too much moderation makes this place like the real world, and IT IS NOT THE REAL WORLD. It's just a bunch of people typing on a computer, and no matter what people say or do here it does not affect the real world, unless you all start an organized cult or something.
As far as the ford vs. the competition forum goes- That was created for debate. Whoever created it should have known what was going to happen based on all the discussions in the GD forum. I think that that forum removed all of the garbage from the GD and tech forums. So, therefore, you guys would not have to read a bunch of garbage to get to what you want. And if you didn't like what was happening there STAY OUT OF IT. You can't make a forum that sparks opinionated responses and then say that the debates and arguements were wrong. Yes, people got angry and fought. So what? they had a place set aside to fight. Wouldn't that be a way of keeping people from fighting in other forums? YES
I am part of a Chevy site for a 69 Chevy (same year as my ford). The websites are identical, yet this one is moderated much much much more. There are the same amount of incidents at both sites (things posted in wrong forum, arguements, opinions, etc.), but we all still get our trucks built and the guys at the chevy site have a lot less complaints and are pleased with the moderation. (As a matter of a fact, there has NEVER been a complaint about the moderation.) Go figure.

 

My statement wasn't meant to push any buttons or ruffle any feathers...I just wanted a solid reason why "that" company isn't allowed to be mentioned on these boards. My appoligies to you Ken.

 

I see your point. But when people put truck tech and XXX in the General conversation forum, it is very irritating. Although I will agree, some things are a bit overboard.
I personally warn people that their message is in the wrong forum. I know that a lot are looking for a quick answer, and they just need to be pointed in the right direction.

 

Like its been said....Its Kens site. If you don't like it, leave. This site in my opinion is one of the best sites on the web.

 

Seifferlein,
I thought I'd take a few minutes and address some of your points. Please bear in mind, this is MY perspective and how I view MY role as a moderator.
You are correct: this is not the real world; this is Ken's world. We, all of us, come here by choice. When we do, we are in a forum that has a set of rules established by Ken (and whoever collaborated with him - if anyboy did) and by posting, we agree to abide by those rules. On occasion, the rules get broken. From what I have seen, in a significant majority of the cases, the infraction is dealt with "professionally". One of my pet peeves (it is so because it has had a significant detrimental affect on me in my personal life) is: "some things can just be left alone" and "Let some things slide". In my opinion, that is a lot of what is wrong with our society these days. People know there are rules, but sometimes don't want to have to abide by them. Please note: I am NOT speaking about you; just speaking in general.
The way I see it, I have a job to do as a moderator. That job is - in summary - follow the rules of FTE, and see that others follow them as well. If I (or we) let some stuff slide, the slope gets real slippery, then individuals will get mad because "you guys let HIS post slide, what's wrong with mine?!?!" So, the best thing to do is be consistent - at least as much as I can.
On the subject of moving threads to different forums...In every case that I can remember, when I have done that, I always post a message in that thread telling the author that I'm moving his post to the correct forum with the hope he will get more responses. Whalerron recently posted a question in the 5.4 / 4.6 forum about which oil to use. I moved it to the Oil and Lube forum with a redirect in the 5.4 forum. He got major response. Sure, his question was about a 5.4, but it was more about oil.
These things are a matter of discretion, and we will all make mistakes at times. But I believe the moderators do a darned good job of keeping a good degree of sensibility in the decision making process.

I'd hate to think ANYBODY would "bash" you for expressing your opinion. I hope you don't view my reply as "bashing". It is NOT intended to be.

I've been visiting FTE for about 3 1/2 years. It is, by far, my favorite site on the WEB. Aside from the participants, and the wealth of knowledge and generally good conversation they bring to the table, the moderation is the next thing on the list of what makes it my favorite site.

Thanks to all, Yes voters and No voters alike!

 

i voted no, the atmosphere here is great. i can just read through all the posts and learn alot. there arent a bunch of posts about that are off topic, flame wars, insulting posts, and other useless crap. FTE has quality people in it, and quality moderators make it a great experience as well. i enjoy this forum much more BECAUSE of its moderation, then, say, a certain guitar forum i used to go to *rolls eyes* damn harmony central.

 

I say keep up the good work !!
If you guys get out of control we will tell you.

Thanks again for a great site..

JMHO
twinbulls

 

I vote "NO". this is a great site and the moderators are what keep everything in check...who wants to read a bunch of junk and arguements. This site is a great place to find the information you need, to get good advice and opinions, and a great place to hang out.

good job moderators!!! keep up the good work!!! Great site Ken!

 

I will probably keep coming to this site long after I sell my F-250, because not only will I still be an enthusiast, I like the forums here and the way they are moderated.
I am a very brash, outspoken, opinionated, obscene person in the "real world", and I feel like that's OK in the circles I operate in. However, it's nice to be able to come and discuss issues without garbage polluting my experience, and that means I can't insult you, call yo' mama names, and spout epithets; that's just how it goes. I don't NEED to do that stuff, even though I probably would if I were allowed to here. But then, nobody would like me...
Moderators: please moderate this post. Also, please check for spelling, grammar and syntax, and add commas where necessary. Thanks!
BDV

 

No, I once frequented a message board that was over moderated, this forum is nothing like that. At that message board you couldn’t post anything without worrying that it would be deleted before you could read the replies. Perfectly reasonable posts would be deleted for no other reason than that member was on the mods hit list (with an “s”), or if the mods simply did not agree with the opinion expressed in the post. On another board I would go to the filter was so strong (and rather faulty) that you couldn’t write the word “canal” because “it contained inappropriate language” It was ridiculous but also kind of humorous: “I have a mule, her name is Sal, fifteen miles on the Erie #####”

I have tried to go back and look at posts here to find that they’ve been deleted and wondered why, but I’ve never seen anything to the extent that I consider over moderation.