Asking For Opinions on Negative Discussion

[Gtrain]

If we cannot discuss a poor drive, this cannot be a racing forum. There obviously has to be limits and I believe there is no need for profanities on here at all. Threats are also a no no. But to discuss merits of a drive/race, when approached in a proper manner surely can be included in general discussion. I would never say anything on here that I wouldnt say to my mates or around the pub etc and I generally enjoy hearing the range of opinions offered here. The short bans idea sounds good.

[admin]

I'm a moderator of another very large racing forum.

We have a rule that if it won't pass a Disney movie then don't say it. People can vent but they have to be diplomatic. I don't expect it to be that strict on here.

We also issue forum bans for 2 weeks etc depending on infraction - so temporary bans. I'll leave this decision up to you guys. I don't feel negative stuff should be banned (but I must admit that negative stuff on here lately has got me down) and admin you're not covering HarnessLink's butt re defamation with a private forum.

That only leaves closing the forum or more moderators.

Perhaps another option is having to post with your real name, not non de plume. It's amazing how much things clear up when people use their real name. The keyboard ninjas disappear...

I like the Disney rule, if only because it's so simple, everyone knows instantly what's not allowed. In my opinion so far swearing is less of an issue then the personal and legal stuff though, so for the moment I think we can keep the informal rule of you can say some something tastes like shit, but can't call someone a shithead. Swearing is also a lot easier to moderate.

I'll talk to the tech guy tomorrow and see what we can do with requiring real names. What do people think about that?

If we cannot discuss a poor drive, this cannot be a racing forum. There obviously has to be limits and I believe there is no need for profanities on here at all. Threats are also a no no. But to discuss merits of a drive/race, when approached in a proper manner surely can be included in general discussion. I would never say anything on here that I wouldnt say to my mates or around the pub etc and I generally enjoy hearing the range of opinions offered here. The short bans idea sounds good.

Exactly right, re racing forum. Won't do that.

[Flashing Red]

I'm not opposed to using real names, however I think there will be a severe drop in posting because of it - look how little comments are now made to articles.

Personally I would sticky a thread of forum rules on each different sub forum... repeated offenders get a 2 week ban or something like that.

If that doesn't clear the forum up in the next 2 weeks, maybe then implement real names. It's up to you guys, just tossing things around.

[Juliette]

I agree creating a private members area on the forum will not negate liability for harnesslink. Constant editing of posts should exist to keep comments fair and without profanity, ensuring people don't "cross the line"
I believe more than one moderator could be beneficial as there have been plenty of posts that are not edited but can be interpreted as derogatory and slanderous, especially in more recent times relating specifically to the negative side if racing. More than one opinion may be helpful in this instance.

I wholeheartedly agree with using real names as opposed to aliases. Using your own name makes you more accountable. Personally I think this is the first option to consider to "clean up" the site. It worked with the home page, changed it to a facebook login and now it's a "Disney" movie- great analogy flashing red!

[admin]

I'm not opposed to using real names, however I think there will be a severe drop in posting because of it - look how little comments are now made to articles.

Personally I would sticky a thread of forum rules on each different sub forum... repeated offenders get a 2 week ban or something like that.

If that doesn't clear the forum up in the next 2 weeks, maybe then implement real names. It's up to you guys, just tossing things around.

I agree there will likely be a drop off, but actually it's two different things. On Harnesslink in the past people could comment on articles without signing in at all. To compare the two you would need to disable registration in the forum entirely which would definitely increase discussion a lot but it would be a lot more negative. In effect we would just be adding another hoop to jump through to post, but since there is already a hoop there (requiring registration in the first place) the second hoop isn't actually that difficult.

I agree creating a private members area on the forum will not negate liability for harnesslink. Constant editing of posts should exist to keep comments fair and without profanity, ensuring people don't "cross the line"
I believe more than one moderator could be beneficial as there have been plenty of posts that are not edited but can be interpreted as derogatory and slanderous, especially in more recent times relating specifically to the negative side if racing. More than one opinion may be helpful in this instance.

I wholeheartedly agree with using real names as opposed to aliases. Using your own name makes you more accountable. Personally I think this is the first option to consider to "clean up" the site. It worked with the home page, changed it to a facebook login and now it's a "Disney" movie- great analogy flashing red!

Thanks for your thoughts Juliette. While adding more moderation will help, it doesn't solve the underlying issue in that people themselves should be accountable for what they post. Requiring real names actually fixes it, (I hope anyway). It's a little like a country incarcerating more and more people and employing more police whereas if they actually worked on the actual problems, drug reform, poverty etc they would be a lot better off. I'd take an intelligent mid sized forum over a large thoughtless forum any day, both as a moderator and a reader.

[admin]

I've added a poll to this thread, please vote

[justdoit]

I think you should try with peoples real names and see how it goes, if it does not work then look at other options.

[gutwagon]

I have no problem with real names. I never say anything in forums that I would not say to peoples faces.
If we can't discuss the negatives of our sport how can we expect to fix them. I know I only come to this site for the forums, you get all the news here first. Without the forums I think the site would die.

[triplev123]

I have no problem with real names. I never say anything in forums that I would not say to peoples faces.
If we can't discuss the negatives of our sport how can we expect to fix them. I know I only come to this site for the forums, you get all the news here first. Without the forums I think the site would die.

Hey Ricky...as an aside, can you tell me where you came up with the moniker of 'gutwagon'? I think it's a beauty.

[triplev123]

Have no problems either. Just about everyone knows who I am anyway. Christ, we offer the yearlings under VVV Standardbreds...it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to work it out.
By the way, there is not a whole lot that has been said on here as far as contentious subjects are concerned that has (1) Proven to be wide of the mark or (2) was mindlessly abusive.
Forums like this serve an excellent purpose as far as dispensing/dispersing information ahead of the wave so to speak...PV's play for control of the NSW Stewards for example. The fact that a mate of mine is a NSW MP and he fills me on such things because he knows I am involved in Harness Racing is no subvertive act as far as the best interests of Harness Racing in this State are concerned, though no doubt Peter feels differently. That's what he gets for the Silvio Berlusconi impersonation.