PennCentral99 jeffrey-wimberly I've put your question in the reporting area where the admins will see it. Thanks Now that some of you have found the link, have you even read it? The "g-word" is NOT prohibited, which is why Jeffrey posted my question in the "admin area". What they (moderators) are enforcing and what we (forum users) see are 2 different things. So, even if they created a "sticky post", it doesn't do any good if it doesn't contain the CORRECT information.
jeffrey-wimberly I've put your question in the reporting area where the admins will see it.
I've put your question in the reporting area where the admins will see it.
Thanks
Now that some of you have found the link, have you even read it? The "g-word" is NOT prohibited, which is why Jeffrey posted my question in the "admin area". What they (moderators) are enforcing and what we (forum users) see are 2 different things.
So, even if they created a "sticky post", it doesn't do any good if it doesn't contain the CORRECT information.
PC,
FWIW: Prior to the latest upgrade, there were actually two separate "policies" listed. One was the "Forum rules" and the other was "Terms of Use". For whatever reason, these remained separate and the Terms of Use policy was never updated to include the section on graffiti. With the latest upgrade, the forum rules disappeared and the "un-updated" Terms of Use policy remained.
The post that Jeffrey originally posted on pg. 1 IS the current forum policy. Either this needs to have a prominent link...or the Terms of Use policy needs to be updated so that they are identical. If the latter then the forum rules can be eliminated altogether.
In either case, clear accessibility to the rules should be available to all forum members - whether they read them or not.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage PC, FWIW: Prior to the latest upgrade, there were actually two separate "policies" listed. One was the "Forum rules" and the other was "Terms of Use". For whatever reason, these remained separate and the Terms of Use policy was never updated to include the section on graffiti. With the latest upgrade, the forum rules disappeared altogether and the "un-updated" Terms of Use policy remained. The post that Jeffrey originally posted on pg. 1 IS the forum policy. Either this needs to be linked to...or the Terms of Use policy needs to be updated so that they are identical. Tom
FWIW: Prior to the latest upgrade, there were actually two separate "policies" listed. One was the "Forum rules" and the other was "Terms of Use". For whatever reason, these remained separate and the Terms of Use policy was never updated to include the section on graffiti. With the latest upgrade, the forum rules disappeared altogether and the "un-updated" Terms of Use policy remained.
The post that Jeffrey originally posted on pg. 1 IS the forum policy. Either this needs to be linked to...or the Terms of Use policy needs to be updated so that they are identical.
Tom,
Thanks for making that point. I was beginning to grow confused over that discrepancy between the forum policy and the Terms of Use.
Rich
Alton Junction
tstage PC, FWIW: Prior to the latest upgrade, there were actually two separate "policies" listed. One was the "Forum rules" and the other was "Terms of Use". For whatever reason, these remained separate and the Terms of Use policy was never updated to include the section on graffiti. With the latest upgrade, the forum rules disappeared and the "un-updated" Terms of Use policy remained. The post that Jeffrey originally posted on pg. 1 IS the current forum policy. Either this needs to have a prominent link...or the Terms of Use policy needs to be updated so that they are identical. If the latter then the forum rules can be eliminated altogether. In either case, clear accessibility to the rules should be available to all forum members - whether they read them or not. Tom
Thanks for seeing my point of view. There are 2 sets of rules, but only one is accessible by the average forum user. So, how can the OP (of the locked thread) be faulted when the accessible rules don't contain all of the vital information? I don't have an issue with the thread being locked: a rule was violated, but that rule is no longer clearly stated. I replied to the OP's question, so I will take a hit for violating a rule (trust me - it'll never happen again). Several of the posters in this thread are ex-moderators, which have a slight advantage over some of us "average users".
Although I haven't been on this site very long, but I do remember reading those "policies" and the fact that hobos were also forbidden. I thought maybe my browser was reverting to an obsolete page, so I deleted my history and cookies, hoping to "refresh" the site and show me what I wasn't seeing. Didn't change anything. I even did an internet seach on "model railroader forum policies", which took me right to the link at the bottom of the page and doesn't not contain the information/verbage we are looking for. Since the accessible rules in the "terms of use" no longer contain the taboo "g" and "h" words, who's to say that Kalmbach didn't change the policy? New forum members that have "signed up" since the upgrade/switch wouldn't know it was wrong until it was too late.
I agree - one set of rules, one link...
Thanks, Terry
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tstageThe post that Jeffrey originally posted on pg. 1 IS the current forum policy. Either this needs to have a prominent link...or the Terms of Use policy needs to be updated so that they are identical. If the latter then the forum rules can be eliminated altogether.
I'm sorry, and I don't wish to appear ignorant, but I am now totally confused. I remember reading the rules Jeffrey posted. But I cannot find any place where they are now referenced. Am I not looking in the right place, or is the fact that no one can find them the actual current topic of discussion?
And none of the moderators have answered my other question, which was if the magazine publishes an article devoted to the application of decals and/or hand painted graffiti, would discussion of that article be prohibited?
maxman tstageThe post that Jeffrey originally posted on pg. 1 IS the current forum policy. Either this needs to have a prominent link...or the Terms of Use policy needs to be updated so that they are identical. If the latter then the forum rules can be eliminated altogether. I'm sorry, and I don't wish to appear ignorant, but I am now totally confused. I remember reading the rules Jeffrey posted. But I cannot find any place where they are now referenced. Am I not looking in the right place, or is the fact that no one can find them the actual current topic of discussion?
You are correct, maxman. You won't find the current forum policy available anywhere on the forum - that's the problem. As Jeffrey mentioned, It's currently only accessible to him and the other mods and admins at the moment.
You're not being ignorant. There are 2 sets of rules, one is the "forum policy", which is only accessible by moderators and administrators, and the other is "terms of use", which is accessible by forum users. The "terms of use" is not as descriptive, which could get an unsuspecting forum user in trouble. The administrators need to update the "rules" so that everyone knows what's wrong/right.
It's kinda like being pulled over for speeding when speed limit signs aren't posted.
And this is where I feel it needs a permanent sticky reading as follows: "Posting about the four topics of graffiti, hobos, religion, and politics is strictly prohbited because of their divisive effect on ensuing discussion. Please read the rules for use of this forum here (link) before you post to our forum."
Simple. Effective, and where a new or seasoned poster elects to ignore them, the mods can use the prominent placement of that sticky to make the case that the offender ought to have respected the clearly displayed rules for forum usage.
Crandell
I don't see the need for a permanent sticky. Why not just have a clickable link up at the top where it says "if you're new here please read our forum policies"?
I have to agree with some people. I do see why where not aloud to talk about those colorful, highly realistic, decals. However after reading the user forum terms of use 4 times, I still haven't found the g-word. The only time I've seen terms on the g-word, was in jeffery-wimberly post on the moderators terms of use, which in my opinion, is not useful to the user.
That works for me, maxman. And, coincidentally, that's exactly what was used prior to the last upgrade.
We as moderators currently do not have the ability to make posts sticky. I had asked the powers that are about this prior to this brouha on rules - seeking to do just that: make a sticky rule thread. I'm guessing that a change to the web design may involve a cost and that may be why things are the way they are. What we do isn't meant to be or appear personal.
Dan
maxman I don't see the need for a permanent sticky. Why not just have a clickable link up at the top where it says "if you're new here please read our forum policies"?
By the way, I've rei9nstated the 'Weathering and graffiti' thread. Don't make me regret it.
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jeffrey-wimberly By the way, I've rei9nstated the 'Weathering and graffiti' thread. Don't make me regret it.
I am more confused than ever.
So what are we to conclude?
That graffiti can now be discussed?
jeffrey-wimberlymaxmanI don't see the need for a permanent sticky. Why not just have a clickable link up at the top where it says "if you're new here please read our forum policies"?I have to agree with you there. It says that at the top but there's no link. 'Forum policies' could be made clickable. By the way, I've rei9nstated the 'Weathering and graffiti' thread. Don't make me regret it.
maxmanI don't see the need for a permanent sticky. Why not just have a clickable link up at the top where it says "if you're new here please read our forum policies"?
I can guarantee I won't make you regret it, and I can only hope others won't either. The hobby has it's share of grumpy old men who are "past caring" so lets hope for the best!
Intrestingly comment about stickies. The company forums I was moderator of, I had the ability to sticky, move topics from area to area, and edit or delete posts. Since my wife took over my spot on those forums, they changed software and can not do mod-previews, bans and a few other tricks.
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riogrande5761Intrestingly comment about stickies. The company forums I was moderator of, I had the ability to sticky, move topics from area to area, and edit or delete posts. Since my wife took over my spot on those forums, they changed software and can not do mod-previews, bans and a few other tricks.
richhotrain I am more confused than ever. So what are we to conclude? That graffiti can now be discussed?
jeffrey-wimberly From what I gather mods used to be able to sticky threads here. When they changed the software this last time that went bye-bye.
From what I gather mods used to be able to sticky threads here. When they changed the software this last time that went bye-bye.
You are correct, Jeffrey. Mods used to be able to create stickies. Certain capabilities were lost with the newest upgrade.
Jeff....although that wasn't the intent, thanks for unlocking the thread (i guess). You won't regret it. If it does get out of hand, I'll support whatever you decide.
Anyway, instead of a sticky (no guarantee it'll get read), how about forcing the forum users to read and agree to the changes/terms of the forums. The administrators could set it up where upon the next sign-in, check off a box that states "I agree to the changes and terms of use". itunes and many other software/internet sites do this frequently when implimenting changes. This way, there's no excuse and zero tolerance. This check box would also be used whenever a new user signs up.
PennCentral99 Anyway, instead of a sticky (no guarantee it'll get read), how about forcing the forum users to read and agree to the changes/terms of the forums. The administrators could set it up where upon the next sign-in, check off a box that states "I agree to the changes and terms of use". itunes and many other software/internet sites do this frequently when implimenting changes. This way, there's no excuse and zero tolerance. This check box would also be used whenever a new user signs up.
This is really getting silly.
How about we just don't start threads on prohibited topics?
Karl
NCE über alles!
richhotrain This is really getting silly. How about we just don't start threads on prohibited topics?
Which, I believe, brings us full circle, to the point that several posters have made...that only a select few seem to know what these topics are and/or where to find them listed.
maxman richhotrain This is really getting silly. How about we just don't start threads on prohibited topics? Which, I believe, brings us full circle, to the point that several posters have made...that only a select few seem to know what these topics are and/or where to find them listed.
The way this forum is layed out, a sticky thread, or threads, takes up valuable space on that front page. The forum rules and terms of use link, should be right near where "Need help with the forums?" box is.
Now I see on the sub catagories:
"Advice, tips, questions and general information on the hobby of model railroading. If you're new here, please read our forum policies."
Thats good, however, there is no clickable link there.
I have it on good authority that the I.T. dept is trying to get the public link at the top of the forum restored.
Just putting my in here, take it as you will. I think this whole "politically correct" stuff , in general, has gotten way out of hand. Censorship is starting to become less and less strict, but everyone is still afraid to say whay they want to say for fear of being ... "deleted". It's a pain in the....A-word, to be honest.
As far as the rules go, if you want them to be placed in a spot that can be seen, why not have them posted in the register page? You not only HAVE to see it, in order for your registration to be eccepted, you must agree to it. Of course, it still leaves room for assumption. The moderators assume the member hasn't just scrolled down in order to click "accept". There's also a measure of maturity that goes with it, not what's called "common sence", because we all know there's nothing common about it. Along with maturity comes respect. But respect, like censorship, is also on the down swing.
I don't know. This is only my opinion. Felt I had to say it.
jeffrey-wimberly I have it on good authority that the I.T. dept is trying to get the public link at the top of the forum restored.
Thanks for the update, Jeffrey...
MavrykYou not only HAVE to see it, in order for your registration to be eccepted, you must agree to it. Of course, it still leaves room for assumption. The moderators assume the member hasn't just scrolled down in order to click "accept".
There is now a sticky at the top of the forum with the forum policies so all can see.
jeffrey-wimberly There is now a sticky at the top of the forum with the forum policies so all can see.
Great, 12 more and we can just start on page 2!