Hello Admin,
I have a query coupled with a suggestion.
I've noticed in the past year or so that the stream of posts have become more like a trickle and a lot of past forum ' old hats ' have pulled a way, pretty much my self included.
Then, by digging a little, I've also noticed that gamcare funding has gone in the opposite direction, ie a trickle to a stream.
It makes me wonder why ? Does it you ?
Then my mind takes a turn, as I dont really believe in coincidences, could it possibly be because of the more so heavy duty moderation and the increase in forum staff, who feel obliged to remove every day language out of posts.
I, my self would be classed as a fairly, calm, quiet inoffensive chap, whom posts pretty much like I talk in every day life, so to see a supportive post moderated, some what number ones me off.
Has a Chairman Mao, Pol Pot regime taking over or do you think its maybe time to let struggling addicts Express them selves and be able to display free inoffensive speech?
Mmmmm, possibly time again for a break.
I don't know about the above.
But I have stopped posting on here because I noticed I am not allowed to go back and edit any of my previous posts.
When I asked why not, I was told it was because 'too many people are doing it.'
Editing is now only allowed within a short time-frame (ie hours.) After that it is there forever unless you contact admin and ask them to do it.
I believe in free speech and I think that should include the poster's right to amend and edit what they have said.
I tend to agree with you V. (Btw - good to see you around, hope recovery is going well for you).
My issue is with posting music links. I don't recall ever having problem with it...and to be honest always finding it inspiring and aiding my recovery. Now it appears it falls out of forum rules and are not directly relating to forum content...
I asked the question about inspirational music thread and got an answer that its still allowed only if mods have time to review the links first....?
So overall, a lot more restrictions are put in place..for no reason really.
I guess i am "troubled" poster here so can agree with moderation to extent.
Best wishes to all, blessings
S&B xx
I don't know about the above.
But I have stopped posting on here because I noticed I am not allowed to go back and edit any of my previous posts.
When I asked why not, I was told it was because 'too many people are doing it.'
Editing is now only allowed within a short time-frame (ie hours.) After that it is there forever unless you contact admin and ask them to do it.
I believe in free speech and I think that should include the poster's right to amend and edit what they have said.
Good point
My edit time frame was approx 10 min
So possibly also tying in with the new regime ?
Dear Paul.S,
Thank you for raising this query. The purpose of the forum is for it to be an accessible, safe place where people can connect with others in similar situations 24/7. The diversity of the forum makes it a wonderful space to share personal experiences. Thank you for your observations and comments regarding how you feel the forum has changed in terms of moderation. Our role as moderators involves replying to some posts to give our own supportive comments, providing information on relevant topics being discussed, and identifying people at imminent risk of harm etc., and please rest assured that this has not changed. We want our involvement to be as minimal as possible. However, we do our best to ensure the forum is operating in accordance with our forum rules so that it minimizes the risk of harm. We do not want to compromise anyone, as self expression is fundamental to the forum. However, we will edit some content if it is deemed offensive, or if it could trigger gambling etc. 'Everyday language' if appropriate, will not be edited.
We will notify a forum user (via email) if we have had to edit their post and we always give an explanation. Also, sometimes, the forum's technical operating system may unintentionally edit out harmless language (a word here and there) and we can adjust this when this is brought to our attention. We do not have an issue with 'free inoffensive speech'. Each forum admin has their own personal style (just like forum users), but we do our best to ensure we are not over moderating/editing posts. Increased funding only enhances our ability to engage with our Forum users - providing more moderators means we can better support users who are particularly vulnerable.
We appreciate that you have raised this and we hope that you will continue to post and be involved.
Best Wishes
Fiona
Forum Admin
www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/group-chatroom/chatroom-and-forum-etiquette
Hello Fiona,
' flying with the eagles, sh...it..ting with the pigeons '
Is hardly offensive language and likely to send some one over the deep end ?
Its only an observation Fiona, but I see more moderation than in the past or seeing people put on moderation and in all honesty I dont get it and is somewhat losing any fluidity with posts as any unnecessay moderation is losing the point of what the poster is trying to get across in there effort of supporting a fellow addict.
It would be interesting to see the statistics of how many posts are generated daily, say 2 years ago too what they are now ?
ps - Hello Sandra
Pps - the edit time lapsed was less than 5 minutes then ?
Hello @paul-s, thank you for your comments. To your mention of comparing data on our Forum, our previous system is no longer accessible. Regardless, the role of our moderators still remains the same - to provide additional support to Forum users, and to safeguard users who may be particularly vulnerable. The way our team moderate posts is in accordance with our forum and chatroom etiquette, and these guidelines are informed by our collective experience of working with people affected by gambling problems, plus direct feedback from users about what they find helpful in managing their recovery. Our moderators will reflect on your comments here to see if there is anything we can do to improve our user experience better going forward. Kind regards, Catherine
Hi Catherine,
I'm not being flippant here and I'll leave it here, but it's like politician responses !
All thr best
Thanks for your feedback Paul, and Redeemed and SB28,
I will bring it to the Forum Team leader's attention again that the website's automatic censor is sometimes editing innocuous words. It is a public forum accessed by people of various ages and sensibilities, so the automatic censor is there to reduce the use of words that some people find offensive. We appreciate your feedback, that you may find it off-putting if one of your posts is moderated, at the same time other readers of the forum may find various words offensive and off-putting, so there is a balance to be struck.
The reason that an edit time frame was put in place, was to reduce the scope of members to misuse the community space. There were instances of members posting content that broke community guidelines and then editing that content to avoid detection by forum admins. There were also many more instances of members repeatedly deleting all of their content without regard to the impact of that on other forum members.
Thanks again for your feedback which will be used to help the forum team leader and the forum admins to reflect on the way the forum is moderated. The moderation is intended to protect the forum so that it can facilitate peer support for recovery from problem gambling and the impacts of problem gambling, and we aim to be constructive and consistent in the way the moderation is applied.
Take care,
Forum admin.
It does all end up being seen to do the right thing, rather than doing the right thing...
I had the word CUT removed from one of my posts in case it caused distress to someone!!!
PC or what??
They did it again!!! The word is c u t DOH!!!
Wasnt sure whether to go in the debates section or this section, so here i am.
I completely understand and agree, that posts when mentioning monetary gambling story's or of similar are rightly modified / edited / deleted.
Yet, maybe on my own here, and also keeping in mind that this site is made up of people with a compulsive disorder of sorts, it seems ok to post on type of meds that are being used in dealing with what ever mental health that someone is unfortunately suffering from ?
Not sure whether ive articulated my self here and also completely unqualified, but the natural chemical balance within my mind is harder enough for this grey matter to get my head around, never mind the synthetic cr.....ap which gets dished out scares me
I like the fact that editing is time-framed. I think it aids to the quality of the content. You have time to read, review and think about what you posted and edit out any typo's or really think about what you said if you are angry mad.
Think about it, if you could edit without limit, you can change the context of what you said without the other person who replies knowing what you did and that in turn changes the context of their reply and might make them look unreasonable in their reply.
Like you have a major full on barney and you edit all of your stuff to make them appear loony tunes.
Nope, the fact we can edit is good. Within a reasonable timescale so that you can be sure what you posted is what you really meant to say.
I'm all for it me.
Drama. x
Agreed DL,
But wasnt actually the point i was trying to articulate.
And in truth now, as not being a regular contributor to this forum, its probably not my place to say.
So, albeit myself owning this particular issue and also something that I've steered away from in the past as they are my very unqualified views, is that meds shouldnt be broadcasted on this forum.
My humble views is that meds are part of the big trap and dished out to easily.
My bad
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