Open question to the "Webmaster"

[sa meredith]

I have a question of the Webmaster, and as I want it out in the open, I choose not to send a private message. I will be brief, and hopefully to the point:
I read a review of Zachery's Pizza today, and, although it is not my nature, called out the poster as being disingenuious. The post just flew in the face of all other reviews, and, indeed, it was post number 1. Also, it makes carefully thought out statements, indirectly disputing earlier posts...saying things like it was very busy, but we got our food in a timely manner...when all other posts stated times of order was a huge issue with this place.
Anyway, I soon found my post deleted!!!!!
And, I checked back to the posts on Waldo Peppers thread, where, amazingly, I found all of the posts still there where people called out a negative review...calling the guy a liar, and saying they had no respect for him. (my post was much milder, to be sure). None were deleted.
So my question, Mr. Webmaster....Must a member be on the inside, in "the clique" to call out a member???!!!! All of your regulars seem to get free reign. What's the story?

[wifi]

It appears that the thread you referenced was merged with the original Zacheys thread. I, for one, can certainly understand the needless point of multiple threads on the exact same topic. If I remember your comment correctly, you pointed this out as well. You also called attention to it being post #1, which it isn't now....

I don't think there was any intentional slight of anyone. I've noticed other threads merged or split recently, where the topics are hijacked or duplicated. This makes reading a lot easier for all of us to follow.

Just my $0.02

[fatlazyless]

Never eaten at Zachery's Pizza in Meredith. I'm a McDonald's dollar menu specialist.

I do like pizza. Any chance Zachery's could stick a hand lettered sign in their window that says SLICES-ALL DAY-$1.25.


Just a friendly request.

There's a pizza place in Plymouth, on Main St, that sells slices all day for one dollar, and the guy behind the counter there, said that it helps to build their business by bringing them new customers.

[sa meredith]

Wifi...good point I guess. I did mention he started a new thread to stand out. But still, don't delete my post.
I have to say, as a memeber for a little over a year now, and an everyday reader/poster...I often find this forum a bit "cliquey". While new people are always welcomed, it is the chosen few who can hit someone/ something hard if they want to. Sorry, just my opinion. There are many examples.


My last post for this thread....

[kjbathe]

As I've had the same deleted-post experience. And the answer is.... ???

[AC2717]

But my pet peev is that on some topics or new threads I might try to start that is takes a very long time for my post to be posted, and then by the time it gets there, there are so many posts past mine that it often is well over looked. And I do notice that some members have thier posts go up almost what seems like instantly. I am a constant forum reader and poster Since early 2007. I look at the post counts and even though they might have been a member longer my post count is double, triple, quad, or more than theirs.

Again I appriciate all that the Webmaster does for us here, but just two of those questions I have to ask.

Thank you Webmaster for all that you do, I am just confused on why this happens.

[Pineedles]

I can say that I am not a member of any clique here on the Winnipesaukee forum. Frankly in the past, I've said some pretty stupid things that I wish Don did delete but hasn't. BTW, I'm trying not to say anyting stupid in the future but who knows.

[ITD]

There once was a Webmaster named Don
The moderation duties he also took on
They griped and they bitched
When their posts deleted or switched
And accuse him of clique’ry, poor Don…

[twoplustwo]

I would think the webmaster has other things to do than read each post as it's made 24/7. If something is said out of anger or stupidity which has been resolved with apologies and blah blah blah by the time he gets around to seeing it, why bother deleting? If, however, he's hanging out, sees something he deems offensive and wants to keep someone from being offended, well, he's there right then, and it's his call to remove it. I think this is more a case of timing and less a case of 'who's who' in the forum.

I think the one trick pony fools who come in, bash a place, then leave never to be heard from again are far more deserving of anyone's policing than someone who raves over a pizza place. Loads of crappy reviews. One glowing one. I'm thinking the one happy guy is not going to have the same impact as the one nasty guy.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by ITD

There once was a Webmaster named Don
The moderation duties he also took on
They griped and they bitched
With their posts deleted or switched
And accuse him of clique’ry, poor Don…

This was a good one
Wish I had this creativity, too bad I am at work and this type of stuff only comes out of me after a couple of drinks sitting lakeside on my deck

[sa meredith]

I said I had made my last post for this thread, but, upon further review...
ITD: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, I BEG YOU...show me where I bitched, griped, or accused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I SIMPLY ASKED A QUESTION!
I read posts in past threads (see: Waldo Peppers) where people were called, liars, disrespected, and made fools of...and their posts still remain.
I simply accused a posted of being disingenuous, and was deleted!
I have made no accusations, I have not accused...I have simply made observations.
Your post makes no sense. I am sorry.

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

I can say that I am not a member of any clique here on the Winnipesaukee forum. Frankly in the past, I've said some pretty stupid things that I wish Don did delete but hasn't. BTW, I'm trying not to say anyting stupid in the future but who knows.

Now your back.. (and that's a good thing! ) and your offering to take a bathroom scale to Meridith and weight an Indian... AND... you say "BTW, I'm trying not to say anything stupid" I am so confused!

Welcome back Pineedles... we missed you!

[Pineedles]

: laugh:

[twoplustwo]

Not to twist your knickers any further, but calling someone disingenuous means calling them dishonest or insincere. That's calling them a liar. Suggesting that if you were part of this 'clique' of which you speak, your post wouldn't have been deleted, well, that's accusatory. Your above average command of the English language doesn't assuage the impact of calling someone a liar or of not running the place even handedly. It just means you do it with more panache. But disingenuious is spelled disingenuous, so you better tighten up the wrapping paper on your pretty, yet ugly posts. Abuse of the caps lock and exclamation points take away from your normally lovely posting style, as well.

Deep breath, sa. Deep breath.

[sa meredith]

Ok...enough, enough, enough....
I just wanted an answer from Don.
Thanks for the spelling lesson, and your criticism of my writing style.
I use caps lock and !!! when I feel strongly about something. I will work hard to cut down.
The Sox need another win tonight...
Think I'll stay up and send some positive energy thru the radio..
Booze, Bud Light, and Baseball.

[Pineedles]

SA, stay up for me and give our guys the encouragement to win another.

Oh and Don, can't I at least give SA a 1st level secret password? He is a Sox fan you know.

[ironhorsetim]

Not trying to stir up the pot, but if you didn't want other people chimming in why post as opposed to private message? Please don't get me wrong it was a very good question and I've seen it happen here alot.....when you leave the door open you never know what will come in

[ITD]

Originally Posted by sa meredith

I said I had made my last post for this thread, but, upon further review...
ITD: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, I BEG YOU...show me where I bitched, griped, or accused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I SIMPLY ASKED A QUESTION!
I read posts in past threads (see: Waldo Peppers) where people were called, liars, disrespected, and made fools of...and their posts still remain.
I simply accused a posted of being disingenuous, and was deleted!
I have made no accusations, I have not accused...I have simply made observations.
Your post makes no sense. I am sorry.

SA, just my feeble attempt at humor.

Since you asked, this line "Must a member be on the inside, in "the clique" to call out a member???!!!! " qualifies as far as I can see. You probably don't agree, hence the dilemma that Don deals with every day.

For the record, I have had posts deleted, sometimes I see the error of my way, sometimes I don't, but I try to give the Webmaster the benefit of the doubt. I also think an email instead of a public swipe would have been more appropriate.

Your opinion may vary........... GO SOX.......

[sa meredith]

I reacted harshly (and poorly) to your post.
Sorry.

[webmaster]

...we watch carefully what is posted and we reserve the right to edit or delete messages for any reason. We will use our judgement to moderate these forums in the way we feel is most appropriate to facilitate our stated goal. By using these forums, you agree to abide by these conditions and accept our moderation decisions.

All posts are reviewed by the moderator. The moderator reserves the right to remove, edit, move or close any message or thread for any reason. The moderator will enforce these rules at his sole discretion.

These are a few quotes from the rules and guidelines that have to be my final response to most criticism. I won't explain or justify every moderation decision except to say that I just do what I think is best for the forum and the site. You agree to accept my moderation decisions when you join so you'll have to live with them if you want to participate.

Since you started the thread sa meredith, the post by crazybeautiful99 was moved to the existing Zachary's thread, which is where it belonged. Once it was moved your "calling out" of this new member no longer applied and did not seem appropriate anyway.

Different areas of the forum do get different treatment. Things I let go in the Speed Limit Forum will never appear in other areas. In all other forums I would really like the "friendly and helpful" guideline to apply whenever possible. This especially applies to the Restaurant Forum. That area is a resource that is used by thousands of visitors to get information and opinions on local restaurants. People find those threads all the time through Google and other searches and they are looking for restaurant reviews. I will often merge or move threads in that forum to keep things better organized for visitors. I'm extra careful of hijacking and vendettas and would prefer posts that are reviews of the food and service, good or bad. If your post in the Restaurant section is anything other than a review or reasonable comment on the food and service I may step in. That's life in the Restaurant Forum.

For perspective, the number of members moderated is less than 2% of all registered members. Sometimes it must be used to control truly out of control posters and other times it is just a reminder that I'm concerned and watching your posts closely. If you find yourself moderated you should review the rules and guidelines carefully and make sure you're in compliance. Slow down, post only when you have something worthwhile to contribute, don't attack others and there is a good chance I'll lift the moderation.

To all the unmoderated members who "get" what this forum is about, treat everyone with respect, post only when you have something worthwhile to contribute and don't create any additional work for me, I say thank you!

This will be my last post in this thread. Please get back to Lakes Region topics.

Don

[Happy Gourmand]

Where were you a couple weeks ago when I posted a negative review of a very popular local eatery?
I still have some scars and bruises from some of the comments that were nothing more than purely personal attacks!!
I appreciate what you do here. I know you can't catch them all unless you reviewed them before they were posted. That is not an option we really want to see happen here.
Thanks
TPG

[Phantom]

Yikes -- he stole half of my screen name

[kaj]

"We could learn a lot from crayons--Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box!"

[SteveA]

Don't type in anything that you wouldn't say if you talking to them in-person. Simple, Civil and Polite... (my Mom taught me all this stuff 50 years ago) Smart lady.

[sa meredith]

I thank Don for taking the time to respond.
I thank all who gave me their opinion...both privately and publicly.
I thank Twoplustwo for the spelling lesson.
But mostly, I thank Hideki Okajima for getting the last two outs in the eighth last night, and keeping me away from what was sure to be a nervous break down. (although I don't believe him to be anything close to reliable just yet).

[phoenix]

Don you continue to do a great job keeping this forum available and as civil as possible especially given what we pay you for all the time you put into this effort

[GWC...]

Since I'm on perpetual moderation, I have the luxury of being candid.

So, get a tight hold and read slowly...

This is Don's website and thusly, his rules.

Love it or leave it...

[SIKSUKR]

I'll love it!!Leave it at that!

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by GWC...

Since I'm on perpetual moderation, I have the luxury of being candid.

So, get a tight hold and read slowly...

This is Don's website and thusly, his rules.

Love it or leave it...

My heart goes out to you with 1178 posts. I have been a menber for less than a month and have been moderated since post 13...oh wait, maybe it was post 15. Whats in a number. When a post is deleted, your post count goes down. Do a search of all my posts and you decide if I am a criminal. NoBozo.

PS: YES: It is Dons site.

[Mashugana]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

Where were you a couple weeks ago when I posted a negative review of a very popular local eatery? {snip} Thanks TPG

Where was Webmaster when you made your first post? He was probably in the same place he was when you made your 5th post found HERE. That's #94 where you seem to admit that you are violating forum guidelines. He chose to let that stay and he didn't delete all your messages or any of the previous ones in that thread (as far as we can tell )

I'll take the opportunity to say thanks to Don.
IMHO Don is very lenient. He has the patience of Jobe and the wisdom of Solomon. He may even decide to remove this thread after a few days. It is his web site and he is kind enough to let us use and enjoy all it has to offer.

Remember: It's Webmasters call. His decision is final. It has been said before but is worth repeating:

The Webmaster here is a BENEVOLENT DICTATOR.

I think he does a tremendous job running this place. Thank you Don.

[Happy Gourmand]

what am I missing?

[Mashugana]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

what am I missing?

You are missing a mind like mine! It was my belief that only one screen name per person was allowed. I thought that was stated somewhere in the forum guidelines. I can't find it now so I must be mistaken.

What you are really missing is an apology from me.

Sorry I mis-remembered. It was a memory malfunction

I owe you a lobster roll. If I only knew who you were

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Mashugana

You are missing a mind like mine! It was my belief that only one screen name per person was allowed. I thought that was stated somewhere in the forum guidelines.

He just liked the way my nick sounded

Sorry Gourmand -- there's only one REAL Phantom

LMAO

[sa meredith]

And now, this thread too! Reduced to mindless dribble.
Nothing more than a chat room...

[webmaster]

Thanks for all the feedback.