Mr. Berger,
Now that it seems you have actually exercised your policy and banned at least one regular poster, I realize that I’m very unclear as to what is prohibited by the second part of you pronouncement whereby I may be banned for “taunting” another poster into verbally attacking me. I assume that disagreeing with someone is not enough. I assume that expressing a view about a woodworking related issue could not be enough. In fact, I can’t imagine what I could say about a woodworking or tool issue that could be considered “fighting words” in First Amendment parlance.
Suppose I said: “All Festool tools were idiotically overdesigned and overpriced pieces of junk. Their cutesy flimsy plastic “stacktainers” are cheesy. No woodworkers should patronize this junk.”
Is this too provocative to Festool fanatics? Would they have no choice but to attack me personally? Would I be considered “taunting,” such that I could be banned?
I assume you don’t want to chill debate here, so can you please provide further guidance as to where the line is in “taunting?”
Oh, and will there be a pillory where we can all go to see who has been banned and made example of (offending snippets that gave rise to the decapitation would also be useful and educational)?
Thanks.
Replies
Here is a link to our House Rules. Our recent addition to the rules posted in our message on Dec. 4 (here) is associated with House Rule #1 pertaining to clean posts.
We consider it taunting when a user antagonizes a controversy with repetitive posts and creates a negative or hostile environment for other users.
These are not one-size fits all rules, which is why we assess each situation on a case by case basis.
Matt Berger
Fine Woodworking
Hey, I'm not personally interested in pushing the limits or being discourteous within the limit of the law. Rather, with a one strike and your out rule, it pays to know where the strike zone is. Your answer unfortunately seems to be that "we know a strike when we see one." Okay then, it's your forum, after all.
Matt
I believe that the community here deserves to know who was banned from the knots. I received a personal email from "nikkiwood" a short while ago telling me of his banishment. Who else?
If you don't believe we deserve to know, can you please explain why?
Jeff
We suspended two accounts today for a two-week period. Both users were contacted by email clearly stating the reasons for their suspensions.
We continue to clearly state our policies in the forums and both users were personally contacted in the last three weeks by email and given adequate warnings about their behavior.
To anyone who bothered to follow even some of that thread, it should have been obvious that at least two individuals were determined to push until they were banned. We could argue all day wether or not they got what they deserved, but clearly they got what they asked for.
I don't know if anybody bothered to read my contribution to that thread, about the forum at the on-line university I was enrolled in (The Pub). There it only took a few people to ruin a good thing. Not bad people; just people behaving badly. Like I said before, it bothers me every time a thread is deleted from this forum. We must not think that what happened to the "Pub" won't happen here.
"It's like deja vue all over again."
I'm going to pray that Mr. Berger's patience be enhanced.
-Chuck
Edited 12/12/2006 4:06 pm ET by chuckh
Like all laws there needs to be a period of reflection and testing those laws to determine what passes the boundary/ies and what doesn't - something that many threads can also be devoted to discussing, but frankly we have this site because the good people at Taunton deem that they want to give it to us and therefore it's their's. As long as their decisions are uniform and users are given warning before they are banned, let's not discuss it and bury it before it's taken off. We will all agree and disagree whether some posts have passed the mark or not but let's hope Mr Berger is given the support to take the correct decisions and stick with them when the obvious negative comments start flying.
I for one will support it if delivered appropriately whether I get the time to say so or not on this forum. Mr Berger you have a difficult job and will upset and infuriate people whatever you do and say. You have my condolences and support.
Roger
I have read none of the messages that lead to this discussion, but realize it has raised cosiderable concern to people on this forum. I heartily agree with you Roger, And support Mr.Berger in his difficult task
i was wondering if the suspencions would be short term or pemanent. i'm very glad to know that the time period is not permanent. although i will miss anyone that is banned, 2 weeks seems more appropriate than indefinite banishment. this is an interesting forum and sometimes lively, it keeps me coming back. we'll be back to full strength soon.
I've noticed that forestgirl has been rather silent lately -- perhaps she is the banished other
pz,
For as much as she posts here, I can't say I have ever heard her say anything disparaging about anyone. I would be amazed if it was her.
Lee
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled