3 steps to live by:

1. NEVER EVER delete or edit someones post. This is the Cardinal sin of running online forums, if you want to lose people quick this is your best policy. Nobody wants to post on a forum where your censored by some guy who doesnt agree with what you say.

2. Ban people - if someone makes a derogatory remark to another forum user that is out of your rules, give the slackjaw a 1 week ban from the site.

3. Its generally not a good idea as the forum owner to interact with the users explaining why you took action against someone. Just makes you look foolish in the long run. This is where hiring moderators to act on your behalf comes in to play.

This is just based on my experience with running large online communities, im not here to bash. Ive been at this type of thing for many years.

Also, have you looked into www.phpbb.com? I think that would really establish your community here.....this forum program you have running is rather blah.

Have a nice weekend.

McSosa
I think you just broke a rule of web forums...you posted a message that is not on topic. This is a discussion of Game Used Sports Memorabilia.
Why don't you e-mail the moderator directly with your helpful hints!
HOPE THIS HELPS!

I also have experience moderating and operating online forums, but I disagree with some points made.

1) As far as deleting posts, it's an action that should be taken only when what is posted is either flagrantly offensive or adds absolutely nothing of value. Anything that is unsubstantiated and without merit (and/or is just slanderous) should be deleted more for legal reasons than for "losing people" reasons.

2) I think that a very clear set of rules should be made up and clearly posted for all to read.

3) Although there should be a moderator or two (I'll volunteer for that), I don't think it's a bad thing for the site owner or moderator to interact with the community. After all, Eric is a collector and this is a place for information about collecting to be shared and also debated. With regard to discussing why a particular action was taken, there's no reason that he shouldn't be permitted to discuss why it was taken. Check out the hockey forum of gameworn.net and look up a few posts about "Why was my thread deleted without reason?" (and believe me, there are plenty).

http://community.webshots.com/user/rockytopreb/

Eric, do not change a thing. I don't care how much experience you have running online communties, this forum is WORKING. There are clear guidelines that have been set forth by a panel of forum contributors - if you don't want to follow them, move on. As moderator, it is your duty to remove or edit posts that violate these rules.

If you want to post "stream of consciousness" thoughts, non-hobby related gossip, or slanderous accusations, take your thoughts to some other type of message board. This forum was built by collectors for collectors, and to date, it has basically been run by those who remain active in the forum. This isn't a dictatorship, and anyone with a brain cell working who has spent more than five minutes on this forum knows that.

Kudos to Eric for building this forum for the benefit of his fellow collectors. Keep doing things exactly the way you have been. You've never "looked foolish", and you've made this hobby a safer place for thousands of collectors who take the time to visit this forum. Thank you.

Amen Rob!

I think Eric has done an outstanding job of bringing everyone together. I think with the way this forum is run, it can only continue to grow. I know alot of people have offered to moderate for Eric, but I don't think he needs it. Like he stated, he has only had to edit a couple of times, and deservedly so.

Keep up the good work.




Marcus Sevier
gamebatstore@houston.rr.com

www.GameBatStore.com

Couple of points

1- A big reason to edit comments is no one wants to get sued. Believe it or not comments posted here DO have in influence on the industry. Eric says we get 100,000 hits per month in countries around the world.

Yes, on the policy page it states "The opinions stated here (unless posted by yours truly) do not necessarily represent those of your moderator." Why does it say that? Because Eric doesn't want to get sued if some knucklehead spouts off about someone, causing damage to their business or making slanderous statements about someone. He has to protect himself if others are not smart enough to censor themselves.

and 2- interesting that the first time we hear from McSosa on this board is that negative comment. Seems odd to me.

Dan Porter

Sorry, i didnt mean to make a uproar on here.

1. Im a small time, beginning collector who browses these forums from time to time......im not into posting my real name like you guys do, sorry to inconvience you all. Its not really a great idea to post your real name on online forums FYI unless your a superstar like some guys here, lol. I decided to chime in when I saw what went on in that other joe d thread, thats why i finally made a post on these fine forums.

2. Im not putting down this forum AT ALL.....Eric runs a nice little community here. I just think it should be addressed when a MOD who happens to be the site creator deletes peoples words from their posting without their permission. Any good forum-master knows not to delete peoples content...no matter what it says. You solve the problem by a) banning the perp. or b) locking the topic. Simple as that, deleting is a violation of the code of MODERATING. That is why these little websites are called "FORUMS" in the first place.

forum

n. [Usenet, GEnie, CI$; pl. `fora' or `forums'] Any
discussion group accessible through a dial-in BBS, a mailing
list, or a newsgroup (see the network). A forum functions much
like a bulletin board; users submit postings for all to read and
discussion ensues. Contrast real-time chat via talk mode or
point-to-point personal email.

forum

n 1: a public meeting or assembly for open discussion 2: a public facility to meet for open discussion [syn: assembly, meeting place] 3: a place of assembly for the people in ancient Greece [syn: agora, public square]

....Key words, "Open Discussion"....that translates onto this site as www.gameusedopendiscussion.com not www.gameusedwatchwhatyousay.com

No need to take personal shots at me for making this topic. I think i got my point across so ill leave it at that. Doubtfully nobody will agree, oh well.

A funny thing happened on the way to this website...


forum (four-uuum) noun-
1. A place where the Lakers once played.

2.An off-shoot of Penthouse magazine.

Eric,

1) Delete his message. This SHOULD not be here, it should have been sent privately to you. What's the point in him pointing out what he thinks are mistakes?

2) Ban him.

3) Explain to us all why you banned him or deleted his post.

Eric, I'm not a huge game equipment guy but with a few scattered pieces and learning everyday due to this site. Keep up the good work.

DJ

Eric,
Props to you for running a great site. And no props to this jerk for writing this anonymous, unwarranted criticism.
Chris

Eric,
I just wanted to add my thanks for the forum. I've enjoyed it very much and been able to reconnect with several people that I had lost contact with. Keep up the good work!

Abe

Eric,
This is a successful form. No lessons are needed.
Keep up the good work
Adam

Eric,
Great forum, great place to get info about my collection and collecting interests. Best of luck to you and the site! You'll have a hit from me everyday.

Tim

Mr. McSosa,
I say if you want the rules you stated on a forum, start one yourself. Eric, (the owner of this forum) has the right to delete statements in this forum that could cause him legal problems down the road. Eric, keep up the good work! Just my opinion.
Mark

I love this forum and go here quite a few times a day, I think it is running smoothly. I like to see topic orientated material and that what a majority of the posts are about besides this one.
Thanks and good job Eric,
Robert