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General Website Queries: 2018 Onward

escargot

Disciple of Marduk
Joined
Aug 24, 2001
Messages
40,335
Location
HM The Tower of London
No moderators sounds horrendous.
Moderators were appointed to deal with some horrific trolling. For example, at one point the full names and addresses of up to a dozen posters were displayed late on a Friday to intimidate them, and at the time nothing could be done about it until the magazine staff were next in the office on the Monday morning.

We also had the usual online personal harassment issues. Can't remember how many times I received sexually pestering PM's from men I only knew as (say) Satan's Hoof or LoveMadgickeMan. As there was nobody to report them to and no way to get them booted off, and no 'Ignore' function, I'd just decline to respond.
Even saying 'Get lost!' was engaging with them. We were powerless against these vicious idiots.

One particular troll, whom I will not name or otherwise identify, harassed women on here and even followed them to other boards. He was manipulative and persistent enough to compromise some of them.

By the time he demanded that I take a holiday abroad with him as I'd publicly promised (I'd done no such thing of course) I knew of his tactics. When he threatened to turn up and claim me in person I told him yeah, you do that, and Techy will punch you up the bracket. :chuckle:

One woman he'd chased to another board was so frightened when he told her he was on his way to visit, she posted on the board asking for help.

There's a lot more to tell about him but that's enough to give an idea about why we needed moderators. A very fine job they do too. :cool:
 

Horsa

Equine-loving rhyme-artist
Joined
Aug 24, 2021
Messages
150
Location
Britain
Moderators were appointed to deal with some horrific trolling. For example, at one point the full names and addresses of up to a dozen posters were displayed late on a Friday to intimidate them, and at the time nothing could be done about it until the magazine staff were next in the office on the Monday morning.

We also had the usual online personal harassment issues. Can't remember how many times I received sexually pestering PM's from men I only knew as (say) Satan's Hoof or LoveMadgickeMan. As there was nobody to report them to and no way to get them booted off, and no 'Ignore' function, I'd just decline to respond.
Even saying 'Get lost!' was engaging with them. We were powerless against these vicious idiots.

One particular troll, whom I will not name or otherwise identify, harassed women on here and even followed them to other boards. He was manipulative and persistent enough to compromise some of them.

By the time he demanded that I take a holiday abroad with him as I'd publicly promised (I'd done no such thing of course) I knew of his tactics. When he threatened to turn up and claim me in person I told him yeah, you do that, and Techy will punch you up the bracket. :chuckle:

One woman he'd chased to another board was so frightened when he told her he was on his way to visit, she posted on the board asking for help.

There's a lot more to tell about him but that's enough to give an idea about why we needed moderators. A very fine job they do too. :cool:
Gosh! That's dreadful. I'm glad that things got sorted out & the moderators do such a brilliant job of ensuring people feel comfortable to have fun, fascinating & friendly conversations here as well as share information & have a laugh & joke.
 

CharmerKamelion

Gef! Gef!
Joined
Feb 27, 2021
Messages
1,096
Location
Lightyears from Zanzibar
I have had a few weird experiences in the past but have been apprehensive about whether to share them or not.
Horsa, I feel exactly the same. I will get around to sharing my weird experiences in here 'in due course' (those 3 words are in danger of becoming my catchphrase - procrastination or what?) but somehow they feel strangely personal. I admire people who have shared their experiences, but dammit I've only been in here for 2 years. I hardly know you guys!
 

Yithian

Parish Watch
Staff member
Joined
Oct 29, 2002
Messages
35,166
Location
East of Suez
Moderators were appointed to deal with some horrific trolling. For example, at one point the full names and addresses of up to a dozen posters were displayed late on a Friday to intimidate them, and at the time nothing could be done about it until the magazine staff were next in the office on the Monday morning.

We also had the usual online personal harassment issues. Can't remember how many times I received sexually pestering PM's from men I only knew as (say) Satan's Hoof or LoveMadgickeMan. As there was nobody to report them to and no way to get them booted off, and no 'Ignore' function, I'd just decline to respond.
Even saying 'Get lost!' was engaging with them. We were powerless against these vicious idiots.

One particular troll, whom I will not name or otherwise identify, harassed women on here and even followed them to other boards. He was manipulative and persistent enough to compromise some of them.

By the time he demanded that I take a holiday abroad with him as I'd publicly promised (I'd done no such thing of course) I knew of his tactics. When he threatened to turn up and claim me in person I told him yeah, you do that, and Techy will punch you up the bracket. :chuckle:

One woman he'd chased to another board was so frightened when he told her he was on his way to visit, she posted on the board asking for help.

There's a lot more to tell about him but that's enough to give an idea about why we needed moderators. A very fine job they do too. :cool:

I seem to recall heads from members' photographs superimposed on porn.

I do wonder how much all that was a product of the earlier 'Wild West' era of the Internet and whether a mod-free anarchy would pan out better today.

I have to say, for all the romance of disposing of trolls with a mighty ban-hammer, we spend far more time fixing, labelling and moving stuff now than boldly battling crime.
 

Yithian

Parish Watch
Staff member
Joined
Oct 29, 2002
Messages
35,166
Location
East of Suez
One particular troll, whom I will not name or otherwise identify...

Hmm...

gwgryd11qbiepzudaybe.jpgmaxresdefault.jpg
 

escargot

Disciple of Marduk
Joined
Aug 24, 2001
Messages
40,335
Location
HM The Tower of London
I've enjoyed reading the Limericks thread but never joined in as I prefer to write full poems of my own in whatever style I like (mainly rhyming). I like the idea of collaborative writing though.
The Limericks thread is just banter. Sometimes people take it seriously. :chuckle:

I have been severely mocked on there and hope to be again.
Then it's my turn... :evillaugh:
 

brownmane

off kilter
Joined
Feb 1, 2019
Messages
3,295
Location
Ontario, Canada
I'm a bit self-conscious. I need to build up confidence first then find the right place to share them. I hope I can bring some amusement to you. :0)
I'm sure you have some interesting stories:). If you're worried about misspellings or such, there is a "save draft" function, which I have used when relaying a long explanation.

Otherwise, just blame anything else on your computer, or phone, or tablet, or cat... You get the idea:dunno: lol.
 

CharmerKamelion

Gef! Gef!
Joined
Feb 27, 2021
Messages
1,096
Location
Lightyears from Zanzibar
I'm sure you have some interesting stories:). If you're worried about misspellings or such, there is a "save draft" function, which I have used when relaying a long explanation.

Otherwise, just blame anything else on your computer, or phone, or tablet, or cat... You get the idea:dunno: lol.
I don't know about Horsa, but my hesitancy isn't really to do with any of that stuff. I just want to get it right from the point of view of having the time to compose and post a full and explanatory account of my odd experiences and then being able to afford to give attention to any follow-up questions. When I do finally get around to doing it, I will feel like Pandora opening her box (not that I will be releasing all the evils of the world, or anything like that!).
 

escargot

Disciple of Marduk
Joined
Aug 24, 2001
Messages
40,335
Location
HM The Tower of London
I don't know about Horsa, but my hesitancy isn't really to do with any of that stuff. I just want to get it right from the point of view of having the time to compose and post a full and explanatory account of my odd experiences and then being able to afford to give attention to any follow-up questions. When I do finally get around to doing it, I will feel like Pandora opening her box (not that I will be releasing all the evils of the world, or anything like that!).
You'll be waiting forever for the right time. Just slap it down and let people enjoy it. :cool:
We can wait for you to get back to it later. Discussing it among ourselves will keep us busy enough to stay off your back. :chuckle:
 

Horsa

Equine-loving rhyme-artist
Joined
Aug 24, 2021
Messages
150
Location
Britain
Horsa, I feel exactly the same. I will get around to sharing my weird experiences in here 'in due course' (those 3 words are in danger of becoming my catchphrase - procrastination or what?) but somehow they feel strangely personal. I admire people who have shared their experiences, but dammit I've only been in here for 2 years. I hardly know you guys!
I look forward to reading about your experiences. (I feel weird because I've had them & I'm thinking about possible repercussions & wondering if I'm brave enough to share.)
 

Horsa

Equine-loving rhyme-artist
Joined
Aug 24, 2021
Messages
150
Location
Britain
The Limericks thread is just banter. Sometimes people take it seriously. :chuckle:

I have been severely mocked on there and hope to be again.
Then it's my turn... :evillaugh:
O.K. Thank you very much for the information.

I like to read the skill people have in rhyme.
I've thought rhyme was elegant a long time.
I prefer to write a full poem than just a line or two.
I think encouraging people to write, though, is good to do.
 

Horsa

Equine-loving rhyme-artist
Joined
Aug 24, 2021
Messages
150
Location
Britain
I don't know about Horsa, but my hesitancy isn't really to do with any of that stuff. I just want to get it right from the point of view of having the time to compose and post a full and explanatory account of my odd experiences and then being able to afford to give attention to any follow-up questions. When I do finally get around to doing it, I will feel like Pandora opening her box (not that I will be releasing all the evils of the world, or anything like that!).
My hesitance isn't to do with inability to write properly either.
 

Horsa

Equine-loving rhyme-artist
Joined
Aug 24, 2021
Messages
150
Location
Britain
I'm sure you have some interesting stories:). If you're worried about misspellings or such, there is a "save draft" function, which I have used when relaying a long explanation.

Otherwise, just blame anything else on your computer, or phone, or tablet, or cat... You get the idea:dunno: lol.
I have some interesting stories. I have no problems with spelling, punctuation or grammar.

Lol.
 

escargot

Disciple of Marduk
Joined
Aug 24, 2001
Messages
40,335
Location
HM The Tower of London
O.K. Thank you very much for the information.

I like to read the skill people have in rhyme.
I've thought rhyme was elegant a long time.
I prefer to write a full poem than just a line or two.
I think encouraging people to write, though, is good to do.
We also have the Blitz Limericks thread where you provide the last three lines of a limerick and the first two of the next. :)
 

Tunn11

Justified & Ancient
Joined
Nov 23, 2005
Messages
1,522
Location
Under the highest tree top in Kent
I have some interesting stories. I have no problems with spelling, punctuation or grammar.

Lol.
Yes share them. it's much more interesting for people than reading about Trev and me whinging (or whingeing they both seem to be correct. I mean you'd think they'd make their minds up about that if nothing else wouldn't you....) :omr:

Everyone has been very kind about my strange and not so strange experiences and had some interesting views and questions.
 

Sid

Justified & Ancient
Joined
Nov 19, 2018
Messages
2,368
Yes share them. it's much more interesting for people than reading about Trev and me whinging (or whingeing they both seem to be correct. I mean you'd think they'd make their minds up about that if nothing else wouldn't you....) :omr:

Everyone has been very kind about my strange and not so strange experiences and had some interesting views and questions.
Ah, your just like the same as the rest of us then! :)
 

Horsa

Equine-loving rhyme-artist
Joined
Aug 24, 2021
Messages
150
Location
Britain
Yes share them. it's much more interesting for people than reading about Trev and me whinging (or whingeing they both seem to be correct. I mean you'd think they'd make their minds up about that if nothing else wouldn't you....) :omr:

Everyone has been very kind about my strange and not so strange experiences and had some interesting views and questions.
O.K. Thank you very much. I will do when I have time then.
 

Horsa

Equine-loving rhyme-artist
Joined
Aug 24, 2021
Messages
150
Location
Britain
Several pages of discussion about possible changes to LIKES and REACTIONS have been moved from the Good Posting thread to this General Queries thread.
O.K. Thank you very much. I'm very sorry I got carried away talking about off-topic stuff & caused you extra work.
 

Horsa

Equine-loving rhyme-artist
Joined
Aug 24, 2021
Messages
150
Location
Britain
Go on, Horsa. I look forward to reading about your experiences. Then I might gear myself up to post about mine (note my use of the word 'might').
I know. I'm just very busy at the moment. I work in heritage preservation, I'm busy revising for a computerised accounts exam & I'm doing coursework for book-keeping Level II. (They send me on lots of courses from work.) + I've got to keep my arts/crafts & musical skills going as well as my historical knowledge for work. (My poor head feels as if it's going to explode sometimes. It goes on strike because it doesn't get enough of a break at times.)

I will share my experiences when I get time.
 

CharmerKamelion

Gef! Gef!
Joined
Feb 27, 2021
Messages
1,096
Location
Lightyears from Zanzibar
I know. I'm just very busy at the moment. I work in heritage preservation, I'm busy revising for a computerised accounts exam & I'm doing coursework for book-keeping Level II. (They send me on lots of courses from work.) + I've got to keep my arts/crafts & musical skills going as well as my historical knowledge for work. (My poor head feels as if it's going to explode sometimes. It goes on strike because it doesn't get enough of a break at times.)

I will share my experiences when I get time.
No pressure! I'm sure they will be worth waiting for. You just concentrate on making sure your head doesn't explode.
 
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