Thread Starter able to Moderate their own thread

[brittini]

I would like a plugin that allowed the option under admin controls for the starter of a thread (any member of the forum) to be able to delete posts from the thread they started.

Reason:
I've had a lot of situations where admins were being unfair to myself or another member over the last 10+ years. It's usually something trivial, but nevertheless annoying/frustrating. I'm sure we all have had these moments. I'm trying to create a very nice and special forum for my gaming community that is mostly self-moderated by the members themselves to dramatically reduce the occurrence of bias. Some people will say stupid stuff, some people say smart stuff, everyone will be different. The important thing is that the board is moderated fairly by having each person exercise authority over their own thread however they choose. Each person has equal authority. I've thought a lot about it. It seems like a great idea. I think it will make my forum a great place to have fun and hang out.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Brittini

[Wormopolis]

There is no way a plugin like that could or even should be made. allowing ANY user to just delete the posts of any other user would be chaotic. even IF it was a thread they started. it would just lead to more fighting. person A gives an opnion. person B says they disagree with that opinion. person A decides its THEIR thread and only replies they deem acceptable are allowed. person A deletes person B's post. person B is outraged.

if you want to do something like this, make a new board for each member and then make them a moderator of that board. then they will have powers over all the threads in their own board. that is the closest you are going to get on this without making every single person on your board a moderator.

there is a report post feature built in that can assist users in pointing out "needs to be looked at" posts. there is also a plugin in the library that can quarantine a specific users posts on a board if he is a known trouble maker and needs to be screened.

[brittini]

Hello Wormopolis, thank you for taking time to read my request/suggestion. My first few paragraphs are a reply to you:

First let me explain that my goal is to create a relaxed, unbiased and fair forum with as few rules as possible.

The plugin I am suggesting only allows a thread starter to delete the posts in the thread they started – not delete the posts in threads started by other users. Also, they are not given the option to edit other person's post in their thread either. The only thing they get is the delete button. I don't want the users editing each other's posts to make one another look silly.

You say to me that this is unfair because you shouldn't be able to delete a post by someone just for having a different opinion. I do not disagree with this. You are correct. There will be many instances where a post will be deleted just because one user didn't like another user's post. This could definitely be unfair from the perspective of the person trying to post. That's true. However, you must look at this system as a whole, not as a single piece.

When viewed as a whole: each member has the same rights and over all it's 100% fair to everyone involved. If someone won't let you post in their thread and is being unfair, that is fine. Simply create your own thread and share your opinion/the point you are trying to make there. I would only have to make a very small handful of rules. One of which would probably have to be that you couldn't start a thread with the purpose of defaming another person. I want to have to moderate as little as possible because I know it is inevitable that I will be bias toward one person or another, even if it's only slightly.

With this plug in, you would cut out 90% of the need for so many moderators and 90% of the possibility for bias to arise because each member is in control of their own thread. Sure, they might not run their thread fairly, but if someone doesn't like it, (again) they can start their own and run their thread however they like. It's fair. It's unbiased. It's clean. Plus, if they are deleting posts for you they are doing your job because they will delete the fighting and stuff for you. I don't really care too much about that like I said because i'm trying to create a laid back environment. If they want to yell at each other for a few rounds, I am okay with it. It will be good popcorn material. Plus, they might end up being friends after they vent for awhile. However, I know some people like it clean and like to run a tight ship. Those who like their forums that way will have the ability to keep their personal thread clean.

When you think about it, if a user gets known for deleting everyone else's opinions everytime... the other guys will probably end up making fun of him/her for it after awhile. It will probably give that said user some incentives to be more open to opinions. Then they can start a new account or try to turn their image around or whatever. It's a system that keeps itself in check and balances itself out.

When you have a bunch of moderators in there, that's when things can get bias and dirty at times. Trying to figure out which post is technically breaking which rule and all of that. It creates room for error and unfairness. That happens even when moderators are sincerely trying to do a good job. What happens if the moderator is being bias towards someone on purpose? OUCH! That won't happen here because everyone has the same rights and a large portion of the moderating is done by the users.

Here's the beauty of it: everyone will know the place is fair too because everyone will be able to see their options and that everyone has the same rights in the forums. Nothing is hidden. It will be self-evident to the users that the forums are almost totally unbiased and fair and that they moderate themselves. I think that will be a good thing. I think it could create a slightly larger sense of cooperation that wouldn't normally be there. Sure, there will be some fighting, but like I said, a lot of that will be cleaned by the members themselves if they don't care for it. I think it's the formula for a decent place. It's not perfect, but it will be pretty clean as far as fairness for all.

If you disagree with me, I am 100% okay with that and I look forward to hearing your reasoning if you care to express it. I would like my forum to be a place where anyone can hang out. It would be fair for anyone and anybody with differing opinions. Everyone would be welcome.


 

[Wormopolis]

I get where you are going with it, but It just wouldnt be feasible. a plugin wouldnt be able to add the power of deletion to a user. it doesnt work that way. EVERYONE would have to already have the power of deletion in the first place, and then the power taken away on threads that they didnt start. HOWEVER, there is a serious and fundamental flaw in that scenario in that all it takes is one person to get around the javascript - who has the power to delete all posts - and that member if incited can go on a forum wide deleting spree.

a more attainable idea, would be a plugin that alowed the OP to "hide" the posts that they felt needed to be hidden. in a sense they would mark the post as "quarantined" and someone with higher powers could come along and pass final judgement on the post. if they felt the post wasnt crossing any lines, then they could clear the "quarantined post". if they agreed with the censoring, they could then opt to delete the post or edit it or whatever.

[brittini]

Aug 1, 2013 17:27:26 GMT -8 Wormopolis said:

a more attainable idea, would be a plugin that alowed the OP to "hide" the posts that they felt needed to be hidden. in a sense they would mark the post as "quarantined" and someone with higher powers could come along and pass final judgement on the post. if they felt the post wasnt crossing any lines, then they could clear the "quarantined post". if they agreed with the censoring, they could then opt to delete the post or edit it or whatever.

I know what you are talking about and I would be very happy to have that. I have really big plans if this idea were to be implemented as a plugin. I have already made a few customized proboard forums in the past and I have several years experience in photoshop. I think I can make something really nice and special for my community where they felt they were being treated fairly.

I think another thing that I would need with this system would be a plugin that only allowed a user to start 2 topics every 24 hours, but that would have to be a separate request. Now that I think about it I could also probably use something that allowed the OP to disable a user's ability to post in a thread after like 3 of his posts had been hidden in that particular thread...or maybe an option to block a user from posting in the thread off the start. That would probably be the better thing.

Anyway, I do realize that you guys are volunteers and you have work/real life. I work too much also (lol) and it takes up a TON of time, I know. Really I am just throwing the idea out there because I think it is an awesome one. Thanks for hearing me out guys. It is much appreciated.

[Wormopolis]

I tell you what. I will add the modification into Post Quarantine that allows the OP of a thread to manually quarantine any replies as an option

[brittini]

That sounds awesome!

[Wormopolis]

plugin has been updated and submitted. awaiting approval.

[David Clark]

Approved!

[Wormopolis]

David is a machine. He feels no pain. He cannot be reasoned with. He will be back