getting an admin to leave me alone

[flamingokid]

Forum URL: imdb2.freeforums.net/

I'm having an issue with this board admin who constantly badgers me over extremely trivial matters like word choice. With the other posters I can block them, but I don't have that option with this person. I have asked to leave me alone, but he just gets more snarky.

I love interacting with folks at IMDb.2, as we have been together since the old IMDb forums and I don't want to leave it over him. But I am getting tired of it.  

What are my option has far has getting him to stop harassing me? Please advise. 

[Michael]

Hi,

We don't moderate disputes between members. Forum staff are free to moderate their forums as they see fit as long as they don't violate the ProBoards Terms of Service or Community Guidelines.

If you feel that there is content that violates the TOS or Community Guidelines, please report it to us using the "Report Abuse" link that is present in the footer of every page or via email [e-mail].

[flamingokid]

Apr 20, 2021 17:53:23 GMT -8 Michael said:

Hi,

We don't moderate disputes between members. Forum staff are free to moderate their forums as they see fit as long as they don't violate the ProBoards Terms of Service or Community Guidelines.

If you feel that there is content that violates the TOS or Community Guidelines, please report it to us using the "Report Abuse" link that is present in the footer of every page or via email [e-mail].

It's not a dispute per se. I'm not the only one he likes to ridicule and needle. Frankly, I'm not sure what his problem is. Usually, this happens on the religion board where thinks he knows the "mind of God."

A lot of us have a complaint about him that we talk discuss in a private chatroom. I would think you'd prefer admins who represent Proboard in a positive manner. 

So, can I just bless him out full force with as much anger as possible every time he harasses me...so long as I don't use abusive, threating language...will that be okay? I don't want to get thrown off the board...he does like to toss people...if I do. But I would like to tell him to quit trying to convert me to Christianity. 

[Michael]

We do not handle disputes between members. Forum admins are free to run their forums as they wish as long as they do not violate the ProBoards TOS or Community Guidelines. ProBoards admins do not represent ProBoards and are simply users of our service.

Forum staff can ban members at any time and for any reason. I cannot tell you what would or would not be allowed on a given forum beyond what is outlined in the aforementioned TOS and Community Guidelines.

You always have the option to start your own free forum on ProBoards.

[flamingokid]

Apr 20, 2021 18:15:56 GMT -8 Michael said:

We do not handle disputes between members. Forum admins are free to run their forums as they wish as long as they do not violate the ProBoards TOS or Community Guidelines. ProBoards admins do not represent ProBoards and are simply users of our service.

Forum staff can ban members at any time and for any reason. I cannot tell you what would or would not be allowed on a given forum beyond what is outlined in the aforementioned TOS and Community Guidelines.

You always have the option to start your own free forum on ProBoards.

Well, this is disappointing. I would think you'd be more on my side than his as he is one person and it is the rest of us seeing your the ads that generate your income. But keeping the customers is not what it used to be. I guess I come from a different era. 

So my option then is to let him make fun of me at his pleasure. I'm 67 and really have no clue how to run a board. Is there anyway I can block his postings so I least don't have to read them? 

[Kami]

Apr 20, 2021 18:48:56 GMT -8 flamingokid said:

Apr 20, 2021 18:15:56 GMT -8 Michael said:

We do not handle disputes between members. Forum admins are free to run their forums as they wish as long as they do not violate the ProBoards TOS or Community Guidelines. ProBoards admins do not represent ProBoards and are simply users of our service.

Forum staff can ban members at any time and for any reason. I cannot tell you what would or would not be allowed on a given forum beyond what is outlined in the aforementioned TOS and Community Guidelines.

You always have the option to start your own free forum on ProBoards.

Well, this is disappointing. I would think you'd be more on my side than his as he is one person and it is the rest of us seeing your the ads that generate your income. But keeping the customers is not what it used to be. I guess I come from a different era.

So my option then is to let him make fun of me at his pleasure. I'm 67 and really have no clue how to run a board. Is there anyway I can block his postings so I least don't have to read them? 

Disclaimer: I am not a PB employee, just a long time member.

For whatever it's worth, it's not so much that PB is "siding" with the administrator, but rather that the policy blanket applies to all PB users, regardless of role, provided that the ToS itself isn't being broken — simply, they do not get involved in interpersonal disputes regardless of the involved parties.

That said, if the administrator is using their PB forum as a centre of operations for actual harassment (as outlined and defined in the ProBoards Terms of Service specifically), then I strongly encourage you to report the forum using the "Report Abuse" link at the bottom. Include as much information as possible; again though, only use this option if the treatment you're experiencing falls under a violation of the ToS.

Otherwise, if they are simply unpleasant, there's not a whole lot that can be done aside from cultivating your online circle. If leaving the forum is not an option you're willing to pursue, then unfortunately the "admin" account cannot be blocked (this is a software limitation rather than a rule as such). I am sorry it's not more favourable news.

[Retread]

Apr 20, 2021 18:48:56 GMT -8 flamingokid said:

Well, this is disappointing. I would think you'd be more on my side than his as he is one person and it is the rest of us seeing your the ads that generate your income. But keeping the customers is not what it used to be. I guess I come from a different era. 

I guess you aren't looking at the big picture.

From what I've witnessed during my visits to the Support Forum during the past three years, ProBoards doesn't take sides. Their policy of allowing the owners of forums to operate in any manner they choose (as long as it doesn't violate the ProBoards Terms of Service) is the only sensible way. To arbitrate disputes between owners and members would open a gigantic can of worms and require a huge staff. That would be impractical.

Apr 20, 2021 18:48:56 GMT -8 flamingokid said:

So my option then is to let him make fun of me at his pleasure. I'm 67 and really have no clue how to run a board.

No, you have at least two other options I can think of ...

1 - Attempt to determine what sorts of things push the admin's buttons and avoid those topics.

2 - Find another existing forum that interests you and become a member there.

Apr 20, 2021 18:48:56 GMT -8 flamingokid said:

Is there anyway I can block his postings so I least don't have to read them? 

I have no additional information beyond what Kami offered on this.

[Lynx]

I don't have much to add to what's already been said above, but I will say this: Don't resort to stooping to that admin's level (in regards to the badgering), because then it makes you no better than them.