Campaigns to Ban People

[BillShipton]

Last night it seems that following comments made by one member, a poll was set up to get others to vote on whether he should be banned or not. I am sorry but that is not the way to go about it. That sort of thing smacks of kangaroo courts, lynch mobs and angry crowds tormenting individuals. If you don't like something people say, then by all means react to it (in a sensible way) on the forum itself, or PM us and we will discuss whether his behaviour warrants banning.

Do not set up a campaign on the forum itself. It looks like bullying.

On any forum, people will say things others dislike. Because of the nature of the medium and, in some cases, people's lack of skill with the language, this frequently comes over as more dogmatic than the person probably intends. Remember when posting that computers can't do 'tone of voice' or sarcasm, so everything comes over as bluntly as the words themselves. People reading the posts should try and take this into account when views are expressed.

Posters in turn MUST take extreme care to couch their comments in terms such as "in my opinion" or add phrases like "personally I believe..." etc to their views to avoid upset. I know this all sounds a bit British, but it's better than the alternative.

Finally, a piece of advice...if you react angrily to a post because the views sound dogmatic, you are in danger of sounding as intolerant as they are. Using insulting names is likewise not going to enhance any argument. I am all for healthy debate on the forum, but NOT shouty insults.

In short, play nicely...

[Richard]

There was no campaign, just a opportunity for people to vent their opinions without clogging up other threads with interminable arguments and angry comments. Perhaps I should have asked permission first but I was disgusted by a recent remark and acted precipitously. For that I apologise.