07-15-2003, 11:31 AM
Actually, I don't see why these forums are public.
If the administration is so strict about member behaviour, I would advise to make this a closed board, whose membership could only be obtained by invitation. Enforcing private (and, in my view, debatable) rules on a forum which anyone can register in, is bound to create a bad impression (of arrogance and intolerance) on people whose attitude is more liberal than the administration. Besides, the moderators will have a never-ending task controlling the posts; something they'll prolly don't like either.
Now, don't gimme that "Read the friggin' forum guidelines before you post" and the "You accepted the rules when you registred, so shove it and obey". That might be true in theory but, as you see, in practice it doesn't work like that. Confusion and friction shows up because there are two conflicting philosophies: it's public and private at the same time. If you wanna make it public and have more members, you have to put up with them. Policing is time-consuming, patience-consuming and you always run the risk of condemning someone by mistake (due to that lack of patience). So I say make it private. You'll have fewer members, but it will be easier to manage and there will be less conflict.
If the administration is so strict about member behaviour, I would advise to make this a closed board, whose membership could only be obtained by invitation. Enforcing private (and, in my view, debatable) rules on a forum which anyone can register in, is bound to create a bad impression (of arrogance and intolerance) on people whose attitude is more liberal than the administration. Besides, the moderators will have a never-ending task controlling the posts; something they'll prolly don't like either.
Now, don't gimme that "Read the friggin' forum guidelines before you post" and the "You accepted the rules when you registred, so shove it and obey". That might be true in theory but, as you see, in practice it doesn't work like that. Confusion and friction shows up because there are two conflicting philosophies: it's public and private at the same time. If you wanna make it public and have more members, you have to put up with them. Policing is time-consuming, patience-consuming and you always run the risk of condemning someone by mistake (due to that lack of patience). So I say make it private. You'll have fewer members, but it will be easier to manage and there will be less conflict.