The ATS Issues Thread

reply to post by LateApexer313


I know I broke the rules of being off topic, I have stated that. I am saying why not do it to other members in the same thread. Why not be uniform. That's my main concern right there. That is why I said they are being selective, which I have clearly proven to be true.

Just because I have the knowledge, I have no intentions of starting a web site. I thought I was clear in my first three posts I pointed you to my thread, but I had to quote each and everything to make it clear, maybe I should have done that in the beginning.



[edit on 26-5-2008 by jhill76]

[edit on 26-5-2008 by jhill76]

Originally posted by jhill76

I know I broke the rules of being off topic, I have stated that. I am saying why not do it to other members in the same thread. Why not be uniform. That's my main concern right there.

In defence of jhill76 -- as he named me personally -- I feel I have to agree that my post should also have been removed, if his and Pokie Joe's were. I'm not trying to start anything with the moderators, especially not now. It's my fault, I shouldn't have posted it.

I've just had a look at the thread in question. While I don't necessarily agree with the thrust of the thread, he does seem to have some justification given a number of off-topic posts that don't seem to have been addressed. Lack of consistency will give cause for grief when someone does get smacked for off topic posting, especially when things get heated.

As for the NIPR/SIPRnet issue, I am surprised that someone would get confused between the two. The OP asked a valid question in this regard. It may have been an honest mistake, but it was wrong nonetheless.

reply to post by Cadbury


Thanks! I really hated to use you, you just happen to be an example.

Originally posted by jhill76
Thanks! I really hated to use you, you just happen to be an example.

It's no problem, Sir. I think you have a valid point.

reply to post by Cadbury


Also, if you would not edit your post, just so SO and Springer could take a look at the whole situation.

Thanks!

Originally posted by jhill76
I know I broke the rules of being off topic, I have stated that. I am saying why not do it to other members in the same thread. Why not be uniform. That's my main concern right there. That is why I said they are being selective, which I have clearly proven to be true.

ATS is a very busy place, sometimes too busy.

It's not uncommon to see a level of uneven moderation, especially in very-active threads... and especially in very-active threads on days where many staffers may not be as active as normal, such as a holiday. In cases like this (today) the typical workload gets spread amongst a smaller than normal batch of mods.

We do our best, and do our best to be even-handed but the fact is we're human and attention can both be diverted by several simultaneous issues (the case here) and one issue from one member perhaps being more obvious than others (also likely the case here).

Normally it's a good rule of thumb for staff to avoid getting involved in mod-action in the same threads they're participating. But this being a U.S. holiday, there was a temporary shortage of available manpower.

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


I fully understand that view. I just wish when Mirthfulme said to U2 him with any further discussion, I did just that. I pointed out what I said here, and not once did he try and alleviate the tension by responding, but he read my U2. That's what made me think more that this was an issue because a mod was involved.

I just feel this could have been avoided if me and him could have had discussion privately.

Also, if the manpower is short, maybe throw another competition for some more mods. My 2c

Originally posted by Willard856
Lack of consistency will give cause for grief when someone does get smacked for off topic posting, especially when things get heated.

Especially when there are staff members posting off-topic within the very same thread, then reprimanding people for responding to staff created off-topic posts!!!

reply to post by PistolPete


I have to agree on this one. Also, I have seen time and time again, members get bashed for posting one-liners and then mods will do the same thing. Then, when members mentions this, members get bashed. Just amazing, in my eyes.

Consistency is key here.

reply to post by jhill76


I can't stand anymore...

Listen it's simple...

a one liner that is germane to the TOPIC and keeps the discussion flowing is logically acceptable. A one liner that says "oh me too" or anything similarly inane is not.

Anyone who thinks they can manage a site this busy and this vast and catch every single infraction, off topic post or one liner is not being realistic. 60 people (the entire volunteer staff), 25 - 30 of which are very active, simply can't see each new post or keep up with hundreds of thousands of threads.

Your broad brush statements of "members always getting bashed for one liners" are not only false, they expose a rather shallow depth in the research pond or a preconceived prejudice that feels good to shout about.

Either way it's simply not the case as with most broad brush statements.

Springer...

reply to post by Springer


I have the understanding of what is acceptable and not acceptable in a one-liner. Actually I was referring to when I came here in 2007 what I saw. A member called the mod out and two mods just basically was like we know forget about it already.

We came here to vent, but, I see I won't post here anymore (in this thread). We get the wrath per say, lol.

Also, I know you cannot monitor every little thing. But, I asked him in a U2 to just explain, just like I did in this forum I did in the U2 to the moderator. I just wanted an understanding. But, when he didn't reply to me, I came here, maybe someone else was going to let me get the understanding.

To me that was being selective, because I pointed it out, even the person I pointed out, pointed it out above. But, hey.

reply to post by jhill76



You keep saying "selective", it's not, as has been said here several times already, it's a matter of the staff being out numbered 140,000+ to 60. What would the point be in being selective? Who would make the selection? Why would it matter? What good does it do to purposely piss people off?

We aren't perfect but we certainly aren't stupid either.

Springer...


[edit on 5-27-2008 by Springer]

reply to post by Springer


I can't go off other peoples post, threads, or rants. I can only go off mine. I am simply saying, I just wish he could have explained to me, that's all.

I am saying selective because the posts above and below that one are deleted. When many members point it out, he doesn't say anything, that's all.

But, can we end this, because this will just keep on going.....

reply to post by jhill76


As a 5 year-lurker here I promise you you will not enjoy this place if you have to analyze each and every wrong or perceived-wrong.

If however you learn to just move on despite adversity, ATS has a lot to offer.

reply to post by lucid eyes


I did move on. I just posted that when I was upset and now I am not. But, the Site Owners wanted examples so I honored that request. Other than that, I would have never replied...

reply to post by jhill76


Fair enough, I agree you should have been answered and I am confident you would have been, just maybe not as quickly as you think you should have been, but that's just life and our volunteer staffers all have one.

A busy Mod reads u2us and manages the responses among the many other tasks at hand and real life issues on top of that. I get dozens of u2us everyday and do my best to reply to them all, on the same day I receive them, but fall short many times because of all the other things going on.

Springer...

reply to post by Springer


But hey, with the growing membership maybe do a competition or recruitment for more mods? That way, the load is lightened a bit.

But, thanks for responding, I can say, I highly appreciate that.

[edit on 27-5-2008 by jhill76]

Originally posted by jhill76
I fully understand that view. I just wish when Mirthfulme said to U2 him with any further discussion, I did just that. I pointed out what I said here, and not once did he try and alleviate the tension by responding, but he read my U2. That's what made me think more that this was an issue because a mod was involved.

I just feel this could have been avoided if me and him could have had discussion privately.

I gave you a complete answer to your first inquiry... The legalese for this is "asked and answered." I chose not engage in a circular discussion regarding the matter for the very reason that is evident within the recent postings in this thread. You seem more interested in the issue for argument's sake than for the merit of the issue. As for any "uneven" moderating... No one benefited more than you, than when you removed staff edits and notices from one of your posts intentionally and I took no action other than to replace what was removed.

All these pages of bickering over something relatively trivial, while my question about really important stuff gets ignored (again), just amazes me.

I have literally been on the edge of my seat for three months since the James Gilliland Mix interview, wondering if ATS is actually going to get involved with James and investigate the Mount Adams phenomenon. The Mount Adams phenomenon, where people are allegedly having sightings and Contact experiences on an ongoing basis, for years now.

All I am asking for is a simple yes or no statement from Springer, or SO.

"Yes, we do plan on investigating that, eventually, when we get around to it, and have the time and money and resources to do it", or "No, we think that's a big hoax and we're not going to investigate that. Aerosol sprays! Blue-tac photo, blue-tac photo!".

I would very much like this one question, which others may not consider very important but which is of great personal importance to me, answered. A simple yes or no answer, and then I'll finally shut up about it.

Please! Please, and thank you.

PS, ATS rocks! Go Springer, go Springer!!