Quote from: joe cassidy on October 09, 2020, 01:34:15 PM

Apparently in the first world war the French soldiers got tanked up on wine before going "over the top".

In the second world war the German soldiers were given amphetamines.

... and tanks

Quote from: Philip. on October 09, 2020, 02:44:09 PM
I take it all threads that are "unrelated to N gauge" in the General Discussion area will now be locked?

Hopefully not my new beer thread 

I sympathise with the mods on this one.  I'm on another forum where the general attitude to moderation is a bit more laid back, and I've given up looking at any virus-related topics because they usually end up with enthusiasts for lock-em-down or for let-it-rip essentially repeating the same points again and again, rather than engaging with the points made by anyone they disagree with. 

Isn't that how life works?! People with a polarised opinion ignore the counter view and merely shout at those with an opposing stance!

I'm on a cycling forum with a thread about Donald Trump which is at 15,000 posts. I've never ever opened it to see what the hell they're talking about!

I think it has to be pointed out before topics are moved, amalgamated or locked, its important to maintain a little diversity even if a thread wanders off topic for a bit so what!   As long as members were not contravening any forum rules and that the subject diverts back to the original no harm is done, so I fail to see why intervention should be made. 

As with most (I would assume all on here!) I like and have an interest in the hobby that's why I log in to the forum regularly, but that doesn't mean to say I eat, sleep and breath N Gauge. Its a friendly informative place to visit even to talk about something that may not be connected to the hobby!

Yes, that's exactly my issues. Forums that aren't lively die, and posts breed posts. What I find tough is when there's a good discussion, tangental to a post and then it gets locked because it's off topic. Clearly those involved are happy, it's just stifling the discussion. It'll come back on topic, things nearly always do.

While I'm on my soapbox... merging of threads. Just no. It's the most annoying thing ever, because you end up with two threads which don't belong together, a load of references that don't make sense and no flow to discussion.

Firstly, apologies that this is rushed.  My dad has just come home from hospital after three weeks.

I agree that the thread shouldn't have been locked, and I feel that it was the wrong decision.  I also feel that a PM about this would have been better.  The moderating team and myself were talking about the thread being locked and it was due to be unlocked.  Sadly my time has been used elsewhere, so I'm a little behind on things.

I personally don't agree with the comment saying that this forum is too heavy handed with locking and deleted threads.  There was a period where it was more frequent, but I don't think this has been the case for a long time.

I also don't agree with a comment saying that the way that moderators are chosen is not democratic, or such?!  I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do about that, as the team put forward anyone that they think may be suitable and we talk about it before a decision is made. 

As I always say, any issues then feel free to message me.  I'm always here to sort out any issues or questions.  Thanks all.

having been on the receiving end of mods, on the odd occasion 

well I do possibly admit to err on the side of sledgehammer rather than pen 

I have never felt in any way that Tank or the mods were in any way doing other than steering us onto the paths of righteousness on this family forum.

my feeling of why use mace when you can use a sterling has, just occasionally  been over the top,
and I have taken my censure in the spirit in which it has been given ...

and then taken that mod off my christmas list 

I think they do a great job controlling us, and ensuring that we do not, in the heat of the moment, overstep the mark.

thank you.

I do agree that moderation is better than it was, particularly with regards to locking threads.

I'm honestly not sure about the democratic process, it wouldn't be appropriate for the membership to nominate moderators, so I think how it's orchestrated is just fine. I wasn't really joking when I said it's not a democracy. Isn't that right Kim Il Tank?

That this thread is still running and the originator is still with us tells us all we need about the fairness and balance with which this forum is moderated...

One or two MODs do seem a little more 'interventionist' than others, but on the whole there feels to be a pretty good balance.

Quote from: njee20 on October 09, 2020, 09:50:54 AMlocking of threads when there's an active discussion purely because it's "off topic" and constant moving of threads being my pet peeves.

I agree to an extent on the moving of threads and more-so on merging (loosely related) threads, but on the one occasion a thread I'd started was moved to what I thought was an inappropriate location, a polite PM to the relevant MOD explaining my rationale got it moved back.

On appointing the MODs, all I'll say is that those who put themself forward for the role are invariably the least suitable...

Quote from: njee20 on October 09, 2020, 04:47:58 PMI'm on a cycling forum with a thread about Donald Trump which is at 15,000 posts. I've never ever opened it to see what the hell they're talking about!

They are discussing spotting Trump in cycling Lycra   

Could be, who knows. What a horrifying prospect. I'd like to hope they've not managed 15,000 posts of that.

Quote from: Only Me on October 09, 2020, 11:05:51 PM

Quote from: Philip. on October 09, 2020, 02:44:09 PM
I take it all threads that are "unrelated to N gauge" in the General Discussion area will now be locked?

Now thats just down right silly!!... on par with Njee getting a blue badge 🤟🏻😉

As was locking the original thread in question 

Quote from: PLD on October 09, 2020, 11:20:06 PM
That this thread is still running and the originator is still with us tells us all we need about the fairness and balance with which this forum is moderated...

Are you implying that I should have been banned for highlighting something that wasn't right? 

Quote from: Mr Sprue on October 10, 2020, 07:56:03 AM

Quote from: PLD on October 09, 2020, 11:20:06 PM
That this thread is still running and the originator is still with us tells us all we need about the fairness and balance with which this forum is moderated...

Are you implying that I should have been banned for highlighting something that wasn't right? 

Completely the opposite - On some other fora, you would have been for daring to criticise the Sainted ones... Here, your post has been allowed to stand (with a small amendment by another MOD) and taken on board by the Boss (Tank) in his comments.