I was banned from Photography unfairly by Calina.

Gordon

Shinjuku wrote: »

I think Calina gets too cranky too often to be a mod. And she takes it way too seriously. Any slight divergence from being "goody two shoes" and it's infraction time.

As it says under Gandalfs name: A government should be afraid of it's people. So give us a feckin chance calina and stop taking this Modding thing to the extreme. She probably has a big tin foil hat on right now with MOD tippexed onto it.

Stop being a twat.

Dodgykeeper

gandalf wrote: »

Who the hell do you think you are to ask me that question. This thread was posted by outpost in feedback so anyone can reply.

I am a regular in the photography forum so I can reply to threads relating to that as well just as you can now take off your unofficial moderators hat please.

Calm down there Gandalf, I was only asking a question, I tought i had missed something!

gandalf

AnimalRights wrote: »

Who is Outback?

My mistake I meant Shinjuku of course

AnimalRights

It's that type of tempetous attitude that got Gandalf him banned from Photography forums before Dodgykeeper, if memory serves me correctly.

I tend to count to 10 as part of my new years resolutions before I post.

challengemaster

Calina wrote: »

Nope I am telling you that your efforts to explain the saga behind that post that everyone is complaining about are being ignored by the people it was directed at.

Bit easier to understand now. See how explaination posts are helpful to people? Hence me posting mine..

I've already explained to you here that 1) you ignored a mod direction 2) you can't justify ignoring a mod direction so 3) you got an infraction.

I read over that 'mod direction'. tbh, after waking up and having breakfast, I had no idea what had been posted the night prior, or what had been deleted, and I don't remember seeing that 'direction' say "Keep things on topic" anywhere in the post. As far as I was concerned, it was relating to whatever happened the night before. Maybe your moderation shouldn't be so ambiguous in future?

And as I've already explained earlier in this thread, without a moderation log for the thread, it's impossible for users like me to know what WAS on topic after your "moderation" post. From what I see you chose to ignore that post though.

AnimalRights

gandalf wrote: »

My mistake I meant Shinjuku of course

I know. :cool:

Dodgykeeper

AnimalRights wrote: »

It's that type of tempetous temper that got Gandalf him banned from Photography forums before Dodgykeeper, if memory serves me correctly.

I tend to count to 10 as part of my new years resolutions before I post.

Did Gandalf get banned before, for what?

Kintarō Hattori

OP there were two clear warnings- you ignored them to have a pop at someone......... what the hell did you expect?

AnimalRights

Dodgykeeper wrote: »

Did Gandalf get baned before, for what?

Erm tbh I don't want to blacken his name so mums the word.

gandalf

Dodgykeeper wrote: »

Calm down there Gandalf, I was only asking a question, I tought i had missed something!

Oh I am calm. How are you today?

AnimalRights wrote: »

It's that type of tempetous temper that got Gandalf him banned from Photography forums before Dodgykeeper, if memory serves me correctly.

I tend to count to 10 as part of my new years resolutions before I post.

LOL actually tempestuous temper had nothing to do with my banning at all. Glad to hear about your new year resolutions. I hope you keep it

Calina

I don't dictate where the forum goes; I do however dictate where it does not go with the cooperation of the other mods and if the admin team have a problem with it I have no doubt that I will hear about it.

CM: to find out what's on topic, a look at the OP is usually sufficient. Under those circumstances, discretion better part of valour particularly if there's a mod warning in place.

my two cents speaking as a user in other fora.

AnimalRights

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

OP there were two clear warnings- you ignored them to have a pop at someone......... what the hell did you expect?

The thread had being dissected more times than a Frog on the Science lab desk tbh so he very well may have missed it.

I seen them but had being following the tread til all hours as I played my night late Poker.

challengemaster

Gordon wrote: »

Stop being a twat.

Quite a relavent comment actually. Not twatty at all. Not the first time Calina's done anything like that. I got infracted before for making a light-hearted comment in which I also informed another user of something useful. That user thanked my post, but Calina decided I was trying to ridicule the user and gave me an infraction.

AnCatDubh

Shinjuku wrote: »

If somebody checks my last post you will see the post I was banned for. I was just replying to Paddy@IRL's rude post. I was still on topic mind you, it's not as if I started talking about the war in Iraq or anything.

Sorry if this point hasn't been gotten through at this stage but you simply ignored in thread moderation warnings (yes plural). The second even stated clearly 'ban' yet you chose to ignore. Plain and simple. Ban.

All the whinging that others are doing (and there are many of you) on this thread are answered by reference to the in thread warnings of the moderator. You ignored them. You are now infracted. I don't think it needs much further explanation. Stop whinging unless you have something positive to contribute.

AnimalRights

Lol at CM always innocent of his infractions.
I'm innocent of my infractions and so is my wife!

challengemaster

Calina wrote: »

CM: to find out what's on topic, a look at the OP is usually sufficient. Under those circumstances, discretion better part of valour particularly if there's a mod warning in place.

my two cents speaking as a user in other fora.

Did you even read my post?

Calina

Challengemaster,

yes I did. Several times. And I read the post in the thread which I deleted which was after the mod warning. And I dealt with a bunch of PMs from you today.

Is there nothing on the Telly tonight?

Shinjuku

Gordon wrote: »

Stop being a twat.

OK I take the tin-foil MOD hat thing back but i stand by the rest. As you can see the other photography forum representatives have thanked my last post.

challengemaster

Calina wrote: »

Challengemaster,

yes I did. Several times. And I read the post in the thread which I deleted which was after the mod warning. And I dealt with a bunch of PMs from you today.

Well judging from the above post it seems you didn't. It surely doesn't answer any point raised, more-so ignores them with your 'logic'.

Sully

Judging by what the mods and the users complaining it would seem that...

A userA had prior critisced people for pimping themselves when people asked for a recommendation. A request was posed and the userA recommended another chap userB. Regular users, one with history of causing trouble, jumped in attacking UserA saying he contradicted himself. (I fail to see how. How is userA userB? :S)

Anyway, if somehow UserA and UserB are the same person, a mod issued a warning to cut out the crap. Users ignored the warning and continued the bitching and winging. More warnings were given during the time UserA/UserB seemed to have said nothing/gone off topic. After a few warnings, mods issued bans/infractions. Users not happy and are here winging it was unfair and over moderated forum.

Two problems I see:
1) UserA is not UserB. I assume?
2) If the above is true or not true, ie regardless, users IGNORED moderator warnings RESULTING in a ban/infractions being handed out.

I fail to see how said users have a case? :S

Sorry if I missed a vital piece which blows my theory out of the water!

AnimalRights

Slander.

Sully

AnimalRights wrote: »

Slander!

Sorry? I always thought shouting such terms on Boards was banned to avoid people trying to manipulate a conversation. Maybe its just the threat bit. *shrrugs*

Dodgykeeper

gandalf wrote: »

Oh I am calm. How are you today?



LOL actually tempestuous temper had nothing to do with my banning at all. Glad to hear about your new year resolutions. I hope you keep it

So if you are calm how do you explain your over reaction to my innocent question.

And I am grand thanks, bit tired but will be retiring soon!

AnimalRights

Sully wrote: »

Sorry? I always thought shouting such terms on Boards was banned to avoid people trying to manipulate a conversation. Maybe its just the threat bit. *shrrugs*

Note the "!"
In my neck of the concrete jungles that also is on a par with a " "

I shall now edit the offending "!" to a more welcoming " "

Sully

AnimalRights wrote: »

Note the "!"
In my neck of the concrete jungles that also is on a par with a " "

I shall now edit the offending "!" to a more welcoming " "

My post still stands tbh.

Your PM was wrong also, you seemed to cut out a lot of whats been suggested here. Tut tut.

AnimalRights

Ok the thread has now ran out of steam I shall retire to a lesuirely game of TF2.

Mods back Mods.
Users are split into 2 camps.
Mods win.

kensutz

Gordon wrote: »

Stop being a twat.

Isn't there a rule on boards not allowing personal abuse??

Gordon

Gordon wrote: »

Stop being a twat.

The reported posts about this comment were correct, I shouldn't have resorted to personal abuse there, sorry.

Shinjuku wrote: »

As you can see the other photography forum representatives have thanked my last post.

Some of the photography forum users have seemed to agree, this does not mean that the majority of the forum agrees with you. The difficulty in moderating and administrating fora is getting the right balance that pleases the maximum amount of people possible. If you think that the representatives of the forum are simply 5 people then I'm afraid you're not looking at the bigger picture.

Sully

AnimalRights wrote: »

Ok the thread has now ran out of steam I shall retire to a lesuirely game of TF2.

Mods back Mods.
Users are split into 2 camps.
Mods win.

Mods usually back mods because they know how the system works and they understand the site rules/charter. If mods step out of line, were wrong etc. iv noticed they get reprimanded and have to fix the problem. I find it insulting that you are suggesting otherwise tbh.

The ban here was simple. You ignore the warnings in thread, regardless of what caused you to respond. Wtf did you expect? You of all people should know how the system works by now.

Users split? The only users who fail to see it from the mods POV are those who cant understand what a warning means.

Id be one of the first mods to stand up and point out other mods mistakes or abuse. I think the bans/infractions were justified and when you sent me a PM you left out a good chunk of the story of what actually happened.

Gordon: Id give you an infraction, but I cant :P Fair play to ya for being honest.

kensutz

After reading this complete bítch fest, I've been asking myself some questions.

1) What is the main focus of the Photography Forum?

2)Is it to have a laugh yet keep things in focus?

3)Is it to be completely sterile and professional?

4)Who is the person calling the shots and do any discussions take place before actions are taken? It seems Calina is calling all the shots and her disciples follow.

Over the past couple of years I've been a regular in the photography forum, I have to say that the past 6 months or less have made us walk on glass. I tried to inject some lighthearted voting and yet it got shot down straight away. Granted it's still taking place but with all the "rules" put in place I instantly lost interest in wanting to keep it going but granted I will.

I know Fajitas is up to his eyes and that's why he stepped down. The work he did was fair and sound. Elven the same, she did what was necessary and actually thanked people for helping out with reported posts etc.

I know some users have been thinking of keeping away from the forum because the regular enjoyment they had cannot be maintained. I think some of the SMods or HMods with a complete unbiased opinion have a look at the forum and see if they can spot any faults.

We're in it to enjoy it not to be censored so much that it's like we're living under a brainwashing regime. I ask for some common sense to be used and have a laid back attitude but yet keep people in line because I can see some meets if and when planned could also turn into a bítch fest.

Cabaal

AnimalRights wrote: »

Ok the thread has now ran out of steam I shall retire to a lesuirely game of TF2.

Mods back Mods.
Users are split into 2 camps.
Mods win.

Mods don't always back mods, there is not set rule.
If other mods/users believe a mod has acted out of hand they will call them on it, don't assume because somebody is a mod that all other mods will back them.

Whatever forum is being moderated it is important that no single mod yields all the power and that a forum is modded fairly, now it will always be the case that some users just hate mods...doesn't matter how good and fair a mod is. In relation to photo forum there are alot of very knowledgeable people posting in this forum and often there is back history in respect of users and why they don;t like other users/mod.

It is VERY important that neither a user or mod start picking on users, both user or mod need to try forget any back history that may be there and deal with the issue at hand...for example if the user ignored a warning or gave personal abuse.

challengemaster

Gordon wrote: »

Some of the photography forum users have seemed to agree, this does not mean that the majority of the forum agrees with you. The difficulty in moderating and administrating fora is getting the right balance that pleases the maximum amount of people possible. If you think that the representatives of the forum are simply 5 people then I'm afraid you're not looking at the bigger picture.

TBH, there weren't much other of the photography forum involved in the thread. I'm not even sure if the majority of them know about what went on in the thread, or that there's even a feedback thread regarding the situation. Even if they did, if they weren't involved why would they feel the need to comment? That doesn't mean the majority of users agree or disagree, it just means they simply can't be taken into consideration in this particular instance. That is the bigger picture.

The fact of the matter is, the users who are here and were involved agreed with the post.

Kensutz, you've just said what's needed to be said for quite some time. Fair play.

Sully

kensutz wrote: »

After reading this complete bítch fest, I've been asking myself some questions.

1) What is the main focus of the Photography Forum?

2)Is it to have a laugh yet keep things in focus?

3)Is it to be completely sterile and professional?

4)Who is the person calling the shots and do any discussions take place before actions are taken? It seems Calina is calling all the shots and her disciples follow.

Over the past couple of years I've been a regular in the photography forum, I have to say that the past 6 months or less have made us walk on glass. I tried to inject some lighthearted voting and yet it got shot down straight away. Granted it's still taking place but with all the "rules" put in place I instantly lost interest in wanting to keep it going but granted I will.

I know Fajitas is up to his eyes and that's why he stepped down. The work he did was fair and sound. Elven the same, she did what was necessary and actually thanked people for helping out with reported posts etc.

I know some users have been thinking of keeping away from the forum because the regular enjoyment they had cannot be maintained. I think some of the SMods or HMods with a complete unbiased opinion have a look at the forum and see if they can spot any faults.

We're in it to enjoy it not to be censored so much that it's like we're living under a brainwashing regime. I ask for some common sense to be used and have a laid back attitude but yet keep people in line because I can see some meets if and when planned could also turn into a bítch fest.

May I make a suggestion? Create a new thread and give Feedback about what you see are the problems. Give some suggestions and stuff. This way, the mods and others can discuss ways of improving based on Feedback where appropriate.

Without actually doing the above, outside of the forum itself, nothing will be fixed. Only way to fix a problem is to describe it to those who can fix it

kensutz

challengemaster wrote: »

Kensutz, you've just said what's needed to be said for quite some time. Fair play.

I think I needed to get it off my chest. I've been in regular contact with some forum users and to be fair it needed to be said and I just gave my opinion of it.

Calina

kensutz wrote: »

After reading this complete bítch fest, I've been asking myself some questions.

1) What is the main focus of the Photography Forum?

2)Is it to have a laugh yet keep things in focus?

3)Is it to be completely sterile and professional?

4)Who is the person calling the shots and do any discussions take place before actions are taken? It seems Calina is calling all the shots and her disciples follow.

Over the past couple of years I've been a regular in the photography forum, I have to say that the past 6 months or less have made us walk on glass. I tried to inject some lighthearted voting and yet it got shot down straight away. Granted it's still taking place but with all the "rules" put in place I instantly lost interest in wanting to keep it going but granted I will.

I know Fajitas is up to his eyes and that's why he stepped down. The work he did was fair and sound. Elven the same, she did what was necessary and actually thanked people for helping out with reported posts etc.

I know some users have been thinking of keeping away from the forum because the regular enjoyment they had cannot be maintained. I think some of the SMods or HMods with a complete unbiased opinion have a look at the forum and see if they can spot any faults.

We're in it to enjoy it not to be censored so much that it's like we're living under a brainwashing regime. I ask for some common sense to be used and have a laid back attitude but yet keep people in line because I can see some meets if and when planned could also turn into a bítch fest.

The main focus of photography is actually photography.

No rules were put in place for your photography awards thing although I voiced concern that an Arse of the Year award could lead to a lot of personal abuse in a forum where I've had to referee quite a bit actually. I let it pass which anyone can see in the relevant thread and I went to the trouble of putting all your nominations together afterwards.

As for having a laugh, the place is not completely sterile but frankly the thread that led to this particular feedback was a trainwreck of a thread. I don't know how much of it you have seen bearing in mind that I deleted 27 posts today.

I'd also add that I get quite a lot of feedback and helpful suggestions from the wider community at large. Unfortunately from a small group of users I get a signal amount of abuse and occasionally feel I am subject to a witch hunt from a small group of users whose key desire is to get me to quit.

In the meanwhile, in the background I'm organising an exhibition for the group, I've also started work on a foreign meet up and I spend a lot of time responding to posts looking for help. Obviously none of that really matters if you don't like being reminded that there is a charter and you need to give some passing attention to it.

Pretty much most of the moaning about my moderation comes from a small select group of users, a couple of whom have dragged me through feedback or who have received minor infractions and warnings.

I'd also add that while some users may have stepped away - the community always has ebbed and flowed - we still have a large group of users including a lot of new users in the last six months.

Cabaal

Sully wrote: »

May I make a suggestion? Create a new thread and give Feedback about what you see are the problems. Give some suggestions and stuff. This way, the mods and others can discuss ways of improving based on Feedback where appropriate.

Without actually doing the above, outside of the forum itself, nothing will be fixed. Only way to fix a problem is to describe it to those who can fix it

Worrying thing here for any users...even for lets say one that posts about a forum I mod I guess is a user might think that by posting faults they see with how a forum is being modded that the mod or mods in question may take a dislike to them.

Its a pretty understandable view imho.

However I'd agree any such issues should be raised in a separate thread and perhaps link back to this one.

Ricky91t

kensutz wrote: »

After reading this complete bítch fest, I've been asking myself some questions.

1) What is the main focus of the Photography Forum?

2)Is it to have a laugh yet keep things in focus?

3)Is it to be completely sterile and professional?

4)Who is the person calling the shots and do any discussions take place before actions are taken? It seems Calina is calling all the shots and her disciples follow.

Over the past couple of years I've been a regular in the photography forum, I have to say that the past 6 months or less have made us walk on glass. I tried to inject some lighthearted voting and yet it got shot down straight away. Granted it's still taking place but with all the "rules" put in place I instantly lost interest in wanting to keep it going but granted I will.

I know Fajitas is up to his eyes and that's why he stepped down. The work he did was fair and sound. Elven the same, she did what was necessary and actually thanked people for helping out with reported posts etc.

I know some users have been thinking of keeping away from the forum because the regular enjoyment they had cannot be maintained. I think some of the SMods or HMods with a complete unbiased opinion have a look at the forum and see if they can spot any faults.

We're in it to enjoy it not to be censored so much that it's like we're living under a brainwashing regime. I ask for some common sense to be used and have a laid back attitude but yet keep people in line because I can see some meets if and when planned could also turn into a bítch fest.

Excellent post,
I'm sure alot of users on the forum will agree with this...

Place has gone to the dogs lately

Fajitas!

Calina wrote: »

...although I voiced concern that an Arse of the Year award could lead to a lot of personal abuse in a forum where I've had to referee quite a bit actually...

That was moreso a joke at my custom title rather than a chance to get a dig in at anyone...

gandalf

Sully wrote: »

May I make a suggestion? Create a new thread and give Feedback about what you see are the problems. Give some suggestions and stuff. This way, the mods and others can discuss ways of improving based on Feedback where appropriate.

Without actually doing the above, outside of the forum itself, nothing will be fixed. Only way to fix a problem is to describe it to those who can fix it

ken I agree if you feel this strongly then post a new post here that we all can respond to.

Remember some of the changes happened because there were complaints that the forum had gotten too cliquey. When I tempt modded the forum after elven stepped down and Fajitas! started to step back from the forum I actually got pm's thanking the mods for tackling the cliquishness and nastiness that had started to rear its ugly head.

I would suggest though rather than post a long list of whats wrong only that you also suggest how you'd fix them.

Calina

gandalf wrote: »

I would suggest though rather than post a long list of whats wrong only that you also suggest how you'd fix them.

+1

AnCatDubh

kensutz wrote: »

1) What is the main focus of the Photography Forum?

2)Is it to have a laugh yet keep things in focus?

3)Is it to be completely sterile and professional?

4)Who is the person calling the shots and do any discussions take place before actions are taken?

Ken, Please read the charter.

It seems Calina is calling all the shots and her disciples follow.

You appear to understand very little about how the forum operates - what you outwardly see is product of general moderation. Your statement above is plain nonsense.

Over the past couple of years I've been a regular in the photography forum, I have to say that the past 6 months or less have made us walk on glass. I tried to inject some lighthearted voting and yet it got shot down straight away. Granted it's still taking place but with all the "rules" put in place I instantly lost interest in wanting to keep it going but granted I will.

I know Fajitas is up to his eyes and that's why he stepped down. The work he did was fair and sound. Elven the same, she did what was necessary and actually thanked people for helping out with reported posts etc.

Ken, Please read the charter (again). It explains it all. You don't deal with the fall out of injecting some lighthearted voting.

Fajitas! has been a moderator until very recently so wtf are you talking about (6 months????)

I know some users have been thinking of keeping away from the forum because the regular enjoyment they had cannot be maintained.

That may be a pity but obviously a personal choice. No one puts a gun to their head.

We're in it to enjoy it not to be censored so much that it's like we're living under a brainwashing regime. I ask for some common sense to be used and have a laid back attitude but yet keep people in line because I can see some meets if and when planned could also turn into a bítch fest.

Simply put Ken, you are in it under the direction of the Charter. Moderation simply implements this as best it can. It is unfortunate if you don't appreciate that.

challengemaster

Fajitas! wrote: »

That was moreso a joke at my custom title rather than a chance to get a dig in at anyone...

Sense of humour required to get it I think.


gandalf: I know you're adressing Kensutz here, but a suggestion from me would be for Calina to step down as a mod of the forum. That'd be, IMO, the first big step towards fixing the problems with the forum.

AnimalRights

Cabaal wrote: »

Whatever forum is being moderated it is important that no single mod yields all the power and that a forum is modded fairly

word, sister.

Cabaal

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Ken, Please read the charter (again). It explains it all. You don't deal with the fall out of injecting some lighthearted voting.

Fajitas! has been a moderator until very recently so wtf are you talking about (6 months????)

I believe what ken means is while Fajitas had a mod title until very recently he had still very much taken a back seat due to college work and other stuff and wasn't as active as he might have been otherwise.

As such other mods took his place and may have dealt with things differently to how Fajitas would.

AnimalRights wrote: »

word, sister.

Lets remember no group of users should go on a hunt, fair enough if the mod is doing a poor job but personal views should not come into it.
I've had hunts before with users in Broadband forum and its not helpful to anyone.

gandalf

challengemaster wrote: »

gandalf: I know you're adressing Kensutz here, but a suggestion from me would be for Calina to step down as a mod of the forum. That'd be, IMO, the first big step towards fixing the problems with the forum.

I disagree with you totally on this.

What I have seen in the last few months is an extremely distasteful campaign by a small number of users of the photography forum to oust Calina for whatever personal reasons they have.

randylonghorn

Sully wrote: »

May I make a suggestion? Create a new thread and give Feedback about what you see are the problems. Give some suggestions and stuff. This way, the mods and others can discuss ways of improving based on Feedback where appropriate.

gandalf wrote: »

ken I agree if you feel this strongly then post a new post here that we all can respond to.

I would suggest though rather than post a long list of whats wrong only that you also suggest how you'd fix them.

+100

This thread is a trainwreck and a witchhunt, and any valid issues which may need to be addressed have been well and truely submerged under that.

I would also suggest waiting a few days until everyone has calmed down a bit, and might actually be in the mindset to make their points constructively and courteously.

Ricky91t

Yeah,Calina must step down so Photography forum gets back some of the humour it used to have with the old school mods

kensutz

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Blah blah blah................

I'm fully aware of the charter. Jesus if we're to follow every single charter on the forum we'll be fecked. There's a high horse out there somewhere and people need to climb off it.

How long has the charter been in place? Who implemented it? If you have anything to add to it then feel free, the post is here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055185662

Do I see your feedback on the charter? No.

I bet that after this matter is highlighted and people vent their frustration or make suggestions, that there will be a constant watch on the forum waiting for any of the people who made a comment to slip up and end up being banned from the forum.

Like I said in my previous post, this will need to be viewed by someone with a completely unbiased view. If I post what I did on a seperate thead I know I will be viewed as bitching about nothing.

I will continue to help out those who want advice/help on the forum. I will continue in my same ways as I have for the past 6 years.

gandalf

kensutz wrote: »

If I post what I did on a seperate thead I know I will be viewed as bitching about nothing.

Not if you make proper suggestions on how to fix the issues.

If you are just going to bitch and offer no fixes then what is the point in posting here?

I will continue to help out those who want advice/help on the forum. I will continue in my same ways as I have for the past 6 years.

So business as usual. Again what was the point in your posting then?