Censorship on the forum.

[Marvin Mattelson]

Recently I have experienced two instances of having posts I have written removed with no notice or explanation to me.

I think doing this is an arbitrary and disrespectful action and I would like to open this subject for discussion (unless this too will be deleted by the powers that be).

I have recently had two posts of mine eliminated. One was removed because it was off the track of a string in the critique section. I had replied to a post of the moderator's, which had nothing to do with a critique. I guess he didn't like my response so it got deleted (along with him as well). Most recently I had a response I had given in defense of accusations leveled at me by another forum member. His accusatory post was not removed (at least not completely).

I have two recommendations to make concerning this practice. If someone goes off the track why must the body of the post be removed? Why can't it be placed in the appropriate locale instead of the content being voided? In terms of objectionable content, why can't the writer be allowed to remove that which the editor feels is objectional and reapply for posting?

Have others had this happen to themselves? I feel violated in having my words summarily voided. Any thoughts?

[Linda Nelson]

I think that the owner of this site can run it by whatever rules the she chooses, and it is our choice to participate in it or not.

I think the motivation for the conception of this site was done with good intentions, a desire to be helpful, and a vision for a certain type of community. I think, should the owner choose to delete any posts, it's done with the same motivation.

I am thankful for both being able to gain knowledge from your posts AND being able to come to a community forum that is very well managed.

Linda

[Cynthia Daniel]

Sometimes when I see the contentions that arise on the Forum, it makes me sad and discouraged. I paid for this software, spent hundreds of hours customizing it and managing it over almost two years, working most weeks 7 days a week, 12-16 hours a day just to keep up with the Forum and my regular SOG work. Gratefully, volunteer moderators have taken over some of my functions so that I can get back to devoting more of my time to the main site and my paying clients. I'm not asking for pity, but I think things need to be put into perspective here.

I think the work that it took and continues to take to create and maintain this Forum by myself and the moderators is something that at least some artists benefit from and appreciate. Marvin, I believe you mentioned elsewhere how this Forum benefits me as a promotional tool. Honestly, in the almost two years it's been operational, I've gotten a few new clients from it. But, if I had taken that same time and devoted it to being on the phone selling, I would have gained many more. So, this is not for me. This is for the artists, because I wanted to contribute something that would be helpful to them.

I don't like taking sides and frankly, whatever was going on in that thread, I only skimmed and did not get the full gist of what was happening. I had too many other things to do. However, I defer to my Board to make those decisions and support them if they feel that is what is correct.

Of those who have had posts deleted in the past, I hold no personal grudge and consider it simply a matter of keeping the atmosphere and focus in the direction that we want. "We" meaning the Board.

Wars are made and bombs dropped over people having to be right and having to insist on their way. But, my way is one of peace and contention handled in a diplomatic and non-insulting manner. And, I think it's been made very clear in the past how the Board feels about this subject.

One thing I learned a long time ago on the web, you never know what a person has going on in their life at the other end. Moderators have lives and careers and family obligations and sometimes it's not always feasible to devote the time required to address every post bit by bit in a thread that has gone awry. Sometimes a moderator might watch a thread and see it start to go off-track and sit tight hoping the individuals will self-correct...and before they realize it...it's gone WAY off track. Realize that moderators are not sitting there watching the Forum every second of the day. And, sometimes moderators even make mistakes, as we all do. Mind you, I am not saying a mistake was made in this case. As mentioned earlier, I did not follow the thread sufficiently to even have an opinion on that.

NOW, what we won't be doing here is getting into a long thread on this subject. Anyone who has a disagreement is free to write a private email to the moderator involved. But, it won't be a discussion here on this Forum.

Basically, I think it behooves everyone here to post in a manner that makes my job and the job of the moderators easy.

Thank you for your support, Linda.