Moderators will be more active

[Thierry Martin]

Over the next few weeks moderators which previously worked behind the scenes will become more visible to the community. In the past almost all of their work was to filter out the large amount of spam that people and robots try to post. We moderate ALL new accounts until we feel confident that the new forum members aren't here just to post a link or hype a penny stock. Stuff still manages to get through because we're not perfect and people figure ways around the rules.

Over the last few weeks a new sport has developed here which involves forum bashing and personal attacks and insults and accusations directed at forum members and new users as well as me. It is especially harmful to the forum when new users feel intimidated because they see the rough treatment that others receive for being inexperienced in the world of trading.

It has been difficult to monitor and control the situation fairly. When we take action, those singled out feel picked on because they see other instances where we do nothing.

By allowing the moderators to take a more active role in the community I hope that the rules regarding our complete intolerance of disrespectful comments directed at fellow forum members or the administrators and moderators of the forum will be enforced consistently and fairly, so that the threads can stay on topic and visitors don't have to wade through endless back and forth name calling that has little if anything to do with trading or investing. We'll be using an infraction system with warnings and clearly defined penalties for breaking the rules. As the forum grows, so will our abilities to provide the resources to maintain a safe and civilized environment for the useful discussions that go on here.

[reef]

And who is moderating them? I already see one by them taunting users after deleting posts. Maybe I have had too much to drink to night but thats what it looked like to me. :thumpdown:

[aiki14]

You might mention to moderator King, that he should be more respectful. Snide comments from a person in a position of power are a more egregious violation of discourse than comments by equals. Maybe that particular moderator shouldn't take a more active role and should remain behind the scenes, or be dismissed.

[Luc1Grunt]

I see many "pumpers" have been beaten from this site...is that a bad thing?

I also see very intellectual posts handed out for free. My time is worth $$$$, but I do it for FREE.

I recall very few "new posters" who were treated badly that didn't later turn out to be shills.

You cited that you received "several" e-mails from newbs claiming I was "mean", then when called on it, produced a general note from CARLJ. He was apologized to by me and Aiki.

You stood by as Prodigy did his work.

The statement "lately" in regards to forum bashing is untrue. This has been going on since 2005 and you yourself stated it was "natural" when defending those later exposed as shills.

Can you honestly tell me that my posts have not been informative for "new" traders? I don't consider "informative" as throwing out picks. To each his own, but it's not my style.

You've got about 12 posters who keep this site alive. The vacuum gets filled by pumpers when the "experience" leaves. Maybe this is your point?

My posts do not point to a link, they call a spade a spade, they expose shills, and they share well-earned trading knowledge.

I guess that is unacceptable?

Delete as needed.

By the way.....don't you remember why TCG left in the first place? You defended those bashing his picks. Memory is a fine form of energy. Upgrade to at least a 2g for more benefits.

[Thierry Martin]

You might mention to moderator King, that he should be more respectful. Snide comments from a person in a position of power are a more egregious violation of discourse than comments by equals. Maybe that particular moderator shouldn't take a more active role and should remain behind the scenes, or be dismissed.

Don King explains he was trying to disarm the tense dialogue by introducing some humor into the situation. Clearly this did succeed for everybody. Perhaps limiting the moderators comments to private messages would be more conducive to working out any problems we are having.

[Thierry Martin]

And who is moderating them? I already see one by them taunting users after deleting posts. Maybe I have had too much to drink to night but thats what it looked like to me. :thumpdown:

Don King did not delete any posts. I guess you had too much to drink!

[netwrangler]

Don King explains he was trying to disarm the tense dialogue by introducing some humor into the situation. Clearly this did succeed for everybody. Perhaps limiting the moderators comments to private messages would be more conducive to working out any problems we are having.
Good idea, T.
I could see that 'King' was trying for humor. But in that thread, it's pretty difficult to create a light mood. I saw King's post as ineffective at best and offensive at worst.

And Aiki's right, any comments from the power folks [you and the moderators] need to be strictly neutral. Hard to do and remain human, I know.

[I was going to say, "But that's why you get the Big Bucks ;) " Thought it would be a light-hearted joke. Then thought better of it, not wanting to have you or readers interpret that as a slur on your name. Then figured I should do this parenthetical paragraph. All this just shows how the freedom and creativity factor in the forum gets limited by all the bickering.]

[Thierry Martin]

I see many "pumpers" have been beaten from this site...is that a bad thing?

You repeatedly accuse me of being in league with these pumpers, insinuating that I am somehow making money doing so - it's just absolutely not true, and since you won't give up making these false accusations other measures have to be taken to stop you. I find it very weird that you keep accusing me of planting posts and then it turns out that you are the one using the same computer as another poster that clocked over 60 posts.

I also see very intellectual posts handed out for free. My time is worth $$$$, but I do it for FREE.

I not only do it for free, this site costs an enormous amount of money to maintain. Luckily we are able to recoup some of our expenses from our newsletters.

I recall very few "new posters" who were treated badly that didn't later turn out to be shills.

I don't think shooting someone and then figuring out if they are guilty is a decent way to behave.

You cited that you received "several" e-mails from newbs claiming I was "mean", then when called on it, produced a general note from CARLJ. He was apologized to by me and Aiki.

You may not like the fact that this happened, but it did. Again, you insinuate I am lying about the complaints. Do you really think your attitude is appreciated by those who are innocent of any wrong doing? I defended you many times, but you seemed to be getting wilder and wilder in your accusations.

You stood by as Prodigy did his work.

We had a hands off policy then, and that is changing now.

The statement "lately" in regards to forum bashing is untrue. This has been going on since 2005 and you yourself stated it was "natural" when defending those later exposed as shills.

I am taking a more active role running the forum, and I won't tolerate the forum bashing any more.

Can you honestly tell me that my posts have not been informative for "new" traders? I don't consider "informative" as throwing out picks. To each his own, but it's not my style.

There are many kinds of traders, we are trying to provide forums for all of them, if you don't like penny stocks, why do you keep visiting those forums? Most of your posts are very informative, I think you are a great contributor to the forum, I'm just asking you and others to stop freaking out every time somebody asks a dumb question. If you want I can set up a forum that only you and invited others can post in, maybe then you can concentrate on what you do best. Saving the world from penny stock conspiracies is a waste of time, even the SEC can't seem to do it. The penny stock section is of course going to attract touters, it comes with the territory, as they say. Your skepticism is welcome, but when you start accusing me of be in league with suspicious looking posters, you are out of line.

You've got about 12 posters who keep this site alive. The vacuum gets filled by pumpers when the "experience" leaves. Maybe this is your point?

Of course I value the contributors to this forum. I don't want to lose anybody. But if you have a personal vendetta against me, I will not allow you to post here.

My posts do not point to a link, they call a spade a spade, they expose shills, and they share well-earned trading knowledge. I guess that is unacceptable?

Not everybody has as much experience as you. Your posts are high quality and are appreciated. That doesn't give you the right though to insult me or anyone else. We always allowed links as long as they weren't too blatantly advertising in signatures and posts. I believe you had one to your traders-lab.com friends in your signature for awhile. We have several threads going trying to discredit the doublingstocks.com stuff, what do you think we find unacceptable?

Delete as needed.

By the way.....don't you remember why TCG left in the first place? You defended those bashing his picks. Memory is a fine form of energy. Upgrade to at least a 2g for more benefits.

I conversed with TCG several times about his reasons for leaving, and he made it quite clear that it was because he was offended by the anti-religious nature of some of the posts in the forum.

[Thierry Martin]

Good idea, T.
I could see that 'King' was trying for humor. But in that thread, it's pretty difficult to create a light mood. I saw King's post as ineffective at best and offensive at worst.

And Aiki's right, any comments from the power folks [you and the moderators] need to be strictly neutral. Hard to do and remain human, I know.

[I was going to say, "But that's why you get the Big Bucks ;) " Thought it would be a light-hearted joke. Then thought better of it, not wanting to have you or readers interpret that as a slur on your name. Then figured I should do this parenthetical paragraph. All this just shows how the freedom and creativity factor in the forum gets limited by all the bickering.]

We need to sort out this mess, with a summit or some kind of meeting. Maybe a hosted chat session. The senior members of the forum need to agree on guidelines going forward to allow the forum to grow and incorporate the diverse population of traders and characters here. I don't want to be a dictator. It is a tough position I'm in, trying to satisfy the different desires in our community.

[aiki14]

We need to sort out this mess, with a summit or some kind of meeting. Maybe a hosted chat session. The senior members of the forum need to agree on guidelines going forward to allow the forum to grow and incorporate the diverse population of traders and characters here. I don't want to be a dictator. It is a tough position I'm in, trying to satisfy the different desires in our community.

If invited I would participate.

[Thierry Martin]

If invited I would participate.

Of course you would be invited.

[Jelly]

1) If you have rules, they have to be posted at the top of every page. You should eliminate "call to arms" subjects: politics, religion, "how is your mother?", newbee bashing (they get three strikes, then they're open season).

The text needs to be bigger (in fact all outline text needs to be bigger), so people won't miss it. I have a magnifier, but some don't.

2) Not everybody is a great trader. If beginners are snubbed, the leaders will tear each other up and this place WILL go down. Especially now. When a lot are losing money, tempers are close to the surface.

3) Everybody needs to have a reason to come here, stay here and post here. Sex, drugs and rock and roll have a place. Jokes are great. Titties and beer are great.

4) Posting here is tedious compared to Delphi Forums. You can get threads of a hundred posts in a few days. I have one and have modded at a few others. The amount of control is great. The very best thing is to have enough mods so that their presence is obvious. Delphi forums are free.

5) Fights are cool. But this is where a strong moderator or 5 is necessary. Not as a referee, but as a participant who is capable of winning any contest based on forum skill, not subject superiority.

6) Secret anything sucks. Secret chats, secret folders etc. The reason for forum changes should be obvious by the thread that creates them. The exception is a place for mods to talk amongst themselves.

[Pinguin]

Glad to hear we will be getting more attention (I think). I personally enjoy most of the jests between the group, but I could live without reading the personal attacks. This site is a great arena for knowledge sharing. I have learned from most posters, no matter if the lessons are good or bad.

Thanks for an arena to discuss stocks, and when necessary to let off some steam.