Linn Forums

On quite a few other forums I read, there's an "Ignore User" option, which means that you see that user has added a post to a thread, but you can't see the contents unless you click "Stop ignoring user". This seems to help avoiding escalation of disagreements, since people can just ignore those who rant about the topic!

It's also much less intrusive than actually banning users, since they're welcome to keep posting and discussing things, but those who don't want to read about it, don't have to!

I second the motion!

Don't agree.
"Ignore user" makes it difficult to follow a discussion.

I like this forum to be a nice place where we all help each other getting the best out of our Linn systems, doing so using grown up language/behavior.

The less the moderator/other forum visitors have to interact the better.
Together we create the climate

But why should people without proper manner be able to continue posting? A moderator warning, followed by a week vacation and finally cancelation of the user account is the normal method.

True, but it's an individual choice as to whether to ignore someone (so if you ignore them, I don't have to, and vice-versa). The only times I use it on other forums are when the particular individual always posts essentially the same points, so I can guess what they probably said anyway!

I feel that "ignore user" reduces the need to ban people, as those who are annoyed/offended can simply ignore them. Obviously, it is best to never post anything annoying, but different people have different definitions of "annoying"!

Use of "ignore users" allows me to choose to moderate other people whose posts I don't want to read, without that affecting their use of the forums, or how I other people interact with them.

Clearly also, if someone is posting something blatantly inflammatory/offensive, then that is where moderators should step in, with warnings followed by temporary suspension, then a total bar.

Agreed, and would like to add my voice to the 'more active moderator intervention' call, as it is usually people with an extreme personal bias and little real knowledge causing confusion and mis-information for non-technical users.

In my experience, and not just on this forum, it is often fruitless to try and persuade those people to change their behaviour and try to have a meaningful debate on facts in a clearly defined place and manner. They perceive their personal point of view as the only 'truth' and nothing else will count. Therefore they go on a crusade with great determination to convince everyone else of the merit of their opinion. Thats why they behave in a less than a democratic and reasonable way in the first place and are unlikely to change their behaviour.

A really great forum will always need some intervention by a very skilled moderator, who sets and follows very clear guidelines. Sometimes, they will need to make a call on what is, or is not, acceptable.

Just my personal observation.

Chris

1)A good forum will be contolled by the moderator..

2)If you disagree with a posting, ahem , that's life.. see 4

3)If you think someones trolling dont be foolish enough to get involved and escalate it, by the way somone will do that anyway so having an ignore button makes no differance..

4) If you expected civilised, reasonable arguments to exist and grow on a open internet forum ... (ahem) Your living in fantasy world.