The Outhouse - The Greatest Comic Book Forum

by **BlueStreak** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:49 pm

Benderbrau wrote:How did it fit the definition of a technical issue?

The OP made a request to lock the thread. As that's a technical aspect of the site that can't be done by normal posters, BK complied.

by **Benderbrau** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:58 pm

BlueMole wrote:The OP made a request to lock the thread. As that's a technical aspect of the site that can't be done by normal posters, BK complied.

Sorry, still confused. That doesn't make it a technical aspect of the site, that just makes it something normal posters can't do. A technical aspect of the site would be responding if the server goes down or fixing the code, etc. And why do editors need the ability to lock threads? Where would locking threads come into play in one's role as an editor?

by **SuperginraiX** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:01 pm

Benderbrau wrote:Sorry, still confused. That doesn't make it a technical aspect of the site, that just makes it something normal posters can't do. A technical aspect of the site would be responding if the server goes down or fixing the code, etc. And why do editors need the ability to lock threads? Where would locking threads come into play in one's role as an editor?

Sometimes, a front page article goes insane and creates a billion forum threads. An editor has the ability to combine them all, lock the ones that aren't connected to the front page article, or delete them completely.

We also have the ability to help out with non-disciplinary actions in order to make this place run better. We are amazing.

by **BlueStreak** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:07 pm

Benderbrau wrote:Sorry, still confused. That doesn't make it a technical aspect of the site, that just makes it something normal posters can't do. A technical aspect of the site would be responding if the server goes down or fixing the code, etc. And why do editors need the ability to lock threads? Where would locking threads come into play in one's role as an editor?

It comes in handy for contests, polls and whatnot. Modifying thread types (stickies, announcements, locking, etc.) is a technical issue (i.e. something that makes the site run smoother). BK literally edited the thread type from "open" to "closed", which is something that an "editor" (being one who edits) can do. Voluntary locks are a technical issue that doesn't need an admin to sign off on. If the OP asks a thread to be locked, it should be done so as soon as possible. Just because you don't see such things as a technical issue, doesn't mean that we (being the site management) agree with you.

Now, should an editor lock a thread without the permission of the OP or delete a thread without permission or something like that, that would be out of line and their editing powers are removed. Luckily, we (being the site management) trust the editors not to use their powers irresponsibly.

I hope that clears things up for you. If it doesn't, too bad.

by **Benderbrau** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:08 pm

SuperginraiX wrote:Sometimes, a front page article goes insane and creates a billion forum threads. An editor has the ability to combine them all, lock the ones that aren't connected to the front page article, or delete them completely.

We also have the ability to help out with non-disciplinary actions in order to make this place run better. We are amazing.

Okay I get all those except for "lock the ones that aren't connected to the front page article" (I confess that I don't know what that means) but shouldn't that be where you should limit use of that ability to? I have a keycard that accesses both areas that I need to use and areas that I don't because the two couldn't be seperated. But that doesn't mean I should go into those areas I'm not involved in just because I can.

by **Benderbrau** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:11 pm

BlueMole wrote:
It comes in handy for contests, polls and whatnot. Modifying thread types (stickies, announcements, locking, etc.) is a technical issue (i.e. something that makes the site run smoother). BK literally edited the thread type from "open" to "closed", which is something that an "editor" (being one who edits) can do. Voluntary locks are a technical issue that doesn't need an admin to sign off on. If the OP asks a thread to be locked, it should be done so as soon as possible. Just because you don't see such things as a technical issue, doesn't mean that we (being the site management) agree with you.

Now, should an editor lock a thread without the permission of the OP or delete a thread without permission or something like that, that would be out of line and their editing powers are removed. Luckily, we (being the site management) trust the editors not to use their powers irresponsibly.

I hope that clears things up for you. If it doesn't, too bad.

Then how about we all get the ability to lock our own threads and if we get "out of line" with it then remove that ability from the user?

by **BlueStreak** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:11 pm

Benderbrau wrote:Okay I get all those except for "lock the ones that aren't connected to the front page article" (I confess that I don't know what that means) but shouldn't that be where you should limit use of that ability to? I have a keycard that accesses both areas that I need to use and areas that I don't because the two couldn't be seperated. But that doesn't mean I should go into those areas I'm not involved in just because I can.

Nope. There are certain guidelines that editors follow, and voluntary lockings are one of them, as would be deleting clearcut pornography (i.e. showing penetration) or a spam attack from a Bulgarian viagra dealer. These are things that should be cleaned up quickly for the betterment of the board.

It wasn't a disciplinary call, so it's not something that has to be handled by an admin.

by **BlueStreak** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:12 pm

Benderbrau wrote:Then how about we all get the ability to lock our own threads and if we get "out of line" with it then remove that ability from the user?

I'll bring it up at the next Shadow Council meeting.

by **S.F. Jude Terror** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:18 pm

I am sending an official complaint to Newton.

by **Benderbrau** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:20 pm

BlueMole wrote:
Nope. There are certain guidelines that editors follow, and voluntary lockings are one of them, as would be deleting clearcut pornography (i.e. showing penetration) or a spam attack from a Bulgarian viagra dealer. These are things that should be cleaned up quickly for the betterment of the board.

It wasn't a disciplinary call, so it's not something that has to be handled by an admin.

I know you guys think of this as a "book" forum and all and want to give people titles that relate to positions in the literary world like "writer" and "editor", etc but this is an internet forum and what you just described sounds like the work of an sys admin to me and speaking as an IT professional I know I'm right. So IMHO you might want to redefine staff roles more clearly to better suit their responsiblities to avoid confusion in the future I guess is what I'm saying. Call an apple an apple, know what I mean?