Why...?

[Gixxer]

Why are forum members allowed to close threads they started?

On countless occasions, I've come online and seen a thread that I'd like to contribute to but when I try to reply, the thread has already been closed! I've never seen this on any other forum but it seems that if the thread starter doesn't get the replies he/she hopes to receive, they can throw their toys out of the pram, spit their dummy out and close the thread! Is there a good reason why forum members are allowed to close threads when they don't get the replies they wish for, or is it simply to allow slapped arses to get their own way and have the final say?

[dani_r]

You're obviously only looking at the uses of the Thread Closing option from one particular side. Yes, people can close the thread is they're not happy with the way it goes, but that's their choice. If the thread is going south as it were and the OP decides it's just going to turn in to a fight then they're quite right to do so. It happens time and time again. Some people on here are like children! We are all very observant though, and we are all aware of the members who are up their own ass and need constant praise, resulting in a constant stream of 'look at me!' threads.... The best thing to do there is just not post on their threads. Worked for me so far!

However, on the other side of the coin. The closing option is a useful tool, particularly on for sale adverts or similar.

[jimmyhorns]

I too feel that there shouldnt be a 'thread closed' option in any of the forum sections that are not for sale or wanted e.t.c.

Forums are forums, and not a podium for someone to speak and not have to deal with retort from their peers.

I think moderators could and should be able to close threads that are getting out of hand or offensive however.

Closing the thread just stiffles discussion.

[Gixxer]

I agree... on the 'for sale' threads, it's handy to be able to close them when their course has run but whenever I see threads closed by the OP, it seems to be because the replies they received weren't the replies they wanted to hear. I just find it hard to comprehend why people should be allowed to close a thread because the answers they received aren't the ones they wanted, but the thread could be helpful to someone else if allowed to run its course.

[SaneAdam]

They do it when the feel the thread has become redundant or there are too many idiots looking to jump on the wind up wagon and cause trouble. It is actually a very simple form of damage limitation and is a great way of avoiding any trouble and staying calm amongst idiots imo :)

Although....... i think i just stumbled across the closed thread that possibly prompted this post....... I have to say, i too wish it had stayed open to join in the "conversation" :)

[KevDavies]

I too have bee watching "that" thread and cant see any remarks that warrant closing the thread. Just a sensitive OP, who is averse to humour

[GravityKills]

>> that if the thread starter doesn't get the replies he/she hopes to receive
bingo.

[Guest]

I've often thought it's a shame there isn't a sort of "side-discussion" that's not necessarily in-line with the main thread but maybe, well, to the side - so that side-comments that people feel the need to make (and I enjoy reading :)) could be out of the main stream. Would make informative threads much easier to scan. But then people would get upset that their comment got "sided out" I guess and you'd need a side-side-comment.. I suppose that's what GoogleWave was and that _really_ succeeded..

People are a messy business :)

[waveydavey]

I've been a forum member for a number of years and I think I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of threads I felt were getting out of hand and required a bit of moderation. The playful comedic remarks are what makes the forum for me, I find some of them hilarious and enjoy taking part sometimes. If the replys aren't what you expected when you started the thread then it's easy just to ignore the remarks and carry on the thread replying to those that you want.

[Gixxer]

[QUOTE=waveydavey;940219]I've been a forum member for a number of years and I think I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of threads I felt were getting out of hand and required a bit of moderation. The playful comedic remarks are what makes the forum for me, I find some of them hilarious and enjoy taking part sometimes. If the replys aren't what you expected when you started the thread then it's easy just to ignore the remarks and carry on the thread replying to those that you want.[/QUOTE]

My sentiments exactly! If you don't like the replies, it's easy to ignore them.

I think that once someone replies to a thread, the thread is then public domain and nobody should have a right to close it unless it breaks the rules.

[Jamin_00]

Just start another??

[n00by]

yer why not lol

[David Drew]

This thread needs closing before it gets out of hand lol.



Closing threads can be a way of slipping away from opinions that don't suit the OP, but likewise they can be closed to stop stupid posts and nonsense.

As above, if you want to keep the discussion going start another thread.

[Made2Fade]

This makes me think of an incident that happened a couple of days back on my step sons facebook page. His grandmother passed away at the beginning of the week. He posted on facebook that she had passed away. There were a few polite comments from people generally saying how sorry they were etc etc
7 or 8 posts in there seemed to be 2 people in particular that began to argue. This was met with another couple of people telling them that it was disrespectful doing this and that it probably wasnt what my step son wanted to see/hear right now (clearly hes very upset loosing his grandmother). It led to my wife telling them that they are not very good friends doing this and totally direspectful.
Basically what im trying to say here is that Lewis (my stepson) had good intentions by making a post telling his friends that his grandmother had passed. It quickly got out of control by 2 silly people (a bit like when people use humour in the wrong place, which i have recently seen alot of round here lately). He has the option to delete these posts, as do we all on facebook. I see this as very similar. If i put a post up giving someone praise for example. Then some people come on that thread and basically take that praise away then i am entitled to close that thread before it goes sour (which wasnt my original intentions). Instead, if people have negative experiences then they should make their own threads instead of bombarding others that have the intention of doing good.
Thats my take on it anyways :)

[Gixxer]

[QUOTE=Jamin_00;940225]Just start another??[/QUOTE]


You could do but I'd hazard a guess that generally speaking, the people who replied to the original thread, did so because they felt their input may have been a valuable contribution to the thread but if I'd taken the time to write a lengthy reply to a thread and the thread was subsequently closed, I doubt I'd bother opening another thread, just to get my point across again.