Question: Why can't OPs close/delete threads?

[Pukeamon]

Hi All,

I was wondering why I can't close or delete my own threads? Seems easier for me to close the thread myself than contacting a mod but maybe there's a reason behind it that I don't know about?

 

[Pukeamon]

Hi there! The reason why has mostly to do with reason itself; this meaning: is there a particular reason why you'd want to close your own thread? Thread deletion is rarer and it's more than likely you'll just have your thread closed by a mod than deleted. Generally speaking, it's easier on mods to keep track of what threads they've personally closed/deleted and to keep a record of the reason why, things like that.

If there's a thread that you made that you'd want closed, you'd still want to discuss it with the secion mod because they're the ones who decide whether or not it's warranted, which is the bigger thing, here.

well i guess i mainly use trade corner and they have rules like only one thread per category so if u want to make a new thread in the same category u have to close your other thread :P

 

[Melody]

To add depth to what colours is saying; It's long been considered as unneeded for users to have Close Own or Delete Own bits because the idea of the forum is to promote activity. If a thread creator could close it at will; they might stifle an otherwise good conversation going on in said thread; or end up closing a thread that the mod had stickied for good reason. It's really easy for someone to inadvertently close a thread too.

Largely PC staff takes a stance of lock before delete usually though. Makes their job easier. I doubt most mods would say no to a request so long as it was reasonable and the reason for the thread closure makes sense and closing it won't hurt anything as far as other posters go. Regardless of your reason; if there's a problem you're having in one of your own threads that make you want to close it; approaching the section's moderator and talking to them about it is a good idea. Maybe the thread doesn't need closure; but perhaps there are other actions a moderator can take to assist you! :3

For Trade Corner; closing an existing shop thread is as easy as PM-ing your Trade Corner moderator(s) and asking them to close the thread, explaining what you are planning to do.

 

[Logan]

We don't really delete threads as it can affect other user's post count etc. among other reasons.

I don't really see any reason why we shouldn't let users have the ability to open and close their own threads, would save a lot of time and hassle for mods. Especially in forums like ROM Hacking.

 

[Logan]

There's always going to be reasons for and against, but if we're allowing user's to edit their own thread titles it seems pretty reasonable we trust user's to open and close their own threads sensibly.

 

[Mana1]

I mean, it really depends. I can imagine this probably being useful in areas like Trade Corner, ROM Hacking, maybe Roleplaying and the more creative areas of the board, but for more discussion-heavy areas, I'd hesitate whether or not users should have that ability.

Agree with this. I don't think members should be able to delete but in many threads where there is a thread 'owner' rather than an open discussion thread it might be helpful.

 

[Klippy]

The only time it's really necessary for a member to be able to close their own thread is when they are running an art-style shop, an RP, or some other self-created (or rather, creative) thing. In those cases, the member simply can PM a staff member to close their thread if they no longer wish to have it open.

In discussion-based areas though and even here in City Hall, we don't want members locking their own threads if people aren't responding how they like or with similar views. There are many topics down in Round Table and Treehouse that can get intense or even personal, to which we'd not want the OP coming by to lock their own topic, and similarly here where people may have additional questions to ask. They can request it be locked still, but then it's up to a staff member to decide if it needs locked or not.

If we could implement it on a per-area basis, I'd be fine with helping to alleviate some of the strain on our mods in the creative boards though.

 

[Desert Stream~]

The only time it's really necessary for a member to be able to close their own thread is when they are running an art-style shop, an RP, or some other self-created (or rather, creative) thing. In those cases, the member simply can PM a staff member to close their thread if they no longer wish to have it open.

In discussion-based areas though and even here in City Hall, we don't want members locking their own threads if people aren't responding how they like or with similar views. There are many topics down in Round Table and Treehouse that can get intense or even personal, to which we'd not want the OP coming by to lock their own topic, and similarly here where people may have additional questions to ask. They can request it be locked still, but then it's up to a staff member to decide if it needs locked or not.

If we could implement it on a per-area basis, I'd be fine with helping to alleviate some of the strain on our mods in the creative boards though.

Maybe we could also have it so stickied threads can't be deleted?

 

[moon]

If we could implement it on a per-area basis, I'd be fine with helping to alleviate some of the strain on our mods in the creative boards though.

Perhaps, but there are good reasons for having hand picked moderators be the ones entrusted with performing these actions, even if they seem janitorial at times. I have sometimes seen members wanting to lock threads when others would prefer them to stay open. Such as RPs.

Maybe those places that really deal with galleries or fanfics or game showcases could implement this, if ever possible! Like FF&W's main section but not its sub-section, and like Game Dev's game showcase sub-section but not some other sub-sections. RPT probably wouldn't benefit from letting members lock their own threads, since a lot of users are participating in threads there, even if a game master created it. So really section/sub-section specific implementation, could be pretty useful (:

I don't think members should be able to delete threads though; when would that really be necessary? As stated earlier, mods often prefer to lock rather than delete, unless it's spam. And members posting spam probably aren't going to delete their own threads.

 

[Pukeamon]

Well since i main in trade corner it would be useful for me and others to close our own threads so that people don't post in them. i understand why it wouldn't be a good idea for being able to close discussion based threads. would also be useful for me to be able to delete my own polls so i can add a new poll to my trade shop thread. seems a bit annoying to msg a mod just to close a thread coz it's pretty trivial. thought mods would have better and more interesting things to do :P

also do mods go around locking dead threads or do u have to request to get it locked?

 

[Pukeamon]

I mean, mods are here for a reason! We like to help you guys out and I'm sure it wouldn't bother any of us for a request to lock a thread, because we (well, I personally don't get them b/c I mod a discussion area, but point stands) really get them quite a bit. ^_^

So honestly, even if you want a poll edited/deleted, don't hesitate to contact the respective mod of that particular section, because again, that's part of why we're here.



Generally speaking, no. What's considered "dead" of course, varies from section to section, but they're not automatically closed, no. For one thing that's mostly unnecessary, for another, in specific creative sections, only the "owner" of the thread is allowed to bump their thread, so closing all dead threads run counterproductive to that, among other reasons.

ah. i thought no one is allowed to post in dead threads which in most forums is over 30 days. so OPs can revive dead threads? just annoys me when ppl post in trade threads that are so old >_< well the owner can always ask to unlock a thread :P

 

[Belldandy]

Although I see the utility as it pertains to Trade Centre threads, I personally have not had more than a 24hrs turn-around time to have a thread closed by a mod'. I don't think the way it is set up now necessarily needs improvement.