problems with forum moderators?

[Shuggie]

Originally Posted by transam

hmm...

First sorry for my english but i think i have to write here,
want to add someting..

i'm a casweel customer,
But !! I like free Spetch !!!!

God Bless America!! I'm with you Transam. Speak and be heard!

[91xplorer]

thats how i found this site is from a post of from one of ur competitors.i don't post much but i am here reading new stuff every day same with other sites if i run into a jam i will ask but mostly i search and find most of my answers

[mcaswell]

I very much appreciate the open exchange of information on this post, and can understand everyone's opinion. Please allow me to give my opinions on the issues raised here:

When I started a forum on our web site almost 7 years ago (when forums where a new idea), I never imagined it would grow to the amazing tool it is today, both for Caswell Inc and its users. I honestly believe that there is no other forum anywhere on the web that contains the vast array of information and knowledgable users that we have here. You should all be very proud of yourselves for that. We offered the tool, but you've all provided the content and made it into what it is today.

We don't allow posts that advertise a competitor's product, and for those of you who think this is wrong, I would ask you to put yourselves in our shoes. Some of you have businesses, or are thinking of starting businesses...what would you do if someone came to your business and stood in front of it, on your property, holding a sign advertising your competitor? Would you shrug it off and say "That's free speech", or would you call the cops and have them escorted from the property with a trespassing charge?

This forum is our property. We pay for it, and the bandwidth it uses. Do we see a return on this money....yes, of course, but what chumps we would be if we paid good money for this and let it turn into an advertisement for our competitors.

I don't have a problem with anyone posting links to products that we don't sell, but it's a thin line. E.g. We sell Lab Metal, an aluminum based filler. If you post a link to a different aluminum based filler, it's likely to be removed.

All we ask is that you use your common sense, and not get offended if a post gets removed or edited. We read every single post made here, and while we may not always reply ('cause we're real busy getting your orders out the door as quickly as possible), we do take all your suggestions and feedback seriously.

Regards

Lance Caswell
President

[sdold]

I think when you say "Advertising", you really mean any mention at all of any other brand. Maybe if you changed "You will not advertise..." to "You will not mention other brands by name..." people would understand the rules a little better.

For example, I got edited for complaining about problems with another company's product. I never considered that as "Advertising" and had no idea I was violating the TOS.

Transam: "Free Speech" doesn't apply to private internet forums, and that's the way it should be.

[mcaswell]

There's a lot of grey areas. I don't have a problem with someone posting a link to another product, or brand, if we don't sell anything similar.

Since I can't expect every user to be 100% familiar with our entire product range, there are going to be some cases where editing is required.

All I ask is not to take these edits personally. We'll do our best to let you know exactly why it was edited.

[dosdawg]

TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH WAORACING

that was the thread post, and it was my post, and yes a moderator did write that. i just blew it off as an uneducated idiot. as it totally had nothing to do with selling nothing, merely stated that i would host any of you guys work as a contribution and in conjuction with using caswells site and products. oh well, not a big deal to me, but yes moderators should be more professional and more courtesous. yes caswell, you have those as volunteers, but those of us who post in here are spending our money on your products. hence the addage, customer is always right.

i did read the TOS, and didnt see anything about being in violation if i offered a place to host the finishers works. at any rate, all is well, i have been banned from better forums, and will probably be banned from others, there are forums a plenty on the net, just which one wants the money, would be the trick question.


holla all
dosdawgs_inc

[mcaswell]

As as result of all your valued feedback, we've instituted a new policy where editing posts is concerned. Moderators now collaborate when there is an issue and come to an agreement about whether a post is in violation.

As I truly believe this will solve the issues raised here, this thread is now closed.

Thanks for all your input.