I think the reading would be fine, for those who are serious about having
a private forum, the integration pro website definitely keeps out the DIY'selfer.

If moderators are finally instituted, at least rotate them in and out, so their heads don't get too big.

I agree with you Anthony. And if the CI Lounge goes membership only, I'd love to be able to read the posts.

I also agree that the degree of moderating needs to be low.

I'm more for deleting blatant posts that are personal attacks, moving posts to proper forums, and that kind of thing.

I do agree that over-moderating can be worse than no moderating at all.

I agree with pretty much anyone.

If moderators are added, it probably should be the bare minimum number, possibly just one. Someone to move threads to the proper forum, and close threads or delete objectionable posts when they have gone far enough.

One sports forum that I'm a member of went really bad when moderators were added. Since it's creation, there was only one moderator, and I swear he never went on the forums at all. He'd show up a week later to ban a troll that had been spamming for a long time. Eventually things got so bad that emails were sent to the team webmaster, who added more mods. But he added four new ones. They (especially the one) went absoultely crazy...not only did they get rid of the trolls, they also banned anyone that criticized them or their viewpoints, plus deleted stuff they disagreed with, and went merge crazy on most threads so that discussion wasn't even able to be logically followed. It took them about 2 months to see their shortcomings - now everything's fine, but we lost a lot of likable members in the process (people who were so fed up they quit).

Now, that's pretty off on a tangent, obviously that won't happen here. I think the forums are fine as is, but moderation wouldn't be a bad thing. Especially to move threads...the CI lounge seems to be a combination technical/off-topic forum.

A readable CI lounge for everyone would be great. IP seems to be fine for the pro discussion about things that can't be said publically. I'm not against having only CI's being able to post though...it would probably make the place more useful. Allowing everyone else to read it would allow the wealth of knowledge that this site has to offer to keep flowing.

Just my two cents.

The "support for moderated forums (limited posting abilities)" mentioned earlier has nothing to do with regular moderation OF forums, which was enhanced quite some time ago (although I am currently the only moderator).

The feature mentioned is basically for "read-only" forums, ie. ones where regular users cannot post, or "semi read-only" where you can only reply.

Being a non-CI... I would be disappointed with not being allowed to post in "The Lounge". Sure my profession may not be CI, but I do have a professional (electrical) opinion, and I feel I have to some small degree helped there by posting.

I have gained an endless amount of knowledge by reading through that forum, and jump at the chance to post there if a thread presents itself where in I can do some good. If for no other reason then to payback those that have helped me.

In my opinion it would be a shame to have the CI Lounge read only for non CIs. However I understand their frustration and rather have them around and be able to read their opinions, then gone.

Smokey,

I think your assistance is needed here . . .

I don't know what Daniel has planned. I enjoy reading the forum and sometimes put my .02$ (when I think I have something useful I can add) those guys are as zany as us and there are many entertaining posts in there. But if he decides to limit access or to make a new forum with more limited access I would trust his judgement, and would not have an issue either way.



obviously attacks are not good, and some decisions are obious(for example asking how to program a Pronto in the URC section). But all of the overmoderated forums start with good intentions, and we have al had the same experience as OTAHD. I recently retired from a site where I was a long time and very active member because I could not take the garbadge that was posted thereand the real insane moderation that was happening.


I do agree that over-moderating can be worse than no moderating at all.

Cool, can it be applied to other stuff? For example having a reply section to the what's new news articles?

Could be, however the "What's New" section isn't tied into the forums right now.