Well as long as we're being honest I might as well come clean.
I had a rather nasty incident in the forums recently that involved a thread by Eric and moderator "Lego Senior Pirate". I started posting jokes and he said I was hi-jacking the thread.
His kung-fu was Sooo great, I gave myself a 4 day mute.
It was SOOo refreshing.
Then I realized why.
Last week I went to a tag sale. I saw a beautiful chess set. I asked the guy how much he wanted for it. He said it brought him SOooo much trouble in life, he gave it to me for free.
Unbeknowst to me at the time, it turned out to be The Montglane Service. While under its spell it caused me to act a little squirrely in the forums. And for that, I owe an apology to Eric, Lego Pirate, and all involved.
Who knew the Catholic Church would hide such an item in Holyoke, the heroin center of Massachusettes.
The only good thing that came of it is I managed to upset member "RogerOT" again.
Congratulations to Chess.com
HEY STAFF
Can I do a Top 10 reasons in off-topic without getting in trouble?
A more forceful approach to moderation was long overdue in my opinion, because the level of abuse and racism that was permitted on this forum a year ago was absolutely horrendous.
You'd think an international chess website would be loathe to allow its chat forum to be used as a platform for nazi propaganda - we should all be thankful that the mods have finally been instructed to apply zero tolerance. Quite apart from anything else it's bad for their reputation and ultimately, their business.
I agree, and had the same conversation with Staff and Mods about twelve months ago. Nothing was done about the racism, but other threads that contained good political debate were closed down; it's why I raised a stink.
I think this forum is dead for any meaningful discussion on just about anything that includes current affairs. The Brexit thread had over 50000 views but was closed, seemingly choking off potential customers, but there y'go, the decision was made.
I'll reiterate. I first joined this site because political debate was allowed here. I made points and complaints when abuse, xenophobia, racism and sexism were rife. Often after I joined a thread, making alternative points these were deemed political. Maybe if I hadn't made comments, political comments, then the racism and abuse would still be allowed. So, a result. I got stamped on but the result was worth it.
"current affairs"? They killed my CNN thread.
I know, how dare you post current affairs! 
Currants have affairs? What about raisins? I bet sultanas are the worst!
Currants have affairs? What about raisins? I bet sultanas are the worst!
Is Maureen O'Boyle still on A Current Affair?
Currants have affairs? What about raisins? I bet sultanas are the worst!
Inevitable. They're all thrown into a small area together, get talking and one thing leads to another....
Not that anyone would notice but all the offensive remarks have been removed by Staff on the Feminism/marriage thread. A pity that it was left to run as long as it did though, despite comments by others, but eventually a positive response after a reminder. However, a great improvement on what we used to see on these forums. Nice to see 'hate crimes' being actioned by Staff whether they be against women or people of colour.
there is a real disconnect amongst the staff here, and the last post shows it. there are new rules forbidding discussion of politics and religion, but, certain other topics that should be off limits have been allowed until a staff member either notices or perceives an issue that he or she thinks is beyond acceptable, and norms need to be set.
eric, get staff together and set the ground rules. it's not that difficult.
there is a real disconnect amongst the staff here, and the last post shows it. there are new rules forbidding discussion of politics and religion, but, certain other topics that should be off limits have been allowed until a staff member either notices or perceives an issue that he or she thinks is beyond acceptable, and norms need to be set.
eric, get staff together and set the ground rules. it's not that difficult.
Yes it is difficult. The staff, and mods are in a no wn situation. Enforce the rules, and some arent happy. Dont enforce the rules, and some arent happy. Give some rules some slack, and some arent happy. Tow the line, and some arent happy. No matter what the staff/mods do, someone wont be happy. Then you have those that blatantly ignore the site rules, and still complain when they are punished. And you have those that are never going to be happy, no matter what you do.
zealandzen wrote:
well, sad to know there was such trouble in this neighborhood. shoo. fun forums could be the reason to get up in the morning. make it so.
Sad to see people like Zeal leave. She worked hard to make this site good. I hope her leaving doesn't go unnoticed and she's contacted by staff here to find out why. Staff and mods can have a tough time here too and I hope they support each other. It's a tough job but I hope it's rewarding as well.
Her "Guess the picture" threads we're a lot of fun.
there is a real disconnect amongst the staff here, and the last post shows it. there are new rules forbidding discussion of politics and religion, but, certain other topics that should be off limits have been allowed until a staff member either notices or perceives an issue that he or she thinks is beyond acceptable, and norms need to be set.
eric, get staff together and set the ground rules. it's not that difficult.
Yes it is difficult. The staff, and mods are in a no wn situation. Enforce the rules, and some arent happy. Dont enforce the rules, and some arent happy. Give some rules some slack, and some arent happy. Tow the line, and some arent happy. No matter what the staff/mods do, someone wont be happy. Then you have those that blatantly ignore the site rules, and still complain when they are punished. And you have those that are never going to be happy, no matter what you do.
I agree, not a simple task G.P, but all I ask for is consistency and if it's achieved, then I'll be happy. While some may push the boundaries a little on politics, (me included) the posts are rarely offensive.
We're told that the forums are now monitored more thoroughly but we still see many abusive, offensive remarks from the 'Right' being left on display. Meanwhile, other threads are closed down quickly if the arena of politics is touched on. It sometimes appears that the issue of politics is frowned on more so than openly offensive posts designed to insult and inflame.
My Satan thread got locked for the usual reason, a bit trigger-happy methinks. But I've defiantly relaunched it - pfft, like the CC thought police can keep the forces of darkness at bay?
Yaaa booo. I thought this thread was going to be about a character of fearsome reputation. Apparently he's known for striding around in a red suit and poking people with his pitchfork. Quite handsome too going by some of the photies! 
His 'guests', we're told, are those of us who reject religion or have committed acts considered as rule-breaking against various religions and gods.
I'm really disappointed, I'd hoped for stories of gore and bloodshed and never-ending pain and suffering that this fella excels at, or so some would have us believe. I've also been told that he's the master of all things we consider 'evil', like booze, sex and rock n roll. Possibly a political debate with Satan would be enlightening, understanding different perceptions of 'right and wrong', but not on this forum eh!
I'd be interested in a discussion on how and why Satan got this reputation. I'd like to know when he first appeared in history, under his various guises and names according to the many different religions with their different gods. I've noted that most religions appear to use this fella as 'the whip', to spur on 'none-believers' into being 'believers'.
I'll add that I'm pleased that this isn't a discussion on religion (as the topic is banned), as they tend to become an issue of whether an individual has a faith rather than anything real debate can fathom out. What I'd like to establish, or rather learn from others, is more on the nuts and bolts of the techniques used by organised religion over the ages by the introduction of this mythical character to strike fear into the hearts of uneducated and weak individuals. Please don't anyone say that he's real!
I have to make a course correction. It was KAYAK who had the "guess the picture" thread, not Zealandzen. The're both cool members, I wouldn't want either one to leave. Carry On
A more forceful approach to moderation was long overdue in my opinion, because the level of abuse and racism that was permitted on this forum a year ago was absolutely horrendous.
You'd think an international chess website would be loathe to allow its chat forum to be used as a platform for nazi propaganda - we should all be thankful that the mods have finally been instructed to apply zero tolerance. Quite apart from anything else it's bad for their reputation and ultimately, their business.