I beg to differ - anything that has caused so much trouble (several prominent users leaving or curtailing posting) for so little apparent benefit seems like a lack of success with the current level of moderation. I also don't think a small sample size of a week means that much in terms of the overall tenor of the forums.

I personally remain very unhappy at this level of moderation. If a middle ground of sorts is reached that may change my mind but not at the moment.

Brian

Quoting m.cellophane:

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Quoting bbursiek:

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I beg to differ - anything that has caused so much trouble (several prominent users leaving or curtailing posting) for so little apparent benefit...

On the flip side, several prominent users left or curtailed postings when the unmoderated environment got bad.

We saw a few posts modified early on, but for the most part, I see posts that are more respectful, possibly because users know that moderators are watching. To me, that speaks to the success of the program.

I agree, I am much enjoying the new feel of the forums. Yes, there could be a few users posting less, or "walking on egg shells" when they post, but I think everyone is still getting a feel for the moderation and this type of thing is normal IMO. Anybody who has jumped the gun and straight up left so early on in the moderation *trial*, I'm not sure I understand, but hopefully they'll end up coming back.

I also agree with m.cellophane that many people have left due to offensive posts, so all in all, I think we are better the way we stand now (so long as we all be patient during this transition). Have to remember that the moderators (from my understanding) that Ken "hired" are his contribution screeners so for all we know this is the their first attempt at moderating a forum. I think we all need to cut them a bit of slack if things don't go exactly as we all think they should right off the bat.

Anyway, just my opinion, I like the moderation myself. 

EDIT:
Just to add something else. From my reletively short time browsing these forums, I have seen no less then a half dozen or so former members of these forums stating that they left due to the offensive nature of some users here, so I would imagine that yes, we might lose a few due to "censorship", but we might gain back a few welcome veterans who left these forums long ago. Just a thought. 

Quoting Dr. Killpatient:

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Those who would leave because of moderation are, in my opinion, over reacting.  First, it's a TRIAL, things can and probably will change.  Second, why would they leave?  Are they concerned that their own posts would be edited?  I think they should ask themselves why would that be.  Leaving because of moderation is like moving because a cop bought the house next door.*

Totally inoffensive posts HAVE been removed with the reason given that they are off-topic, and other threads that the moderators don't like have been locked.

Unless this is a repetitive behavior by someone, removal and/or locking is completely unwarranted and has, whether you see it or not, inflicted a stifling effect on the forums.

If this behavior continues, my participation here will be extremely limited.

I don't need someone else censoring me.  I'm perfectly capable of doing that myself, by staying away.

I will only say thisd, so far I am seeing the same sort of abuse that I have always seen, except now it is supported by moderators. I am seeing some users, who are being allowed to make inflammatory comments and be rewarded with their behavior with gold stars, while others andn the mods have no ideas apparently of the insulting and inflammatory nature of the comments. One of these users has apparently decided that he is the ultimate arbiter of Profiler and do whatever he wishes.

Skip

Quoting Dr. Killpatient:

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Concerning Skip's comment above, I think that the should be replaced with a "Report to Moderator" button that when clicked, a user is required to specify why they are reporting it.  After all, a lot of times the offense one person takes is not obvious to others (such as obscure & obscene slang) and an explanation is needed.

I was going to give you a but I'm all out for the day.  Instead, I'll give you a +1. 

Quoting synner_man:

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Quoting Dr. Killpatient:

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Concerning Skip's comment above, I think that the should be replaced with a "Report to Moderator" button that when clicked, a user is required to specify why they are reporting it.  After all, a lot of times the offense one person takes is not obvious to others (such as obscure & obscene slang) and an explanation is needed.

I would like the explanation option as well.  I don't give out many red arrows (maybe 10 or so since the system was implemented), but I always have a legitimate reason and would like to make it clear.  Usually it is because I see someone starting a fight that will throw the entire thread into a multi-page flame war, but I would like the option to give that reason and make it clear it isn't because I disagree with the issue or have a personal problem with the poster.  Just something to explain to the moderator why it was given.

I suggested that back in November & still think it's a good idea

Quoting Forget_the_Rest:

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I suggested that back in November & still think it's a good idea

I had a tickle in the back of my mind that I've seen it before, good to hear that many people evidently like it.  Hopefully it'll become a reality now that we have moderators.

Quoting Dr. Killpatient:

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:exasperated sigh:

Is the trial over?

Not at all. Skip's protection is still active. But since he is at present time the only one to send insults, there is nothing to moderate