Thread: Ellipses posts will be deleted

Just a note to let everyone know, I've asked moderators to remove posts that only have punctuation such as '...' that inflate post counts while adding nothing to the content of the site. This is the notification for that as opposed to a PM sent each time.

I predict an angry OX!

Is there any other kind?

Originally Posted by alanmt

I predict an angry OX!

In his case removing all such posts will probably reduce his post count by 50%.

Foxee, that could be the best news I’ve heard in a while.

On the other hand, certain other sites that use VBulletin allow members to delete their own posts.

If that was turned on here, people who have second thoughts about what they’ve posted - and there’s plenty of us - wouldn’t need to resort to ellipses, or, as KLM did yesterday when I pointed out to him the secondary implication of his post, change it for some meaningless drivel, in his case about lieking chocolate milk (KLM’s spelling, not mine)

And it would save moderators all that work.

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Foxee, that could be the best news I’ve heard in a while.

On the other hand, certain other sites that use VBulletin allow members to delete their own posts.

If that was turned on here, people who have second thoughts about what they’ve posted - and there’s plenty of us - wouldn’t need to resort to ellipses, or, as KLM did yesterday when I pointed out to him the secondary implication of his post, change it for some meaningless drivel, in his case about lieking chocolate milk (KLM’s spelling, not mine)

And it would save moderators all that work.

As you are probably the worst culprit there's another option for you to consider; you could take a few minutes to think about what you want to say before you post. This slight mental discipline could result in many additional benefits that you hadn't considered. It can also make use of previously neglected areas of grey matter.

*blows raspberry*

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Foxee, that could be the best news I’ve heard in a while.

On the other hand, certain other sites that use VBulletin allow members to delete their own posts.

If that was turned on here, people who have second thoughts about what they’ve posted - and there’s plenty of us - wouldn’t need to resort to ellipses, or, as KLM did yesterday when I pointed out to him the secondary implication of his post, change it for some meaningless drivel, in his case about lieking chocolate milk (KLM’s spelling, not mine)

And it would save moderators all that work.

Despite its obvious and difficult to bypass potential for gratuitous ridicule, there may be a germ buried in this post worthy of some consideration. What drawbacks are incurred, if one is allowed to delete one's own posts? (Assuming it is actually an option, technically. Seems like it might be, despite that dinosaur recommendation.) It doesn't really wash, that it's in the forum's interest, to be in discipline training and enforcement. Too many potential targets. pp

This is great news! You people are really on top of it.

Sarcasm smiley salesman calls on Joe in Atlanta.

Thanks Joe! Glad you're happy.

Originally Posted by iDrew

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Yeah, I agree.

Originally Posted by ppsage

Despite its obvious and difficult to bypass potential for gratuitous ridicule, there may be a germ buried in this post worthy of some consideration. What drawbacks are incurred, if one is allowed to delete one's own posts? (Assuming it is actually an option, technically. Seems like it might be, despite that dinosaur recommendation.) It doesn't really wash, that it's in the forum's interest, to be in discipline training and enforcement. Too many potential targets. pp

The effect on post counts is the main reason that people cannot delete their own posts. If it's just individual posts then it's not really a problem but when the post happens to be the OP then there's an obvious knock on effect. If it happens to be a topic that's gone into several pages this can effect a lot of members' counts. This also causes complaints so whichever way we play this there's going to be someone who isn't happy about it.

There's no reason why members shouldn't ask staff to delete individual posts. When it comes to threads then our policy is generally to not delete them for the reason stated.

Originally Posted by Baron

There's no reason why members shouldn't ask staff to delete individual posts.

All I was doing with my suggestion was showing how staff could avoid the extra work proposed by Foxee. And I repeat, AW, which also uses VBulletin, is awash with member-deleted posts.

It's been pretty clearly explained why we aren't doing that, though, Ox. If someone else deletes a bunch of their threads that you have responded in, your post count drops like a rock. No need for that.