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Change contents of posts [message #254358] Thu, 26 July 2007 10:00 Go to next message
Frank
Messages: 7901
Registered: March 2000
Senior Member
Lately, I see some posts that have mod-edits. These edits seem to be changes of texts of the posters about urgency or non-descriptive topic-titles.
An example is this (note, this is just an example I came across)
I think we should not change the contents of posts in such a way.
Any thoughts on that from the others?
Re: Change contents of posts [message #254372 is a reply to message #254358] Thu, 26 July 2007 11:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Michel Cadot
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I prefer lecture the poster in my reply.
I don't mind if someone does it in the post itself but the modification should be clear; for instance with an italic font or a header, maybe keeping the original text in very small size.
For the title, choosing the font is not possible, if someone has an idea. Maybe completely removing it or replacing it by a single character (? or ! or...) is a better solution.

I think it is agressive but not really more than the "urgent" or posting in CAPITALS (or my replies Wink ).

Regards
Michel
Re: Change contents of posts [message #254382 is a reply to message #254372] Thu, 26 July 2007 11:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Frank Naude
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Registered: April 1998
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I know it can be frustrating if users do not use proper titles. However, in my opinion, moderators should only improve supplied titles - not make them worse.
Re: Change contents of posts [message #254534 is a reply to message #254382] Fri, 27 July 2007 01:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Maaher
Messages: 7065
Registered: December 2001
Senior Member
Yep, I couldn't agree more. I try to interfere not too much. I edit posts of others in a limited number of cases:

- The original poster is rude, offensive (I edit out the most offensive part to avoid a flame war). This happens very rarely. I can only recall one particular thread where I edited out some rude language.
- The poster didn't add code tags and I add them. This is the majority of the cases
- In the Marketing forum I sometimes add location information to the title.

I suggest that those 'funny' titles are changed to something on topic. It is not very encouraging to other members, and it isn't better than the original title.

Thanks for bringing it up, Frank.

MHE

Edit: perhaps a hidden moderator forum to discuss these kind of things isn't bad? I remember Barbara Boehmer or djmartin bringing up the idea but I don't know whether it was really considered.

[Updated on: Fri, 27 July 2007 06:43]

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Re: Change contents of posts [message #254900 is a reply to message #254534] Mon, 30 July 2007 00:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
djmartin
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Registered: March 2005
Location: Surges Bay TAS Australia
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I have modified posts to make them more readable by adding 'code' tags, reformatting code, and removing masses of 'white space'. Typically, the sort of things we have mentioned in the 'sticky' and which facilitate easier reading of a poster's entry.

Except for flame war prevention and copyright infringement, I don't think we should change the actual text, just the way that it is presented.

David

Upd: Typo-s.

[Updated on: Wed, 17 October 2007 20:46]

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Re: Change contents of posts [message #274579 is a reply to message #254900] Tue, 16 October 2007 08:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Maaher
Messages: 7065
Registered: December 2001
Senior Member
Apparently not all moderators agree on this one. This thread has a changed title. I doubt whether it's better than before.

MHE
Re: Change contents of posts [message #274585 is a reply to message #274579] Tue, 16 October 2007 08:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Michel Cadot
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I don't know who made this modification but I confess I gently smiled when I saw it.
I think it seems to nicely reflect OP's mind. Smile

Regards
Michel
Re: Change contents of posts [message #274622 is a reply to message #274585] Tue, 16 October 2007 11:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Frank
Messages: 7901
Registered: March 2000
Senior Member
I agree with Maarten. My first reaction was not to smile, but thinking 'what a childish thing to do'
Re: Change contents of posts [message #274629 is a reply to message #274622] Tue, 16 October 2007 11:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Michel Cadot
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It was only my second thought... and from time to time you feel better after doing such thing... but...

/forum/fa/1604/0/

Regards
Michel
Re: Change contents of posts [message #274681 is a reply to message #274629] Tue, 16 October 2007 16:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barbara Boehmer
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Registered: November 2002
Location: California, USA
Senior Member
That latest modification of title was way out of line. The only reason that I have not removed it is that I did not want to destroy the evidence before our forum administrator can see it. If this does not stop, the moderator making the changes should have his privileges to edit other people's posts and titles revoked.
Re: Change contents of posts [message #274903 is a reply to message #274681] Wed, 17 October 2007 11:15 Go to previous message
Frank Naude
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Registered: April 1998
Senior Member
This was dealt with using private mail. I trust we've seen the last of it. This issue is now closed.
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