Deleting posts vs. locking threads

[molitor fan]

In one most recent instance, a thread was locked when a poster broached something that could have been better served in a private email to Brian. The thread was locked to prevent things from going in an unneeded direction, but a previous string of posts that contained very good and needed comments by SoCal and others were in the thread, and honestly, you know that now they will never be read. Can certain posts be deleted to maintain the continuity of a thread, or does this open up just a new can of worms....

[squarepusher]

[ In one most recent instance, a thread was locked when a poster broached something that could have been better served in a private email to Brian. The thread was locked to prevent things from going in an unneeded direction, but a previous string of posts that contained very good and needed comments by SoCal and others were in the thread, and honestly, you know that now they will never be read. Can certain posts be deleted to maintain the continuity of a thread, or does this open up just a new can of worms.... ]

 

Good point, molly. We're actually having an internal discussion right now in the staff forum about this matter (and other moderation matters), and have come to the conclusion that it'd be a better idea to delete posts in threads (such as ones containing cussing, or other threads where people try to bait people) rather than turn the site into a thread penitentary.

 

This is how we're going to proabably proceed in the future. If a newbie posts a cussword or something, i'll probably delete the thread and politely remind them once or twice. If it's a repeat offender, the posts will get deleted and the poster may be removed (depending on the severity, and the user's past history).