"Chatty questions"

[becks]

Having read the exchange between you Eds and FP I can only assume that my question on films was too chatty as well. I received your email about it (which i though was very rudely written) and will respond later. My question is how can you deem some questions chatty or not chatty if this is a site "for an exchange of knowledge" how can you justify letting "What is your favourite smell?" in B&S (no offence to the AB user who posted it) but banning "What instrument do you play?" I am really struggling to understand the mentality of banning such questions - i don't have a problem with them and obviously other users don't so why do you? Please explain so i'll know what's acceptable and what isn't - maybe you have a list of editorial policies?

[smudge]

My sentiments entirely becks. If the AB Ed deleted the kind of questions you are referring to, this could become quite a boring site. Questions will always encourage a little bit of 'friendly' chat. I await the flak!

[FP]

These have all been left on. 

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question806 99.html

[FP]

Sorry, posted the links incorrectly

This is not meant to say that there is anything at all wrong with the questions below and I mean no disrespect to the posters of the questions.  It is just an example to show how inconsistent this site has become.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question80624.html

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question80624.html

 
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Music/Question79934.html

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Music/Question79387.html

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/People_and_Places/Question75686.html

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/People_and_Places/Question75619.html

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/People_and_Places/Question74856.html

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question80810.html

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question80699.html

 

[smudge]

It just doesn't make sense does it FP?

[FP]

It's pretty obviuous that the editors cannot take reasonable criticism, yet they can dole it out and send out pretty rude and dismissive emails.  I really liked this site.  Found it useful and a good place for intelligent people to give answers and involve themselves in discussion, with occasional humour thrown in.  We are only human.  However, the site has lost its credibility and is drifting aimlessly at present.  A list of editorial policies would certainly help us understand things better, Becks.

[AB Editor]

Fakeplastic confirms that s/he is "only human". Respectfully, so am I. I cannot be everywhere at once, for example. This site is quite busy, and the moderation of it time-consuming. I'll try my hardest to be what you want me to be from now on.

In the meantime, 'chatty' questions will be removed because they are not what this site is about.

Your opinions as to what makes the site 'boring' or otherwise are read with interest, and compared with those of other users who email me directly.

[smudge]

AB Ed - I do not wish to get into any slanging matches with you, or anyone else on this site, mainly because I enjoy AB & do realise that you could ban me at the drop of a hat!

 

However, I did not say the site was boring, I merely expressed that some questions on AB, do encourage a little bit of light hearted, friendly chat.

 

I just felt the need to clarify that. Cheers, smudge.

[smudge]

P.S. I did say that it could become quite a boring site.......but one hopes this does not happen.

[splodge24]

Sorry to harp on but my question about what to do on my birthday was removed but i visited the site today to find somebody in London posting a very similar question regarding her boyfriends birthday. Now i'm slightly confused as to why mine was removed and that one is still there. Please explain.

[Greedyfly]

You got an email!?  - I want one I like to let off some steam

[Greedyfly]

I have noticed recently that a lot of the 'regulars' have dissapeared for long amounts of time etc.. I feel it is because of things like this. I personally am getting sick of seeing this subject brought up every week (but I do understand and agree with why it is brought up becks) I just think it is about time we sort it out and live happily. We NEVER used to have this problem say a year or so ago and lately all we do is argue.   It is to hit and miss but we understand that you are busy. But it is looking unfair on some.

[smudge]

Greedfly - Things like this : I posted a note to the AB Ed to place the usual 'pink' caution notice on the question "Warfarin - does it make you agressive?" on B&S. He has banned my post, but has still not placed the health caution warning. Warfarin is a medication for the Heart, so what I have I said to warrant it being banned & ignored?

[smudge]

*aggressive I mean!

[AB Editor]

Respectfully:

smudge: re your definition of 'boring'. This site is not a chat site. If you or anyone finds that boring, so be it.

splodge24, there are going to be times when you see a question before I do. Please bear this in mind. It means that you might actually see content that hasn't been moderated.

Greedyfly: I find myself writing the same things in emails to the same people. That's one of the reasons I'm having to restrict the amount of emails I send. If that means the same people continue to have the same problems, it does not follow of necessity that the entire site is going to change just for them! The site evolves, and we try to listen to *all* users, not just the ones who use this public forum to discuss things!

This links up with your comments about it looking "unfair on some". There appears to be a sense in a handful of users that they are being picked on. Respectfully, I can confirm that this is not the case.

Now: on with the job of moderating the site.

[smudge]

Thanks for the sarcastic reply to me AB Ed - very much appreciated, especially when I have given sensible & sound replies on AB, along with a little banter the same as most users. Did you read through my posts? I did not say this was a boring site - yet!