AB Ed - Deleted/Banned Q&A?

[smudge]

Hi AB Ed, as I previously asked, would it be possible to alter BANNED Q&A to Deleted Q&A? Or even Deleted/Banned Q&A?

 

Deleted covers a multitude of sins - whereas banned means banned & looking back at some of my 'banned' Q&A, doesn't always make sense!

[Shipstabber]

Yeah, but nobody knows how many 'banned' questions and answers you've got but you, so what difference does it make?

[smudge]

Shipstabber, that may true, but I meant that 'banned' seems harsh just for minor inappropriate Q&A, as opposed to some darn right rude & offensive ones that have appeared on this site, especially after 17:30 & at week-ends! ! Hence the suggestion for: Deleted/Banned Q&A. Hope that makes it clearer!

[AB Editor]

We're trying to keep everything as simple as possible. Your suggestion would either involve someone (not me, I can promise you that!) going through all previously banned (/ deleted) posts and identifying which are banned and which deleted. Or adding a facility to the backend to allow us to ban *or* delete as applicable, in order that you know which is which. Or altering the text and the spacers and layout to accomodate that.

Frankly, if you could all bear that in mind and remember that everyone knows that a 'banned' post may simply be a duplicate, rather than abusive, would be the best and easist of all. Thanks.

[New Forester]

AB Ed -

 

I don't think Smudge was suggesting any kind of extra work for you, just changing the word on the page, so wherever it now says "banned" it would say "deleted".

 

I appreciate that answers may be "banned" through no fault of the poster, but this point does seem to worry quite a few people.  I think it's rather like when BT used to say "you have dialled incorrectly", instead of "that number has not been recognised" as they do now -- it was worded like an accusation and so it caused an unnecessary moment of upset.

 

[smudge]

Thank you New Forester, I'm glad you agree that my suggestion was only to change the wording & not a complete change of 'format! If BT can do it I'm sure the clever AB Tech's can!

 

AB Ed, it wouldn't be necessary for anyone at AB to go back & alter previous posts that have been banned. The new wording could quite easily be edited to read: 'Deleted/Banned Q&A' or just 'Deleted Q&A'. It's that simple!

 

 

 

[Marsh]

"...everyone knows that a 'Banned' posting may be a duplicate..." 

No, they don't.  The first time you see it you get a very nasty shock.  After a little while you may work out what it does mean but it's an unpleasant experience.  It's not merely not user-friendly, it's positively unfriendly. Look at the number of protests and questions you've had.

I think "deleted" may have a specific meaning within the AB editorial office, one clashes with what we all mean.  In that case, could you substitue "Removed" for "Banned" in the label. Or can someone suggest a better word?  "Banned" is very accusatory.

[smudge]

Thanks marsh, glad you & New Forester agree with me! So come on AB Ed, how about 'Deleted' - 'Removed' or something equally as sensible! 

[smudge]

AB Ed - further to my suggestion & New Forester & Marsh's comments regarding 'Banning' - maybe you could deal with this in a more positive manner. Thanks.

[NoGood Boyo]

I'm going to keep a succinct paragraph in a Word file that summarises the circumstances under which a question or answer may be banned, based on the explanations that AB Ed has given from time to time. In order to help users who ask in future, I will then just paste it into the answer and that will be that. Unless, of course, the site authorities disagree with this solution.

[smudge]

Why should you go to all the bother of doing that NoGood Boyo, when the AB Tech's are quite capable of doing what has been suggested.