Discussion Closed

It could be because the subject is an illegal activity, like pirating software. Or something dangerous, like making a bomb, or, I've seen a new post on Brown's gas closed, because the subject has been beaten to death here.

There are a number of reasons, but usually it's because the thread contains illegal activities or is deemed dangerous to the public at large! Things like circuits for jamming mobiles, hacking PPV sat receivers etc are illegal activities and could get the site owners into some deep sh!t! Things that could be used for terrorist activities could get us all in to some very deep sh!t!

Anyway, pleased to meet you and I hope we can help each other out in the near future!

Truman

As they say RTFM.

The following appears when you click "Report"

This form is ONLY to be used to report spam, inappropriate advertising
messages, and problematic (harassment, fighting, or rude) posts.

Someone apparently was found to have broken one of these rules.

There is also the grouping (homework, bomb making, etc.) that Bricktop mentions that will get you banned.

Newbies should lurk for a bit before posting until they understand netiquette and expectations. That was a rule of thumb that has served well in the past.

Dear Guest,

I take it from your response that you are a registered member that, for some reason only known to himself/herself, was to afraid to sign in.

However, I do take your points regarding the "RTFM".

Please accept my "sincere" apology (no, really I mean it) if I offended your netiquette and expectations .

Kind Regards

Mr. W.A Snow

Another reason is, if threads get too political, religious or insulting.

Del

GA. I wanted to say that but in so doing, my cover would be blown! We non-cats do not get 9 lives.

Agent 007

Concerning the political and religious threads, CR4 is not intended to be a soapbox for members to promote their views. Sometimes discussions do veer off into those areas, but as long as the discussion remains a discussion and does not deteriorate into a flame war or a series of rants, I see no problem with that.

If someone does want to promote their views, they can get their own blog or website, and post a link to it.

CR4 is an amazing resource for engineers, drafters, tech writers, etc., by allowing discussions of science, engineering, and technology, and also by allowing humor and cultural discussions to boost the morale of members that need a pick-me-up. The bandwidth does not need to be taken up with "noise" that does not meet the purpose of CR4.

Hi Mr. Snow,

I think the preceding posts pretty much sums it up. There are a fair number of such threads I've seen, and a couple I have posts in (pure coincidence ! ). The good folk of Admin are quick at spotting threads that have lost the plot. Usually they can stomp on any discord quickly (by deleting a handful of posts), but occasionally an entire thread goes to ****, and they seal it off for the greater good. It must be a difficult judgement call sometimes, but I haven't seen them do so (in the cases I know of) without good reason. A lot of threads get killed at birth (ie deleted) because they are plain gibberish/inappropriate/malicious. Apropriate use of the 'Report' button is probably a big help to Admin

There's very little to add beyond what the rest of the community stated. Closing a discussion isn't something we (the CR4 admin) do lightly, but there are times when its necessary. Vulgarity, cheating, illegal or dangerous activities, and religious or political rants (both pro and con) are the most common reasons.

I liken my job to that of a pool cleaner. If I don't skim the pool, no one's going to go for a swim.

I actually knew in advance that on September 11, I would be reporting people and I knew in advance who these people would be (or are likely to be) based upon their profiles and past performances as measured in "real time".

I envisioned the scenario to be as follows:

• Someone starts a thread commemorating the events of 9/11/2001 on the anniversary day 9/11/2008.

• Immediately, a reference is made to some other historic event for the specific purpose of "fighting", "harassing", and being "rude" (all of which are valid reason for limiting the discussion according to CR4 published guidelines).

So on the way to work the morning of 9/11, I stop for coffee and then resume the commuting trip. I make a note to myself, first thing when I get in, check CR4 for the 911 thread, and immediately report the flame thrower so that Chris can close it down ASAP and before too many feeling are hurt.

Automatic. Check it off the to do list. Done!

Sure enough, the bait was there. The fish took the bait. I reported that the fish took the bait, and Chris squished the fish.

Game, set, match.

Two days later, flamer asks "why me". Reply, "those are the rules!"

The cycle repeats! Or perhaps not! To be determined.

I think Nostradamus (or Kris?) also predicted this.
Odd, I never got as far as seeing the flames (despite my checking the site every 15mins)...I saw the first few posts which were amicable enough.

Del

Nah, I didn't even get to looking at any 9/11 stuff. It would have been a re-hash of stuff that's been said before. I was busy fretting over Notradamus and the LHC.....

Migrés, migrés de Geneue trestous,
Saturne d'or en fer se changera,
Le contre Raypoz exteriminera tous,
Auvant l'aruent le ciel signes fera.

Leave, leave Geneva every last one of you,
Saturn will be converted from gold to iron,
Raypoz will exterminate all who oppose him,(?)
Before the coming the sky will show signs.

Switzerland.......positive rays..... Lucky I have a tin-foil hat.