Ridiculous notice

New Notice for: snb
Recently, it has become clear that some members (especially newer members) have been confused by "mixed messages" coming from non-Moderators. They are unclear how to react to such requests. Accordingly, we are now asking all members NOT to attempt to moderate threads. From now on, that will be done by forum Moderators only.We continue to encourage the reporting of posts/threads where cross-posting has not been declared, where measures to bypass sheet security are requested, or where abusive language is being used. Generally speaking, it it NOT necessary to report poor titles, spam, lack of code tags, etc, as these are easily spotted by forum Moderators.From now on, those posts made by non-Mods that are attempting to carry out Moderation activities will be deleted.

How can any member be confused if I report a spam post ?
Since when is 'reporting a post' equivalent 'moderating a thread '.
Please revise this blurry thinking.

Suggestion: always send a thanks to anyone who is reporting anything to improve the quality of this forum.

Reporting posts is not the issue: you can continue to do that (although with the current moderation presence, it's not really necessary in most cases). What we are asking you NOT to do is attempt to do the moderation within the thread yourself: this is what some experts and gurus have been doing, and this is what has been causing confusion, for various reasons.

I can assure you that the thinking behind this is not at all blurry.

Suggestion: always send a thanks to anyone who is reporting anything to improve the quality of this forum.

That would be nice, however there aren't enough hours in the day, I'm afraid. We get vast numbers of reports every day. Please don't take this notice personally (it is a global notice): we are very grateful to you for the reports you send us.

The bottom line is: report posts that deserve to be reported. Mods will (generally) pick up the rest.

What we are trying to stop is non-mods taking it upon THEMSELVES to "block" posts ("no help to be offered", etc, etc) especially for new/inexperienced/occasional members and those for whom English is not their native language.

Can you show me 1 example where I did anything else than reporting, using the Report icon ?

You can't stop behaviour that doesn't take place by sending 'general' notices.
Please think twice or more often about whom you are addressing before sending anything: please moderate instead of incite.
And don't hesitate to apologise if you made a mistake.

No mistakes have been made. If the notice doesn't apply to you, then you can ignore it.

As I said earlier, please don't take it personally! There is no need for you to feel offended.

The notice has been personalised, see above. That's the mistake.
No mention the notice has been sent to others: the second mistake.

OK - sorry you feel that this is some sort of personal attack. I will communicate your displeasure to the admin team, who posted the message.

Just to confirm: everybody can see the message. They will also see that it is personalised, just the same as the workbook message above.

Once again - sorry for the upset this has caused you.

Gentlemen - I am sorry you were offended. That was not intended.

I have asked if the message can be changed, so the admins are aware of your feelings.

There is nothing more that can be done at this juncture: your concerns have been acknowledged and passed on with a link to this thread.

I wasn't offended - but worth noting it is a little jarring the way it is presented.

Also I feel its pretty tempting to tell a person that their thread title is poor or that they should use code tags or whatever when answering a question because you know that it will come up for them soon (even if not in that post, then in another if they make any more).

I get the impression from the post that I shouldn't do this and wait for the moderator to decide if the rule is breached and until that point the rule is 'not breached'... but I'm not sure, you might also just mean that you shouldn't make demands of the posters and present as having the authority of a moderator.

Edit : Ahh - I have now seen the thread with Glen and your response to how to interpret this.

Originally Posted by snb

How can any member be confused if I report a spam post ?
Since when is 'reporting a post' equivalent 'moderating a thread '.
Please revise this blurry thinking.

Suggestion: always send a thanks to anyone who is reporting anything to improve the quality of this forum.

There was no mention of anyone being confused about a posy being reported, the comment said for non-mods to refrain from moderating posts...in other words to not tell members to fix titles, add code tags etc
Perhaps you missed that part of the notice?

Can you show me 1 example where I did anything else than reporting, using the Report icon ?

You can't stop behaviour that doesn't take place by sending 'general' notices.
Please think twice or more often about whom you are addressing before sending anything: please moderate instead of incite.
And don't hesitate to apologise if you made a mistake.

Again, the message encouraged reporting instead of moderating, and if it helps, I have removed the ID reference in the notice and changed to be directed at experts and gurus.
And to quote a line from your post...

"And don't hesitate to apologise if you made a mistake."