The following is for the benefit of all members and is aimed at no-one in particular.

Since the start of the year there have been numerous times when I have been required to edit comments that contain objectionable content. I won't use this as a time to name anyone because it's happened more than once and more than one person has been at it. Nor will I disclose the nature of any of the comments concerned. I will just use this as an opportunity to remind everyone that this website does have an acceptable use policy and in that policy it states that all comments and attached material shall be G rated. This means suitable for everyone - men, women and children. If anyone here does not know what is permitted on a G-rated media outlet then they can consult the Australian Classification Board website for details. Whilst websites are not legally subject to a classification, I am simply determining that a G rating will apply - end of story. It's been this way since the forums opened in 2005 and this is how it will stay.

I would like everyone to read the AUP and refresh their memory on what it requires of us all.

Acceptable Use Policy

In particular I'll also remind everyone that Clauses 4, 5 and 10 of the section titled "Posting to the Forums" applies strictly. Two unlucky members were banned in the last week for advertising pornographic and illicit pharmacy websites and I always make good on the promise of no tolerance.

The next matter I need to raise is that there are still some members who are typing comments in all lower case lettering. According to the activity log, I have edited more than 300 comments for this reason since the 1st January this year. I am not going to continue to do that, instead the comment will be deleted and the member will need to repost it from scratch. The use of phones and tablets is no excuse for one making their posts unreadable or providing me with extra work. All devices come with a CAPS or SHIFT key. Use it or your comment will be deleted.

The next thing to announce, and I know it will not be a universally popular decision, this morning I discussed with a couple of acquaintances the need for site staff on VR. Normally the done thing is to promote trusted people from within but on a lot of forums I have either owned or been a member of, I have seen friendships go awry due to one person being made a moderator and others being subject to that moderator's decision, whether it be a right or wrong decision. Because of that risk I've asked two people I know, who have little interest in vintage radio, to do this job for me. Because they do not know anyone here and no-one here knows them, they can make impartial decisions at 2 1/2 swords' length from everyone else. They will operate to a code of conduct and generally not take part in discussions. They will generally provide the latitude that I do, however they will be instructed to delete any comment that contravenes the AUP. I will comment here further next week when they have signed up as members. This will not be a permanent arrangement at this stage. It'll trial for a few months and then will be reviewed.

Lastly, finishing on a good note, I would like to thank everyone who has submitted photos and other documents to this site in the last six months. Quality has consistently been high, photos have generally been sharp and with good white balance and contrast. Please keep up the good work!

I fully support the introduction of moderators.

There is one other issue I forgot to cover in my opening comments. As of today I will be watermarking all uploads to this site to assist with tracing copyright infringement. Those partaking in theft of the work of others from this site have already heard my warnings on that front and I don't think it requires repeating.

I am sure that most will support this in the interest of fairness to those who do work hard by providing reference material. It is by no means an easy task for those who do so regularly.

Great idea.

Two unlucky members

More likely to be bots, I'd say luck had nothing to do with it.


As of today I will be watermarking all uploads

About time.

These weren't bots, but real people. One of them abused me for applying the advertising rule like a Nazi (his words) but at the end of the day he did the wrong thing and the warning was clear enough. Bot's find it very difficult to sign up here these days. The membership application form is designed to block them and does a very good job at it. It's one of the advantages of there only being one active copy of this forum software. Getting around such blocks would always be guesswork and thus a sheer waste of time.

The membership application form is designed to block them and does a very good job at it.

Yeah, I found it very annoying when I was signing up, it seemed to object to everything. I was literally about to give up when it finally worked.

If you are referring to the messages in orange text, that is error management and is essential for good database management.

The defence shield that repels automated signups is a separate mechanism and doesn't interfere with any connection invoked by a natural person.

The American forum http://antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php makes it abundantly clear on the side bar who is a member & who is a moderator. As it is huge there are several and we have our own private section to discuss & action problems.

As one of them and being in a different time zone; I can often spot a feral at a time that they thought no one was watching and do something about it.

That includes shifting it, them.. out, & deleting their post if necessary and helping to look after one section of the site.

Marc

I do have a part timer here though he is only here when I'm out of town and not near the Internet. A member's status is also visible here, under the user's name. For me the word "Administrator" shows and for about 70 others the words "Banned User" shows. The honourable gentleman I referred to in my previous sentence is a "Senior Moderator".

There are times when automation simply doesn't work and this can only be replaced by having a real person to watch over things.