Has anyone else noticed a change of atmosphere?

[Tyre Smoke]

Before I begin, I'm not criticising any moderators, or attempting to circumvent any posting rules.

I am asking a genuine question of the PH posters.

There seem to have been a number of threads with posts getting removed, and posters asking why. There seem to have been a number of curt replies, rather than explanations. It's seems that there is less tolerance of posts in general. I understand if you step out of line, you get your lead tugged, but it would appear there is no engagement anymore?

I am genuinely not trying to stir anything here, just gauging opinion of the community. Attempting to start a discussion, nothing more, nothing less.

If this thread is to removed, please don't just cut and paste posting rules, and lock the thread. PH has never been like that, ever.

[Pericoloso]

No ,not really changed much.

I'm sure the arguing and insults is continuing as ever in the NPE Brexit threads ,no I don't read them.

A couple of idiot noob trolls have posted in GG last couple of days ,nothing's changed.

[Mikebentley]

Maybe the fact there is a new owner. A new Sheriff so to speak. Some posters really do need removing though on occasion as they overstep the mark whatever that is

[Tyre Smoke]

Just seems more so recently. And in the past, things used to have to get quite out of hand before a thread was locked let alone removed altogether.

Things seem to have tightened up somewhat.

Agree with what you say about some mods, but everyone is different and everyone has a bad day. But I do think, mods need to be wary of letting their personality take over. I know they do a difficult job, but it's very easy to overmoderate and it feels a bit like that here.

[rfisher]

I quoted a very funny post on the Alex (naughty boy - allegedly) Salmond thread and had it removed.

First time that's happened.

I'd say Haymarket are keen not to have any trouble with the sale and their American buyers are watching us.

Up and at 'em lads!

[Tyre Smoke]

Not just me then.

Posted something along the lines of what others and I have done in the past, and had the post removed and was 'Denied access to this thread'- something I've never seen before. So not only post removed, all quotes of it, and no longer able to post in that thread. I thought it was way too heavy handed, but maybe that's how things are now.

Would have been good to have a bit of forewarning.

[mrtwisty]

Thread lock-out (for doing a naughty) is a long established thing here.

I can't say that I've noticed any change in the moderating. Yet.

[alorotom]

rfisher said:

I'd say Haymarket are keen not to have any trouble with the sale and their American buyers are watching us.

The sales gone through and finalised - that happened last week so it’s not this

[bobtail4x4]

I have noticed a lot more thread moving

[anonymous-user]

i think a lot would prefer firm dealings, as a lot of 'loud voice' poster are like stuck records and it would be much better place without them.

[Turn7]

Ive seen a fair few new members signed up asking potentially leading threads, on a variety of things, but mostly contentious...

IE
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Turn7 on Sunday 27th January 00:07

[rfisher]

alorotom said:

rfisher said:

I'd say Haymarket are keen not to have any trouble with the sale and their American buyers are watching us.

The sales gone through and finalised - that happened last week so it’s not this

In that case it's possible that the new owners are being cautious to avoid getting into trouble.

Moderating vs free speech is always tricky on lively forums.

Let's hope they forget about us soon.

[anonymous-user]

I'm finding it rather odd the way pewrfectly reasonable threads are being moved into different sections
Some of the robotic responses to questions suggests that some people have some issues with communicating to posters

[Smitters]

Unbelievable - the 30+ page M5 Engine thread has been pulled.

So, in opposition to the OP, I am criticizing the moderation. There's been far more pruning and thread pulling in the last month or so. Either update the forum rules in a very obvious way, or leave it alone, but don't meander through cutting content with zero explanation. This will drive users away. We may not pay for the forum, but don't think the forum users hold no value.

[anonymous-user]

Smitters said:

Unbelievable - the 30+ page M5 Engine thread has been pulled.

So, in opposition to the OP, I am criticizing the moderation. There's been far more pruning and thread pulling in the last month or so. Either update the forum rules in a very obvious way, or leave it alone, but don't meander through cutting content with zero explanation. This will drive users away. We may not pay for the forum, but don't think the forum users hold no value.

Are you seriously surprised that thread got pulled?!? I can't believe it got to 30+ pages over a few months without being pulled.

I think if anything you're just seeing the original T&C's being more robustly enforced due to the new ownership and some renewed enthusiasm from the mods.

[Smitters]

Coin Slot. said:

Smitters said:

Unbelievable - the 30+ page M5 Engine thread has been pulled.

So, in opposition to the OP, I am criticizing the moderation. There's been far more pruning and thread pulling in the last month or so. Either update the forum rules in a very obvious way, or leave it alone, but don't meander through cutting content with zero explanation. This will drive users away. We may not pay for the forum, but don't think the forum users hold no value.

Are you seriously surprised that thread got pulled?!? I can't believe it got to 30+ pages over a few months without being pulled.

I think if anything you're just seeing the original T&C's being more robustly enforced due to the new ownership and some renewed enthusiasm from the mods.

So pull it early, or leave it to run it's course. I don't mind either. It's the unequal application of moderation that's my issue. There was a post that hadn't been touched for years a month or so back. Someone revived it after being linked to it and boom, within a day it was gone, having been on the site for years.

Am I surprised the thread didn't get pulled early, maybe. Am I surprised about the overzealous moderation, not at all. Consistency. It's not too hard.

[anonymous-user]

I don't have any problems with moderation as long as an explanation is forthcoming, sadly on PH that has never been the case in my experience.

[mackay45]

Hope we get to hear the ending of the M5 Warranty Direct thread!

[Fermit and Sexy Sarah]

mackay45 said:

Hope we get to hear the ending of the M5 Warranty Direct thread!

Unlikely. I've just had a mod email telling me off for posting about it. Disappointing action.

[boyse7en]

Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:

Unlikely. I've just had a mod email telling me off for posting about it. Disappointing action.

I can understand if a thread gets pulled because of problematical posts, but to try and sweep the whole thing under the carpet as if it never happened comes across as a slightly Stalinistic revision of history.