h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I suppose i must start communicating telepathically. I got moderated for just mentioning an "official website:: I didn't even post a URL...This is getting ridiculous. As once only a wary member of your movement, I am now quite ready to throw my 2 cents all over the place.

Yes, things are getting odd. They're starting to realize how many stupid loopholes they've left in things, like people posting their own email addresses in their nicknames, now getting removed just because the email points to an obvious URL. They're realizing that we can still communicate an URL by gradually working our way around it. For example I read an article in Village Voice the other day. Want to read that article? Fine, then let me try to point you in the direction by saying you would just go to the most obvious possible wording for a website URL that the publication Village Voice would use. Am I breaking the rules by explaining it this way?

I don't know if it's true, but I hear people claiming they've been moderated for using brand names. If it's not true, could they be due to the slow and sometimes missing notification when posts or entries become hidden pending mutilation? People are coming up with all kinds of weird theories about why they've been moderated because there's no communication by the moderators. They could at least mention it inside the "pending" message, some reason why that particular piece has been pulled down.

It's bound to get weirder before it gets better. But I think we can wear them down.

Perhaps a moderation hostage log should be kept. I'm sure they will wear down about this whole thing...I mean, the researchers and the sense of community created here was the original idea for h2g2. And if we all swing over to the other side of the wall (while still maintaining our pages on h2g2)to stare over at them they'll either have to give in or be content ruling people who are resentful of this whole "mod***tion" thing.
Perhaps sheer annoyance can bring this all down. perhaps having all people post their support in their user names will annoy them enough...but I'm not sure of that. Do you think they expected this much dust to kick up? In a way I'm wondering if since the Beeb has publishing rights on this now, if they'll somehow pervert the Zaphodista movement into something they can profit on. I think i'm getting slightly paranoid of motives now.:: checks the room for bugs::

I'm also not very happy with the slightly condescending way this is being handles by some of the higher ups. Brushing it off as non-important...so on and so forth. And the houserules are almost blatantly threatening, and the multiple times the threat of impending doom on the h2g2 account of anyone who "violates" house rules with such phrases as,"we'll simply remove your entries, and possibly your account." "Please don't post it, or you may find we close down your account if you keep breaking the rules."

Now, repeated infringement upon the houserules is subject to dismissal...but what if you don't know what really infringes on the house rules? Example: my current moderation...I did not post a URL...but i still got moderated...are they going to keep track and boot me?

another thing that bothers me there...
"No advertising. Advertising is not allowed anywhere on BBC Online. We've never allowed Researchers to advertise on h2g2, but being a part of the BBC makes it even more important that the editorial independence of the Guide is not threatened by people filling the Guide with adverts."

See where they mention the editorial independence of the guide? Now if that isn't a laugh and a half I don't know what is. Not that I'm for advertisements, i could really care less about them, but mentioning the honor of some editorial independence that was obviously compromised as soon as the Beeb got into this seems sort of silly to me.

I also notice that nothing is mentioned on the front page about any of the opposition toward the new house rules/moderation *ra*.
::goes to check front page to make sure she isn't contradicting herself:: yes nothing mentioned about Zaphodistas or anything else...and it seems to be quite an important topic amongst researchers these days...ahhh well...
::puts a thumb out in the old hitchiker way::

Have a safe day!

~Imal

Well, seems i've been let out. My forum entry that was previously pending moderation is back up. However, i can't figure out if they did anything with it or not...::shakes head:: This is starting to feel eerily like George Orwell's book 1984...Big Brother is watching.
Re-writing history and such. Sigh.

>Perhaps a moderation hostage log should be kept. I'm sure they will wear down about this whole thing...<

I like this idea. But maybe the list should be for hostages and also "ex-cons" who have been let out of the mod*rat*on dungeon. (That way, I wouldn't have to update the list constantly after people are let out.)

Or perhaps to paint a scarier picture and get a message across to the staff &/or rule-makers, this list could be for people who don't understand why they were moderated, didn't think they were breaking any rules. This would show examples of the most egregious editorial deletions, like Wumbeevil's notorious foot-n-mouth entry that was pulled because it was not "balanced" or might be inflamatory, or who knows why.

Sound worthwhile?

Later,
Deidzoeb

I think it sounds very worthwhile.

When the rules include so many catches that some of us don't understand...sigh...it get's very tiring to be here. The biggest part of being mod*rat*d that i abhorr is the fact that I didn't know why...::shakes head:: That just isnt the right way for h2g2 to be going about this. I definitely think that should be an important factor in the list. Perhaps that way, "those who are in charge", will atleast include some sort of explanation. Come to think of it...if they did delete something from a forum or entry...don't you think some notice should be give, so that the said..."violater" could have the chance to appeal it? (heheh I'm starting to think of appelate court here)

Oh, yes I totally agree that ex-cons as well as current hostages should be on the list. (it would be extremely annoying to have the list otherwise) I have a little note on my page that explains myself as a recently released hostage.

heheh the Mod*rat*on Dungeon, that you mentioned there would actually be a great name for it as well. I wouldn't mind being a dungeon milkmaid if you need any service Deidzoeb. A lil like the underground railroad...

~Imal

I wouldn't mind having a dungeon milkmaid, but my wife would mind.

If you haven't checked it out already, I made a new forum at the bottom of the Zaphodistas page A520769 for people who have been moderated and don't understand why. I think this will send a strong message to moderators about how indiscriminate and confusing their actions appear to us right now.

::smirks:: My wife is a dungeon milkmaid (a fictional wife that i sometimes have...it doesn't make sense, I know, but)

Fabulous I shall check out the forum ASAP!!!!!!!! The message will become clear to them in due time.


~Imal