Infinite editing for community resource posts by established members

[Rivian]

No time limit for edits by the thread creator to threads like "Maples that grow from cuttings" that get constantly updated by community reports, or I suppose even if by a single person over a long time.
Specific to worthwhile community resources/ hobby research.
Avoiding spammers etc. by restricting this type of post to some forum rank and account age, or other methods

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

It would make the upload limit per message the new limiting factor.
I propose a hybrid version: letting posters make an index of important posts (link to postnumber + decription) below their original post so that users can easily click on links that send them to that exact message in the thread.

 

[Rivian]

It would make the upload limit per message the new limiting factor.
I propose a hybrid version: letting posters make an index of important posts (link to postnumber + decription) below their original post so that users can easily click on links that send them to that exact message in the thread.

I'm not sure what you mean by "upload limit per message". Maximum post length? In general my idea was aimed mostly at simple lists/ tables. Yes there are thousands of maple and azalea cultivars but most people have the same ones, I would not expect over 200 entries for a long time...
I've seen some very long posts here but the post length limit could even be increased for this kind of post. For drawn out research with pictures people can make regular posts, and I guess if there are too many comments in between that add little, then your proposed idea could come in handy to lead people to the highlights/ main research posts.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

There's a limit to the amount of data you can upload in the form of pictures, so that would need to be circumvented in some way. Which is why I propose a different solution that might be easier to build.
It would also prevent weird image shifts we get sometimes when editing posts.

 

[leatherback]

No time limit for edits by the thread creator to

Disagree. We have had some heated arguments on the forum in the past, including long-standing members adjusting their posts to fit their arguments. A time-limit on edits was put in place because of this.

 

[Paradox]

I remember Gregg saying the time limit was also to encourage people to think about what they post because they won't be able to edit it at some point. I don't think it is much of a deterrent though

 

[leatherback]

I remember Gregg saying the time limit was also to encourage people to think about what they post because they won't be able to edit it at some point. I don't think it is much of a deterrent though

Yeah I do not think th

 

[Paradox]

For sure there used to be some pretty ugly arguments in the Karaoke Bar though which is why it's gone.

 

[Rivian]

As far as I'm concerned, even if its just a table that can get edited continuously, that would go a long way.

 

[Paradox]

As far as I'm concerned, even if its just a table that can get edited continuously, that would go a long way.

I am unsure what you mean, but if you are talking about the author of a thread being able to edit or delete other people's posts in that thread, I am dead set against that

 

[Rivian]

if you are talking about the author of a thread being able to edit or delete other people's posts in that thread

No. Edits to the original post, which would probably have a table (merriam webster: a systematic arrangement of data usually in rows and columns for ready reference), by the thread author.

 

[Paradox]

No. Edits to the original post, which would probably have a table (merriam webster: a systematic arrangement of data usually in rows and columns for ready reference), by the thread author.

I know what a 'table' is, I use them every day in Excel spread sheets, but I am having a hard time seeing how this would work in a post as I do not think the database behind the forum works in that way, as in there is not a table for each individual post that can be edited. There is just the field that holds the post.

The timing for editing is set by the forum administrator (Gregg) and can be set for a longer time or infinite editing by the poster. The post can only be edited by the poster or anyone who has moderator or administrator privileges which only Gregg has. The administrator has stated he does not want users to be able to edit posts after 20 minutes.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

No time limit for edits by the thread creator to threads like "Maples that grow from cuttings" that get constantly updated by community reports, or I suppose even if by a single person over a long time.
Specific to worthwhile community resources/ hobby research.
Avoiding spammers etc. by restricting this type of post to some forum rank and account age, or other methods

For content like this, I would recommend creating a resource. Link the resource to your thread, so that the thread is for discussion, and the resource (with infinite editing by the creator) can be adjusted based on the thread discussion.

And yes, we have a limit on message editing and a few other things to limit abuse. The only people who have infinite editing power are the moderators, and right now the only moderators we have are the contest moderators.

 

[Cajunrider]

Disagree. We have had some heated arguments on the forum in the past, including long-standing members adjusting their posts to fit their arguments. A time-limit on edits was put in place because of this.

For me, I would like a 24 hr grace period or at least a 2 hour limit.

 

[19Mateo83]

For content like this, I would recommend creating a resource. Link the resource to your thread, so that the thread is for discussion, and the resource (with infinite editing by the creator) can be adjusted based on the thread discussion.

And yes, we have a limit on message editing and a few other things to limit abuse. The only people who have infinite editing power are the moderators, and right now the only moderators we have are the contest moderators.

Just fyi, the unlimited editing only applies to the threads in the contest said moderator created. For example, I only have unlimited editing in the 5 year discount rack thread.

 

[Maiden69]

Disagree. We have had some heated arguments on the forum in the past, including long-standing members adjusting their posts to fit their arguments. A time-limit on edits was put in place because of this.

For me, I would like a 24 hr grace period or at least a 2 hour limit.

The issue with this is that all it takes is a big argument for someone to do a decent amount of damage to the community. I moderated in a luthiers forum and we had a no limit time for editing. Until someone pissed one of the senior members, that had contributed to quite a few tutorials on the site. He logged in a few hours later and deleted all his posts in the tutorials, rendering them useless. Also, we had a few times that, as mentioned above, members have gone back and edited their posts to delete any "unappreciated" comments. We were able to know because a few of them were quoted, letting the moderators understand what was going on and allowed a swift decision on our part.

So no, I am not ok with having no limit on the time to edit a post. If someone wants to add something to their original post, all they need to do is contact a moderator and they should be able to add on to them. I have seen several threads that have information added into the first posts.

 

[Cajunrider]

The issue with this is that all it takes is a big argument for someone to do a decent amount of damage to the community. I moderated in a luthiers forum and we had a no limit time for editing. Until someone pissed one of the senior members, that had contributed to quite a few tutorials on the site. He logged in a few hours later and deleted all his posts in the tutorials, rendering them useless. Also, we had a few times that, as mentioned above, members have gone back and edited their posts to delete any "unappreciated" comments. We were able to know because a few of them were quoted, letting the moderators understand what was going on and allowed a swift decision on our part.

So no, I am not ok with having no limit on the time to edit a post. If someone wants to add something to their original post, all they need to do is contact a moderator and they should be able to add on to them. I have seen several threads that have information added into the first posts.

I have been a moderator for forums dating way back in the dial up bulletin board and later the IRC boards. My practice has been to allow a couple hours at least to edit.