Why is the OP allowed to delete their thread?

[swalsh411]

That seems to go contrary to the idea that old threads should be available for others to learn from.

Also, can the OP delete posts by others? If so, why? If a post is abusive or way out of line, it can be reported and the admins can take a look. Why should they be able to pick and choose what answers are shown in their thread?

[justalayman]

OP cannot delete others posts other than if they delete their own thread. The only entity allowed to delete an individual post is the poster, for a limited period of time, and admin.

I agree threads should not be allowed to be deleted by the poster, at least after responses have been made. Until that time, no problem, imo.

[LdiJ]

OP cannot delete others posts other than if they delete their own thread. The only entity allowed to delete an individual post is the poster, for a limited period of time, and admin.

I agree threads should not be allowed to be deleted by the poster, at least after responses have been made. Until that time, no problem, imo.

You are forgetting the temporary deletion that goes along with reporting a post.

[justalayman]

You are forgetting the temporary deletion that goes along with reporting a post.

I don't consider that either a deletion or within the posters control. It is a temporary suspension of the post pending review by admin but yes, I do understand your comment.

[Proserpina]

That seems to go contrary to the idea that old threads should be available for others to learn from.

Also, can the OP delete posts by others? If so, why? If a post is abusive or way out of line, it can be reported and the admins can take a look. Why should they be able to pick and choose what answers are shown in their thread?

The OP can only permanently delete their own posts. They can't touch anybody else's post except to report it (which deletes the post temporarily - admin then reviews the post and either deletes it permanently or puts it back up).

As for deleting the thread - truthfully even if the OP deletes, if the thread has been up long enough Google (for one) will usually have a cached copy of the posts available for retrieval. If they delete within a short time though it's gone for good.

There is a middle ground though between not being able to delete at all (several other forums operate on that basis) and being able to delete forever.

Have a small window - an hour or so. If the poster wants to delete their thread within that time? Fine. But after that time? You're out of luck - your thread is here for good. It's pretty easy to set up.

(That's how another legal forum I post to operates..in fact I don't think the window is as long as 60 minutes, but I could be wrong).

[LdiJ]

The OP can only permanently delete their own posts. They can't touch anybody else's post except to report it (which deletes the post temporarily - admin then reviews the post and either deletes it permanently or puts it back up).

As for deleting the thread - truthfully even if the OP deletes, if the thread has been up long enough Google (for one) will usually have a cached copy of the posts available for retrieval. If they delete within a short time though it's gone for good.

There is a middle ground though between not being able to delete at all (several other forums operate on that basis) and being able to delete forever.

Have a small window - an hour or so. If the poster wants to delete their thread within that time? Fine. But after that time? You're out of luck - your thread is here for good. It's pretty easy to set up.

(That's how another legal forum I post to operates..in fact I don't think the window is as long as 60 minutes, but I could be wrong).

The only problem that I have with preventing a poster from deleting their threads is that sometimes they have very necessary reasons for doing so, some of which we cannot know.

Sometimes the admin actually advises people to delete their threads and tells them how.

[Proserpina]

The only problem that I have with preventing a poster from deleting their threads is that sometimes they have very necessary reasons for doing so, some of which we cannot know.

Sometimes the admin actually advises people to delete their threads and tells them how.

Given that admin has the power to delete anything they choose - wouldn't it be best for admin to make that decision if the OP requests deletion? We've even suggested that posters delete when too much identifying information has been given (for example).

Even on the stricter board to which I belong, the admin will occasionally (despite the general rule being "Once you post, it stays forever) - if there is a compelling reason - delete the thread.

(Again, more to do with identifying information, safety etc.,).

Admin makes the rules. Admin should be the ones to make the decision.

(In my very humble little opinion)

[LdiJ]

Given that admin has the power to delete anything they choose - wouldn't it be best for admin to make that decision if the OP requests deletion? We've even suggested that posters delete when too much identifying information has been given (for example).

Even on the stricter board to which I belong, the admin will occasionally (despite the general rule being "Once you post, it stays forever) - if there is a compelling reason - delete the thread.

(Again, more to do with identifying information, safety etc.,).

Admin makes the rules. Admin should be the ones to make the decision.

(In my very humble little opinion)

I dunno...that puts an awful lot of responsibility on the admin. What if someone gets beaten half to death because their control freak stbx found out they posted information on these forums, for example? I am not sure its fair to the admin to have them have to make that call. I wouldn't want that kind of responsibility over someone's personal life, or even over their case.

But Hey...its not up to us.

[justalayman]

I dunno...that puts an awful lot of responsibility on the admin. What if someone gets beaten half to death because their control freak stbx found out they posted information on these forums, for example? I am not sure its fair to the admin to have them have to make that call. I wouldn't want that kind of responsibility over someone's personal life, or even over their case.

But Hey...its not up to us.

I suspect admin would delete in such a situation if requested by the poster.

The problem with using it as you suggest: how does the poster know their stalker hasn't already read the post? If they believe it should not be made public, in all reality, they have no business posting it anywhere on the internet.

THE INTERNET IS FOREVER

and once something is posted, it can be found, somewhere.

[LdiJ]

I suspect admin would delete in such a situation if requested by the poster.

The problem with using it as you suggest: how does the poster know their stalker hasn't already read the post? If they believe it should not be made public, in all reality, they have no business posting it anywhere on the internet.

THE INTERNET IS FOREVER

and once something is posted, it can be found, somewhere.

We all know that, but there are an awful lot of people who don't.

[HomeGuru]

We all know that, but there are an awful lot of people who don't.

**A: Amen to that.

[Silverplum]

I dunno...that puts an awful lot of responsibility on the admin. What if someone gets beaten half to death because their control freak stbx found out they posted information on these forums, for example? I am not sure its fair to the admin to have them have to make that call. I wouldn't want that kind of responsibility over someone's personal life, or even over their case.

But Hey...its not up to us.

This is an ongoing fear of yours, or so I read.

Try not to live in fear, LdiJ.