Here is a good Question

[shadowx362]

Was this exchange over private email?

On the board or using a board function (such as private messages) would definitely be under the board owner and moderator staff's authority.

Additionally, if email facilitated by the contact information in someone's board profile is used by one member to harass another, then that would certainly be unacceptable.

However, when it comes to private email, that might be a different story. If JoeBlow@yahoo emails TomFoolery@hotmail in a private exchange not facilitated by the board's inherent functions, then that should be considered separate from board activities or authority.

I mean, an owner can run anything the way an owner wants to, but that last point above could be construed as an abuse of power if performed improperly. It all would depend upon the context of the exchange. Board-related or facilitated? Legit. Individual email to individual email not using or involving board activity? Not so much. The posting of private emails is almost universally considered poor form, however, this would not apply if -as I have repeatedly mentioned- this was truly board business and not a personal point of disagreement not involving the boards. Since I was not involved, I would not know.

Personally, I feel I have been treated well and have no personal complaints thus far. I will agree with authority when it is just and will never agree if it is unjust. All of the conduct I have been able to witness on the part of the moderator staff has been just since I joined.

I like this thread for its transparency. Transparency strengthens a group. If there's ever the urge to conceal something, it prevents logical people from making the best possible choices due to the absence of complete information when coming to decisions. The need to hide information that goes beyond that which is truly private tends to indicate a defect in a given system. Transparency encourages positive growth for the entire community. Differing viewpoints allow for the consideration of otherwise unexamined ideas, allowing reason to be the tool employed in order to glean the best from the rest.

cool, so if all of that is correct then if the modder really antagonized John through their Personal email then doesn't it go against everything if John send his opinion back to the modder (outside of Gf.net) and he got banned? I know punishing a Modder could be hard because everyone is so close in the administrative department, but as almost all the Modders said it it might seem hard but you have to do whats right..righ? I am not "treating anybody, but there are some loose strings here.

OK and if you actually do have a problem with a mod ( I dont..yet) then were can people talk about it without getting banned cause obviously emailing the person could become a personal attack and we wouldn't want that here now would we:main_lipsrsealed: .
thansk,
Edgar Galvan

 

[Mel&Keith]

Edgar,

People pm and email us all the time in a reasonable manner and get reasonable responses. It shouldn't matter whether or not the correspondence is directly through the pm system or through a private email address if the email is regarding a warning or issue on the forum.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Edgar, we know that you and John are friends... and I'm sorry he got banned for 30 days. He alone is responsible for his own behavior and actions. We all realize that there are two sides to every story, and I guarantee you only have heard one side. We are not going to post the issues here. The bottom line is, that the TOS of this website also apply to private messages and emails between members and moderators when it's on the subject of rules and behavior here on GF.

 

[liljenn]

One of the reasons GeckoForums is such a wonderful place to be is the lack of drama. I am very grateful to our fabulous group of moderators for keeping it such a pleasant place to come!

Absolutely! It is why I am here! ^^^

And I agree with Baoh about the "transparency" of this group of mods as well as from Kelli. I have seen numerous threads that have remained open for the purpose of allowing differing viewpoints...RESPECTFULLY!

And regarding personal emails, the rules are in the TOS, if you don't like it, you have the choice to go elsewhere. Also, let's remember, that most of us know each other's personal emails BECAUSE of this forum. I certainly would not want to be harassed through personal email from anyone on this forum, and then the board stating they won't do anything about it. And I believe that if a moderator needs to be "moderated", it should be done within the administrative group, certainly not by the forum members at large.

 

[shadowx362]

Ok what I am about to say is "heated discussion" which should be alright if you follow the TOS right??I also have emails and other, but because I am meeting one of the Mods in person to pick up some geckos at the SAC show it would be awfully awkward :main_laugh: after this. I am saying my opinion just like most of you have on this thread. Yes, I may of heard just one side, but you may have also. I am helping the "transparency" which I hear you guys like

Absolutely! It is why I am here! ^^^

And I agree with Baoh about the "transparency" of this group of mods as well as from Kelli. I have seen numerous threads that have remained open for the purpose of allowing differing viewpoints...RESPECTFULLY!

And regarding personal emails, the rules are in the TOS, if you don't like it, you have the choice to go elsewhere. Also, let's remember, that most of us know each other's personal emails BECAUSE of this forum. I certainly would not want to be harassed through personal email from anyone on this forum, and then the board stating they won't do anything about it. And I believe that if a moderator needs to be "moderated", it should be done within the administrative group, certainly not by the forum members at large.

I read the emails that were thought to be "harassment" and both parties said about the same damage worth and with the Mod being the first (would post them but Kellie doesn't like 3rd party posts..I remember(paco), not in TOS ) and so because the mod had the power to do something and the other didn't he got screwed . The "harassment" was not against the Mod, it was against their own rights.

Melody and Keith:, It shouldn't matter whether or not the correspondence is directly through the pm system or through a private email address if the email is regarding a warning or issue on the forum.

Correct, but that is your Opinion just like many people have opinion, and because its not Specified in the TOS which many things aren't people should not be held liable. Then why have rules if its about opinions?

TOS,they apply to every feature on our site, including the private message and email system

Marcia:TOS of this website also apply to private messages and emails between members and moderators when it's on the subject of rules and behavior here on GF.

Can be also true, but the TOS does not specify that. Maybe between the Moderators it a custom, but we "users" rely on the TOS to be accurate and so we wont have to read peoples mines .

Ok so what I am trying to defend is that if you are going to punish someone for something that isnt even on the "against TOS" rules then why do it? Maybe actually add it onto the rules then punish the person?

TOS:We do reserve the right to add additional violations as needed.

see you have it right there so no excuses.

Marcia:Edgar, we know that you and John are friends... and I'm sorry he got banned for 30 days

cool, but this is really unrelated to the thread

This is all am posting because I dont want to get too involved.
need to talk? you can always email me or I could call you.
thanks,
Edgar Galvan

 

[Halley]

It shouldn't matter whether or not the correspondence is directly through the pm system or through a private email address if the email is regarding a warning or issue on the forum.

Edgar’s Response

Correct, but that is your Opinion just like many people have opinion, and because its not Specified in the TOS which many things aren't people should not be held liable. Then why have rules if its about opinions?

Actually I have to say I 100% agree with Mel & Keith. I don’t think you shouldn’t get kicked off the site just because of the way you choose to correspond. That simply doesn’t make any sense. If you are talking about an issue that involves a problem on this forum and you talk in a disrespectful manner to the authority figured on that site, then you deserve the punishment that is give to you.

We do reserve the right to add additional violations as needed.

Edgar’s Response

see you have it right there so no excuses.

I think that some scenarios will go into the unspoken rules. I think Mel & Keith explained it best.

It shouldn't matter whether or not the correspondence is directly through the pm system or through a private email address if the email is regarding a warning or issue on the forum.

Just my thoughts on the matter

 

[shadowx362]

Abuse
One thing that will not be tolerated is abuse of this site and/or it's members. We do not have a warning point system in place here, however we do have certain rules that will be enforced by the staff. The following are some of the violations of our T.O.S., and they apply to every feature on our site, including the private message and email system. We do reserve the right to add additional violations as needed.

*Posting obscene material and/or links to to other websites containing obscene material will not be tolerated. This includes sexual content, pornography, violence, drug use or any other illegal activity. Posting racial, sexual, religious or personal slurs is also a violation.

*The use of profanity is considered a violation of the TOS.

*Personal attacks will not be tolerated. Heated discussions and/or debates are fine, but please stick to the issues and do not make it personal. Threatening another member with physical violence is not allowed, nor is incessant harassment (aka trolling).

*Posting using another member's username and impersonating them is not allowed under any circumstances.

*Spamming of any kind is not allowed.

*Hotlinking to .exe files is not allowed.

*Soiliciting business or posting ads on the main forums is a violation. PLease post ads in the Classifieds section.

That is all you can find.

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

Edgar, even federal laws are open to interperatation....
The TOS here are a general guideline. We as a society know what is acceptable. You should not aggreviate, argue, or antoginize someone who is providing you something at no cost to you.

The mods here are like the federal judges. If thier decesion is not acceptable to you, it can be appealed to a higher power, the owner. If the owner agrees with the mods, that is the end of the road. Like it or not.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

TOS of this website also apply to private messages and emails between members and moderators when it's on the subject of rules and behavior here on GF.

Can be also true, but the TOS does not specify that. Maybe between the Moderators it a custom, but we "users" rely on the TOS to be accurate and so we wont have to read peoples mines .

Ok so what I am trying to defend is that if you are going to punish someone for something that isnt even on the "against TOS" rules then why do it? Maybe actually add it onto the rules then punish the person?

Edgar, the TOS does say that:

Abuse

One thing that will not be tolerated is abuse of this site and/or it's members. We do not have a warning point system in place here, however we do have certain rules that will be enforced by the staff. The following are some of the violations of our T.O.S., and they apply to every feature on our site, including the private message and email system. We do reserve the right to add additional violations as needed.

Also, antagonism towards the Moderators of GeckoFourms.net will not be tolerated.

 

[dprince]

Edgar, every single email between members and mods is posted in the mod forum. If one of us mods is doing something that another deems not correct, it is talked about and discussed. This issue in particular has been more than hashed out. All the mods and the admin are in agreement on this issue.

If anyone wants to repectfully disagree with an action, that is certainly something that is OK. We are not perfect - sometimes, we will agree with people. Sometimes we won't. Either way, it's taken to the mod forum.

You have only heard one side of the story, I guarantee it. As have the many other folks that were emailed privately about this matter by the unhappy party. Again, if someone has an issue with the something one of us does, then I request that they go to that individual respectfully to discuss the issue.

 

[MSMD]

One of the reasons GeckoForums is such a wonderful place to be is the lack of drama. I am very grateful to our fabulous group of moderators for keeping it such a pleasant place to come!

Amen, sister!! :main_yes:

A huge thanks to Kelli and all of the mods and members for this wonderful, helpful, supportive community! You guys are always there.....gecko related or not. I can't speak enough praise for Kelli and her vision of a drama-free and caring place for all of us to call 'home'. I am so grateful for that privelage.