magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I think Bob has been treated in an unnecessarily hard manner. He has an awkward way of expressing his thoughts at times, for sure, but we must be a pretty soft lot if his responses hurt so much. He offers valuable critique, something that is not easy to come by. I shall miss him dearly.
The case of Billyspad was another matter altogether and clearly showed extreme behaviour that should not be tolerated.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

I agree and I don’t think we should fire people just because we don’t like them. We might then get rid of an “artbob” or fire a “
Moderator” we don’t agree with. I got the impression that the “other two moderators-WENT ALONG WITH THAT DECISION??” All in favor of keeping that moderator AND re- Instating artbob, raise your hand. Usually, when someone makes a motion the ayes have it with the first vote, cuz most people are inclined to get along & go along. We should keep that moderator and invite artbob back, with the provisal that he might want to CHILL a bit. I don’t know either of them, but I must say I m getting fed up with today’s approach to determining what is or is not politically correct. People are loosing their careers for saying something that makes them homo-phobic, or sexist, or racist it’s tragic... we don’t like someone for not thinking my way, I destroy them . Not a good thing, I don’t think. RJM & I’m just sayin.

srt101fan

You seem to believe that moderators are or should be selected by some kind of popular decision. I'm on shaky ground on this (so Linda, if your reading this please jump in), but I think most moderators are volunteers and some (many?) have actually started the sections they moderate (with Admin's approval).

For example, if Admin approves, you could start your own section. I believe you then have considerable authority to regulate how things are done. If I'm not mistaken, there is at least one section with participation by invitation only.

So it's one thing to disagree with a moderator, but quite another to accuse him of abusing his power...

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

It appears that there are 33 sections moderated by volunteers, and many are still managed by the user or users who created them. Here is more information: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/help/user_managed_sections.jsp

Exploration of Digital Artistry is by invitation only, and so are the "pros" who have access to responding in "Advice from the Pros."

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

I think you confuse me with someone that you believe “needs to know, how/what you think”. Even if , the moderator started the section, I would still think it prudent of him/her to rule by popular command. I have noticed that there is a section “by invitation only, and that’s about as pompous and condescending a concept for a public forum as I can imagine.It’s obvious (to me, anyway) that you and i are never going to see “eye to eye, BUT SO WHAT?? Your opinion, to me ,has as much value as my opinion to you. Think about that.. I don’t care to go on and pursue this thread any longer.It has come down to a boring morass. ...Sincerely,though!! LOL ....RJM

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

I feel I must point to you that artBob, in one thread called me a liar. Read all of the threads connected with this issue and posted by me, you will find no lies, no exaggeration, only facts. Being called a liar on an open forum isn't something that should be allowed. This did happen after he was banned from here but it goes to show what lengths he will go to in trying to defend his obnoxious behaviour

Graham

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I've known RG, through the section, for some while now and generally respect his thoughts and appreciate the hard work he contributes, we only differ on this particular decision, he knows that, and I will live with it. I do not agree that it is the right decision but RG has the last word on it. That I accept.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

When someone "over does it" in any way that folks find hurtful to the audience, or is harmful to the OP, clearly violates section rules, and causes disruption, then perhaps a short "probation" would be more appropriate..... and greater probation for a repeat. Banning someone should be reserved for (IMHO) offensive repeat offenders/hard rule violaters.... venting on a bad day is not encouraged, but should be weighed for what it is..... many have "had a bad moment" saying maybe more than they should, but have repented, and even apologized.

Name calling and intimidation should be called out, unfounded callouts especially - how would we know who someone is, what they know, how they conduct themselves in the real world, liar or truth sayer, genius or dummy?? All we really know about most on here is in "what they write" and/or "what they show".

There have been a few (again IMHO) who seem to lurk (trolls perhaps-folks with another agenda), looking for the chance to pounce on something or someone they don't see "eye to eye" with, or go "nasty" with little provocation....but thankfully the great majority here moderate their temperment to keep the discussions tolerable - whether we agree with each other or not, civility is encouraged!!

Being a moderator has to be a tuff job, especially when folks cross lines.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

My approach to the obnoxious is to ignore them. When it is directed at me I try to remember that usually their whole motive is to get attention - silence ticks them off so their stew stays inside. The Hog has a section where the ‘free for all’ is the norm - its The Attic. So armor-plate your skin and ignore the mud slingers.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Digit-up

Consider this....you have signed up for a course that you are greatly interested in. As the course starts there is lots of participation and constructive conversation but along the way 1 person starts being disruptive and making comments that are inconsiderate.This escalates to the point that you are finding his behavior to be quite annoying. Several people ask that he stop but he doesn't . You observe that even the instructor is getting annoyed with this persons behavior. You approach the instructor to let him know that even though you are learning a great deal, you are finding it uncomfortable because of the disruptor. The instructor informs you that he has spoken to the person but it has no effect.

What do you, as the student, want the instructor to do to remedy the situation? Should he tell that class, sorry, you just have to deal with it or does he have the disruptor leave?

Now let's say you are the instructor? What do you do?

You joined this forum shortly after I did and if you were actively reading the forum you know that there were several extremely obnoxious members at that time and that admin stepped in and banned them from the entire forum.

I sincerely hope Bob doesn't escalate to that point.

Dodie

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Thanks for your support.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Politics belong in the Attic.

Thanks.

Mike

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

A quick note about private enterprise vs living in a free country and voting. In a free country your freedoms are enumerated by law. Voting is one of the benefits of a free country.
On the other hand, private enterprise is governed by the owner ( in the case of a union, agreements between the parties). In the case of a small business, its government is, pure and simple, a dictatorship. To keep your job, you need to meet the expectations of the owner or get fired. Voting for membership is a foreign concept to a small business.
UHH is private enterprise.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

That is excellent Dodie, thanks.

Mike

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

I suggest that you read the two stickies titled “Welcome to FYC” and”General interest” to be found a the top of the page of most recent posts to this Section. They should help clarify matters for you. Our moderators perform their roles with with a remarkably light hand and with great reluctance to ever introduce even a hint of heavy-handedness- but they do recognize those rare instances when such becomes necessary.

FYC has been a very welcoming section that has, in a relatively short span of years, become the comfortable and rewarding “home” section for many in UHH. This has, most clearly, NOT been accomplished by heavy-handed, imperious management by our moderators, who strive to maintain the broadly and freely welcoming character for which this Section has come to be known.

Dave