Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 6, 2011 14:59:36 GMT 10
Hi everyone,
As most people will be aware, over the last few days there has been a lot of discussion about whether or not the Ebay section should be reinstated on the forum. Forum members have expressed different points of view on this, and the moderators thank the many members who posted thoughtful and well expressed contributions on both sides of the debate.
The moderating team has now carefully considered all of the points made, and the point of view of each side, and has decided that the Ebay section should be reinstated commencing now.
With due consideration to everyone who has expressed their point of view, we have concluded that having the Ebay section is in line with the philosophy of the forum and www.vintagecaravans.com. The goals of the forum and the website are to encourage the development of a sense of community amongst vintage caravanners, to assist forum members to share information relating to vintage caravans, and to contribute to the preservation of Australia’s caravanning heritage. (Heritage here is referred to in a broad sense, not just a restorationist sense, however the preservation and restoration of vintage caravans is also seen as an important goal.)
The moderating team believes that the Ebay section will assist the forum in achieving its goals. In particular, the header on the forum home page states that, among other things, the intention of the forum is: “ to gather information on the whereabouts of pre 1970 caravans to assist interested people in locating them for a prospective purchase”. In our view the Ebay section directly relates to that intention.
Please noted that the reinstated Ebay section will be subject to the following guidelines:
“Posting links to VINTAGE CARAVAN RELATED items for sale on Ebay is ACCEPTABLE, but discussion of prices for Ebay items, or derogatory comments about the items or the sellers, are NOT ACCPETABLE in any sections of the forum, and will be strictly policed by the moderators.
“The policy regarding Ebay prices and derogatory comments has been adopted because of problems on the forum in the past arising from such posts, and because of potential legal ramifications for both posters and the sponsor of the forum.
“Any links posted to items on Ebay should be directly related to Vintage Caravans or to caravanning prior to 1970. Links which in the opinion of the moderators do not meet this requirement will be deleted.”
We are aware that not all forum members will agree with this decision, but we ask that those who do not agree should accept what has been decided, knowing that it has been taken after all points of view have been fully considered, and in what the moderators believe is in the best interests of the vintage caravanning movement as a whole.
Two threads relating to the debate about the Ebay section were deleted by the moderating team yesterday. This occurred after one forum member - whose posts and contributions we usually enjoy and value - persisted in using derogatory names about other members who did not agree with his views on Ebay. In retrospect the decision to delete the entire threads (rather than just the offending post/s), may have been an overreaction. However, it reflects the frustration the moderating team feels when a civilised debate or discussion on the forum turns into a slanging match or name calling.
We ask that, when posting, all forum members treat each other with respect and politeness, even – and especially – when you disagree with them.
The Moderating Team
As most people will be aware, over the last few days there has been a lot of discussion about whether or not the Ebay section should be reinstated on the forum. Forum members have expressed different points of view on this, and the moderators thank the many members who posted thoughtful and well expressed contributions on both sides of the debate.
The moderating team has now carefully considered all of the points made, and the point of view of each side, and has decided that the Ebay section should be reinstated commencing now.
With due consideration to everyone who has expressed their point of view, we have concluded that having the Ebay section is in line with the philosophy of the forum and www.vintagecaravans.com. The goals of the forum and the website are to encourage the development of a sense of community amongst vintage caravanners, to assist forum members to share information relating to vintage caravans, and to contribute to the preservation of Australia’s caravanning heritage. (Heritage here is referred to in a broad sense, not just a restorationist sense, however the preservation and restoration of vintage caravans is also seen as an important goal.)
The moderating team believes that the Ebay section will assist the forum in achieving its goals. In particular, the header on the forum home page states that, among other things, the intention of the forum is: “ to gather information on the whereabouts of pre 1970 caravans to assist interested people in locating them for a prospective purchase”. In our view the Ebay section directly relates to that intention.
Please noted that the reinstated Ebay section will be subject to the following guidelines:
“Posting links to VINTAGE CARAVAN RELATED items for sale on Ebay is ACCEPTABLE, but discussion of prices for Ebay items, or derogatory comments about the items or the sellers, are NOT ACCPETABLE in any sections of the forum, and will be strictly policed by the moderators.
“The policy regarding Ebay prices and derogatory comments has been adopted because of problems on the forum in the past arising from such posts, and because of potential legal ramifications for both posters and the sponsor of the forum.
“Any links posted to items on Ebay should be directly related to Vintage Caravans or to caravanning prior to 1970. Links which in the opinion of the moderators do not meet this requirement will be deleted.”
We are aware that not all forum members will agree with this decision, but we ask that those who do not agree should accept what has been decided, knowing that it has been taken after all points of view have been fully considered, and in what the moderators believe is in the best interests of the vintage caravanning movement as a whole.
Two threads relating to the debate about the Ebay section were deleted by the moderating team yesterday. This occurred after one forum member - whose posts and contributions we usually enjoy and value - persisted in using derogatory names about other members who did not agree with his views on Ebay. In retrospect the decision to delete the entire threads (rather than just the offending post/s), may have been an overreaction. However, it reflects the frustration the moderating team feels when a civilised debate or discussion on the forum turns into a slanging match or name calling.
We ask that, when posting, all forum members treat each other with respect and politeness, even – and especially – when you disagree with them.
The Moderating Team