Just wondering. I've been coming to this place on and off for years but lately it just seems like the trolls, bashers and just plain nasty folk are in abundance -- such as this thread

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/movie-talk/...-any-good.html

Or several others that have been derailed lately by jerks or wanna-be mods who like jumping all over "newbies" who post innocent questions. In all fairness it makes this place a less appealing place to be where it was once a rather civil oasis on the Nets unlike places like AICN or HTF. Is it just me? Is there less moderation than there used to be?

There's definitely more folks that seem to just chime in with a smart ass or sarcastic remark and then move on, rather then just discuss. Or maybe old timers are also getting more testy to the new guys.

I think there does seem to be a bit less moderation, as in the case of Movie Talk where it seems only wendersfan is active (and doing a good job with what he can). I see the admins as much as always like X, but I do think some of the forums could benefit with the addition of another mod that actively posts.

It's true. A "newbie" asking a question or creating a thread that's a duplicate of one from years ago is more likely to get dogpiled by veteran posters. The newbie will then usually react with a personal attack and get a mod warning. However, I do not think that the forum is getting ruder. The vast majority of other forums I've been to are free-for-alls with one nasty post after another. This is still the best regulated forum I know.

I think its all in good fun. Its just the way you respond to it. Yes sometimes ppl can be quite rude, but its the way you respond to that which makes it worse. If more the newer members would just roll with the punches it wouldn't be so bad.

You shut your trap before I break your legs.

IMHO they shouldn't have to though. I mean I know if I go to a new place on the net and get a cold reception I'm not likely to go back... are you?

Nemein I agree with you to a certain degree. But some newbies come in with bad attitudes not all many and most are great but if I'm going into a new place im not going to be a swinging dick. Most are just trolling anyways to get us all up in arms like this.

While somewhat contradictory, I agree with all the points raised so far.

I think there is a happy medium to be found.

As a long time poster, and frequent brief visitor of other forums, I agree that this is the best regulated forum out there. But things have slipped a bit lately, and I agree that a couple more mods would be helpful.

But I also don't think we should bend over backwards to accommodate new members. Everyone agrees to the TOS when they sign up, but it looks like most people don't even scan the thing, let alone follow the quite simple rules.

I think that the slight ribbing that newbies who "break the rules" or post stupid (in our opinion i know) threads is ok. It either welcomes them into the fray and shows them how things work here, or it motivates them to personal attacks and shows them to be the type of posters that no forum would want around anyway.

I think all new members should have a warning message pop up before their first 20 posts here that says something like, "Remember, no personal attacks are allowed here. Also, did you search for a pre-existing thread on this topic?"

We're all still here aren't we?

Have posts been deleted in this "example" thread"? Because I don't see anything remotely close to rude and nasty in there, except for maybe the condescention of the first "let me Google that for you" response. If everything, everyone else was surprisingly polite and helpful.

EDIT: Ahh, running into another locked thread in that sub-forum I see that posts have been mod-deleted.

They need to cowboy up.

There's a lot of stupid questions and weird posts since they implemented the "must post ## times before you can post a link" rule. Spammers are just posting whatever in order to get themselves up to the limit.

Did you get a cold reception here? I know I didn't, I wouldn't have hung around this long if I did.

We seem to have had a large influx of new members posting in Movie Talk recently. That, coupled with a large number of what I'll call "fanboy threads" that provoke strong feelings, both positive and negative (I'm talking about Star Trek, The Dark Night, The Watchmen, etc.), have contributed to a less than ideal environment on occasion. As a member here I certainly enjoy a lively atmosphere where disagreements are aired openly. As a mod I'd maybe like for people to think a little more before they post something emotionally-driven.

Also, as a mod I have it as my personal policy that I will not discuss moderation activities or posts in the thread itself. If you have a problem with something I've posted or done as a mod, PM me to discuss it and I'll be happy to explain my reasons. Movie Talk is for the discussion of movies, not for the discussion of the moderation of Movie Talk, or the discussion of the behavior of the posters in Movie Talk. If you feel like you're being treated unfairly then I certainly want to hear about it, but I don't think a public thread is appropriate for the airing of potentially private grievances.

And to reiterate - if you have a problem with a post or poster, don't lash out against them in the thread; that will probably result in something not to your liking. Report the post. It's easy to do, it's anonymous to the other posters, and is the forum-approved way of doing business.

Surest way to kill a "stupid" thread is to just ignore it. Any time a "veteran" mocks the stupidity of the OP, the thread becomes a free-for-all banality.

I didn't say anything overwhelming stupid, but I got some flak for some of my comments and opinions right off the bat, just like every other forum I've been on.

oh could I saw something about a "member" right now, but I could get suspended or banned - he's walking on thin ice IMO.

Says you.

I would have preferred you deleted all offensive posts in that thread and PMd warnings to all, rather than singling someone, me , out publicly.

Before I made post #1 here, I lurked for a few months to get a feel for the atmosphere in the forums. I knew there were a few smart asses in the threads. I honestly don't remember how I was received. I think sarcasm and at times biting sarcasm is part of the game here, but it shouldn't cross the line into personal attacks.

It definitely takes some time to learn the styles of various posters. There were a few posters who I initially wanted to punch in the mouth, but over time I've gotten used to their posting angle and often times enjoy it.

Maybe the forum is getting Rudyer instead.

I always mention this and am probably in the minority, but I don't think anything should ever be deleted, with obvious exceptions like racial slurs or porn.

Leaving things as is, with mod edits/clarifications of what is not allowed, and the visual warnings of seeing posters with "suspended" or "banned" by their name, would do more good than harm.

Stuff being done in secret hits my 1st amendment button, and doesn't leave guidelines for everyone else to see what is not allowed and what the ramifications of certain actions are.

I agree with you completely. This is the second time I defended someone's right to post what others may perceive to be "stupid" and both times I was called a "noob" for defending another. No mod intervened and the thread died out in a day or two. Singling out one poster for warning by the mods, when there are more than one offending party, sends the wrong message, IMHO.

Just hug it out, bitch.