Yes, I agree with a lot of what the others have said. It does depend on what the person said, etc. Without knowing the specifics I could not give you my opinion. But, it is still ultimately up to you, my friend. God bless, Carl. (:o)
And if I did, wouldn't remove him from the group for that. I've never deleted a comment from anyone on my stuff. As far as I'm concerned, they have the right to voice their opinion whether I agree with it or not.
Mary, I don't know if it's the right thing to do or not. It just bothered me seeing the same message day after day. Maybe it wasn't bothering anybody else.
Sometimes we have to do what we don't like. Like with our kids or our jobs. Things are sometimes distasteful but they need to be done. Don't worry, if you feel it was needed then it was needed.
I think he was spamming, but I figured that's why I have the delete key. If he was making rude comments, especially about a member's child's photo, that's not nice.
Carl, you are the group moderator. The decision to exclude a member or decline submissions is yours. We've all read the group description and Gather TOS rules.
There is a lot of spamming on Gather, I bypass some people altogether, I am not into points. I don't like point, because I make real money on internet. But you have to give us the reason and to identify what exactly he did. At least people that want to stay, will not do it.
And letting it continue wouldn't have bothered me, if I knew everyone had a clear understanding of how to use Gather's email block and used it instead of leaving the group.
I blocked him early on, I didn't like what he was doing. Daily spamming isn't my idea of publishing articles. It's your group so you did what you thought best Carl. It's what you are supposed to do when moderating a group.
It is your group and you have a right to protect the integrity and reputation of the group in any way that you see fit. If a member is creating a problem for you or other members then you need to take all necessary action.
Was this member sending out multiple mail messages to group members? ...or just posting a significant quantity of content?
From what I have read (above and elsewhere) this member is publishing content that is under editorial review. Hence, he is violating the TOS, and potentially using your group in that act.
Hey there Big Time, I don't know you, I don't read much mail on Gather, but I did read one of your latest posts and I noticed that you called people names. Now, if someone was calling me names it would perturb me big time. So, maybe that's why people are posting ones on your pictures. I'm just guessing but if you read the TOS then you would know that that's a violation. In any case, I'm hoping that you don't call anybody names anymore. You might make more buddies that way and people wouldn't rate your work with ones, they might rate your work with tens. You might give it a try.
I'm new and am not familiar with BIG TIME, but since you are the moderator, then it's up to you to do just that....moderate. It's good to know you are keeping up with your site.
Thanks Kevin for the info... Big Time, friends it'll be, (I never thought otherwise.) And I do see your point on the repost, but as long as you were advertising them, you knew it would become a perpetual cycle.
Although I, too, think that it is your group and you can do anything you want or kick out anyone you wish, I feel you were wrong to give Big Time the boot.
That is, unless you change the opening description of your group to something else.
Because your Group description reads:
"Gather Broadcasting: This group is open to everyone who would like to bring attention to their post. The group email is available to all users. Joining this group means you don't mind sending and receiving mass emails."
That statement says, "Open to EVERYONE who would like to bring attention to their post." While Big Time's method of "bringing attention to his posts" was unorthodox and unpopular, it still fell within the Group description you have posted.
But, as I have already stated, it's your group and your decision alone.
Hope everything eventually works itself out..............
As I already said once, if I believed everyone within the group knew how to use the tools available that Gather has provided to block anyone they don't want to be bothered by, then I wouldn't have booted him.
You know this to be true, or Gather themselves would never have dispensed with the mass mail on your home page.
Eh,Carl, your group, your right to manage it your way. If you think someone is abusing the members of the group, or a member of the group, either by the letter of the rule (direct abuse) or the spirit (posting the same post over, over, over again), thats your call. Personally, I just click off posts that I don't find interesting enough to read, and if someone annoyed me enough, I'd just block 'em myself. By my vote, Carl, I think youre managing your group just fine, sometimes there's judgment calls. If you were a creep about it, you wouldn't have given it a second thought. Jus' my 2 centavos.
According to group owner description, you have the right and responsibility to care for the group. According to what you discerned about others' abilities to manage emails, and what is in good taste, you did what you felt to be the responsible thing. It takes courage to do the right thing sometimes.
I have to agree with Big time's own statements here. This group is supposed to be for anyone who wants to post their stuff, to draw attention to it. I see three emails from the same person all the time on one day no less. And, they are not being booted. So, why boot Big time? It would not make any sense. I get annoyed having to delete four different, but the same messages from people advertising to different groups.. But, it's for the same post, and that is really clouding up my inbox. I don't blame you for your decision, nor do I look down on you. But, I don't think you are being fair. If you boot him, you should boot more people for doing the exact same thing. That's my opinion.
I'm still learning the ropes here. I didn't know you could block people from emailing. I will have to check that out. It is your group and I think you should be able to set it up the way you want. If somebody is being offensive or overly zealous, perhaps a warning to start with and then if the behavior continues, they should be completely blocked from the group. Hopefully, a polite nudge in the right direction will do the trick.
He wasn't bothering me, but he probably was bothering some.. there are a few people I wish would get bounced from some of the groups I belong to. There are a few people, some that are my connections and some I'm not even connected to that send out mass emails from 5 or 10 different groups every time they do anything.. I just deleted 47 emails.. 6 or 8 of them from Big Time.. and about 9 or 10 from one certain other person who is UNREAL with the mass emails every time he posts. But, I don't own the groups and I don't want to unsub from the groups.. so I have no choice but to continue to delete multiple repeat emails every day from the people who do this. Would be nice if people who do this would get a clue and be a little more considerate. :O)
While I still pretty much stick by my first comment, after seeing a solid 25 Gather comment pages of nothing except "Dropping you a line! Hope to see you at Big Time Points more," I am begining to reconsider my stance and I am starting to believe that I may have been a bit too harsh towards you.................
I agree with your decision. While I haven't been here all that long myself, I don't send ads ot join under me on 25 different programs a day. I will say that Big Time has made some relevant comments on others' posts, however the spamming alone annoys me beyond comparison.
He isn't going to blink an eye you know. It would be different if he were a sincere poster, and he really isn't, likely would say so himself if could be bothered. It was an irritant at best to many in a forum that is already voluminous, you had to. No biggie, life goes on, don't worry about it!
It's your group....you show be able to review the content. I would suggest, before giving the boot, of sending a private message to the person about what you feel and why you fell that way. But I do want all of us to be able to moniter the groups we create.
The member you're talking about is new and unfortunately there are a lot of people who sign up for Gather just for a way/place to promote things that are against Gather's Terms of Service. I'm hoping that Gather will review the flags that have been added to his content and educate him. If Big Time continues to break the rules here, then he'll be removed and that will be the end of that. Sometimes all it takes is a little education and people change their ways. I once posted a HUGE list of money making sites a few months after I joined, which was promptly flagged and my feelings were hurt at first... but Gather educated me and now I know how to post items correctly.
I agree with others that it's your group and you have the right to run it anyway you choose!
After reading this artilce I then went on to read an article about Warren Buffet's 7 ways to live life. Or so I thought. I thought I was reading a book review. At the end it promoted another site and I felt rather deceived. I have to admit I didn't care to have been taken in like that.
Sounds like an exercise in the arbitrary use of power. You sound uncomfortable with it, but from the little you say, you were ridding a the group of someone who was abusing it. That is your right is it not?
But, isn't the time to think about whether you will like it or not before you actually do it? If you did, then stop second guessing yourself, even if you did make a mistake it was slight, and it did not have any negative consequences.
Go ahead and move on to bigger and better mistakes that we can really razz you about! ;-)
I empathize with your concern...it is hard to make a decision like this. While I would never have asked for anyone to be removed from any group, I also know that the more "articles" that I get from a group that are not really articles, the more likely it is that I will drop the group because it begins to feel like a waste of my time. I think you are a good moderator for behaving pro-actively in a pleasant and courteous manner. And I am glad that you are keeping an eye out for things that don't seem quite right.
I have to admit the multiple emails with the exact same subject were bothering me too. I was in the process of deleting them when I stunbled upon yours. I have a hard time clearing my boc because I go through and delete a bunch, then have to sign off and when I come back I have just as many as before i left and again they are all the same.
Hmmm from what i have read other's post it looks like you did the right thing!!! Its your group and if you feel someone is not following rules your free to get rid of that person don't feel quilty at all!!
I guess I'll never make any money from my writing because I prefer not to mass email everyone every time I write something. I do want them to read it, but I do not want to impose.
I don't mind receiving messages from members asking me to view their poetry, images, short story, or link to a dissertation on what they did over the weekend. However, I look upon some messages (like those in question) differently.
I DO mind multiple messages asking me to view content that is nothing more than an attempt to entice members to enroll in a money-making scheme or website that may or may not be legitimate, and where the member can profit from my doing so. I look upon these messages, and content, as a nuisance and spam.
since joining gather broadcasting(and friend of Dan h), I receive over 100 emails a day...and there are about 10 people I've added to my "block sender" because they insist on important posts/photos such as: I JUST BELCHED!!!!!! LOOK AT THE PHOTO OF MY THUMB!!!! Did I grab every money earning scheme that Big Time posted? Nope, but then I find the stupid "name something that begins with an alpha character" games much more annoying. I think most people can self-censure.
I think everyone on site (or at least those who aren't even connected to this person who enjoys trying to make a fast buck) is getting sick of his behavior. There are plenty of "paid on the internet" groups on gather. Keep your pyramid schemes to that sector please. If people want referrals to a site, they will ask for them. Harassing people who you have never even bothered to check out ANY of their content, is not a good way to try to be accepted on this site.
Sounds to me like you did the right thing Carl. I just checked my email and see we have another chapter and will be reading it the next time I get online....I only have an hour of time at the library right now so it might be a few days before i get there. Thanks for the heads up and I am eagerly awaiting the time I can sit and read this new chapter......!
Carl, There were a few comments I had to remove on my own group's post in the past. I was hoping to target specific users and had a few non-relevant posters. Only after I did it, did I realize they were trying to help, so it is your call in the end.
Kevin said: "FYI - BIG TIME's account was closed by Gather today. Thus, evidently Gather agreed that his actions were inappropriate."
Although it looks like he (or someone) opened a new one at 2:20 today, unless his account was closed differently than others usually are (how was he able to use the same user name?). Dude's pretty persistent, if he did reopen it.
Carl, Its your group, thus, your call. I don't know him, but I do get irritated seeing about 10 messages a day from him in my in box, all spam related. I do report spam when I need to, but to be honest, I have never opened one of his.
Wow Carl! ~ I can understand I guess. I don't know exactly what he did -- or rather, I have not received a ton of messages from him (I receive a ton of messages from others from the Group) -- in fact, I'm swimming in them, but I wouldn't complain about it -- just delete them.
I have some members in my Groups that I've thought about deleting out because they won't follow the Group Description. But I haven't ~ they are my friends, and I feel really bad about doing that. I just delete the messages that are irrelevant -- which is very time-consuming, and a shame to have to do because people are grown ~ or at least in grown bodies, and they do have comprehensive reading skills I would hope. But, sending a friendly reminder doesn't seem to matter to the abusers.
I wonder did you first warn him Carl? You may have already answered this question above, but there are so many comments here -- forgive me if I am being redundant.
Your judgment is good Carl ~ So you must have had a reason.
Good observation! (of course I have come to expect nothing less from you). When Gather gives a member 'the boot', they change the username to include a prefix and suffix of all zero's (as you know). However, this frees up the former username to be used again, unless the subdomain (username) is placed on a restriction list or otherwise prevented from being used.
Since no restriction was evidently in place, it is likely that this member signed up again as a new member resurrecting his former username. I predict that his tenure will again be short-lived.
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http://friendsofdanh.gather.com.
Our goal is to help you further your exposure and to support other gather members.
Carl, you are the group moderator. The decision to exclude a member or decline submissions is yours. We've all read the group description and Gather TOS rules.
It is your group and you have a right to protect the integrity and reputation of the group in any way that you see fit. If a member is creating a problem for you or other members then you need to take all necessary action.
Was this member sending out multiple mail messages to group members? ...or just posting a significant quantity of content?
From what I have read (above and elsewhere) this member is publishing content that is under editorial review. Hence, he is violating the TOS, and potentially using your group in that act.
Although I, too, think that it is your group and you can do anything you want or kick out anyone you wish, I feel you were wrong to give Big Time the boot.
That is, unless you change the opening description of your group to something else.
Because your Group description reads:
"Gather Broadcasting: This group is open to everyone who would like to bring attention to their post. The group email is available to all users. Joining this group means you don't mind sending and receiving mass emails."
That statement says, "Open to EVERYONE who would like to bring attention to their post." While Big Time's method of "bringing attention to his posts" was unorthodox and unpopular, it still fell within the Group description you have posted.
But, as I have already stated, it's your group and your decision alone.
Hope everything eventually works itself out..............
You know this to be true, or Gather themselves would never have dispensed with the mass mail on your home page.
I get annoyed having to delete four different, but the same messages from people advertising to different groups.. But, it's for the same post, and that is really clouding up my inbox.
I don't blame you for your decision, nor do I look down on you.
But, I don't think you are being fair.
If you boot him, you should boot more people for doing the exact same thing.
That's my opinion.
While I still pretty much stick by my first comment, after seeing a solid 25 Gather comment pages of nothing except "Dropping you a line! Hope to see you at Big Time Points more," I am begining to reconsider my stance and I am starting to believe that I may have been a bit too harsh towards you.................
I agree with others that it's your group and you have the right to run it anyway you choose!
But, isn't the time to think about whether you will like it or not before you actually do it? If you did, then stop second guessing yourself, even if you did make a mistake it was slight, and it did not have any negative consequences.
Go ahead and move on to bigger and better mistakes that we can really razz you about! ;-)
Its your group and if you feel someone is not following rules your free to get rid of that person don't feel quilty at all!!
I don't mind receiving messages from members asking me to view their poetry, images, short story, or link to a dissertation on what they did over the weekend. However, I look upon some messages (like those in question) differently.
I DO mind multiple messages asking me to view content that is nothing more than an attempt to entice members to enroll in a money-making scheme or website that may or may not be legitimate, and where the member can profit from my doing so. I look upon these messages, and content, as a nuisance and spam.
Again, you did the right thing.
Did I grab every money earning scheme that Big Time posted? Nope, but then I find the stupid "name something that begins with an alpha character" games much more annoying.
I think most people can self-censure.
But, sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
I get that much.
Harassing people who you have never even bothered to check out ANY of their content, is not a good way to try to be accepted on this site.
There were a few comments I had to remove on my own group's post in the past. I was hoping to target specific users and had a few non-relevant posters. Only after I did it, did I realize they were trying to help, so it is your call in the end.
FYI - BIG TIME's account was closed by Gather today. Thus, evidently Gather agreed that his actions were inappropriate.
Although it looks like he (or someone) opened a new one at 2:20 today, unless his account was closed differently than others usually are (how was he able to use the same user name?). Dude's pretty persistent, if he did reopen it.
Its your group, thus, your call. I don't know him, but I do get irritated seeing about 10 messages a day from him in my in box, all spam related. I do report spam when I need to, but to be honest, I have never opened one of his.
I have some members in my Groups that I've thought about deleting out because they won't follow the Group Description. But I haven't ~ they are my friends, and I feel really bad about doing that. I just delete the messages that are irrelevant -- which is very time-consuming, and a shame to have to do because people are grown ~ or at least in grown bodies, and they do have comprehensive reading skills I would hope. But, sending a friendly reminder doesn't seem to matter to the abusers.
I wonder did you first warn him Carl? You may have already answered this question above, but there are so many comments here -- forgive me if I am being redundant.
Your judgment is good Carl ~ So you must have had a reason.
Blessings ~
Rene
Good observation! (of course I have come to expect nothing less from you). When Gather gives a member 'the boot', they change the username to include a prefix and suffix of all zero's (as you know). However, this frees up the former username to be used again, unless the subdomain (username) is placed on a restriction list or otherwise prevented from being used.
Since no restriction was evidently in place, it is likely that this member signed up again as a new member resurrecting his former username. I predict that his tenure will again be short-lived.