Announcement Disabling Direct Messages in the forums

[RedheadDane]

...technically you're right, but it doesn't change things because even those numbers are a magnitude less than public posts and more DM's is not a reason to keep them unfortunately - quite the opposite.

I think there might have been a slight misunderstanding here.
I'm not denying that there are more public posts being made than DMs - no doubt about that.
I'm disputing the claim that - at least how I read it - that the majority of the DMs that are sent are done for admin/mod-related purposes. And I'm pointing out that it's important to differentiate between DMs being sent for mod-related purposes, and DMs being sent to fellow users, who just happen to be mods.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

And I'm pointing out that it's important to differentiate between DMs being sent for mod-related purposes, and DMs being sent to fellow users, who just happen to be mods.

While waiting for today's coverage to start, I paged through my conversations record: less than 30% of them have been CQ game related.

 

[RedheadDane]

While waiting for today's coverage to start, I paged through my conversations record: less than 30% of them have been CQ game related.

And how many were mod-related?

 

[SHAD0W93]

If we’re counting mod related messages I’m at 40%.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

And how many were mod-related?

I doubt that more than 1 % were neither game nor mod: I know that some people use it more for conversation than I ever have.

As a moderator, I have sometimes appreciated the option of suggesting to people that they continue a discussion (more often a row) that really shouldn't be aired in public on PMs, so it is unfortunate not to have recourse to that any more.

But if it is not here, it isn't here, and all we are doing here is discussing the playlist of the band on the Titanic.

 

[RedheadDane]

I doubt that more than 1 % were neither game nor mod: I know that some people use it more for conversation than I ever have.

So, if I sent a DM wishing you Merry Christmas, it would increase the percentage significantly?
(You'd probably also be a little confused if I wished you Merry Christmas in August...)

But also, just to be clear, as far as I see it CQ-game related messages are included in the regular (non-mod-related) messages.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

So, if I sent a DM wishing you Merry Christmas, it would increase the percentage significantly?
(You'd probably also be a little confused if I wished you Merry Christmas in August...)

Not really, it would make a 0.13% difference

But you didn't, did you? You showed no concern at all for my degree of merriness, nor for the happiness of my New Year.

 

[RedheadDane]

But you didn't, did you? You showed no concern at all for my degree of merriness, nor for the happiness of my New Year.

Sending it now, when you expect it, would completely destroy the surprise.

 

[noob]

I doubt that more than 1 % were neither game nor mod: I know that some people use it more for conversation than I ever have.

As a moderator, I have sometimes appreciated the option of suggesting to people that they continue a discussion (more often a row) that really shouldn't be aired in public on PMs, so it is unfortunate not to have recourse to that any more.

But if it is not here, it isn't here, and all we are doing here is discussing the playlist of the band on the Titanic.

I am very good at understanding simile, but as everything else I read it literally. You saying cyclingnews forum is Titanic?

 

[MKnott]

What other changes are possibly on the table?

Nothing right now, this pretty much covers the risk in my view and we won't have to do anything else. That's not a guarantee that we won't have to consider age verification or other tools, but from my perspective we're compliant by doing this and it means we don't have to look at other items.

I will have to discuss the Legal side of things next week to make 100% sure of that.

I can prove my identity to an admin in an instant. Would that allow me to still DM with others who has proven their identities?

Unfortunately the system is flawed to the point where we couldn't allow for that even if we had proof of identity because the risk factor comes from what is being shared as well as ages. It sounds ridiculous, but there are multiple legal harms we need to prevent - even though they are incredibly unlikely and the only way to do that is by limiting DM's and being consistent about that approach.

We're not doing this just so we can avoid other changes, we're doing it because even if we had verification DM's would need to be removed or read by third parties outside of those conversations to make certain we're on top of our duties.

I'm disputing the claim that - at least how I read it - that the majority of the DMs that are sent are done for admin/mod-related purposes. And I'm pointing out that it's important to differentiate between DMs being sent for mod-related purposes, and DMs being sent to fellow users, who just happen to be mods.

That was the correction I made, that isn't as true here as it is for other sites when you look into it a little deeper, but the end result doesn't actually change. Essentially you may be right and if I did a deeper dive I'm fairly sure you would be - but it wouldn't be an overwhelming number, we're talking 10's of posts and that doesn't change that it has to happen, if that makes sense.

It makes it more painful here than other places and it's only with the context that people have provided that we understand what you're saying, but it doesn't change the outcome it just makes it more annoying for everyone. That is very much why the OSA is difficult and I wish we didn't have to do any of this.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

I am very good at understanding simile, but as everything else I read it literally. You saying cyclingnews forum is Titanic?

You are in danger of turning an analogy into an allegory. I just mean that it is discussion into how something that is no longer current was used. Hopefully the good ship CN Forum will sail on for many circumnavigations yet.

 

[jmdirt]

Disappointing!
I've had MANY PM conversations over the years. Several with 100ish exchanges.
-While most of them could be read by any/all, any/all probably have no interest.
--ie: another member and I discussing our motorcycles/adventures on them/purchased of them...

Edit: I just checked, about 200 ish conversation!

 

[tobydawq]

Will skidmark get moderator status or does the CQ game have to die?

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Will skidmark get moderator status or does the CQ game have to die?

I raised this issue as soon as we were notified this was going to happen; @skidmark was given advance notice and has already started looking at possibilities. He did not seem panicked at the idea, and is confident that a workaround can be found.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

MOD MODE

Not the place to discuss opinions of UK government, EU, or Brexit.

 

[Andre]

I only mentioned those because the decision comes from a political reason.

 

[Unchained]

I only mentioned those because the decision comes from a political reason.

Certainly a subjective view.. You would think that internet child protection provisions would be universal.
Cycling News surely recognizes that with the excellent level of moderation sexualized content is deleted rapidly, bordering on instantly.
Bots, trolls, spam similar fate, none stay long because of moderation oversight.

And from my observation there is no outward nefarious activity on the message board, both public and private message methods. But that not what the recent changes are about, instead CN had to eliminate the feature because of possible misuse towards minors. Myself included, it seems unnecessary but CN has to comply with rule of law instead of what I think, or what the majority of us see as a fix for a problem that didn't exist. In my opinion,
CN has said such and laid out the reasoning for their decision for the change in forum format.
Again my personal opinion, I would likely not use the message board if it were behind a pay wall and that's the logical link to CN doing some kind of restructuring for age verification.
Everything costs money...
It pisses me off but my anger is not at Cycling News, instead it's the fault of creative perverts who cast an internet net trying to catch an unsuspecting youngster who was just talking about cycling.. Unfortunate reality no place is safe ..Sad reality

 

[Potomac]

Does this affect how many guns I can buy?

 

[Unchained]

Does this affect how many guns I can buy?

Wayne LaPierre sounds like a great name for a bike racer!!! Or hockey player!!!!