Benedict
Posted : 2/5/2008 7:05:45 AM
I agree with Jaime that we shouldn't lock threads - though I add the caveat that I think in DIRE emergencies it's OK to do at least temporarily (and Lani, your lock last week most definitely fell under that category) but if the OP requests that a thread be shut down in any way, or removes the content of their own posts within in, I do generally post a note saying that since the OP no longer wishes to be associated with the discussion, that other members should either start a new thread or confine their replies/responses on the old one to comments other than the OP's. It's a bit flexible since each situation is different, in the same way that what we say in an in-thread warning depends on the thread in question. Locking very temporarily to let tempers cool is not, IMHO, a bad thing, but generally only a useful tool when the usual suspects are arguing around and around in circles...and I don't think we've needed to do that in months anyway.
99% of the time, threads need to stay open always....the remaining 1% need to be unusual circumstances.
I have, on occasion, removed a thread totally at the request of the OP, but only if it has just a few replies or less and there's a good reason for it, and the time has passed during which the OP can do it themselves. Actually, I think that's happened only once. If a discussion has gotten going, then the thread stays.....requesting a thread be locked/removed just because you started a topic and don't like the responses isn't good enough, especially when said topic is a known hot button. Members here are usually adults, and usually experienced enough to know that starting a thread on ANYTHING could turn into a pitched battle, and all we are here to do is make sure the rules don't get broken. If the OP of a thread appears not to understand that, then a private note from one of us might be warranted.
I can't go shopping at Prada and then complain to my credit card co. about the size of my bill....