Regarding excessive forum restrictions? :/

Howdy to all of the Farmerama EN Forum Team,

I have only been on this forum for a few weeks, and I am learning as I go - but it seems like this forum has a HUGE amount of restrictions regarding content of posts and such...some of it is very confusing.

This is more or less, a complaint. I know based on the quote below that you welcome polite complaints, and I guarantee I have tried to keep everything stated here as objective and polite as possible!

When I first joined I made a bunch of posts trying to get a feel for the people here...wanted to see how they would respond to certain things and basically find out what was relevant. At this time I was still reading through all the basic forum rules, finding out there were guidelines for each individual section. (I've never really been on a forum before so everything was new) I have had a VERY SLIGHT knowledge of how a forum works... That being said, I made quite a few posts that were closed for a number of reasons. Several simply because my topic content was similar to previous and existing posts. I was frustrated at first, but I understand why they were closed now.

The most recent closing of a seemingly popular post was the "Farmerama Tag Game" in Gabfest. Now I didn't create this thread, another new member did, and neither of us honestly saw the section of the rules that talked about no game threads. We just didn't see it, and again it is disappointing - but it is also understandable.




There are a few restrictions that irk at me, and they keep piling up as I play this forum.
1.)
The first one I noticed is regarding a post I made containing the feature of a "Poll". Our dearest Mod shooger.sweet was very polite as disabled a poll I made, saying, "Polls are only posted by Admins. Player's cannot create polls." Well, the simple fact of the matter is that yes, players can create polls, and even thought she clarified that we are not allowed to, I am confused as to why? As long as the content of a poll follows the forum rules, shouldn't it be allowed? It is after an option that is available when posting a thread. That is what initially led me to create mine! I saw it and took for granted that what was available was allowed.

The rules clearly state:

Well, here I am asking - could these decisions be elaborated? Otherwise I am forced to conclude that moderators continue to close threads for no apparent reason.
In which case I turn to this quote from the Netiquette thread:

Regarding that matter, the I tried to follow the instructions further given on how to PM a mod to no avail - I couldn't figure it out, so I am posting here instead, I hope that is ok!!!


2.)
One of my own threads, My "Unbirthday" thread was created to be a complimentary post to my "Birthday Month". While the thread was not detailed on an obviously important matter, I never created it as spam, and it was important to moi. I thought it would be a fun, daily post in banter for some of the members. Unfortunately it was closed by Neon-Lights before my theory could be proven correct or false. All he had to say was:

I may be wrong, but that seems like only personal bias and un-just opinion to close my thread after declaring that it has "no purpose" I find that offensive, obviously it did have a purpose to me since I created it!



3.)
Another confusing restriction is that of the banning of friendly media links as shown in the recent Gabfest thread "The Music Center"
When first confronted with this abrupt notice and the unsolicited deletion of all links prior, most of us protested.
The Mod responsible (Neon-Lights) simply stated,

Another poster promptly responded

Neon only said after that,

Neon...is the saying that a friendly youtube video indirectly, or even just possibly links to an external source? I might add youtube is one of the sanctioned media links in the bar when you create a new thread...as shown below.

In the image above it clearly states (highlighted section) that "you may embed media links from the following sites". That includes external links from Dailymotion, Facebook, Liveleak, Metacafe, Vimeo, and underlined in bright red...YouTube.

In the rules it says that external links are generally fobidden but:

Doesn't the statement in the above image consent, nay - legalize the use of youtube links on this forum?!?
If it is not, why, just like the polls, is this an available option in thread editing? Can you see how this is a contradictory decision?

Now I would like to take my Music Center example and go again to a point that supports the use of embedded links. Neon admitted that the videos didn't directly apply to anything against the forum rules. Again, is he suggesting that it might indirectly lead a member somewhere else? Of course he is, as well he should! Let me put it another way.

That is what our awesome Team Leader teddy.bear defines as our "Gabfest" section of the forum. It is a very broad and nonrestrictive statement. In fact, a great way to share non-Farmerama topics is via external links! Everything in Gabfest is indirectly suggesting material not related to Farmerama, that is the whole point of having "Gabfest"!



Thank you for reading and considering my argument. I have done my best not to make wild accusations and frivolously vent my point of view. I have supported all of my claims with evidence and fact, labored only by my general opinion on each issue.
If, based on this thread I need to contact a team leader with more details in a private way, please let me know how I can do that - or provide an email that I can contact you with. I have not intentionally posted this as an inappropriate way to get my message to you, I just don't know how else. Please do not delete this without warning, as I have worked very hard to lay out all the details for you.

Throughout this whole thread, I have remained perfectly calm - I want to get feedback on the issues I have presented, and not be dismissed as spam or a rager.

My sincerest regard for you teddy.bear and your fantastic team! I hope you see this as constructive criticism from a concerned customer, as it really is.

Griff303



ID: 52745362

 

Hello Griff303,

We do not make the rules, we are only here to assist our fellow farmers and ensure the Rules are followed. We have a guideline to follow as per BP's request. When you signed up as a Farmer, you signed an agreement to follow the rules set aside by BP.
We are all getting used to to the new layout of this New Forum. Just because you can create polls/embed video links in a post, does not mean that it is OK to do so. Again the Forum Rules must be followed.

Gabfest is there to talk about Non-Specific aspects of life. As an example: You can mention what country/state you live in, but you cannot give an exact address. You can state what month or year you were born, but not your whole birth date. NO outside links are allowed at all in any parts of the Forum.


If a moderator closes a post, they will give a reason for doing so. Any warnings that are given, are also given with an explanation. You can view any warnings you have been given through your profile page. Deletions and warnings will not be discussed on the Forum. If you are unhappy with a Moderator's decision you are welcome to contact the Customer Care Team.

Can I assist you further?

~edit~ Spamming other threads with the same post is against forum rules

 

I am not a mod, but did see 2 questions not already answered (in respect, your post is very long and the mods are volunteers, so don't blame them for missing it)

What you do is press "report" and then explain the reason. Mind you, if you do that too frequently, it will be considered abuse.

Asking for clarification is OK when it is a general question, but not to just challenge a specific decision. (again, not a mod, just a frequent poster.. but this is my understanding, a mod will clarify if I am wrong)

(Neon's response did not appear in my reply, so not commenting on it)
Almost all forums have this restriction and for some very, very good reasons. Primary is that outside links can introduce viruses. Further reasons can include the fact that these links are just not regulated. Outside links can sometimes actually violate laws of various locations, but even if not that, they can be things just not suited to the atmosphere and spirit of the game. It takes time to follow up each link and see if it really is OK or not, and mods are volunteers. Also, then mods wind up having to moderate which link is OK and not. Its much easier and frankly better to just have one uniform rule "no outside links". There are plenty of places to just chat on the net. This is a game. The mods are already more than overwhelmed by just dealing with game and basic forum issues.

Finally, a lot of links are just obvious spam. I reported one not that long ago that was just a blatant advertisement for some product. Again, having a clear "no outside links" makes things easy to understand and employ.

And again.. not a mod, this is not an "official" answer, but I have posted a lot and also have used other forums. The rules here are actually pretty similar to others. There are occasional issues, but my experience is that respectful and reasonable complaints are addressed.


I hope this helps.... you and SS, both.