Let me start by saying that this is not an attempt to spite the forum mods or start an argument. I'm sincerely looking for the forum's opinion.

Recently, whole pages of threads have been deleted - Gone forever! - because they strayed off-topic. I'm not sure this is really necessary; I'd like to think the forums could do with less intervention, and I believe side-conversations can be amusing. I also think the moderators have been too quick to reprimand users, and that moderation (Not, mind you, because of malice, but rather because of moderators not having enough time) hasn't been level across the board; some threads draw a lot of attention and are heavily moderated (Even though they don't have to be) and some serious threads seem to be utterly ignored. I understand it's the administration's prerogative to manage the forums as they wish, but their purpose is (Or, at least I think so - Correct me if I'm wrong) to provide a place for enjoyable and productive out-of-character discussion between players and occasionally the administration - and I think that purpose is better served by less overbearing moderation of discussion.

Also, I'd like to ask the moderators (Particularly ones that have been noticeably more active) if their latest acts of moderation are prompted by complaints or not.

I think it's fine as is generally speaking.

I wrote a long rambling post on this subject which the forums ate.

Or the moderators deleted...?

I'll repost it in my lunch break.

Time has passed, and I have forgotten what I said.

I think I agreed with Verithrax that moderation here is inconsistent, and I wondered why he hadn't included an inconsistency option in his poll.

Generally, I like the feel of these forums. They're pretty pleasant, usually. So the mods must be doing something right. I agree with Verithrax that I don't much like to see threads destroyed... and I'd also like a little more Mod accountability. If I have a post of mine edited, I'd like to know who and why...

The only peeve I've had with the mods in the last three months or so was having a post edited out with "Deleted for personal attacks." That's too wide an umbrella. Actually, my post was "Shorlen. You're an idiot." In the context of the thread, it was quite clear that I was criticising his behaviour rather than him personally. Post edit, however, my relatively mild insult could well have been anything. "Deleted for personal attacks" applies just as much to a suggestion that Shorlen enjoys buggering his grandma and has the venereal diseases to prove it, as to a relatively weak allegation of idiocy. So long as I'm not being unduly offensive, I'd prefer not to be censored for simply speaking my mind.

I think they're fine as is. I actually find it refreshing to come here and read after reading some of the other (shudder) ire forums. These aren't perfect, but they're much better. I personally credit that to the forum users and possibly the mods. I've not read that many personal attacks aside from a few lately on one of the newer forum members. Perhaps after the mods slap the offenders around a bit, that'll even be gone.

Edit: However, I do agree that a short explanation as to why a thread was closed or a post was edited would be lovely.

Yes and yes.

My two things:
The context of insults should definitely be examined before any mod brings out the warning/ban/edit/delete stick.
"Off-topic" posts should not be deleted, especially if other members are "off-topic." When more than one person is, that's on-topic. Threads evolve, yo.

EDIT: I also think that divines without moderation credentials shouldn't be moderators, but that's another story entirely.

I think that if the mods delete/change something, unless it's obvious (i.e putting a smilie in place of profanity) they should leave a note in the post explaining why it was closed. A few threads have been closed recently withh no note from the Moderator who did so, which can be quite irritating to those who actually wanted to continue the conversation properly. Even in small threads, there should be a warning, "Keep it civil, guys," or something before closing the thread outright.

I can tell you that recently I asked Estarra to give moderators more Message space because our in boxes are full of reports and complaints.

Overall, I'm guessing moderating is probably a difficult job, and although I'm inclined to ascribe the quality of these forums primarily to the players, I'd guess the moderators are doing all right.

There's a big chunk of moderating that relies on a moderator's subjective impressions, and those are bound to be different from this person or that person. What's insulting to me may not appear to be insulting to a moderator, what's offensive to me may not be offensive to a moderator, et cetera and vice-versa, so I'm ok with "mistakes" of that nature.

Having said that, closing a thread or deleting posts because a moderator feels they are off topic is probably a mistake, period. Nothing is harmed by threads going off topic. Conversation tends to flow that way. It's really not a moderator's purview to decide if given thread content is worthwhile or not. That's for the participants and readers to decide.

There is more to moderation sometimes than just content of posts. Sometimes technical issues are a factor as well.

Stop deleting my memes plz.

Our last excess was moved to the Funny pictures thread.

One every now and then is fine. Then you have like 40-45 in the row on the Lack of Rants thread. That's the point at which it ends up getting moved. (Wasn't even deleted!)

Some of the moderators have a different style than others, but please remember, the gods also moderate. When I hear whining, it's usually because the players think they're being shut down by other players, when half the time, a god deleted your post, or moved it, or kicked your dog. If you've got a problem with how something was handled, click the report link, and complain about it. Gods know enough of you do.

...

...The "gods" are players, too. Seriously. :O

That's true, however they are the game's "administration", and being told to knock it the hell off by them usually has more effect than us doing it.

Viravain just closed another thread, and things are getting sillier and sillier. I can't really say much except that the fact that nobody ever closed threads this voraciously seems to indicate that Viravain does it out of her own judgement with no consideration for the community at large which is both bigger and older than herself, and that she acts without any backing from the moderation team.

Or, that nobody bothers to moderate except her. But seriously, when you have this one person closing virtually every thread that steps a milimetre out of line, it looks bad, for the person and the moderating team as a whole.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Do your personal attacks ever stop?