Editing posts, deleting posts, changing usernames, etc.

Post Reply New Topic

Okay, I'm new here and my intention is not to gripe a whole lot. This is a cool forum but I think I may have to back off from participating like I was going to.

The following reasons are why:

* Can't edit posts after a week
* Can't delete posts unless they are the last post in a thread
* Can't delete threads I started by deleting the first post in the thread
* Can't request a username change or do it myself
* Most forum sections are public to google. Kudos on the members only section, though.
* Not allowed to setup a second account and abandon the first one even though I only have a dozen posts so far.

I was curious if this site is running on phpBB? The graphics are the same as used by that software. If so, I know for a fact all of these issues aren't really technical issues as claimed by people in other support threads around here. I run a couple message boards. I know these things aren't set in stone by the software.

I'll still lurk around but I guess since I'm stuck with this username and account, I'll probably not be pitching in much from here out. Kind of a shame since I'm not the only one that feels this way.

Again...not griping or criticizing. You guys can make the rules as you like. I just thought you should know my viewpoint instead of disappearing into the darkness without expressing it.

We used to have the unlimited edit post option but some users here were deleting all their posts by deleting their post and putting ...... or other random stuff.

Changing user names, that can confuse people.

Deleting posts, probably the same reason above.

1. Does it really matter what your user name is? I swear, no one is going to judge you based on what your user name is!
2. You could always edit your posts before the week is up? Do you really need to edit a post 3 months from now?
3. You cant delete posts, but you can always edit it and just erase what you said. That works for me and that is what most do here. Also, if you want a post or thread you made deleted, you can PM a moderator and they can do that for you, with no problem.
4. I dont think I was ever at a popular forum that wasnt public to google, but like was said, most of them do have a private section like the members only forum.
5. Do you really need a second account? anyway, people do get away with starting new accounts, even that it is against the rules. For instance LG had about 15 different accounts here so far (I am just joking LG). If you need to start a new account for some good reason, or need to delete a thread or something, you should PM a moderator, and I am certain they will work with you on whatever situation you might have.

I dont see any of what you said as reasons for leaving, as there is solutions to all of what you said!

It's really nothing major. It's just that the rules here are tighter than I'm used to. I can understand some reasoning due to some drama issues I happened across. Stuff like that makes you want to shoot all the users. LOL.

As an afterthought, I would have preferred a different username before I really started diving in here. I have a pretty good reason but I'm not going to post it publicly. I'd be willing to pm a moderator if one was curious.

So I was a little dismayed to realize I'm really stuck and that technical reasons were cited in other similar threads even though I know otherwise. I haven't been here long enough to confuse anyone. None of you know me.

It's not like I'm leaving and will never read anything here again. I'll just not post nearly as freely as I might have. Alex has an awesome resource here and I have to give him much respect for that.

The only time I saw anyone say such things, I posted in thread and told them it was not technical reasons, but plain choice. None of the things you mention have changed in the time I have been here. Having multiple accounts is only allowed if Alex explicitly permits it. He has only permitted that to a single person, to my knowledge.

two, if you count his other girlfriend.

I'll cite this thread:

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt115662.html

This board looks like a slightly modded form of phpBB. Every phpBB board I've ever run allows the admin to set a feature to allow username changes.

if I could do that or at least be allowed to register a new account and delete this one, I'd be super super happy.

just saying. not trying to be a pain, i promise.

I think I observed that I've never seen a board with this software that let's users change their own name, so there's probably a software limitation, but that's not really an issue at this board since it wouldn't be allowed anyway. I think that was when someone was making a particular issue of wanting to be able to change their own name.

I've never run a board with phpBB, so I don't know what's what from that end. But I've never seen one that allowed users to change their own name. Any name changes had be by an admin. Same as here.

Oh, and it's not really that you can't request a name change, more like no reason to because the answer will most always be no.

Name changes are, as a general rule, not permitted on WrongPlanet - that's just site policy. The only exceptions I am aware of have been due to personally identifying information (special case), correction of capitalization, or when a member makes the request before becoming an actively posting member. Past that point, the only person who could authorize that sort of thing would be Alex via special permission.


M.

There are legitimate reasons for most of those decisions, which are matters of site policy and not the forum software.

Otherwise the thread would not likely make a lot of sense if later posters responded to you.


You'd be deleting other member's posts then.


To avoid confusion and, I understand, to avoid having to fiddle with the databases too much. There have been a few exceptions, but you generally need a pretty good reason other than not liking your name.


Avoiding sock puppets, etc. Multiple accounts are not permitted.

It's debatable whether the pros outweigh the cons in all of these cases, but that is site policy as it stands and unless Alex changes his mind that is almost certainly how it will remain.