A word from the Moderator on Deleting titles or posts

sermonindex Jan 30, 2012

Saints,

We have noticed a trend of people deleting or changing titles and their posts. Including some people who have been posting without titles or just deleting their post title and content because of a disagreement in the replies. Having the "edit" function is a privildge we are allowing but it seems it is being abused and not used correctly.

We do not condone allowing posts to be just deleted or changed. If you are sure you wanted to post the material and questions then you will have to be prepared for responses that will affirm or also question or speak against what you posted. These varied opinions of others is what makes SermonIndex valuable. We are not a truth unto ourselves and need the whole body of Christ for balance.

We are considering removing the ability to "edit" posts which will make posters review what they write I am sure much more before they post.

Please pray along with us that we can make this website the best resource on the internet for classical biblical preaching and allow for the best godly christian discussions on the web by God's grace.

M

MrBillPro Jan 30, 2012

I personally edit because, I am not the the best at grammar/capitalization/spelling. I try hard to do my best in my original post, but still lack perfection. When someone like me that has issues with these, if I am not allowed to go back and edit, my original post may not be read/interpreted correctly by others, especially others that like to read more into someone's post. I really think the benefit of editing is beneficial by those that use it in a sincere manner, but as always in the "world", a few bad apples can make the good apples suffer unnecessarily.

Edit: I forgot to add punctuation, in the things I am not good at.

L

lylewise Jan 30, 2012

Greg, might not just the mention of this be enough? It would seem like those, called out from the world, would be responsible enough to adhere to the rules of the moderators. This edit removal penalizes those who may have not put a thought together coherently. It will penalize those whose spelling is incorrect and who do not have S.C. It penalizes those who realize their punctuation does not allow the correct emphasis in relatiing an idea or concept. The edit feature should enhance the forum and not detract from it.

Can you not just make the appeal and let the brothers and sisters remind others when they do detect the abuse? additionally, they would remind the abuser of the rules and wishes of the gracious moderators that have so blessed this site?

I know we are supposed to pray over every posts prior to submission, but I have yet to see God divinely correct spelling outside of this clay vessel. Nevertheless, know that I appreciate your efforts in this ministry, no matter your decision.

ybiC

sermonindex Jan 30, 2012

you take away the 'edit' feature, you might as well deep six the forum, like i've suggesting that you do anyway, as i've been led to write.

taking away the PM feature was a heartache, as it led NOT being able to give a fellow follower sensitive info, ie email addy or phone number.

y'know Greg, not three hours agoi was thinking about you, with joy. How God has used you so wonderfully.

i came to this remembrance, because i wanted to find a Len Ravenhill video to post on FB, and there i saw SI's youtube channel, and i praised God for all the marvelous resources, you have labored over and presented via the internet.

but you do what you want to do, i always love you in Jesus' Love, neil

sermonindex Jan 30, 2012

Dear Saints,

this is not something we are considering to do anytime soon but are looking to future changes. I would rather be able to leave the edit feature for it really allows posters to have more freedom to correct mistakes.

Please continue to pray over these forums that God would protect them from evil men, abuse and other problems and that He would be glorified in these discussions.

S

staff Jan 30, 2012

Hi Greg,
I almost always edit my posts of spelling or of bad grammer etc.If i didnt edit the post would not make sense.I think if you get rid of the edit feature it will totally clog up the system as people will have to post twice to clean up their original post of wrong spelling etc.Other features have been taken down in the last year..The only feature left to go is the edit.I hope it isnt a pattern ending with the forum closing as it has been a very great benefit.Without the forum I think the site wouldnt work.
Yours Staff

S

staff Jan 30, 2012

Hi Greg,
I almost always edit my posts of spelling or of bad grammer etc.If i didnt edit the post would not make sense.I think if you get rid of the edit feature it will totally clog up the system as people will have to post twice to clean up their original post of wrong spelling etc.Other features have been taken down in the last year..The only feature left to go is the edit.I hope it isnt a pattern ending with the forum closing as it has been a very great benefit.Without the forum I think the site wouldnt work.
Yours Staff

S

SolaVeritas Jan 30, 2012

Just an idea: I find it beneficial to type my posts in Word and then copy and paste into the forum when it looks ready to go. There you get the spell checker and it also helps in the process of praying before posting. Let's not make this forum a burden for the moderators please, and let them decide what would and wouldn't work.

M

MrBillPro Jan 30, 2012

SolaVeritas....Just an idea: I find it beneficial to type my posts in Word and then copy and paste into the forum when it looks ready to go.

Good idea, but it's hard to go through all those changes posting from my iPhone. :)

L

Lysa Jan 30, 2012

Greg wrote:
We have noticed a trend of people deleting or changing titles and their posts. Including some people who have been posting without titles or just deleting their post title and content because of a disagreement in the replies.

I understand exactly what Greg's talking about. There was a fellow and I that were in a deep discussion last week and when I come back on (SI) later to view other replies I found that he had added 2 or 3 paragraphs his post. It's very frustrating because he didn't do it to just one but several.

Greg, I have a personal request that if you do take away the "edit" function that you prayerfully consider bringing back the "preview" function so we can at least get a good look at how it reads before hitting the submit button for the last time! :)

God bless us all,
Lisa

**edited for readability!!!

sermonindex Jan 30, 2012

In my latest return to more posting, I read Greg's rule of "No Title". I used to add my own title, as a flavor to identify my idea, but thought that was now inappropriate. I thought that this would also apply to my replies that had a blank title, so to be in line with Gregs rule;

I left them blank. No title....but I did not delete the title...someone else did....

So, to post....Do I fill in the title?...or leave it blank if found blank?

sermonindex Jan 31, 2012

In my latest return to more posting, I read Greg's rule of "No Title". I used to add my own title, as a flavor to identify my idea, but thought that was now inappropriate. I thought that this would also apply to my replies that had a blank title, so to be in line with Gregs rule;

Dear Brother, it is just for the intial thread when it starts it should have a title. If the person does not give a title and you are replying to that thread, just make a title for your own reply.

I hope that clarifies things.

sermonindex Jan 31, 2012

Very much; Thank-you Greg.

M

MichaelLiao Jan 31, 2012

Hey Brother Greg,

I do apologize for what I did today in deleting that post. The reason being was that my friend saw that I posted his name and he did not appreciate it, as it may have appeared to be slanderous to him. God help me to consider every word I write before I post....

In Christ,

- Michael Liao

sermonindex Jan 31, 2012

Dearest brother, this has been an on-going problem and I needed to address it at some point. It is nothing personally directed at you. thanks for understanding.

R

roadsign Jan 31, 2012

Just a few thoughts:

The downside of having no edit option is the deterioration in quality of our postings. Without the formatting options anymore, it is especially important that we can view our posts online and see if we need to insert spacing or adjust layout for clarity. It benefits all if our posts are as clear as can be – even if it means tweaking after “submit”. I don’t think this need necessarily be inconsiderate.

Regarding those who delete/change posts or titles that they may have perhaps become embarrassed or regretful about, we want to keep in mind that this material is out for the world to view. True, some may have disrespectful motives. But some may simply do so because they are overly modest. But that may be less dishonorable than some of the “shameless” submissions or titles that squeak by from time to time – that would best be removed for the sake of integrity of the website and the Lord’s name.

Just my two cents….

Diane

K

KingJimmy Jan 31, 2012

Just an opinion dear brother, but I've noticed an increasing tendency over the years for there to be less and less charity in what one can do on this forum. Lot's of things have been taken away. But few things have been added that actually add to and increase the value of the forums. And whenever a few abuse this forum, it seems like the majority are being punished when valuable tools are taken away. You can only police the forums so much.

sermonindex Jan 31, 2012

Dear Brother,

In taking away alot of the functionality on the forums was an intial desire in my heart over 4-5 years ago but the technical abilities to do so were not there. So I felt I needed to make due with what is there. One big burden is that the quality of writing in the forum posts would set this forum out against others in the internet and not degrade the other content of the site (namely the classical preaching) but rather add to it as a living testimony to the Spirits work in many saints lives.

My belief is this still is happening and can continue as a testimony of Jesus Christ to the world. Truly the forums are what each individual wants to make of it. May we all be found communicating in a way that glorifies our saviour.

My goal in making any changes was to be led of the Spirit, to make the forums as simple as possible to achieve their purpose, and to keep people centered on discussing biblical sober topics that would have an eternal impact in the readers.

Thank you for your continued prayers that myself and the other moderators can humbly serve the people on these forums to the best of the ability of christ in us.

A

ArtB Jan 31, 2012

C'mon guys, no kneed to change yur posts cause ya didint get the gramma or spelleng rite, yule stil be understood, if u can reed this, than perfekshun ain't necessary.

But if you write something and another poster writes a well thought out response that corrects what you wrote, and then you rewrite your posts because you now know you were in error, such action makes that poster's correction look foolish to other posters who read your edited post and do not know you edited and in what way you edited your views.

To put this another way, once someone replies to your post with a view that you deem is more noteworthy or accurate than what you wrote, the best etiquette is to correct your own faulty post in a seperate follow up post as a courtesy to those who already responded to your post.

And, of course, I am not posting this to anyone in particular, but just about about proper etiquette.

M

MrBillPro Jan 31, 2012

Brother Greg, just a thought, have you ever given it any thought about how many personal salvation's you "might" be losing here due to just taking away the PM feature? It's deeper, I'm sure there are a lot of folks that might come here, that may not want to talk about their past to the whole world, where if one of us were able to minister to this person through a PM "we might" through Jesus Christ get them to ask the Lord into their life. I personally was ministered/witnessed to by a Sheriff buddy of mine one day in his patrol car. I said the sinners Prayer and accepted Jesus Christ in my life right there, and he gave me a small Bible, he come by the following Sunday and picked me up and took me to Church with him, and I was hooked for life. Message here is, I never felt comfortable doing this in a crowd. There are a lot of folks that need to have someone hold their hand, and take baby steps with them, to be brought to Christ. I felt led to write this, so I did.
Thanks
Brother Bill