heavy-handed moderation

[Daephex]

The user HarryT (a mod, I'm assuming) has closed my thread at:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=267849

because "We do not permit MobileRead's forums to be used to ask or give assistance in any way whatsoever with pirated books."

However, the thread asked for no such assistance, and was simply asking for recommendations regarding my fourth eReader purchase. Having just recently become active on this forum again, I had already reviewed the posting guidelines in the sticky, and found NO mention of such a policy whatsoever, and can only assume that HarryT is tremendously fun at parties.

I'd love to inquire about other users' feelings on this topic, preferably after having read my original post. Bonus points if you have a recommendation, because I'm still hoping to purchase another eReader.

Thanks!

[BetterRed]

Did you ask HarryT for an explanation via a PM?

Maybe the '... creatively-acquired ...' was the trigger Ψ²

BR

[JSWolf]

I have to agree that I too would find the phrase "creatively-aquired" to mean pirated. If that's wrong, I would suggest you explain just what "creatively-aquired" meansif it does not mean what we think it means. If it does, then let the thread die.

[Daephex]

The important part about "creatively acquired" is not whether they are pirated material. I didn't say they were, and refuse to be drawn into a discussion about this. The important part is that I expect a level of freedom with my device-- being able to freely move a variety of formats, non-DRM material, etc should be ideally available. I do not wish to read in a walled garden. I am honestly asking for recommendations that accommodate this experience.

Mobile read has definitely gone downhill since my last visit. If this is what moderation looks like-- heavy handed, overreaching, interpretive, and NOT in step with posted guidelines-- then this community should reexamine their continued participation. I would be sad to see the wealth of information here be jeopardized by what is essentially an abuse of small powers.

[Daephex]

BetterRed-- I sent this thread to HarryT to make him aware of it, yes.

[CRussel]

Sorry, I would have the same reaction to "creatively acquired" as Harry did. And there has never been any support here for discussions related to, or encouraging in any way, piracy. I am not saying you have pirated books, just that the statement gives the appearance of same.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Daephex

The important part about "creatively acquired" is not whether they are pirated material. I didn't say they were, and refuse to be drawn into a discussion about this. The important part is that I expect a level of freedom with my device-- being able to freely move a variety of formats, non-DRM material, etc should be ideally available. I do not wish to read in a walled garden. I am honestly asking for recommendations that accommodate this experience.

Mobile read has definitely gone downhill since my last visit. If this is what moderation looks like-- heavy handed, overreaching, interpretive, and NOT in step with posted guidelines-- then this community should reexamine their continued participation. I would be sad to see the wealth of information here be jeopardized by what is essentially an abuse of small powers.

You don't get it. If there is even a hint of maybe you're asking for help with pirated eBooks it's up to you to say otherwise. It's been like this for a very long time. It's not that MR has gone downhill. It's that you put in something in your post that very well could be referring to pirated eBooks and in that case until you prove otherwise, you'll get no help.

Your refusal to say otherwise is not helping your case. Now if you don't answer if "creatively-aquired" means pirated or not and if not, what does it mean than you'll get no help and nobody will be on your side. The only thing I think that wasn't done that should have been done was to PM you asking that you meant. If you then satisfied things that you aren't talking pirated eBooks then the thread could have been opened and help given.

I even question people who say that have an unusually high number of eBooks in a Calibre library because that does make me think piracy. So if it looks like piracy, smells like piracy, you'd better be able to defend yourself or forget any help.

It's up to you now. The ball is in your court. Either you meant pirated eBooks or you didn't and if no, what did you mean?

[Daephex]

I am talking about ebooks that were written by alien lifeforms. They look like giant goats, but their prose is like a young Hemingway, if he had six legs. There. Now we're all being ridiculous. Again, I am not asking for assistance with piracy. I am asking for eReader buyer help, for a future purchase.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Daephex

I am talking about ebooks that were written by alien lifeforms. They look like giant goats, but their prose is like a young Hemingway, if he had six legs. There. Now we're all being ridiculous. Again, I am not asking for assistance with piracy. I am asking for eReader buyer help, for a future purchase.

Are you asking for help purchasing a Reader for use with pirated eBooks or not? If not, what exactly does "creatively-aquired" mean? If you can answer that last question, the thread can be opened back up and help given. It's that simple.

[Cinisajoy]

I agree creatively acquired left me wondering too. I guessed piracy myself.
Now as to heavy handed moderation. This forum is not heavy handed.

Sorry HarryT is right in this case.

[Daephex]

As I said, it refers to ebooks authored by giant alien goat lifeforms. I'm sure if I could just get a simple purchase recommendation for an eReader device on an eReader forum, I would be able to translate their mysterious language.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Daephex

The important part about "creatively acquired" is not whether they are pirated material. I didn't say they were, and refuse to be drawn into a discussion about this. The important part is that I expect a level of freedom with my device-- being able to freely move a variety of formats, non-DRM material, etc should be ideally available. I do not wish to read in a walled garden. I am honestly asking for recommendations that accommodate this experience.

If that were so, why did you feel the need to mention it at all?

My $0.02 -- if I were pirating books, I wouldn't say anything, and just ask people about ereaders which are friendly toward sideloaded books.

Instead you volunteered the information that you wanted to use the recommendations to choose an ererader for reading pirated books...

...and a moderator caught wind of your meaning and closed the thread.


While you could argue that it is heavy-handed to close the thread, preventing people from offering ereader recommendations, merely because he knew how you would use it, I can't really say he had no basis. And I can't really say I wouldn't make the same call -- if that makes me heavy-handed, so be it.
The Forum Guidelines do clearly state that no help will be given to pirates.


I suppose the alternative would be to ban *you* and leave the thread alone.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I even question people who say that have an unusually high number of eBooks in a Calibre library because that does make me think piracy. So if it looks like piracy, smells like piracy, you'd better be able to defend yourself or forget any help.

And there's where you are wrong.

As far as the moderators are concerned, "having a large library" is not valid grounds for assuming someone pirates their books.

On the other hand, explicitly mentioning pirated books, is valid grounds for assuming someone pirates their books.

It's called "not jumping to conclusions".

[Daephex]

Not to mention that I'm simply asking for assistance with purchasing something, and the idea has been floated that I should perhaps be banned. Thought police nonsense.

[Daephex]

And I believe my posts are now being deleted. Wow.