SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Hi good peeps of S.L. I don't really know where to start here, I'm saddened that I have to.With regards to the amount of bickering, and aggro on the site over the last few months. I now feel this is the last straw. Things have got too far out of hand. Two long term, and valued contributing members have voiced there unhappiness with how the site has degenerated, and they want to play no further part in it. Firstly it was Brandy, and now Csnosi. Which by coincidence both chaps are moderators on this site. Internet forums are notoriously bad for people to sometimes get the wrong end of the stick (no pun intended The lack of facial expresssion, or tone of voice doesn't help at all. Secret Leeds is very lenient and patient with people. I do feel this lenient approach of giving people 2, 3, 4 and more chances, and also giving detailed explanations to decisions they have taken, will now kill Secret Leeds off. It's become apparent that this site cannot moderate itself, therefore we need people to moderate it and keep it in order for us. I feel it is a shame when these people do their best, and get nothing but aggravation back. The last two posts i have started have now been ruined. I have seen many other good posts descend into similar choas. I don't know why i bother anymore, and quite frankly i feel many others will feel the same way. Secret Leeds will cease to be if this continues.The new year and 2011 is only days away. I can think of no better time to have a new way of working, and new start for Secret Leeds. I personally feel the only way to go forward with S.L is to take a harder line when it comes to moderating the site. The softly softly patient way is only adding fuel to the fire and prolonging bickering. Other forums i use are far less patient. If your posts or comments get deleted. You don't question it or get into arguments. That's how it is. You have the option to keep using the site, or not. But attacking the moderators is not one of those options. You get banned for that!! In my opinion S.L mods are getting far too much aggro as things are at the moment. I'd like to think S.L has a rosey future, but with the way things are going I can't see it. Much firmer moderating is now needed on this site, the moderators descision is final, no arguments. No explanations asked for, and non given.I think the mods could nominate one spokesperson perhaps. His word is the last word on the subject, like it or lump it!! Potential comments that might provoke a negative response, or argument should be deleted immediately.The only other option is to leave things as they are, and watch S.L slowly destroy iteslf. All i can say to Brandy and csnosi is don't chuck in the towel guys. The place wouldn't be the same without you. I'll also ask a mod to clean up my latest post at the end of the day. Once again it's started to give S.L a bad impression.Anymore thoughts, or suggestions?                        

Phill, you know that most of the 3000+ members share this view - they would be quick to say otherwise if they didn't.It has frequently been said that the site is far easier going than it used to be and that relies on people respecting its purpose and limits which sre regularly afirmed by the administrators (not the moderators). I think that your statement sums up the situation very well - it says simply what is expected and personally I don't see a need for discussion for alternatives. That will serve I suspect only to more argument about individual preferences rather than the greater good of the site.I hope people will simply try to take this on board and reflect with themselves to decide whether or not this site as it is intended to be is the best place for them.If individuals find a need to question the way the site runs, the proper place to sak the questions is not on here but as below (reposted from a message from the administrators) Please send them there -Hope you all continue to enjoy SL, and if you have any questions, comments or requests, send them over to [email protected] and either munki or myself will get back to you directly.Cheers,dscoAdministrator.     

As a relative newcomer to this fascinating site I can only say in simple terms that I should be really heartbroken if it were to flounder, and I see no reason at all why it should. There are a multitude of helpful and incredibly well informed folks on here whose hours of hard work tell us so much about the area - and virtually all subjects discussed are of the utmost interest. Naturally some "code of conduct" has to exist and I have occasionally been "pointed in the right direction" on certain procedures but I've never felt the need to take offence at all. So thanks to all who put so much effort into our electronic encyclopaedia and please keep at it - great appreciation is there even if there do seem to be hiccups now and again.A Very Happy and Contented New Year in 2011 to everyone on Secret Leeds.

I agree with Phil 100% (or is it 110% these day).If there are some clear 'sticky' rules stated, then people shouldn't have any need to complain: just point them at the rules.I was totally dismayed at the recent loss of those 1950s/60s Leeds photos on Flickr due to the postings on here.

Did anyone break any rules though? I didn't see it if so. Apologies if I'm wrong.I disagree with censorship so I'd argue that threads should be locked rather than posts deleted. Of course if anyone uses bad language or posts anything offensive then that would have to be edited. In a democracy people should be able to question those in 'authority' as long as they do it politely. If you're a mod that's the nature of the beast I'm afraid! But I'm grateful that you give your time freely to do the job.

'In a democracy people should be able to question those in 'authority' as long as they do it politely. If you're a mod that's the nature of the beast I'm afraid! But I'm grateful that you give your time freely to do the job.'Which is why everyone is asked by the Administrators to make their comments good or bad to them directly:[email protected] where they can be actioned - not in the forum. Please endeavour to respect their request.

I'm interested to see what more people think. But i really do think that having a 'free for all' uncensored site has proved time and time again it will not work. You only have to see what has happened over the last few months. It's clear for all to see.I made a post and added a link to a set of photos. One comment that i was disapointed with started the ball rolling and the thread degenerated. The particular comment wasn't in keeping with the spirit of the site. I felt then it should have been deleted straight away. I felt it had the potential to attract further negative responses, which it did. If the comment was deleted, then we would have saved two pages of unpleasentness. Which is better, a public slanging match or censorship?If moderators continue to get grief, and get the finger of blame pointed at them. Then no one will want the task, and choas will reign.At very least a set of Secret Leeds house rules and guidelines needs to be put in place. When a comment is deleted then people can be refered there, no questions asked. We all know the rules and how things work then. No arguments or complaints.            

chameleon wrote: 'In a democracy people should be able to question those in 'authority' as long as they do it politely. If you're a mod that's the nature of the beast I'm afraid! But I'm grateful that you give your time freely to do the job.'Which is why everyone is asked by the Administrators to make their comments good or bad to them directly:[email protected] where they can be actioned - not in the forum. Please endeavour to respect their request. I agree with you that people should direct such comments directly to the Administrators. I wasn't suggesting otherwise. If someone has a beef with a post or a mod decision then indeed they should follow this route.If you think I have acted incorrectly by posting an opinion here, I suggest you direct your comments at whomever started the thread and invited responses on the board.     

The problem with this site is that if you are not in the "gang" and have a differing view you can expect all sorts of varying degrees of nastiness to be aimed at you.Unfortunately this threads instigator is one of those such people.

I would go along with the "list of rules" school of thought, post removed (rule 3 ) kind of thing.I just don't think some people know what this place is about, its a publicly funded forum, which will presumably be under some kind of scrutiny in the new year as funding is examined. It has a clear remit, "Welcome to secretleeds.com, a site dedicated to investigating quirky, unusual or mysterious aspects of the built environment of the city of Leeds, both past and present."How you can criticise Phil, who constantly posts amazing threads, and have the chip on your shoulder attitude that there is a gang mentality on here, is beyond me.We are in danger of chasing away the interesting posters and leaving the ones who don't have much of a clue. Maybe I'm in the gang!