Hey ClassaNova,
A few things here...
a) It's not about Flexing admin muscle. It's about the moderation team ensuring members follow the very basic rules of conduct that have been laid out for the site. The Rules & Guidelines are set out to create a friendly environment suitable for all ages and all levels of BlackBerry user, and they are not specific to just CrackBerry.com. Our sibling smartphone sites (
www.smarpthoneexperts.com for more info) also have long running, BIG forums and the way the sites are administered are consistent. So if you see an action taken, it's not a singling out or a one off. Typically we've crossed these bridges already, and are just addressing the issues as we have precedent to go from. I'm not sure if you have visited any other BlackBerry or smartphone forums, but if you do you'll find CrackBerry.com is probably the easiest going in terms of allowing members to post what they want and in general is a pretty friendly place.
b) When it comes to the Off Topic forum, though the Topics are OFF TOPIC as opposed to be having to be related to the BlackBerry stuff, all of the basic forum rules still apply. As the rules above state, you can basically post on whatever topics you want, but topics should actually be about something.
I don't spend too much time in the Off Topic forums (though I do browse through and pipe in from time to time), and one of things I've noticed is that we have a few random/topic chat threads. Technically, this is one type of content that shouldn't actually be allowed in the Off Topic forum. Reason being it's not about anything. The general principle behind Forums in general is that a Thread is about a topic, and all replies to that thread should be primarily based on/be in response to the original question/topic posted. That way new users to the site can easily tell what a thread is about, and quickly get filled in on it. Random chat threads are just "talking" - doesn't actually make sense for a forum (even if it is an off topic). Really, these types of conversations should be happening on messenger apps, etc.
That said, even though we don't allow these types of threads on our other sites, I've allowed them to continue here as they seem to be in demand by our community, and we try to give our community what it wants. Also having said that, in browsing these threads I have noticed these are the threads where members tend to want to push our simple rules and guidelines.... aka... not blatantly "swearing" but essentially swearing, etc. Because of that, I often receive complaints on Off Topic forum posts and threads, and because of that it was required for us to put in a place a moderator dedicated to overseeing these forums. If members using the off topic forums would simply follow our rules and guidelines in the beginning, especially those in regards to language and topic, there'd be much less reason to have watch these forums. Obviously I'm not referring to all members here..as some follow rules perfectly...while others push the limits.
c) In regards to Cate's roll in the Off Topic, she currently is the dedicated moderator for watching over the content in the off topic. The roll isn't to censor or limit what you all can talk about here. Again, what it comes down to is that Threads should be about SOMETHING and should be appropriate for a public forum, replies should be about what the Thread is about, and language should be kept clean. If it stays within that context, you shouldn't see too many threads being closed. And keep in mind that while Cate is the dedicated mod for watching these forums, that doesn't mean she is the only voice in moderation here. Typically across the CrackBerry forums, when decisions are made - about the threads, members, etc. - multiple mods are involved in the decisions. You gotta remember... that the mods mod in the best interest of the SITE..not themselves. If they cared about themselves first they wouldn't do any modding as almost every modding action receives backlash from a member (as is the case with this thread you created). When mods mod they take action because there have been member complaints or because they think there will be member complaints or because the thread/post is offside to the rules.
d) When it comes to the posting images on the site, we do actually have to watch this. Taking photos of random people on the street, etc. and posting them up here isn't something we want to start seeing. Take pictures of buildings/your clothes/cars/etc. and that's cool, but best to leave people out of it.
e) What it comes down to is we try and do the best job of running this site to keep it friendly and open to the majority of people who frequent the site. We'll never be able to keep everybody satisfied, but the way the site is run now I think 99.9% of people are satisfied. We're not going to be perfect, but we try our best. When it comes to modding decisions and the forums, we just try and make Logical decisions. We've made mistakes in the past, and when we have we have admit them, learned from them and fixed them. We're not police... we just want the forums and site to run smooth. But that does mean some rule are required and some enforcing of those rules. If you fall into the .1% of people here who don't like the way the site it is run, keep in mind we don't force you to post here... you're free to not post here and to join the any other site that you think does a better job.
So that's the story. if you have any specific questions or suggestions, I'm all ears, but I ask you that you and everyone else a) respect the rules, b) respect our mods - they are volunteers and are trying to do the best job as it relates to the best interests of the site and c) have fun.
Thanks for the understanding.