Topics removed - How?

[Shonver]

I see that whole threads are getting deleted from the forum, apparently by individual members. How is this possible?

A topic you are watching has been removed by xxxxxx.

[BigWoodenSpoon]

If you are the author of a thread/topic you have permissions to remove it. IIRC the default config of most forum software but kay can confirm this

[Shonver]

In all my years this is the first time I come across this. Once you start a thread it is public property, as others also contribute to it, because they then have a stake in it. I believe that threads should only be removed if they breach the policies of the forum, and if so agreed by the forum owner or moderators. Else, any disgruntled forum member can delete whole chunks of forum history! 

[BigWoodenSpoon]

whisper in kay's ear  he can disable this feature with a click of a checkbox 

[ByronH]

I've seen this happening with the classifieds posts, but agree that the moderator should be involved with the decision to remove a post, especially if several informative replies exist. If the author wishes to make the post private, then I'm sure the moderator could be asked to restrict viewing to forum members only, if that's really required.

[Example edit] I just did this after posting the reply after kay below...

[kay]

I thought I'd disabled this - thanks for bringing it to my attention. I will have a look and post an update once I've figured out what's going on. I am firmly of the opinion that one mustn't be able to delete one's own threads after a period of time - especially after replies have been posted.

[ByronH]

Perhaps also look into the editing of posts. I assume that once a reply has been posted after your own post, you are no longer able to fix typo's etc, but I've occasionally noticed that it's possible to edit a previous post even after replies have been posted. This opens the door for post "tuning" or content deletion. Maybe it's related to the setting under discussion?

[kay]

Fixed - regular members were still allowed to delete both their own topics and posts. This has now been taken away - please think before you type Mods can remove individual posts but not entire topics - they can however lock or hide topics from public view if a thread descends into complete chaos.

This has been the forum policy for some time now, perhaps the permissions changed by accident.

[Ampdog]

OK,

Now I can join 'the club'. In the thread 'What can I use to power my Polk ...' under "General", someone removed my post immediately following (within minutes) post #6 from Goneten. I checked; it was then post #7. (No, not accusing Goneten.) And nothing abusive there at all; I was simply explaining something about too high a power fed into a loudspeaker.

Ah well .......

[dotVIBE]

ok, but now I can't edit my posts at all. This is a bit sucky, 'cause i am prone to spelling mistakes & bad grammar due to overeagerness.

[ByronH]

I've noticed this too. Does the "Simple Machines" software only cater for all-or-nothing post editing setting?

[Viagara]

At some stage it was possible to edit your post within a given time period.

[dotVIBE]

At some stage it was possible to edit your post within a given time period.

yes. That's what i'm talking about. it was purty darn useful too.

[Shonver]

So, what is the time-out set to?

[BigWoodenSpoon]

Default is 60 secs IIRC