A suggestion

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-03-25 01:02am

Since this issue is going to come up eventually, let me suggest a solution now:

The "Edit" button has been disabled in several forums because dishonest debators were using it to edit their posts to claim they never made a claim that was subsequently disproven. I'm sure, given enough time, that someone in this forum is going to say something that's going to get him flamed, and rather than apologize, defend his claim to the last, or simply slink away, he's going to edit his post and claim he never said it. Rather than disable the edit button, which is a huge pain in the ass, couldn't we simply toss whoever does that out of the politics forum? Does the board allow for banning users from specific public forums? And if not, could a mod just delete his posts or send his threads to the HOS? Or, perhaps, since editing a post so as to plausibly deny making an argument is arguably (no pun intended) the most dishonest thing you could do on a debate-based message board, could editing posts for such a reason simply be made a bannable offense?

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-03-25 01:11am

The "Edit" button has been disabled in several forums because dishonest debators were using it to edit their posts to claim they never made a claim that was subsequently disproven. I'm sure, given enough time, that someone in this forum is going to say something that's going to get him flamed, and rather than apologize, defend his claim to the last, or simply slink away, he's going to edit his post and claim he never said it.

It's already happened. Needless to say I think we should disable the edit button. That's something that will be decided down the road.

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2003-03-25 01:27am

Maybe have a time limit on the edit.

It can be very useful for typos or adding things you forgot, or seeing errors in a long posting you have just done.

Post by **Gandalf** » 2003-03-25 02:36am

I like the idea of limiting time for editing, I often have to go back for typos.

Post by **Vympel** » 2003-03-25 02:42am

Don't know if this forum has that time limit feature.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2003-03-25 03:23am

I voted for 1.

I also know exactly what brought this on, too. *HINT HINT* We're watching you, Koji. *HINT HINT*

Frank Hipper · Post by **Frank Hipper** » 2003-03-25 03:44am

Disable the edit function. It's fair, and spelling is for the weak, as a member here has in their sig.

Post by **Kuja** » 2003-03-25 11:54am

Just kill the edit.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2003-03-25 01:31pm

If there's a problem with dishonest debaters doing it, then it should be suspended until another problem with certain members arises.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-03-25 04:29pm

Einhander Sn0m4n wrote:I voted for 1.

I also know exactly what brought this on, too. *HINT HINT* We're watching you, Koji. *HINT HINT*

Actually, I just brought it up because I'd gone back to edit a stupid typo and I realized that the Edit function probably wouldn't be up for that long. As far as I'm concerned, if you're so dishonest you're going to edit your own words to avoid criticism, SD.net has no use for you. Why should I suffer because someone else is a dishonest little shit?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-03-25 04:35pm

I make way too many embarrasing typoes. I couldn't live without the edit button.

That said, maybe limiting the time will do.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-03-25 04:35pm

If the person was caught, the first time would be a temporary ban. Weaseling your way out of accountability for your own words like that is unacceptable and dishonest. The second time, there'd be a permanent ban. If you regret saying something, you should have the balls to own up and apologize for saying it.

If I had my way, that's how it'd be anyway.

That said, if this forum does have an editing time limit, I'd love to see it implemented on every forum. Ars Technica's boards have a 30-minute limit that seems to work quite well for the spelling and grammar freaks.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-03-25 04:36pm

3, options one and two will lead to too many arguments on what people edited with plenty of lies on both sides. If someone does it heavily it will become more apparent.

David · Post by **David** » 2003-03-25 04:39pm

Vympel wrote:Don't know if this forum has that time limit feature.

Sorry, no joy as far as a time limit goes, it's either on or off.

StarDestroyer.Net BBS

A suggestion

Should editing stupid or inflammatory posts so as to deny making them be a bannable offense?

A suggestion