[Sorcerer]

Every forum has their little outburst of members. Recently my forum has gone through a rough patch. One of my co-workers was fired temporarily for certain reasons. It caused an outburst but the aftermath was definitely worth it to restore the friendship and peace between the staff again. One of the ex-staff(he left due to family problems) came for a visit and advised me that staff issues should never be allowed for the public to see, and that forum fights should be closed and moved right away. One of my co-workers is also apart of TAZ(yuck!), and asked for advice on what to do about forum fights and staff issues and mostly everyone there said that staff issues should be kept private and forum fights should be closed right away.

A forum fight over a certain misunderstanding came about recently and right after the person had posted, I argued my side and closed the thread, experimenting how this was going to turn out. Because obviously with the last incident of leaving the thread open, many peopled argued and things only got worse.

An administrator that works below me questioned my authority saying members should be able to argue and express their opinions. But I feel as though however in an argument sometimes there is no way to change the other side. I mean people are different and sometimes they see completely different things. My goal is to let members read both sides of the arguments and make up their own minds. Now the issue that this is over is extremely stupid as it was just over a simple misunderstanding, and the user is clearly just trying to stir up trouble.

However being questioned by a few people I wanted to know what you guys do on your forum? Do you let the fights continue? Isn't it better to stop the flame while it's still just a tiny light and put it out right away and let the embers die off? As I mentioned before letting a thread open is only adding fuel to the fire and you're allowing that flame to grow very large.

So what do you do on your forums? Do you stop a fight in it's tracks? Or do you let it continue to let members argue their own side? Does closing a thread make you a corrupted administrator who strictly silences your members?

[DrkSnpr14]

It depends on the people involved, and the issue being argued. Usually, I'll let most things go until they start getting personal. People argue and disagree now and then, but if your just taking pot shots at people, that's when it's over with. I did let it get out of control once, and it tore a huge rift in the community for a few months. Things have been patched up by now, but still. If you DO let them go on, KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON IT

[Purplescraps]

It depends on the situation and members, but usually I would stop it. Right now I am adminning myself and having no issues.

[Jolteon]

Depends, I usually stop a flame war, or anything else which may look bad to a guest. But i usually let fights carry on untill it gets personal.

[RedMatrix]

This is where a good set of rules comes into play. If you have outlined in your rules that argumental threads will be closed, and trolls not tolerated, then you are 200% in your right to do just that. Tell your hired-admin that you understand where he comes from, but it's your board, and your rules. (nicely)

You may even stipulate that there is a difference between a debate and an argument; a heated-debate and a fight. You don't want the latter, and these types of threads will be heavily moderated or closed when they cross that line.

Repeat offenders (trolls) will also be dealt with. When a thread is closed, a new thread should not be started on the same topic, or one about your thoughts on why it should not have been closed. These are trolls.

[michael_s]

My forums are technical in nature and any sort of outbursts, flaming, etc is completely out of place, and is stopped immediately. I will edit the inflammatory post and warn the people involved. That usually takes care of it.

We have fun with trolls... they go to coventry... I like them wasting their time posting to nobody.

[Moelman]

Usually I wouldn't let fights continue. Fights like that should be kept private.

[Inescia]

On my site we take it to a chat room all parties involved we try to let everyone speak and try to resolve the problem. If it cannot be resolved my partner and I resolve it and move on.

Inescia.

[weehuggy]

It all depends on the situation in which the members and the staff are involved in...... if its a dig at staff or abuse being thrown towards staff then the thread should be closed if its a argument between 2 members then the thread should be closed to stop anyone else interfering along with the 2 members arguing....... so most ways a thread should be closed if an argument between members or member and staff should be closed.

[Kyle]

It is important to show that your staff is a united front when it comes to enforcing the rules set out by the board, so yes, any "fights" between staff members should be contained to within the admin forums.

However, this in mind; make sure it is really a fight and not just healthy debate. Opinions will differ even among co-workers.