[DarkWarriorXII]

Our members (especially the younger ones) seem to have a habit of creating goodbye threads. They will post these threads when they "leave" the forum in disgust (usually to return later that day to post some more!). They'll say how they can't stand [insert complaint here], they might come back in the future, and they'll miss us... And most of them have a negative feeling and try to make the forum look bad.

In my opinion, these threads are useless. First of all, most of the member end up coming back anyway, so they never really leave. Also, the threads create more drama and tension than any events that triggered them to be posted. My staff and I have seemed to agree they are made just to see people react to them, or even to create more drama (for the evil members).

So it would make sense to ban them, no? Well, our members are hung tight on members "rights". They feel they have the right to know everything. If we were to prohibit these threads, I know I'd receive many complaints along the lines of: why are these threads prohibited? We have a right to know why members leave, as they have a right to post why they leave.... In a sense, they're right. But if someone's that interested in knowing why another member leaves, they can send them a PM or e-mail. The fact is that I know that there will be a backlash if I stop these threads. I don't want to open up a whole can of worms with this.

So what do you guys think we should do here? We allow these threads to go on, it makes our image look bad. If we stop these threads, I know there will be another backlash.

(This is my budgie site, by the way.)

[Moelman]

I just close these kinds of threads when I see them. I haven't had any at my own forum but at a much larger forum I s-mod at we seem to get them all the time from these young kids who think everyone will miss them.

[Christophaa]

...and usually, it's the immature members who create these threads. When I see threads like these, I just close them. I've actually received complaints before, simply because threads like these were being created on a daily basis!

Chris

[htmlmaster]

I hate goodbye threads. They're so discouraging to new members. Fortunately, I haven't had any goodbye threads on my forum (mainly because it's fairly young).

[Inescia]

First time I have ever heard of this ever. On any of the iDEN sites I frequent.
I am amazed lol I guess if it happens on mine I will handle it per the situation.


Inescia.

[Magnetism]

You should just put up in your rules somewhere that if a goodbye thread is created then the members account will be deleted within 24 hours of the thread creation.

This would discourge people from posting goodbye threads i would think, your members cannot complain it is against their "rights" as you are stating that by posting a goodbye thread it is their way of communicating that they wish to leave and no longer require their account.

[Ashley]

2 words: Attention seekers.

I've been fortunate enough not to have these apart from staff members, but if I got them, I'd delete the user and ask them what their problem is with the community, and ask what I can do to make them change their mind. Unless they're a bad/immature member, in which case I'll just ban or delete their account.

[RedMatrix]

All you have to do is ban them, not delete their account.

The only good goodbye thread is one where they are taking a vacation, or they regret that they can't come back due to them moving, etc. In other words, one of regret, not of disgust.

[Moelman]

I agree about vacations, etc. But I think even if they're saying "I can't visit the forums for whatever reason, I'll miss you all, blah blah blah, I don't think that is necessary.

[Christophaa]

Yup, I agree about the, "Leaving for Vacation" threads. It's an easy way of letting other members know that you are going to be gone for a certain period of time, but back eventually.

Chris