Okay folks, grab some popcorn cause this is gonna be long.
It seems that my stance of easing up on the off-topic posts has come back to bite me where the sun don't shine. I have said from the very beginning that I did not want this thread to be dis-organized and be just full of off-topic stuff. I surely did not want what happened in the Incredible thread to happen here, which is why I took such a hard stance in the first place. To be compared to or say that this thread is becoming like that thread is not only an insult to my organizational skills but also hurts. You all are not children (maybe some are teenagers but still), most are adults that know whats right and wrong. As such I try to treat you all like adults and expect the same not only to the staff here but also to your fellow member.
The way i see this thread is much like any other being posted in Phandroid. A topic is first place on the site and discussions are then followed up thereafter. Some of those discussions are on the mark, others are off-topic. The same in the forums here. But one thing is for certain, it is moderated by staff to keep it on track and rid of inappropriate comments, flames, jabs and images. Not only as per the Community guidelines but also to any sticky individual guidelines set forth by the staff in the individual sections themselves.
That being said, yes in a thread like this one where most if not all is speculation, one can say that every post is off-topic, but thats not to say that if the topic on hand is anything to do with the eventual specs and release of the EVO, that a image or video of Mike Tyson is okay to post. (just an example, not pointing out anyone) Or that talking solely about Wimax, EVP, etc should be allowed in the thread. Really it shouldn't. We have a big EVO section, and I have said in the past to utilize it. Not everything belongs in the Official EVO thread. With that sad, don't be surprised if you find your post edited or missing since last nights fiasco.
Although I pride myself, along with billsmed in trying to keep this thread/section in order, we cannot do everything. There is no moderator that is assigned solely to a section. We do ALL sections. That means if a post is reported for whatever reason, any staff member can go in and do what they feel is appropriate at the time. Do not get upset when another moderator comes in just doing their duty when a post is reported. Sometimes, we mods go in not knowing the full story behind a thread and just delete posts on the spot. Usually we read the whole thread to get a feel of whats going on and then take appropriate action, whether it's to delete the post, infract the member or ban them. But with a thread as big as this one, to read all posts to get a feel of it, is futile and time consuming unless you have been here since the beginning. Therefore the staff member has to go on instinct and read just a page or two and then go by that feeling. This is why I say, as members and owners of this thread, you all have to do your part and make sure that whatever you write is appropriate and not off topic. Images of Steve Jobs, mickey mouse, etc although funny, really hampering the usefulness of the threads purpose. They should go in their own thread or in the lounge. Once there, you can post a link in here to point the members to see it, but discussing it in the EVO thread just bloats it and makes reading for good info fruitless.
Now, like I mentioned a few days ago and quite a few pages back, one of the ideas both me and billsmed had was to split this thread into two. One just for Official info and the other for speculation and rumor or keeping it as is in one spot. But I really haven't decided yet. There are pros and cons to that either idea.
Regardless what road i take, like I said, we need your help in keeping it on track, otherwise, all our efforts and expectations would be fruitless.
As for member Techman and his decision to leave, I am sorry to hear that, and hopefully he will change his mind and you all welcome him back if he so chooses to come back. There is no need for what happen last night and hopefully it will be the last incident.
You all should know me by now that I care for this community and love the friendships that have been built along the way toward the EVO's release, but I am also a hard ass and will set forth my wrath if it comes to a crossroad if rules are not followed. Lets work together and not against each other.
TS
