Can I Appeal The Moving Of A Thread To Another Forum?

If I start a thread in a forum that I believe is pertinent and a bartender says his peace and closes the thread and/or moves the thread to another forum, can I appeal the moving of a thread to another forum?

I recognize the need for moderators, but is there any kind of freedom of speech and democratic process when the poster disputes the reclassification, such as letting the forum members vote on whether a thread can stay in the forum that it was originally posted in?

Kaydell

Well, there is no voting or anything resembling a democratic process as such, but anything can certainly be appealed or suggested. For starters, you could post a link to the thread in question, and some explanation why you think it should stay where it was, here. Alternatively you could notify one of the forum moderators or sheriffs directly.

Just a technicality, there is no such thing as "freedom of speech" on a privatly owned web site. The owner, Paul, makes the rules. the moderators do their best to enforce the rules. Now, really the only rule is "Be Nice". Everything else is really a guideline.

That means you are always welcome to question the mods decisions. we're all pretty nice people (that's one of the requirements for becoming a mod), and welcome friendly discussions of Ranch policy. Moderators do make mistakes, and I know that if I mess up, I would want someone to correct me.

So, what is the thread in question? I'm guessing this one
[ May 25, 2007: Message edited by: Fred Rosenberger ]

One probable cause for a post moved to an "inappropriate" forum is a misunderstanding. Using the thread Fred linked to as an example, I didn't find it to be totally clear whether the "it" in "whether I needed it" referred to the SCJA or the SCJP. I can easily see how someone can misunderstand that post.

So I think your best bet for a good first step is to clarify what you are asking about.

freedom of speech: You have every right, as far as I'm concerned to say anything you want wherever you are. At the grocery store. At the laund-ro-mat. At a restaurant. At work. At home. Say it long and loud! Have fun!

Freedom of the press belongs to those that own one. This one is mine. Neener, neener. I get to publish/broadcast whatever I want. And I kinda like forum stuff. And I like my forum stuff nice and organized.

Democracy is great stuff. I think you should vote on everything. Mix it in with your freedom of speech stuff. At the grocery store, tell the clerk that you vote for more pie! (this message brought to you by .... PIE! .... it's yummy!)

You can vote here if you want. It's just that it is sort of an empty vote. This place is run more like ..... an evil dictatorship.

Oh, sure, I suppose we could look into the whole vote thing, but I think we would need to look into taxation first, right? So then it would be the evil dictatorship, plus taxation and voting. I'll be rigging the voting. And collecting the taxes. I'm glad you suggested it!

(laugh track goes here)

(applause track goes here)

Thank you! Thank you! I'll be here all week!

As for where a thread lives .... I think there is nothing wrong with asking the moderators of that forum why they moved it. Lots of times they move a thread so that it can get better attention.

Kaydell,
Sometimes a thread is borderline between two categories. A number of times, I've moved a thread with an explanation like "this seems to be more about X, if it turns out to be about Y someone can move it back".

Just ask why a thread was moved if there wasn't an explanation or if you disagree.

Even though I got my ego bruised by being bounced out of one forum and put into another, I appreaciate the organization and discipline that the bartenders, the sherriffs, and that trail master bring to the Java Ranch.

In my opinion, it's the best online Java Forum in existance.

Kaydell