I received an email from a message board participant asking for my opinion. This participant disagrees with those who “chime in” on a discussion and cause the thread to become “elongated as if there’s no end to it, getting off the topic, in an attempt to prove their point (and possibly promote their special interest).” This participant does not like it when others “post simply to carry on a private discussion” with other participants and feels it “detracts from the pleasure of coming to the board for an even handed open discussion.”
I replied with the following message
I do not intend for this thread to turn into a debate about our policy on participation. Nor do I want you to attack the opinion of this participant. I am posting this in an attempt to encourage all of us to exercise some self control and to show some consideration for all who participate. Please take your private conversations to email when it gets too far off topic.
Thank you.
I replied with the following message
It is a delicate balancing act to play when we attempt to censor posts and impose restrictions on using the message board. The only rules we have imposed so far are as follows:
• You must register to post.
• You cannot directly insult or verbally attack other posters.
• You cannot post copyrighted material on our message board.
• New registered users cannot post links to other websites.
• You cannot use the message board to advertise other products.
• You cannot post spam, or other inappropriate matter such as obscene language.
• Off topic discussions (other than tax issues) will be tolerated to a limited extent, however, if it gets out of hand, we may edit threads and ask participants to get back on topic.
• We reserve the right to edit or delete posts for any reason when we feel it is appropriate.
I agree with you that at times, certain posters can go overboard in trying to turn the message board into a chat room. A relatively small group of individuals have become addicted to the message board and feel they need to comment on every little thing said. This is similar to a few people who seem to think they need to dominate the conversation at a social gathering.
However, that is the risk we take when we try to allow as much freedom of expression as we do. Try imposing restrictions on conversation at the office or at a social gathering and see what kind of reaction you get. You become the bad guy when you try to tell others what they can say and how they can say it. You may have good intentions on trying to make the conversation more meaningful and productive, but it still comes across as censorship.
We have attempted to create a virtual tax office. Anonymous tax professionals from around the country are invited to join in on tax discussions with their fellow collogues. This atmosphere is especially appealing to those of us who work in small or single practitioner offices, allowing us access to professional opinions that we might not otherwise have access to. However, just as the conversation in your office between co-workers can at times get off topic, the same thing happens on our message board. The difference is your boss has the right to say, “get back to work,” as he or she is the one issuing paychecks to everyone. We are not the boss of our participants.
If you have any specific suggestions on how we can improve the message board, let me know. Thanks for your concern.
Brad Imsdahl
• You must register to post.
• You cannot directly insult or verbally attack other posters.
• You cannot post copyrighted material on our message board.
• New registered users cannot post links to other websites.
• You cannot use the message board to advertise other products.
• You cannot post spam, or other inappropriate matter such as obscene language.
• Off topic discussions (other than tax issues) will be tolerated to a limited extent, however, if it gets out of hand, we may edit threads and ask participants to get back on topic.
• We reserve the right to edit or delete posts for any reason when we feel it is appropriate.
I agree with you that at times, certain posters can go overboard in trying to turn the message board into a chat room. A relatively small group of individuals have become addicted to the message board and feel they need to comment on every little thing said. This is similar to a few people who seem to think they need to dominate the conversation at a social gathering.
However, that is the risk we take when we try to allow as much freedom of expression as we do. Try imposing restrictions on conversation at the office or at a social gathering and see what kind of reaction you get. You become the bad guy when you try to tell others what they can say and how they can say it. You may have good intentions on trying to make the conversation more meaningful and productive, but it still comes across as censorship.
We have attempted to create a virtual tax office. Anonymous tax professionals from around the country are invited to join in on tax discussions with their fellow collogues. This atmosphere is especially appealing to those of us who work in small or single practitioner offices, allowing us access to professional opinions that we might not otherwise have access to. However, just as the conversation in your office between co-workers can at times get off topic, the same thing happens on our message board. The difference is your boss has the right to say, “get back to work,” as he or she is the one issuing paychecks to everyone. We are not the boss of our participants.
If you have any specific suggestions on how we can improve the message board, let me know. Thanks for your concern.
Brad Imsdahl
Thank you.
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