The totally off-topic thread

[amaroo]

Testing....

 

[Princess Fiona]

WMW Did you notice our posts were censored without our approval?

Mods: don't abuse your power by editing posts! Just because the new forum software allows you to do that, It's actually illegal to modify the text of a person's post. It's an abuse of free speech. You can remove or delete it but you absolutely can not 'edit' a members post based on your own personal opinions.

Do you mean that the content was changed ?
That's a new one if so. I know that posts have either been deleted or had parts deleted if deemed to be outside the forum rules.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Do you mean that the content was changed ?
That's a new one if so. I know that posts have either been deleted or had parts deleted if deemed to be outside the forum rules.

Yes. The content was censored. Such actions are absolutely illegal and a violation of Australian copyright law. I know, and appreciate, that the MODs want to be pro-active but such action is illegal.

Just because the new forum software allows them to do it, they are laying themselves and AFF open to legal action if they modify a post by a member. A post is copyright. They can delete the whole post, but they cannot under any circumstances modify the text of a post by a member. Everything we post is a legal document and our responsibility.

Let's put this down to over enthusiastic behaviour of the part of the MODs. Time they got some legal advice.

In short, don't ever modify the written word of another poster. If it's against posting guidelines or a MOD has a personal issue with the content then remove the post, but the content can never be modified.

 

[amaroo]

Looks like the video link works

Full marks to the team for pulling off a successful transition!

For some....

 

[Flashback]

Now for those AFL followers - the Port Power - Never Tear Us Apart Anthem = seriously impressive tonight.

Sorry about that

 

[Pushka]

It was a great match - not so much in skills but in an intense finish. Port blew it and my pragmatic side says they probably would have been whooped next time round.

Sorry about that

 

[Denali]

Beef brisket in the slow cooker and hubby wants unsupervised access to the Lindt factory today... which is near Costco.

Life on the edge in the suburbs is so exciting.

 

[RooFlyer]

An interesting article about e-mails here.

My number one rule for e-mails is "Never put in an e-mail something that you wouldn't want read out in court."

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes. The content was censored. Such actions are absolutely illegal and a violation of Australian copyright law. I know, and appreciate, that the MODs want to be pro-active but such action is illegal. <snip>

I've noticed it happened once before ... but I put it down to the Mod concerned just forgetting to insert the usual [redacted] comment.

I don't think there is an 'law' (including copyright) that prevents editing of text 'full stop' (that is, without qualification), is there? I haven't looked recently, but I imagine the T&Cs of this site say that contributions may be edited etc etc ... .

So, when you say it's 'illegal', what law are you thinking of?

 

[Milboo]

I'd be interested to know to what part of copyright law is being asserted here and how moderation of a post is a breach of it.

No different really to a letter to the editor being edited.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Beef brisket in the slow cooker and hubby wants unsupervised access to the Lindt factory today... which is near Costco.
Life on the edge in the suburbs is so exciting.

I agree We had Apricot Chicken last night for dinner - something I hadn't cooked in years ! And our favourite thing to do on the weekend is to go to Bunnings - the excitement of it all !

 

[Pushka]

I thought copyright was taking a written thought and using it as your own. Like when we copy rooflyers book.

 

[Quickstatus]

I dont think its illegal to edit a comment. Nor it the edit a breach of copyright laws.

If a moderator has edited a comment I think there should be a clear indication that the post has been edited by someone other than the original author.
The original author does not own the comment once it is publshed in these threads. Its owned by AFF IMO

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

.... and hubby wants unsupervised access to the Lindt factory today....

if I had unsupervised access to the Lindt factory outlet I would end up in a chocolate coma !!

 

[anat0l]

Yes. The content was censored. Such actions are absolutely illegal and a violation of Australian copyright law. I know, and appreciate, that the MODs want to be pro-active but such action is illegal.

Just because the new forum software allows them to do it, they are laying themselves and AFF open to legal action if they modify a post by a member. A post is copyright. They can delete the whole post, but they cannot under any circumstances modify the text of a post by a member. Everything we post is a legal document and our responsibility.

Let's put this down to over enthusiastic behaviour of the part of the MODs. Time they got some legal advice.

In short, don't ever modify the written word of another poster. If it's against posting guidelines or a MOD has a personal issue with the content then remove the post, but the content can never be modified.

This post seems overly heavy handed. And I'm writing this as someone who has been "censored" and had posts involuntarily edited on AFF before (perhaps unjustly, because I also thought it was modified due to an opinion - e.g. political - rather than a violation of ToS).

I also think whatever actions you are describing could have also been achieved with the old forum software. Plenty of posts and topics in the "old" AFF have either been redacted or deleted entirely.

I don't know what you said that deserved your post to be censored, but if you really feel strong about it, then maybe you should follow through with your threat and contact your attorneys to bring an action against AFF.


As an interesting sidenote, is it possible to show the reasons for an edit like in the old forum software?

 

[anat0l]

I dont think its illegal to edit a comment. Nor it the edit a breach of copyright laws.

I thought copyright was about protecting the ideas, thoughts etc. of the person who created them against misuse or theft. If someone decides simply to stop broadcasting it, then so long as they do not misuse it or steal it, there is no breach.

If a book publisher suddenly decides to stop publishing a book because they now object to it, that's not copyright breach as such, although they may have other blood on their hands to deal with in connection with the decision (e.g. all the copies of the book they have already published, possible backlash due to freedom of speech etc.)


Also, how is freedom of speech legally enforced in Australia? It would be up to a court to decide if someone's right to freedom of speech has been suppressed, but to what extent? If you happen to be in a room voicing your opinion and everyone tells you to shut up until you stop talking, could you take legal action against everyone claiming that your right to free speech has been violated?

The next level up would be something like voicing an opinion, either at or away from your workplace, and your workplace objecting to that opinion and subsequently sacking you. This has been tested a number of times; I can't remember the balance of results, and in any case for those workplaces that were punished for that action, what were the consequences / penalties...

 

[Pushka]

There is such a muddy line between freedom of speech, and being offensive. I find it impossible to draw the line and everyone has their own threshold. What I don't agree with is some third party taking offense on behalf of someone else who might not take offence at all. This happens so often eg with the celebration of Christmas. Do Gooders taking it on themselves to be offended on behalf of other non Christian religions.

 

[Denali]

Updating first aid kits... Don't think I need the burn gel that expired Nov 2010.

 

[samh004]

As an interesting sidenote, is it possible to show the reasons for an edit like in the old forum software?

Yes, editing posts works exactly the same as previously.

 

[drron]

Another who has been moderated several times.But there are printed guidelines for the Playground.I am guilty of ignoring the last point.The first point is treated very lightly by the moderators.Over the years I have not noticed any bias.besides this forum is privately owned,the rules are published so moderation is not a breach of copyright.

• Personal attacks are never acceptable, no matter how subtle they may appear. Feel free to quote someone else's post and argue your position, but do not make it personal.

• Respect that other people may hold a different view to you and that is ok. It's not your job to convince everyone to move to your side of the fence.

• Everyone has a right to express their own opinion, so long as it is done politely and without abuse or insult towards other members.

• This is the Playground forum. You are not forced to read threads or to post in this forum. Ignoring a post/thread is a valid option.

• Aggressive, abusive and unnecessary repetition of an argument will result in posts or partial post content being removed or modified.

• If you believe a post is inappropriate, do not reply to the thread, but use the "Report Post" facility that is shown at the bottom of every post in every thread. If you reply you may be in breach of these guidelines and receive the appropriate disciplinary action even if you were not the originator of the issue.

Sorry tried to put it in "quotes" but this time that option disappeared.Was there yesterday