Bessie,
Posts and posters seem to be disappearing quite rapidly and it leads me to ask why? I have not heard from Truthspider and others. Have they been banned? I think it would be of service to those remaining if we knew what violation occurred that resulted in banishment. Such as "waterfall was banned for calling fish-hook an idiot" at least those of us still left can understand clearly what is going on.
I posted on behalf of another person under Rumor Mill yesterday, as the Drifter thread was gone. My post which I thought was acceptable has been removed. I think because I mention names which were discovered on Facebook and various websites.
Questions like these normally should be addressed in a pm to a mod. They tend to interrupt the flow of the discussion, and some members find it disruptive. On the other hand, when several members have asked the same questions, mods will respond in the forum so that all can benefit from the answers. I don't know if this thread is the best one for that purpose, but it's as good any, I suppose.
Regarding time outs and banned members, out of respect for the privacy of the members, mods do not discuss one member's status with another. If a member is concerned that s/he is doing something that will result in the suspension of posting privileges, s/he is more than welcome to ask a mod in a pm. It's recommended, actually, because we'd much rather advise you
before you post and avoid snipping or removing your post later. Mods/admin were all sleuthers first, and we appreciate the time and effort that goes into "sleuthing".
I'm aware that sometimes posters see others being put on TO or worse, and they worry that they will suddenly find themselves in the same predicament. I can assure all of you that nine times out of ten, TO's and bans occur only after repeated warnings and communication with the member. But if you're uncertain whether or not something you've done, or might do, violates TOS, again, use that pm feature to ask a mod. It's not necessary to know what the other member did to get in trouble.
If the moderators do not think Facebook and similar social media, is valid for sleuthing they will be limiting the forums' abilities.
If sleuthers cannot mention names unless they are mentioned in the news media, then a whole area of investigation is lost.
I personally believe that people who have web sites, and post on social and business media, have abdicated some level of privacy.
I understand that the website operators do not want to expose themselves to legal risk as a result of what sleuthers post. But I believe there is already legal precedent regarding privacy issues and allowing what is posted on You tube, Facebook and other social and business media to be public.
Please let us know
Let me try to explain the issues and concerns from a WS mod's point of view. Regarding social media, the rule of thumb is only certain FB, twitter, etc., pages are allowed to be linked. Those include victims, POI's/suspects, LE sites, MSM sites, and some "missing" FB pages, not all. That's spelled out pretty clearly in [ame=http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65798]
Etiquette and Information[/ame]
Social Networks
Regarding Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other social networking or blog websites: Links may be used to direct posters to view something on a social networking page. But postings on social networking sites are not considered fact; they are rumor. Copying and pasting, or taking screen caps, directly from these pages is not allowed. Paraphrasing is okay. (Exception: If the Twitter or Facebook post belongs to a verified news station, it may be copied. But a link should still be provided.)
Also, social networking pages may only be linked if they are directly related to a case, i.e. the victim or suspect. We don't want to post to someone's mother, brother, employer, milkman, or postal carrier just because they know the main player. We also NEVER link to minor's pages (unless they are the victim). And be sure that the page actually belongs to the person being discussed. Do not link to someone if you are not 100% sure it is the correct person. And if a social networking is set to private and you get in the back way, you may not post what you find. Private means private!
So when members draw attention to social media outside of those guidelines, mods have to take a second look to determine whether or not an exception can be made. That's one reason the drifter thread was pulled.
This addresses victims' family and friends, but the rule applies to all innocent bystanders.
Additionally, sleuthing family members that are not suspect is not allowed. Don't make random accusations or post personal information (even if it is public) like parking tickets, address, or first and last names of all their relatives and their neighbors. Also, never "bash" or attack them, or accuse them of involvement. However that does not mean that family members cannot come into discussion as the facts and issues of the case are discussed.
Information can be found on virtually any person on the web, some is posted voluntarily by the person, and some is gathered from countless data sources. Before allowing it to be shared in the forum, consideration has to be given to its nature, relevance to the topic, and its potential to do harm. Keep in mind this is a true crime forum. Even without making explicit accusations, merely linking to an individual's web footprint can be viewed as an underlying implication of that person's involvement in a crime. That's a major concern, and one to avoid. Sometimes a compromise has to be made to allow a line of sleuthing to continue, and other times it has to be nixed altogether.
Also, when a thread is pulled for review, that means the topic is off limits, and the discussion should be tabled until the mods/admin advise that it's okay to continue.
