Suggestion: Get rid of "edit post" option.

[Freakshow]

I think the forum would benefit from posters not being allowed to edit their previous posts. It would mean people would have to read over their own words more carefully before posting, and also would also help the threads retain a "conversation-like" manner.

[iulian28ti]

it's a good idea, but think that you're tired and you make a typing mistake or miss a word, resulting in not-even-god knows what meaning.

[TC]

I agree with that, mainly cuz I spell so shitty) and the late hours I keep around here would amount to some perverted version of Swedish and English if left to my own devices LOL....

[Sammy56]

I'm with SR. My spelling sucks. I do proofread, but I still often miss errors. Plus, with edit, you don't have to double post if you forget to include a point. That keeps the entire thread neater, in my opinion.

[lazserus]

I agree with both sides and this is something I have personally considered. I think the best option is to put a timer on the editing option. What this would do is allow members to edit their own threads/posts for an arbitrary amount of time, say 24 hours. After that time limit expires a member will no longer be able to edit their thread/post. I think it's a good idea in order to secure the integrity of the AO community while allowing some latitude for members who proof their work later and want to edit a few grammatical or spelling discrepancies.

[Freakshow]

I agree with both sides and this is something I have personally considered. I think the best option is to put a timer on the editing option. What this would do is allow members to edit their own threads/posts for an arbitrary amount of time, say 24 hours. After that time limit expires a member will no longer be able to edit their thread/post. I think it's a good idea in order to secure the integrity of the AO community while allowing some latitude for members who proof their work later and want to edit a few grammatical or spelling discrepancies.

I like that idea. Good middle ground.

[Raptor Witness]

I agree with both sides and this is something I have personally considered. I think the best option is to put a timer on the editing option. What this would do is allow members to edit their own threads/posts for an arbitrary amount of time, say 24 hours. After that time limit expires a member will no longer be able to edit their thread/post. I think it's a good idea in order to secure the integrity of the AO community while allowing some latitude for members who proof their work later and want to edit a few grammatical or spelling discrepancies.

No one is suffering from the freedom now enjoyed, except those gotcha mentalities who are the real problem here to begin with. If you limit editing, you'll run off the creative folks, primarily. The integrity issue is more related to the lack of membership, because higher volume forums are self cleaning with more/better moderation, etc.
I've been posting here for a year and a half, and I have yet to recall a single incident where someone changing a prior post pissed me off.

Where the hell are the Libertarians when you need 'em?

[lazserus]

I'm not saying people on this site actually go back and edit their posts in such a manner, but I'm just trying to find a middle ground. If there are no guilty parties, then why bother about a time out?

[Demonskates]

I think its a good idea too. A time limit wouldnt be such a bad thing.

[lazserus]

I'll put it to a vote. I'm going to add a poll to this thread and we'll see how it pans out. We'll let the poll collect votes for about 2 weeks and see where people stand.

[Perfectionist]

Seems like a no-brainer really ..... how about adding a Poll for other more important changes to AO ??

[Blu-ray]

I'll put it to a vote. I'm going to add a poll to this thread and we'll see how it pans out. We'll let the poll collect votes for about 2 weeks and see where people stand.

Wait?! Didn't I already attempt this once! GRRRRRR.... LOL...

[lazserus]

Seems like a no-brainer really ..... how about adding a Poll for other more important changes to AO ??

Well, since people are discussing this, then apparently it's important. I can add a poll about how many members would like to see you banned. Would that be important enough for you?

Wait?! Didn't I already attempt this once! GRRRRRR.... LOL...

I don't remember if you did or not. However, it's definitely being discussed heavily enough at the moment to warrant a poll.

[Perfectionist]

Well, since people are discussing this, then apparently it's important. I can add a poll about how many members would like to see you banned. Would that be important enough for you?

You don't need my permission dude, you go right ahead !! Was hoping Sammy would have done one by now anyway .....

Of course, Shorty has already had the pleasure !!

[Sammy56]

Was hoping Sammy would have done one by now anyway .....

Like I said before, I'm extremely tempted...

[lazserus]

Let's not stray off target. If you haven't voted, please do. Once the polls are in I'll review the results and also [relevant] comments made here. If you haven't said your piece and placed a vote, I think it's important that you share your position. I don't want to make any drastic changes to the standard setup without thoroughly studying what everyone wants. I personally have no issue with the current setup and don't think it needs changing, but I can set it up so that the change doesn't effect me. I want to do right by the members.

Let's also keep in mind that these poll results do not guarantee any action. Once they are in, the staff will discuss them and a decision will be made after-the-fact.

[DontBeAfraid]

How about 2-3 days.... my vote is yes but with a long grace period.

[lazserus]

Longer than 48 hours? What would your suggestion be?

[DontBeAfraid]

I dont know..... I want to say a week, butI dont think I have ever edited something that far back..... So 2 days is probably more than enough.

[Assassin X]

I would say it all depends on what the subject is. If its a debate maybe you have like 10 minutes. If its just a topic like the one I made about 9/11 memories then you can edit it until whenever. There are topics that some people might go back if they are planning to change/add links to....etc.

Or what you could do is simply set a "single" edit time like lets say 1 day. And if someone needs to edit something and its for a legit reason they can contact a moderator to seek approval and give them temporary access to a "edit" feature or something. Not sure how that all works but you get my drift.

[FireAnt]

I think Assassin has a point. Especially about if you want to go back and add in links and stuff later. So far there haven't been too many threads that have used this kind of format, but that's not to say there may not be any in the future. There have been a few story threads though that people tend to edit well past the post time.

As for the general idea that people go back and completely change their posts after a week or two, I have never seen anyone do something like that. I have seen people post something and then 5 mins later remove it, possibly due to them re-reading it and realizing it was a stupid idea in the first place. As far as I can remember I have not edited a post beyond about maybe 5 hours after I posted it. I'm sure others may have edited their posts, maybe up to 24 hours, beyond the original post time. I really don't see why people would need anymore time than this to edit a normal post. They don't seem to use that time anyway.

However, as Assassin suggested, there may be other posts that are not normal in that their format is to include links regarding a subject at the top of the thread and update as more are found. Without an edit button the poster would have to remake the thread everytime they wished to update, which would cause a lot of abandoned threads on the same subject. Moderators could give out special allowances to edit to people upon request, but some people may not be comfortable with that sort of method.

As far as I can see there is no real problem with how it is at the moment. Changing it could begin to restrict the types of threads that will be created in the future. I don't think any of our regular users edit things excessively anyway. So if it's not broken, why fix it?

[Sammy56]

I understand why people might be worried about people editing their posts to change the meaning long after they originally post, and if that was a problem on AO, I wouldn't have a problem restricting editing. But it's not a problem. I've never seen anyone do this nor seen a complaint of someone doing this. Why fix what isn't broken?

[Traveler]

Being able to edit helps prevent double posting etc but a limit of say 24 hours will be good to protect the integrity of the thread.

Deception and politics go hand in hand.

[MaximumPain]

How about 2-3 days.... my vote is yes but with a long grace period.

I agree there should be time to look it over but I like the idea of it being set after a few days.

[iulian28ti]

48 hours. no more, no less.