should we make the lounge an unmoderated forum? Options

[micron]

hi all,

i was browing through my old site before i made cb... and it had a forums, where the equivalent of cb's "the lounge" wasn't moderated. i thought that was a good idea, and leaning towards implementing it here.

dont get me wrong. moderating is good and all, but sometimes it can really discourage members from participating. for example, there seems to be a trend where staff members close topics if the topic was talked about before, even if it's been over a year. this might be good in that it promotes organization, but in reality, it really kills the participitory aspect of the forums. sometimes things need to be revisted and retalked. its part of everyday life.

if we continue on like this, where topics get closed because it revists an older topic, sooner or later, there will be nothing to talk about. period.

so. what do you think? should we let the lounge be completely unmoderated by staff members? or should be do a compromise, where staff members are only allowed to move topics elsewhere, but cannot close the topics here?

let me hear from you. staff members may also contribute. =)

[Spirited Away]

How would spam, double posting, obscenity, cross-posting... etc (the forum rules) be upheld if mods cannot moderate?

Sure, having an unmoderated forum is great for encouraging folks to come out of lurking, but it may also take away from the quality of their contribution to the forum.

Edit:
Though more reflective of life, it will also be more chaotic and will drive away members who appreciate the current order.

[micron]

How would spam, double posting, obscenity, cross-posting... etc (the forum rules) be upheld if mods cannot moderate?

please read the entire topic, its been already addressed.

Sure, having an unmoderated forum is great for encouraging folks to come out of lurking, but it may also take away from the quality of their contribution to the forum.

this is exactly what i mean. people shouldnt worry about being contibutory to the quality of the forums, atleast in the lounge. when you speak to your friends, are you concerned about the quality of what you have to say?

lets make this place a friendlier place. =)

this is a bit off topic, but i personally think moderators should be passive in their policing the forums rather than active. by that i mean, only moderate things that really need to be. otherwise, let things be.