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When locking a thread, shouldn't the MOD doing the locking state their reason ?

On one or two threads I have indeed seen the mod make a post citing their reasons for the lock, but this isn't always the case, and I was wondering why this is so. Surely, in the interests of clarity, MODS should have to cite their reasons for locking a thread.

In cases of threads being locked for necromancy, bad conduct, irrelevence to the specific forum, etc, such a closing statement by the MOD would assist users in preventing a duplication of these circumstances in other threads, and really wouldn't take more than a minute to post.

If nothing else, it's a display of common courtesy.

Your thoughts, MODS ?

I think you're definitely right, although in my own defense in some cases it seems painfully clear (usually very off-topic or some pretty heavy insulting going on).

I know at times I've chosen not to post a reason simply because I don't want to bump the thread back up to the top of the forum, even if it is only for a little while.

But I'll try to make sure I leave a reason from here on out.

Many thanks, yakface. As always you're open to suggestion as long as it sounds reasonable.

So why was this one locked! I mean come on, you trying to prevent us having conversations, this isn't the red country amirite?

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/225656.page

If I had to guess, I'd say it was because of irrelevant quadruple posts and directed insults. Meh.

I try always to give a cause when I lock a thread for the exact reasons you mention.

If a thread is interesting and potentially savable, I will often post a general warning message rather than lock it. This can save the thread and allow the discussion to continue on civilised lines.

BTW, when a thread is locked or edited the moderator has to give a reason which is posted into the general moderation log. This isn't available to users and I think should be kept hidden. It is there as a historical reference for the use of the moderating board, so to speak.

Users can always PM one or more moderators if they are concerned about some piece of moderation. This means that individual mods can be "meta-moderated" as it were.

To be honest I kind of like when the thread gets a funny snarky end to it rather than an explanation. Some of my favorite thread locks are mods posting cat macros and saying stuff like "So it's come to this..."

We can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but we can't please all of the people all of the time.

Sorry -- I only did it for the lulz.

Lulz....I read this thread then noticed it had been locked, and I was just like, "WTF...."

You tricky Mods.

Typeline wrote:To be honest I kind of like when the thread gets a funny snarky end to it rather than an explanation. Some of my favorite thread locks are mods posting cat macros and saying stuff like "So it's come to this..."

I agree with you that sometimes those humorous final posts by the MODS are a nice touch. At least even those 'Last Rites' post I've seen with the headstone image show the MOD could at least be bothered to show their face instead of an almost anon lock without any sort of comment.

Speaking of nice touches, and I know it's off topic but I thought it worth a mention, I've just noticed the addition of Gallery and Article links below some of the Avatars. Definate hat-tip to whoever thought of and implemented those.

Agreed with Reaper. That's what I like about DakkaDakka, it's a forum with more, but the 'more' is still thoroughly wiki- and community-based. It makes sense that contributions other than mere forum-spamming should be displayed. Hopefully it will inspire everyone to contribute more to those oft-overlooked areas!