Ross,
As a newly appointed moderator, I've not been given a set of rules to apply when amending or deleting topics.
I think the only experience I can draw on is the amount of my own topics and posts that have been 'modified'. Philip Hanson regularly deleted my posts; especially those of mine directed towards our 'Scottish Friends'.
Personally, the only ones I've deleted are those of the Friday night, closing-time 'gibberish' types or when a member has accidentaly posted half a post. And I've only ever amended one post too. I've not seen anything offensive; although a member has complained directly to me about a Scottish joke I made.
In just about every case I've let the member know why I've deleted or amended a post and the feedback was it's okay.
What I'm saying is we haven't a script saying that all posts praising another cleaning supply company must be deleted or anything. Remember, moderating is unpaid; we do it for the love of the forum.
It's really just down to each moderator to use his common sense when it comes to deleting threads, posts or making amendments. Mike Boxhall's only rule is that we don't spend anymore time on this site than what we would normally do.
I guess if something is blantantly rude; it'll be deleted without explanation. But if a post has a 'grey' area, then Ian_Giles or myself would explain why it was deleted. Now that the PM system is removed, I'd (depending on the circumstances) either e-mail the member why the post was deleted, or amend the post, adding my reasons for the amendment IN the post.
I'm sure you've seen posts here that you thought they shouldn't be. Remember VinceXYZ (John Clear-Through) and his 'gay dog'? Also the rare member who spouts pure venom.
As for using my common sense... I did give Mike a second chance to reconsider his offer of making me a Moderator.
Honest.
