Chief Delphi Moderators Censoring Posts

[Bochek]

I have had a few of my posts deleted in the last 24 hours because they contained some information that the moderators don't want the community hearing.

I have made sure not to post any of this information in this post in hopes that the moderators allow this post to stay so we can have a civilized discussion on the topic.

I feel that it is wrong and insulting for the moderators to censor the free flow of information. I come to CD to read about and discuss the latest news in the FRC community. This news should be no different then any other.

- Bochek

ps. please don't discuss the information the mods are trying to keep suppressed in this tread. We don't want this thread deleted too.

[Joe G.]

The topic in question compromises a core element of how FRC works, an element which in my opinion plays a huge part in making it highly effective. I personally believe that it is in our best interest as a community, and as participants in FRC, to respect the structure provided to us by FIRST.

As a result, I support keeping the topic in question under wraps as much as is possible, in order to maintain the intended operation of the program. I don't think equating maintaining the intended experience to censorship is quite right.

[Mike Marandola]

Originally Posted by Bochek

I have had a few of my posts deleted in the last 24 hours because they contained some information that the moderators don't want the community hearing.

I have made sure not to post any of this information in this post in hopes that the moderators allow this post to stay so we can have a civilized discussion on the topic.

I feel that it is wrong and insulting for the moderators to censor the free flow of information. I come to CD to read about and discuss the latest news in the FRC community. This news should be no different then any other.

- Bochek

ps. please don't discuss the information the mods are trying to keep suppressed in this tread. We don't want this thread deleted too.

If you aren't going to mention what information you believe is being suppressed, what is the point of this thread?

Clarification edit: I was not advocating posting the information here.

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by Mike Marandola

If you aren't going to mention what information you believe is being suppressed, what is the point of this thread?

To discuss the ethics of deleting posts, not the information that was deleted.

[Bochek]

Originally Posted by Mike Marandola

If you aren't going to mention what information you believe is being suppressed, what is the point of this thread?

To discuss the fact that the moderators feel its okay to keep information to themselves. I believe that once something is found out about the game, it should be shared between all of the teams. Everyone should have an even advantage.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Bochek

To discuss the fact that the moderators feel its okay to keep information to themselves. I believe that once something is found out about the game, it should be shared between all of the teams. Everyone should have an even advantage.

CD is a forum provided by a group of people. You use it with their permission. Don't like it? Don't use it.

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

CD is a forum provided by a group of people. You use it with their permission. Don't like it? Don't use it.

+1. My thoughts exactly.

[*Rachelle*]

I was also one of the people that saw the "leak". And I understand why all of our posts were deleted.

However, I tend to disagree with those that think everybody knowing about the said "leaked" info would take away from the the feeling of "opening a Christmas present" or (more importantly) the information giving an unfair advantage. The information was just (trying to be vague) a description. Anyways, once info is on the internet it can never be fully deleted. With the information found, it would not have helped get a four day head start as we still don't know the rules to the game are or what we are supposed to do with the said ______. With the info I cannot begin designing a robot, and I can still only speculate what exactly the game will be. Truthfully, if a person started a design it could be rendered useless. I mean, with some change coming, there could be rule coming out that is different than any of us have experienced. A person couldn't design a robot because they don't know if springs are allowed, or if something that is usually illegal, is legal this year.

I also support the moderators, I don't think their ethics were wrong or that they were trying for an unfair advantage (read above). They were doing their jobs and what had been asked of them. With all this said please keep Gracious Professionalism in mind and think before you post aggressive/attacking words (while some of you may not think they are, the connotation a person takes from your words may be seen as aggressive or offensive.)

[AmoryG]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

CD is a forum provided by a group of people. You use it with their permission. Don't like it? Don't use it.

You don't have to dislike CD to know it isn't perfect. The moderators should welcome feedback so that they can improve user experience.

[Amar Shah]

Here is the screenshot of the page that was posted to Reddit and later deleted:
http://imgur.com/r/frc/Y63KYXb

[Christopher149]

Originally Posted by Amar Shah

Here is the screenshot of the page that was posted to Reddit and later deleted:
http://imgur.com/r/frc/Y63KYXb

I'm mildly amused that it claims to be both a 2014 and 2015 game piece. Well, that sates the curiosity.

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by Bochek

To discuss the fact that the moderators feel its okay to keep information to themselves. I believe that once something is found out about the game, it should be shared between all of the teams. Everyone should have an even advantage.

Did you ever consider that the moderators might have been working with FIRST to ensure their confidential information was protected?

I was one of the first moderators on the scene when the leak appeared. We took guidance from FIRST HQ and handled the situation as quickly as possible. Whether people agree or not with the policy of deleting leaked information is a great discussion topic, however it's very important to know and understand and that FIRST wants leaks, whether credible or not, extinguished as quickly as possible and that's what the moderation team here will continue to do.

[aldaeron]

Originally Posted by Karthik

I was one of the first moderators on the scene when the leak appeared.

Great work Inspector Karthik.

Thanks to all on CD and Reddit for keeping a lid on the leaks. I am looking forward to the reveal Saturday!

And thanks to all the kickoff field builders, volunteers, suppliers and others that know something non-public about the game every year and keep it a secret.

-matto-

[Oblarg]

I'll chime in to say that I think the best policy would be "information that is public is public." Once something has been leaked, it cannot be un-leaked.

That said, it's not my decision and if the CD mods think it best to censor the material in question, so be it - I can understand and accept the reasoning behind it, even if I don't agree with it.

I've seen the "leak," and while it's enough information to get you thinking about what types of things you want to look at, it's not going to confer any major competitive advantages upon those who have seen it.

Just my two cents.

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by Karthik

Did you ever consider that the moderators might have been working with FIRST to ensure their confidential information was protected?

I was one of the first moderators on the scene when the leak appeared. We took guidance from FIRST HQ and handled the situation as quickly as possible. Whether people agree or not with the policy of deleting leaked information is a great discussion topic, however it's very important to know and understand and that FIRST wants leaks, whether credible or not, extinguished as quickly as possible and that's what the moderation team here will continue to do.

This is the important thing here. We can all talk back and forth about how we would rather personally handle it, but it's being handled right now well within the terms of ChiefDelphi use, as well as with what HQ wants.

FIRST currently advocates for Chief as an unofficial discussion place - not listening to their requests might mean we don't get to maintain that positive relationship. I'd much rather see FIRST channeling people towards CD than ignoring its existence because of some posters' behavior.

Originally Posted by Madison

Someone made a mistake on the internet and we, as a community, had the rare opportunity to help them correct their mistake and minimize the potential negative consequences. We should be proud of that since it's something that happens so rarely and is something that the rest of internet is often loathe to do.

Some of the posts in this thread make me curious how many of CD's current users know who the moderators are. We haven't added any moderators to the team in a long time and there are many of them who are no longer active on the boards or in FIRST, but they're all good, honest people. The notion that we'd censor information for our own gain is hard for me to wrap my head around, but maybe I'd feel differently if the rest were people I didn't know at all.

I had a headache over this one too, Madison. Anyone who knows even a few of these moderators personally should be able to understand the caliber of person that they are. Anything they do in their position as moderator is for the general health & welfare of the forum, not for their personal gain. Their maturity in that respect is exactly why they're mods, and I feel badly that they're being hung out to dry right now.

While this is a good philosophical discussion to have (as long as it stays respectful), I think there are plenty of other hints/information to speculate from, and quite a few other tasks to get done pre-kickoff than worry about your 'rights' as a voluntary user of ChiefDelphi.