Posts by Rachel Jones8

Still waiting on an answer for over a month now. Still no explanation, so I’m asking again—why was my post deleted from the
"Offtopic topic US tourism"
thread?

mod: said:Since people tend to drift away from the main US tourism thread, this space is meant for off-topic chatter—basically anything else like politics or history, instead of what we talk about in the US tourism section.

So, here's the deal. I made a post about Booking.com that actually fit the theme on the "Where to Advertise Private Rentals Online" thread, but they wiped it. The mods basically told me that hosts aren't allowed to post there and that their stuff gets moved to the "Offtopic" section instead.
Then, I went over to the "Offtopic" thread to suggest a new layout for a potential sub-forum, but even that post got nuked.

If you can't even post relevant stuff on the "Where to Advertise Private Rentals Online" thread without it being shoved over to "Offtopic"... and if the "Offtopic" thread is supposedly "meant for off-topic chatter where you can write about anything"... then why are posts getting deleted there too?
Why did they delete my post from the Offtopic section?
What am I actually allowed to say in Offtopic?
What's strictly off-limits in Offtopic?
Why is it such a struggle to just get an explanation when something gets deleted from the Offtopic thread?

So I just noticed my post got nuked from the offtopic topic US tourism thread. It was basically just a suggestion for a new thread where people could ask for help with technical stuff—like setting up profiles or navigating specific listing sites once they've already picked one...
I wrote it to show how it would actually look. The idea was to keep the title focused on a specific platform and then ask the actual question in the post.
(Doing that within the current thread just wouldn't work because the title would be totally off-topic.)
My whole point with providing an example was to make things easier for everyone to find answers. Right now, if you're looking for help on the "where to list" thread, it's a mess, and honestly, those questions don't even belong there since the person has already chosen their site—they just need a hand with it.

Does anyone actually have a decent reason for deleting it?
This
is the post right before the one that got deleted.

Rachel Jones8 said:It’s a mixed bag here, just like most places, kind of like a preschool. 😁
Every group has those friendly types who want to play nice and share, but then you’ve got the ones waiting to trip someone up, push people around, refuse to share, or just act like jerks...
Obviously, a new thread isn't going to pop into existence just because I suggested it, but hey, maybe we can at least talk about it? 🤔 Maybe.
Come on, seriously though, why would a thread dedicated solely to troubleshooting profile setups or issues with specific platforms be a bad idea? If we had it, posts would look something like this.

See below.

Then, if someone is having trouble with a specific site, they could just skim the thread and quickly find the exact issue or the provider they're dealing with, thanks to such a clear layout.

...but since the post showing that layout was deleted, it's gone. 😢

Thanks for getting back to me.

Nathan Turner3 said:We needed a dedicated space on the forum for rental hosts to actually talk shop, so we set this thread up. It’s staying right here for that purpose.

So, here's the topic. Where's the best place to list a private rental online? This space is strictly for rental hosts. If you aren't one, please don't post here. Simple as that, right?
Even though the title doesn't actually mention hosts at all, just that— Where should I look for rentals?Based on the thread title, I figured this would be an open floor for anyone wanting to chat about where to list... plus, it might actually be pretty useful for hosts to hear how guests really feel about certain booking sites and platforms.

Honestly, I think it was a mistake to delete your post. It should’ve just been moved to a better thread, or if nothing fit, just tossed into the offtopic section. Right?

Even if it's offtopic? 😕
So, what’s the deal then? What happened to all the other threads on this subforum?
For example, let's say the topic is— Everything you need to know if you're hosting rentals. Who? I'm here. What's up? Is it okay to post this? If we're talking about apartment kitchens, shouldn't guests be allowed to share which setups they've run into and what bothered them? I mean, wouldn't you want to suggest how a host could build a kitchen that actually keeps guests happy? And if the thread is specifically about finding cheap modular kitchens for rentals, isn't answering that question totally fair?Check this out.Shouldn't this be moved to the offtopic section instead? 🤷 And should it even be deleted from the thread?
Who's actually allowed to post here? Experienced tour guides—a look at the job and where we're headed.So, what, we're only allowed to talk about travel guides now? Like you can't say anything or ask a single question unless you're a professional tour guide yourself?
Guest stories? Wait, so only hosts are allowed to post here? Are we really not supposed to chime in with our own thoughts on their experiences?
Vacation rentals and private stays (hosts, payments, certifications, etc.) What about this part? Same thing? It’s honestly hard to wrap my head around who's actually allowed to post here if they aren't a rental host...
Anyone know a good guest tracking program? We’re only here to help each other out... right?
Rental hosts with pools (experiences & stuff) So, is that strictly for rental hosts?
...etc.
Maybe there's a few more topics where non-hosts probably shouldn't be weighing in either?
Look, if that’s actually the rule, shouldn't it be pinned at the top of the subforum? People need to know who's allowed to post what, right?
What topics can people write about if they aren't rental hosts? How are they supposed to know? Or are they just restricted to the offtopic stuff? Where's the best place to list a vacation rental online? I don't really get it... what's the deal?😕
Everything you need to know. Does it even matter? With the thread title being... Not off-topic.So, hosts have to post in the offtopic section just because they aren't renting anything out right now? Seriously?
What happened to this thread? Anyone else have any crazy stories about renting from hosts?Is this space reserved just for guests, or are hosts allowed to jump in here too? 🤷

I'll tell the mods to just move posts like that instead of deleting them next time.

Even if the post isn't off-topic—since it actually answers the question being asked—the rule says they get deleted because that person hasn't stated that they are a rental host?
Honestly, it feels like a weird rule, but hey, it is what it is... I just think we should probably add stuff like that to the subforum rules so we aren't left guessing.

If the thread Offtopic topic US tourism is meant for:

Since people drift off-topic on the US tourism thread so much, this space is dedicated to offtopic chatter

Maybe we should clarify that it's not just for random stuff, but also for things that technically fit a specific topic but shouldn't be posted there based on how members earn their living.
It never even crossed my mind—and honestly, why should it?—that on a thread like "Where to advertise private rentals online" I can't mention Booking.com... and instead have to go find the thread meant for off-topic rambling.

Sandra Brown18 said:Rachel Jones8, major props to you for digging through this entire thread and actually summarizing everything we talked about. It’s true that things get a little wild in here sometimes, but honestly, it all ties back to the rental business eventually, right?

This is a bit off-topic, isn't it? I know we're supposed to be talking about where to run ads, and while it definitely touches on US tourism, it doesn't really hit the nail on the head regarding the actual advertising part.
There are plenty of other threads where we could dive into all this stuff too. Why stop here?
There are topics available.
Everything you need to know if you're hosting rentals.
Short-term rentals and private stays (dealing with hosts, payments, licensing, etc.)
US tourism - discussion
Guest tracking software?
Which ones would actually work best, given everything that’s been said in the "where to advertise" thread?

Just so you know, this thread is mostly just rental hosts hanging out.That’s exactly why we launched this specific "US tourism" subforum in the first place—there's just too much to talk about and way too many people joining the conversation.
Out of everyone posting here or ever having posted on this thread—and trust me, I keep tabs on everything—you’re the only one besides me who isn't actually in the rental business. Even if I am a moderator, I'm still just an outsider like you, right?

So what's the deal with that? Does that mean anyone who isn't a rental host is banned from posting? Is that actually written down in the rules somewhere? Just wondering if that's an official forum rule.
Actually, what you wrote isn't quite right... Check this out. Link? So, someone posted this, and it hasn't been deleted yet. Nobody even bothered to call them out or drop a post making it clear that this kind of stuff isn't allowed here. Really?

Look, hosts are totally allowed to chime in on this thread, just like you did before. But let’s be real—you weren't really asking questions; you were cornering them. You'd ask something, they'd answer, and then you'd just keep digging into stuff they have zero control over, like why certain tax brackets exist or how IRS thresholds work. Why push them to debate federal laws they can't change? You were being pretty relentless about questioning the whole system.

That’s not really what I said. In that thread about hosts, I was asking about last-minute cancellations—you know, how much they actually like being stuck with a late cancellation? I also touched on reservations... and threw in an answer about sales tax while I was at it. And then... Answers. I moved this over to the offtopic section since my last post got wiped because I'm not a rental host. Isn't that just how it goes?
Still got that question about sales tax hanging around? Still standing. So my reply got nuked. Even the one where I was just wishing everyone a killer season with tons of bookings and great guests... even though people are allowed to post well wishes on this thread? What gives?
If I had any other questions about renting out my place, I probably would’ve just dropped them in the "US tourism - discussion" thread. Why complicate things?I figured that was fine, since this "Offtopic topic US tourism" thread is meant for random chatter anyway. Plus, asking about taxes or payroll stuff—things that actually impact the industry—didn't feel like we were getting off track to me. Right?

Look, you’ve gotta realize that hosts can't control stuff like that. How else were you supposed to get answers? I suggested checking out the offtopic topic US tourism because that's where we actually dive deep into everything—even history and politics, which I know bugs you, but let's face it, it all impacts US tourism anyway. You were getting responses from hosts over on that offtopic thread, so you aren't being left out at all.

Yeah, I am. Since everyone else on Booking was already deep in that debate about where to list properties—along with you, too.Check this out.So, my post about that exact thing just got nuked—along with my bit about sales tax. They told me to move the conversation over to the other thread, specifically to stick to what people are actually talking about there. And get this: they did it just because I’m not a rental host myself, not even because it was offtopic. Since when does that matter?

Is it actually a rule here that posts get nuked just because someone isn't a rental host? Or am I missing something?
All this off-topic stuff is being tolerated... even though wob warned us a few times to stop drifting away from the main thread and talking about sales tax. You even wrote a good chunk of that stuff yourself, so I have to wonder—do the rules actually allow hosts and moderators to post off-topic content while everyone else has to stick to the script?
Not trying to start anything, just asking a question.
Look, I wasn't even talking to you. I was asking an admin if it’s actually okay to delete posts just because someone isn't a rental host, even when they're posting in a thread specifically about hosting? Makes sense, right?So, what’s the deal with the Booking.com rules? Anyone actually read them?.

Hey, I have a question for the admins regarding the forum rules...

Since I couldn't find anything about this in the guidelines, I figured I'd ask here. I haven't noticed anyone being told they can't post in certain threads before... like, women post in the men's sections and guys post in the women's sections. It seems like that goes for all the other subforums and threads I've read or participated in.
Is there actually a rule that bans specific groups of people or individuals from posting on certain topics?
It’s about the US tourism subforum, specifically the thread: "Where to advertise private rentals online?"
That whole thread is basically just anything and everything*, with like 80% of the posts being more or less off-topic. My post—where I mentioned things like Booking.com, deposits, and answered a question from this post—was deleted. It wasn't deleted for being off-topic, because if it were, the original question would have been wiped too (but it's still there)... it was removed with Kajperinja, ako imas pitanja, imas temu Offtopic teme American turizam. Ova je tema prvenstveno namijenjena iznajmljivacima i reklamiranju na netu, kako bi si oni uzajamno savjetovali i pomagali. Cak i ja, kao moderator tu upadam iznimno rijetko.']this explanation:

Sandra Brown18 said:Rachel Jones8, if you have questions, use the offtopic topic US tourism thread.
This thread is primarily meant for rental hosts and online advertising, so they can help each other out and share advice.
Even I, as a moderator, only step in extremely rarely.

The post was deleted even though it wasn't off-topic (I was just trying to help a host answer their own question).... it happened solely because I was posting on a thread for hosts when I am not one myself. Apparently, hosts are only allowed to help and talk to other hosts. Is that really okay? Is that an actual forum rule or just someone being arbitrary?
In the follow-up, I was told I can only discuss, ask, or answer things on the "Offtopic topic US tourism" thread, which, according to the first post, is intended for off-topic chatter—you know, stuff like politics or history. So, if someone asks a question in the advertising thread, I'm not allowed to answer them there? I have to go to the off-topic section instead because I'm not a rental host? That feels incredibly complicated, impractical, and honestly, unfair and discriminatory.

Even another user was surprised by this and wrote:

rokoo said:It isn't really off-topic since it's about online advertising. There's been talk here about pricing, furniture, cancellations, guests, nationalities, and definitely portals used for ads.
I don't get when something counts as off-topic and when it doesn't.

That was the response she got
:

Sandra Brown18 said:Kajperinja isn't a rental host—everyone else in this thread is. Except me, obviously😁. Don't sweat it, she still gets great answers to her questions over in the offtopic topic US tourism.

...so once again, it’s confirmed: my post was wiped just because I’m not a host, and that's why I'm getting kicked out of the thread. Honestly, there wasn't even a warning or a strike, just a random post written in black font. I'm not even complaining, really; I'm just asking—are the rules actually set up so that on some threads anyone can talk about anything, total offtopic stuff, alongside the moderator... while someone else isn't allowed to say even what the topic is about just because they don't fit into a specific category? 😕
Are people actually allowed to post in the "Where to advertise private rentals online" thread (and other US tourism threads) or is it restricted to certain people, like just hosts, or can anyone chime in? 🤷

__________________________________________________ __

everything under the sun*
To keep the main thread clean, I'm dumping all the "everything under the sun" stuff here.
The thread is packed with countless posts that might have a loose connection to US tourism, but have nothing to do with the actual title—you know, where to advertise... There are tons of them, mostly, and a good chunk of them were written by the moderator themselves.
People have talked about:
Google issues, sales tax, guest personalities, which types of guests are trending, occupancy rates, earnings, invoicing, the age of landlords, registering guests, towels, linens, mattress protectors, bank accounts, meeting up for coffee... then back to how much everyone earned and how many units they have, pricing tactics, picking dinner spots, forum drama, spreading wrong info about sales tax, bragging about bookings, inquiry numbers, drafting software, arguments and insults from people who think they got scammed because they didn't read the fine print in the terms... worrying about potential audits via the IRS, how much money you can actually live on, if you can survive on US tourism alone... real estate prices and apartment swaps, taxes, legalizing properties, inspections, photographing rentals, income streams, renting boats, haggling, local mayors, logging every single booking... and again and again... then discussions on time-sharing, whining about low inquiries, more long-winded sagas about sales tax, unrest in Canada, bicycles, how to dodge commission fees, reviewing the quality of advertising sites from a guest's perspective, rental insurance, dog-friendly beaches, Russian visas, travel agency laws, those big-shot charter companies making bank, dogs, paying tourism fees, traffic jams, bus lines, the situation in Ukraine, massive payouts, occupancy days in cities like Budapest or Rome, housing costs, foreigners buying beachfront property, management software, the number of rental units in Los Angeles, pricing, non-all-inclusive options, dropping rates, whether renting is worth it, scams involving fake inquiries, weird emails, how to extend the season, PayPal, social status based on what you can afford, travel stories, minimum stay requirements, flights to LAX, and comparing booking numbers from last season to this one... every single month, registering stays for friends and family, and then once again, a whole lot about sales tax, and then...It’s pretty wild how this thread keeps drifting away from the actual topic (check page 159), between random guest comments that clearly weren't deleted or kicked, more talk about sales tax, then jumping to utility bills in NYC versus London, people snooping through other rentals just to share feedback, debating the number of vacation units in Miami, where everyone is traveling and what they're spending, which part of Miami is the best, which neighborhood tourists love, what kind of water heater to buy, and all the whining about a bad upcoming season because bookings are down... then there's the price hikes for Ultra, reports on new hosts in Miami, the bus station in New Orleans, where guests come from and what they do here, dental tourism, more sales tax, visa issues for travelers from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, or Mexico, back to tax IDs, swimming pools and subsidies, more sales tax, map placements for advertisers, guest reviews, comparing US tourism to Greece, prices in Crete versus Tisno... flight costs to Greece, accounting fees, why Miami is so expensive, hunting for rentals, the lack of things to do... obviously... in Miami, where foreigners go, and picking summer deals in Greece, Spain, Turkey, etc.

And after all that... we only get a couple of warnings, two visible penalties... and one person getting kicked off the thread.

rowdypanther12 said:If the professionals say he's ready—and if he’s actually excited about his schoolwork and talking about wanting to start school—how do you think he’ll feel if you tell him he can't go just because you personally feel he isn't prepared?

True. You might not have to say it bluntly... but you're definitely going to have to explain why he isn't going.

Richard Morris43 said:You’re totally right, and honestly, I’m being a complete lunatic for spiraling like this over nothing. Thanks to everyone for the reality check and all the advice

The kid wants to go to school. 😉 If things get bumpy, you can just deal with them as they come... and honestly, there's always going to be stuff to figure out next year too, whether it's this or something else.
What would you say to sending a kid to school when they clearly aren't feeling it?
This was ages ago... but maybe it helps to hear.
My mom wanted me to start school early (not sure why... doesn't matter), and I wasn't some genius or anything. I couldn't even read yet. (To be fair, hardly anyone could back then... not like now.)
During my interview, they asked if I wanted to go to school or if I was excited... and I just told them no, that my mom was forcing me.
They decided I was ready anyway and sent me in early, so I was one of the youngest kids in class. Turns out, I didn't have any issues at all.

Richard Morris43 said:nosorog, he’s actually super engaged, you know? He’s constantly filling out these little worksheets with me and showing interest—sometimes even too much, if I’m being honest. He loves it when I read to him, explain things, or give him little challenges to solve.
He’s already decided he’s going to school, though; he’s spending the whole summer at our beach house and then heading straight into class this fall, or at least that’s what he tells everyone. The preschool psychologist actually mentioned that intellectually, he’s performing right at a seven-year-old level, but emotionally and socially? He’s just not there yet. That’s why I was leaning toward holding him back for another year. Look, I’m no expert, I’m just a total worrier, and I honestly thought he might struggle to fit in 🤷

blindiran, I honestly have no idea how your experience even relates to what we’re talking about here. Like, does it really matter that you were the youngest in your class? My husband started school about six or seven months early, and he never dealt with any bullying—there were always kids even younger than him in the mix. Meanwhile, I knew one kid who was the oldest in his group and he was basically a walking target for teasing.
It feels pretty stupid to generalize everything, doesn't it? And I have to say, kids these days seem way more brutal than they used to be.

The only thing I can think of that might actually mess with him is what ethan brought up—that stuff about hearing things from friends later on once puberty hits and everything gets complicated...

unknown? 😕

Maybe this will work out okay.

rustydrifter10 said:It wasn't cool how you used that out of context just to stir the pot. Plus, you linked the whole thread instead of the specific post? Why do that?

Not really. I put the link after the quote and the (c) symbol to credit the author, just following the standard signature rules. I figured using a link instead of a name was a bit classier. Wouldn't you?
Besides that... I was wondering what she meant by saying he needs to be quoted? Especially since we were already talking about the quote itself.
I'm talking about that comment you made:

rustydrifter10 said:If you see some user's post content sitting in their signature, go ahead and quote that signature too. Looks like you added a bit to your signature that doesn't exactly line up with the provocation you're trying to pull here, does it? Is he gonna get deleted too?Hey, you might want to watch what you say around here. Trolling like that isn't gonna fly anymore.

So, we aren't talking about the signature that’s slated for deletion. We're talking about the one that's already gone—the one where this was written:
If someone’s got a post sitting in their signature, you gotta quote that too, right?
Why'd they scrub my signature if I followed all the rules? 🤷
How do you even know which quotes are worth using and which aren't? And what’s the move if I try to follow all the rules for a signature, only to have it get wiped out anyway?
Look, just take a peek at tyhonsee's signature in this thread... there aren't any quotation marks or that copyright symbol, right? It’s definitely not following the rules like it's supposed to be.
Mine was too. 😕
By the way, regarding this:

Don't use the quote function in your signature. Just do it like this: "quote" (c) author. Simple enough?

I tried typing out (c), but I see you actually got that little symbol to show up... how'd you pull that off? Is just typing (c) not good enough?

I finally pulled it off. 🙂
I just don't get why the signature shows up on some old posts but totally disappears on others?

Rachel Jones8 said:Just curious about that last part regarding the signature...
Every single time I try to add a signature, it gets wiped out. Since mine was just a quote to begin with, I don't get what they mean by "if you include someone else's content in your signature, you have to quote them too." How am I even supposed to make a new one?
I had this quote in my signature, marked as a quote. Still can't wrap my head around what was wrong with it or why they deleted it?

I've been playing the waiting game for a week now. I get it, it was a holiday weekend and things get busy... but surely someone can weigh in? If it's not the mods, maybe an admin can tell me what the deal is with my post. It was clearly marked as a quote, so why the issue?
What does that mean?

rustydrifter10 said:If you see someone's post content sitting in their signature, make sure to quote that signature too. Looks like you slipped part of your signature back in there, which totally ruins the troll you were trying to pull. You might want to watch what you say, because we aren't putting up with this kind of baiting anymore.

Since the signature was written like a quote—with quotation marks and a copyright symbol at the end—what exactly was meant by that? How else are you supposed to cite things? And what was the deal with it getting deleted? What exactly was wrong?
When it comes to quoting text... if someone actually wrote those words, why shouldn't we be able to quote them? Like I said, the context hasn't changed. A quote is just the author's own opinion, right?
So what exactly am I trying to achieve here? What I actually wanted—before you guys nuked my signature for following the rules—was just to let the quote speak for itself. It stayed like that for a long while without any issues, mostly because I wasn't looking for trouble. Honestly? Now I’m not even sure what I was aiming for.
Wait, did you guys delete something? Because I’m pretty sure it was quoted, even if it doesn't show up now.
Maybe update the signature rules to match these new policies? That way we actually know why some signatures get nuked.
I honestly don't get the logic behind "if a user's signature contains post content, you have to quote it." I mean, the signature was literally just a quote to begin with, right? Makes zero sense.

Edit: What are the ground rules for setting up a signature? Just based on who I designed this signature for.

Kimberly Rodriguez51 said:your comments on that one user's post and a few others right after it were deleted because they don't fit the thread title, which is unconventional parenting methods.

So why wasn't the post being replied to deleted then? It also has nothing to do with the thread title—it's just about how kids who don't have tantrums are "abnormal." In this whole thread, there isn't a single word that actually fits the title. Why can that stay while the reply gets nuked?

the timing doesn't really matter and there aren't any rules against replying to old posts; what matters is that you keep circling back to it whenever you get the chance, regardless of which thread it was in.

I guess if that's the reason, then whatever...

I honestly don't know why you took that post personally. To me (and plenty of other people on this forum), there’s nothing wrong with it. I think the author was just trying to show parents worried about "bad" toddler behavior—like screaming or throwing themselves on the floor—that it's totally normal, and those kids who don't do that are actually the rare ones.

Is there really nothing wrong with claiming a specific group of kids is abnormal and needs to see a psychiatrist?
Seriously, how can anyone write that... or think it sounds okay? 🙄
If someone said gay people were abnormal and needed psychiatric help, you wouldn't find that offensive either? Is that just your way of saying being straight is the only "normal" thing?

once a post is out there and the discussion has happened, there's no point dragging it back up after all this time, especially since it's completely off-topic.

Fine, it's off-topic... But why shouldn't we keep a conversation going if someone still finds it interesting and wants to hear different perspectives? I'm genuinely curious—does anyone else think their kid is "abnormal," or would you take them to a specialist? And how would a doctor even help in that situation?
Who decides which discussions are allowed to continue?
If it's off-topic, just start a new thread. Easy.

Kimberly Rodriguez51 said:Attacking another user is basically just targeting the person instead of the topic.
You weren't asking about psychologists in general, you were calling out this specific one who said that specific thing on the forum.
Targeting people is against the rules here, no matter how you spin it.
Unlike the other user who was just talking about teachers and gym class in general, you weren't talking about psychologists broadly—you went straight for one specific psychologist. We all know which one.

Look... you might see it that way. But honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with what I said.
It’s not even about whether I think she specifically should be fired; I was just using it as a comparison. If someone thinks a teacher deserves to lose their job or take a pay cut, shouldn't they realize they aren't perfect either? It’d be pretty pathetic if people lost their livelihoods over stuff like this. I was just sticking to the debate: should we really be firing people or cutting pay just like that?
Besides, what does it matter if a comment refers to someone specific? Isn't a child being talked about still a specific child? Even if you don't use their full name or a nickname.
So, if I say the moderators on this site aren't sane, that's fine as long as I don't single anyone out, right?
When someone writes "homosexuals are abnormal"... why is that punished if nobody is being singled out or named?
And why is it okay to say kids who don't have tantrums are "abnormal"? Those are actual children... real kids that others are labeling as abnormal and saying need a psychiatrist.

Regarding that famous post, I already touched on this in my last reply, but I'll add it here: in my opinion, that post doesn't call anyone "abnormal," it isn't insulting anyone (per the rules), and it's actually pretty common sense.

Honestly, I can't imagine thinking it's "common sense" to call someone else's kids abnormal or say they need a psychiatrist. And I definitely don't think it's not an insult to tell parents they're lying. (Since some people wrote their kids don't have those tantrums... so they're basically being called liars... or their kids aren't normal.)
But hey, the answer has to be what it is.

rustydrifter10 said:It seems to me the moderators were being pretty easy on you, just like they were with others. You got a warning for "targeting a user," as it says. You latched onto an old post that wasn't even on topic, pulled out one sentence that softens everything up, and then just kept digging at that one part.

Yeah, super easy on me... so how are they with the person who actually wrote that post? Why hasn't it been deleted or the author punished?
I quoted the important part, the part I actually wanted to talk about. The sentence I left out is totally irrelevant and doesn't change the point.

rustydrifter10 said:A one- or two-year-old throwing a tantrum on the floor when they're frustrated is just a totally normal, healthy kid.
Any kid in that age range (so, between 12-36 months) who hasn't done that isn't a normal kid. Either the parents are lying or it didn't happen.☕

I actually posted this on this forum before—saying my kid never did that—and honestly, I’d take both myself and her to a psychiatrist, because clearly either I’m doing something wrong or my kid isn't normal.

(I mean, they don't necessarily have to roll on the floor, but maybe sitting down and screaming, or squeezing their fists and yelling...)

So, if we actually write out what "that" refers to, it reads like this:

A one- or two-year-old throwing a tantrum on the floor when they're frustrated is just a totally normal, healthy kid.
Any kid in that age range (between 12-36 months) who has never thrown themselves on the floor, sat down and wailed, or squeezed their fists and screamed isn't a normal kid. Or the parents are lying☕ about it not happening.
I mentioned this on this forum before—saying my kid never did that—and I’d take both myself and her to a psychiatrist, because obviously either I’m messing up or my kid isn't normal.

.
...which still leaves us with the claim that such a kid isn't normal and needs a psychiatrist. Basically, anyone saying their kid doesn't do this is just lying.

By the way, you were commenting on the moderators, and then after you failed to derail one thread, you moved to another one just to keep provoking people in the same tone. I don't know why you thought you could get away with that.

I'm not sure what you mean by "commenting on the moderators." I re-read my post that got flagged, and I don't see anything like that.

The posts were deleted because they were trolling, argumentative, and used ad hominem attacks.

Fine, thanks for the explanation. Personally, I don't think they were, but I guess my opinion doesn't really matter here.

If a user's post content is in their signature, you need to quote that signature too.

I don't get it. I did quote it. In my first post, I showed exactly how it looked.
I read the rules for signatures and set mine up exactly how they're written. I quoted it, added the quotation marks, the (c) symbol, and the author in the link.

You went ahead and scrubbed that part of your signature because it didn't fit the little provocation you were trying to pull, so now it’s gone too. You might want to watch how you word things, though—we aren't going to put up with this kind of trolling anymore.

Why was it deleted? The rules say posts can't be longer than three lines.
Why does one person get to put quotes in their signature while someone else can't? Why is it okay to quote some people but not others?
If I get approval for a longer signature, I don't mind adding that extra sentence; it doesn't even change the point.

Even if I think this whole thing is a joke and the explanations are ridiculous (not that I'm surprised), thanks for getting back to me.
Fine, everything stays the same. Some people get a pass for calling others crazy, some can go totally off-topic, and some are basically untouchable... meanwhile, everyone else gets warned, deleted, or banned just for reacting to that stuff.
There's really no point in me trying to argue further. It's useless.

The only thing I actually want an answer to is this bit about the signature...
Every single signature I make gets wiped. Since my signature was a quote and clearly marked as such, I don't get why they say, "If you have someone else's post content in your signature, you have to quote them." I literally can't make a new one.
My signature was a quote, and it was labeled as a quote. I still don't get what was wrong with it or why it got nuked.
Honestly, I don't get any of this. I can't wrap my head around this way of thinking or how unfair it is... but there's no sense wasting my breath on it.

Why was my post deleted? Why did they wipe my signature? And seriously, why am I getting a strike?

I know this might sound a bit out there, but I'm still curious about the reasoning behind it.

1. post
The reason they gave for deleting my post was this:

I don't know about you, but I'm still processing this. What's the move here? kaže:
This year's follow-up is a total pivot from the original title, isn't it? Plus, it feels like we're just picking apart some ancient post at this point.
No way, I'm deleting this.

Is there actually a rule about how long you can wait before commenting on an old post? Just wondering. I can't even begin to process that. What are we even talking about here? Back in 2011.
It’s not about splitting things up; I’m just quoting one small part of the post to ask a question based on it. Since the rules say you're supposed to quote the specific section you're responding to, I don't see what the issue is.
Quoten's part was:

Rhino? said:A two-year-old throwing a tantrum on the floor when they're frustrated? Honestly, that’s just peak healthy development. Isn't that exactly how it should be?
If a kid hasn't hit those milestones between 12 and 36 months, something's off. Either there's a real developmental issue, or the parents are just sugarcoating things, right?☕

I already posted this on the forum, but honestly? If I had actually done what she did, I’d be dragging both myself and her straight to a therapist. Either I'm totally missing something here, or my kid is just wired differently. What else could it be?

So, following up on that quote, there was this question floating around—it’s a bit fuzzy since part of it got deleted—asking if parents with "well-behaved" kids (you know, the ones who aren't constantly throwing tantrums on the floor) ever wonder if something is actually wrong. Like, would they take them to a psychiatrist? And honestly, how could a doctor even help a kid like that become "normal"?

Why hasn't that quoted post been taken down if it’s totally off-topic? Or why wasn't there a penalty, considering they're calling a specific group "abnormal"? As far as I know, you can't call gay people abnormal on this forum, so why is it okay to say it about some other group—in this case, kids who won't stop throwing tantrums on the floor?
Why is it totally fine to label someone "crazy" in a thread, yet any post actually asking a follow-up question—like how psychiatrists can even help kids in those situations—gets nuked? Seriously?
Is replying to an old post technically breaking any rules if you explain why you're doing it?
They claimed I was spamming, which is total BS since I only used one tiny quote from it. What are they even thinking?

2nd signature.
My signature got wiped out with this note attached:

Please don't mess with the moderator tag in your signature. I've removed it, so let's just leave it that way—no need to put it back or try to swap it for something else.

I don't even mention the mods in my signature, let alone use it to call them out, so I feel like my signature was deleted for no reason. Why even bother?
The quote was just sitting there in the signature exactly how a quote should look, so I wasn't actually commenting on the moderation.
This was in my signature:
Sometimes the mod team over at R&D really blows my mind. Honestly, I shouldn't even go there, or at least not on this board...."

Third strike and a 30-point deduction just for talking back? Seriously?
It’s all about... Wait, what? postu.
Since we all know the mod is always right, I’m sure this will end up the same way, but I’ll throw my two cents in anyway. Not like anyone's actually gonna listen, right?
So, we're actually debating if PE teachers who can't demonstrate basic exercises should even be on the job? Some people are out here saying they should take a pay cut if they can't show kids how to do a proper strike or follow along with the drills. I mean, really? Is that where we're at now?
I actually posted a question about whether it’s okay to work with someone who publicly labels kids as "abnormal." I was talking about what another user said, not the person themselves. If a fellow forum member—who also happens to be a psychologist and a moderator here—claims that kids who don't throw tantrums are somehow abnormal (or that parents are lying), and if that claim isn't deleted or penalized... well, since I haven't seen that kind of talk anywhere else besides this site, wouldn't it be fine to comment on the statement itself? Just a quick question.:
I mentioned that even in this industry, you still run into some shady characters. Isn't it always like that? She was asking.:
If a psychologist claims a kid is "abnormal" just because they weren't throwing tantrums on the floor between ages one and three, should they even be allowed to practice? Or should they be fired on the spot?
Should someone like that even be allowed to hold a job like this?
I didn't even say anything about the person myself—I didn't even bring them up. So what's the big deal? Could someone like that (meaning anyone else who acts that way) actually be allowed to do their job?
Everyone’s out here talking about cutting staff and handing out pink slips like it's nothing, yet they're all low-key planning their own exits too. Isn't that just wild?
I didn't actually write anything about the author himself, nor did I spend any time focusing on him. I was strictly addressing what he said... specifically those comments about kids being "unstable" and his suggestion that teachers should take a pay cut just because they can't act like hyperactive toddlers.
Is it really wrong to speak up about teachers who just aren't cutting it? Honestly, shouldn't there be pay cuts for people who can't do their jobs?

What's up? said:I tried to see if she was being ironic, but let's be real—you occasionally run into teachers who are, well, a bit stuck in their ways. We're talking people in their 50s dealing with back pain, carrying some extra weight, or just lacking the stamina to keep up with anything active, especially when they're stuck teaching PE.
So, what are we even supposed to do with them?
They just don't have what it takes to teach this subject. Can they even handle it? 🙂

I mean, wouldn't it be fair to voice some doubts? Just wondering? Should someone even be allowed to work as a psychologist if they're out here labeling a whole group of kids as "abnormal" without even seeing them? Seriously?

I totally agree. It’s honestly unfair that the mods aren't stepping in when people drop comments like that to target a specific group. Leaving them up without a warning or a strike is just wrong. Why let everyone see a psychologist—someone the mods actually respect—saying stuff that clearly breaks the rules and common sense?
So, every single question and comment gets you penalized? Seriously?
So, it’s totally fine to throw insults around, but the second the person being insulted speaks up or asks a question, they're the one getting punished? Makes sense, right? 🤷

Edit:
I can't delete this, so I moved it over to "appeals." I wasn't sure if this was the right spot since it’s about more than just card counts—it's about deleting posts and signatures too.
If this doesn't belong in "appeals," could someone please move it to the right section?

Unfortunately, I can't swap everything out all at once. For now, my plan is probably just to plug one of those new 5-outlet surge protectors into a standard 2-outlet wall socket, then run the TV, DVD player, headphones, and a basic old power strip into that. Then, I'll take the other wall outlet and plug in an older surge protector—assuming it still works, right?—and daisy-chain a new 5-outlet strip into it for the PC, printer, and monitor...
The one with 8 outlets is going on the other wall for the phones, router, and landline.
That’s the deal with the DB setup... I should probably upgrade elsewhere too, but that's it for now.

I also have a question about surge protection. Someone asked earlier if you could just buy the version with one outlet instead of the multi-outlet ones since they're cheaper... and the answer they got was that it wasn't a good idea because that's not how they're designed.
Now I'm wondering... looking at the websites, it seems like besides the single outlet, the 5, 6, or 8-outlet versions, and maybe the 2 or 3-outlet ones, there isn't much else. So, is it okay to plug a basic 3-outlet strip into a surge protector, but just not a massive 5+ outlet strip? And is it fine to plug a simple 3-outlet strip into a 5-outlet surge protector?
What do you guys think?

Michael Jackson10 said:Exactly. I moved my setup to the bedroom: PC, monitor, a small stereo system that handles both my speakers and headphones, and one lamp (I’m a fan of low light—keeps my eyes from straining too much)... got two printers tucked away since I barely print, tossed an old TV in the trash, haven't touched a DVD player in years, and those tiny computer speakers are basically junk... a laptop is just my backup for when I need to move around the house...

Unfortunately, I can't snap a photo of my rig and everything hooked up to it, including the TV and gear nearby... still can't take stuff out of NYC, you know? Not even phones, routers, or phone lines... etc.
Yeah, there really is a ton of it.

And in the corner of my living room, there's this octopus of tangled cables. My dilemma is whether to call an electrician to untangle the mess, or just grab a chainsaw and cut through the Gordian knot: the problem is, whatever wire I pull, something else stops working—the outlets upstairs, the breakers...

I'm not going to fix it right now... more like save up some cash first...
Maybe I won't do a full overhaul, but at least I can vacuum around that knot and see if there's a dead wire I can just rip out. Plus, I'll finally have an extra outlet so I don't have to unplug my lamp every time I charge my phone.

Man, here I am giving advice to others while my own place looks like a miniature nuclear reactor of cables... power strips plugged into power strips like a freaking chain reaction...

He-he... nothing actually plugs into my power strips anymore, just other power strips... it doesn't work any other way.

Michael Jackson10 said:Once you buy one of these, you'll discover a dark secret passed down through generations—usually from grandfather to grandson before he passes on: there's no such thing as a power strip with enough outlets. I actually got on my knees because I needed yet another strip just to handle my eight-outlet one...
So I just unplugged everything and left only 4 cables plugged in...

😁
How did you even manage that?
If I have to unplug speakers, the DVD player, headphones, the printer, the TV... what am I supposed to ditch? My PC? 🤣
I already ordered (so far 😉) three... two with 5 outlets and one with 8. 😁

By then, who knows what will be relevant. Carpe diem...
Besides, if I remember correctly, you haven't even been using all that extra hard drive space lately anyway...🤷

Not really... but if I need to run all my programs on that system, maybe getting a bit more capacity is better than getting too little.
But hey... like they say, it'll work itself out.

Even though you guys said my old NI unit isn't worth much, someone on an appraisal thread valued it at $133 once it's cleaned up.
I posted it on the classifieds and Craigslist, so if anyone happens to be interested...

Does anyone know anything about this?
I haven't called them yet... it feels weird that someone would drop that kind of cash on something so old and broken...😕

Not sure if there's a dedicated thread for parts, so my bad if I'm double posting...
Does anyone know what the street value is for a stock cooler that came with an AMD A8 x4 5600k? ($188)

People already told me this ancient rig is worthless, but I figured I'd check here one more time before deciding what to do with it. Maybe I can scrape together a few bucks selling it, or just give it away to someone who can use the parts... if nothing else, maybe the case.
So, if anyone actually thinks there's some value left in this, let me know what you think.

Main Processor
AMD Athlon XP
Barton 0.13um technology
Memory
2.00GB dual-channel DDR @ 167MHz (2.5-3-3-7) (added 3 years ago)
Motherboard
nVidia-nForce (Socket A) 56 °C
Graphics
Dell UltraSharp (1280x1024@60Hz)
256MB ATI Radeon 9600 Series (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) (C.P. Technology)
ATI Radeon 9600 Series Secondary (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) (C.P. Technology)
CrossFireX is disabled
Storage
149GB Western Digital WDC WD1600AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device (ATA) 37 °C (this was added 3 years ago)
111GB Seagate Barracuda ATA Device (ATA) 35 °C
Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22NP20 ATA Device
DVD RW DVR-MCC ATA Device

I've also got a Thermaltake Volcano 12 cooler, a Channel Well 400w power supply, and two Thermaltake 80mm fans. At least, that's what the receipt says.
The case is a GCM Trinity—pretty heavy, solid metal. It looks like this, just without the side vent.

Everything is about 9 years old. It was running fine until a couple days ago when I switched to my new one. It still works... it's just pretty dusty, and it has a habit of shutting down on its own.

fadedorca66 said:Are you seriously sitting on data that important?

Your best bet is grabbing Hiren's Boot CD, burning it to a disc, and booting from that. It’s loaded with tools for wiping stuff securely.

Sounds pretty straightforward at first glance... though if I actually knew how to boot anything or what that even means, it would be great.

Benjamin King2 said:Just head into Disk Management, wipe those partitions, make new ones, and format them. You don't even need to mess with the BIOS.

That sounds way too simple... like, "just do this" and it's done.
But how am I supposed to delete partitions? Especially the system one... it won't let me...
I managed D:, but C: is being stubborn...

Thanks for the tips... sometimes they're just really hard to actually pull off. I tried a few things... I struggled with downloading it and couldn't get it to work, so I eventually just grabbed a drive and tried running something, but I had no clue where to click or how to start it. Did I actually fix anything? Who knows. The computer basically doesn't work anymore... if anyone wants it, they'll have to figure it out themselves.
I'll check a different thread for an estimate... everything was working fine until a couple days ago, nothing is broken.

Can someone walk me through how to wipe data from my old hard drives? I found a few programs online—DBAN, KillDisk, Secure Erase—but I’m honestly lost on how to actually use them. My English isn't great, and I have zero clue how to navigate a BIOS. Is it really as simple as downloading the software, burning it to a disc, and calling it a day? Or am I going to need some serious technical skills here? (The drives are still inside the computer, by the way.)