Why cannot we delete a thread we created and before any one comments on it?

[Raindropvampire]

I have deleted my own threads before but it was like within minutes of posting and no one had replied. I clicked edit and it asked if I wanted to delete.

This is from the FAQ

Can I edit or delete my posts?

If you have registered and are logged in, you can edit your posts for up to 4 hours after you've posted it.

To edit your posts, click the Edit Edit / Delete Message button by the particular post. If your post was the first in the thread, then deleting it may remove the entire thread.

Once you've made your modifications, a note may appear to inform other users that you have edited your post.

If the edit time and date appear as a link you can click on this to see the differences between the original and edited versions, or between edits if there have been multiple edits.

You cannot delete your own posts. Report a post if you need it deleted, and a moderator will take care of the deletion request.

Can you delete all of my posts?

No, we do not have that option. We do not do wholesale deletion of a member's posts. If, however, you have a few posts you need deleted for safety or personal reasons, we can do that

Thanks. But this is true with posts we made on others' threads. I created a thread and I wanted to delete it, but I couldn't. It wasn't within minutes, though. But the edit button was still active.

[Raindropvampire]

Did it not give you these options when you clicked edit? If not, then it might be a glitch.

Reason for Editing:

Save Go Advanced Delete Cancel

Not for the original post, no. For posts I made on other's original post, yes.

[Raindropvampire]

I just deleted a thread I started about 20 minutes ago to see what it would do since no one had commented and it says the thread name then says deleted by raindropvampire reason: this is a test.

So all I can think is it's some type some type of glitch OR maybe because I have so many posts it gave me an extra option??

I'm sorry I couldn't help. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will come along.

[CoffeeLove]

The site Admin has made it so we cannot delete threads, it is a setting in the administration panel which has to be set by the person who set up the site, it can be changed at any time but obviously the site admin do not want us to be allowed to delete our own threads, which I think is wrong but there it is.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by CoffeeLove

The site Admin has made it so we cannot delete threads, it is a setting in the administration panel which has to be set by the person who set up the site, it can be changed at any time but obviously the site admin do not want us to be allowed to delete our own threads, which I think is wrong but there it is.

if I remember right this was deleting ones own threads comes up on and off so there are other threads on this issue. its my understanding that there was the potential for posters to abuse deleting\ changing their own posts after so much time, like what happens on other sites I am on that do have free unlimited deleting of ones own posts and thread. it causes lots of fighting. someone will answer a post and then the original poster goes back to their post and changes it and then posts back to the one replying got it wrong they didnt post that reread their post. then a fight would ensue because the post was changed. same with deleting. someone starts a thread. people reply and then the original doesnt like the replies so they delete their original post which deletes all the replies then reposts the same thing and then deletes then reposts then deletes. its gotten to the point where people on this other site are using the deleteing to manipulate posters and cause infighting among the posters.

me Im glad there is a time limit on deleting/ editing our own posts, that kind of manipulation and infighting doesnt go on here.

there is a way to delete posts after the time frame... you contact a moderator and they will look at the thread to see if it can be deleted. you can also use the report your post to let the moderators know which thread and why you want it deleted or changed after the time limit has gone by. they will look at the thread and see if what you are asking is possible.

[DocJohn]

We're a 16-year-old community, so yeah, it's not just a "setting in the administration panel" which goes into the decision to restrict how long we allow members to delete threads or posts. It's based upon experience in this and other communities where a member can "rewrite history" by removing posts that show them in a negative light, or that they later regret -- which is unfair to other members who responded to those posts as they happened.

We've always had -- and still have -- the option to contact any member of the community support team to request a thread or post be removed. We nearly always comply with such requests.

These kinds of decisions are made with a lot of thought about what is best for both individual members and the community as a whole. We always have to approach issues like this from a holistic point of view.

Thanks,
DocJohn

[lizardlady]

I've been a member in the kind of community Amandalouise and DocJohn mentioned, where people rewrite history. It gets real ugly. Personally, I like things the way they are about deleting or editing posts/threads. The times I asked something be changed or removed mods/admin were good about answering my request.

[-jimi-]

I've seen several people starting a thread than changed their minds and deleted the content of the thread but not the thread itself. Never knew if it was possible to delete the whole threadstart.

IMO I think no editing should be allowed. Because that would make perfectionists cringe over their typos they might see after posting.

[-jimi-]

We have 4 HOURS to edit? That is generous. On my other forum I think we have 10 minutes LOL.

But I'm not talking about re-writing history. Several times I started a thread, but then I didn't feel comfortable, so I tried to delete them before anyone posts on them, and I couldn't. I could edit them, so all you would find in the thread is "Couldn't delete". I think deleting it is better than this empty thread.

About re-writing history, I agree it's not fair for others, but still it can be done with the current option in editing. You have 4 hours to edit, which allows many responses to follow.

Unless there is no count on the number of threads that you can delete using the report button, I think the delete option is a reasonable one as long as there are no replies.

Eventually, I can leave them the way they are, and no harm is done. But deleting them would be a nicer option.