Why Such A Short Period For Editing A Post ?

Ny guess is to avoid "War of the Worlds" type issues. But that's just my guess.
 
A number of forums I participate on have no time limits. Not sure why this one does, but as we all know, '"they" make the rules.

Easy way around this one is to just copy your own post and make the edits/additions/corrections in the new post in the same thread.
 
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MRG said:
Ny guess is to avoid "War of the Worlds" type issues. But that's just my guess.
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Yes :)

The other reason is that folks don't go back and reread posts they have already seen so updates to a post via an edit are rarely actually seen by those following a topic. Just post a response with the additional info. If you really need an edit because there is a factual error or serious goof, ping a moderator for some help.
 
Car-Guy said:
A number of forums I participate on have no time limits.
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I participated in a forum like that. And then a prolific, long-time participant got into a snit and deleted all his posts going back many years (or rather "edited" them down to three characters). It made a mess of hundreds of threads to which a lot of other folks had contributed. That forum changed their policy after that little dust-up.
 
Car-Guy said:
A number of forums I participate on have no time limits. Not sure why this one does, but as we all know, '"they" make the rules.

.
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There was a time when edits were open ended here as well but there were growing problems. Several threads were decimated when a poster who had responded many times went and deleted all their own posts rendering the rest of the thread impossible to follow. We've also had a few instances of a members account compromised and every post they ever made replaced with spam or kids playing at a browser left open and editing posts as a 'joke'. One notable time a miffed spouse made some extremely interesting changes to existing posts.

The edit period is currently 6 hours, long enough to fix many errors and add after thoughts. we can help if you need changes after the edit window has expired but put the limit in place to maintain discussion continuity and protect from occasional mischief.
 
samclem said:
I participated in a forum like that. And then a prolific, long-time participant got into a snit and deleted all his posts going back many years (or rather "edited" them down to three characters). It made a mess of hundreds of threads to which a lot of other folks had contributed. That forum changed their policy after that little dust-up.
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I'm sure that could happen but from what I've seen most key post are often copied (quoted) and then commented on by someone else thereby locking your words in for eternity, or at least beyond the original posters control. That being said, I actually prefer the 6 hour rule.

Edited to correct a spelling error but I see it's already been locked in for eternity. :)
 
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Car-Guy said:
I'm sure that could happen but from what I've seen most key post are often copied (quoted) and then commented on by someone else thereby locking your words in for eternity, or at least beyond the original posters control. That begin said, I actually prefer the 6 hour rule.
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Unfortunately that is often not the case, and in the past we have had members start a thread and go back within the 6 hour period and replace all or most of the content. Very frustrating to the rest of the members if that initial post had not been quoted.
 
The current policy of 6 hours works for me. Most of mine are to fix typos or clarify what I meant or after thoughts.
 
Alan said:
Unfortunately that is often not the case, and in the past we have had members start a thread and go back within the 6 hour period and replace all or most of the content. Very frustrating to the rest of the members if that initial post had not been quoted.
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Yes. Recently, I had an exchange with another poster. It was rather innocuous, but whether she misunderstood or took offense somehow, she went back and deleted all her posts, leaving mine hanging out there. And I did not quote her posts. People who came to the thread late would wonder what NW-Bound was talking to himself all about. :)

Anyway, the only reason I would want to edit my posts long after the fact is when I spot a misspelling, a typographical or grammatical error. I am not a good writer, but that does not mean I can stand my own mistakes.
 
NW-Bound said:
Yes. Recently, I had an exchange with another poster. It was rather innocuous, but whether she misunderstood or took offense somehow, she went back and deleted all her posts, leaving mine hanging out there. And I did not quote her posts. People who came to the thread late would wonder what NW-Bound was talking to himself all about. :)

.
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Oh sigh....

The 6 hour limit is sort of a half measure I guess, it helps reduce risk of this sort of thing but doesn't eliminate the possibility entirely. These sorts of restrictions are a balancing act and we tried to find a middle ground between being good stewards of content and being overly restrictive.
 
It was OK. Didn't bother me, and I found it amusing.
 
I'm pretty sure it's so that if you're drinking late at night and make some really stupid posts you won't be able to delete the embarrassing evidence the next morning. The moderators have wicked senses of humor.
 
harley said:
I'm pretty sure it's so that if you're drinking late at night and make some really stupid posts you won't be able to delete the embarrassing evidence the next morning. The moderators have wicked senses of humor.
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Best explanation yet :LOL:
 
harley said:
I'm pretty sure it's so that if you're drinking late at night and make some really stupid posts you won't be able to delete the embarrassing evidence the next morning. The moderators have wicked senses of humor.
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Yes, PUI is sometimes a problem. :)
 
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