What do you like and dislike about Algeria.com ?

[BACK2MYROOTS]

I know you're wonderful Algeria.com but wouldn't you like to know what users like and dislike about you?

Algeria.com likes and dislikes

Here are my views


Likes

* You can interact with so many people in different parts of the world with almost total freedom.

* Anyone can have a say about almost anything, but moderate views always prevail eventually in this forum.


Dislikes


* Old, outdated stuff isn't removed, or at least properly archived.

* Debate is sometimes killed off before it has even started.

Instant reactions sometimes end the discussion prematurely. [I say let them thrash out views, fireworks and all, and only intervene when it feels like it's going nowhere or too far. My opinion.]

[Al-khiyal]

Salam,

Re: Dislikes

Old stuff isn't removed for the same reason that contemporary stuff isn't removed - whatever is posted is permanent and stays here, unless there is a very good reason to remove it. Threads are archived chronologically, so 'old' has its place and doesn't particularly intrude on 'new'.

'Debate is sometimes killed off before it has even started' - Examples?

Sometimes an attempt at triggering debate gets no response - not a 'site issue', just a fact of life.

As for how debates/ discussions are conducted, there is nothing wrong with robust, forceful arguments, but as soon as abuse appears, it is going to be edited or deleted. Debate/discussion doesn't have to drop to the level of the gutter, and no matter how passionate someone pressing 'Submit reply' might feel about an issue, the site is read by thousands of people and filthy language or abuse is not going to impress them or convey any sense of a temperate, welcoming site.

Many years ago the site was totally unmoderated. In the last few years I have personally deleted thousands of posts from that era containing vile language, pornographic images, death threats, shameful personal abuse, hate speech, racist abuse, etc. etc. - and I still have not completed a total sweep through all the ancient stuff.

I think Algerians and people interested in Algeria are entitled to a safe, clean, respectful forum here. I don't think that they all have to agree with one another, and I don't think humanity is made up of angels. It is no bad thing to have lines that should not be crossed - it is more of a challenge to press an argument forcefully using intelligent reasoning than it is to resort to utterly pathetic gutter language and abuse. Some people tried to argue "But people hear that kind of language every day!" My response to such pleadings for the 'right to post filth' has been and will always be "And your point is? They are not going to have to read it here."

[BACK2MYROOTS]

I totally appreciate what you're saying Al-Khiyal. I just want to see the 'outlaws' humiliated sometimes. They often dig holes so deep that they can't get out of anyway. Yet, sometimes I wonder, just wonder what happens if only politically correct stuff is allowed. Does that not prevent people from hearing out and learning to refute unacceptable viewpoints? It can. It might be argued that you end up with a boring forum. So, a balance must be struck, but...I'm glad I'm not the one who has to do it!!

[Al-khiyal]

Kan ya makan there was a small team of Westerners who came here, from an American hate site, for the express purpose of attacking Muslims. They used proxy IPs and numerous IDs, and their sole intention in coming here was to abuse and insult Muslims. Sometimes they actually pretended to BE 'violent Muslims' and then, using fake IDs and manufactured email addresses, complained about themselves to the site's admin, alleging that 'extremists here' were spreading hatred. They thought they 'had the Muzzies on the run' to quote one of the pathetic armchair warriors.

Word in the souk is that an Arab joined their hate site, masquerading as an equally racist American ("Well ah do deee-klayer, those A-rabs kin be so SLY, dontcha know?"), who wished to play a part in Islam bashing. The racists were only too willing to boast to their new 'buddy' about their 'games' here, and when he expressed disbelief in their 'bravery' they gave him the user names they employed here and information on their proxy and email forging tactics as well as links to some of their 'combat posts'. Apparently, when he had collected 47 pages of their confessions, he sent them to the site administrator, and........ well, they don't come around here no more.

So worry not, some of the 'outlaws' have tasted bitter humiliation and it was probably all the more delicious as it was an Arab recipe.

And curiously, on top of all that, something happened to the hate site, as it doesn't exist anymore.

As for the rest of us - we have a chance here to show the world that we are as good as any other people on this earth.

With regard to 'unacceptable' viewpoints, over the years I'd say all kinds of views have been expressed, from extreme to moderate. Posts arguing one way or the other can still be found here. Provided that the poster does not advocate violence, include abuse or hate speech or anything like that, any post stands. In all my years here, only one post that could be considered 'too extreme' has appeared, a recent effort advocating and promising violent attacks on civilian targets in Algeria. For the first and only time since I have been here I 'reached into the real world' and took steps to ensure that Algerian security services were aware of an alleged imminent threat. There is, of course, every chance that the individual was simply an idiot, but I am not going to sit back and ignore any risk to innocent Algerians - if the individual is an idiot then that should have become apparent to whoever eventually confronted him, if he was delivering a real threat then I hope he's had fun sucking chiffon. Here and now I have no worry saying it - if anyone comes here recruiting, or advocating or threatening harm to Algerians then it's not a question of 'if' they're going to get picked up but 'when'.