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The first thread on this matter seems to have been deleted, presumeably by Mr. van Dieten
It is my assertion that Jochem van Dieten has abused his moderator's priveledges by innappropriately deleting threads and posts with which he does not agree. He has been rude not only to some of the more 'curmudgeonly' forum members, but also to those whom are not troublesome (Claudio, 'GreenJumpyOne' are two that spring to mind). He has been arbitrary-seeming in many of his decisions as moderator; he has shown himself hostile, uncooperative and on occasion childish. He has not, seemingly, been held to account for his reprehensible, unprofessional conduct, and is (IMO) a disgrace to Adobe Corp. He has no 'people skills' and is thus an exceptionally bad choice for the position of moderator.
If you agree, please say so. If possible, give some examples of Mr. van Dieten's behaviour which illustrate my assertions above.
I am posting this partly to give people who wish to have a venue to complain about censorship (and other) issues may do so without taking up more space in another thread.
The fact you can even ask the question speaks for itself.
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Yes. "Some spammer or so" was there the whole time. Email
notifications are not updated after the fact...
I do agree with you that your comment was totally reasonable, but it
was rather predictable that Jochem was going to remove all subsequent
"off topic" posts once he stated that no one should post anything not
related to the FAQ. Whether you agree with his approach or not (and I
can understand why you disagree), there is logic to it.
If the original post was removed and replaced with a note that a post
was deleted, this entire exchange would not have taken place. On the
other hand, it is obvious (at least to me) that deleted posts will
bump an old thread.
Harbs
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Harbs, thanks for helping to clarify this matter. Although I must say your reposting reminded me of why I prefer using a browser, much as I respect the right of others to navigate these forums any way they like.
Now I know for certain that the "Some spammer or so" was always there, and I cannot understand how I missed it, for I am usually a careful reader. In any case, it's not all that important for the main point in my deleted message: a few words saying that a message has been deleted or moved don't cost that much, and would help very much in improving the rarefied atmosphere we have in here. And I am not asking for anything unheard of; here is an example of what one finds every now and then in the list of topics of other forums I frequent:
Locked and transferred threads are also notified in similar ways, leading to much less time wasted for the users, and improved relationships with the moderators.
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Claudio González wrote:
Harbs, thanks for helping to clarify this matter. Although I must say your reposting reminded me of why I prefer using a browser, much as I respect the right of others to navigate these forums any way they like.
Glad to help!
Just for the record: It's a lot more readable in email. The quotes appear as quotes in the email, etc. Although images and emoticons etc. are missing, so sometimes some of the intent gets lost in the translation.
The formatting got kind of messed up when I copied and pasted. I also obviously cut out the header and footer text...
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and I can see where other posts were deleted BEFORE being asked not to post "OT" things. The bottom line for those questions as to why the FAQ was bumped and whether or not the there was new information to cause the FAQ to be bumped to the top of the list.
Instead those questions, seemingly having nothing to do with the FAQ, were deleted.
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Jochem is still upsetting visitors to Adobe's Forums with his abrasive and unwelcoming behaviour.
And any critical comments about his competence immediately cause him to "Lock" the thread and delete the member's comments.
His arrogant rudeness is totally unacceptable and needs to cease.
This thread is yet another example:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/2286696?tstart=0#2286696
Here we have a potential Adobe CUSTOMER who is already distressed by the treatment that he is receiving from the Adobe Corporation being shoved out of the way by Jochem.
These Forums are part of "Adobe Customer Service" and the "service" is just as non-existent here as it is in the Indian office — but at least the Indians are courteous.
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I think this is a better example:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/2286811?tstart=0#2286811
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Hi there
I'm looking at the thread where Jochem participated and I don't see any rudenss or bad behavior.
Geez, everyone was all upset because threads were being moved before. Now you get upset if he doesn't move the thread and behaves exactly as so many here have done. By simply advising where they should be posting in order to get help. If I'm not mistaken, wasn't that what was proposed as "good moderation" earlier?
Methinks the issue isn't so much that Jochem is misbehaving as it is that you simply have a dislike for him. Or possibly just for those bearing a moderator status in general.
The OP wasn't a potential customer, Adobe made the sale. The OP was looking for where to download their purchase.
Cheers... Rick
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Personally I have nothing really wrong with what he said, but I think she is referring to the content of the message. It doesn't come across as being polite. It's more of the "Ramón" tone, very blunt and straight to the point, not friendly.
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Hi there
I might respectfully suggest then that if a problem is perceived, perhaps it would be helpful to state what would seem to be more appropriate.
The forums are a worldwide melting pot. Sometimes things may be said that the person saying them never in a million years meant as offensive, but are received that way because of a cultural difference.
So perhaps someone might toss out an example of "what you said here is bad" and "this would be better" so that all involved might absorb it and learn from it?
Just thinking out loud... Rick
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I agree! (and hopefully that is indeed what Ann was referring to)
And for Jochem, try possibly saying:
"Hi (insert Adobe Username here),
You have posted your message to the "Forum comments" forum. The Forum comments forum is intended for making comments on the functioning of forums themselves.
Your issue is probably best discussed/resolved in the "Adobe.com feedback" forum:http://forums.adobe.com/community/general/adobedotcom_feedback Which is where users can share their experience with Adobe Customer Service"
Just adding the person's name at the beginning make it sound more personal and not like a generic recording.
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Methinks the issue isn't so much that Jochem is misbehaving as it is that you simply have a dislike for him. Or possibly just for those bearing a moderator status in general.
May be any "Dislike" has been well-earned?
In my opinion, it is the advent of the Macromedia "Community Experts" that have done as much as have Jive to utterly destroy the usefullness of the formerly-Adobe Forums and the true Community which used to exist here.
The Macromedia "culture" and customs are apparently totally at odds with that which prevailed in the Adobe Forums before you stampeded all over it.
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This "stampede and breakdown" of community you speak of is not across the forum. The video fora I spend time in is just as friendly and helpful as it has always been.
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Curt Wrigley wrote:
This "stampede and breakdown" of community you speak of is not across the forum. The video fora I spend time in is just as friendly and helpful as it has always been.
Maybe JvD is not "moderating" there. Neither is he in the tech fora where I spend more time, where users can post questions without fear of being censored. And topics remain open for other users to post replies.
I have never seen this aggressive style of "moderation" anywhere on the web, as we do here in this particular forum! Is there really a need for that...?
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I'd have to agree with Curt on this. The two product fora where I participate remain unchanged. Not a single user stomped out in disgust because the shape of the sandbox changed. My experience mirrors Curt's.
Ann, the "Community Expert" moniker was something created by Adobe, not Macromedia. Under Macromedia the program was known as Team MacroMedia (TMM).
Wow, I never realized how powerful I personally was! According to Ann I managed to "stampede" all over every Adobe support fora and totally destroy it!
Generally all the other Community Experts I've ever dealt with earned said status after offering post after helpful post with accurate and cheerful answers. Hmmm, helpful, cheerful and knowledgeable. I'm not sure how that manages to equate to destroying a forum or culture. Unless, of course, based on the disposition I've seen of Ann's posts here that culture was one based on animosity and the forums got friendlier as a result. Thinking about how that Ramon guy behaved, that comment may not be far off the mark! Did he ever have a good day?
Cheers all... Rick
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Thinking about how that Ramon guy behaved, that comment may not be far off the mark! Did he ever have a good day?
That remark is not only libelous but also so far from the truth that it clearly demonstrates how little you know or understand about the way that these Forums used to function; and also how limited is your knowledge of the technical side of Adobe's Flagship Products.
Ramón has considerable knowledge not only of the full range of features of Adobe Photoshop and ACR but also of the workings of Mac Operating Systems and hardware. He unstintingly shared this with Forum members for some ten years and the loss of that input is one of the reasons that there is now so little input of value or of interest to advanced Users to be found in either the Photoshop or ACR forums
If you, and the rest of the Cabal who have caused us to lose his expertise in these Forums, had one tenth of his knowledge and experience, you might deserve to wear those "Community Expert" badges.
But you clearly do not.
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Ann, the "Community Expert" moniker was something created by Adobe, not Macromedia. Under Macromedia the program was known as Team MacroMedia (TMM).
The "Community Expert" title was created as a sop to the former Macromedia TMMs after the take-over. We never had to endure this inane posturing in the Adobe Forums prior to that.
The whole idea is deplorable.
It is false "Elitism" without merit; is divisive and is belittling to other members who have far more experience and knowledge than do any of you and your colleagues. It is a major reason why so many of us are no longer willing to contribute to the Products Forums.
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Ann Shelbourne wrote:
The "Community Expert" title was created as a sop to the former Macromedia TMMs after the take-over. We never had to endure this inane posturing in the Adobe Forums prior to that.
LOL, inane posturing? I suppose you also call it "inane posturing" and "elitism" because Adobe employees are often recognized with the Adobe logo in their profile? Only on one occasion have I witnessed posturing and/or bad behavior by a fellow Community Expert. To my knowledge, that person is no longer part of the program.
Ann Shelbourne wrote:
The whole idea is deplorable.
It is false "Elitism" without merit; is divisive and is belittling to other members who have far more experience and knowledge than do any of you and your colleagues. It is a major reason why so many of us are no longer willing to contribute to the Products Forums.
That you seem to think the Community Expert program is "false "Elitism without merit" infers that you are able to discern from seeing a single title that any and all who are members of the program have no experience or anything of any value to offer and the status is simply awarded to anyone that wishes to apply. What seems deplorable to me is how quickly, critically and harshly you seem to judge others based on a simple title.
The topic of this thread is dealing with a general request that Jochem be removed as a moderator. The general belief by some here seems to be that he is too heavy handed and may be driving customers away as a result. You are bemoaning the perceived loss of knowledgeable contributors. One in particular known as Ramon.
I have to say that what little I saw of Mr. Ramon's behavior was totally shocking and appalling. Perhaps he had a vast array of knowledge. The problem is, people with his abrasive and belittling attitude will do more to drive away folks than a moderator ever will. If anyone exhibits the characteristics of "elitism" it's those with attitudes such as his. The surprising part to me is how high a tolerance Adobe seems to demonstrate for those that exhibit his characteristics. However, I could be misjudging on my part. I'm only judging from a few posts I have seen as well as one personal encounter here in this forum. Perhaps he was a sweetheart that went sour after many years of polite and helpful answers. And if that's the case, wasn't it really time for him to leave?
Personally, I think Jochem is doing a fine job here. As "heavy handed" as some are making him out to be, he does appear to be listening and modifying his behavior with respect to misplaced threads. Personally, I disagree with the whole issue of thread moving and don't see any real issue with it, but he seems to have now adopted the behavior many were complaining about. But when he did, he was called down for not seeming polite enough. Seems to me the guy is in a no-win situation here.
Sincerely... Rick
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Are you and S.D.A. judging Ramón by his posts in the Lounge and here, or by his contributions in the products forums? I ask because, although he hasn't posted anything for about two months, he still appears in the first places in the lists of Top Participants in the Photoshop, Adobe Camera Raw, and Photography forums, and probably in others but I haven't time to check. Also, although we all know that points are meaningless by themselves, he has more that 11,000 points, which is not an easy mark to obtain. And certainly incompatible with the kind of person you are so easily and lightly caricaturing.
How do you think you would both be rated if your participation in these forums was judged only by what you have posted here?
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On Thu, Oct 01, 2009 at 11:06:20PM -0600, Ann Shelbourne uttered:
Ann, the "Community Expert" moniker was something created by Adobe,
not Macromedia. Under Macromedia the program was known as Team
MacroMedia (TMM).
The "Community Expert" title was created as a sop to the former Macromedia TMMs after the take-over. We never had to endure this inane posturing in the Adobe Forums prior to that.
The whole idea is deplorable.
It is false "Elitism" without merit; is divisive and is belittling to other members who have far more experience and knowledge than do any of you and your colleagues. It is a major reason why so many of us are no longer willing to contribute to the Products Forums.
The only "Elitism" I've seen on these forums has been by *some* of the longer
standing members, whom adopted a "Usenet" culture in the way they treated
others whom were not in their "Cabal".
Why do you think these forums are merely for advanced users?
I've been here longer than 10 years, and the behaviour Ramon exhibited was
outlandish, sociopathic, and obtuse in my unqualified opinion (I'm not a
physician). Not the kind of behaviour most major corporations will put up
with on their official public facing forums. Think about that for a minute
Ms. Shelbourne and please get a grip on reality. Not everyone here thinks
like you do -- In fact there most likely is a large silent majority that
just wishes individuals like you would just leave and stay away.
I'm in the latter camp, obviously. Good riddance to you and Ramon is all I
can say! I dislike obnoxious, pompous individuals in the extreme.
It's simply that most of the longer standing cabal of users were spoiled in
the past with the amount of anti-social behaviour Adobe put up with, at the
expense of Adobe's goodwill. No wonder you don't wish to put a face to your
name. You should be embarrassed by your public ranting. The fact you aren't
is worrisome. Go back to Usenet -- You'll be among your own.
end
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Why do you think these forums are merely for advanced users?
The whole point is that there is now absolutely nothing to interest "Advanced Users" in the Photoshop Forum so the "Advanced Users" have left and no longer share their knowledge and the novices therefore no longer have the opportunity to see the serious discussions which used to fill those pages. The result is that the novices no longer have the chance to learn the program in depth or become "Advanced Users" themselves.
Until last April, I considered the Adobe Photoshop Forums to be the "University of Photoshop". It is no longer — now it is just a crutch for the newest or laziest of users.
You obviously are more comfortable in an over-moderated Kindergarten environment than in that of a University.
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Ann, SDA is as pompous and self-righteous as his namesake the Seventh Day Adventists. A crackpot religious sect.
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On Fri, Oct 02, 2009 at 10:01:43AM -0600, Buko. uttered:
Ann, SDA is as pompous and self-righteous as his namesake the Seventh Day Adventists. A crackpot religious sect.
What on earth are you blabbering on about -- My namesake?! Those are my
initials. Once one drags religion into an online discussion surely Godwin's
Law applies ...
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S.D.A. wrote:
On Fri, Oct 02, 2009 at 10:01:43AM -0600, Buko. uttered:
Ann, SDA is as pompous and self-righteous as his namesake the Seventh Day Adventists. A crackpot religious sect.
What on earth are you blabbering on about -- My namesake?! Those are my
initials. Once one drags religion into an online discussion surely Godwin's
Law applies ...
He's just doing what you seem to love doing here yourself-- trolling threads to see how people react, trying to start arguments, insulting the competence or knowledge of others, etc. Honestly I don't think you do anything here other insult, belittle, argue with, or attack others. Yeah, might want to stop doing that. I can't recall even an angry unhelpful complaint about the quality of the forums, never mind anything that looks like legitimate productive feedback.
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it's not its - corrected that for you.
Also the spam link you left sucks.
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On Sat, Oct 03, 2009 at 04:59:54PM -0600, Ansury uttered his pompous wisdom:
Ansury you've said a number of times you were leaving, that you were fed up.
Don't let the door hit you on your way out.
end