Deleting Posts is Unavailable, Vote Here to Change That!

[Nye 1,652]

Shouldn't we have the pleasure of deleting a something we no longer want to exist? Well now you can! With the Pollmaster 9000, you can delete all your posts after a sum of about 1 month. All you need to do is vote. 

 

Seriously though, why can't we delete our own posts?

[Veil 259]

You could always edit the stuff out of your post you don't want there anymore.

[Rhythm Red 6,484]

5 minutes ago, Veil said:

You could always edit the stuff out of your post you don't want there anymore.

He said it.

But why not let us just delete them anyway, eh?

Edited January 24, 2018 by Rhythm Red

[Yellow Diamond 7,561]

Technically, admins and mods can delete posts -- but they rarely, if ever, do so. Instead, they will remove the post from public view. The reason for this is because deleting posts permanently removes any record of, say, an infraction against the forum rules. Deleting posts can also create gaps in the forum database and in discussions.

I think it therefore should be obvious why members are not allowed to delete their own posts. Such an ability would open the door to a wide range of mischief and confusion. If you would like your post to be hidden, you'll have to contact a mod.

[Rhythm Red 6,484]

Just now, Yellow Diamond said:

Technically, admins and mods can delete posts -- but they rarely, if ever, do so. Instead, they will remove the post from public view. The reason for this is because deleting posts permanently removes any record of, say, an infraction against the forum rules. Deleting posts can also create gaps in the forum database and in discussions.

I think it therefore should be obvious why members are not allowed to delete their own posts. Such an ability would open the door to a wide range of mischief and confusion. If you would like your post to be hidden, you'll have to contact a mod.

That makes a lot of sense.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,151]

@Nye

Moving to Feedback.

[Jeric 46,834]

Being on the staff side of the equation and knowing what I know, there isn't any way in hell I would favor just anyone being able to delete their posts. Screw that. I've seen some blatant assholes on here go for months harassing members viciously over something as stupid as best pony disagreement. Giving said shitweasel the ability to delete any infraction gives them a get out of jail free card that would serve to protect them and drive other members away. 

I say no

[Wonder Sparkle 10]

If there’s no right to it mlpfourms can not be fourms 

[Jeric 46,834]

29 minutes ago, Wonder Sparkle said:

If there’s no right to it mlpfourms can not be fourms 

It's been that way since 2011.

It should be noted that even if that poll was 1,000 for and 0 against, this won't happen. 

[Wonder Sparkle 10]

Oh , ok , so we need to wrote it.

54 minutes ago, Jeric said:

It's been that way since 2011.

It should be noted that even if that poll was 1,000 for and 0 against, this won't happen. 

 

[JonasDarkmane 19,777]

What can I really add that Jeric and Yellow Diamond have not? They have already made it perfectly clear. 

Deleting posts? Database and record problems. And I will reiterate what Jeric said, it is important that a track record is available to look at (for the mods of course), in case of shady/malicious/rule-breaking activities. So I think it is safe to say that is an objective no. 

If it were hiding posts? I would say no as well. Some topics here on the forums tend to be more serious, more engaging, tend to be more demanding and interactive (Yeah, you probably guessed it, the Debate Pit, but also other sections to be honest). If users had the ability to hide their own posts, they might hide posts that have become crucial to a thread/discussion.

(The reason behind it might be that they might have been wrong about something and that got displayed, but it would be a huge disservice to oneself and others not to own up to it and instead learn from it). 

 

I do not think it is too much of a hassle having to contact a moderator and ask them to remove a certain post (plus, you can just report your own post and ask if it can be removed, though I would advise you state why you want your own post removed). 

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Bad, bad idea. Sometimes a poster will do an internet flounce and decide to leave on bad terms with the forums, so on doing so will delete all their posts, leaving giant gaps in discussions, RPs, games, debates etc.

[Nye 1,652]

On 1/24/2018 at 7:06 AM, Jeric said:

Being on the staff side of the equation and knowing what I know, there isn't any way in hell I would favor just anyone being able to delete their posts. Screw that. I've seen some blatant assholes on here go for months harassing members viciously over something as stupid as best pony disagreement. Giving said shitweasel the ability to delete any infraction gives them a get out of jail free card that would serve to protect them and drive other members away. 

I say no

Oh, I hadn't really considered what that might offer to trollers and such.  

[Jeric 46,834]

45 minutes ago, Nye said:

Oh, I hadn't really considered what that might offer to trollers and such.  

Yeah. Everyone else has mentioned some important points, but that's my big one. It takes one out of a hundred decent members to cause a few to start banging their heads on their desks. 

I will say that I understand where you are coming from with wanting more control over your content. It's a natural inclination, so this sort of request is at least one I understand even though it's untenable in practice. 

[King of Canterlot 9,588]

..........................I understand the points that have been made here, however, it hasn't changed my opinion that we should be able to delete our posts if we so wanted to, I'm honestly surprised that option has never been apart of this site after all these years. 

[Rikifive 23,486]

Though I agree it would be somewhat handy in some cases, I voted for 'no'. What was said above explained everything well.
Apart from posts posted by mistake (such as double-post or even higher combos), I can't see why it would be a good idea to allow members to delete their posts. That would most likely generate more harm (mess), than help.  

Well, you can always use 's 

 

Maybe it's not as fast as just clicking delete, but remember, that you can always message a moderator and/or report the post and ask for its removal there. Once you'll do that, the TurboPONPOSTRemover9000® will automatically scan the post for you and will determine, if it can be removed or not. You're basically asking for a function, that already exists.  
 

If you've posted something by mistake - report it or message a moderator, they'll fix it for you.
If you've posted a comment you're not proud of - well rip, that's how life works; can't go back in time. You just learned to think twice before posting. But if you have posted an instant-regret-post then maybe you can edit it before anypony sees that - act quick!  

Being able to delete posts would generate holes in discussions. Members replying to posts, that will be gone after a while- resulting in unlinked conversations, random-looking posts etc. etc., not mentioning trolling, so that's why it's up to moderators to determine if these would be okay to be removed (hid).

Are moderators that scary? Yes, they yell at me every single day Or perhaps you have something to hide? 

Anyway, if you'd be posting more than 10 posts, that you'd like to remove afterwards every single day, then it could be inconvenient, that's true, but then, it would be just better to start thinking twice before posting anything.

 

P.S. is bundled with , that works in pretty much the same way, except it being focused on threads.  

Edited January 26, 2018 by Rikifive