Math Is Fun Forum

Ricky

Moderator

Registered: 2005-12-04

Posts: 3,791

Deleting threads

Should a topic starter really be able to delete other threads.  I don't see any reason why they should, unless there are no replies.  Is there any way to make it as such?

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"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

Devantè

Real Member

Registered: 2006-07-14

Posts: 6,400

Re: Deleting threads

What are you talking about? I cannot delete other threads, only the ones that I have created. Perhaps you mean why one should be given the permission to delete one's own thread?

Ricky

Moderator

Registered: 2005-12-04

Posts: 3,791

Re: Deleting threads

Scratch out "other" and replace it with "entire".

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"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Deleting threads

So, if a member starts a topic, people join in, the discussion doesn't go the member's way and they delete their first post, then the whole topic goes.

That does seem to be wrong.

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

mikau

Member

Registered: 2005-08-22

Posts: 1,504

Re: Deleting threads

perhaps the user could delete any of their own contributions to a thread, including the original post, and all replies, along with the title, would stay.

Just a thought.

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A logarithm is just a misspelled algorithm.

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Deleting threads

I wonder if someone should be able to delete a post once someone has replied? Maybe they can edit it (and even blank it out) but deleting it can lead to rather confusing threads.

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

mathsyperson

Moderator

Registered: 2005-06-22

Posts: 4,900

Re: Deleting threads

Some forums let their members delete posts, but then instead of it completely vanishing, a [This post was deleted by its poster]-type message replaces it.

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Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

mikau

Member

Registered: 2005-08-22

Posts: 1,504

Re: Deleting threads

that might work!

Another possibility, the author of the post could issue a 'delete request' which alerts the mods that the author wishes to delete that thread, and the mod can either delete, edit, or leave it.

Last edited by mikau (2007-08-15 07:54:39)

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A logarithm is just a misspelled algorithm.

Ricky

Moderator

Registered: 2005-12-04

Posts: 3,791

Re: Deleting threads

That's called reporting, mikau.

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"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Deleting threads

OK, Members can delete Posts, but not Topics now.

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

mikau

Member

Registered: 2005-08-22

Posts: 1,504

Re: Deleting threads

hehehe! so THAT'S what that button's for.

just a thought, should users be able to delete their own threads in the Help forum? That might make sense.

Last edited by mikau (2007-08-15 12:10:57)

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A logarithm is just a misspelled algorithm.

Ricky

Moderator

Registered: 2005-12-04

Posts: 3,791

Re: Deleting threads

Nope, under no circumstances should any non-moderator or admin be able to modify another's post.

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"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

mathsyperson

Moderator

Registered: 2005-06-22

Posts: 4,900

Re: Deleting threads

How much work would it be to change this so that members can delete their own topics if they haven't been replied to yet?

I've been seeing a few single-post topics lately where someone has asked a question, figured it out themselves and then had to change their post into a request for deletion because they couldn't delete it themselves.

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Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Deleting threads

That is a good idea ... it must be possible. Remind me after we upgrade to FkuxBB (can't be long now ... ?)

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman