Local Rule on thread

[RapTarX]

I have seen couple to threads where thread creator put a P.S type sentence where they ask some users not to reply on that thread & they point that as local rule of that thread.
Is rule like that really existed? Did any forum admin/moderator ever say user can have local rule on their thread? There's an option for moderating our own thread; self moderated thread.

[tranthidung]

Is rule like that really existed? Did any forum admin/moderator ever say user can have local rule on their thread? There's an option for moderating our own thread; self moderated thread.

Yes, there is self-moderation option but you can only choose it when you create your threads. If you create non-self-moderated threads, you will  unable to change it to self-moderated thread later.

There are some boards you can not create self-moderated threads, Meta board for instance.

In most sections, you now have the option of marking topics self-moderated when creating them. In self-moderated topics, the OP can delete replies. The option for enabling this is under "additional options". Topics cannot be converted to self-moderated topics after creation.

There are no rules to self-moderation. In self-moderated threads, replies belong to the OP. In other threads, replies belong to the respondents individually. Think carefully about whether you want to reply to a self-moderated topic, as your post may not be given due respect.

[alani123]

I have seen couple to threads where thread creator put a P.S type sentence where they ask some users not to reply on that thread & they point that as local rule of that thread.
Is rule like that really existed? Did any forum admin/moderator ever say user can have local rule on their thread? There's an option for moderating our own thread; self moderated thread.

There's no way for a user to apply personal rules on his threads. There's no moderation tools for users to excert their own authority over others on the forum, except of the report button maybe when global rules are broken. However, there's also the option to start threads as self moderated and in doing that, the OP can delete responses on command.

[o_e_l_e_o]

There's no way for a user to apply personal rules on his threads.

Yes, there is:

26. Local thread rules, if stated properly when the thread was started, specific enough and don't conflict with the forum rules, have to be followed.

In response to OP's question, theymos has previously said this about it:

Local rules are enforced entirely at the discretion of the relevant moderators. It's intended to be for stuff like "you must post a picture", "you must make a price prediction", "do not go on tangents about services other than <this one I'm interested in>", etc. Not really "these people are banned: ...". (Though I have been thinking about adding a function to ban specific users from your selfmod threads.)

So the answer is a bit vague, unforunately. It seems local rules shouldn't really be used for this purpose, but at the same time it's up to the discretion of moderators whether or not they enforce said rules. I have to say, it's very rare that I've seen a rule to exclude a certain user or group of users being enforced.

[Bttzed03]

I've created non-self moderated topics before where I needed to add a local rule to keep the thread clean. I reported a comment which was against the rule I set and it was deleted. 

I have seen couple to threads where thread creator put a P.S type sentence where they ask some users not to reply on that thread & they point that as local rule of that thread.

I've also seen topics like that but the posts of those users the OP do not want weren't deleted. I guess local rule to ban certain users isn't acceptable.

[hosseinimr93]

I've created non-self moderated topics before where I needed to add a local rule to keep the thread clean. I reported a comment which was against the rule I set and it was deleted.  

I have seen couple to threads where thread creator put a P.S type sentence where they ask some users not to reply on that thread & they point that as local rule of that thread.

I've also seen topics like that but the posts of those users the OP do not want weren't deleted. I guess local rule to ban certain users isn't acceptable.

I think the OP should be responsible for deleting the posts that are against the local rules. Moderators are only responsible for deleting posts that are against forum rules.
So, when you have local rules, you should create a self-moderated topic. Shouldn't waste moderators time on reading local rules in each topic.

By the way, generally, I am not in favor of creating a self-moderated topic. Because it can be abused to delete the posts that OP doesn't like.

[o_e_l_e_o]

So, when you have local rules, you should create a self-moderated topic. Shouldn't waste moderators time on reading local rules in each topic.

There are some boards, such as Meta, where you cannot create a self-moderated topic, so if you want to enforce some other rule then stipulating a local rule is the only way to do so. Furthermore, stipulating a local rule is less open to being abused than a self-moderated topic, since as you point out, there are a number of users who use self-moderated topics to create an echo chamber and silence any opposing view points.

[Welsh]

As long as the local rule isn't absurd then usually they are enforced if someone reports the infringing post, while also quoting the local rule. However, as suggested by others its down to the individual moderator that is handling the report on what they consider to be a reasonable local rule. Although, honestly we don't get too many local rule reports.

By the way, generally, I am not in favor of creating a self-moderated topic. Because it can be abused to delete the posts that OP doesn't like.

This is one of the ways of remaining a little less censored. Local rules seem to be put in place by the majority of users to censor someone. However, its not the full blown self moderated way of censoring. At least its out in the public. I feel like local rules could definitely be applicable in auction threads, but elsewhere I probably wouldn't use them personally.

[actmyname]

This is one of the ways of remaining a little less censored. Local rules seem to be put in place by the majority of users to censor someone. However, its not the full blown self moderated way of censoring. At least its out in the public. I feel like local rules could definitely be applicable in auction threads, but elsewhere I probably wouldn't use them personally.

I think local rules would find their place in threads which require additional format/structure to the replies. This will streamline things like the "Known Alts" thread or the "Signature Campaign" Service Discussion thread.

Offering the option of drifting away from any asides and (not-exactly-on-topic-but-borderline) semi-off-topic replies is a good thing, in my opinion. Gives a bit of control to people who don't want to see pedantic or vague replies on their threads - to people who want to actually have a genuine discussion.

[Steamtyme]

Here was the original thoughts on Local Rules. Way before my time but seems like the idea behind them hasn't changed.

If the topic post of a topic gives very specific rules for the topic, I will use those rules in addition to the global board policies for that topic. The starter of the topic may not change rules after posting their topic (not even by editing the topic post). Local rules can't specify punishments, though people may be banned for breaking local rules too much.

The rules must be specific enough that it takes less than a few seconds to decide whether a post breaks them. When you report posts like these, you must quote the local rule that was broken. Rules will be ignored if they are not specific enough, or if it takes too much work to enforce them.

It is possible for someone to create a "ruleset" that others can quickly apply to their topics by clearly linking to the ruleset.

(It has always been my policy to enforce local rules, though not many people have created topics with such rules.)

For a more recent addition and clarification on the intended use here is one from a locked topic

Local rules are enforced entirely at the discretion of the relevant moderators. It's intended to be for stuff like "you must post a picture", "you must make a price prediction", "do not go on tangents about services other than <this one I'm interested in>", etc. Not really "these people are banned: ...". (Though I have been thinking about adding a function to ban specific users from your selfmod threads.)

Overall it's not meant to hinder any discussion. I see it as a way to create a certain environment for your topic, whether it be a focused discussion, a giveaway/contest or a general fun thread. Where there is a central point or theme that needs to be followed or used as a guide to participate in the intended way.