Why the 30 minute edit timeout. I would like to enhance my

boscoj":w364er62 said:
Why the 30 minute edit timeout. I would like to enhance my post.
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boscoj-

The 30 minute time limit came about because after a heated political and otherwise controversial discussion last year a C-Brat member went back and erased all of his 1321 postings in anger.

That left gaps in all the discussions he had participated in for the previous several years, so the powers that keep order around here decided to limit the edit time to 30 minutes from then on.

Admittedly, it could probably be longer than 30 minutes, maybe a few hours or up to a day, but when you think about it, most thoughts of omissions and corrections occur to the poster within that period, and by that time others have often already written subsequent responses to the post, sometimes quoting it in it's entirety.

So going back an re-writing what you wrote a few hours or days earlier might make some of the discussions seem a bit discontinuous, or make it difficult to understand how the thinking developed.

I know most people would probably only what to add a photo, drawing, or link to what they had already posted, but there's sound reasoning behind the 30 minute rule.

And you can always add another post, explaining why you're adding the new material.

Hope this explains the situation to your satisfaction!

Cheers!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
The biggest problem with the 30 min time is that if a thread does get long and say the OP made an error in the first post he can not go back and correct it. A person not reading everything in a 3 or 4 page thread may not get the corrected information. This does seem to happen some times here and also on other forums the I have read. I do remember the stir that caused the 30 min thing and the problems it caused. It seems that the limit can cause more harm than good but I'm just a guest here and have no problem with the decisions the the powers make. This is by far the best forum I have ever followed and an very grateful to those that make it possible.

Roger
 
Originally, I wasn't a "fan" of the 30 minute time period, but I've found that I tend to be more judicial in wording my text so as to more clearly and accurately convey my message.

(It's like taking a test. Once the answer is selected and you hand in the test, you can't go back and change your answers for a better score). (Actually, it is more forgiving....you have thirty minutes to dwell on what you've written and submitted and can made quick modifications).

Also more forgiving than when you say something to your spouse and it is waaaay toooo late to retract it..... :roll:
 
DaveS":1jsn9389 said:
rogerbum":1jsn9389 said:
You can always correct a post with a new one.
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Yeah, try that with my example of "say something to your spouse"... :wink
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I find that the following is true because of the 30 minute limit, as well as other considerations:

Think twice before you say something.

If in doubt about something that is controversial or going to offend someone, don't say it. You can't take it back, really!

Be sure and cover everything you know about the subject and it's details, otherwise, someone will immediately gleefully correct you! :lol:

Check your spelling, usage, grammar, punctuation, and all that stuff to avoid misleading someone and also looking careless.

If there's anyway you can illustrate your point(s) with photos, drawings, links, etc., do it to make it clear. Make it fun and entertaining to read, if possible.

Make your posts readable to not just the question bearer, but to anyone reading the thread, some folks are new and need and appreciate any help you can give them to understand the topic. We don't all have Ph.D.'s in Marine and Naval Engineering.

Use the preview function as many times as necessary and read and re-read the message and change it until you're satisfied with it.

Sometimes, however, you just have to go ahead and post ASAP, then use the 30 minute period to correct it as much as possible, just to beat Pat, Charlie, Dave S, Sneaks, or somebody else of like disposition to the punch and be the first to weigh in on something! Thus we wind up with a 30 minute "mop up" period!

Joe. :wink :thup
 
Sea Wolf":32h7sz3l said:
...a C-Brat member went back and erased all of his 1321 postings
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I wondered what all those deleted posts were about.

Wow, that must have taken some serious time to do that. That member must have been quite wound up.

I do try to preview a bunch and spell check. Still, a typo gets through from time to time, which is a little embarrassing.

24 horus to edit might be nice. :)

---
mike
 
As has already been said, the 30 minute limit came about because a Brat got miffed and decided to get even (I'm not sure who with but I'm sure he felt better :roll:) by eliminating all of his posts. I think the limit is a good idea. When I start writing the 30 minute limit makes me pay more attention so I don't have to edit sloppy mistakes so often.
 
Well, I don't mind that there is a limit, but I do think 30 minutes is too short. Frankly, I don't mind if someone erases any or all their posts. Just my 2 cents.
MartyP
 
The problem with erasing any past posts is, as Joe said, any posts ,after any erased thread is posted, can be affected by omitted info.

Sometimes that post may contain info that is important to the thread being discussed. If specific info is posted , replies may not duplicate that info so any reference to that info will be lost with erasure.

I have no problem with a time frame on editing. Maybe its the amount of time that can be discussed and reviewed.

Allan
 
Other forums I frequent have similar editing limits for exactly the same reasons; too preserve historical data and the integrity of the thread.
I’ve made my share of bungling faux paus, or it that faux pas?
It’s regrettable that such a decree had to be implemented but unfortunately it’s an essential evil.
 
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