DG Policy Question

I had a reason for wanting to locate a thread by imway2dumb and found

"Removed"

"This user name is no longer active."

I know he has left DG but so has RichSwanner (if I'm not mistaken) and all his threads are still available.

I'm confused and was wondering if Terry could explain this for me since I know Dave is busier than a one arm paper hanger.

Thanks, in advance, Terry.

Removed means the member has lost their rights to enter and post at DG for reasons that I'm sure has to do with violations of the AUP. Removed is banned

Rich just didn't renew his subscriptions

My guess is that the post/thread you were looking for violated the rules in some way and was removed along with the person who posted. RichSwanner probably didn't break the rules in his posts, so they get to stay even when he left. I've seen other longer time DG people who got removed involuntarily from the site, and you'll see that same thing when you click on their username, but their posts that didn't break the rules will still be around. So I'm sure this person was either advertising their business or using inappropriate language or something like that in the thread you were interested in so it got removed.

Terry...you sure have some highly respected thinkers here lightening your load.

Thanks to you both.

Dave

Yep, Floridian and ecrane3 both covered it quite nicely - thanks!!!!!

Two small clarifications:

1) You can still search the forums through this link: http://davesgarden.com/forums/search.php and plug in a "removed" member's username along with a key word they posted in the thread you're looking for. If the thread you're seeking wasn't deleted, you'll still find it even if the member has been removed.

2) "Removed" can mean one of two things:

- they were banned (typically for flagrant, repeat violations of some part of the Acceptable Use Policy); or
- they asked specifically to be removed from the site (not just a lapsed subscription, or someone who drifts away.)

Thanks Terry for the very useful add on.

Terry,

Just wanted you to know that following your suggestion I was on the thread I wanted in 10 seconds.

So, double thanks,
Dave

That's good to hear!