Post Formatting

I'd like to see how other admins handle or would handle this. I try not to be too strict about post formatting. Some folks like to post in bold and change fonts, colors, and so on. As long as it's not a 50pt font with hard to read colors I am generally fine.

We have a longtime member who has found something far more annoying in my book. He posts in very short columns. Whereas the layout is actually full screen, he formats his posts in a single column roughly 7-8 words wide and a portion of the screen. I think he does it because he finds it easier to read for him personally. However, we've had a couple (not many) members complain about it and when he gets long-winded it can make for a really long scroll. He's also in the habit of posting 2/3 times in a row across multiple days.

I've politely appealed to him to not use the columns like that and I think he pretty much ignored us on it. I hate to issue points/warn/suspend a member for something this trivial, but I'm running out of options and I think it hurts the discussion. My next design will probably be a little more along the lines of size here at AA, but that's still a ways off. I've let him get away with it up to this point, but again I'm coming to the end of my rope. It's not fair to others because it places emphasis on his postings and really makes for a lot more scrolling.

Any suggestions on how to handle a situation like this? I really don't want to chase away a valued member, but the fact that our appeal was ignored is a bit of an issue for me, especially not being overly strict.

 

I would send him another PM telling him of the complaints and making it clear to him that it is important for him not to post like he has been doing and if this time you are ignored I would move onto infractions. Two warnings, then infractions, seems fair to me

 

I would suggest a formal announcing of updated policies, where this would be one of them. Take it as an opportunity to roll out the other things that have been on your mind, that you've let go and now would be good to pin it up.

This way its not directed at a single person or small group. Give a timeframe of when the effect goes live and what will be done if such things continue. yadda yadda

 

I agree, update your policies. Personally, I wouldn't amend the policies with this just one change but amend your policies on other stuff you feel needs updated/revised/added so this member doesn't feel targeted.

 

We have implemented this little warning until we make it a policy.

Hello,

We are in the process of always making sure our community is the best for everyone.

One of the things that is not yet a rule, but we will be enforcing for what is best for the majority, is we ask that for your regular messages, please do not use bold fonts or color fonts or tiny fonts, unless you are using them to make a special note about something.

We thank you for going back to using black font going forward on your posts.

Thanks!

 

I agree. I usually have an on-going list of things that need to be revised in the rules, and after I have a few items and spare time, I update them all at once.