After doing my "Testing Thread", I wondered why we are often moderated and I came to the conclusion that Expat-Blog (this website) is running out of server space and is looking at having to increase their expenses by buying new computer servers.
Here are a few thoughts that I toiled in my head to come up with my conclusion.
1. Why did Julien emphasize that it's "really important" for us to "please stop quoting 10 lines messages for a 1 line reply?
Quoting unnecessarily increases the file size of each reply post. If a quoted post = 100kb, and you just added 10kb of reply, when you quoted the old post + your reply, then post = 110kb. It adds up.
2. Why are we constantly reminded to stay on topic? As Armand stated "Please note that the off topic posts have been removed from the thread and the same treatment will be given to any post that doesn't respect the original poster's topic." Because going off-topic is like rambling...it increases files stored on the server.
3. Why are our posts often deleted? Like junk/stuff that doesn't belong on a computer, it needs to be deleted to make room (By "moved", Christine just means they're archived on back-up tape, which "is accessible only for moderator").
4. Why are our threads often closed due to "Everything has already been said and everybody has already given their point of view on the subject" or "This thread is now closed as it is not sharing any useful information to other members.". Because long threads create many files. Venting/Blabbing threads with multiple reply posts create many files. The sugar thread had 124 replies. Keeping a subject perpetually going makes the file sizes bigger and bigger.
So imagine all these small files across the ENTIRE Expat-BLOG website. The Việt Nam Forum is just one out of many in ASIA, which is only one out of several other continents/regions. Okay..let me count them...
Asia = 30 forums
Europe = 51
North America = 5
South American = 14
Oceania = 20
Central American = 30
Middle East = 17
Africa = 56
so we're looking at 223 Forums. BUT, that's only English. If you multiply that by 5 (English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese), we're looking at 1,115 Forums in the Expat-Blog world. Granted some forums are more heavily trafficked than others and a computer server can handle multiple forums on one machine, but it gives you a sense of how 1 rambling post, multiplied by thousands of posters, can cause a server space shortage.
The "Anwser recommended by the community" combined with wjwoodward's response of "unfortunately many of our members don't take the time to recommend postings or don't understand the "RECOMMEND" button." got me into thinking of how we're suppose to use the Expat-Blog.
It's designed as a simple "How do I extend my Visa?" -Expat 1, "Go to xyz street and pay ### dollars" - Expat 2, Q&A Forum. It's not designed like Fartbook! It's not designed for us to hang out, socialize, joke and play with each other! It's designed for us to come on, ask a question, browse the ads in the classifieds or banner ads while we wait for the answer, then we go on our own ways. That's why when a person starts a thread asking a question "How do I extend my Visa?", several people are suppose to give answers, and people simply pick one that is the best answer and use the recommend button. We're not suppose to blab about our medical problems or relationship issues, or anything not related to the question (hence the many off-topic reminders). Once a thread gets the "Anwser recommended by the community", it's done.
So, how's my investigative assessment - Expat-Blog is managing server space? One server by the way can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000.