(This is a repost from a couple years ago)

Here is what John at Angelqueen says about the issue (I agree with him 100% about keeping posts permanent):


Things should be as they are, not as they're not

I've been getting a few unusual requests from those who've decided not to remain at Angelqueen to delete their accounts. One person actually requested that I delete all of his individual posts - as if I have the time to go through his entire posting history and do this. Another who (for whatever reason) opened two accounts, wanted me to delete both of them.

Just a heads up - You're welcome to stay here as long as you care to, but should you decide that AQ is not for you please don't contact me and request that I do any type of administration whatsoever, including deleting accounts or posts. If you like however I will remove your posting privileges.

One reason for this is that no business or organization I know of deletes records of transactions or correspondence with the public. Your A/C repairman, travel companies, financial firms, title companies etc. Heck my dog groomer had an index card with mine and even my dogs info and could tell you how many times I visited.

Any of the above (especially the gal who grooms my dog) would laugh at me if I asked them to "delete my account", and they unlike myself they get paid for serving you. In fact some are required to keep records for a certain number of years and often if they're not required they think it a good idea anyway for liability purposes.

Another reason why I won't make the past here "go away" or change it in any way is that should there ever be any type of issue as a result of anything that has been posted on Angelqueen, it should remain exactly as it was. If there is ever an issue of someone's good name (or bad name), or somebody is reading through archived threads they should see what transpired exactly as it happened.

Also, the reason why I disabled the ability for users to edit and delete posts is because certain (very few) people were abusing this function. Instead of using it to correct errors as was intended (and as most did), they were using it to manipulate their past actions or for other reasons besides correcting typos etc. It was then that I realized I didn't want people like Karl or sinkspur to be able to change the appearence of what transpired here.

I can now understand why most boards (in fact all of those I've been on) don't allow you to change what's been posted. Live and learn. As is often the case, the few find a way to make life a bit more difficult for the many.

I guess from now on we're going to have to do and say as we mean, proceed prudently, double check ourselves and try - as in real life - not to say things we would have rather not said. The bright side is that it's much easier not to type something you regret than not to say something you regret - you have much more opportunity to proof read and edit here than in real life.

So from now on, if in actuality you are among the rest of us I won't and shouldn't make it as if you never were. Things should be as they are and were, not as they aren't or weren't. For those who decide to leave, voluntarily or not, on good terms or not, it's best that the rest of us have remembrance of you. Especially if you should return, under the same screen name or another.

Of course none of what is written here precludes posts or accounts being removed that are are detrimental to the board or its users.

I'll put this in "General" and then it will go into the "Help and Information" area.

Thank you for understanding and God bless.