Well, until about two weeks ago, it seemed as if it was possible to combine those things under one umbrella, which was to the benefit of both spheres.

Fair enough - I'll just point out that so far M&S hasn't yet become particularly combative (though that may have something to do with the fact that there is a fair amount of general sympathy on there for engaging with music in a social context, something that could change in the future - but assumptions on that subject benefit from being challenged, anyhow).

That's a bit of an exaggeration methinks.  You might find one page, at most, I'd estimate.

Also: might I tentatively suggest that we should not let vote members who haven't posted on the forum, say, in the last three months.  Reasonable, neh?  But if it's a case that we're going to vote by poll, then. blah, I guess.

His first message was on-topic, however, was it not?  Don't think anything would be lost by leaving it here. 

(If this isn't removed by an admin, I'll delete it whenever the changes take place)

(Moved from the 'New Moderator' thread)

Yes. As long as even the above post is allowed to stand without being hived off. A debate on moderation is sure to contain different opinions, that's not in itself wilfully argumentative.

Talking on Skype with someone from here last night, I mentioned, in the totally hypothetical situation of being a moderator myself, how I would follow just a few basic principles. He said I should post them here - I wasn't sure, if others dislike them, I'll remove them. These do not constitute any sort of 'bid', I'm just offering them up to see what people think in general:

1. Intervene to stop personalised attacks. Also if there are issues of copyright or anything else that places the site in breach of the law.
2. If something goes very significantly off-topic (giving a wide berth in this respect), simply ask that a new thread be opened.
3. Try and keep things in the appropriate sub-boards, and also open a sub-board called 'Music and Society', where wider issues of this type can be discussed.
4. Otherwise allow content to be entirely free, and let debates, subjects to be discussed, etc., develop as posters let them.

My thoughts on those matters are on the Nominations and Seconds thread because they're replying to a question from IGI there - they're very close to yours, Ian. I wouldn't intervene to stop personalised attacks without a direct request to do so, though.

I admit that in my naivety I hadn't imagined the copyright/legal issue. Of course there as well you're quite right: that would be another case where information might have to be removed without a prior request.

It's difficult to make a call about a hypothetical majority/minority situation. I don't see a situation arising where all that many people would ask for material relating to contemporary music to be removed. In any case I wouldn't be inclined to remove material simply because people didn't like it unless it was offensive, illegal or seriously disrupting a discussion.

Ian,

Please stand as a Moderator.  I will second your nomination.  You clearly have strong views on this matter, and in the interests of a genuinely democratic resolution I call on you to stand and put your ideas to the vote.

Thank you.

Now I'm doubtless being naive here, but since there's already a separate board with that very title, what possible need might there be to reduplicate it on this site? Surely you're not mooting the disbanding of PW's board once there's a similar sub-board established here, Ian?