{Bevis}
"... Do you think the fact that you have had issues with some of the mods and other posters here (and they with you) means that they're going to start some personal vendetta and edit everything you post to make you look like an idiot?"

Nope.

"... until it actually became an issue and was dealt with spam hadn't really been considered by anyone."

Then this is the time to think about it, isn't it? And define some things?

"... If you do have a problem with the way they are behaving then really the first thing you should have done is contacted them personally."

I did, privately. That's what IMs are for.

"... Like I say, for clarity maybe we should have some kind of guidelines. Just get off your high horse about the whole issue."

Does your saying so make it a legitimate issue, while my saying so puts me on a high horse? {rueful smile}

"And as to whether we know who TD is or not. Well, quite frankly who gives a toss?"

Many have, in my experiences at moderating. Someone this private -- she's not the first -- is often seen as not to be respected, or as much, because he or she is not opening up to be a part of the community, or as much of one.

That works against being as effective a moderator, and against making his or her admin decisions stick with others. Again, my observation.

"... And why exactly does wanting to keep a degree of privacy mean that she shouldn't be on the net in the first place?"

I didn't say she, or anyone, shouldn't be on the Net. I wondered why someone like that was. The whole point of the Net is to connect. And to gain from the fact of differences in individual experience, flavors of expression, even regional slang.

If someone is just a disembodied voice, with no context, why should we strain a point to understand that person's points? For someone's intellect in isolation, I can read a book -- I don't need to be here.

I'd like some flavor from those I talk with. Including from TD.

"... I know if I mailed you privately there would be no response at all."

Not true. I try to answer all civil e-mail or IMs promptly. Feel free to write to me.