Question for the Mods and closing threads

Cosimo · 20 Dec 2011 at 14:19

Castiel said:
It would be nice to know where I'm going wrong, what to look out for in the the way I post.....in an undetailed way.

If you can't work that out then you never will. It's not as if it's you form report for your parents.

Gilly · 20 Dec 2011 at 14:52

.Lethal said:
Does any of the MODs ever think that it would be better for Spie to give someone on the MOD team the same decision making as he has? Due to his inactivity these days.

Admins are able to make the changes. I wouldn't fully empower someone else in his position though. Why should/would he?

Ceryndrion · 20 Dec 2011 at 14:55

Sometimes, it makes me wonder, if perhaps people should get an annual report card on their forum behaviour.. "this year you have mostly been a pain in the rear and have posted many useless threads".

Despite the belief of some, moderators are human, and as such make mistakes.. If we wanted a completely 100% professional and equal system, it would need to be farmed out to a small chinese gold farm, who would likely not understand any of the humour, any of the in-jokes, or any of the other things that only a true member of the community can. And it is for that reason that I am glad that we have the moderators that we do have, it's a tough job, but they deserve our thanks.

Admiral Huddy · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:00

Vonhelmet said:
Given that this is one of the most active forums in the UK, it's not a wonder that some things slip through the net.

Absolutely, and it's certainly harder work than I ever thought it was. Just to add though, that everyone can play their part as most members do. The RTM system is very well used and works very well.

Something must be right because despite all the grumbles, people still continue to post

.Lethal · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:01

Gilly said:
Admins are able to make the changes. I wouldn't fully empower someone else in his position though. Why should/would he?

As I was saying in the previous comment, I brought it up because Spie isn't as active as he was. Even if Admins are able to make changes, it still has to go through Spie.

There are new moderators every year and with Spie being less active some of the new guys may have some good ideas (even current/old mods for that matter) who may want to bring in new changes, but wait a long time for Spie to approve.

It's not a case of why should he, but if he would things may get changed quicker.

My comment earlier was asking if other MODs felt this way, not if he should give out the same level of authority as Spie has.

Robbo · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:07

Admiral Huddy said:
Absolutely, and it's certainly harder work than I ever thought it was. Just to add though, that everyone can play their part as most members do. The RTM system is very well used and works very well.

Something must be right because despite all the grumbles, people still continue to post

Question!

When something is RTM'd, does it appear as a thread in the Dons Room or do the relevant Dons get an email about it, or is there a place where it's flagged, what happens?

Burnsy2023 · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:07

Robbo said:
Question!

When something is RTM'd, does it appear as a thread in the Dons Room or do the relevant Dons get an email about it,

Both, but there's an RTM forum.

Robbo · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:08

Burnsy2023 said:
Both, but there's an RTM forum.

Thought so!

Cleeecooo · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:11

Maccy said:
15, all bad, you spam too much basically.

Ouch!

When was my last spam usernote?

Can't remember the last time i spammed :/

Castiel · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:13

Admiral Huddy said:
Absolutely, and it's certainly harder work than I ever thought it was. Just to add though, that everyone can play their part as most members do. The RTM system is very well used and works very well.

Something must be right because despite all the grumbles, people still continue to post

I recall the way you explained to me the reasons for an infraction amid my concerns over the validity of it. You answered my concerns quickly, politely and honestly which I appreciated and was, in my opinion, an example of how moderation should be done.

However I, like many others, sometimes feel that on occassion their concerns are not considered and that there can be some inconsistency in how the rules are applied to individuals....I realise that it is extremely difficult to adhere to a consistent level of moderation, no-one is a robot, but maybe there could be some form of appeal process for infractions...so before they are applied a short dialogue might clear up much of the confusion over the application and nature of the rules.

Gilly · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:14

Cleeecooo said:
Ouch!

When was my last spam usernote?

Can't remember the last time i spammed :/

I think we've given out enough info on usernotes now. We'll end up with a barrage of requests if we keep going down this route.

If anyone has a particular issue I would urge you to get hold of the relevant Don.

.Lethal said:
As I was saying in the previous comment, I brought it up because Spie isn't as active as he was. Even if Admins are able to make changes, it still has to go through Spie.

There are new moderators every year and with Spie being less active some of the new guys may have some good ideas (even current/old mods for that matter) who may want to bring in new changes, but wait a long time for Spie to approve.

It's not a case of why should he, but if he would things may get changed quicker.

My comment earlier was asking if other MODs felt this way, not if he should give out the same level of authority as Spie has.

OK.

I'm a Mod.

I gave you my opinion.

Wasn't that what you asked for? :confused:

.Lethal · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:17

Gilly said:
OK.

I'm a Mod.

I gave you my opinion.

Wasn't that what you asked for?

In your own roundabout way yes.

Tummy · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:19

Castiel said:
I recall the way you explained to me the reasons for an infraction amid my concerns over the validity of it. You answered my concerns quickly, politely and honestly which I appreciated and was, in my opinion, an example of how moderation should be done.

However I, like many others, sometimes feel that on occassion their concerns are not considered and that there can be some inconsistency in how the rules are applied to individuals....I realise that it is extremely difficult to adhere to a consistent level of moderation, no-one is a robot, but maybe there could be some form of appeal process for infractions...so before they are applied a short dialogue might clear up much of the confusion over the application and nature of the rules.

I agree with this but can't see it happening because moderators won't want to admit they're wrong (like many people in a situation of power) and going back over decisions and being proven wrong could be sign as a sign of weakness?

This isn't a go at them, it could also be considered a better way of moderating having an appeal process.

Also, just a question if any moderator could answer this or someone else give their opinion.

Would it not be a good idea for a clean slate at the start of a new year, so everyone gets their user notes removed (only have one in circumstances such as "original name is...") do this every year and almost reinforce a better discipline system.

So, if over the space of a year you get (talking football terms) you get 8 yellow cards (minor infractions) or 3 red cards (major infractions) you're gone, then these are reset at the start of the year, much like cards are at the football season. (Apologise for the football comparison, all I could think of)

Gilly · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:22

That is how infractions work, they are set to expire.

The problem is if you have someone constantly flouting the rules but doing so just outside an agreed time frame then what recourse do you have? They're consistently breaking rules but you've put in place a mechanism that stops you doing anything about it.

We apply common sense to it. If someone posts in the image thread without posting an image just once, it'll be a warning and edit (where it used to be a short suspension). Likewise if someone is abusive to someone, whether coming out with a daft excuse or not, they'll receive a short suspension if they don't have previous. It'll be longer if they do.

Freefaller · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:26

Westyfield2 said:
This.

"You've done something bad but we're not gonna tell you specifically which something it was" isn't very good for the whole learning from mistakes thing.

If you've had a suspension or an edit of a post or a warning from a mod, signature breach, MM issue, or signature issue etc.. and even an infraction more often than not you will have a usernote. So you will know about it some way or the other.

Tummy · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:26

Gilly said:
That is how infractions work, they are set to expire.

The problem is if you have someone constantly flouting the rules but doing so just outside an agreed time frame then what recourse do you have? They're consistently breaking rules but you've put in place a mechanism that stops you doing anything about it.

Very true, but say if I or Robbo (just first name to hand sorry) got like 7 minors and 2 majors over the course of a year, could you not then add the user note along side the name change "Original name was xxxx" + "Repeat offender 7 yellows and 2 reds last season. Walking a thin line" type note?

I certainly agree that repeat offenders would be a problem, but a clean start at the new year could do certain members the world of good.

How long do they currently take to expire? So if you got an infraction on the 1st of January? The card system would stay until the end of the year and then be reset for people who aren't basically repeat offenders.

Tummy · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:27

Gilly said:
That is how infractions work, they are set to expire.

The problem is if you have someone constantly flouting the rules but doing so just outside an agreed time frame then what recourse do you have? They're consistently breaking rules but you've put in place a mechanism that stops you doing anything about it.

We apply common sense to it. If someone posts in the image thread without posting an image just once, it'll be a warning and edit (where it used to be a short suspension). Likewise if someone is abusive to someone, whether coming out with a daft excuse or not, they'll receive a short suspension if they don't have previous. It'll be longer if they do.

That was just for me wasn't it Gilly

Gilly · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:27

Nah, infractions (depending on their severity) expire well before that unless - I believe - they're MM ones. Obviously MM has very stringent rules with very good reason.

Tummy said:
That was just for me wasn't it Gilly

Why, I'm not quite sure I know what you mean!

Have a nice day and merry christmas

VeNT · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:28

robgmun said:
I agree and i know i'm not by far the only one who thinks this. It's now getting to the point where it's a joke. Some mods need moderating to be frank. If they become little nazi's they should get the boot.

godwins law mean anything to you?

Burnsy2023 · 20 Dec 2011 at 15:35

Tummy said:
I agree with this but can't see it happening because moderators won't want to admit they're wrong (like many people in a situation of power) and going back over decisions and being proven wrong could be sign as a sign of weakness?

I know in my time on the team this couldn't be further from the truth. There were suspensions in the MM that were discussed in the DR and subsequently reversed and an apology given. I can think of quite a few examples without thinking too hard, but that's a testament to good comms in the DR.