Proposed new private forum

TheElder

I am requesting a private forum called The Boards Elders

the purpose will be for selected members of boards.ie to become members of the Elders council. These members will be a form of independent watchdog for the site that will monitor Mods and regular users.
Anyone with an issue (such as an abuse by a mod) can come to the council, who will then discuss the topic and depending on the majority decision, will act upon it by alerting Admins to the issue, voicing their views to the accused or perhaps organising a boycott of the abusing board and mod.

We will not get involved in issues regarding Admins, just mods. We will not get involved in personal disputes (for example if a mod insults a user, we will not act, the injustice must occour within the moderators forum).
We will also hear from people who are concerned about a certain user, who may be spamming or being generally offensive. If we feel the user is doing so, we will alert mods, admins and the user him/herself about the issue.
If a mod/user is a council member, they will be warned to cease, if they refuse they will be banned from council decisions and black listed.

Basically we will form a democratic and independent complains commission using people power to voice our opinions.

I wish to be mod.

ecksor

I think not.

Please stop PMing people unsolicited too, it's not like I don't know who your regular account is.

seamus

Originally posted by TheElder
Basically we will form a democratic and independent complains commission using people power to voice our opinions.

Why would it be private? Surely to be a democratic and independent voice you need to be completely transparent. Who will police the police etc....?

GuanYin

Originally posted by seamus
Why would it be private? Surely to be a democratic and independent voice you need to be completely transparent. Who will police the police etc....?

Becase Brother Novice, the Supreme Grand Master must first pick his alcolytes, like Brother Doorkeep, Brother Watchtower, Brother Fingers and Brother Keymaster.

the knock is "a shave and a haircut" and the password is swordfish!

Kold

Originally posted by TheElder
I am requesting a private forum called The Boards Elders

the purpose will be for selected members of boards.ie to become members of the Elders council. These members will be a form of independent watchdog for the site that will monitor Mods and regular users.
Anyone with an issue (such as an abuse by a mod) can come to the council, who will then discuss the topic and depending on the majority decision, will act upon it by alerting Admins to the issue, voicing their views to the accused or perhaps organising a boycott of the abusing board and mod.

We will not get involved in issues regarding Admins, just mods. We will not get involved in personal disputes (for example if a mod insults a user, we will not act, the injustice must occour within the moderators forum).
We will also hear from people who are concerned about a certain user, who may be spamming or being generally offensive. If we feel the user is doing so, we will alert mods, admins and the user him/herself about the issue.
If a mod/user is a council member, they will be warned to cease, if they refuse they will be banned from council decisions and black listed.

Basically we will form a democratic and independent complains commission using people power to voice our opinions.

I wish to be mod.

You're stupid

Suaimhneach

I think it is a good theory. But perhaps it would be a good idea for a more regular/experianced member of boards to do.

seamus

Originally posted by jesjes
I think it is a good theory. But perhaps it would be a good idea for a more regular/experianced member of boards to do.

Not a chance. Cries of "click" and "abuse of power" are rampant enough as it is. This would just be one more group for the usual suspects to be delusional about.

TheElder

The forum will be open to anyone, mod, admin or user.

Not only will we make decisions concerning misbehaving mods, but we will also discuss the merits of new forums and air our views on such, and also propose a list of forums the Council feels is in need of deletion.

We will act as an advisory body to the Admins, and will speak as one in opposition to injustices and wrong-doing.

anyone who wishes to become a Council member can PM me or e-mail me at the below address to apply.

also, seamus, the idea is to consolidate the views of many into the one body, The Council. This will mean that those opposed to bannings etc can be given a voice with anyone else who feels the same..thus cutting back on repetitive posts

Suaimhneach

Seamus, I know what you mean, but if it is to be as open as TheElder proposes maybe it wouldnt be soo bad...

seamus

Originally posted by TheElder
The forum will be open to anyone, mod, admin or user.

So it's not private then?

also, seamus, the idea is to consolidate the views of many into the one body, The Council. This will mean that those opposed to bannings etc can be given a voice with anyone else who feels the same..thus cutting back on repetitive posts

How will the many decide who gets on the council? How often will elections take place? Have you a draft constitution in place? Without a constitution there is no way of removing an elected council from power.
If someone is banned and complains about it, will the council instantly take their side regardless of the reason?

Boards works as a benevolent dictating council tbh, and this seems like nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to execute a coup and force democracy on those who don't desire it....

mr_angry

Wouldn't this just be an extra layer between the already functioning Boards justice system and the masses?

You're going to take people's complaints and 'advise' the Admins on what to do? What do you think the Feedback / Suggestions forum is for? As far as I can see, it is an existing method for people to bring grievances forward to have them debated by the parties involved.

Madness.

the_syco

Originally posted by TheElder
I am requesting a private forum called The Boards Elders.

Originally posted by TheElder
The forum will be open to anyone, mod, admin or user.

Leave him alone. He doesn't know what he wants, either

TheElder

The Councils Public Representitive shall now answer your questions, Seamus:

So it's not private then?

the forum will be private, however any user who makes an application to the Council will be given access to the forum. Those who do not, will not.

How will the many decide who gets on the council?

See Above

How often will elections take place?

I do not understand your need for elections. All applicants will be accepted. All Council members will have an equal vote on decisions of the council.

Have you a draft constitution in place?

Existing elders are currently working on a draft constitution. This shall be made public once it is completed. However, it will simply be a more detail explanation of the above posts we have made.

Without a constitution there is no way of removing an elected council from power.

As has been stated, all applicants shall be made council members. However, any member who disobeys the rules will be punished as is fit. This may range from a warning to a banning from the Forum and a blacklisting from the council. It is up to a majority vote by the council to vote on the expulsion of a member.

If someone is banned and complains about it, will the council instantly take their side regardless of the reason?

No. The Council will discuss all complaints and vote on action. It may be decided that the council takes the side of the Mod, or they may take the side of the banned user. It depends on the merits and reasons for each individual banning.

Boards works as a benevolent dictating council tbh, and this seems like nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to execute a coup and force democracy on those who don't desire it....

We members of the Council understand the workings of boards.ie. We make no claim to unfairness at the hands of the Admins. This is their creation and they have a right to rule it as they choose. However, we do feel that the mods of the forums are not as fair as the admins. We are not trying to overrun any overall power here, merely making the lower rungs of boards.ie more acceptable, equal and fair.

smiaras

This post has been deleted.

bus77

I think it sounds great:D

yellum

Boards is not a democracy.

bus77

Originally posted by mr_angry
Wouldn't this just be an extra layer between the already functioning Boards justice system and the masses?

You're going to take people's complaints and 'advise' the Admins on what to do? What do you think the Feedback / Suggestions forum is for? As far as I can see, it is an existing method for people to bring grievances forward to have them debated by the parties involved.

Madness.

I was thinking the same thing, just Feedback/Suggestions behind a semi closed door.
But at least with the voting a genuine end can be brought to matters.

mike65

Originally posted by yellum
Boards is not a democracy.

A self-evident truth but one that requires constant repeating!

Mike.

Exit

Jesus, it's only a set of message boards :dunno:

Verdammt

Is this guy on drugs ?? , or what ??

Buy a bloody island and then you can rule it happily all on your own.

Funky

Bad forum idea, but some sort of system to get around stupid biased mod's should be in order...

adeldorf

thats a pretty good idea alright, give peeps a chance to get some support if a mod is acting up, as can happen. and it will be a bit of a fun way to show DeV and the lads how the people feel about things

elexes

if u did become a mod then in turn u would be one of " them "

all else fails mod me and ill be so corrupted its unreal

Verdammt

Originally posted by adeldorf
thats a pretty good idea alright, give peeps a chance to get some support if a mod is acting up, as can happen. and it will be a bit of a fun way to show DeV and the lads how the people feel about things

For someone with just 1 post under your belt you seem to really know your way around, how strange !!!

adeldorf

i had an old nick from way back when, but i aint used it in ages and forgot my nick, had to re-register

TheElder

We appreciate your concern elexes, however as a mod TheElder will do what is possible to ensure equality among all within the Elders forum. As has been stated, it is up to a majority vote by Council Members to ban a user from the council... not just one mod.

sceptre

Originally posted by TheElder
for example if a mod insults a user, we will not act, the injustice must occour within the moderators forum

Someone been nasty to you on the mod forum then?

TheElder

Someone been nasty to you on the mod forum then?

We do not understand your point.

This rule is for this reason. We find no need to act with a personal argument. If, for example, a sports forum mod insults a user in a Technology Forum, there is no abuse of mod power. The sports mod is simply another user in another forum. However if the said mod was to pick on a user within a forum he/she moderated, the Council could consider it an abuse of power, depending on the circumstances.

GuanYin

Originally posted by TheElder
We do not understand your point.

This rule is for this reason. We find no need to act with a personal argument. If, for example, a sports forum mod insults a user in a Technology Forum, there is no abuse of mod power. The sports mod is simply another user in another forum. However if the said mod was to pick on a user within a forum he/she moderated, the Council could consider it an abuse of power, depending on the circumstances.

Are "We" the Borg or something?

Really man, give it a rest, its childish, immature and I for one will be opposed to any such nonsense (and I have some interesting evidence and comments made by you to put forward if needs be).

sceptre

Originally posted by TheElder
We do not understand your point.

Ah, now I understand. Better placing (or any placing) of apostrophes recommended.

In that case, there are already procedures in place to do just what you're wanting to do without the need to involve you in that process at all. Chances are that ecksor and Dev will still let this thread run until it moves from the dumb category to the surreal and annoying category though. Along the way they'll hopefully drop hints as to who (all of:D) you are. Use the phrase "benevolant oligarchy" a lot - it'll help.

TheElder

In that case, there are already procedures in place to do just what you're wanting to do without the need to involve you in that process at all. Chances are that ecksor and Dev will still let this thread run until it moves from the dumb category to the surreal and annoying category though. Along the way they'll hopefully drop hints as to who (all of) you are. Use the phrase "benevolant oligarchy" a lot - it'll help.

That is arguable by many people. Alot of mods have and will make unfair move and decisions against a user for personal or other unjust reasons. We the Council have, in many cases not seen anything done to the offending mods, and any complaint is ignored or results in a flamewar which serves no good.

We intend to monitor the mods and report abuses when a majority agrees.

Really man, give it a rest, its childish, immature and I for one will be opposed to any such nonsense (and I have some interesting evidence and comments made by you to put forward if needs be).

The Elder is interested your case, syke... please continue.

smiaras

This post has been deleted.

GuanYin

Originally posted by smiaras
God any sympathy I had for you has just evaporated with the constant use of we and the caesar complex

Well I actually had some amount of respect for this user and sympathy for accusations levelled against him regarding wanting to become a mod.

However, his denial that the boards suggestions were just because they were needed and his embarassment at his former Troll ccount days seem to be a load of crap now.

TheElder

Syke. Why is it that a users involvement in The Elders makes their personal suggestions and embarresment about previous occourances any less honest?

The user you refer to, Flogen, has made all previous suggestions in what he considered to be the best interest of boards.ie. He has apologised and shown remorse for his past actions, and now he is involved in this idea.
If you are opposed to the Elders, then let it be so.

Exit

Hahaha I was watching the who's online page, and funnily enough flogen logged off and 2 minutes later the Elder posts.

It's a silly idea mate.

EDIT: And now he's back

po0k

Ecksor/Dev/Regi/Luc, please lock this tripe

GuanYin

Originally posted by TheElder
Syke. Why is it that a users involvement in The Elders makes their personal suggestions and embarresment about previous occourances any less honest?

The user you refer to, Flogen, has made all previous suggestions in what he considered to be the best interest of boards.ie. He has apologised and shown remorse for his past actions, and now he is involved in this idea.
If you are opposed to the Elders, then let it be so.

*sigh*, then perhaps you should read the PMs you spammed me with flogen, the bits where you said that you would press ahead for sh*ts and giggles?

Really man, creating a troll account is looked dimly upon.

TheElder

creating a troll account is looked dimly upon.

a troll account would be an account from which a person trolls, not posts forum suggestions.

We have never denied the indentity of the user behind The Elders Idea. Yes, it is Flogen. This account was created in order to form an independent medium from any perticular user, so that Flogen could post as he does across the community, and The Elders could post when The Council decides to make an announcement.

And Syke, at what point did you think (along with others) that the use of the royal we and so on was not for the purpose of sh1ts and giggles, Infact I PMd ecksor asking him to unlock the thread when he locked it earlier so it could be discussed. In this PM i told you it was in the name of humour, and we did not expect to be given any actual 'power' over others.
Do you not think that some mods need monitoring, some complains get lost or ignored and some forums are hanging around when un-used for weeks/months??

I think that this idea is no less relevent than the majority of the public forums section etc.

GuanYin

Originally posted by TheElder
Do you not think that some mods need monitoring, some complains get lost or ignored and some forums are hanging around when un-used for weeks/months??

I think that this idea is no less relevent than the majority of the public forums section etc.

Personally, I don't think that forums, *especially* public community forums should be created willy nilly, and certainly I don't think you should be in any position to monitor anything.

bus77

I think mods on boards are grand and in some cases beyond grand:D I wont name names but some mods take a huge interest and put great input into the waters they patrol.

I just like the idea in general because it gives the average boards user a little bit of a say in things.

Verdammt

I thought that the rules are there for everyone to obey, including the mods. Why should we need someone to oversee the overseer's.

Surely a regulatory body is a bit out of hand for a BBS.

TheElder

Perhaps you could read the post I made.

This is not intended on being an actual, official watchdog. However, i do think that every user should be in a position to monitor the actions of mods and users. I dont necissarily think that each person should make the final decision on what happens, or that the admins MUST listen to the people, whatever they may be saying, however I think a forum where the common users can discuss (without flameage) a suspected abuse would be viable. In Feedback/suggestions it is well known that most 'i was banned' etc threads end up in flame wars... just look at the two near the top at the moment.
If for example UnrealQueen had taken her complaint about Ivan to an Elders forum, the topic could be dicussed by the Council, and a decision met. Lets say it involves us PMing Ivan to voice our concern at his actions, PMing an Admin to point out where we think Ivan failed as a mod, and/or telling UnrealQueen where Ivan was right in the way he acted against her. I think that the feedback/suggestions forum should and could be put to better usage (such as a place for feedback and suggestions), rather than a place for angry users to berete mods and admins about how they feel on an action.

Johnny_the_fox

Correct me if Im wrong but doesnt Multiple accounts == banned (both accounts!) or even Prison ??

:eek:


<edit>
If you cant stick to the simple rules - how do you expect people to believe you?
</edit>

Verdammt

Originally posted by Johnny_the_fox
Correct me if Im wrong but doesnt Multiple accounts == banned (both accounts!) or even Prison ??

:eek:

I reacon banning his ass will shut him up fairly sharpish and stop him annoying everyone with his incesant ramblings. I don't see any proof of support here. So I don't think he has any. It's like vaporware.

TheElder

I do hope that both the Flogen and TheElder accounts are not banned. I was not aware of any rule, however if there is one, please someone point it out.

Neither account is in itself breaking the rules, so perhaps it is ok, i would have thought having an extra account to spam/troll from would be a bannable offence.

bus77

Originally posted by Verdammt
I reacon banning his ass will shut him up fairly sharpish and stop him annoying everyone with his incesant ramblings. I don't see any proof of support here. So I don't think he has any. It's like vaporware.

Yeah, all its seemed to attract is a swarm of angry mods...

Johnny_the_fox

Read me :rolleyes:

TheElder

Thanks Johnny...
As I am not trolling, hopefully I will not be banned on both accounts, however, unless DeV and co. see the funny side to this account I guess TheElder will be banned at least.
Perhaps I shall switch over to flogen for now, and see how things go;)

bus77

Dont worry Elder , we'll just get you unbanned again:D

Emboss

Lads give him a break

he's photoshopped a nice sig and created a yahoo mail acc for his cause.

for these two reasons alone

I fully endorse this product :rolleyes:

sleepy....and tired.....

elexes

ye hes got me convinced now .


board him . and join me up