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Ch... Ch... Ch...Changes! (or... not, as the case may be)

  • 19-05-2009 11:54am
    #1
    Business & Finance Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 32,387 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Ok, I've been meaning to bring people up to date for some time but tbh, nothing we've been doing affects the user population just yet so I prioritised things above it for simple pragmatism. I am but one man.

    So, where were we when we last talked? We've hired a few people, Dav and Darragh have joined the office to help with the stuff I wouldnt expect mods or admins to do. (the new FAQ is Dav's work for example, have a gander at it).

    We've hired IRLConor to allow Ross to spend sometime outside occasionally and to help build a solid platform for the future.

    I renamed Smods to Admins because thats what they were being anyway and it inordinately annoys me when something is "a rose by any other name".
    I tend to slap a label which reads "<-- ROSE." on such things.
    We also gave them the tools to do what they need to do because all that was happening is that they were asking the old admins to do things, and we'd do them. Eventually. Thats inefficient and needed fixing. So I fixed it.

    I've had a meeting with Adverts Moderators to discuss the future of Adverts which is massively in flux right now. The only thing I can tell you for sure is that Adverts needs a plan and a big "fix". If I told you anything else, I'd have to come back tomorrow and tell you something different most likely.
    When I have a solid answer I'll let you know.

    We're going through a process of trying to streamline the mods work, get a list of guidelines for posters and agree a consensus on how mods should mod.
    More of that shortly.


    Now, there is an underlying current of wanting to be kept in the loop around here and I think you'd be hard pushed to find someone who is MORE about consultation and consensus then I am. That doesnt mean I need to consult everyone about every change. When we created non-admin "mods" (waay back when) there were howls of indignation. We did it anyway. In fact we've quite a history of "just doing things" so I dont think thats changed at all.

    I've just created non-founder "admins". The rationale is *exactly* the same as when we created non-founder "mods". The site needs the extra "bandwidth" of hands and eyes. We're lucky to have people who are willing to step up, just like the mods.

    We now have three flavour of admins.
    "founders", the original 5...
    "community", those who were previously called Smods.
    "ambassador" those who are tasked with real world stuff and jobs that are too much like "work" to ask others to do (too long, too boring, too unpleasant etc).

    So thats what has happened, but as you can see, not actually a lot has "happened". I've renamed some stuff, I've talked to a LOT of people about what-it-is-that-they-do-for-us, and I've fixed a few things that were blatantly broken.

    The major thing is where I'm going with this. I'm setting up a structure that is self sustaining and self powering for the next "jump". When we appointed "mods" we exploded past the incumbent "communties" who were run by their founders, founders who couldnt let go of the steering wheel and let the community drive itself.

    I'm hoping this is the next logical step. Removing the admin bottleneck to an extent. Creating a technical platform that doesnt creak alarmingly occasionally.

    My intent is that in 2 years we'll have 10 times the traffic here on 2-3 times the number of forums. That Boards will mature (painfully, I'm sure) into the platform for Ireland. (Take a look at the thread in AH about the hospital closures to see a hint of that). We cant do that without some structure and certainly not with just 5 admins.

    Boards LTD is going to become the best *platform* for that to happen on, but Boards.ie is being handed to the people who genuinely make it go.

    Where it "goes" ... I've only some visions of that... its now, quite literally, not completely in my hands any longer. Thats pretty scary, but also exciting. :)

    DeV.
    Post edited by Shield on


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,555 ✭✭✭✭AckwelFoley


    Do paid staff have an offic where they work under one roof, or do they work from home in their underpants?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,910 ✭✭✭✭RoundyMooney


    DeV, thanks.

    Snypey, stop fapping ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,608 ✭✭✭✭sceptre


    snyper wrote: »
    Do paid staff have an offic where they work under one roof, or do they work from home in their underpants?
    There's an office. Having visited once, it all looks very officy and professional.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    DeVore wrote: »
    My intent is that in 2 years we'll have 10 times the traffic here on 2-3 times the number of forums.
    I'd have thought Boards was nearing saturation point, or at least starting to see a slow down in the growth of the number of forums.

    Of course, just because I can't think in terms of that kind of expansion don't mean squat. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    I'm fairly sure I know the answer to this already but for the record, from a regular mod's or user's point of view, the founder admins and the community admins are effectively the same right? As in there is no higher power to appeal to if say you don't like a decision by Beruthiel or BuffyBot.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Dades wrote: »
    I'd have thought Boards was nearing saturation point, or at least starting to see a slow down in the growth of the number of forums.

    Of course, just because I can't think in terms of that kind of expansion don't mean squat. :)
    You might just be missing on the probable structure changes that will naturally come about (though this is not what is "planned" by a longshot).

    As opposed to being one community site where you can discuss things in the various forums with all the people you know, the site is well down the road of developing its own sub-communities. Just look at Poker, Fitness and Cycling to see these in action. Within these sub-communites I think it can only be expected that these will act as mini-boards.ie's of their own, spawning their own subforums so their communities can discuss niche topics. So "Fitness" spawns, "Weightlifting", "Cardio", etc, while Cycling spawns, "Commuters", "MTBs", and so on.

    Yes, there has to be a limit of sorts and there will be points where crossovers occur and forums are amalgamated or removed, but there is huge scope for expansion at the moment. Yes, people will tell you there are too many forums, but that's only if you're consider "boards.ie" to be the community. If you consider "Fitness" to be your community, then you might think that there aren't enough forums. :)


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 42,362 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    Guess what was playing on the radio when I clicked this thread?

    /wanders off to the paranormal forum.


    Javaboy
    That is correct.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,163 ✭✭✭✭Boston


    DeVore wrote: »

    Now, there is an underlying current of wanting to be kept in the loop around here and I think you'd be hard pushed to find someone who is MORE about consultation and consensus then I am. That doesnt mean I need to consult everyone about every change. When we created non-admin "mods" (waay back when) there were howls of indignation. We did it anyway. In fact we've quite a history of "just doing things" so I dont think thats changed at all.

    DeV.

    There is also a tradition of long established users getting the hump and feicing off when changes "Just happen". I absolutely disagree that with the stance, "nothing we've been doing affects the user population". You've got a big plan and thats great, but small things do affect users. The Smod's may have been de-facto admins but the truth is they had no remit for the role they full filled. Their role has now been clarified and they've been given the backing to do the job they where doing anyway. This is all good.

    Also, welcome IRLConor. You look extremely familiar tom e


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,944 ✭✭✭✭4zn76tysfajdxp


    DeVore wrote: »
    We now have three flavour of admins.
    "founders", the original 5...

    Five? But isn't Vexorg gone, or am I missing somebody here?
    My intent is that in 2 years we'll have 10 times the traffic here on 2-3 times the number of forums. That Boards will mature (painfully, I'm sure) into the platform for Ireland.

    Holy shit, that's certainly...ambitious.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,924 ✭✭✭✭BuffyBot


    javaboy wrote: »
    I'm fairly sure I know the answer to this already but for the record, from a regular mod's or user's point of view, the founder admins and the community admins are effectively the same right? As in there is no higher power to appeal to if say you don't like a decision by Beruthiel or BuffyBot.


    Why pick on me :(

    Who doesn't like my desicions?*


    *question should not actually be answered.


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  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 42,362 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    Nobody likes your decisions Buffy.
    Five? But isn't Vexorg gone, or am I missing somebody here?

    Vex is part owner of this site.
    He will never be gone.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,944 ✭✭✭✭4zn76tysfajdxp


    Beruthiel wrote: »
    Vex is part owner of this site.
    He will never be gone.

    That sounds like a threat Beruthiel, you don't frighten me.




    Out here in the open. :o


  • Subscribers Posts: 4,076 ✭✭✭IRLConor


    Boston wrote: »
    Also, welcome IRLConor. You look extremely familiar tom e

    You might have seen me at a beers or something.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 611 ✭✭✭MonicaBing


    Can i ask who the original 5 are? I presume you are the guys then that founded Boards.ie?


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 42,362 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    That sounds like a threat Beruthiel, you don't frighten me.

    That's because you are a fool.

    Monica Bing --> Clickeh


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 88,972 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    The founding five are -

    /flash of steel blade........agggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

    /evil giggles


  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 25,872 Mod ✭✭✭✭Doctor DooM


    Beruthiel wrote: »
    That's because you are a fool.

    Monica Bing --> Clickeh

    Someone might want to update that, between linking to vex for ads and the old definition of Admins...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,944 ✭✭✭✭4zn76tysfajdxp


    Beruthiel wrote: »
    That's because you are a fool.

    Oh yeah?

    Post reporte...ah fuck, nobody's going to reprimand an Admin are they?

    You win this round, and every other round I would imagine, but I will be triumphant one day. And when that day happens...

    *Shakes fist vaguely*


  • Subscribers Posts: 16,616 ✭✭✭✭copacetic


    Beruthiel wrote: »
    Guess what was playing on the radio when I clicked this thread?

    /wanders off to the paranormal forum.


    Send in the Clowns?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,045 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    Oh yeah?

    Post reporte...ah fuck, nobody's going to reprimand an Admin are they?

    Wanna bet?

    Beruthiel wrote: »
    That's because you are a fool.

    Post reported for personal abuse.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,824 ✭✭✭ShooterSF


    Oh yeah?

    Post reporte...ah fuck, nobody's going to reprimand an Admin are they?

    You win this round, and every other round I would imagine, but I will be triumphant one day. And when that day happens...

    *Shakes fist vaguely*

    How does one shake a fist vaguely? Is the shaking that's vague? Maybe it's more a rotating/pumping motion. Or is the fist the vagueness? Maybe it's a foot? :P


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,045 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    Are you saying he was threathing to fist an admin?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,944 ✭✭✭✭4zn76tysfajdxp


    ShooterSF wrote: »
    How does one shake a fist vaguely? Is the shaking that's vague? Maybe it's more a rotating/pumping motion. Or is the fist the vagueness? Maybe it's a foot? :P

    It's the intent behind the shaking that's vague. It offer's a mild threat but doesn't offer any kind of solid clarification on what the threat is. Like when somebody is asking your for directions when you're distracted and you just wave your hand in a vague direction saying: "Ahh, it's over there."
    Thaedydal wrote: »
    Are you saying he was threathing to fist an admin?

    Pointless. With my girlish little hands, they wouldn't feel a thing.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,315 ✭✭✭Jazzy


    i like the new top bar thingy


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,163 ✭✭✭✭Boston


    IRLConor wrote: »
    You might have seen me at a beers or something.

    Considering you where leaving trinity when I started its entirely possible that's from where.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,859 ✭✭✭✭Sharpshooter


    Jazzy wrote: »
    i like the new top bar thingy
    I agree,it's a big improvement almost like a mini page.
    It's very clear and concise.
    /goes away happy.:)


  • Subscribers Posts: 4,076 ✭✭✭IRLConor


    Boston wrote: »
    Considering you where leaving trinity when I started its entirely possible that's from where.

    True. I also help out in the rifle club so I'm around the campus a bit still.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,163 ✭✭✭✭Boston


    IRLConor wrote: »
    True. I also help out in the rifle club so I'm around the campus a bit still.

    That will be it. Joined the rifle soc all the way through college.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,552 ✭✭✭✭GuanYin


    copacetic wrote: »
    Send in the Clowns?

    Turn and face the strange (Ch-ch-Changes)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19,080 ✭✭✭✭Random


    The original 5? What the frack is this all about? Frackin cylons!


  • Subscribers Posts: 16,616 ✭✭✭✭copacetic


    GuanYin wrote: »
    Turn and face the strange (Ch-ch-Changes)

    well yep, but I was trying to make a funnee (and failed I guess:o)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,552 ✭✭✭✭GuanYin


    copacetic wrote: »
    well yep, but I was trying to make a funnee (and failed I gess:o)

    Ohh, I was referring to 6th ;)


  • Business & Finance Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 32,387 Mod ✭✭✭✭DeVore


    There is no meaningful hierarchy within the admins. You cant appeal to a "founder" admin. What we have agreed is that in the event of non-consensus the founders will decide on an issue. (If you think that means they have the "real power"... imagine what this place would look like without Beruthiel, Seamus, Asiaprod, MAJD, Buffybot... do I need to name them all?). And there will be others, we'll need to expand the admins too, just like we have the mods.

    DeV.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 67 ✭✭iDontReallyCare


    DeVore wrote: »
    There is no meaningful hierarchy within the admins. You cant appeal to a "founder" admin. What we have agreed is that in the event of non-consensus the founders will decide on an issue. (If you think that means they have the "real power"... imagine what this place would look like without Beruthiel, Seamus, Asiaprod, MAJD, Buffybot... do I need to name them all?). And there will be others, we'll need to expand the admins too, just like we have the mods.

    DeV.

    Every time you write a post on behalf of boards.ie when you go to type "I", think.... and then use "we"

    Comes across much better.

    You did well in the OP post for once :D;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,247 ✭✭✭✭6th


    GuanYin wrote: »
    Ohh, I was referring to 6th ;)

    You know I'm always watching you, right?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,117 ✭✭✭Gazza22


    DeVore wrote: »
    ... imagine what this place would look like without Beruthiel, Seamus, Asiaprod, MAJD, Buffybot... do I need to name them all?).
    DeV.

    Very true, the Smods were a key element in shaping the site and adding to the overall smooth running of boardsie - i remember a distinct improvement in everything from general troll/tard cleansing to answering user queries etc in the month's after the Smods were introduced.

    A lot of people over the past couple of days have directed most of the dicussion towards why are they now Admins etc but i just think a congrats is in order. Not because they are now admins, that title is just superficial as they have all worked like Admins for a long time now.

    But congrats for taking this extra responsibility on voluntarily and in a way renewing your 'vows' to Boardsie to help out and make it a better place!

    /takes off hat to new Admins ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,552 ✭✭✭✭GuanYin


    6th wrote: »
    You know I'm always watching you, right?

    Wow... you're still creepy.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,110 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tar.Aldarion


    Nice idea with the smods. That's my cornucopia of input.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,509 ✭✭✭✭randylonghorn


    Gazza22 wrote: »
    ... and in a way renewing your 'vows' to Boards.ie to help out and make it a better place!
    Jeez, thanks, Gazza, I'm now going to bed with a vision of Reverend Mother Beruthiel in my head! >.<

    You're right though ... it comes naturally to boardsies to discuss and question and turn everything upside down to see what its bottom looks like, and without those qualities Boards wouldn't be half the site it is to-day.

    But congrats are definitely in order, and best wishes.

    And possibly a generous supply of valium! :pac:


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 42,362 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    Jeez, thanks, Gazza, I'm now going to bed with a vision of Reverend Mother Beruthiel in my head!

    Did you have nightmares?
    I do hope so.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    Jeez, thanks, Gazza, I'm now going to bed with a vision of Reverend Mother Beruthiel in my head! >.<

    You mean kind of like a Nun?

    A Blue Nun?


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 42,362 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    ffs!


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,425 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    I get that there are changes. I get that you all have new titles. Or something. It all sounds progressive and positive and worthy and all that.

    Its probably not going to keep me up nights, but ta Dev for letting me know.

    Oh, and when the revolution comes, remember I was on your side.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,509 ✭✭✭✭randylonghorn


    Jeez, thanks, Gazza, I'm now going to bed with a vision of Reverend Mother Beruthiel in my head! >.<
    Beruthiel wrote: »
    Did you have nightmares?
    I do hope so.

    It got worse!! :eek:


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 42,362 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    It got worse!! :eek:

    Jesus.
    You've had that on the back burner for two years just so you could whip it out at the most opportune time.


  • Subscribers Posts: 16,616 ✭✭✭✭copacetic


    Beruthiel wrote: »
    Jesus.
    You've had that on the back burner for two years just so you could whip it out at the most opportune time.

    that's what she said.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,045 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    /sniff
    I miss being able to tell people to go suck my cock in this forum.
    There are somethings about the old style feedback I miss.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,509 ✭✭✭✭randylonghorn


    Beruthiel wrote: »
    ... just so you could whip it out at the most opportune time.
    I've always found that a useful approach. :D


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,425 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    Thaedydal wrote: »
    /sniff
    I miss being able to tell people to go suck my cock in this forum.
    There are somethings about the old style feedback I miss.
    Youve got a penis? Or you keep poultry? Either way Id be pretty impressed.

    And i miss the manatees.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,061 ✭✭✭✭Terry


    sceptre wrote: »
    There's an office. Having visited once, it all looks very officy and professional.
    Terry, would you like a glass of water?
    Yeah.
    Here you go.
    It was fizzy orange. That's what comes out of the water coolers there.
    They have the life.

    DeVore wrote: »
    There is no meaningful hierarchy within the admins. You cant appeal to a "founder" admin. What we have agreed is that in the event of non-consensus the founders will decide on an issue. (If you think that means they have the "real power"... imagine what this place would look like without Beruthiel, Seamus, Asiaprod, MAJD, Buffybot... do I need to name them all?). And there will be others, we'll need to expand the admins too, just like we have the mods.

    DeV.
    Not it.

    Thaedydal wrote: »
    /sniff
    I miss being able to tell people to go suck my cock in this forum.
    There are somethings about the old style feedback I miss.


    For the better as far as I'm concerned.


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