Selecting moderators

Lamp69

Can someone tell me how moderators are selected please? Is it the person who posts the most and spends all day on boards? If so this does not automatically mean knowledge! I was on boards years ago and recently joined again under a different username. It's the same old mods closing threads and giving warnings. Can someone please explain the selection process please?

Penn

Lamp69 wrote: »

Can someone tell me how moderators are selected please? Is it the person who posts the most and spends all day on boards? If so this does not automatically mean knowledge! I was on boards years ago and recently joined again under a different username. It's the same old mods closing threads and giving warnings. Can someone please explain the selection process please?

Depends on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) prolific posters, lack of mod actions taken against them, provides & engages in civil debates, helpful posters, who has shown they can use sound judgement and be impartial, and generally who the existing mods or cmods think would make a good addition to the mod team of that forum for the betterment of that forum.

It's not who posts a lot or is online a lot. The key thing is simply "Who is the best choice".

Lamp69

Penn wrote: »

Depends on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) prolific posters, lack of mod actions taken against them, provides & engages in civil debates, helpful posters, who has shown they can use sound judgement and be impartial, and generally who the existing mods or cmods think would make a good addition to the mod team of that forum for the betterment of that forum.

It's not who posts a lot or is online a lot. The key thing is simply "Who is the best choice".

Well some of them cannot do a good job when someone asks you a question in a thread, you reply and the mod tells you not to post there again. Power trip to me

Penn

Lamp69 wrote: »

Well some of them cannot do a good job when someone asks you a question in a thread, you reply and the mod tells you not to post there again. Power trip to me

They may have had their reasons or perhaps you broke a rule accidentally. Best course of action would be to PM them to discuss and see what happened before simply labelling them a powertripper.

Lamp69

Penn wrote: »

They may have had their reasons or perhaps you broke a rule accidentally. Best course of action would be to PM them to discuss and see what happened before simply labelling them a powertripper.

I did and they ignored it. I remembered there was a reason I left boards for years and it's the same issue. Mod doesn't agree with you and they shut you down. Please review the mods in relationships as they may think the issue is not important but to the poster it is.

Insect Overlord

It seems to me the mod who closed your thread gave an honest, concise and fair reason for doing so. There was no argument or disagreement or agenda of any other kind that I can see.

What is strange is to jump from one well-reasoned thread closure to questioning the whole process of selecting mods across the site.

Penny Tration

Lamp69 wrote: »

I did and they ignored it. I remembered there was a reason I left boards for years and it's the same issue. Mod doesn't agree with you and they shut you down. Please review the mods in relationships as they may think the issue is not important but to the poster it is.

In RI, I think your thread was closed based on the number of threads you've posted. The charter specifically prohibits numerous threads in a short space of time.

If you think they've done wrong though, you can always chat to a Category Mod and ask them to review, or post a thread in the Help Desk for review.

Lamp69

An File wrote: »

It seems to me the mod who closed your thread gave an honest, concise and fair reason for doing so. There was no argument or disagreement or agenda of any other kind that I can see.

What is strange is to jump from one well-reasoned thread closure to questioning the whole process of selecting mods across the site.

Course you do. Oh forget it - waste of time

Insect Overlord

Lamp69 wrote: »

Course you do. Oh forget it - waste of time

If this is typical of your approach to dealing with people who are trying to help you or inform you, then I foresee more thread-closures in the future.

Here's a tip for free: try to behave like a well-mannered adult, and others will treat you with the same respect.

Sarcasm and throwing your toys out of the pram? Not so great.

Lamp69

An File wrote: »

If this is typical of your approach to dealing with people who are trying to help you or inform you, then I foresee more thread-closures in the future.

Here's a tip for free: try to behave like a well-mannered adult, and others will treat you with the same respect.

Sarcasm and throwing your toys out of the pram? Not so great.

Have you looked at my thread called "fussy" or "tinder guy" - the amount of posts with sarcasm against me and not one thing said to them. I say something in my defence and I'm given a post to read the charter from thus said moderator. Only so much unfairness you can take

Look at a thread "money as a birthday gift" some poster asked me a question and I replied. Look the the mods last post to me. Now if you agree that they were justified in that tone then I seriously am shocked!

Taltos

Lamp69 wrote: »

It's the same old mods closing threads and giving warnings. Can someone please explain the selection process please?

OK as mod of PI and cmod of Soc let me come in here.

The mod in question is not the same old mod. They are a new mod, who has kindly volunteered their personal time to help guide the forum. They were selected based on their constructive and helpful input over an extended period on the forum.

As to the call they made - as other posters here have called out - the PI charter is clear on not opening multiple threads in a short space of time. Added to that as you'd expect in a forum that deals with issues ranging from light to very very serious the charter is applied strictly - we make no apologies for that.

Reviewing your posts and how you responded to comments you received I fully support the advice given. Sometimes posters have to accept that Boards just cannot help. It's at best a sticky plaster and for some just the right nudge they need, for others it has to be a launchpad to seeking help elsewhere when continuing to advise them here is no longer serving a useful purpose - instead allowing some posters to come back again and again places them at risk of not getting the best help they need. There's no shame in that, we have to hold our hands up when we see a poster we feel we can't help and for their own good suggest they seek help elsewhere.

Hopefully this helps set some context as well as correct some misperception of the same old mods. Possibly the bolded text has caused offense here, but the direction I think still stands and I'd like to echo that advice to you.

Lamp69

Taltos wrote: »

OK as mod of PI and cmod of Soc let me come in here.

The mod in question is not the same old mod. They are a new mod, who has kindly volunteered their personal time to help guide the forum. They were selected based on their constructive and helpful input over an extended period on the forum.

As to the call they made - as other posters here have called out - the PI charter is clear on not opening multiple threads in a short space of time. Added to that as you'd expect in a forum that deals with issues ranging from light to very very serious the charter is applied strictly - we make no apologies for that.

Reviewing your posts and how you responded to comments you received I fully support the advice given. Sometimes posters have to accept that Boards just cannot help. It's at best a sticky plaster and for some just the right nudge they need, for others it has to be a launchpad to seeking help elsewhere when continuing to advise them here is no longer serving a useful purpose - instead allowing some posters to come back again and again places them at risk of not getting the best help they need. There's no shame in that, we have to hold our hands up when we see a poster we feel we can't help and for their own good suggest they seek help elsewhere.

Hopefully this helps set some context as well as correct some misperception of the same old mods. Possibly the bolded text has caused offense here, but the direction I think still stands and I'd like to echo that advice to you.

Rest assured I won't be asking advise again and fair enough I opened 3 threads in 2 weeks - doesn't mean I need counselling though!! One last note - why were other posters allowed to "name call" me and nothing was said to them? I defent myself and I'm told read the charter?!

Shield

Did you report the posts you found to be objectionable?

Lamp69

Shield wrote: »

Did you report the posts you found to be objectionable?

No. My issue is not with the posters because in fairness people will post what they like. My issue is with the moderator who slammed on any post I did defending myself but she/he ignored people saying they felt sorry for the guy I was dating etc

MadsL

Perhaps you could take the Amp Test and become a mod yourself Lamp69?

It's not for the faint-hearted mind you...took some people years.

Lamp69

RopeDrink wrote: »

Defending yourself typically boils down to derailment or off-topic discussions, which certainly don't help in sensitive forums (and isn't even acceptabed on standard forums outside of possible Off-Topic sticky threads designed for it). Rather than risk dragging topics away from the subject matter, posters are encouraged to refrain from publicly arguing with each other and, instead, report the post to highlight the issue to Moderators who will then revert the discussion back into chartered/acceptable territory.

Naturally a lot of posters are then inclined to believe they have been hard done by because - in their eyes - they were disrespected and in wanting to stand up for themselves, it is often them (or in most cases, both parties) given a slap on the wrist for breaking basic guidelines, not just the one who threw the first e-stone.



You're right, it's not about the posters - so stem it from there. You do not have to deal with them, so use the report button to have the right people do it for you while you remain on the topic at hand. The basic rule of thumb is you attack the post, not the poster. If someone attacks you instead, you have tools at hand to direct a Moderator to the problem and have them diffuse the situation.



Not true. People can post within the guidelines, which isn't necessarily the same as 'what they like'. It is not just the Moderators who assist keeping threads on topic as reported posts are one of if not the most prominent means of highlighting problems, which starts with you. If you choose not to use it and, instead, opt to fight your own battles, then it will be no surprise if other threads are locked because of it.

Ok thanks this makes a lot of sense. Your tone is nice and calm - the other moderators tone to me just really got to me with no explanation and big bold writing!!! Thank you and apologies if I've done wrong.

Stheno

Lamp69 wrote: »

Ok thanks this makes a lot of sense. Your tone is nice and calm - the other moderators tone to me just really got to me with no explanation and big bold writing!!! Thank you and apologies if I've done wrong.

Bolded text is mods way of posting as a mod and not a regular user

Penny Tration

Lamp69 wrote: »

Ok thanks this makes a lot of sense. Your tone is nice and calm - the other moderators tone to me just really got to me with no explanation and big bold writing!!! Thank you and apologies if I've done wrong.

As mentioned, writing in bold basically means they're writing as a mod. That way, if they want to offer advice themselves, they just type in normal font. Bold font basically means 'l'm writing this as a moderator and not a poster, so please bear that in mind.' It's common on boards, it's not to try be rude at all.

Steve

Mostly the cmods get to decide nowadays. We generally pick those who pay us most. Sometimes candidates try to call us out on this method (some insane theory that its biased and unfair) but they end up sitebanned and silenced.

You can also approach an admin directly and offer to paint their house or be their slave for 10 years, that has been known to work.

Either will work.

* please note, the above post may contain fiction.

Lamp69

Steve wrote: »

Mostly the cmods get to decide nowadays. We generally pick those who pay us most. Sometimes candidates try to call us out on this method (some insane theory that its biased and unfair) but they end up sitebanned and silenced.

You can also approach an admin directly and offer to paint their house or be their slave for 10 years, that has been known to work.

Either will work.

* please note, the above post may contain fiction.

First mod I've seen with a sense of humour no offence to the others lol

Steve

Lamp69 wrote: »

First mod I've seen with a sense of humour no offence to the others lol

Haha, I'm old school. been here too long and don't really subscribe to this new fangled political correctness crap

Stheno

Lamp69 wrote: »

First mod I've seen with a sense of humour no offence to the others lol

He's a grumpy ould bollix in real life

And to be fair, to be a mod it's a balance between helping enforce the rules, and having a sense of humour about things

Steve

Stheno wrote: »

He's a grumpy ould bollix in real life

And to be fair, to be a mod it's a balance between helping enforce the rules, and having a sense of humour about things

And the odd time I go overboard, but always get brought back in line by the crew..

Lamp69

Stheno wrote: »

He's a grumpy ould bollix in real life

And to be fair, to be a mod it's a balance between helping enforce the rules, and having a sense of humour about things

Another one with a sense of humour

Stheno

Steve wrote: »

And the odd time I go overboard, but always get brought back in line by the crew..

I seem to remember you getting uppity on a sailiing crew, and being propelled overboard

Lamp69 wrote: »

Another one with a sense of humour

You'd be amazed the amount of mods with the same.

PI is a horror to mod, it's very black and white

Gordon

Lamp69 wrote: »

First mod I've seen with a sense of humour no offence to the others lol

Steve's wages have been docked by 50% due to his wild disregard for Modlaw.

Stheno

Gordon wrote: »

Steve's wages have been docked by 50% due to his wild disregard for Modlaw.

Can I have a bye on this? I only posted as a newbie mod, and haven't hit my basic quota of hookers and coke yet?

Lamp69

Stheno wrote: »

I seem to remember you getting uppity on a sailiing crew, and being propelled overboard



You'd be amazed the amount of mods with the same.

PI is a horror to mod, it's very black and white

I can imagine. I really didn't mean any badness in my posts and I assume the mod that I took offence to didnt either. So hard to tell by text/emails/threads

Merkin

Interesting choice of thread subject. Given that I'm the Mod you refer to, you might also like to clarify for everyone that you were ultimately yellow carded for the following post after having already been warned for a number of unsuitable posts:

No thanks. Ooh I've posted without reading your charter. Oops. Ban me. Thanks in advance

In any event, muppetry (opening multiple threads, abusing other posters, time wasting and ignoring the charter) are all actionable. As per your plethora of personal messages to me, if you're evidently upset with my moderating style then please do report me, I stand by every action so I'm only too happy to give further details.

Steve

Stheno wrote: »

I seem to remember you getting uppity on a sailiing crew, and being propelled overboard

A mere culmination of a series of unfortunate events my dear, Lemony Snicket moment.

Steve

Merkin wrote: »

No thanks. Ooh I've posted without reading your charter. Oops. Ban me. Thanks in advance

That is, indeed, an unfortunate choice of reply to a moderator here.

I would, in general, agree to the ban request when it's asked for in those terms.

Lamp69

Merkin wrote: »

Interesting choice of thread subject. Given that I'm the Mod you refer to, you might also like to clarify for everyone that you were ultimately yellow carded for the following post after having already been warned for a number of unsuitable posts:

No thanks. Ooh I've posted without reading your charter. Oops. Ban me. Thanks in advance

In any event, muppetry (opening multiple threads, abusing other posters, time wasting and ignoring the charter) are all actionable. As per your plethora of personal messages to me, if you're evidently upset with my moderating style then please do report me, I stand by every action so I'm only too happy to give further details.

I meant that as a joke. And I did send you personal messages when you closed my thread but I only asked you why. And yes I did report you here. Look I can't do this - I'm tired of it. No offence.

Actually feck it - I feel like I should be put in jail for a couple of posts. Bloody hell. I'm deactivating my account!

Steve

Gordon wrote: »

Steve's wages have been docked by 50% due to his wild disregard for Modlaw.

No worries, take it out of my banning commission boss.

Stheno

Lamp69 wrote: »

I meant that as a joke. And I did send you personal messages when you closed my thread but I only asked you why. And yes I did report you here. Look I can't do this - I'm tired of it. No offence

See no mod will take that as a joke tbh, as it means you are on the lookout for that sort of poster to cause chaos, whether or not it's intended.

Steve

Lamp69 wrote: »

I meant that as a joke. And I did send you personal messages when you closed my thread but I only asked you why. And yes I did report you here. Look I can't do this - I'm tired of it. No offence

It wasn't a very good joke in fairness, we're all here to have a bit of a laugh, to get away from the day-to-day stuff, you even agreed I had a sense of humor... that was a bit harsh though don't you think? The mod has a job to do, cant you see that?

Lamp69

Stheno wrote: »

See no mod will take that as a joke tbh, as it means you are on the lookout for that sort of poster to cause chaos, whether or not it's intended.

Ok. Can't cope with all these rules. I actually feel like a criminal now!!! Il deactivate my account!

Stheno

Lamp69 wrote: »

Ok. Can't cope with all these rules. I actually feel like a criminal now!!! Il deactivate my account!

Well it's pretty simple.
Read the charter of any forum you want to post in.

There are a couple of basic rules:
1. Don't be a troll/announce you are not obeying the rules.
2. Don't ignore mod posts
3. Don't personally insult posters, use the report function instead.

That's gotten me through 10 or more years and an awful lot of posts on here

Overheal

Merkin wrote: »

As per your plethora of personal messages to me

eh, I'd report some of those generally speaking.

Steve

Don't give in to hate my friend. closing your account is like admitting defeat. Discussing it and moving on will benefit you in more ways than you can ever imagine

Penny Tration

Stheno wrote: »

Well it's pretty simple.
Read the charter of any forum you want to post in.

There are a couple of basic rules:
1. Don't be a troll/announce you are not obeying the rules.
2. Don't ignore mod posts
3. Don't personally insult posters, use the report function instead.

That's gotten me through 10 or more years and an awful lot of posts on here

all very easily summed up in one boards rule - don't be a dick.

Merkin asked you a couple of times to read the forum charter. That was a chance to learn the forum rules so that you wouldn't get carded or banned. You were given a chance!

Merkin

Lamp69 wrote: »

I meant that as a joke. And I did send you personal messages when you closed my thread but I only asked you why. And yes I did report you here. Look I can't do this - I'm tired of it. No offence!

OK Lamp69. Now you're telling porky pies. You PMd me in fury telling me you'd be lodging a complaint, not asking why I closed your most recent thread.

Incidentally, given that you didn't in fact ask why I decided to close your thread, you may like to read my rather succinct reasons again. I don't think I could have been any clearer....

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057514309&page=2

Lamp69

Merkin wrote: »

OK Lamp69. Now you're telling porky pies. You PMd me in fury telling me you'd be lodging a complaint, not asking why I closed your most recent thread.

Incidentally, given that you didn't in fact ask why I decided to close your thread, you may like to read my rather succinct reasons again. I don't think I could have been any clearer....

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057514309&page=2

I sent you 4 messages over the course of a few days - that last one today and not in a fury - I said I'd be making a complaint about you unfairly closing my threads and I said all the best. In my message before that I actually apologised to you but I'm guessing you didn't see that.

This is actually getting ridiculous now

Stheno

Lamp69 wrote: »

I sent you 4 messages over the course of a few days - that last one today and not in a fury - I said I'd be making a complaint about you unfairly closing my threads and I said all the best. In my message before that I actually apologised to you but I'm guessing you didn't see that.

This is actually getting ridiculous now

Objectively, you come across as a problem poster. That amount of interaction with mods is ridiculous imo.

Lamp69

Overheal wrote: »

eh, I'd report some of those generally speaking.

There's nothing to report. I sent 4 messages over the course of a few days after I got a message from Merkin with my warning. I replied to the warning asking was he/she for real. No reply so I sent another asking them to re read the threads. I then posted my "joke" about banning me and merkin gave out. I sent a pm saying sorry. My last one was today after my thread was closed.

Report to who anyways?!

Lamp69

Stheno wrote: »

Objectively, you come across as a problem poster. That amount of interaction with mods is ridiculous imo.

Oh fine. I give up for the love of God.

Steve

Just wondering Lamp69, you said you were here before in another life, years ago, that's fair enough.
Back then if you wanted to complain about a moderator then you - well complained about a moderator on feedback. These days, one does it on help desk and talks to cmods / admins. I think you already know that though and chose to feign this thread subject here to raise your issue?

Am I wrong?

Are you just wasting our time? (well, not really, I enjoy a good feedback thread )

What's your real point dude?

Lamp69

Steve wrote: »

Just wondering Lamp69, you said you were here before in another life, years ago, that's fair enough.
Back then if you wanted to complain about a moderator then you - well complained about a moderator on feedback. These days, one does it on help desk and talks to cmods / admins. I think you already know that though and chose to feign this thread subject here to raise your issue?

Am I wrong?

Are you just wasting our time? (well, not really, I enjoy a good feedback thread )

What's your real point dude?

What do you mean? I didn't know I was supposed to raise my issue on helpdesk. I didn't complain years ago

Stheno

I guess Steve is wondering why you started this thread, there is a whole process if you have an issue with an individual mod that you follow through dispute resolution which is not here.

Lamp69

Stheno wrote: »

I guess Steve is wondering why you started this thread, there is a whole process if you have an issue with an individual mod that you follow through dispute resolution which is not here.

I didn't know that. Maybe I should read the charter!! Look fair enough I did wrong - I opened 3 threads and I was a smart ass. I'm going to hell. I'm out of here - peace!

Stheno

Lamp69 wrote: »

I didn't know that. Maybe I should read the charter!! Look fair enough I did wrong - I opened 3 threads and I was a smart ass. I'm going to hell. I'm out of here - peace!

Just read the charter and listen to warnings in future tbh

uck51js9zml2yt

Stheno wrote: »

PI is a horror to mod, it's very black and white

Be honest, most of the time it's just black :)