Site is a graveyard - How can boards save itself? [Threadbanned users in 1st post]

If things are a lot quieter than back in the peak perhaps the modding shareload could be shared across all new posts rather than mods attached to particular topics.

I do think the reductive nature of reddit will eventually kill that site, but there's still a need for discussion forums like boards, and as another poster to this mentioned there may be a renewal for younger generations to simply have a place to discuss information relevant to Ireland and the EU without the profit driven click monsters like FB, twatter and now the publically traded Reddit. They thrive on argument and confrontation, whereas I find many useful bits of information here often by simply looking back through old threads.

It may surprise you that I haven't had that many run-ins with mods.

But in my limited experience, some moderators you can come to - if not an agreement - than at least a middle ground.

Others are just dicks. 🤷

Of course, others have shared their experiences with me. My experience is not unique.

Thats the reason why

There is no such thing as "The Average Poster". But I would venture a guess that a big majority never have any interaction with the Mods. I very much doubt that you or any other non Mod poster knows all the stuff you claim to know about site wide moderation.

If anything is to be considered I hope it is the role of formal dispute resolution. Because that procedure is simply a farce, I wonder if mods realise just how much contempt there is for it.

No one branded YOU as far right. I did refer to the far right trope that you brought up.

Boards is pretty good for dealing with extreme hate speech at present. Posts reported are dealt with generally within minutes or hours, maybe a day or two in rare cases. It's hard to see that hate speech legislation will present any serious challenge to Boards, so I've no idea why you think it's worth while bringing up here.

There is one kind hate speech that Boards seems happy to permit - the use of retard or retarded as a derogatory insult. Boards doesn't allow equivalent casual derogatory terms for gay people or black people or Jewish people, but does allow the term that relates to people with intellectual disabilities, who don't deserve the same level of protection, apparently.

One issue that I've run into a few times, relates to the climate created by the fear of libel. You see so many active discussions shut down because of it, often ones that are currently highly prominent in daily life. The Donaldson thread being the most recent example. I appreciate the difficult situation the law has created for the site, but if folks can't talk about relevant and "hot" topics here, then they're just going to leave. Rightly or wrongly, people want to be free to engage in conversation. It's particularly frustrating when there is public reporting from various news sources, yet one can't reference it on boards.

I don't believe mods are the issue. Basic forums like plumbing, electrical and diy would have very little input from mods yet the plumbers and electricians that offer free advice have at least halved in numbers in recent years. Same with the amount of people asking questions in these forums.

Personally I think there was a massive reduction in traffic since Vanilla.

IIRC there was more than one poster on the thread who claimed to be a former Admin / CMod / Mod.

But yes, everyone can be dicks. We're all people. None of us are above taking this personally and maybe reacting. Posters can be dicks. As can moderators. Both tend to be dealt with eventually.

100% agree that both posters and mods can be dicks. However the issue is when the mod is the one being a dick and the consequences fall on the poster, who may or may not have been a dick. Their only recourse then is to go to the Help Desk / Dispute Resolution, which rarely goes in favour of the poster.

There is a reason DRP its referred to as "circling the wagons" and why many just don't bother engaging in it.

That's the difference between a mod being a dick and a poster being a dick.

And if you're a poster, any actions against you remain in your moderation history, for any other moderator to then judge you by - whether it was fair or not.

How are mods and cmods decided?

Some mods poor behaviour is a serious issue. I think that has to be acknowledged by all at this stage. Of course poor behaviour is common amongst posters as well and I include myself in that but the difference is that there are consequences for posters but for mods, some seem to be given free reign. By that I mean, when giving warnings, they seem to be allowed to post in any manner they wish.

Now, this is not all mods but one mod in particular definitely does it and they even do it while regularly posting. It has even been pointed out on this thread. Shouldn't there be a system or set up where mods who consistently behave inappropriately receive some sort of punishment?

Obviously, mods are volunteers and most are good and honest. A free for all is not warranted. But a review system where if a mod with consistent poor behaviour should receive warning or possibly be removed as a mod. The reports would have to come from a large number of posters across the board of course and not just those who have received bans. Surely a system such as this can be put in place?