How do you become a moderator?

[FooTemps]

Originally posted by Army
It ain't easy sometimes, being a Mod. You have to make some decisions that not everyone agrees with, and back up your position with emphasis on what is good for the site, not what you feel about it.

You mean like the descision to reset my post counter? lol

[X-Plosive]

Yeah i was thinking about Manike too, he's more like AO's technical guide who backs up myths with fact. As for Shartley, he gets into way too many grey threads and usually takes/has the opposing view on subjects. Not to say he's not a big part of AO. There are also other things which keep him from being a mod. Shartley does put people in their place when they start crap with other AO members and he deserves some credit for the points he has brought up. With all this pondering I am starting to think that AO really doesn't need any more mods, there aren't very many situations the mods aren't able to take care of immediately.

[shartley]

X-Plosive

Yeah i was thinking about Manike too, he's more like AO's technical guide who backs up myths with fact.

As for Shartley, he gets into way too many grey threads and usually takes/has the opposing view on subjects.

Not to say he's not a big part of AO. There are also other things which keep him from being a mod. Shartley does put people in their place when they start crap with other AO members and he deserves some credit for the points he has brought up.

[cphilip]

I'm a Mod? Well I better get with it then!

Actually Marcia and JoAnn both have some Admin and Mod powers too so they can do some official business when needed. Yes Tom is an Admin. THE Admin!

I don't think we will be adding any more the way it is now. We have pretty good coverage. Its possible a temp or two may be employeed if needed but I seriously doubt any permanent ones will be.

[Miscue]

Being a mod is not fun and games - although of course there are its highlights. Having to go through so many posts can get tedious - but we do it. But I think the worst thing by far is that we are under continual attack and unwarranted scrutiny - We don't like being the "bad guys," but people love to elevate things to a personal level and make us out to be when we are made to enforce the rules and take action upon them. Heck, I've even had people get outright nasty and flame me from other message boards after they were banned or something. But what can you do - that's just how things are and all the mods are used to it by now.

When it comes to decision making, one of the most difficult things about being a mod is keeping your ego in check. That darn thing can bite ya if you aren't paying attention to it. We all have them, some more than others... some exceedingly more than others - but lest we are human afterall. So, it is very important for us to stay relatively passive with our postings and not be too opinionated. You'd be surprised of what our opinions on things are (that the mods trade with each other) but do not mention... or there are even times when we act against our own opinions w/o any indication of it... because the job of being a moderator requires it.

I think all you guys know that we've been fair, pretty lenient (Heck, I'm sure you've all seen the numerous nastygrams directed to AGD or sometimes to the moderators that we always leave up so long as within the rules - that should say something), and consistent for the most part.

All the kindly comments are definitely appreciated! It lets us know that you guys think we're doing things the right way. We don't sit on a high horse or anything, so if you ever think we're out of line - feel free to shoot us right off that horse! Shoot us dead! We are open to criticism and are well willing to make changes if you think there is a problem.

-Miscue

[DarkRipper]

I think the real question is: why would you WANT to be a mod?

It's more work and very little compensation.

TRUST me.


DR

[manike]

In my opinion it's not just about rule enforcement as that can lead to 'jobsworths' and those types of people along with 'little people with a little power' are the worst kinds of people.

You need to have a level head and be able to make decisions concerning the rules 'within the spirit of the rules'.

Just knowing what the rules are and pushing them without breaking them is not necessarily a good or respectable thing. Working within the spirit of them shows a better charachter in my opinion and more one in the making of what I would like to see in a moderator.

Having someone with a level head who can be impartial is I think the most important thing. I think we are fine with the mods as they are. I like the way they are personal people and none of them are on 'Ego trips', which I think may happen if Mod selection wasn't done very carefully

Oh yeah and asking is a sure fire way not to get picked

I've been a 'silent mod' (as well as non silent) on forums and in chat rooms before and in many ways I prefer it that way. Some people let the words 'moderator' go to their head once they put it into their avatar and these are the sorts of people that shouldn't be modding. You should be modding to help, not for the power.

manike

(edited to make my point without quoting another AO member).

[MikeCouves]

Yeah it doesn't sound like it would be very fun. I like to read posts and look at pictures. But looking over like every post must get boring. How do you guys record warnings and stuff? I would find that impossible.

Also, I think we need a mod over in this time zone. manmike's always on really early if he is, because he's over in Europe. I am here in Newfoundland, the most Easterly point in North America , and when I am on in the morning there's no mods on for a couple hours at least.

Just a suggestion. Don't come knockin' on my door for a moderator, I'll slam it! Actually I dunno, I am here 5 hours a day anyways! What about you guys? How much time do you spend here? My life is in front of this computer.

[manike]

Originally posted by MikeCouves
Also, I think we need a mod over in this time zone.

That's actually a very valid point. There have been quite a few times when I have been in chat or online (my comp is 100% time connected as I work from it also) and there have been issues which could have done with a little moderating. But it does seem to have gotten better recently (and worse in other forums... )

It's good that there are mods on each coast to help with those kinds of issues.

manike

[shartley]

Directly after I posted, I DELETED it... I felt it was something I should take up with you directly so sent you a PM.

As for what is online NOW, it does not give a clear portrail of what happened or what was said. Please do as you think is correct....

[manike]

Originally posted by shartley
The way you diced it and took it out of context would be a semantics issue, pure and simple, since the way you interpreted it now is nowhere near my original intent.

Yes EXACTLY! That was my whole point. I wanted to use what you said in a completely different context to convey my feelings on the issue. People could have read what you said and taken it in other ways than you intended. (Which you accuse me of) I just wanted to point out that if they took it another way than intended then it was not a good thing.

manike

[TheTramp]

Semantic issues are 50% of his arguments. I don't see why it should be a problem if others use the same arguments.

[shartley]

TheTramp
I think this is a great time to use that all too well known saying...

ENDO!



What is now online is not all of what happened, or all that was said. It has been resolved OFFLINE by Manike and Myself. Any further comments on the issues between Manike and Myself (by others not directly involved) would simply be uninformed and counterproductive. It would also be taking away from the topic of the thread.

I hope you understand. No offense is intended.

[Army]

*Army pulls the belt off his Moderating pants...*

Don't make me use this you two! manike, go to your room. shartley, go stand in the corner. ...and I don't want anymore sass from either of you!

*sigh* See? Moderating is not the glamour job....

[krafty]

Oh no! Army's about to drop trow!

Talk about scaring someone straight....