Moderator, questions about the job?

[250]

Originally posted by Sir Real: LOL! Tell me 250 does it ever work? If so I gonna have to change my sig'.

hmmm... maybe I need to find a bigger club after all, you think so?

[Sir Real]

Originally posted by 250: hmmm... maybe I need to find a bigger club after all, you think so?

Okay I'm stumped!

------------------
Opinions are not clubs don't beat others with yours.

[Sazerac]

Originally posted by Sir Real: Okay I be thinking resently, What is it you do? Is it just watching out for Flammers/Trolls and threads that get 'out of hand' (What makes a thread 'out of hand' anyway?). What kind of powers do you get? What kind of action warrents what ever punishment you deliever? Is there some a rule book? IF you were to abuse you powers would another moderator punish you? How did you or do you become a moderator? What the job like? Do you enjoy it? Are these question starting to bug you? How about now?........Now?

Okay, what we do: Functionally, what we CAN do as far as "mod powers" go is that we can close threads, delete threads, and move threads to other forums (if we deem them necessary). We can NOT "ban" people (although we can recommend to Ziroc that someone's behavior online may warrant a ban) and we can't really do anything to fix an account that has gone bad (again, a Ziroc power). Think of us as referees in a game. Every so often we have to blow a whistle, but most of the time we're here to make sure the forum keeps flowing and that no one gets out of hand. Most of the time that's not a problem. Lately it's been more of one.

What makes a thread out of hand: When people stop treating each other with respect and began making personal attacks on each other...or when an inordinate amount of "taboo" words start peppering the threads. Some threads are automatic deleters, such as those trolling with flame bait (trying to stir stuff up), threads with pornographic dialog, terms, and references, or with pornographic images, links to inappropriate sites, etc. Generally we try not to delete a thread, as there may be some good information there...not to mention that often Ziroc needs to see what occurred in order to make a decision. Deleting the thread destroys the evidence, so to speak.

What kind of action warrants a punishment: When a request or ruling made by Ziroc or one of the mods goes unheeded and the poster persists in repeating the behavior (URLman was a case in point this week). Generally, on rules infractions (excessive spamming, flaming, etc.), a warning is all that's necessary, but if it persists, Ziroc sometimes has to step in (sometimes with our recommendations).

Is there a rule book? Yes. It's called the "Terms of Service Agreement." Click on the "Register" link at the top of any main page at the Ironworks Forums and read it. One should have read it and agreed to it when signing up.

I imagine that if a mod were to abuse his/her powers that Ziroc would be the one to step in. We have not had such a situation occur here.

Moderators are either recommended from reliable sources or hand-picked by Ziroc, as Memnoch said earlier (and Cloudy as well).

What's the job like and how do I like it? *sigh* Before the last month, I would have said that I liked it pretty much. Now...I'm not so sure. I'm being as honest as I can be. It's starting to wear me down, with all the sniping going on in the threads. I can only hope that this is just a trend and it will die down. But I'm starting to have severe doubts about that.

How about now....now? LOL, thanks for the questions, Lilarcor! Actually, I'm glad you asked. It may clear up some confusion for others as to exactly what we do.

Cheers,



------------------

[Sir Real]

Originally posted by Sazerac: Okay, what we do: Functionally, what we CAN do as far as "mod powers" go is that we can close threads, delete threads, and move threads to other forums (if we deem them necessary). We can NOT "ban" people (although we can recommend to Ziroc that someone's behavior online may warrant a ban) and we can't really do anything to fix an account that has gone bad (again, a Ziroc power). Think of us as referees in a game. Every so often we have to blow a whistle, but most of the time we're here to make sure the forum keeps flowing and that no one gets out of hand. Most of the time that's not a problem. Lately it's been more of one. What makes a thread out of hand: When people stop treating each other with respect and began making personal attacks on each other...or when an inordinate amount of "taboo" words start peppering the threads. Some threads are automatic deleters, such as those trolling with flame bait (trying to stir stuff up), threads with pornographic dialog, terms, and references, or with pornographic images, links to inappropriate sites, etc. Generally we try not to delete a thread, as there may be some good information there...not to mention that often Ziroc needs to see what occurred in order to make a decision. Deleting the thread destroys the evidence, so to speak. What kind of action warrants a punishment: When a request or ruling made by Ziroc or one of the mods goes unheeded and the poster persists in repeating the behavior (URLman was a case in point this week). Generally, on rules infractions (excessive spamming, flaming, etc.), a warning is all that's necessary, but if it persists, Ziroc sometimes has to step in (sometimes with our recommendations). Is there a rule book? Yes. It's called the "Terms of Service Agreement." Click on the "Register" link at the top of any main page at the Ironworks Forums and read it. One should have read it and agreed to it when signing up. I imagine that if a mod were to abuse his/her powers that Ziroc would be the one to step in. We have not had such a situation occur here. Moderators are either recommended from reliable sources or hand-picked by Ziroc, as Memnoch said earlier (and Cloudy as well). What's the job like and how do I like it? *sigh* Before the last month, I would have said that I liked it pretty much. Now...I'm not so sure. I'm being as honest as I can be. It's starting to wear me down, with all the sniping going on in the threads. I can only hope that this is just a trend and it will die down. But I'm starting to have severe doubts about that. How about now....now? LOL, thanks for the questions, Lilarcor! Actually, I'm glad you asked. It may clear up some confusion for others as to exactly what we do. Cheers,

Thank you, just what I was looking for!!! Sorry to hear your find your job.... stressful at the moment, Hopeful people will consider how their posts effect others and history won't repeat it self.
Oh 'rule book' wise meant that is their a set of rule for how you use your powers, etc but I guess it fairly simple processes most of the time. Warn them by mail, warn them in public, delete is nessicy and in the case of bannings report them to Ziroc. And with moves it a smiple judgement call when the post doesn't contain stuff that belongs in the forum, Right?

------------------
Opinions are not clubs don't beat others with yours.

[Sazerac]

Originally posted by Sir Real: Thank you, just what I was looking for!!! Sorry to hear your find your job.... stressful at the moment, Hopeful people will consider how their posts effect others and history won't repeat it self. Oh 'rule book' wise meant that is their a set of rule for how you use your powers, etc but I guess it fairly simple processes most of the time. Warn them by mail, warn them in public, delete is nessicy and in the case of bannings report them to Ziroc. And with moves it a smiple judgement call when the post doesn't contain stuff that belongs in the forum, Right?

Yes, Sir Real. You pretty much have it pegged. AFAIK, there is no formal "rule book" for moderatorship (sorry I misread that...oops!). A lot of it is personal judgement calls on our part, and being alerted by other members via e-mail and PM's that a problem exists. Other than that, it's a lot of common sense, mainly.

Once again, thanks for your insightful questions...as well as your kind wishes.



------------------

[Sir Real]

Your welcome Sazerac.