Becoming a Moderator

[Sabre]

I'm not talking about SFO specifically, I'm talking generally. As you might know, I'm am really into alien swarm at the moment. It's fairly new, and as a result a bunch of forums, fansites ect have sprang up.

Most of the content on these are achievement bragger who all believe they are the first to get X achievment as if anyone would care even if it was true and "Big idea" mod guys who believe a huge team will make their 'cool' mod idea because it's 'cool' and 'beshest ideea evar'.

To cope with this large influx of fanboys, most of these places are asking for mods, but much like the mod kid above, they only want experienced admins and mods. The problem is the same I had when TSAUser got bumpped up the ranks because he was previously bumped up the ranks elsewhere. The mod kid is stupid and nieve, sure, but there's a kind of viccious circular reasoning going on here.

To become a mod maker you need experience, to gain experience you need to be a mod maker, and to be a forum mod you need to have been a forum mod, it's the same with jobs, the same with everything. Where does the chain end? Is there some 1 place where all n00bs get experience?

[Steve]

It's more about trial and error, and like any other thing in life, requires experience. Knowing when something goes wrong and needs to be stopped, requires nothing but common sense,little logic and commitment to the site.

I personally had no experience when I became a mod here, even less when I got bumped to admin. I became a mod simply because they were filling spaces and I guess I got lucky, the admin story, is way different. So as you may say, I was a n00b who got his experience out of a lucky shot.

As a relative "mod maker" of this site,  there are  four things I consider, and they normally go in order: 1)experience 2)attitude 3)activity 4)longevity on the site. I'll user User's special case as an example: On SFO, we normally go on a voting process before we point our moderators and even admins (this goes inside the staff area before it comes outside), however, one month ago, I made one exception, due to the fact that the site really needed the extra hands, I put User in  trial for one week, instead of doing the voting before, mostly because I was in a hurry to deal with some issues. He obviously has the experience, he's active, and he has a good willing attitude, but he didn't have the longevity, so I had to take the risk. The community accepted him, so the story ended well.

We normally use democracy when it comes to site issues, inside and outside the staff area. However, it's impossible to please everybody, as you may see. Whenever we need to deal with something fast, is just a matter of doing what it feels to be right, and it depends on the staff that is currently online. Obviously, what is "right" for us  can be wrong for others, specially when you deal with kids or people that are new to the site, they obviously mean no harm (unless they are trolls or pests), even though they are doing things that are incorrect or out of context. Let's not forget that mistakes, can happen.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

*taps billy club to my palm*

Don't be afraid to take initiative, or to speak up.

[Asper Sarnoff]

To become a mod maker you need experience, to gain experience you need to be a mod maker, and to be a forum mod you need to have been a forum mod, it's the same with jobs, the same with everything. Where does the chain end? Is there some 1 place where all n00bs get experience?

Not necesarily. I've never been a moderator at any place before I became one here. Honestly not been an active member at many places before here as well.

[Milkyway64]

Becoming a moderator is mostly an issue of trust. "Can I trust this guy to keep things orderly? Does he know what he is doing with his power?"

It's not some IRL EXP bar, it's being recognized and known by the right people (usually other staff)

[Sabre]

Becoming a moderator is mostly an issue of trust. "Can I trust this guy to keep things orderly? Does he know what he is doing with his power?"

It's not some IRL EXP bar, it's being recognized and known by the right people (usually other staff)

Right, but how do you know the right people if only experienced people can apply? For example, every IT job wants an experienced IT technitian, how do they get that illitial exp?

[ThePointingMan]

You start with a job that's really low in the wanted to be done, and then make friends with everyone you work with who is higher or equal to you. When theres a job opening higher then your current one, they go, "That guy, he worked hard, I like him I think he deserves this job."

[Sabre]

You start with a job that's really low in the wanted to be done, and then make friends with everyone you work with who is higher or equal to you. When theres a job opening higher then your current one, they go, "That guy, he worked hard, I like him I think he deserves this job."

Doesn't work in the IT field as there's IT technition, maybe a lead technitian in large teams, that's it.

[Star Fox Runner]

The reason for not hiring someone or for not getting a mod position because one doesn't have any experience can be a vicious circle.

They say you need experience before they hire you, but the only way someone can get experience is by getting the job to gain the experience.

You can't have one without the other, but they expect you have job experience already.

[Asper Sarnoff]

The reason for not hiring someone or for not getting a mod position because one doesn't have any experience can be a vicious circle.

They say you need experience before they hire you, but the only way someone can get experience is by getting the job to gain the experience.

You can't have one without the other, but they expect you have job experience already.

While it can seem like this is the cold, hard truth when one tries to apply for a job or a position as a moderator, I've only experienced that it doesn't seem to the case.

I believe it's all about the impression the employer will have of you as a person rather than experience which will get you the job.

Over the years, I've taken a lot of highly sought after jobs for the summers, and applied for special positions which there is stiff competition to get in.

Not once, after having an interview where I present myself with a firm grip, a warm smile and play my cards wisely in regards to how I'd be the ideal man for the position, have I been denied the job or position in favor for someone else.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

"Don't do what what 'Donny Don't' (a.k.a. Julius Quasar) does!" :P

[Sapphire]

Being a Mod is pretty sweet. I've been one at one website, and an Admin at 4. Having the power is fun

But it does take responsibility. And lots of it.

["User"]

Becoming a moderator is mostly an issue of trust. "Can I trust this guy to keep things orderly? Does he know what he is doing with his power?"

It's not some IRL EXP bar, it's being recognized and known by the right people (usually other staff)

This.

People need to be careful when attempting to compare a mod/admin position to a real job when it comes to "getting hired" because there are more differences then people think there are.  When I select people who I thought would be good mods on the KLA over the years I selected people with the following qualities, in order of most to least importance:

Trust (which is usually earned through past reputation)

Intelligence

Maturity

Forum activity

Impartial and level-headed.

Of course things like prior experience helps but it's far from being the only thing worthy of consideration. Furthermore, it's also possible for different head admins to have different qualities in how they evaluate a person worthy as mod material but also factors that don't relate to individual "talent" of course come into play, mainly circumstantial.

[Fluxy]

Cool! I am wondering though. We have a couple Mods, but who is the Mod of what? Like I know Julius is RP mod, but is there one for each section? I am just curious.

[Guest Mr. Mario]

Speaking of Juilus, since he is gone, does this site need another mod or perhaps...another admin?

I'm open for both!  :trollface:

[Guest FoXXX]

Cool! I am wondering though. We have a couple Mods, but who is the Mod of what? Like I know Julius is RP mod, but is there one for each section? I am just curious.

I think there are only 2, people that moderate role playing and people that moderate everything else.

["User"]

Cool! I am wondering though. We have a couple Mods, but who is the Mod of what? Like I know Julius is RP mod, but is there one for each section? I am just curious.

http://forums.starfox-online.net/index.php?topic=2297.0

Currently Julius is the only mod dedicated to a specific section of SFO.

[Fluxy]

http://forums.starfox-online.net/index.php?topic=2297.0

Currently Julius is the only mod dedicated to a specific section of SFO.

Ah, thanks. I was just curious cause I heard about Full mods and RP mods and was like, "Where is the love for other sections?" Lol. But thanks again, User!

[Sapphire]

Ah, thanks. I was just curious cause I heard about Full mods and RP mods and was like, "Where is the love for other sections?" Lol. But thanks again, User!

Yeah what's up with that? Why arn't there Mods for the other sections?

[Sarita]

There are, technically. Most of us have sections we stick to. Myself not really being a Starfox fan, stick to the GD boards, personally.

If you check the Staff Roster, you'll see we actually have the positions, we just have enough Full Mods that it isn't really an issue.

[Sapphire]

There are, technically. Most of us have sections we stick to. Myself not really being a Starfox fan, stick to the GD boards, personally.

If you check the Staff Roster, you'll see we actually have the positions, we just have enough Full Mods that it isn't really an issue.

This is a dumb question. But what's the GD board?

I'm sure it's right infront of my nose :lol:

[Asper Sarnoff]

This is a dumb question. But what's the GD board?

I'm sure it's right infront of my nose

General Discussion, which contains the Lounge and its subforums, the Arcade and the Rec Room.

[Sapphire]

General Discussion, which contains the Lounge and its subforums, the Arcade and the Rec Room.

Oh I love that board! I'm hardly ever on the SF ones :oops: