Moderators; Good or Bad?

["User"]

I usually see Fira posting in some RPs like Save Starfox...

Same. In fact she was doing some posting a few minutes ago.

[Milkyway64]

Yeah, I saw that too. But 'ey, then she goes and misses this entire thread or god forbid even the shoutbox, which is on the front page. Redeemer had to do it. AGAIN.

Her badge is just for show. I'm telling you.

[DZComposer]

While I do agree that no one is perfect, and that everyone has something that can be improved, myself included, in my judgement I think our mod team does a pretty good job compared to other sites.

Yes, some mods aren't as active as the need to be, but some have legit reasons. I'm not going to strip someone's mod powers if they are in the military and get called away for a few months, for instance. Though I will take a moment remind the staff that being an active member is part of the package, and is listed as a requirement in the mod qualification and is one of the staff rules.

Also, remember that Fira and Sylum are RP mods. While they can mod everywhere, they are mainly here to mod the RPs. IPB makes distinguishing them difficult, and due to this being a loaded semester, I haven't had the time to sit and seriously make some of the changes I want to the system.

I admit that I do not read the RP board, but if the RP mods aren't modding threads outside the RP board, I do not consider that wrong. The main reason they have mod powers everywhere is so that they can take action against things they see elsewhere without having to flag-down another staff member to do it for them.

[Fira-Astrali]

Thank you Milky, for your often illuminating comments. I appreciate them immensly

I'm sorry that you and I don't seem to post in the same circles, and Im sorry the RP section hasn't had a recent massive shitstorm that I've needed to post alot. I'm also sorry that I only speak in threads when I have something to say, and I don't blow hot air for the sake of talking

I'll try to fix that in the future.

[Robert Monroe]

Maybe its just because I've never really fraternized with much people here, but I never saw Asper play favoritisim. He's probably the most objective and level headed moderator I've seen in ages, on any board, and gives everyone an equal chance, even when you're the biggest possible dick to him, but doesn't let that be an excuse for flaming and trolling, and he puts a stop to petty fights right quick. But that's just me :V

[Asper Sarnoff]

Well Nick, thanks a lot for your 0.02 $, I'll think them trough. Though, I'd appreciate that if you have trouble with how we deal with things, you take it to PM next time, like you also said you should have done during the last clean-up in the RP board. This I feel serves mostly to undermine the authority of the staff.

As for your take Milky, DZ and Fira herself have said most of what needs to be said. We just haven't gotten around to make "Full Mod: RP Specialist" signs yet. The reason I brought to her notice back then that there was a spot open for an RP mod was because, objectively speaking, she's the best roleplayer I've ever meet. And a damn good author as well.

Now, seeing that taking care of close ones is one of the things I do wrong here, I'll let her speak for herself from now on.

PS. Thanks a lot Robert. *Bro-hug*

[DZComposer]

I will agree with Asper that perhaps PMs are a better avenue for these kinds of grievances in the future, but I will not have this thread locked unless it becomes a drama-fest.

I have always said that the staff have an open-door policy, and locking this thread is counter to that.

But please consider PMing this kind of thing in the future, especially since IPB supports multi-member PM conversations.

Or you could PM a roll-up of all of them to me and I will post them to the staff board.

[Fluxy]

I have already been told a thousand times; Yes, I hear that PM's would have been marvelously better for their own reasons. But no one will really speak up about things or that they see eye to eye unless it is brought to the public to some degree, or will there be any change that will surely make a difference, IMO.

I already apologized about not making it private, so I will not repeat myself again, especially when I feel this was my best way to get my word out and made sure it was paid some attention. As for the rest of my closing statements, I shall go to DZ myself with PM.

To DZ: I realize what you say, and I admit to that all being true; I can already see this. But in my opinion, one does not need to get really upset, and pull the "maybe I should leave" card just because others say what she has really been doing. And as you said yourself, that being online is part of the job.

To Asper: I gave my reason already in these posts as to why I made it public. If you didn't read it, I don't feel I truly need to repeat myself, because it is kind of an insult, to some degree, especially with how all the moderators are treating this rather seriously.

[Steve]

While yes, I forgot to add, before, that Fira and Sylum are still RP mods, and we have them focused on that area. However, one of the advantages of having them with full powers is that if there's some sort of danger going on, they can act on behalf of the Staff. We haven't had any kind of serious drama, so yeah. However, I have personally seen Fira dealing with problems outside of the RP forum. Same goes for Sylum.

I'm honestly happy with my team now, and I'm perfectly fine if some decide to go semi inactive for a couple of months since we have more mods to cover their place. SFO usually has at least one mod all the time. Specially when Red and User are active on the site, since they normally cover the night shift.

Then again, we are here to serve, so nick, I would like to know, via pm, which mods have ignored your pms, so I could talk with them.

[Thu'um]

lol, nick sticken it to the man, but in all seriousness. Mods here are good i do wish they would act more like users though, they only seem to come here because they are mods. not because they are users.

[Sabre]

I have already been told a thousand times; Yes, I hear that PM's would have been marvelously better for their own reasons. But no one will really speak up about things or that they see eye to eye unless it is brought to the public to some degree, or will there be any change that will surely make a difference, IMO.

I already apologized about not making it private, so I will not repeat myself again, especially when I feel this was my best way to get my word out and made sure it was paid some attention. As for the rest of my closing statements, I shall go to DZ myself with PM.

To DZ: I realize what you say, and I admit to that all being true; I can already see this. But in my opinion, one does not need to get really upset, and pull the "maybe I should leave" card just because others say what she has really been doing. And as you said yourself, that being online is part of the job.

To Asper: I gave my reason already in these posts as to why I made it public. If you didn't read it, I don't feel I truly need to repeat myself, because it is kind of an insult, to some degree, especially with how all the moderators are treating this rather seriously.

Another thing about this is that PMs are kind of like 999 calls. They are taken indervidually, and unless there is a huge wave at once, all seperate. So, if person A PMs an issue, it could be dismissed as 'butthurt' or 'crymoar' or 'whatever meme is popular' and then a week later, person B PMs about an issue, also considered 'butthurt' ect.

Before you say this doesn't happen consider that, as already mentioned, numberous people have complained about specific mods and nothing was done besides a dismissive message or a generic "I'll look into it" and nothing happens. Never hear from that staff member again. I think threads like this would be better, although trolls causing drama is likely. The ability to see the complaints build as a whole is a good thing. The ability to see a single issue pile up over time rather then speradic PMs across a couple of inboxes should make issues more apparent.

[StarFoxfan-FUR_ever]

Interesting discussion we have here. I suppose I should wait a week or two before noting what others have said and agree/disagree with them and explain why. Or I could deal with it now...

Basically, yes, some moderators have taken special privaledge at times. Whatever, I say you give someone power, and they are bound to abuse it, even if it is unintentional.

However, I will say that some moderators are a bit lenient at times. Some users who tend to argue more than have a civil debate are sometimes almost left to themselves. This has resulted in a few users leaving the site.

On the flip side, imagine if the moderators were extremely serious about their positions. Like, they don't even give out warnings and ban people for anything, right on the spot. Honestly, I think almost everyone on this site is guilty of breaking some rule and getting away with it. Regardless, there is definitely no sign of hatred for any mods on the site. Certain users may be seen as rivals due to opposing sets of morals or beliefs, but that's a part of learning how to deal with all the different types of people you may meet in real life.

I'll be honest, since everyone is on Fira's case right now... I actually have something to say in her defence. For one, a lot of users on the site have been going through a very difficult decision-making part of their lives lately, most of which was located on the "Love Life" topic. When nothing was going on in the RP threads, Fira seemed to go towards that very topic on numerous occasions and offered help to a lot of users. It's possible that Fira may be a great RP'er, however, she may be better suited to dealing with issues between users helping break up arguements or mending emotional pain. Just my opinion.

[Thu'um]

Interesting discussion we have here. I suppose I should wait a week or two before noting what others have said and agree/disagree with them and explain why. Or I could deal with it now...

Basically, yes, some moderators have taken special privaledge at times. Whatever, I say you give someone power, and they are bound to abuse it, even if it is unintentional.

However, I will say that some moderators are a bit lenient at times. Some users who tend to argue more than have a civil debate are sometimes almost left to themselves. This has resulted in a few users leaving the site.

On the flip side, imagine if the moderators were extremely serious about their positions. Like, they don't even give out warnings and ban people for anything, right on the spot. Honestly, I think almost everyone on this site is guilty of breaking some rule and getting away with it. Regardless, there is definitely no sign of hatred for any mods on the site. Certain users may be seen as rivals due to opposing sets of morals or beliefs, but that's a part of learning how to deal with all the different types of people you may meet in real life.

I'll be honest, since everyone is on Fira's case right now... I actually have something to say in her defence. For one, a lot of users on the site have been going through a very difficult decision-making part of their lives lately, most of which was located on the "Love Life" topic. When nothing was going on in the RP threads, Fira seemed to go towards that very topic on numerous occasions and offered help to a lot of users. It's possible that Fira may be a great RP'er, however, she may be better suited to dealing with issues between users helping break up arguements or mending emotional pain. Just my opinion.

well, i think the problem is when moderators stop becoming users, they then seem to have less intrest, and even refrain from speakingtheir oppions as often

[Rin]

While I do not have anything to say about the Moderators themselves, since I have not been here long, I will say this.

Nick, my respect for you has skyrocketed beyond reason. I am so effing proud of you for making this post, and being both brutally honest and incredibly polite all the same. I am serious; I commend you for this.

[DZComposer]

I think this thread has served it's purpose.

Further comments about the staff can be made in the Staff Improvement thread: