A thank you to our members...

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and many a de-modded WP moderator has done that very thing, FlyingAreoplane. Often they were the very people bent on destroying WP by raids, attacks, trolling, spamming and sowing general disease that the remaining moderators had to be on guard against.

However after years of service to WP, and years before we were drawn into service for WP, those of us that wish WP well and treasure it for the community it is are not attracted to some other 'home.' This is our home.

It is not the modship we want, it is the smooth running of WP so it can be here for all that interests us. We care.

Staying true to OP, I'd not intend to make the situation inflamed, the contrary. But, since certain ones are hurt, then a consensus meeting makes sense. For myself, I have academic obligations so I informally stepped-down as moderator and have no problem that my status is unofficial and this is a distinction from the situation of others.

We have a moderator deficit and need spaces filled. I think having 1 or 2 Lead Moderators is a good idea so they can take a more active role with leadership duties and be receptive. Sigh......I'm sure this will work out (but sorry there were hurt feelings involved).

Also to not inflame, I was wondering that the main person that needs to be onboard with such a consensus meeting does not govern by consensus, but by fiat.

Is there someway to overcome this very real issue??

Care about whom though? WP or the people within in it? Surely it is the group, not the location in cyberspace which matters? I am suggesting you set up an alternative if you feel so strongly - if others agree then they will follow you. If not, this discussion is somewhat moot.

I didn't know you guys could see all that . That's a bit.. weird. I suppose it's no harm; all the mods here seem ok, but I would have liked to have known that in advance when I signed up here.



A secret thread?? Awesome

Yes, its totally awesome. but all these tools are to be used responsibly Lene if you was to become a WP moderator.
Most forums have a secret moderators thread. You'd find alot of bitching in there... (actually I always wondered if there's one about me). hmmm.

It is both the people who created the group member by member, and an attachment to the space which has been home to that community over time. If you don't recognize attachment to things, items or ideas, that is your decision, but that is a relatively common aspect of those on the spectrum from communal discussion. Personally, as someone into antiques, it is the preservation of that history instead of losing it to inaction and apathy that drives my action. Those who remember will recall that I am as much a pain in the rear as a regular member as I was as a moderator. I consider myself to be a part of this, and as such I have something at stake when someone breaks the rules or violates the sanctity of this place and will speak up. The discussion is only moot if you do not share the same philosophies; if that is the case, then perhaps it is your participation in the conversation that is moot, and not the issue itself.

Lene - yes, that information is available. A couple things to consider, however, is that most sites will track IP data on at least a limited basis (ever notice that Gmail is watching you?)... and that when creating your account, you submit an email address and consent to being contacted via that means. By extension, I would presume that would mean that administrators or moderators could and would contact me via that means if necessary.


M.

Last edited by makuranososhi on 22 May 2010, 11:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[quote]Lene - yes, that information is available. A couple things to consider, however, is that most sites will track IP data on at least a limited basis (ever notice that Gmail is watching you?)... and that when creating your account, you submit an email address and consent to being contacted via that means. By extension, I would presume that would mean that administrators or moderators could and would contact me via that means if necessary.[/quote]

I understand the need for an email address and IP info to filter out spambots. I wasn't expecting the mods to have access to that though, just the site admins. In other forums I've been on, that's been the case so I guess I didn't think this one would be any different (not saying it's wrong or that Alex doesn't have the right to run it as he likes).

Since Alex has run WP from an absentee position for some time, it wouldn't surprise me that at some time those permissions were added - although in my experience, most forum staff have access to that information at the different sites I have frequented over the years. It just doesn't come up in conversation, I would think - but that data is crucial to making informed decisions as a moderator and allowing communication to members who have been subject to a temporary ban or contacting a banned member about their options for regaining access to their account.


M.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!

There is already a similar suggestion in front of Alex should he ever read it. Different description, but basically similar.

I miss having you on the "secret thread" LabPet. And Merle, and Mak.

Superboyian - you would find that we very rarely spend time being negative about members. Not to say we're never negative ... just not usually about members.

I thought you might get the boot. I can't say I have much sympathy as you appeared to delight in stirring-up trouble with your high-handed manner. Perhaps, rather than disparage your former master, you should be thankful for the taste of power he gave you, and rejoice that he has caused you to experience the same summary justice you yourself dished out on a regular basis. Think of it as character building. Atheist as I may be, I can't help but offer you scripture as solace:

"Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

religion is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings

Last edited by sinsboldly on 23 May 2010, 12:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

You're welcome to find religion; in the meantime, please put some clothes on. As for any master, I volunteered to serve WP, not Alex. My words reflect as much. I'm sorry that you have a problem with being held accountable to and asked to follow the same rules as others, but I don't apologize for doing so. If, in ignorance, you deign to believe you know anything about me from having been warned in the past, then please allow me to enlighten you, in that I take my commitments seriously. Then, it was to the role I had agreed to; now, it is to speak out publicly against things that I addressed privately in the past. Lastly, ascan - you may wish to reread the thread and my comments, as I have done nothing but state that Alex had the full authority to remove me. It is his method that I took exception with, and I am giving voice to those same complaints and concerns that have littered his inbox and the fora for the past several months.


M.

@Maku: The news that you have been removed as a Mod is a real bummer. I mean that sincerely. I stumbled upon this thread accidentally, while looking for a link to your pm so I could ask you for some help moving a thread that I posted a few days ago. I am really very disheartened that you will no longer be here to help us (me) out with our (my) Wrong Planet problems and concerns. I have great respect for you and the prompt, skillful, judicious and often humorous way you went about solving problems here. I trusted you thoroughly. I'm sorry to hear that you were treated so badly and removed in such a discourteous and unprofessional way.

An example of your diplomatic and superior method of handling personal insults or attacks against you can be found a few posts back in this thread when you responded to Ascan's:

with:



That was an awesome repartee; completely non-inflammatory, non-alienating, non-offensive, and very humorous. You didn't stoop to the level of your attacker, and most importantly, fmpov, didn't wound or offend the religious in the WP community.

Time for a little Dylan:

"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings. Steal a little and they throw you in jail. Steal a lot and then they make you king."
— Bob Dylan

and very apropos to this discussion in sentiment:

Maggie's Farm

I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more
No, I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more
Well, I wake in the morning
Fold my hands and pray for rain
I got a head full of ideas
That are drivin’ me insane
It’s a shame the way she makes me scrub the floor
I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more

I ain’t gonna work for Maggie’s brother no more
No, I ain’t gonna work for Maggie’s brother no more
Well, he hands you a nickel
He hands you a dime
He asks you with a grin
If you’re havin’ a good time
Then he fines you every time you slam the door
I ain’t gonna work for Maggie’s brother no more

I ain’t gonna work for Maggie’s pa no more
No, I ain’t gonna work for Maggie’s pa no more
Well, he puts his cigar
Out in your face just for kicks
His bedroom window
It is made out of bricks
The National Guard stands around his door
Ah, I ain’t gonna work for Maggie’s pa no more

I ain’t gonna work for Maggie’s ma no more
No, I ain’t gonna work for Maggie’s ma no more
Well, she talks to all the servants
About man and God and law
Everybody says
She’s the brains behind pa
She’s sixty-eight, but she says she’s twenty-four
I ain’t gonna work for Maggie’s ma no more

I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more
No, I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more
Well, I try my best
To be just like I am
But everybody wants you
To be just like them
They sing while you slave and I just get bored
I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more

I will miss your Moderation

Thank you, cosmiccat. Its means a great deal that, at least on some level, I was successful in meeting my goals and did the right thing. I am still waiting for any official explanation from Alex (hahahahahahah) as to his decision; the short response was that I should know... confusing, since the method in which I dealt with the potential and burgeoning problem was the same as it has been for over a year and during which time when I had to harangue Alex for feedback, was told to continue in that manner. The only significant issue I can see is that in this case, Alex himself was engaging in borderline behavior. This is nothing new; I warned Alex for inappropriate language and being aggressive/rude in his responses on a number of occasions previously. Apparently, one place we differ is that I believe those with responsibilities have to act above their own feelings and live to the standards of the commitments made. And that someone appreciated my odd sense of humor has made me smile; I am glad that the intent of my words came through w/o any venom or malice.


M.