Moderatorgate (a YouTube vid for Mods, Quatermass, and Alex)

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No. It was two members in particular, but one of them seemed to come back in one form or another over at least a year. When I said several, I should have said two years. But that was long enough. I'd prefer not to use the member's name, not because of the rules against discussing a banned member, but rather more because of 'speak of the devil, and he's at your shoulder'. Long term members will know who I am talking about, as he often spammed long messages, often with shock images or porn.

It wasn't hyperfocus. In my opinion, people who keep on coming back are immature, and don't get the hint that a ban means that you are unwelcome on the board. And they are determined to let people know it, and cause misery and disgust for everyone else because they can't get their own way.

@MLA noted. Let me clarify the different types of mods

1. Strict mod- a mod whose primary objective is enforcing the rules. Mod-related posts may come off as agressive or a "crackdown"
2. Friendly mod- a mod whose primary objective is making the site a better place for the members. Mod-related posts may be interpreted as a request instead of an order.
3. Passive mod- a mod who only uses powers when instructed to so or when other mods are overwheled.

Also, any feedback on the "Mod for every subform and Admin for every catergory" and the Chief Mod and Chief Admin position ideas?

It's not so black and white, people are different and respond differently. You'd be surprised how many are willing to edit a post or change a behaviour if they are approached in a polite and friendly manner. It's better to listen to what people have to say first instead of trying to force them into something without giving them a chance to take responsibility themselves, those on the spectrum already had enough of that.

Some do need a firm, no-nonsense approach and consistency and we all do it when necessary. But not publicly, humiliating or scolding them in front of the membership helps no one. If you'd see the record of banned sockpuppets, spammers and obvious trolls you'd think I'm a tyrant, but I hide it very well

I didn't mean banning every single proxy with a magic button. I'm just saying he could block some of the more popular ones. I know of a forum that blocks many proxies.

My objective as a moderator was closer to 2, PM. I was only strict when it came to trolls and spammers.

I feel an overwhelming desire to textually reach in here and give a few of the posters a damn good shake and say some things which after short reflection, whilst true and reasoned, will probably not be taken on board and will be seen as non-constructive and unhelpful.
So I will say nothing.

Alex is "Chief Admin" and "TOGGI3" seems to have about the same kinds of buttons as an assistant, of sorts, and those two "positions" are pretty much "cast in stone" since WP is Alex' site ... and I personally doubt we will ever again see any moderator with any Admin buttons such as would be necessary for the "Category Admin" you have asked about. Too many cooks would end up trying to re-arrange the kitchen too much.

PS: Since I was mentioned in the video, I would add this:

I never went after trolls -- I had no ban buttons -- I only went after trolling ... and there is a huge difference there. Overall, Alex wants everyone who wants to be here to have an opportunity to be here, and no ban is "forever permanent" in the sense of the banned member not being allowed to later make a personal appeal to Alex. And, the same goes for me and bullying: I was only wanting MidlifeAspie's bullying of me to stop. I was not hoping he would be retired or banned or whatever.

@Quatermass and Sallamandrina, a mod needs to be strict at times and friendly at other times.

Some examples of responses from the two types of mods. THEY ARE JUST EXAMPLES.

Someone makes a post that violates the TOS.

Strict Mod: I am deleting your post and locking the thread. Violate the TOS again and I will take further action. Consider this a warning to you all, RULE-BREAKING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!

Friendly Mod: Would you please edit your post, because it is not within the rules.

I would use each option on a situational basis. As for helping people through meltdowns, that would require tactful thinking and careful judgement.

Some further thoughts and considerations, I found out that this is one of the only Internet Forums where the rules are enforced. Some time ago, I came across the "Read and take to heart" sticky that QM made in PPR and that got me interested in the background of this forum and how the rules are enforced. With further reading, I found out the site had trouble in the past. Over time, my interest in the rules developed into a special interest, and here we are today. I know that being a mod is the most thankless volunteer job imaginable, but I have nothing to do in my private life, so I want to voluntarily throw myself into the cesspool, just so I can make myself productive. I know I may ruin my chances of doing anything for the forum by saying that, but it is the truth.


@AISwearengen, could you send me a meesage clarifying that statement

@leejosepho, Mod and Admin specialization may make things run smoother, I'm not sure. as for your second statement, maybe you should have been given more of a chance, but it was Alex's call and I will not question it.

Who exactly are you mad at? I haven't seen anything posted here that should cause this. If it is me, please send me a PM.

I have gone to at least one other forum and they are very strict there too. I never had issues there but I do have problems with lot of people there so I don't go there much. I go there when bored and I hardly post. Nothing to contribute anyway and tons of threads there don't interest me. But I've done some moaning there about the place.

Please pretty please don't tell me this was the intent of this thread all along?

You have awesome hair, PM.

OK here it is I was asked not to say things that I will likely say here but I have been asked my opinion, so here it is lumps and all.

Rubbish!

This was a GOOD time. It was cathartic. Bad blood washed through the streets of WP. The opinions of many a member given free reign without censor. It had been a long time building and to try to summarise that into "Oh the trolls said bad things and could not be controlled" No the members past and present reacted against a bad time immediately preceding this time.

It did not magically happen and it was far from unfortunate. I can't believe the spin on this.

This brings me straight onto the "trolls". Any time it seems that someone is taking a differing viewpoint or not being "hand-holdy", TROLL.

No.

This automatic classification is inherently bizarre to me. This is a support forum. Why does anyone here thing that automatically precludes holding true to a contrary view or being vocal or challenging or sticking up for your sense of right or wrong if it is against the accepted view?

Why is the saying what you want to hear or giving gentle backrubs seen as supporting Aspies? No think about it logically. We are the minority and we do not fit and do struggle to conform. We have issues that others can not with all their inherent empathy and understanding derive meaningful context. Life for each of us will be a struggle. Ever see a "Help I have no friends" or "Why do people not get me" or "Help me I am 19 years old and never had a girlfriend".

So why is that funny. Because you could pull a million threads along the same lines. This IS our condition. NOW, someone saying the things that someone does not want to hear, that is true and real. Troll or a well meaning friend? What about someone striving to lighten up a situation and get a hapless Aspie to appreciate the funny side of things? Troll or well meaning friend? How about someone condemning self fulfilling prophecy or self-limiting actions or experiences? Friend or Troll?

I find it abhorrent that this automatic classification and this willingness to denounce and censor such support. An Aspie will grow and adapt to change kicking and screaming. Support is not endorsing self-limiting choices and the definition of insane is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results.

"Support" in this manner "Oh don't worry about it. You are a great person and you are doing nothing wrong. Keep just being yourself and doing what you are doing and the world will recognise your potential and fit in with you sooner or later" is cruel. BUT it will not get censored. You will not be called a troll for it.

So much for your trolls everyone.

I am aware having said this that there are "real trolls" out there who cause whatever strive here and elsewhere, but the constant misuse of the term really does s**t me.

Just so you don't think I a cynic, whilst I believe this place has been through some really crappy mods (and some good ones) there has been in years past some bad practices and so on and I optimistically believe that the current line up of mods and the way they choose to moderate is a 110% improvement.

As a final note. QM you may have tried to be a "friendly mod" by the definition given but I don't think you achieved it. I don't think that you or pretty much anyone else would think this.
Whatever style of mod you were or weren't, friendly and accommodating I don't believe was part of your style.

I agree. So much personality!

Without saying anything at all actually should be censored, we agree as to your comprehension of "support".