Moderation Questions and General Chat Thread
The last iteration of the moderation discussion thread was a complete disaster. Numerous attempts to keep it on topic failed, and it became a general discussion thread with almost no moderation related posts at all. And those that were posted were so buried in non-mod posts that it became a huge time drain on the mods to sort through them. Then, when off topic posts were deleted posters complained about that.
This led to the closing of the mod discussion thread, replaced by the post report/pm approach. This has filtered out lots of noise, but has resulted at times in the General Discussion Thread turning into a quasi-mod thread. This is not desirable, but going back to the old mod thread is also not a workable option.
Therefore, I have created this new moderation thread, but with a different purpose and ground rules than previous mod threads. The purpose of this thread is to provide a place for posters to pose questions to the mods about how policies are applied; to bring to the mods attention posts they think are inappropriate and reach the level of requiring mod action; and for mods to communicate to posters things like changes or clarifications to policies, bannings, etc.
Now let me tell you what this thread is NOT a place for. It is not for nonmoderation related posts, even if the discussion originates from a comment in in a mod related post. It is not for posters to post their opinions about other posters or whether a poster should be banned. It is not to rehash past grievances about mod decisions from months or years ago. The focus of this thread will be recent posts that require action now. Or questions about current policies and enforcement.
So basically, this is a thread to ask mods questions. Which means, pretty much that only mods should be answering those questions. If a poster asks why a particular post was deleted or allowed, only a mod can answer that. Everyone else who wants to jump in with their opinion or their mod war story needs to stay out of it. It just increases the noise to signal ratio and does nothing to answer the question.
Everyone needs to understand that this thread has very different rules than the old mod thread and any other thread. Any non-moderation post will be deleted on sight. Not moved to the appropriate thread, just deleted. So don't waste your time crafting a masterpiece post about wars or transgender issues or the presidential election and then post it in this thread. It will be gone. Also, this isnt a thread for general commentary about our mods performance. Posting "browser sucks as a mod" or any such posts that don't actually ask about a policy or request a mod action will be deleted. Everyone is entitled to their opinion about the moderation of this forum. But this thread isnt for complaining about mods. You are free to go to the ATF forum and make your concerns about modding in this forum there.
So with that intro, this thread is open for those who need to bring questions about mod policies or bring inappropriate posts to the mods attention. Again, it is NOT a thread for group discussions about other posters or for other posters to answer questions directed to mods.
We'll see how this goes. If you have what you feel is an open issue raised in the General Discussion Thread, please copy that post or otherwise reintroduce the issue here.
Thanks.
All:
ganstaman and I will try and deal with the most egregious stuff in the immediate term. But neither one of us has much free time at the moment. And speaking only for myself, I don't want this job. Whatever I do will be on an interim basis and I will be eager to step back as soon as practicable.
I mention this mainly to emphasize that ganstaman and I will not be reading the forum in real time for the next several days and almost certain
any change wrt moderation rule enforcement we should expect compared to browser? any kind of content browser allowed but you+gangsta won't allow?
any change wrt moderation rule enforcement we should expect compared to browser? any kind of content browser allowed but you+gangsta won't allow?
Yes, the rules are very different now. You have to convert to Marxism if you want to stay. We have the picture of Karl ready and the candles lit. You might feel a little prick.
Very sorry about your troubles, Browser. Hoping for a speedy recovery.
Please keep that in mind because this is one of those times where the entire subforum could be at risk if there is some sort of meltdown.
Regulars please reread this IF you
(1) feel this forum will survive a free-for-all, lunatics running the asylum type messaging.
(2) FEEL LIKE POSTING SUCH MESSAGES!
Everything will be fine. The only thing that will change is that less people get banned.
I like your optimism.
What we need here in moderators is:
1) delete obvious spam
2) break out posts into new threads when a derail goes on long enough that it deserves its own thread
--- crucially this means allowing derails to happen and not constantly demanding that threads stay on topic.
3) temp-banning people for the most egregious personal attacks and insults
And thats about it. Anyone should be able to handle it.
Take care, browser. For someone who wasnt a regular here, you handled things just fine.
Regulars please reread this IF you
(1) feel this forum will survive a free-for-all, lunatics running the asylum type messaging.
(2) FEEL LIKE POSTING SUCH MESSAGES!
The last time Browser left and the forum was more-or-less unmoderated, everybody behaved themselves. That was before Rococo and Gansta stepped up. I think things will be fine.
If you ignore the couple of posters who cry about being called morons or that people they don't like aren't banned enough, this place pretty much runs itself.
What we need here in moderators is:
1) delete obvious spam
2) break out posts into new threads when a derail goes on long enough that it deserves its own thread
--- crucially this means allowing derails to happen and not constantly demanding that threads stay on topic.
3) temp-banning people for the most egregious personal attacks and insults
And thats about it. Anyone should be able to handle it.
Thx LB
Now.... make sure that everyone here agrees. Especially #3. Attempts at egregious definitions INCOMING!!!!
I think questioning KS' golfing credentials is a pretty egregious personal attack. Catch you in a week lozen.
Thx LB
Now.... make sure that everyone here agrees. Especially #3. Attempts at egregious definitions INCOMING!!!!
Full agreement is not necessary and I myself would theoretically be fine with cleaning up the insults and the shitposting entirely, but that's a bit too tall of a task for any moderator and I don't think it's what people want either. So we should just settle for the egregious stuff.
Browser’s moderation was simple and clear, it was easy to understand where the lines were, and he was generous in his explanations and the time he dedicated to the constant complaints and differing opinions. I felt safe posting here with him in charge. It’s not always like that for women in political spaces, and I appreciated him.
I think it will be difficult to find similar high quality moderation from within the pool of choices. I guess we’ll see.
Browser’s moderation was simple and clear, it was easy to understand where the lines were, and he was generous in his explanations and the time he dedicated to the constant complaints and differing opinions. I felt safe posting here with him in charge. It’s not always like that for women in political spaces, and I appreciated him.
I think it will be difficult to find similar high quality moderation from within the pool of choices
There are multiple people (Mets Dunyain and Chillrob for sure, Victor?, not sure who else), who Browser banned and then rescinded the bans. If his moderation was as simple as you suggest, that would not have happened.
There are multiple people (Mets Dunyain and Chillrob for sure, Victor?, not sure who else), who Browser banned and then rescinded the bans. If his moderation was as simple as you suggest, that would not have happened.
A moderator who is able to take feedback and modify decisions in real time is, in my opinion, an excellent mod. Someone who is too ego-driven to change their mind isn’t someone who should be in charge of debate.
def did not rescind my rediculous ban
