Just my 2 bahts, but wondering if anyone feels the same way. I think it's important that mods and regular members get along and have a good understanding of the state of play, so to speak. There are official site rules, but common sense dictates that where discretion is part of the equation, there's room for inconsistency and uncertainty among members and mods alike. We're only human, after all.

I'm thinking there should be more snips and warnings used in most cases where there isn't a distinctly personal attack made. Clearly following someone around the forums and flaming them, or general trolling over a period of time, as we sometimes see, could merit a ban after a few warnings. Isolated incidents of heated banter or situations where it's felt something 'said' or posted might be particularly offensive to a fair few people could be dealt with using snips and then a warning. This is probably the mod policy as it stands anyway, but generally I'm thinking a more delicate, considered touch is needed, where there's more of a clear system in place with more chance of dialogue between mods and members.

So a system, yes, but more transparency and better communication between mods and members so that the system makes more sense. I want to feel like if I have question about the moderating I can reach out and connect with a mod and feel their warmth, like a ray of sunshine poking through on a cloudy day, or cupping a woman's breast gently in your palm.

Just my thoughts on the matter, nothing more, although it should be noted that if these suggestions aren't adopted by the end of the week I will begin a reign of terror across all forums the like of which the internet has never seen.

Why, if I were a mod...

You're not toughing any mod's boobs, fauxie.

The reason we give someone a temporary ban is because they have shown us repeatedly that they can't follow the rules, so we ban them from posting to prevent further rule breaking posts. No one is temporarily banned on their first transgression, unless it's something so over the top crazy and all over the forums and even then, you'd get a note saying it's against the rules, do it again and your posting privileges may be revoked.

As far as transparency, fauxie, you'll know if you've broken rules and if you may have a ban coming for further rule breaking. It's part of the process for us in noting an account, sending you an orgnote (and that orgnote states that further rule breaking may mean your account will be deactivated).

What you don't know is the content of what is on someone else's account, or how many times they've been warned, or how many strikes issued, etc. And for obvious reasons, we're not going to be sharing that information with everyone.

In short, yes, we're already doing that.

CarrieMpls said:

Well stated Carrie

CarrieMpls said:

What does my account day?

Number23 said:

Say.

Number23 said:

It says that you're a cunt.

Cloudbuster said:

I'm just a bit of a cunt. A slice, if you will. A slice of cunt. Ugh. I disgust myself.

CarrieMpls said:

That's about exactly what I would have said. What I bolded needs to be reiterated. I feel that is the reason most people react to friends being snipped or banned. You simply don't and can't know completely what has transpired previously.

Number23 said:

If you really wanna know I'll orgnote you.

Mars23 said:

I agree

I think sometimes some people do not realize there is a "history" unseen to the public and orgers that choose to consistantly break the rules after warnings/strikes/temp bans are often times taken quicker action on because they consistantly choose to not head the warnings/strikes/bans. I do not see that as unfair Mod practice.

Mars23 said:

Yep

Fauxie said:

I agree with you Fauxie. I find that there is a lack of consistency and communication with certain mods. Some mods are fair and balanced and some are not.

If you behave according to the rules of a website you won't be banned. It is very simple imo.The mods shouldn't be blamed but the members themselves:-)

dothejump said:

It really is about self accountability

EVERYone on the sight falls under that

Mach said:

even mods?

shanti0608 said:

EVERY one

we too had to agree to the rules when we joined ...

Mach said:

CarrieMpls said:

I know you can tell whose accounts we've tried to access.

Mach said:

There is nothing in the site rules that states your duties or behavioural rules if you become a mod, so your agreeing to the site rules has no relevance in this discussion at all.
Is there mod rules that you have to sign?

Mach said:

With all due respect:

Can we just be truthful? Can we just say the mods can pretty much do or say whatever they want here? Put it in the rules. It may save you guys a lotta grief.

Vendetta1 said:

I gotta agree there.

Vendetta1 said:

Considering this:



is already part of the rules, that kinda covers it.

Keeping this in mind, I think we all try to be as fair and consistent as we can.

"some mods are better than others... some mods are better than others. Some mods' mothers are better than others mods' mothers..."

CarrieMpls said:[quote]

Vendetta1 said:

And objective, as much as is possible, i.e. not wading into a dispute on the site by quite obviously taking a side (as happened in the chat yesterday and a few days previously), demanding an apology, deliberately twisting words to further rile up other members. Basically totally ignoring the role a mod should take (defusing a situation, being the voice of reason) in favour of taking a side and perpetuating the problem.

CarrieMpls said:

That would seem fairly clear then. We don't know about other transgressions that influence a decision. An orger may have been warned several times before the banning occurs. But here's the problem. What if some of that rap sheet is bullshit? A few poor decisions can leave someone teetering on the edge every time they're 'allowed' back here, with no chance of a clean slate.

Mods also don't seem to hold each other accountable. It's clear from what I've gleaned that even if several mods don't agree with another mod's decision they'll just sit back and do nothing. One person can fuck up the org for you and leave you skating on thin ice, all by themselves, simply because they're a mod and they can.

CarrieMpls said:[quote]

Vendetta1 said:

And that is fine. And it's why I laughed. You guys don't have to follow the rules everyone else follow.

Fair and consistent? For the most part: yeah. But a few let their personal feelings dictate their decisions and the lack of a grievance process for the rest of us just, simply, blows.

The more it happens the less I'll have to say about so soon, I am going to keep my mouth shut. That should make some folks happy.