moderators.

[boingo82]

Originally posted by 2strokebloke
..Rather I posted this because I wanted to know why suggestions for moderating forums were being "locked" when the guideline states: "We will listen willingly to your suggestions and complaints, and try to incorporate your ideas in everything we do"

Part of their "job" is to "listen willingly" to these suggestions to make the forums even better. I hope you understand my point more clearly now
...

As Taranaki already said, who is and isn't in "the runnings" to be a mod isn't something to be discussed in public forums. It wouldn't be right for a member to start up a thread saying "I want to be a mod" and then have the moderators reply and say "sorry, no, you're an asshole" "you're too immature, not in a million years" "forget it, you're lucky to be a member". Moderators are not selected by the members of AF, this is not a democracy. It is a privately owned and operated website, and the owner is solely in charge of deciding who is and isn't a moderator. Therefore there is no purpose for members to repeatedly ask in public forums to BE moderators - in fact when they start many threads about this it's just displaying the kind of immaturity we DON'T want from a mod.

By the way: Just because a thread is locked, doesn't mean we didn't " listen willingly to your suggestions and complaints, and try to incorporate your ideas in everything we do". Matter of fact, it means the opposite. Your opinion has been noted, and as it is an issue for moderators to discuss, rather than members, the thread has been closed. However the discussion may continue in the Moderator forum.

[replicant_008]

When it comes to mods... I'm going to paraphrase someone else...

"Many are willing but only a few are asked."

"Some of those asked have reluctantly passed on the opportunity as they are mindful of the responsibilities and duties that the position holds. The opportunity may not come to them again but knowing enough of how onerous the position held can be - they have absolved themselves of that duty and remain part of the general populace - they remain out there with everyone else content with their contributions and deeds speak loudly enough without a badge of office."

All I ask is you consider that before longing to assume responsibility - it sounds good and it massages your ego initially but it can make you weary and fatigued - the community has seen folk who've become mods slowly slip from view as the job takes it toll.

Sometimes like a policeman they seem their to curb the pursuit of personal freedom and enjoyment but at the end of their day, their job is ensure everyone in the community enjoys the environment and feels safe and not threatened (apart from maybe kicker but that's past history)....

[2strokebloke]

"Therefore there is no purpose for members to repeatedly ask in public forums to BE moderators "

As I'm relatively new here I think it goes without saying that I'm ignorant of things that have happened prior to my membership, would you care to give an example of this?

Also, what'd be wrong with forum members discussing who they'd think would be a good moderator, after all you wouldn't want to make the mistake of appointing a person who everybody thinks is a jerk, would you?
So here's the thing, can moderators actually just close threads that in no way go against the board guidelines? isn't that an abuse of their position as moderator? Doesn't that make them immature?

Please let me remind you that this is not saying that I beleive all moderators would abuse their position in this way, but is just a question about these sort of situations.

[speediva]

Originally posted by 2strokebloke

Also, what'd be wrong with forum members discussing who they'd think would be a good moderator, after all you wouldn't want to make the mistake of appointing a person who everybody thinks is a jerk, would you?
So here's the thing, can moderators actually just close threads that in no way go against the board guidelines? isn't that an abuse of their position as moderator? Doesn't that make them immature?

Without intending to look or seem stuck-up, we see a lot more than you might think. Just because no one is a listed moderator for a forum doesn't mean we don't read-up on what's going on. We know how members respond to one another. We don't just pick them out of our... populus, contrary to what some may think. That is why members don't really need to give their "official" input as to whom they support. If someone shows as a particularly exceptional person, PM a mod and we'll keep our eyes open for them (we watch the good as well as the bad).

As for mods closing threads that are not in violation of the guidelines... Sometimes topics (like "soandso should be a mod") have a history of leading into flames and general disorder. That's why we nip them in the bud before they get too far. It's like having police at a rally... It doesn't mean that people will necessarily get out of hand, but precautionary measures are already in place beforehand.

[2strokebloke]

"It's like having police at a rally... It doesn't mean that people will necessarily get out of hand, but precautionary measures are already in place beforehand."

Perfect anology, lets say that the moderators are the police, and that closing threads is like the police using their weapon etc.
The moderators are there to watch and make sure everything goes on right, when something goes wrong, they are there to stop the problem, but as you can see in situations like this they pull out their weapons and give the crowd a beating before anything has actually happened...

Please provide an example of when a thread suggesting that a forum be moderated has turned into a flame war.

[boingo82]

Originally posted by 2strokebloke
...y happened...

Please provide an example of when a thread suggesting that a forum be moderated has turned into a flame war.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...163#post847163

And this was a mere discussion about new mods, and as you can see someone threw a pissy fit that they weren't selected, further proving that they were not a suitable candidate for modship.

On the other hand, though everyone over 13 and not obnoxious is welcome at AF, I really don't understand why you insist on staying even though you are ovbiously not happy with the way things are run.

[Oz]

I really think this has been done to death now. Any other queries, suggestions or questions relating to this thread or topic, feel free to PM me or any other mod.

Thank You,
Management.