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Originally Posted by kiwi_2005
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Originally Posted by FIREWALL
Become a Moderator and everyting will become clear ... grasshopper.:rotfl:
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Well i got asked on a kiwi site to be a moderator i kinda freaked out as i was not expecting it at all, they wanted a moderator that wasn't into wild debates and arguments - besides whats the point l always come out the loser in arguments anyways
Anyways abit worried about moderatoring a site with 40,000+ members but only a few hundred using the forums i thought the best place to get some good advice and tips was from the subsim moderators so thats what i did. I PM one and this is the wise words i got 
KP might like to read it too.
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First, let me officially welcome you to the global brotherhood of moderators. The paddling will come later. :p I had a real advantage when I started on <snip> because I had moderated for Neal on several different forums over the past few years. I knew what he liked and how he wanted his boards moderated. That should be the first thing. Either observe the webmaster in action, or ask him what how he wants things approached. Moderation is like being between two parties: The Webmaster and the members. You have to keep both satisfied while maintaining order. It is a tricky tightrope. You won't always be able to keep the members happy, but you must always keep the Webmaster on your side, as all of your authority will, ultimately, stem from him. As it relates to SubSim, I am powerless without Neal, just as you will be without your webmaster.
With the members, you have to let them get to know your style. One of the biggest problems that I have is that I had when I took over <snip> was that I approached it as though they already knew me as a moderator. This was a mistake. Everything changes when you get that little asterix next to your name. Your friends will drift away, and you will be regarded as the cop; an outsider and one not to be trusted. I did the worst possible thing: To go in there like gangbusters on my first big flare-up, and I got egg all over my face. I toned down the rhetoric and got much better results. Once they get used to you, you'll only have to post the occassional 'Hey knock it off', and the members will respond. Really, I only lock threads as a last resort.
Moderators on SubSim do not have the direct power of suspension. I can enforce a 24-hour ban, but that is it. All of our brig time and bans must be appealed through Neal. I prefer this system, but if you have the power to ban, be sure to use it only as a last, last resort, and have a clear and systematic system of warnings in place to cover yourself. No issue is more contentious.
Finally, be aware that moderation is a lonely job. As I said before, you will be stuck in the no-man's-land between the webmaster and the members. You will lose a lot of friends, and you will not be able to participate in the discussions like you used to. You have to really like the website to do the job. Otherwise, you will start to wonder what you are doing there in the first place.
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Yep, every board needs moderation, and no one likes to be told to ease up. The moderators here and me try to use a light touch, acting only when necessary, as best we can judge. We're not perfect and we cannot make everyone happy all the time, but with the cooperation of the members here, we've earned a solid reputation as a good, civil, and fun community.
As for moderators listing their "biographical information", I think
everyone should use their real names and list their true background.
What have they got to hide? I'm always amused at some people who worry their real name will get publicized
So, what?
03-11-08, 09:20 PM
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