Volunteers to help with the site...

Simon

Hi all

I'm sure you've all noticed that we have grown quite a bit over the last few months and seem to get busier every week with more people joining every day.

While I do my best to read and monitor all the threads on the forum to make sure that no one causes trouble it is becoming very difficult to do this all the time. With this in mind, I'd like to ask for some volunteers to help keep an eye on things who I will setup with some extra permissions.

I don't intend for the forum to be 'ruled over with an iron fist' or anything like that. It would really be so that we could respond quickly if anyone started causing trouble (eg. posting obscene material) and to help out moving threads posted in the wrong place, deleting duplicate posts etc...

The moderators need to be able to hold back from imposing their personal views or deleting things that they just happen to disagree with. I want to keep the discussions open but have people with the capability to intervene if absolutely necessary.

The moderators will be able to:

Edit posts (eg. helping with links, images, formatting etc..)
Delete whole threads or individual posts (a copy will be kept).
View the IP Address used to make an individual post.
Move threads to more appropriate forums.
Lock or unlock threads (ie. close a topic to further posts).

The moderator abilities will be on individual forums (ie. someone could be able to moderate the Bible Research area but not the Jokes and Humour area).

If you would like to volunteer then please email me ( [email protected]) and let me know which particular forums you would like to help with and also whether you would prefer to have a separate account to do it with. Also, if you would like to suggest someone that you think would make a good moderator then that would help in selecting people (you can email me or reply to this thread).

Please don't feel under any obligation to do anything if people put your name forward and likewise, please don't be disappointed if someone else get's chosen instead of you.

Thanks

waiting

hmmmmm,

Red's a goddess, and I'm a stupid cross-titling emperor, so I think we might discredit ourselves. We might perceive ourselves having the power to kill people who disagree with us.

Sorta like the real world of emperors and goddesses, if one believes in that sort of stuff, which obviously Red does.

Besides, Red's been known to be pushy, just ask me about that!.

waiting

Simon

Oh, sorry ... did I not mention my 'no women' rule ?

You gals are far too emotional to be trusted with ... ngh, Angharad, let go of my neck... you're choking me, cough...

RedhorseWoman

Well, Simon, I'm giving you the thumbs up....er, actually I mean the finger's up sign (middle one that is)....for your misogynistic, sexist, crummy, crummy attitude. So there, I said it!!! HA!! GO FOR IT, ANG!!!

I'd be willing to help out some, although I haven't had an awful lot of time lately. If you need me, I'm here.

mommy

Hey Simon,
I am directing this message to you, but it is also for who ever want to read it. I applaude you for asking for help. There have been times this board has been frozen due to problems with these her thimagigs we call computers. I have been locked out of posts and have left chat for that reason.

I am new to the net, and have not "been around" I am not familiar with how others run their board, now or in the past. But I can say I am very happy with this site. There has been times that others have told me...so~and~so needs deletion. I disagreed, I feel everyone needs to be able to say in front of their peers their own thoughts. It is then up to their peers to decide if they want to listen. To take away the very right to speak is not human.

OK I have asked for others to be deleted, some have, some haven't...but both of us has said our peace and it was done. I feel that is the way it should be.

After being here on this site, I am unhappy with the way others run theirs...hehe you have spoiled me. But it is a good thing, and I am glad to have learned a lesson from you.

I feel if moderations is neccessary that it be done in a twofold or threefold process. If it is needed why cannot 2 or 3 people agree it is needed, thus removing a iron glove effect. I understand if a post stays for a few hours, who here doesn't? We do not need swift removal, just...a just one.

Anywho I thought I would add my 2 cents..lol
Thanks for all you have done I am such a happier woman now that I have found this place. Even if others think I am 3 hairy men from Brooklyn (hehee I couldn't resist)

love ya,
wendy

waiting

hey simon again,

Seems that only the woman are responding to you - I'd take the hint, english boy.

1Edit posts (eg. helping with links, images, formatting etc..)
2Delete whole threads or individual posts (a copy will be kept).
3View the IP Address used to make an individual post.
4Move threads to more appropriate forums.
5Lock or unlock threads (ie. close a topic to further posts).

1 Seems that would take computer literacy, don'tcha think?

2 That would seem to be a problem area - particularily a whole thread, as some of the posters responding may not be a fault. That road would be fraught with problems, as shown by H20's history.

3 I heard that's why some of the people on witnet wanted to be moderators - to see *who* was *who.*

4 That makes sense.

5 Why would a thread be locked, or unlocked, in the first place?

ON ANOTHER FORUM POINT.....

If you wish monetary assistance, please do not hesitate to put forth your request. I know it's the manly thing to do to say nothing - but we want to stay here, well, and we want you to stay too.

So get in touch with your feminine side, and say if you want money - we do. However, don't want too much, because the feminine side can be quite tight also.

waiting

cynicus

While I do my best to read and monitor all the threads on the forum to make sure that no one causes trouble it is becoming very difficult to do this all the time. With this in mind, I'd like to ask for some volunteers to help keep an eye on things who I will setup with some extra permissions.

Could you please define what you view as 'trouble' and the causing thereof?

Mom: see? :)

Simon

Thanks for all the replies (ladies ) and Emails, just to clarify:

Editing posts
This would allow you to edit someone elses posts in the same way you can edit your own. It would enable you to correct or help with formatting problems and when people are trying to post links or images but they are not working. There could be other circumstances where it is appropriate to edit a post such as to remove personal information that should not have been posted but this is quite rare. There wouldn't be any HTML or special skills required other than those used to make regular posts.

Delete whole threads
This would be the most common scenario if someone causes trouble {which I define as posting porn, get rich quick schemes, spam and the like). In the past there has been a debate on the same thread about it and although these posts would be deleted as well they are not normally 'keepers' as they often don't really make sense without the context of the original post. Alternatively, the post could be edited to remove the offending info and an explanatory post made to the thread (which could be locked to close the matter ?)

Viewing IP Addresses
This is useful to identify trouble posters and can act as a deterant. Not really much use to non-techies. It can also be used to confirm dual identities *sometimes*.

Move threads
Self explanatory really - if someone posts a joke on the main forum it should maybe be moved to the jokes area. This helps keep the forum areas on-topic, prevents everything being posted in one area and makes it easier for people to read what they are interested in.

Locking threads
This prevents any more posts on a subject so if something has happened, some posts have been edited or deleted and the matter is closed then this could be used. It is not perfect though as new threads could be started but it does have a place. Announcements that should not be replied to could also be locked. I expect this to be rarely used though.

I define trouble as making personal attacks or harrassment, posting pornographic or obscene material with the sole intent of offending others, posting money making schemes, spamming the forum (just repeating the same post), exposing others personal information without their consent and others.

It's important the moderators don't treat people with opposing points of view as trouble makers. As long as their opinions are genuinely held then they are entitled to them (hey, I'm sure a lot of us have had trouble becuse of holding views that are contrary to a certain organisation...)

Thanks for the offer of monetary assistance. I dont have anything setup to allow contributions but will look into doing so as other have asked about the same thing. The biggest cost at the moment though is really time so having people help out would be the best help initially but money would be useful as we continue to grow.

Hope this helps

mommy

Simon,
Thank you for the clarification. There seems to be alot of debate about this recently. People are dragging feeling over here from other boards. And the War of the boards is still brewing. I am glad that you have made your intentions known, and hope that others follow suit. I find your honesty and outlook refreshing.
wendy

waiting

I find this remarkable that there is such little talk from the majority of the posters about an issue that will effect us all - and particularily Simon.

Do others have ideas on what has worked - and not worked - on other forums - and the reasons why/why not?

Do others more knowledgeable have suggestions to Simon on how to keep his quality board but free up time for him?

waiting

Volunteers to help with the site...

Share this