Re: The State of the Community: An opinion by Psi
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:52 am

This photograph goes with so many posts in this thread.
And at this point, Turkey is just becoming more laughable.
These are the forums for the GateWa.rs family of text-based space-centred PBBGs
https://talk.gatewa.rs/

I know you CANNOT be serious. I really CANNOT.Robe wrote:I don't know PSI bothered to start this thread.
All I see is moderators defending the status quo instead of listening to what players are posting in order to find opportunities for improvement.
She is not serious. Obviously that was a very bad joke. Have to agree that of all of us, you have been one of the more vocal ones when it comes to improvements.E.M.P. wrote:I know you CANNOT be serious. I really CANNOT.
After every post I have made, and after every suggestion I have put forth for people to help us improve, you're really going to make that post?
First of all, very few people, if any, are actually suggesting improvements. Second of all, I believe anyone that has put forth constructive criticism, I have responded to. So have a discussion about the idea they brought forth is "defending the status quo?" Well then what, praytell, would be the correct responses?
Defending a status quo is contrary to the prior existence of said status quo. If you lack the means to change it for the better (and you do, blinded by hatred and political motivation as you are), the lesser of two evils is the best option to go with. If a true status quo existed, it would be natural. The status quo as it is, is maintained by power. You do not have it, and the Administration does (not us measly mods, no.. the Administration). When you are going to go after the Administration, you should first get yourself and your groupies (no disrespect, just not sure of the proper word) some power. Anything else is idle chatter.Robe wrote:I don't know PSI bothered to start this thread.
All I see is moderators defending the status quo instead of listening to what players are posting in order to find opportunities for improvement.
killtacular wrote:I really do not care who is atop of the admin team, I do care when said person gives me an answer of I said so . I have seen that from 2 admins in the past from the same situation I was trying to get an answer about . I said so is not a response you want to hear from someone in a leadership role. I have thes pms from them and IM SURE THERE THE ONES STILL IN CHARGE.
RoKeT wrote:killtacular wrote:I really do not care who is atop of the admin team, I do care when said person gives me an answer of I said so . I have seen that from 2 admins in the past from the same situation I was trying to get an answer about . I said so is not a response you want to hear from someone in a leadership role. I have thes pms from them and IM SURE THERE THE ONES STILL IN CHARGE.
I won't fight you on not liking the Admin team a few months ago but are the issues recent? Everyone knows I HATED EƤrendil or however he spells his god damn forumn name xD but recently he has been pretty cool along with a lot of mod's that i've had issues with... I was just wondering if these PM"s or issues were even recent or if they are old issues?
Yup. I have been back to regular usership for a while after I came back, and it can be an eye-opener.Mordack wrote:I've seen cases of people who have been a mod for a long time losing touch of what it's like to be a user. It's not always a case of becoming consumed with power, or letting it go to your head. They just forget what it's like to see things from that perspective.
Something I have advocated for a long time. Social modding. Works excellently, and I second Mordack in recommending it to everyone in these roles.Mordack wrote:In my opinion, two of the most important qualities in a successful moderator are empathy and good judgement. Being able to understand that different problems require different solutions, and that enforcing the rules to the hilt isn't always the best solution to a problem. If two users are in a heated argument, and one of them steps out of line, or swears, then it's better to give them a polite warning. Nine times out of ten, this works. Stamping your boot down straight away, especially with someone whose already in a temper, will lead to an ugly confrontation. Similarly, if someone breaks the rules through genuine ignorance, then it's better to just remind them to look at the guidelines instead of immediately warning them. People who genuinely break the rules for the sake of it are few and far between, and the majority of users who transgress have either done so misguidedly or are not repeat offenders. They may seem like small courtesies, but I find they go a long way toward building a better relationship between the moderators and the users.
Juliette wrote:Yup. I have been back to regular usership for a while after I came back, and it can be an eye-opener.Mordack wrote:I've seen cases of people who have been a mod for a long time losing touch of what it's like to be a user. It's not always a case of becoming consumed with power, or letting it go to your head. They just forget what it's like to see things from that perspective.Sure helps to see thing with somewhat more perspective.
Something I have advocated for a long time. Social modding. Works excellently, and I second Mordack in recommending it to everyone in these roles.Mordack wrote:In my opinion, two of the most important qualities in a successful moderator are empathy and good judgement. Being able to understand that different problems require different solutions, and that enforcing the rules to the hilt isn't always the best solution to a problem. If two users are in a heated argument, and one of them steps out of line, or swears, then it's better to give them a polite warning. Nine times out of ten, this works. Stamping your boot down straight away, especially with someone whose already in a temper, will lead to an ugly confrontation. Similarly, if someone breaks the rules through genuine ignorance, then it's better to just remind them to look at the guidelines instead of immediately warning them. People who genuinely break the rules for the sake of it are few and far between, and the majority of users who transgress have either done so misguidedly or are not repeat offenders. They may seem like small courtesies, but I find they go a long way toward building a better relationship between the moderators and the users.
Being first and foremost a forum user myself, I cannot agree more.Mordack wrote:Conversely, the same thing applies to users. Even if a moderator has made a mistake, the best response isn't to immediately fly into a rage at them. With every insult, and every threat, you are making them less likely to them listen to your argument. PM them quietly. Explain why you think the warning was unfair. Explain that you weren't aware of the rule. Explain the circumstances. Do it calmly, and do it courteously. My first warning was from FreeSpirit, and it got removed. This was a long time before the ombudsman. It happened because I spoke to him politely on MSN and explained why I thought it was wrong. He saw my point, and removed it himself. I didn't go over his head, I didn't threaten him, and I didn't mention his mother once. It can work, you know.Juliette wrote:Yup. I have been back to regular usership for a while after I came back, and it can be an eye-opener.Mordack wrote:I've seen cases of people who have been a mod for a long time losing touch of what it's like to be a user. It's not always a case of becoming consumed with power, or letting it go to your head. They just forget what it's like to see things from that perspective.Sure helps to see thing with somewhat more perspective.
Something I have advocated for a long time. Social modding. Works excellently, and I second Mordack in recommending it to everyone in these roles.Mordack wrote:In my opinion, two of the most important qualities in a successful moderator are empathy and good judgement. Being able to understand that different problems require different solutions, and that enforcing the rules to the hilt isn't always the best solution to a problem. If two users are in a heated argument, and one of them steps out of line, or swears, then it's better to give them a polite warning. Nine times out of ten, this works. Stamping your boot down straight away, especially with someone whose already in a temper, will lead to an ugly confrontation. Similarly, if someone breaks the rules through genuine ignorance, then it's better to just remind them to look at the guidelines instead of immediately warning them. People who genuinely break the rules for the sake of it are few and far between, and the majority of users who transgress have either done so misguidedly or are not repeat offenders. They may seem like small courtesies, but I find they go a long way toward building a better relationship between the moderators and the users.
I can say I've done the same thing as FreeSpirit more than a few times. If someone wants to come and calmly talk to me about the warning, there is probably a good chance I will be persuaded that it wasn't necessary to warn them. On the other side of things, if someone rages in the same topic I warned them, yelling about Mods, or sends me a raging PM, then they have almost no chance ...Mordack wrote:Juliette wrote:Yup. I have been back to regular usership for a while after I came back, and it can be an eye-opener.Mordack wrote:I've seen cases of people who have been a mod for a long time losing touch of what it's like to be a user. It's not always a case of becoming consumed with power, or letting it go to your head. They just forget what it's like to see things from that perspective.Sure helps to see thing with somewhat more perspective.
Something I have advocated for a long time. Social modding. Works excellently, and I second Mordack in recommending it to everyone in these roles.Mordack wrote:In my opinion, two of the most important qualities in a successful moderator are empathy and good judgement. Being able to understand that different problems require different solutions, and that enforcing the rules to the hilt isn't always the best solution to a problem. If two users are in a heated argument, and one of them steps out of line, or swears, then it's better to give them a polite warning. Nine times out of ten, this works. Stamping your boot down straight away, especially with someone whose already in a temper, will lead to an ugly confrontation. Similarly, if someone breaks the rules through genuine ignorance, then it's better to just remind them to look at the guidelines instead of immediately warning them. People who genuinely break the rules for the sake of it are few and far between, and the majority of users who transgress have either done so misguidedly or are not repeat offenders. They may seem like small courtesies, but I find they go a long way toward building a better relationship between the moderators and the users.
Conversely, the same thing applies to users. Even if a moderator has made a mistake, the best response isn't to immediately fly into a rage at them. With every insult, and every threat, you are making them less likely to them listen to your argument. PM them quietly. Explain why you think the warning was unfair. Explain that you weren't aware of the rule. Explain the circumstances. Do it calmly, and do it courteously. My first warning was from FreeSpirit, and it got removed. This was a long time before the ombudsman. It happened because I spoke to him politely on MSN and explained why I thought it was wrong. He saw my point, and removed it himself. I didn't go over his head, I didn't threaten him, and I didn't mention his mother once. It can work, you know.