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new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:58 pm
by Forum
hello,
it has been the case recently that there is confrontation and bad feelings/attitudes betweens some mod-players, and players.

this seems to be the result of personal, ingame and philosophical differences between the personalities involved. plus a lot of name calling, that is sad to see...

regardless of who is 'at fault' (i personally see fault on both sides...) the following changes are being made to address this issue (which, btw, has existed in this set of mods, the last set of mods, the one before that, and so on...).

1) mod names will reflect their mod role. ie - Mod Of Catagory XYZ will be the name of the mod, and the role of the mod. No 'player names' will be used in modding. this fits with the role change below.
2) mod term will be fixed. after a specific amount of time, they are rotated out of the mod role they previously held, given a break, or otherwise given a change... hopefully nothing will get 'stale' with this ongoing changeup.
3) mods will mod the forum. they will NOT comment on the right/wrong of specific views, ingame actions, inforum comments directed at others, inforum comments directed at themselves, or any other specifics. In short, it is not to be their job to pass opinion.
4) mods WILL mod the forum. they can edit/delete/ban/move topics, users and posts.
5) mods will NOT need to specify reasoning behind what they do.
6) mods CAN be reported as abusing powers. This will be done to a specific 'complaint' thread, the mod in question reviewed IN ENTIRETY (ie not for a specific single action) and a decision on whether the mod stays or not, is warned, etc made. (all mod actions, including delete/edit threads, are logged and recorded...).
Again - you can request a review of THE MOD, but not a single action/decision. Abuse of this system will remove your ability to report a mod and have it reviewed.
7) at the same time as this change, mod applications are being reviewed. The 'new' roles will be filled with both existing and new mods.
8) mods are under no obligation to reveal their ingame identities. change of mods will not be announced. you are in effect dealing with the 'role' or 'position' when dealing with the moderation, and not any given specific individual (well, you are, but the individuals may change, just as roles in companies are changed...).
9) mods MAY PM what they did, or why, or post it. it is NOT a requirement, but may be done. Bear in mind that point #3 will apply, in that they are not criticising, passing judgement or personal viewpoints. they will simply state why they did what they did, IF they choose to...

I believe these changes will help to remove the 'personal conflict' at the same time removing the political 'tie' between ingame personality and forum role...
The forums are game forums, meant to help the game community. The roles of the forums were not meant to be a 'game extention' but just a way to keep the forums usable, clear and clean for the community. I hope this update helps move the role of moderator back to that goal....

admin jason.

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:02 pm
by Almost38
gd idea jason it should stop the mods for not taking actions on there freinds

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:06 pm
by Milenko
:smt023

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:08 pm
by agapooka
This update will be implemented on Monday the 17th of September 2007... so basically tomorrow. Gametime of course, for you people whose clocks are way ahead and whose compasses point South. :P

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:13 pm
by RobinInDaHood
It will be interesting to see how effectively a mod (or anyone for that matter) can really handle the duality of forum and game. Good luck with the initiative.

Now, when can we mass Forum?

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:29 pm
by Forum
ID #1
go right ahead ... if you can ;)

RobinInDaHood wrote:It will be interesting to see how effectively a mod (or anyone for that matter) can really handle the duality of forum and game. Good luck with the initiative.

Now, when can we mass Forum?

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:59 pm
by Tanith
This will be interesting to see how it works out.

Will a mod will have their regular forum account and a seperate mod account?

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:09 pm
by Forum
the 'mod' will be whoever they were before - we are not going to change who they are, their identity, or hopefully view of self-worth and such...

they will have TEMPORARY ACCESS to the moderator account... while they are acting as the mod in question, in order to do the job of mod. temporary defined by the fixed length of time in that particular mod position....



Tanith wrote:This will be interesting to see how it works out.

Will a mod will have their regular forum account and a seperate mod account?

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:25 pm
by Nuto vixen
Forum wrote:5) mods will NOT need to specify reasoning behind what they do.

9) mods MAY PM what they did, or why, or post it. it is NOT a requirement, but may be done. ...IF they choose to...


Just a couple of things.

If you can be banned, and not with a reason why, isn't that counter-productive?
How are you to learn from a mistake you are unbeknown to?

Secondly, how is anyone to contact an admin or complain about an unfair banning/suspension when they are banned (without knowledge of what they are banned for). I found it very difficult to discuss it with any admin due to the fact that you cannot pm while you are banned.

Instead of banning users completely from the forums, is there a way to just remove their posting rights while keeping their PM options open, and full browsing faculties? This would at least give the banee (is that a word?) the ability to question why they were banned, and a better chance of them learning from their mistake, maybe even apologizing.

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:05 pm
by Forum
good idea...and i will propose this, when the ban is not for 'obvious' reasons...(ie spamming for viagra sales or such...)
as for other (non banning) mod actions - i trust it will be obvious enough what/why was done - i do not expect actions for no good reason. and if there is (a pattern of) this behaviour, there will be a process to get the mod reviewed.
i do NOT want a 'fight' over each specific action, thus the ability to act without explanation....

Nuto vixen wrote:
Forum wrote:5) mods will NOT need to specify reasoning behind what they do.

9) mods MAY PM what they did, or why, or post it. it is NOT a requirement, but may be done. ...IF they choose to...


Just a couple of things.

If you can be banned, and not with a reason why, isn't that counter-productive?
How are you to learn from a mistake you are unbeknown to?

Secondly, how is anyone to contact an admin or complain about an unfair banning/suspension when they are banned (without knowledge of what they are banned for). I found it very difficult to discuss it with any admin due to the fact that you cannot pm while you are banned.

Instead of banning users completely from the forums, is there a way to just remove their posting rights while keeping their PM options open, and full browsing faculties? This would at least give the banee (is that a word?) the ability to question why they were banned, and a better chance of them learning from their mistake, maybe even apologizing.

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:14 pm
by REK
:shock:

no more viagra :cry:

but all in all Jason has some good ideas once in awhile ...go figure
and a canadian meh ..:P

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:46 am
by RepliJake
Sounds good, most of my problems were dealt with by Agapooka before that thread for him was locked, so I'm more or less happy anyway, and have ceased making waves as I was.

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:56 am
by RobinInDaHood
Forum wrote:ID #1
go right ahead ... if you can ;)


Ok, you asked for it. Prepare for pwnage...


GameLog wrote:As with all battles, this one has been recorded for the official history of your realm. You, of course, are the first to know the results as they are reported directly to you first. This is the official report of the battle:


The fleets of RobinInDaHood invaded the planet Delvia6 in the realm of jtest!

RobinInDaHood sent:
43,000 Nano-AI Cruiser Squadran

jtest's planet Delvia6 resisted the aggressors with:
1,327,000 planet ground based defence facilities.


In a fury, the two opposing forces clash!


Silence. Nothing. I quickly review my sub-space scanners, weapon monitors, and ship's logs. We fired all volleys, every pilot in every ship had been briefed, and even had a map to the planet with a big red X marking the location. What had happened?

"We're being hailed, Captain", announced #3. (he is actually second in command but I call him #3 because it annoys him and he's overly sensitive).

"On speaker, #3!", I replied.

"Greeting and salutations, RobinInDaHood. This is the Nox operator speaking. We regret to inform you that the attack you just launched has been suspended due to an application on file for a Personal Protection Treaty.", came the reply.

"What? I checked with Nox Central Command before I bothered with preparations to leave the home world. You think I'd go to the hassle of dragging 43,000 pilots out of bed and drawing all those maps if I wasn't sure this would be allowed? When does the PPT end?", I fumed.

"As you know, we cannot revel the termination time of our customer's contract due to confidentiality issues. However, we are permitted to tell you that this particular customer has had a contract in effect since the early part of Earth year 2005.", said the Nox Operator.

"That's over 2 years! According to the terms and conditions section of my last PPT (sounds of shuffling papers heard), the term is supposed to last 2 days, not 2 years! This PPT should have ended a long time ago!", I raged at the Nox operator.

"Yes sir, that normally is our policy. However, this particular customer seems to have an addendum to their policy which permits longer duration contracts. I'm afraid there is nothing more I can do to help you.", replied the Nox.

"How about now?", I smiled faintly. "Activate transporter", I whispered to #3.

"Hello Sir. While I can certainly appreciate the rather enormous pile of naq I see has suddenly appeared on our transporter platform, I must inform you that we are not permitted to accept 'donations' and I cannot change the duration of our customer's PPT.", came the surprised response.

"So you're telling me that you cannot allow even a single attack when I'm willing to contribute so much to your children's happy Christmas fund?", came my exasperated tone.

"No Sir, I'm afraid I cannot help you at this time.", said Nox.

"Well fine! I guess I'll call everyone back and try to forget about all the time I spent on those maps. The Nox is really ruining the galaxy for everyone, you know. I realize that's not your problem but you should pass along to your supervisor that I'm really annoyed. Will you transport back the naq I sent over, please?", I said coldly.

"I'm sorry Sir, but there seems to be a problem with our transporters at this time."

:smt013

So Jason, it seems you've won this round. I don't know how or what you did to convice the Nox to protect you so long but they won't budge. I'll be watching you closely, however. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:25 am
by RepliJake
ROFLMAO

Re: new forum mods/titles/roles

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:29 am
by geisha
The only thing I find a bit questionable here is the following:

We had the problem that people weren't treated equally on the forums, rules didn't seem to apply to everyone and users were banned for questionable/no reason.

The solution to this will be that:

a) mods will be anonymous
b) mods don't have to give reasons for their actions at all


???

Doesn't that leave even more room for power abuse and unfair bannings?