Respect for mods and admins

[GaryCXJk]

First of all, this is not the only site this will be posted. Also, I'm not attacking anyone, I'm analising the whole thing on every site, or what I see. This may or may not apply on this site, but this can be usefull for the future.



I've seen many people almost insult moderators, because they didn't agree with what was said. Sometimes they are right. Sometimes, but not always.

Before you get angry at a moderator or an administrator, please keep in mind the following questions:

• Why am I angry?
• What do I reach with my angryness?
• Is it worth it?

Why do you need to ask these questions? Well, here's a little example of why it could be helpfull.

Say a guy named Sebastian says some stupid things on the forums, let's say he spammed a lot and offended a lot of people. A moderator says something like: "You are a jerk." but only with other words. That guy Sebastian (pun intended) could do two things. Either he could flame back at the moderators because he is angry, or he could ask himself these questions. Why am I angry? Is it because he offended me, or is it because he's right? What do I reach with my angryness? Probably more people who flame on me, maybe resulting in a ban. Is it worth it? No.

Otherwise the moderators and administrators also need to change their behaviours, if possible. I say, if possible, because sometimes it can't, because you already tried a lot. But if you haven't, here's a small guideline on how to take a right approach.

• Are the rules clear?
  If the rules aren't clear enough, people are most likely to break them.
  
• What rules are written and how are they written?
  Rules are your best friends, but can also be your worst enemy. For example, putting some nonsense rules like "Don't use the paperclip smilie" while you just add a paperclip smilie just won't work. Also, jokes in the rules are good, but don't overdo it, and most certainly don't put jokes as a rule, like "Always eat your vegetables". They make the rules less believable. A last thing, writing it as if the boards are a communistic regime isn't a good thing. Don't command people to do things. Put the rules as if they were guidelines (but don't forget to add: "Breaking one of the rules can result in a warning and eventually in a ban").
  
• How do we behave as mod/admin?
  This is one of the most important things, and also applies to other members. Stay friendly but not too friendly. If someone makes a newbie mistake don't insult them as if they were n00bs, because they most likely become one because of that. But don't be to nice either. They are less likely to change if you are too nice. If someone is insulting someone else and keeps on doing that, then there is one option. Warn him, but show mercy. This is hard, but it can be done.
  
• How about a warning status?
  I've seen a good idea on a certain forums. If someone was very annoying and keeps on insulting or spamming or whatever, he would get a special n00b ranking, because they are less likely to change. I know that this can be harsh, but the warning status can always be reversed. Make a warning status temporarily, may it be until that person is banned or changed his behaviour. If that person changes in a period of at least a month, remove the state. If you don't he would most likely fall back to his own position.
  

I know that what I just said isn't always effective, it may even be uneffective, but I do know that what I said hasn't been done before yet.

But I do know that it's not the mods that need to change, it are the members themselves. If they are not to change the boards are most likely to turn into a communistic regime, and I don't blame them. In fact, how weird it is, I support that. If the members won't change, the boards need to change. But still, remember that there are always some people once in a while who come in as an idiot and get out as an idiot as well.

Gary

[SaiKar]

Eh, I got nothing. The Request forum has a good list of guidelines for people to read for help on their requests, and I think I act as reasonably as I can given the fact that I have the actual power. But every week or so I get some rebel who thinks it is "cool" to go on a rampage for no apparent reason.

[The Great Goddess Atma]

On the Naruto Mania forums, we have a section that only mods and admins can see to talk about problems. (I think every forum should have this.) It's hidden from all regular members and helps us make important decisions when problems arise. We constantly recieve PMs about how much we suck or how gay we are or whatever for closing their thread, deleting their post, or warning them to behave a bit more several times a day.

People in this world need to know that although we are pretty much free to do and say as we please or wish, there is a time when people need to put their foot down and control some of the more wild actions.

It just goes to show you that the ones with the power earned it through hard work and completing tasks and responsibilities. And if the fail at their tasks and assignments, then they are demoted and a more mature person is put in their place to continue the clean up job.

It's not the glamorous rank everyone wishes and longs for. Know that.

[SaiKar]

Charas has that too. The old Private Forum has gotten a lot of publicity lately. But we only talk about people that are being real big problems, like Kairou or Wahba.

[Red Giant]

Oh yeah? Then why is there a topic in there that says "Linux kicks poo yall!". I blame the media.

[Darkfox]

Down with commercial! RAAAH! *forms angry mob*

[Almeidaboo]

U know, iīve been here for a short time really, and i was lucky to find u ppl nice, but it doesnīt justifies to flame ppl around cuz u were called jerk...i guess u guys should be really strict there: if u canīt, donīt play. That guy flaming Darkfox, he should be banned with no second thoughts!

[Darkfox]

If you mean SoulReaver he's back under my control, I changed the password so he's not getting back on using that nickname.

[Apex]

seriuosly, no body should be flamed....
regardless if there a mod/admin or not...

[HackersTotalMassLaser]

You mean like cops getting called pigs all the time? Yeah of course...