Moderation

Well?

 

No2 IMO. There is always an urge to control, but you can't clamp down on what people say that hard - it's a discussion forum after all.

 

I don't think there is a need to clamp down on things too much. I think all that needs doing is to remove posts that don't contribute anything and will likely wind people up, before they get the chance to do so. For example when Bub and BBV posted their first and second comments in the ATC thread - it was clearly going the wrong way.

Other than that, I think you guys do an outstanding job, well done and thank-you.

 

No.2... moderation fine as it is, just need to get more people posting!

 

I resent that implication, just because some of yuo here have no proper jobs and seem to be able to skive off and write erudite (so-called) commentary, while some of us have to travel the world solving other people's problems ....

But I digress, I will vote for the status quo, for low key moderation that just keeps the discussion going.

I've recently become a Mod. on a forum to do with another enthusiasm/obsession (my football team - which is not ATC/Mana but commands comparable devotion), and I've been leaning on the wisdom (and occasional folly) of moderation in the hifi/AV forums to which I have belonged..

 

It was only ever going to go one way.

 

I think its fine as it is - you just have to look at avforums to see how powerhungry mods can destroy a forum.

 

"Clothed in brief authority" as my aunt used to say.

 

All things in moderation and that applies to the act of moderating. IMHO the mods do a fine job firstly because they think before they press the delete button and secondly the general tone of the forum as set by the owner is one that for the most part most of the posters can follow most of the time and that I think is a good sign. Every now and then the question of what is free speech and what are the limits if any to postings in this forum pops into view and to be honest free speech is whatever the mods and or the owner say it is so if this offends your ideals then swallow or move on.

 

I'm in favour of free speech (I know, that hardly makes me a radical) but I'm also in favour of showing respect for the views and sensitivities of others - even the misguided ;-)

it's only rock and roll ...

 

At this moment in time with votes running at 2,19 & 2 to my eyes this makes for a sort of Bell Curve and (with my limited stats knowledge) things are just about right.

 

Normal, as Student would say, altho with three ordered categories that's a latent judgement.

 

moderating an internet forum is the cheap and easy way for megalomaniacs to get power.

 

<stares megalomaniacally at screen…>

Tony.

 

You don't see the relationship here then?

 

Is this a koan or am I missing something?

 

and its a relatively safe outlet for the rest of us, considering the alternatives.

Authority, and hence power is lent to such Mods, by us not just the owners. It needs to be exercised with a sense of equality (justice), fraternity (beneficience) and liberty (respect/freedom for individual action). That takes hard work, and and the Mods deserve our respect and support for trying. Else, off with their heads ....

 

I disagree. Megalomaniac mods tend to mod empty fora. A good forum requires compex and subtle modding which isn't easy IMO.

 

No it doesn't. The only purpose moderators serve is to help protect the owner from lawsuits. They are generally totally unqualified to do this. The fact that anyone volunteers to carry out this unelected and unaccountable role defines them as megalomaniacs, rather like local councillors.

 

I don't disagree Greg but how do you see us?

Bob, to me it all sounds like bollox.

The forum owner asked some of the members here to help him and that is all we do. I don't understand why you think there should be any democracy here. The forum was started as a goodwill gesture by Joel, Michael and Isaac respectively. I'm not going to bore you with it's history, but it was never a democracy. Why should we be elected.

Contrary to what many believe it is not always the mods who make or break a forum, it's members can make a bigger difference, if they cared.

BTW, Greg/Bob what you don't say is if/how/what you'd change.