mael wrote:I wouldn't mind if the topic went off at a tangent if it was in some way connected with the topic.
If the language was approaching civil at a minimum then it would be easily possible for people to ignore a post which didn't really fit-in.
It's the personal attacks which spoil virtually all the debates here.
I remember when John was less busy with other matters and appeared on the board fairly frequently. If he didn't post, then he seemed to be going through the boards and if there was a slanging-match going on then he'd step in and deal with it.
I recall John felt the rule forbidding personal attacks was the most important one, and his occasional enforcement made this place a pleasure to post in.
Were I to be a mod I would work to try to defuse situations where personal attacks were taking place. I would not normally edit a post which was abusive, but I feel it would be a good idea to warn someone who was going over the line, and on the count of three warnings I'd like to temporarily ban them from posting - but John would decide if it was a permanent ban or not.
I'm on here almost every day. Sometimes for a few minutes and sometimes I'm here for an hour. I don't use many of the boards, but spend most of my time in Gen or WOT, so I know what's going on there and I see the changes from day to day.
Seriously, I'd like to try to mod. I'd like to do it because I want to be a member of a board I am proud of. I don't know this new board very well, but I'll pick it up and some others might be able to assist me until I get the hang of it. I know the hard-hitters quite well and I believe I can mod with acceptable impartiality.
My policy would be to 'speak softly but carry a big stick.' But I certainly don't like having to use the stick, and banning someone for uncontrollable bad-behaviour would be a very last and reluctant resort.
This is a great board, we all know that, that is why we're here. It's like family, we have our little fights, but get over it. John should be proud, I know his Dad is.
One thing, for me, was that I found myself not wanting to speak in the forums I moded, except once in a while. I found I lost a portion of my voice. I was too busy defending myself as a mod. For Jews like us with loud voices, it can become a battle.
Now that I'm no longer a "mod", I feel like this is more play time than work. It is hard to come here after working 14 hours and have to babysit. But, tonight...after working 14 hours, it has become a game again and fun again.
I guess, I just want to caution you about your volunteerism. After all, our government sanctioned/regulated volunteer organization now takes away our first Amendment rights. But, that is for another thread. Yet, being a mod here felt like I lost a bit of my free speech and freedom of religion. There were many "christians" around here who came down on me for not being a Christian and comparing them to Muslims. There were neo-cons who came down on me as a "liberal", for not being a fascist/commie (I'm a Libertarian). You know the divide an conquer game that goes on around here.
Then again, I know you have a fairly thick skin...sometimes...you could make a decent mod, if John wants to implement that again.
. (paddy=midget, bastards, green things)
Scottish perhaps lashmar ?
damn lol