User mods would be a good idea but it couldn't be any of the 'name users'. It would make the forums more volatile than they already are.

Quoting Ken Cole:

Quote:
We've long considered adding some user forum moderators to help police the forums.  Time to gather some feedback on this.  If you vote yes, feel free to nominate someone.

For whatever its worth:

As someone who has been in moderated and unmoderated groups/echoes/forums (and been a moderator myself) since before the internet came along, I can say that this is one area you need to be very sure about before you take the next step.  There is nothing that can kill a forum faster than a poor moderator.

Somebody made a comment already that it CAN'T be a 'name' user.  By that I suppose he means Skip or someone equally known.  There is no correlation, necessarily, between how someone acts as a user and how they will act as a moderator.  Soon of the most infamous, draconian tyrants I've ever run across as moderators were easy going and moderate as users, and vice-versa.

A good moderator is someone who has to have lots of time to spend on it, and has to read every post in every forum regularly enough to know what the 'atmosphere' in those forums at any given time.  That will cut out 98% of those nominated right off the top.  It also has to be someone who is fair but at the same time hard core enough to back up what he says.  If you say you're going to issue three warnings and then give out a 1 month suspension, you had better follow through if you expect people to respect what you say.

You will also need a set of forum rules of conduct that spells out the dos and don'ts, as well as penalties for infractions.  Those rules need to be posted prominently on a regular basis and updated as necessary, because things will change and situations will come up that they don't cover.

The foregoing comments are based on 30 years of experience running BBSs, in Usenet, in Fidonet, and on the internet, both as a user and on several occassions as a moderator.

I have the time, and the experience, but not the inclination.  Count me out.

It was brought up at IVS and a poll was created. While it was done in fun it was pretty interesting. If you're curious about the results click here.

I'm all for it personally, even with named moderators. As long as they are the right people. Someone who can put personal feelings aside and stick to moderating.

I guess you could use anonymous people. It has it's advantages and they can keep their screen name and forum persona as is.

Whatever system you put in place needs to be monitored by you and there should be a system for reporting a moderator to you and or Gerri if they are abusing their powers.

A couple of things to consider IF you do decide to use moderators.

I would suggest a moderator access only forum to communicate with him/her/them. Could be hidden from everyone else or simply limit access to mods only.

Seeing as how were are a truly worldwide community it would be a good idea to have representation from various parts of the world. Hopefully this would have a moderator accessible as close to 24/7 as you can get.

Clearly explain to the community just what the mods are responsible for and what they are capable of doing. Without this there could be some confusion as to whether or not a mod is overstepping his boundaries, or not doing enough.

Just some food for thought.


mmmmm . . . food - BRB 

I imagine Ken is considering moderators to free up his time for other efforts than police the forums.  However I can say of forums that I have seen moderatored and those that were not, overall I would say most of our members do conduct themselves in a civil manner.  Even when we have some heated discussions.

I'm for named Moderators (if we have them), simply it gives members the oportunity to PM a moderator if they have a question about a forum topic or need to point out a forum topic that a moderator has missed.

Hi Ken,  Sorry but I skipped this poll (picked option 3: doesn't matter to me either way)

I really don't think it is a bad idea to have moderators but we really don't need it.
Yes, we have some fights here......  and a lot of times it is the same people over and over.
But, we have very little negatives here, low foul mouths, no racism, no poor taste images, etc etc etc....

I think everyone here is a decent person (some more than others, but still no "major" asses).

If need be, I'd volunteer. I've done it before in other various places. I've owned (and still do) a few as well.

If I'm needed, I'll do it. If people don't think I can be "fair and balanced", then so be it.

Ewww... fair and balanced. Now I sound like FOX News. Guess I'll just have to make stuff up!!