NationStates Jolt Archive


Excessive Moderation

Tweedlesburg
09-03-2006, 02:18
With the Moderation of this forum as stringent as it is in its current state, I am feeling a bit concerned about the addition of not just one, but two new Moderators. The addition of more Moderators is a direct implication of a greater need for Moderation. While a few people who seem to consistently be in the Moderation Forum either out of concern for others (which I find doubtful), or out of some sort of need for fulfillment or power in reporting others to Moderation may find this to be an improvement, I believe I speak for the rest of General when I say that we have enough if not too much Moderation already.

So what do you guys think?
Peechland
09-03-2006, 02:20
Well one mod stepped down so technically they just replaced one and added another. Plus, the Mods do this on a voluntary basis...they have real jobs and other obligations, so perhaps sometimes they cannot devote as much time as normal during certain weeks/months.
Achtung 45
09-03-2006, 02:22
I haven't seen nearly as many official warnings and such than during the summer. Forumbans and official warnings were issued regularly. Mod land has seemed to have slowed down a bit, and maybe the mods are just getting a bit tired and want to spread out the work.Maybe I'm not just paying attention as much or I'm not noticing it. Fris has done a great job, and I don't see him around nearly as much as when he first became one. But then again, I'm just in General, so I don't know if the mods are cracking down on other forums.
Gartref
09-03-2006, 02:22
Excessive Moderation

I think that's a good oxymoron.
Skinny87
09-03-2006, 02:25
With the Moderation of this forum as stringent as it is in its current state, I am feeling a bit concerned about the addition of not just one, but two new Moderators. The addition of more Moderators is a direct implication of a greater need for Moderation. While a few people who seem to consistently be in the Moderation Forum either out of concern for others (which I find doubtful), or out of some sort of need for fulfillment or power in reporting others to Moderation may find this to be an improvement, I believe I speak for the rest of General when I say that we have enough if not too much Moderation already.

So what do you guys think?

Speak for the rest of General? Hardly old boy. I'm no fan of the Mods, but even I can tell they've been quite lax at the moment. Perhaps a tad too so, but that's just interpretation.
Peechland
09-03-2006, 02:31
And maybe its not that they are being lax, but maybe more tolerant of certain things. I believe it's not the quantity of mods but the quality that counts. You could have two hard core mods who issue warnings and bans at the drop of a hat. Or you could have 20 mods who work together as a team and know the difference in flaming and abrasive sarcasm. ...and monitor things until they need to step in. Which would you prefer?
Fass
09-03-2006, 02:31
I believe I speak for the rest of General

Rid yourself of that misconception.
Ashmoria
09-03-2006, 02:55
there are 2 new mods? i saw that someone had been named (and immediately forgot who)

well i guess i could ask who the other guy is but since i dont remember who the first one was......who are the new mods?

i dont see why you wouldnt give them a chance to show how they will do the job. some people are good at it, some arent.

it has seemed very quiet here lately as far as moderation is concerned.
Kreitzmoorland
09-03-2006, 02:58
Erastide is the new one, and Tactical Grace is back.
Peechland
09-03-2006, 02:59
there are 2 new mods? i saw that someone had been named (and immediately forgot who)

well i guess i could ask who the other guy is but since i dont remember who the first one was......who are the new mods?

i dont see why you wouldnt give them a chance to show how they will do the job. some people are good at it, some arent.

it has seemed very quiet here lately as far as moderation is concerned.

Erastide has been promoted and Tactical Grace, who was a mod previously, has decided to come back.
The Black Forrest
09-03-2006, 03:00
Nahhh put me in charge you fools!

NO! been their done that!

*starts twitching and mumbling to himself*
UberPenguinLandReturns
09-03-2006, 03:01
You want escessive moderation. Go to the Official Elder Scrolls Forums. They auto-censor "In Soviet Russia". All religous and political discussions are banned too.
PsychoticDan
09-03-2006, 03:05
I've only been here for a short time and I don't really feel its over moderated, at least not for what it is. Its far more moderated than my forum, but my forum is an anything goes kind of forum and that's made clear from the door. I've been able to argue and get in people's face here without ever being censored so I'm not sure what you all mean. Seems fine to me.
Syniks
09-03-2006, 03:08
I've seen fewer warnings, threats, bans and deatings than in previous months, so I'm not sure where you are coming from.

Then again, I don't participate in infantile threads..... :rolleyes:
The Black Forrest
09-03-2006, 03:08
I've only been here for a short time and I don't really feel its over moderated, at least not for what it is. Its far more moderated than my forum, but my forum is an anything goes kind of forum and that's made clear from the door. I've been able to argue and get in people's face here without ever being censored so I'm not sure what you all mean. Seems fine to me.

Your chances of getting sued are far less then Max. Especially if his movie gets made.

The mods her are not that bad. They go after the trollkitties etcs but overall they allow many things to go on.

Try moding a game company. Far more rules.....

--edit--
This is not meant at you directly. Just read it and it sounds like it does. ;)
The Black Forrest
09-03-2006, 03:10
I've seen fewer warnings, threats, bans and deatings than in previous months, so I'm not sure where you are coming from.

Then again, I don't participate in infantile threads..... :rolleyes:

SHUT UP YOU POOPY HEAD!
Golgothastan
09-03-2006, 03:15
Two mods stepped down, two mods came in. Seems reasonable. In any case, much of the forum mod work is presumably 'grunt' stuff, because we can't change our thread titles, move them, etc., as many other forums allow.
Katganistan
09-03-2006, 03:15
SHUT UP YOU POOPY HEAD!


OMG!!! U |2 teh b@nn3d!






:p
PsychoticDan
09-03-2006, 03:29
Your chances of getting sued are far less then Max. Especially if his movie gets made.

The mods her are not that bad. They go after the trollkitties etcs but overall they allow many things to go on.

Try moding a game company. Far more rules.....

--edit--
This is not meant at you directly. Just read it and it sounds like it does. ;)
Sure, I understand, but sans pornography there is little I can imagine that goes on here that doesn't fall directly under, "Congress shall make no law..."

Unless, I just realized, he's not in the US...
Darsomir
09-03-2006, 03:32
Max is Australian, and Jolt is a British company. US law doesn't apply.
OceanDrive2
09-03-2006, 03:41
I believe I speak for the rest of General when I say that ....No. No you dont..

Here at NS we do not like individuals trying to be "our voice"..

We have our own Voice.. and we like to use it if we see the need.

As for the number of Mods.. It is up the Forum owners (AKA Maxtopia & Co.)
NERVUN
09-03-2006, 03:41
OMG!!! U |2 teh b@nn3d!
Cookie for the first Mod to actually use that for reals. ;)

And no, I don't think we're being overly Mod'd. They let actual discussions through. The ones who normally complain about moderation are the ones who assume that the forum is their personal playground where they can flame, troll, and spam with abandon.
OceanDrive2
09-03-2006, 03:45
OMG!!! U |2 teh b@nn3d!






:p:D HAHA..

Question: What is better than a sexy Mod..
Answer: A sexy Mod with a sense of humor.
Frisbeeteria
09-03-2006, 04:05
We have two classes of Mod because we need both Game and Forums covered. The workload is such that trying to do both is just too much. Several mods have retired, and several Forum mods have been promoted to Game mod without being replaced.

We're due, maybe even overdue. Having two suitable candidates at once is just a bonus.
Peechland
09-03-2006, 04:26
We have two classes of Mod because we need both Game and Forums covered. The workload is such that trying to do both is just too much. Several mods have retired, and several Forum mods have been promoted to Game mod without being replaced.

We're due, maybe even overdue. Having two suitable candidates at once is just a bonus.


Is that where Cogitation has been (promoted to game)? I havent seen him in a very long time, so now that you mention the two classes of Mods, I was just curious.
Darsomir
09-03-2006, 04:54
AFAIK, the game mods also have the powers of forum mods (ie they are also forum mods), but because of greater duties in the game itself often don't have the time to spend on the forums.
The Most Glorious Hack
09-03-2006, 05:19
Max is Australian, and Jolt is a British company. US law doesn't apply.More accurately, both Max and Jolt are not the US Government, therefore the US Constitution does not apply.

Is that where Cogitation has been (promoted to game)? I havent seen him in a very long time, so now that you mention the two classes of Mods, I was just curious.Cogswell was promoted to GM quite awhile ago, actually. You haven't seen him lately simply because he's been busy. Activity often waxes and wanes; it happens to all of us. Except for Fris. But he's a robot that I built in my basement.

AFAIK, the game mods also have the powers of forum modsCorrect.
Jocabia
09-03-2006, 07:53
I don't see what the problem is. 50 mods or 5, so long as the rules that the mods enforce are the same we should be following them. The only reason to be concerned about the number of mods is if one violates the rules as set forth. So I believe your issue is with the rules as enforced rather than with the number of mods.

Or you could just remember that you're on a private site where you must follow their rules. So long as you remember that little bit, then 1000 mods will never affect you.
Zagat
09-03-2006, 09:55
In any case, much of the forum mod work is presumably 'grunt' stuff, because we can't change our thread titles, move them, etc., as many other forums allow.
Aha, and in some cases we cant even log into our nations; I had to ask the mods twice to get my nation up and running at one point. Within 24 hours of my first request they had gotten my nation active and even though it was only a couple of days later when I put in a request for further help, the mods got onto to it and sorted me out straight away.

I expect there's quite a lot involved in modding that is out of our sight so out of our minds, but when you need mod help....well who wants to wait weeks or even days to get back into their nation? I didnt, so thanks to the mod/s that acted so quickly and feel free to take on as much help as you feel inclined to (not that I expected you needed my permission, but hey it makes me feel important to give it anyway..... so let me have my cheap thrill)...

:) In closing...yay I can post stuff under my real nation again....go mods!:)
Tweedlesburg
09-03-2006, 22:25
Rid yourself of that misconception.
Give me a break! You're in moderation every other second whining about this that or the other thing, even when it doesnt directly affect you!
Tactical Grace
09-03-2006, 23:30
Give me a break! You're in moderation every other second whining about this that or the other thing, even when it doesnt directly affect you!
Tried reading every thread on the forums? :rolleyes:

That's why this forum exists, so people can report forum rule violations they see. We still sort the wheat from the chaff, but this place does serve a purpose.
Tweedlesburg
09-03-2006, 23:58
Tried reading every thread on the forums? :rolleyes:

That's why this forum exists, so people can report forum rule violations they see. We still sort the wheat from the chaff, but this place does serve a purpose.
I know the Moderators cannot find all rules violations. I do not expect them to. I simply think that unless one is being directly flamed or is the original poster, they should leave it up to those folks to report it, unless they are asked.
Katganistan
10-03-2006, 02:54
I know the Moderators cannot find all rules violations. I do not expect them to. I simply think that unless one is being directly flamed or is the original poster, they should leave it up to those folks to report it, unless they are asked.

That's your opinion, and you're welcome to it. Don't report anything that doesn't directly affect you. We're cool with that.

If others want to report stuff they see before it becomes a full out flame war, we're cool with that, too. Seeing as this forum is frequented by many people, shouldn't they have a stake in keeping it enjoyable for all?
Jocabia
10-03-2006, 03:16
Give me a break! You're in moderation every other second whining about this that or the other thing, even when it doesnt directly affect you!

Most of us prefer to have cogent discussion and making the work of the mods easier is an advantage to us. I promise you that nothing reported by Fass, myself or wnyone else was ever punished because it was NOT a rules violation. Everyone can avoid your 'excessive moderation' simply by NOT breaking them. It's quite simple.

I once tackled a guy I saw burglarizing vehicles. I held him down and had someone call the cops. He was convicted of grand theft. Now he could suggest it was my fault that he was caught, but the truth of the matter is that his prediciment is a direct result of his inability to follow the law. I bear no responsibility for that inability. Nor does Fass for posters who punished for rules violations whether or not he points them out.
Axis Nova
10-03-2006, 03:17
sup Kahta
SalusaSecondus
10-03-2006, 03:45
Let's see. We have aproximately 14 moderators (I don't have the list in front of me) and approximately 120,000 nations. This is a ratio of approximately 8,500 nations to every moderator.

Now, you can rightly accuse these numbers of being inflated. I estimate that we actually have closer to 75,000 players (give or take several thousand). So that makes for around 5,300 players for every moderator.

Of course, you can look just at those players who commonly post in the forums. That number is much harder to come by, but I'd estimate that it is around 10,000 (once again, give or take a few thousand). So, in the forums, if you assume that game moderators are as productive as forums mods (which they aren't because they have more resposibilities) you're looking at a player:moderator ratio of around 700:1.

Overmoderated? The only reason that we can get away with this few moderators is because we have a generally responsible community and the number of trouble makers is relatively few. The best way to see over moderation is to cause lots of trouble forcing us to crack down.
The Former Smoking Man
10-03-2006, 18:08
*takes a drag*

Quite right, Sal.

It seems that there will always be those who believe, despite the evidence, that there is an excessive Mod conspiracy.
The blessed Chris
10-03-2006, 18:16
Can we have a council to which the mods are monthly accountable?;)
Liverbreath
10-03-2006, 18:34
Can we have a council to which the mods are monthly accountable?;)

When has increased breaucracy ever translated into increased accountablility. Answer: It hasn't. It simply serves to make sure that no one can be made responsible for their own decisions. Consensus is ruling without leadership.
Reloria
10-03-2006, 18:36
I would suggest that this forum is actually under-staffed rather than over. Many forums with much fewer members and less activity have many more moderators than NS. I would support them hiring even more moderators.
Liverbreath
10-03-2006, 18:49
I would suggest that this forum is actually under-staffed rather than over. Many forums with much fewer members and less activity have many more moderators than NS. I would support them hiring even more moderators.

Naw, it's hard to find people that are truely objective and Genghis Trollflamer as a mod, is more harmful than a dozen pubescent twerps with hormone poisoning.
Tactical Grace
10-03-2006, 19:27
Can we have a council to which the mods are monthly accountable?;)
Everything GMs do is logged and reviewed by Admin on roughly a quarterly basis. The data forms the input to the Mod Olympics, where they get prizes for most nations deleted/restored, etc.

FMs' actions are clearly visible to all users. We can't lock or delete a thread without having our name stamped on it.
Crazy girl
10-03-2006, 21:19
Every member knows our mods are evil, we have 3 threads in this very forum proving it :p
SalusaSecondus
11-03-2006, 05:05
Also, there are numerous spot checks. I randomly check moderation actions and if something seems wrong, I investigate it. From time to time, I over rule them. I also see a great many appeals/requests for explanation and all formal appeals and review them all. This is in addition to all of the mods doing this to each other.

Our internal review process is quite extensive and thorough.
Jocabia
12-03-2006, 02:07
Also, there are numerous spot checks. I randomly check moderation actions and if something seems wrong, I investigate it. From time to time, I over rule them. I also see a great many appeals/requests for explanation and all formal appeals and review them all. This is in addition to all of the mods doing this to each other.

Our internal review process is quite extensive and thorough.

And yet somehow I'm still here. ;)
Praetonia
12-03-2006, 10:53
I don't see what the problem is. 50 mods or 5, so long as the rules that the mods enforce are the same we should be following them. The only reason to be concerned about the number of mods is if one violates the rules as set forth.
lol, you think NS has a consistent set of rules. What larks!
Kanabia
12-03-2006, 17:14
Hm, I certainly don't have a problem with the addition of new mods. I'm pretty confident that Erastide will be fair, and TG has a proven track record. :)

Who stepped down, out of curiousity?
The Gupta Dynasty
12-03-2006, 17:31
Hm, I certainly don't have a problem with the addition of new mods. I'm pretty confident that Erastide will be fair, and TG has a proven track record. :)

Who stepped down, out of curiousity?

Unfree Peoples and Menelmacar, I believe.

EDIT: Checked, and yes, I am correct. It was Unfree Peoples and Menelmacar.
Kanabia
12-03-2006, 17:38
Unfree Peoples and Menelmacar, I believe.

EDIT: Checked, and yes, I am correct. It was Unfree Peoples and Menelmacar.

Ah...They were both good ones, too, though I had limited contact with them and they didn't post much.