NationStates Jolt Archive

You know, there are many tough jobs in this world. Parenting is one. Moding is another. I’m sure most think that this is easy. Trust me, it is not. It is time consuming, often thankless, and requires you to put aside your personal views and approach each situation with a detached sense of fairness. But I have really enjoyed that I was able to step up and help out when I was asked to join the team here on NS.

You see, I really love this place. Too many message boards on the Internet are not well moderated and allowed to either descend into a ridiculous troll-fest such that they are too frustrating to attempt to have a serious debate on, or steered to so partisan a membership as to render meaningful debate impossible. But here we have a simple code of conduct that allows virtually all viewpoints to be expressed and discussed as long as it is done in a civil manner. This is a rare thing, and I want to thank Max for the time, effort, and money that he has put into allowing us to have this political playground to play in, and also the rest of the Mod team for their guidance, their friendship, and for the all the fun we’ve had working together.

When I was asked to join the Mod team I was pregnant, on maternity leave, and so had the time to devote to this job. And I hope that most people will feel that I did it well. I certainly gave it my best effort. Lately though, between the demands of my family, my return to paid employment, and my desire to squeeze some extra time to finally finish off my PhD, something just has to give. Because I can’t do all that and also put in the hours that it takes to do this job right.

So I am announcing my retirement from the Mod team effective immediately.

I’m not leaving. I love this place after all! But I want to return to playing the game on my terms and in my own time. I want to be able to enter debates and not wonder if people are refusing to fully engage me out of some fear that I would use my powers to silence a skilled opponent. I’ve never done that. I have never deleted anyone based on their politics or their personal view of me. I’ve only ever tried to apply the rules as they were explained to me.

Besides, there are still too many Republicans out there that I need to convert to the better path of social liberalism with fiscal integrity! LoL

It’s been a fun ride, and I look forward to spending a well deserved retirement hanging out on the General board in lively debate with you all. Maybe not as much as I used to, but back doing what I loved most about this place from the first day I got here.

Peace,
Stephistan

Yes, Steph, it's been a pleasure knowing you as both a mod and a player, and I look forward to hearing more of what you have to say politically as a player from this point on.

Best wishes, and all the wellest wishes to you and your family!

Well at least you'll still be on the site,

anyway Steph, yeah ya did do a good job, Im sure many others will agree

You'll be sorely missed by the modsquad, but I'm sure we'll all still keep in touch :wink:

Good-bye, thank you for the time you did spend as a mod keeping us all in line.

You did quite a good job, and you will be missed very much so as a mod.

I'll miss you as a mod. Best of wishes with you and your family, for they are priceless jewels that cannot be replaced. PS always tell your spouse that you love him/her every day and you cannot go wrong.

We'll miss you. *tear*

Sorry to see you go Steph but I know where you are coming from!

Good luck on the future endevords, etc. etc. etc. etc....

Well good luck and all that, at least we know you aren't going.

Goodbye, Steph. You will be sorely missed as a mod.
On a side note, did anyone notice that Jordaxia had 1337 posts (1337=leet=elite)...just pointing out...but back on topic, goodbye, steph.

Oh Steph, I'm sorry to hear you've stepped down from modding but am really glad to hear you'll stay on as a player. I very much enjoyed getting to know you a bit more on IRC, and I hope we'll get some chances in the future to talk together more. Good luck with your job, your PhD, and your family.

I will always remember you as the moderator who deleted my nation, Cottonisking. Maybe as your last modding action, you could restore me? :wink:

You may not know me, but thanks for devoting your time to keeping us al in line! The world needs more people like you to set things right and to invoke a peaceful nature among the people :D


Thanks!

Woohoo!


She'll have time to properly pamper me on Father's Day!

:lol:


I know you enjoyed doing this babe, but I know that there are only so many hours in a day. As always, you have my support in all decisions in life. Well.... except for that color you had me paint the bathroom.... but we won't go there.

:wink:

I know the time you put into this. It may not be apreciated by everyone, but I know you took a lot of pride in doing the job as best you could.

Love you!
-Z-

Can I have your CD player?
Bye! Have...err...an intersting parenthoodnessishthing.

Good luck finishing the PhD. That's a lot of work, no question, and so is being a parent. And I'm glad to hear you'll still be around too.

Best wishes!

:lol:

I will miss you the most, Steph. Take care, and blah, blah blah. All my sentiments are wrapped up in the above posts.

PS: It would be spelled "modding", not "moding". Love ya!

I feel a tear coming. How touching.

Anywho, i offer you my thanks for being a fantastic moderator. And you will still be on the site.

Good Luck.

Good Luck and Best wishes Steph

See you around!


Attitude 910

Cheers Steph.


Have a good one.

You will be sorely missed.
You are definately at the top of my "cool mod" list.

Your wit, your fair judgement, your intellect, and your compassion are obvious in the work that you've not been properly thanked for.
So thank you for all your hard time.

Best of wishes, and I will continue to look forward to seeing you around the forums as a non-mod.

Peace.

Good Luck and don't let your nation cease, please - what with Enodia and all. Thanks for your service and best wishes!

LE

Another one eh?
You a Canadian eh?
Retired eh?
Meh

:lol: j/king there


Have a good time...whatever it is you will be doing.

Steph.....I have only been here a short while but long enough to know that you dedicated yourself to being a fair and trustworthy Mod. I thank you for all of your efforts and wish you well with your family and studies.

Aside from that I have enjoyed your knowledgeable posts, your excellent research, and your caring attitude. And.....don't be a stranger.....ya never know when I am going to need backup!!!! :lol: :lol:

Take care and see you on the boards.....

Your friend .......CH

Have a Great Summer.

All the best to you and Zep & Co. As a grandparent with 3 grown of my own and helping raise my 8 yo grandson - I completely understand and salute your decision.

You have been an incredible source of information from (generally) good sources. It has been refreshing to see an alternative view point expressed so passionately.

Good luck on your dissertation, I'm confident it will be a dandy!

Cheers!

SHL

I think you've been one of the best mods, and definitely one of my favorites, through the times of my various nations. Thank you.

Time to open a bottle of something or other!!!!! Wooooo-hooooooo! Great news!!!!!! Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Waves a big sad good-bye to " Saint " Steph ...

...

* Waves a big happy hello to " Steph " Steph !

:wink:

- T.R. Kom.

i'm sure you'll be missed as a guiding influence on the boards and as a voice of reason to the mods.

At least you'll still be around to watch the place fall apart once you retire :D

Good luck with your PhD and thanks for all the time you volunteered to help NS...

Also, good to see that you'll be staying around, just not modding.

Wow, another mod develops a terminal case of a "life". The epidemic is spreading! Save yourselves! ::runs, screaming, for the hills::

NUUUUUUUUUUUUU :shock:

Goodbye, good lady

So my favorite mod leaves. Oh well, c'est la vie.

Thanks for all your time, Steph!

Thank you for your time, your patience, and your interest.

Good luck with your doctorate. (Will we get any credit in your thesis?).

Best wishes,

Smeagol-Gollum.

Awwww! Bye! Even though I never really talked to you I enjoyed having you reign over me in the forums. I hope you enjoy your life to its fullest.

And yeah...I only really read the first couple of lines of your post...so yeah...

*runs away*

Good luck and thanks for everything.

Good luck Steph and thanks for the hard work and time you spent on the site. Good luck on your studies (I understand the demand; I am a Ph.D. student myself). I'm glad to hear you'll continue playing!

Steph was my favourite mod! :x

Time to open a bottle of something or other!!!!! Wooooo-hooooooo! Great news!!!!!! Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do not cease the incessant trolling, you will find yourself deleted. Do I make myself clear?


http://www.satanstephen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/DrChaotica.jpg (http://www.satanstephen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/taunt1.mp3)
Myrth
Ruler of the Cosmos
Forum Moderator

NOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bye bye, Steph, didn't deal with you all that much, but the times I did, you were really nice to me.

You'll be missed, hope you'll have loads of fun both in the game and in real life!

If you do not cease the incessant trolling, you will find yourself deleted. Do I make myself clear?


You tell him :wink:

You know, there are many tough jobs in this world. Parenting is one. Moding is another. I’m sure most think that this is easy. Trust me, it is not. It is time consuming, often thankless, and requires you to put aside your personal views and approach each situation with a detached sense of fairness. But I have really enjoyed that I was able to step up and help out when I was asked to join the team here on NS.

Well, I can be a pain in the hinter, so I think I know what you're talking about. The "General" forum is tough place to communicate, with all the trolls around. I am not going there, because I believe that 99% is only postcount there. You earn my respect 8)

You see, I really love this place. Too many message boards on the Internet are not well moderated and allowed to either descend into a ridiculous troll-fest such that they are too frustrating to attempt to have a serious debate on, or steered to so partisan a membership as to render meaningful debate impossible. But here we have a simple code of conduct that allows virtually all viewpoints to be expressed and discussed as long as it is done in a civil manner. This is a rare thing, and I want to thank Max for the time, effort, and money that he has put into allowing us to have this political playground to play in, and also the rest of the Mod team for their guidance, their friendship, and for the all the fun we’ve had working together.

That is because many boards lack of a clear theme. The theme of NS is very clear, and that makes it a little more manageble. You have done a great job, and I'm afraid that the general forum will miss you more than you can immagine.

When I was asked to join the Mod team I was pregnant, on maternity leave, and so had the time to devote to this job. And I hope that most people will feel that I did it well. I certainly gave it my best effort. Lately though, between the demands of my family, my return to paid employment, and my desire to squeeze some extra time to finally finish off my PhD, something just has to give. Because I can’t do all that and also put in the hours that it takes to do this job right.

Well, it never showed. I always thought that you were fully on top of things. :? I always thought that you managed all that with great ease.
Get your PhD, and hurry back, you hear?!

So I am announcing my retirement from the Mod team effective immediately.

We'll miss ye :cry:

I’m not leaving. I love this place after all! But I want to return to playing the game on my terms and in my own time. I want to be able to enter debates and not wonder if people are refusing to fully engage me out of some fear that I would use my powers to silence a skilled opponent. I’ve never done that. I have never deleted anyone based on their politics or their personal view of me. I’ve only ever tried to apply the rules as they were explained to me.

And those rules are not the easiest to follow. I think the game would be much easier to moderate, if there weren't so many vague rules. Despite all that, I still think you did a great job.

Besides, there are still too many Republicans out there that I need to convert to the better path of social liberalism with fiscal integrity! LoL

It’s been a fun ride, and I look forward to spending a well deserved retirement hanging out on the General board in lively debate with you all. Maybe not as much as I used to, but back doing what I loved most about this place from the first day I got here.

Peace,
Stephistan

How can you ever completely quit such a great free game lol
You will not meet me in the general forum, but I will miss you elswhere.

~Kitty

You know, there are many tough jobs in this world. Parenting is one. Moding is another. I’m sure most think that this is easy. Trust me, it is not. It is time consuming, often thankless, and requires you to put aside your personal views and approach each situation with a detached sense of fairness. But I have really enjoyed that I was able to step up and help out when I was asked to join the team here on NS.

You see, I really love this place. Too many message boards on the Internet are not well moderated and allowed to either descend into a ridiculous troll-fest such that they are too frustrating to attempt to have a serious debate on, or steered to so partisan a membership as to render meaningful debate impossible. But here we have a simple code of conduct that allows virtually all viewpoints to be expressed and discussed as long as it is done in a civil manner. This is a rare thing, and I want to thank Max for the time, effort, and money that he has put into allowing us to have this political playground to play in, and also the rest of the Mod team for their guidance, their friendship, and for the all the fun we’ve had working together.

When I was asked to join the Mod team I was pregnant, on maternity leave, and so had the time to devote to this job. And I hope that most people will feel that I did it well. I certainly gave it my best effort. Lately though, between the demands of my family, my return to paid employment, and my desire to squeeze some extra time to finally finish off my PhD, something just has to give. Because I can’t do all that and also put in the hours that it takes to do this job right.

So I am announcing my retirement from the Mod team effective immediately.

I’m not leaving. I love this place after all! But I want to return to playing the game on my terms and in my own time. I want to be able to enter debates and not wonder if people are refusing to fully engage me out of some fear that I would use my powers to silence a skilled opponent. I’ve never done that. I have never deleted anyone based on their politics or their personal view of me. I’ve only ever tried to apply the rules as they were explained to me.

Besides, there are still too many Republicans out there that I need to convert to the better path of social liberalism with fiscal integrity! LoL

It’s been a fun ride, and I look forward to spending a well deserved retirement hanging out on the General board in lively debate with you all. Maybe not as much as I used to, but back doing what I loved most about this place from the first day I got here.

Peace,
StephistanWhile I think you were an excellent mod, I have to say that the loss of you there is nowhere near as devastating as the loss to the future of meaningful debate had you left NationStates completely.

I remember your first post. I more or less agreed with it :D

Miss Ya Steph

Who's gonna be the replacement? (grabs popcorn and sits to wait and watch the show)

Good bye, good luck in RL....

While I may have disagreed with you over the past few months, I have to hand it to you, you are one of the fairest mods on any boards around the Internet. Good bye and good luck.

Thank you very much every one who has wished me well and said such nice things about me. I did try my best.. and who knows, maybe one day I'll come back if Max allows me.. I mean Slags came back right .. :)

I have really enjoyed helping those of you I could.. it was an honor and a privilege to help out with Nationstates. I hope I will have time to do it again one day.

Peace,
Stephanie.

I'll miss you as a Mod, Steph...despite what certain others may have said, I thought you always did a really good and fair job moderating this site. Good thing you aren't leaving, though...as Spof said, that would be an even greater loss...although if you have to spend less time on the site to work on the PhD we'll understand ;). And if I ever have another UN resolution up for vote, I would be honored if the opposition was as clear-spoken and had as valid points to make as your opposition to "Outlaw Pedophilia" was - although I'd be even more honored if you supported it :P.

See you in General (and hopefully on IRC).

Well, Steph, it has been nice having you as a Mod. We disagreed sometimes, but there are no hard feelings. Enjoy your newfound freedom from responsibility. Enjoy your family. Enjoy your doctoral work. :wink: See ya around.

Sorry to see you go steph. I know we've had a run in or 2 in the past, but thanks for defedning our liberal cause. Also, we need a hot mod to replace you.

Haha, you were a terribly biased moderator, and overzealous in your pursuit of those against whom you had a vendetta, IE, those who disagreed with your politics, so I'm glad to see you retire. Good luck in your new endeavors, though.

good luck Steph,

Haha, you were a terribly biased moderator, and overzealous in your pursuit of those against whom you had a vendetta, IE, those who disagreed with your politics, so I'm glad to see you retire. Good luck in your new endeavors, though.
With that kind of attitude I can see why you've already been busted once by the mods

Haha, you were a terribly biased moderator, and overzealous in your pursuit of those against whom you had a vendetta, IE, those who disagreed with your politics, so I'm glad to see you retire. Good luck in your new endeavors, though.
With that kind of attitude I can see why you've already been busted once by the mods So can I

some players :roll:

Haha, you were a terribly biased moderator, and overzealous in your pursuit of those against whom you had a vendetta, IE, those who disagreed with your politics, so I'm glad to see you retire. Good luck in your new endeavors, though.

Dude! :shock:

Have you got short-man syndrome or something? :?

Time to open a bottle of something or other!!!!! Wooooo-hooooooo! Great news!!!!!! Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do not cease the incessant trolling, you will find yourself deleted. Do I make myself clear?


http://www.satanstephen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/DrChaotica.jpg (http://www.satanstephen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/taunt1.mp3)
Myrth
Ruler of the Cosmos
Forum Moderator

Well, of course. I do seem to recall some rather obnoxious posts after Neut announced his retirement - ones much more offensive than the one I wrote. As I recall, no one received the threat of deletion then. Perhaps because Neut was one of the few openly right-wing mods in NS? And people like you don't mind such insults?

You haven't been a moderator for very long Myrth. Try not to let your personal politics get in the way of your decisions, regarding deletion etc. There's nothing particularly inflammatory in me making it clear that I couldn't stand Stephistan. I didn't like her politics, which seemed to me, at least, to be unthinkingly left-wing, but more importantly, I didn't like her actions as a mod - actions which generally, although not always (to give her her due) seemed to target right-wing nations for censure.

I just think that it was a bad decision to make someone so overtly left-wing a moderator. You are another case in example. But... there's nothing to be done about it.

Good luck with the PhD...and with the Family...
You have been great to us the NS community...
If you ever consider running for Candian PM...you have my vote.

Thanks loads for all the hard work you put into the site.

Babies don't stay babies long. You've definitely made the right decision. Good luck with the PhD and hope you'll have more fun with the job than you did with the target practice that goes with being a mod.

Really glad to hear that you're staying on as a player and forum contributer. Have a good one! See you around.

Good luck with your PhD :)

I didn't know you well, but I respected what you did.

Good luck with your undertakings in life. Have a good one!

Well, of course. I do seem to recall some rather obnoxious posts after Neut announced his retirement - ones much more offensive than the one I wrote. As I recall, no one received the threat of deletion then. Perhaps because Neut was one of the few openly right-wing mods in NS? And people like you don't mind such insults?

You haven't been a moderator for very long Myrth. Try not to let your personal politics get in the way of your decisions, regarding deletion etc. There's nothing particularly inflammatory in me making it clear that I couldn't stand Stephistan. I didn't like her politics, which seemed to me, at least, to be unthinkingly left-wing, but more importantly, I didn't like her actions as a mod - actions which generally, although not always (to give her her due) seemed to target right-wing nations for censure.

I just think that it was a bad decision to make someone so overtly left-wing a moderator. You are another case in example. But... there's nothing to be done about it.

Neutered Sputniks, in his long and diligent career as a moderator, attracted many enemies. So has Stephistan, as you've just demonstrated.

I have been a moderator for a long time here, and I can tell you that your concerns are largely unfounded. The moderators here are an eclectic group in terms of political orientations, but we all understand the importance of keeping personal politics apart from our actions as moderators. Stephistan had worked hard to maintain that distinction, and she had done a good job.

You don't think someone so "overtly left wing" should've been hired as a moderator? To be honest with you, I remember when Stephistan was picked to be a moderator. At the time, most of us weren't too familiar with the specifics of her politics, nor did it matter. Moderators and the closest candidates to becoming moderators have typically ranged across the extremes of politics, and appointees (as well as leading candidates) have often held strong and extreme political views from right and left. If being as liberal as Stephistan or more so were cause to not be a mod, we would lose some more senior and far less complained about moderators than her.

There is no excuse for ill manners on these forums, particularly from someone who's been here more than a week.

Well, of course. I do seem to recall some rather obnoxious posts after Neut announced his retirement - ones much more offensive than the one I wrote. As I recall, no one received the threat of deletion then. Perhaps because Neut was one of the few openly right-wing mods in NS? And people like you don't mind such insults?

You haven't been a moderator for very long Myrth. Try not to let your personal politics get in the way of your decisions, regarding deletion etc. There's nothing particularly inflammatory in me making it clear that I couldn't stand Stephistan. I didn't like her politics, which seemed to me, at least, to be unthinkingly left-wing, but more importantly, I didn't like her actions as a mod - actions which generally, although not always (to give her her due) seemed to target right-wing nations for censure.

I just think that it was a bad decision to make someone so overtly left-wing a moderator. You are another case in example. But... there's nothing to be done about it.

Neutered Sputniks, in his long and diligent career as a moderator, attracted many enemies. So has Stephistan, as you've just demonstrated..

Wow, I guess this person is quite ticked off. I wouldn't say "many enemies" as much as this one very vocal person. I seem to recall this poster being upset over FWS's deletion if I'm not mistaken, which I had nothing to do with. I also seem to recall this poster not happy with me because I happen to also be an atheist. Apparently.. they unlike myself, were unable to separate my mod actions from my personal opinions. I am quite pleased to know that the majority of the rest of people I debated with on NS did know the difference. Besides, no one said this was a popularity contest, in fact, it's not. He has a right to his opinion. Whether it's wrong or not. I'm fine with it.