Mods too strict...

[Domon]

*sigh* Mnemolth, Charles and James do a damn good job at keeping this place spam free etc. As do the mods. They are responisible enough to take on the burden of giving up their time to help keep the Otakuboards community clean, and I really belive that you shouldn't be pulling this crap by saying oh lookie here James and Charles have an ego. If anything they are humble people who deserve some respect (as do all of you mods etc.) and yes there are times when they tend to go off but that's because a person really tries their patience which is another strong thing you have to have. Tolerance with other members I mean dear god if I were and Admin I'd probably ban you faster than anything right now. But that's why I'm not one. lol.

Anyways back to my rant. I don't believe that the mods, supermods, and Administrators are strict, egotistical, or self-centered. They do a very good job at keeping this little community we have developed together.

Okay, I think I'm done with my rant. So I'll shut up.

[Guest cloricus]

Nice to see we are a happy family.

-eps-

[Brasil]

In the few months that I've been browsing OtakuBoards, I haven't seen anything to suggest unfair treatment. Criticizing James and Charles is unfounded.
Charles is far from egotistical. He has more of a self-deprecating sense of humor than anything. I go to school with him. He's a cool cat.
And this reply is not sucking up to anyone. People who know me know that I don't suck up.

[Chaos]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Domon [/i]
[B]I don't believe that the mods...are strict, egotistical, or self-centered.[/B][/QUOTE]


[Yes. My plan is working. They think I am actually humble! HAHAHAH!]

Right. Uh.

Mnemolth, religious topics are more or less "illegal" because not everybody is one set religion. We don't want to offend anybody with our bigoted ideas about God/Allah/A volcano god. Maybe you should think about not offending us with your stupidity.

*klack-klack*

[b]*BLAM*[/b]

Heh... ...Shot down.

[Semjaza]

I realize there is a wink face at the end of his posts. However, after hearing this same crap week in and week out, I cannot be the only person who thinks he obviously believes what he is saying, however small it may be. You could load it up with as many winks and :D faces as you want. There is obviously some truth in it, or he wouldn't bother saying it... especially considering the stuff said today is the same crap I've heard in the past several times over.

My step-father does this same crap and I simply cannot stand it. The posts I see are always laced with some sort of jab or insult. Perhaps people see this as wit, and I can understand that... However, this crap adds up, and after awhile it gets under people's skin. I don't even think most of these comments are even directed at me, but that's besides the point. I know for a fact a good deal of people here don't appreciate it and their feelings and complaints are more of a concern to me than anything I personally think about anyone here. It's part of the job.

It feels like I read all these posts and then because there is a wink at the end I'm supposed to laugh because it wasn't serious. I'm sorry, but I simply don't buy that. Saying all this crap and then suddenly "Oh yeah, I'm kidding." It seems more like covering someone's *** than anything else.

As for the threads that do get closed... Seriously, how many times do we have to hear the same two points on a subject? The religion threads could be interesting, and often are at first... until they sink into some pointless abyss of arguments and two sides that will never, ever agree. It's pointless and leads to more problems than anything. Same with anything else that's closed in general.

I admit, I definitely [b]do not[/b] agree with some rules and actions that are in practice here... but I do understand why they are. There have been many times when I don't get why a thread was closed or why someone took some post in some offensive way (perhaps like I am now, in a sense... although I'm not really offended personally). You just never know what might happen.

Anywayyyy... I'm hardly trying to start an argument here, but I don't think some people here have any right to point any fingers at all. I have a feeling most of the people who complain about this place being too strict are people with poor post quality and generally useless topics. There are tons of exceptions I know... but the people who seem to complain the most, that I personally know, have zero right to even open their mouths.

I have no real loyalty to anyone here. I don't suck up. I like James and Charles because they are genuinely good people who are trying to do their jobs here. James, perhaps, comes off a bit more serious than he does in any situation outside of here... as do I. As for Charles, I don't know how he has [i]EVER[/i] done anything to make anyone think something bad about him. He has dealt with every situation the best way he could and any of his "ego" is tongue in cheek nonsense. I've talked to both enough about so many different topics to know that some of the opinions on these two is far off base.

Besides, none of the mods get anything. We don't get paid. We don't get some sort of nice little bonus. Instead, we get to clean up tons of problems for little to no real reward, get random PMs about who knows what, IMed by people you don't even know - some of which are great, some of which are nearly insane. So really, forgive someone for acting out once in awhile. The times you see a mod get annoyed quickly with someone could be due to them having to deal with some jerk five minutes prior that you have no idea about.

The other day I had to delete 15 posts of spam and some other nonsense from one person. I've gone off on a person in the Zelda forum simply because I couldn't take anymore of the BS that was being posted in the Gaming and Series forums at the time. It can be very aggrivating in many, many senses. I know there are mods here that have dealt with this on almost a near constant basis. I've not been a super mod enough to really know yet.

I mean, really, I've even been harassed and banned by a member that somehow managed to get into mod accounts. Do you see me being an jerk to all of you about it? I'd say not. However, when you have all this stuff just piling up for something that you basically receive absolutely nothing for, other than some kind comments at times, you try being perfect with the rules and sweet as candy to everyone. I've wanted to quit this place a few times, and I know most every other mod has as well.

I am not saying that members should be cool about a mod being a jerk or going beyond what they should (and even then, there are ways to deal with it)... I'm just saying that the people who do complain need to understand a bit more about what is actually going on. I certainly do the same for many members here when they do something out of the ordinary. It's a give and take relationship in a sense.

The mods aren't robots, and you just cannot expect to control their personalities in the name of appeasing every person that comes here. We all have different backgrounds and upbringings and perspectives on every damn thing that happens here. I don't know how anyone could expect much better than how this place is currently going, especially given the target age group and topics. Have some of you been to similiar boards? There's barely even a comparison.

Whatever though. Everyone has their right to complain about it. I'd like to see some other posts from people saying they have problems with the mods here. I'm sure there are tons, but they'll probably never say for their own reasons. Saving face, not wanting to get attacked by some random moron.

If people here can't stand me, I'd rather they just right out said it. I wouldn't hold a grudge about it. I'd rather I was told straight than have to read posts that take jabs at me or try to take me on or whatever else (and there have been a few of them that I have noticed).

Anyway, whatever. If people really didn't want you to speak your mind here this thread would have been closed near instantly. If you really think you'd be banned over saying you have problems with this place, I think you just are exaggerating how strict this place really is. If anything, it is fairly lenient... otherwise people like Vesser3 or whoever else wouldn't have been given as many chances as they were.

Sorry about the length of this.

[Guest cloricus]

Quote | PoisonTongue -
In the few months that I've been browsing OtakuBoards, I haven't seen anything to suggest unfair treatment. Criticizing James and Charles is unfounded. -

That sentence is illogical. You say that you have had no experience with either James or Charles yet you say to some one who has been here a lot longer and has seen the things that the mods have done and you call them wrong. I hardly think that you are being fair.

(Hows that for smashing newbie?s! But seriously, don't just jump up and defend some one without knowing the background. I learnt that the hard way. *Glares at James* :p)

Quote | Sem -
Sorry about the length of this. -

So you should be! Half of that was crap and in the end you said that this thread should be a place for people to say their feelings yet in your last [b]two[/b] posts you have been personally attacking Mnemolth. Common! (If that sounded hypocritical read it again until you work it out.)
Oh wait, I don't like Mnemolth. Why am I defending him?

-eps-

[Semjaza]

I fail to see how any of what I said was crap. I'd like to see you take what I said on a point by point basis and dismiss all of it. Please. I'd [b][i]love[/i][/b] it.

Forgive me for trying to come up with a reason why some mod might be a bit more of a pain at times than he/she might otherwise be. I actually said there are limits to that as well, so I had both ends covered. It wasn't meant to be some bleeding heart apologist article, but I guess that all depends on what perspective you read it from. If you don't buy into any of the points I made, I don't honestly care. That's your perrogative.

Even with my personal family problems, work problems, school problems and my responsibilites on here I don't act out against anyone on here on a remotely regular basis. In fact I can only think of maybe 10 times in all of my posts where I specifcally targeted someone with the intent of going after them in a somewhat hostile manner. I wasn't making excuses for myself, because these things have never been an issue in my case. I'm sure most anyone here would back this up.

And seriously... I've seen so many times where you have personally been insulting or took some arrogant elitist attitude for basically no reason. For you it's okay? For mods it is not? It was just an explanation as to [i]why[/i] it might happen.

Point 1 - I know what I am writing. There was very little of my own hypocracy in my statement. I have no real problem with Mnemolth or whoever thinking this place isn't ran the best way. I still am free to disagree with it, and I would have. The problem is mostly the way it is presented. I simply do not like his condescending tones, joking or not. I could have said this in a more concise manner, but I chose not to. This isn't the first time such things have been said or alluded to by him. It happens on a rather consistant basis and I wanted to say a lot of it already. Hell, any of you are free to disagree with me or think he is the best thing since god. It's not a problem. We're free to debate it as much as anyone is willing. This is a message board afterall.

Point 2 - What I said was not what I would call a personal attack. They are freaking observations that most anyone here could see for themselves. I could say you just did the same thing to me, if I wanted to be a jerk about it. I could also say he has done the same to others, even in this very thread.

If Mnemolth is as mature as I'm being lead to believe, I doubt he would take the same stance as you and actually address what I've said and why he keeps it up. That's my only real question to him. Something I think he could easily answer if he cares to. If not, no loss really. I have nothing else to say on the subject, and like I said... I have no personal problem with him. Just bothered by a few things really. I could have been nicer about it, but too late now. Either way, you're not even involved in it.

However, everyone knows the whole [b]two[/b] (as you so kindly bolded for me; lord knows I would have never been able to count that without your excellent computational skills) posts that I've made since I've gotten to OB the subject are really making things out of hand compared to the dozens from others here in an even shorter period in other various threads.

That second post was mostly addressing TN's comment on the subject. I felt most of it was worth saying... which leads me into this, my third real point; the main point of this post in the first place, which addresses what you said directly:

[i]Just because I don't agree with his posts doesn't mean he doesn't have a right to say them. Same with anyone else here. I respect his opinion and those of others. I suggest you actually read again before you try calling me out, smart guy.[/i]

And really... I'd also like to see the part where it said you HAD to read my post. If you have a problem with the length of it, then do something else. I retract my apology for the length towards you. You're not exactly coming off any more bright than anyone else in here, especially considering you seem to be failing to get my points (yet again... I could point out several threads where this has happened before). I'm sure your "One big happy family" post really lended a lot to the discussion though. Thank you.

Welcome to sarcastic, a--hole Semjaza time. I hope you're enjoying it.

And here's my wink to make sure that everyone thinks I'm just playing around: ;)

:p

Edit - Added some more, rearranged it.

[MillieFan]

I think the mods do a wonderful job. I've seen anime boards dissolve into literal cesspools of flaming, hentai, and general idiocy, and the mods here do a great job of keeping the board enjoyable for everyone involved.

-^.^-

[Break]

[size=1][color=CC0000]*scratches head*

Mods in general are not strict. But myself, yes I can be sometimes. I must clamp down on spam/idiots/annoyances in Square Enix as much as I can, or at least that's what I feel anyway. With an iron fist you may say ("Beware the wrath of Break!" - random newbie).

People here sometimes take mods for granted, or just don't realise what we have to put up with. Some mods can just keep their cool with all that ****.. not me, I am snappy-snap with idiots, they annoy me insanely.

One thing you should be glad for is that we're not like kuja. He would edit people's posts to make them look stupid, close threads with no real reason and was completely power-hungry. Be thankful for our leniency, we could be [i]alot[/i] more strict.[/size][/color]

[Guest cloricus]

Sem I don't want to get into this with you or any one, I've been having a nice few months here. If you want to be an "a--hole" then your welcome to, just not to me. I said what I said and I stand by it. My only comment is about my post "One big happy family", I posted that instead of some other things I wanted to post. It's meaning is there to see for people looking at it and looking at the posts around it. I personally have no care if you or others miss it?s meaning, I will not be explaining it.

Other than that, have fun being unhappy.

-eps-

[eleanor]

[size=1]The 'strict-ness' of the moderators sometimes vary depending on what place of OB they moderate. Some places are are usually made up of newbies (the Anime Louge) and I've noticed that the moderators there are a bit too strict. [i] SOMETIMES [/i]

Queen Asuka and Heaven's Cloud do a very good job on monitoring the place, but the number of threads that have been closed there seem more than some other places. It's about equal or less to the Otaku Lounge, (I have no idea who runs this particular place) where I think it's about half and half between the ranks. NO, I'm not trying to insult the Newbies around here, but when you look at a closed thread, it's usually started by a newbie. Well, form what I've seen. But I haven't been here that long.

Somtimes, the moderators are too lax to me. For the fast couple of days in the Art and Design place, I've seen a thread that someone made full of double-posts and wierd grammar, but I don't think anyone's done anything. I'm not trying to make fun of the person who made that thread or the moderators of that place, it was just an example. (although, true.)I've rarely seen many closed threads in the Art and Design, or the Square Enix or the minor places. And I'm not trying to insult those places. I happen to go to those places a lot anyways. Well, what I'm saying is that moderators are more strict in the more popular places of the board, but it's fine. If they weren't, this board would a spawning place for spam. I say they do a good job.


EDIT: Completely off topic, but I just noticed I'm a member now! O_O! ......::goes to sleep::[/size]

[James]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Mnemolth [/i]
[B]
I wouldn't say the mods are too strict per se. Strictness isn't really the issue. More problematic I would say are the small (and not so small) remnants of ego and intolerance that are part and parcel of some mods, and both admins. For example, James closes down 'Evolution' threads. Now if I were in his shoes, I wouldn't do that because my perspective on 'maturity' is that people should be able to debate issues, even if they tend to be heated. Keep a firm hand on the proceedings, yet let people have their say.[/b][/quote]

[color=#335062]Your perspective on "maturity" is no different to mine. I also believe that people should be able to debate issues, even if they are heated. In fact, I have expressed this sentiment on numerous occasions.

Mnemolth, I'm always pretty honest with you. And I'm going to be honest now. It does not surprise me that you are quite happy to make a baseless assumption about me, without actually knowing my opinion on certain issues. I would be surprised if you even read my somewhat lengthy explanation regarding the closure of the latest evolution thread. And obviously, based on what you've said here, you haven't taken any notice of my near-frequent comments on debates at OtakuBoards.

Yes, I do feel that we should be able to debate anything here. And I certainly don't mind if debates get fiery and passionate -- they've done so in the past and in some cases, they've proceeded along and nothing personal has come out of them (from some of the political debates in particular).

[i]However[/i], there is a core difference between you and I. You have the luxury of being able to sit back and say "Yeah, sure, let 'em go at it". I don't have that luxury. I have to deal with complaints and concerns that arrive in my inbox as each one of these threads go up. I'm the one walking the tightrope and pulling a delicate balancing act in many of these situations. I'm the one who has to ensure that while, on the one hand, the environment is relatively free and easy (regarding debating) and on the other, that it is a tolerable and positive place to visit for people of all ages.

In addition, the desire to hold serious debates is something that I've had for a long time. But I can't wave a magic wand and force everyone concerned to behave themselves and not avoid making things personal. If I could, I would. But I can't. I have to deal with the circumstances that exist at the time.[/color][quote][b]

But James' perspective is, and no doubt he will correct me on this, that this is primarily an entertainment board, and he's trying to ensure everyone gets along relatively well. He wants this board to be a success. A divisive issue like 'evolution' could cause problems. That's why religious threads also tend to be avoided. That's a public reason.[/b][/quote]

[color=#335062]Yes and no. There are really two issues here. Firstly, we [i]have[/i] had several threads about evolution and religion. And for the most part, it's been my tendency to let them continue and run their natural course (until nobody is interested anymore).

However, as with most subjects, people will create new threads based on the same subject with some level of frequency. Issues like religion and evolution are certainly issues that should be discussed in an open manner, but by the same token, it's important to moderate the discussion. The simple fact is, I don't want to see these threads come up every two or three pages. And it's got nothing to do with my personal involvement in any of these discussions, it's more a question of ensuring that members aren't wading through the same thing again and again.

So, these threads are not necessarily avoided as such. There have certainly been threads in recent times that deal with religion and that promote a positive and mutually respectful discussion. But, the fiery "evolution vs creationism" style threads are something that [i]most[/i] people would rather not see on a regular basis. But because you are not receiving the complaints in [i]your[/i] inbox, your perspective on the issue might be different.

I am constantly dealing with different tolerances from within the community. And it's my job to balance the interests of everybody concerned. So, as I said, you and others have the luxury of making certain assumptions. I don't have that luxury. Your next quote illustrates this pretty well, I'd say:[/color][quote][b]

The private reason, I would guess, not that he is ever going to admit this, is that he doesn't want to lose the argument. He holds opinions on this and other issues and he is not willing to publicly lose face on them. He is the head honcho here, so its not surprising that he would want some deference going his way. This is why, if you look at 'evolution' threads, there is a tendency for him to throw his two cents in before shutting the thread down.[/quote][/b]

[color=#335062]Once again, it doesn't surprise me that you'd make this assumption. Whether or not I tell you that there is no truth to your little assertion is really not going to make an atom of difference, is it?

As I have said, we have had several religion/evolution discussions in the past. I have participated in some of them quite heavily, and not so heavily in others. And in some, I've not participated at all. The thing is, you need to check the history on this point. You will find that in the threads I have personally closed, there has [i]always[/i] been a valid reason for doing so.

Yes, I include my opinion in these posts. But I also include a completely valid reason for the thread closure. I do this without exception and I do it voluntarily; you should not be under the impression that I [i]need[/i] to explain every action that I take. But I do so because I expect others to follow the rules. And so, I am always finding myself in a situation where I'm explaining my actions. And I'm fine with that, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it.

On a very basic level though, I don't think that your assertion that I'm "saving face" really makes any sense. If I were to truly save face, I wouldn't be closing these threads at all. There are often cases where I'm taking an action that goes against "public opinion" and which could potentially somehow damage my reputation among the membership. The thing is, I have a job to do here. I am not concerned about my public perception. If I were as concerned as you make out, I'd probably never have removed Newbie Lounge; much less closed a topic because I felt I was going to "lose" the debate.[/color][quote][b]

And then there is, of course, TN. No doubt you'd think I'm attacking you again. In one sense I am, but not because I have a personal vendetta against you. Its just you make the clearest example I can see.

The question with TN is who mods the mods? TN has a habit of snapping at people. In some cases he has good reason, in others he doesn't, at least not in the way he does what he does. To put it crudely, he's crass. How many newbies have you seen him laid to waste? The level of animosity is not necessary, nor constructive.[/quote][/b]

[color=#335062]There are a couple of points for me to make here.

Firstly, I somewhat sympathize with your point. Yes, TN does have a history of being crass on occasion. And whenever there has been a complaint about his behavior, I have brought it up with him and encouraged him to improve his public demanour. I'm not going to beat around the bush and try to sugarcoat things. I'm telling you exactly as it happens.

Having said that, I feel the need to remind you that I'm not running some sort of Government here. As Tony and others have said, you seem to have this egotistical view that you're some kind of messiah who needs to uncover the corruption from the powers that be. This is the position you seem to be coming from, on an anime message board no less. Don't you find it contradictory that, on the one hand, you keep talking about "adult perspectives" and "maturity", yet on the other hand, you frequently display thinly veiled contempt toward the membership at large and you constantly struggle not to trip over your own sense of self importance.

It seems to me that you can't have it both ways. The constant fact that you're creating an "us vs them" scenario, with your adult versus teenager perspective comments is, to me, immature. And I'm saying that from my adult perspective. ~_^[/color][quote][b]

So, again, its not a matter of 'strictness', but simply of the personal encroaching upon the public.

Personal preference and ego of mods and admins affect how they run their boards. This is nothing new. You can complain of course, but don't whinge all the time. After all, this is not YOUR board. If it bothers you that much, then don't come to THEIR board. No one is forcing anyone to stay on Otakuboards or any other message boards.[/quote][/b]

[color=#335062]This isn't a question of ego or personal preference. I am the very first person who is happy to admit that Moderators, Administrators and myself get it wrong. Of [i]course[/i] we do. We are human beings.

And I'm not going to pretend that mistakes are never made. They are. And that's the truth of it.

And on that basis, I'm unwilling to sit here and critique everybody else's behavior as though my own is perfect. You of all people should be the [i]last[/i] to be casting stones at the site's leadership.

I would also add to what you said about this being [i]our[/i] board. Yes, it's a private board. We are able to run the site however we see fit. And being here is completely voluntary -- this is a free market; if you don't like OtakuBoards, I [i]encourage[/i] you to leave us and visit one of our competitors. I even encourage you to take all of your friends with you.

I can make that kind of statement for one reason; what we do [b]works[/b]. In my experience in running online forums (which could quite possibly give me a more informed perspective on the matter), you [i]are[/i] truly in an open market. OtakuBoards does not advertise on any other sites -- we don't even advertise on theOtaku.com. And yet, our visitor base is steadily growing all the time.

Despite people like you and thimoc, who are quite happy to liken me to some kind of egotistical dictator who oppresses the people (which in itself is so utterly immature that it casts doubt on any other points you might want to raise), the visitors keep on coming. And despite my [i]constant[/i] reminding people that they don't have to stay here...that I encourage them to leave if they dislike it...that I encourage them to compete with us and draw away our visitor base...it just doesn't happen. And it doesn't happen because I know how to run a message board. It doesn't happen because for every ten "messiahs" like yourself, there are another 500 supporters.

So, I am happy to take responsibility for OtakuBoards. If my policies and my way of doing things drives this site right into the ground, I will not complain when Adam throws me out of here. But I suspect that the kind of claims you make are definitely not reflected by the vast majority of members.[/color][quote][b]

And that ultimately is the beginning and end of the matter.

But yes, on the issue of strictness, I do think some mods are sometimes too strict for the reasons I've outlined above. However, before people start tearing me apart limb from limb, I should add this board is relatively well run. Of course there are egos and personal preferences, but that exists on all boards. For an anime forum, I think, for the most part, the egos are kept in check and the personal preferences are kept to a minimum. You can easily find far worse mods and admins on anime forums everywhere.

This post was brought to you by whoever awarded me the best 'spar-rer'. You know who you are. And yes, its ALL YOUR FAULT! ;) [/B][/QUOTE]

[color=#335062]Oh, well, [i]thanks[/i] for the compliments. ~_^

In all honesty, you are free to make such comments, despite the fact that this is a private board and that my ego demands that I close this thread so that I can't lose this argument with you.

I am quite happy to let you have your say. And I'm quite happy to respond and explain myself. I'm happy to do these things because I'm confident in my own abilities and the abilities of the staff. I really don't need to sit here and justify everything and point out where you're wrong -- the very success of this site is proof in and of itself.[/color]

[Hittokiri Zero]

The mods are definatly too strict -_o. They are not jackasses but they are too strict. OB is the only forum where I have seen people get banned and what not for bad grammer, now that's telling you something considering I have been at many forums... I think that the mod has to be more lax when it comes to grammer and what not as long as you can understand what the post says who cares if there is improper use of grammer. And if you are to ban someone because of grammer just make it a temporary ban or something -____o. And even though I understand what the mods are doing by closing some threads there are times in which I think there taking things to the extreme... Eh basically look at this thread --->

[url]http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25124[/url]

Right done reading it o_O?... That was in no way flaming, that's just starting a debate. As long as he's not directing any insults at an individual posting he ---or anyone--- for matter of fact should be able to post something like that. :P...

So basically if it's possible OB needs to be more open-minded, let someone post something "bad" about a individual series, it could start a good debate.

(btw i'm not picking on Shy or anything, I just don't belive that, that particular thread needed to be closed o_o.)

Other than that -_o... I guess the mods aren't half bad, OBs a nice place because you don't have the massive flame wars and true spam that you get over at XF x__X.

[eleanor]

[size=1] Like I said in my previous post, moderators tend to be more strict in the more popular areas, especially places with a lot of Newbies. From the time I've spent here, Shy isn't a horrible being or anything. In fact, I think a lot of people like him. He has a fanclub, for crying out loud. OK, back to the thread. I'm trying my best not to insult the moderators, but yes, that closed thread had a messed up reason to be closed. (I think something similiar to that happened to me...>__>) Maybe Shy was annoyed or aggravated at that point. By what I've read, Moderators get a lot of complaints and whatnot in their PM box, so I guess Shy was mad. Or something. [/size]

[Patronus]

[COLOR=red]I don't think the mods are too strict. If they were any less strict, n00bi3s would be over running the place and pushing me to suicide -.-[/COLOR]

[eleanor]

[size=1] Okay, I did say that newbies primarily do start threads that usually get closed, but I really get annoyed when people assume that all newbies suck and they should be banned or something. Everyone here was a newbie. Yes, even the great moderators. I think. Maybe moderators are more wary about newbies, and I should be, but it doesn't make all newbies evil.

EDIT: I'm sorry if that was off-topic. [/size]

[Shinmaru]

That's a bunch of BS if you ask me. If the mods weren't a little strict, then you'd see a bunch of crap around here instead of the (mostly) quality conversation you see going on. I think the mods do an excellent job (although even the mods can't cover the extreme butt kissing that just went on there).

[James]

[color=#335062]This is the kind of thread that really [i]should[/i] have been closed.

The opening post was really nothing if not argumentative. I don't think I need to explain what would have happened here.

What Shy was trying to do, in my judgement, was to encourage people to post non-argumentative threads. Rather than just sitting there and saying that the Gundams look like something from Power Rangers, I think that the original poster could have tried to create a more constructive discussion.

So, I don't see a problem here. While you may not agree with the thread's closure, that's fine. If you ever don't agree, you can simply PM Shy or anyone else and ask for an explanation.

As I explain to Moderators, there is really no absolutely 100% concrete guideline for staff. For the most part, staff are interpreting the rules and sometimes they're making difficult judgement calls. I don't think you can be too harsh on anyone for closing something that you think maybe shouldn't have been closed. Everyone is going to disagree, anyway.[/color]

[Guest cloricus]

I'm going to say something I've never said before, and I'm shocked at it. I've just been to the "general" anime forum, I don't spend much time there and I believe I've made two or three posts... I haven't been there in awhile.

But wow it's a mess! In my post in the signature thread I stated that I was going to try for the "worst grammar" since some newbie was probably worse at spelling; I've decided that I'm not even going to try unless meh pst d3treeret nn 2 tis sRt 0f tng! Shy and a few other mods seem to be trying hard and I can see it's full of new young people but should it be being let get to the point of some of the posts in there?

*Aimed at a mod to answer?

-eps-

[Hittokiri Zero]

Too start a debate you don't have to put it in a debate like format, I could say "I like chicken" and give a reason and all. And next post someone could say "I despise chicken" and explain why... and thus starts a debate -_o. But whatever, the mods just need to chillax a little more i've got nothing against them but alot of you are giving them more credit than they deserve =\.

[James]

[color=#335062]But that's not how we conduct OtakuBoards. A thread simply saying "I like chicken" just isn't acceptable. If you don't understand why it's not acceptable here, then it might be pointless for me to explain the rules in any further detail.

This site is all about quality and clarity. Maybe if you explained why you don't like chicken and maybe if you presented some kind of question/debate for the rest of the community, your thread would be valid. Otherwise, it's not valid.

I don't think that's a difficult concept to understand -- most members seem to have grasped our basic principles pretty quickly.[/color]

[Domon]

Actually Hittorkiri you weren't here (and neither was I now that I think of it.) But there was a mod running around editing people's posts making them look dumb etc. Would your rather have a mod like that or a mod like the ones we have today??? Answer me that.

Also some of the people that were banned were banned for good reasons, a person by the name of Junnagou was banned for flamming and causing fighting, now you would think that someone who was banned would stay banned wouldn't you? Well he didn't, he came back under the name of Kazuma K. and then starting his rampage of flamming people again. If it hadn't been for the fast and decisive action of a mod that person would have flammed people left and right. Also, I remember another member named Kaizer Boy, he posted in the Yu-Gi-Oh section and decided he would start a flame fight with some of the people there about things he knew and the mods didn't know anything yadda yadda. Anyways, he then admitted to making up the crap and everyone about killed him (metaphorically speaking.) and then he was banned for his rude behavior, but like Junnagou, he returned but was banned as soon as he hit the registration. So you see the mods, super mods, Admin, and James work very hard to keep OB clean from rude people like that.And another thing, the people that were banned because of bad grammar were banned for specific reasons, one being the fact that some of them were just too young and their post quality wouldn't change for the time being so you saying that the mods are unfair and strict is comepletly without a doubt unprecedented.

There I think I'm done.... Oh wait I'm not.

P.S. I seem to remember seeing your posts when you first joined etc. Some of it was rather.. How shall I word this. Obnoxious, bullheaded, no wait my favorite! Noobish. You had the tendency to fly off at the mouth during some discussions in the gundam forum.

There, now I am done...for now.

[Phantom]

*thinks* Mods are human, mods can make mistakes and definately (as is the biggest theme in any book I've been forced to read throughout highschool) power can corrupt.

Here though, I would only say I've seen a mod 'truely' be too strict and not follow the guidlines once. Justin..he is a mean guy :). For the 99.9 percent of the rest of the time. Mods arent being too strict or mean or ..anything really, you know, just being mods...eh..

[Epitome]

Wow, I didnt know this thread was so popular...:)

Well back to the topic, the majority og you have said no, but I have changed my previous answer, 1st post, to sometimes. I have seen some Mods be a little strict than usual on some occasions. But most of the time they are not.

[Shinmaru]

Yeah, they can sometimes be a little strict, but they need to be on certain occasions. If you get a thread taken down, just get over it. I've had a couple threads taken down (because they were stupid - the threads, not the mods), and I took it pretty easily. They're just threads after all. No need to take the loss of your thread really seriously.