Why do people like to be a Moderator?

[Ani_Freak]

[COLOR=DimGray]This may seem a little awkward, but it's something that I been wondering about for quite a while.

Why do you think someone would like to be a Moderator? To think they are in charge, that their words are to be taken as advise? Maybe to read how wonderful and well instructed they think they are? It's been bugging me because sometimes they do hurt people. Sometimes they do make fun of people, not thinking that they could be the ones who can't spell right, or just don't know how to say some things.

How difficult is it to just try and be a little more soft in the way you say a constructive critisism? Why do they say things harshly enough to make a person never return to a forum? Do they just want to sound cool and receive the acknowledgement from others so called friends?

I accept it, I am not a well writen or spoken person (as you are now aware of) in English. And I know the importance of having some guidance in a Forum as well as some form of control in the quality. I'm not saying that this is the case here in this forum. But it seems that there are people who need to think that they are supreme, that there is no one who can beat them. Is this a fight to begin with?

It just makes me wonder....[/COLOR]

[Charles]

I think you're taking the role of message board moderator and blowing it way out of proportion. Personally, I agreed to occupy a staff position on OtakuBoards because visiting the forums is a small non-physical recreational activity I enjoy. I agreed to undertake the responsibility of maintaining quality on the site because I respect the hard work and dedication others have poured into it to provide me with a fun little place to escape to. I think most staff members share a story to that effect.

It's difficult to believe that anyone feels the site is a significant enough part of their lives that they accepted a staff position to inflate their ego and develop a feeling of superiority others here. That would be pathetic. The idea of supremacy accompanying a staff position on a forum makes me laugh just because it's such an insignificant role in the grand scheme of things. Someone with that sort of motivation would have to enjoy a seriously impaired life.

Anyway, I think most staff members here are relaxed in their behavior and treat others with respect. Of course we hold people to a certain standard, but an individual has to post unbelievably poorly before they're lectured. I don't notice anyone here bullying people because of minor misspellings and holding it over them. I don't visit other forums much, so I can't speak on behalf of them.

So yeah, I'll just move this to the suggestions/feedback forum in case anyone would like to identify specific examples.

[Roxie Faye]

[color=#9933ff]Are we talking about being mods in general, or on OB, specifically? I'm assuming in general, so I will base my post off that.

If people knew that you had problems with the english language, I'm sure they would be more accepting, helpful, and less critical. I joined a Spanish message board, and I told them right off the bat that I'm "estado unidense" so they know, for the future. It is also quite unfortunate that some mods think they're the greatest person in the world, but I just shrug it off. You could always create stories in which they burn. :P P.S: did any mods criticize your posts on OB? If so, PM me with their names. I'll smack them silly.


As to the answering the question in the title, first off, I love having power, I just do. To be able to help people out with that, however small, is a really great thing for me. It also irks me when I see really poorly constructed posts (I mean, people who's first language is English, but "takl liek dis"), so if I can help correct them in a courteus manner, that makes [b]me[/b] happy. lol.

And secondly, the staff forum. I guess if I never was a mod on a board, I could live without it, but if you join a board and get appointed mod instantly(by a friend, presumably), you live with the staff forum. I've had that happen, and then I've been fired or I stepped down (I don't remember, it doesn't matter), and I felt so empty without the staff forum. It felt like I was missing something, and I was convinced everyone was talking about me in the staff forum (sometimes I'm convinced they do that here to - "OMG, Roxie is sooo annoying. Can't we ban her for that, Charles?" lol). Besides, who would want to miss the chance to be able to see a whole forum of spam? Can't beat that! :)[/color]

[Panda]

I am a moderator on a corporate run anime website and I was picked by the administrators because I was always a helpful member in the community. I accepted the responsiblity since it was something I was already doing. It helps the online community by keeping the forums organized and free to spam. The only difference in being a moderator versus a regular member for me was the ability to lock and delete threads that were in violation of the terms of use.

I never belittle or make fun of members. On that site we are required to post why the post is being locked and email members if their thread is deleted. I always just tell them what is wrong with the post and give helpful hints.

I have been on sites where you feel like the mods are on a power trip and have this high and mighty attitude. It just makes the other members rebel against the site and brings out the flamers and trouble makers since it just makes them want to "mess with" the mods.

For me, the reason I am a mod on that website is to help the online community I enjoy being a member of. Not because of some glory or power trip. It really is a hard job being a mod and those who have been or are moderators for message boards can relate. You just have to remember that you can't make all the people happy all of the time. You need to do what is best for the online community.

[Ani_Freak]

[color=DimGray]I just want to point out some things regarding my poll. Just to clarify.

As I said near the end of the post, [b]I am not saying that this is the case here on OB[/b]. I think that the Moderators here are very good in what they do and that they are very committed in maintaining a respectful and friendly environment here. Maybe I am blowing things out of proportion, or maybe I didn't knew how to express my idea. It's a little dificult to try and think everything in Spanish and then translating it all the same time to English and then write it here. It's my mistake and I will definetly try harder in expresing what I'm thinking next time. Thanks for pointing that out Charles ~_^.

I also want to say that please, don't take this as me trying to ramble about moderators. I just had that little "itch" to know what you guys think about moderators in Forums in general. It's nice to see how respectful people threat others, even though they are maybe saying other things like [i]"OMG, Roxie is sooo annoying. Can't we ban her for that, Charles?"[/i], eh MistressRoxie ~_^. But seriously, I just want to know what you think on that.

I have to say, I've never posted a poll before, and I don't make threads that much. So excuse me if it may seem a little dificult to understand.[/color]

[James]

[color=#707875]Ani_Freak, I think you are doing just fine. Your English is quite acceptable. [i]Nobody[/i] has perfect English, really. Even those of us who might be better with English in general (or more comfortable with it) will still make mistakes.

The thing with this site, is that we try to encourage people to post in a way that is at least readable and thoughtful. We don't mind if you have spelling mistakes and stuff like that. It happens to the best of us. It's just that we'd rather see posts that have some thought behind 'em, rather than posts that are "all leik dizz & r [email="h@rd"]h@rd[/email] 2 reed @ timeZZ!!"

So I think that's a pretty clear distinction.

In terms of why people would want to be Mods...I can't answer that question. But I can tell you that whenever I ask someone to be a Moderator here, they usually don't see it coming and they are usually very humble about it. I can also say that from what I know of our staff, all of them take the job quite seriously. They know that they were asked to assist the boards and they understand that this is a significant responsibility here.

But at the same time, we're all human. And OtakuBoards is just a message board on the Internet. I don't expect people's lives to revolve around it and I don't expect people to always behave perfectly. On balance though, I think most people are doing a good job and they aren't letting their positions get to their heads (afterall, if they were like that, I would not have chosen them in the first place).[/color]

[PiroMunkie]

[quote name='James][color=#707875']But I can tell you that whenever I ask someone to be a Moderator here, they usually don't see it coming and they are usually very humble about it.[/color][/quote][size=1]And according to the old rumor, it only happens to the good-looking members of OB, lol.

I have randomly visited other message boards, or at least used to, and it really made me realize how good this one is, especially in terms of staff quality. In other places, if some "n00b" made the slightest "n00bish" post, the staff was all over them in the most aggressive and non-constructive manner. It happened to me a few years back, heh. Needless to say, that was my only post in that forum before I returned here.

When I was first asked to be a moderator of the old DragonBall forum, my immediate internal reaction was something like, "omg ... omg tat's so kewl o_O lolz..." My post quality was, of course, better than that at the time, lol. I was rather giddy, yet, as James said, completely caught off-guard.

I was ever [i]more[/i] shocked when I was asked to be a Super Moderator (now known as Team Leaders) around version 6. At the time I did not even feel fit for the job, so I turned it down. Then when James came to me again and asked me to be Team Leader for the anime area, I was just as shocked as before. That time, however, I figured if he takes the time to ask me twice, then he must think I [i]am[/i] fit for the job. Being that I have grown to know and trust James, I put my faith in his decision and accepted the role. I still find it a bit intimidating, especially since I have had some major downtime, but I am becoming more accustomed to it, heh. It is not as different as I thought it would be. Everything I have done thus far is pretty much normal moderator work, just over a larger area.


This is not to say that OtakuBoards has not had its share of staff-members-gone-wrong, or simply normal members who were rather abrasive in wanting to be a moderator, heh. I can think of a few names off the top of my head.


Personally, I just really enjoy the work I do here, and the staff I work with. I think there is a fairly tightly knit, amiable community here considering the amount of members we get. I suppose this can be a rather rare aspect of message boards. I feel very honored to be where I am right now, and I am thankful for it. Never in a million years did I think I would be a Team Leader, lol.

Who knows? Maybe some day I shall take Charles' spot. ^_~[/size]

[Vicky]

[SIZE=1][B]I've been a Moderator on lots of forums. AnimeHQ, DBZrealm (now I Co-Admin, woohoo!), and RPGBN, which was a huge forum and was very crazy (it had an RPG Hack on it, and everyone was posting to get Gil and most of the Mods quit). Oh, and one forum, Gohan's Forum (yes, that was the name), I was Super Mod there, and we had to deal with a stupid Spam fest (me and one Mod), but we couldn't ban. It was the Admin's fault for annoying the staff on another Forum. In the end, I went to the Spammers forum to clear everything up, and I stayed. That was DBZrealm, and when the Admin first asked me to be a General and FanFiction Mod I was just like "Yep, saw it coming." Then he just higher me through the ranks to Co-Admin. But when I was on AHQ and was asked to be Battle and Adventure Mod I was shocked.

The only reason I would want to be a Mod anywhere is because I would just want to help or restore order. Now DBZrealm... people were posting stuff like "How old r u?!?!" In the DBZ talk section. That's way I got through the Ranks, I was the only Mod who took things seriously and got the Members to post right. I was pretty strict... then I lightened up a little (maybe it's because I've been on OB and I'm used to these rules... meh). Normally when I'm a Mod, I'll go on Forums everyday when I come on the Internet, and even if I don't post I keep searching for new post and check them all out (that's what I do when I'm bored...).

Sometimes I think I wanted to be Mod to get more respect, or atleast so people will read my post... that happens a lot on other forums, oh well.[/SIZE][/B]

[Prince Van]

Geez vic' you must be bored alot.

I would only want to be a mod to help people, sure I've only been a mod a couple of times but I've never lashed out at someone over a silly mistake.That's the thing most people think they help the newbies by shouting at them but they don't, most mods push the newbies away and reject them.

Some mods (None on this board) just think they're better than normal members but they're not, most mods have too ego.Some make the normal members feel like they're dirt, like they're not even worthy of being the dirt on their boot.And after the mods go sick at people thay say they're really kind to them it's stupid.


This doesn't mean any one on here.

[Charles]

[QUOTE=Ani_Freak][color=dimgray]I just want to point out some things regarding my poll. Just to clarify.

As I said near the end of the post, [b]I am not saying that this is the case here on OB[/b]. I think that the Moderators here are very good in what they do and that they are very committed in maintaining a respectful and friendly environment here. Maybe I am blowing things out of proportion, or maybe I didn't knew how to express my idea. It's a little dificult to try and think everything in Spanish and then translating it all the same time to English and then write it here. It's my mistake and I will definetly try harder in expresing what I'm thinking next time. Thanks for pointing that out Charles ~_^[/color][/QUOTE]Oh don't worry, you were clear. I was only citing OtakuBoards staff behavior because it's the closest I have to personal insight on the matter. But still, maybe others [i]do[/i] have specific complaints that can be addressed here. That's the main reason I moved your thread to this forum.

As for my comment about you blowing the situation out of proportion, I'm just mainly referring to how dramatic your description behind the weight of the position of moderator sounded, that's all. Maybe an authority role on a message board does get some people off though, who knows.

[Shinmaru]

[quote name='James][color=#707875][i]Nobody[/i'] has perfect English, really. Even those of us who might be better with English in general (or more comfortable with it) will still make mistakes.[/color][/quote]

Definitely. I've had more than a few people point out the various English-related mistakes I've made in some of the stories I've written lol. Sometimes, my little sister likes to join in on the fun of pointing out my errors, as well ¬_¬

In regards to the question...I don't know, really. All I know is that, apparently, I posted enough in the old Nintendo forum to warrant James asking me to become the Nintendo moderator :whoops:

It came as a surprise to me, mostly because I never, ever, see those things coming. Like Piro, I more or less reacted like "omg he wants me to be a mod!!!!111" Well, that's how I felt at the time, anyway. Heh. I didn't actually type that. So, after the initial shock that someone besides OtakuSennen, Syk3 and Kazuko knew who I was (:p), I just settled into the Nintendo forum and did my job...no fuss, no muss.

As for moderator-related activity on other boards, well, I don't really have any experience with that. I've never been a moderator on any other boards. Also, most boards just bore me to death after about a week or so lol. OtakuBoards is probably the only message board (besides Group Sounds, of course ^_~) that I even visit any more.

I'm awaiting the arrival of my iron-cast fist, though, so I can finally start ruling Play It the way it was meant to be ruled.

[Solo Tremaine]

[COLOR=#503F86]I can't actually remember why I wanted to be a Moderator. I guess it was because when I first joined OB I thought it was the best thing in the world and wanted to be a real part of what went on behind the scenes, so to speak. As time went on, I started to get annoyed with the arguments and spam that sometimes broke into the forum and wanted to do something physical about it. Reporting posts to a Moderator is useful stuff, but it doesn't quite give you as much satisfaction.

And I do get satisfaction from making sure people don't make mistakes. Admittedly over the last few months my messages have been getting more and more on the frustrated side simply because I've been so busy, and coming home to a forum full of spam posts isn't really what you want after a hard slog at college. But I still enjoy it, and it's not because of a power trip. It's nice to get 'Thank you's from people you've helped out, so you know that you'e done something to help them. Unfortunately, it's not always a positive message that you have to give out, which I still find can be a little disconcerting at times. But I always try and remain patient and non-confrontational about it where I can. I don't like bossing people around, no matter how much of a Grammar Nazi I am (and I really am, when it comes down to it).

Of course, in a community such as OB the Staff do get a lot of respect. And it's a title to put to your name as well. I won't deny that that was part of it all. But it really doesn't make a huge amount of difference- I don't post a huge amount, and when I do what I say isn't replied to specifically more than anyone else's- I think the people who weild the greatest respect are those who are friendliest, most creative and those can put across their knowledge into a decent argument and still accept those of others. After all, this is a discussion forum.

But when James did ask me if I wanted to be a Moderator I went weak at the knees. It was in the middle of an Evangelion episode on November 30th 2002, heh. I remember it that well ^_~ I'm really glad that I was chosen, and as long as I am still a Mod I'll continue to do my best for everyone. Were I taken off Staff I guess I'd feel a little lost at first, but I'm proud to have even been selected in the first place.[/COLOR]

[Boo]

[color=gray]Well I have been moderator on quite a few boards (and admin aswell). The reason why I want to be one is because I quickly get annoyed by n00bish posts o-0...
Like on some final fantasy board, the people posted in Roleplaying stories like: "The living potatoe walks in the room and orders a drink, THE END". And when you say something about it, they look at your post count and just start to flame you.

So it's more likely because I like to be on a forum with decent quality posts. In RPstories, but also in Art&Design boards (contructive critisme) and whatnot. The fact that I do not have the right to just tell someone that he should improve his post quality bugs me I guess.
Which come down on what Solo just told, but just in my short version lol. And what I didnt say, I still have in my head.

Like in a spamfest my hands ache when I see something I like, being ruined infront of my nose while not having the rights to do something about it -__-[/color]

[Gelgoog Pilot]

Of all of the times that I've been a Mod....I have accepted because it's an honor really, that people respect you and look up to you (most of the time) and I do like to help others and sort of keep the peace.

[Skye]

[quote name='Cloud Strife']Geez vic' you must be bored alot.[/quote]

Bored? Cloud, babe, she runs a whole forum, okay?

Well, I personally think that mods are there to help. Sorta like councelors... man, my spelling is sucky. LMAO There there to keep out of control members from breaking rules.

I am a Super mod, on vicky's forum Dream Realm, and what drove me nuts about the Adventure Arena and the Recruitment was that there ere no specific rules. The mods on OB are doing a wonderful job. Their rules aren't to much to ask, and they are all friendly. I mean (nothing bad) look at T man. He is a wonderful role player, and a great role model - but his spelling is kind... okay, to put it bluntly, it sucks. But he follows the rules, and trys to do his best, so the mods pay attention to that.

Appluase for the Mods and Admin! ::three thumbs up::

[Roxie Faye]

[quote name='James][color=#707875][i]Nobody[/i'] has perfect English, really. Even those of us who might be better with English in general (or more comfortable with it) will still make mistakes.[/color][/quote][color=#9933ff]Very true. You've seen me in AIM chats, right, James? Anybody who has, knows I have NO grip on the english language. You're doing better than me, Ani_Freak. *laughs at self*[/color]



[quote name='James][color=#707875']In terms of why people would want to be Mods...I can't answer that question. But I can tell you that whenever I ask someone to be a Moderator here, they usually don't see it coming and they are usually very humble about it. [/color][/quote][color=#9933ff]That just about sums it up. In terms of my own modding experiences, most of the time I didn't see coming (except for the one, at another forum, that I applied for; duh). I'm always really shocked, and grateful. I remember the time I was freaking out, spazzing like a nut when someone asked me to be an admin. heh. (and no, I don't pride myself on that; if you'all knew the circumstances you'd understand.)[/color]



[QUOTE=PiroMunkie][size=1]
This is not to say that OtakuBoards has not had its share of staff-members-gone-wrong, or simply normal members who were rather abrasive in wanting to be a moderator, heh. I can think of a few names off the top of my head.
[/size][/QUOTE][color=#9933ff]haha. The good ol days of people like that. I think the part in the rules about "report mod abuse if you see it" was added after a certain mod was un-moded (v4 or 5 I think). and I still have his ban thread. O_o;


Yes, I have seen power hungry mods and admins on other boards, and really mean ones too. At one forum, I made a suggestion about sig image limit, in the suggestions forum, and they yelled at me. O_o They thougth they were so high and mighty, too, because one of the mods had a semi-large image. It wasn't the one I was referring to, but she took it that way, and in her "yell at Roxie" post, she asked me if I was referring to her in a way that implied "go one, I dare you to challenge a mod." Hookay. after a couple spats about that with them, I didn't go back.[/color]

[Ani_Freak]

[color=DimGray]You guys are the best, thanks for the replies.

As far as me here in OB, I have to say, I've never seen a Mod go"crazy", yet. Yes, I've seen mods get a little frustrated if that's the correct word, becuase of some members spamming and just not making any sense in threads. And that's very acceptable. I guess they all have just too much patience. But it's a little disappointing to see mods, who are supposed to help and guide us members, making fun and ranting for some of the things we do without knowing.

I was in a Forum, after I joined here in OB, where I misspelled a word. I got banned for it. Frustration was inevitable and me saying way too many bad things to that mod didn't helped either. But I guess it was expected, seeing how the moderator in that case, reacted to what was happening. Maybe some people are not meant to rule or to help others.[/color]

[terra]

[quote name='Ani_Freak][color=DimGray']Maybe some people are not meant to rule or to help others.[/color][/quote]
Mods rule? ... I know that's not what you meant.

Really that's all I wanted to say ... But while I'm here. I'm a spelling and grammar fanatic, and when I was a member I didn't want to ask people to improve their writing because it didn't feel like it was my place. As a mod, I feel a little more entitled to ask people to clean up their post quality.

And as has been discussed, it's not like I have perfect English or expect that from everyone. It's just that it feels more respectful to other members if everyone would at least put effort in to make their posts readable, instead of tossing out something that has to be picked through and dissected in order to understand its meaning.

I think now I shall run through a meadow picking flowers and singing.

[Semjaza]

I try to be pretty nice to people on here overall. I mean, I've been told I come off pretty mean on here. Probably just because of how I write (and the fact that I use smilies maybe .01% of the time here)... but when there's an issue with someone I don't abuse my moderator powers. If someone goes after me, I just post something back in defense. Something I'd be doing exactly the same if I was a normal member. 99% of the time it is resolved via PMs and we never have a problem again. That's happened a few times. Some of those people still come here, some do not.

To me OB is just a place I happen to go to. I do my job, try to enjoy myself and then go do other things. I know that I've been too harsh on people in the past, but I never flaunted my moderatorship in their faces to make them shut up. I never use that in an argument or debate.

I guess that all can be said is that mods on the internet in general are only human as well, and while many many be totally nice people that do these things the way they should, some just aren't. They have bad days and good days in their own lives and it is often reflected on here, just like with any normal member.

I have to admit that the longer you do this sort of job, the more frustrating seeing the same things [i]over and over[/i] can get. Sometimes to the point that you just won't react in an incredibly positive manner. It can be even worse sometimes.

When I have to be the only person on who is able to delete two dozen posts by someone who is putting up pictures of dead people and mutilated genitals, while simultaneously being called names by random people here because the mods didn't take care of it in a split second... well it's hard to be nice to anyone.

I don't know why some people want this job so badly. I used to have kids IMing me on a weekly basis when I first became a mod asking how I did it or if I could get them to be one or tell James about them. I really don't know what they think they'll get out of it. I guess it feels like an accomplishment? Who knows. I never asked for this job and I never really showed a real interest in it before James asked. It's strange how that stuff works, I guess.

[Nate]

[QUOTE=callmegoddess04]Bored? Cloud, babe, she runs a whole forum, okay?

[/QUOTE]Yea, that sucks. Banned the best mod on the site*coughmecough* for something I didn't do.

I like to be a mod because...well..I just do. I look up to the mods and want to be like them. I hate to see bad posts and love to see the secret forums that I didn't know where there unitl now.

I know I make mistakes, like thiknign, etc. And no I, it's usually i. But I do try and I usually edit to fix it. And English? I hate english. Give me the universial language of music and I'm happy.

Sure, I'd love to be a mod but I don't think I'm ever active on a board long enough between lapses that it would be worth it(I seem to stay on alot when i have an rpg going).

I think the only way I could be active on a board like this would be if it had a skateboarding forum. If that was in here..I'd be on every second I could.


_-Nate-_

[inti]

You know what really bugs me about some Mods in other forums, compared to OB? The fact that they only recieved the position because their friend (the Admin) bugged them to join up, and sort of bribed them.
This isn't all bad, if both the Admin and the new Mod understand what the forum's about and abide by the rules the whole time, pointing out helpful hints here and there, and giving constructive criticism. But. There's always a "but".
I really intensely dislike it (trying hard not to use the word "hate" here) when there are Moderators in forums that do nothing but sit around and do nothing as the SPAM and whatnot increases by the second. That's what sets OB apart I guess.
I don't like it at all when the Mods can't spell, constantly post one line posts, never constructively criticise and always make fun of people's opinions. But that's just what I've seen.
In answer to the question of this thread, I must say that my own reason for wanting to be a Mod in any forum is just to pick out the "bad" posters and help them improve.
School bell just went, got to get to class.