Moderation

[Shinmaru]

[QUOTE=Lore][color=#ff6600]Shinmaru--the ground you walk on? But surely one so divine as yourself must [i]float[/i]!

annoying Charles,
Sara[/color][/QUOTE]

No, I'm only a regular Mod, so I still walk :(

I'm lazy enough to be able to float through life, though. Someone promote me!!

[James]

[QUOTE=Lore][color=#ff6600]The really hilarious thing about that is the fact that it was pretty mentioned as an aside, and ended up becoming OB Holy Writ.

[/color][/QUOTE]

[color=#334366]Yeah, I think I made that remark as an off-hand thing in a Suggestions & Feedback thread ages ago. Somehow it's become part of OB legend. But I suppose that's a good thing, although I do still get the odd PM that reads something like this:[/color]

[quote name='DBZchikachankunbaka5000SP_69_JPN][i]"OMG, look ok, if u want a kikass mod im at ur desposal. i meen, i modded at deze forumz ([color=#334366]A link is then provided, which leads me to a now-empty Ezboards site, or an error page - no offence to our friends at Ezboards by the way[/color']). if u will hire me u wont regret it!!! :D :eek: :wigout: :flaming: "[/i][/quote]

[color=#334366]I really appreciate the thought put into these types of messages (especially the variety of smileys). But of course, many of these messages come from people who have been at OB for less than five minutes. And I'm a firm believer that the responsibility should be handled by people who personify the OB spirit (or alternatively, by people who are comfortable with sleeping to the top, like Shinmaru, for instance).[/color]

[Shugo54]

[COLOR=Navy][FONT=Book Antiqua]I would Never want to be a Mod. The only reason I would want to be a mod is for Respect. Everyone Respect the mod's and praise them (somehow =P). Everyone wants to be cool with the mod's and I think that is really cool. But then on the other hand I would have tons of responsibilities and Pressure. I am a mod on really small forums and they are hard work. It scares just to think about all the hard work I will have to do. well that is my Opinion ^_^[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Charles]

[quote name='Shugo54][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Book Antiqua]I would Never want to be a Mod. The only reason I would want to be a mod is for Respect. Everyone Respect the mod's and praise them (somehow =P).[/FONT'][/COLOR][/quote]

Actually, I would rather [I]earn[/I] genuine respect through my posts than garner false respect through a title. It's much better to enjoy genuine appreciation, I think, even if it is on a smaller scale. Fair-weather friends are transparent; their respect is much like consuming calories from a piece of cake. It may seem nice at first; it may even be a little sweet. But, it's far from satisfying and will make you sick after a while. Working for real respect is much more satisfying; you've accomplished something and in doing that you've achieved lasting admiration. So, if you're interested in becoming a moderator for the reason you mentioned, then you're interested for the wrong reason. It's probably a sign that you're lonely and unappreciated in real life. Chin up. Charles loves you kid. *snaps fingers and points at you*

:D Sara (I am the unreachable itch in the backs of the throats--don'tyouhatethosethings--of all those who sign posts)
Charles

[Xander Harris]

[QUOTE=Shy][size=1]OtakuBoards Rule #1:

If you ask to become a mod, it will never happen.
-Shy[/size][/QUOTE]

Hmmm. That brings some interesting notions to my mind... if someone WANTS to be a mod, and they were replying to this thread, then they would have to say they don't want to be a mod. But if they say that than chances are they won't get asked to mod. So, the way I see it, anyone who replies to this thread (who isn't a mod already) and wants to BE a mod is screwed the second they hit 'submit reply.' ;)

Seriously? I think being a mod would be a lot of fun. But I think if I were to try to mod a board, I would end up spending so much time doing so that my real life would suffer. Or I wouldn't give the internet board the time it deserves because of real world concerns. In other words, I would either be a crappy mod or a crappy human being. Either way I would lose. But I do really appreciate the mods on OB. The fact that it is a relatively spam-free forum with quality posts encouraged and a friendly and helpful staff is the main reason I (and I'm sure many others) keep showing up here. So yeah, you guys are great. Keep up the good work. (and I'm not just trying to get brownie points :p . I really mean it)

EDIT: Question: Do mods around here get paid? Do they get dental insurance? Paid vacation? If so, I recant everything I said in this post. Forget it ever existed and send me an application!!!

[Sara]

[QUOTE=James][color=#334366]I really appreciate the thought put into these types of messages (especially the variety of smileys).

But of course, many of these messages come from people who have been at OB for less than five minutes. And I'm a firm believer that the responsibility should be handled by people who personify the OB spirit (or alternatively, by people who are comfortable with sleeping to the top, like Shinmaru, for instance).[/color][/QUOTE][color=#ff6600]Oh, man! Please excuse me whilst I step outside and quietly die laughing.

Smiley-hating and Shinmaru bashing in one paragraph! (Hush. Technically, he posted it in one paragraph.) James! (Whoops, actually typed 'Jasme,' which, actually....sounds [i]very[/i] sexy.) Oh, gosh. I am going to kidnap you and force you to post in the O. Lounge all the time.

You know what I really [i]do[/i] miss about the old days? All the sexy staff 'discussions' in the confidential forums. Sure, the 'Deal With This Member' thread made things much more efficient, but I think we've lost a lot of the ambience.

But, ah....other than that... Things are lookin' pretty good these days. *grins*

:smooch: Charles (I am the wrong number that wakes you at 3 [size=1]A.M.[/size])
Sara[/color]

[Semjaza]

Reminds me of that stupid banner I did when some old OB version came back...

[img]http://img206.exs.cx/img206/8967/jeamzbanner5ke.gif[/img]

I never really felt like I gained any real respect from being a mod. No genuine respect comes from that, which is all that really has any affect on anything. I think I hated *** kissers more than anything, just as I do in my every day life... but it wasn't terribly common for me. Perhaps that was just due to my attitude.

As for Shinmaru, no one really likes him anyway. It's all an ellaborate façade.

[Baron Samedi]

[size=1]Well Xander, y'see there is an alternative to all of this. If people who desperately yearned for a Moderating position...be it to sate their cruel desires, sate their sexual desires, or sate their ego [can it be done?], were clever, then the canny ones wouldn't say anything about it.

But thats just the [b]canny[/b] ones... the other's would spam it up with requests to be a '1337' moderator.

Being a moderator [i]makes[/i] you cool, and this is the only time I'll ever use these,
-Baron[/size]

[Adahn]

Hmm, I suppose it would be appropriate to post what I think and feel about moderators. When I see their posts, (not counting thread closures/duty things) I expect a certain level of quality, be it in the form of intelligence, humor, wit, and/or amazing grammar + punctuation. I'm not so sure it boils down to something as simple as respect, but rather an...expectation. There is the light feeling of joy when a moderator replies to your thread, or something you yourself specifically said.

Could I be a Moderator (if the position were offered)? Perhaps, but I'd have to want to do it, and people would have to tell me what to do. I tend to get lazy and do what I want rather than what I should.

[Annie]

[quote name='Adahn']..and people would have to tell me what to do. I tend to get lazy and do what I want rather than what I should.[/quote]


[color=darkslategray]Wow, I don't know about anyone else, but from reading that, I wouldn't want to see you as a moderator. People telling you what to do? The only person whom I could see that would have to, would be James. Just to tell you the basics, what's really allowed/not allowed, etc. Being the mod, you have to tell members what to do. Otherwise, they'll walk all over you.

You tend to get lazy? We all get lazy every once in a while, but being a moderator, you aren't really given the option to be lazy. If you slack on the job (like I mentioned above) members will take that opportunity to do whatever they please. You have to be ontop of everything...(hush, James and Shin).

You'd do whatever you want, rather than what you should do? Then how would you benefit the OB? You wouldn't. Your decision to do anything is based upon what the members complain about/ask for/suggest, and if you're just going to ignore their plee of help, or ignore the problem, then the area you're at will have problems.

You talked about expectation. Well, I know what to expect from you..if you were ever to become a moderator.[/color]

[Adahn]

[size=2]Ouch...*nurses his wounded pride*[/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]When I like doing something, I like being good at it. If I don't like doing something, people have to tell me to do it, or I won't.[/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]Now, I'll try and put to good use what little logic I have. I would be a great moderator if and only if two conditions were met.[/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]1. I were allowed to be one.[/size]
[size=2]2. I wanted to be one.[/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]That pretty much goes for everything. If I am able to do something, and I like doing it, I like being good at it. I'm competitive by nature.[/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]I don't know if I'd like being a moderator anywhere, simply because it's something I've never done. Besides, if I were a moderator, I'd be in constant competition with the others to be the best one. I compete with people who don't even know they're competing with me :p [/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2][/size]

[Charles]

[QUOTE=Adahn][size=2]I don't know if I'd like being a moderator anywhere, simply because it's something I've never done. Besides, if I were a moderator, I'd be in constant competition with the others to be the best one. I compete with people who don't even know they're competing with me :p [/size]
[/QUOTE]

No. Nope, that's not how the relationship shared by the staff works at all. At least not on a basic functional level, let me tell you. Although James, in the past, mentioned assigning unique events to different Teams to inspire friendly competition, there is no such philosophy as it relates to performing day-to-day activities. It's quite the opposite. The theme of OtakuBoards staff is more in line with [I]cooperation[/I]. Our efforts are coordinated; we often discuss issues regarding problematic members and changes to the site in general, as a collective unit. Our responsibilities aren't looked upon as a "game" or a "contest" that can be won. That's how chaos ensues. It's a collaborative effort that's not about the individual, but the team instead. [COLOR=Silver]And, anyway, everyone knows that I'm the best moderator.[/COLOR]

The slimshady that creeps into Sara's threads :D ;) :p :cool: :wigout: :laugh:
Charles

[Semjaza]

Yeah. While you have freedom, really, pretty much everything of importance is discussed on some level. I never in any sense felt like we were really anything other than a team trying to go after the same end goal. The whole "team" thing that OB has its mods split up into is pretty much a good indication of that, actually.

[Adahn]

[size=2]I suppose I see competition in a different light. I can and do get along with those who are competent (such as the OB Moderators), but I want to be the best at what I do all the same. Any good-natured person put in a position of power and authority will naturally desire to better him/herself in his/her area of expertise.[/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]I would go so far as to hypothesize that if you were to make a moderator of any member with intelligence, compassion, and a good understanding of the rules/expectations of OB, that person's post count, quality, and overall internet personality would improve. I would, however, avoid those who would quite obviously be corrupted by such power *cough* DW *cough*.[/size]
[font=Verdana][size=2][/size][/font]

[AzureWolf]

[quote name='Semjaza Azazel']The whole "team" thing that OB has its mods split up into is pretty much a good indication of that, actually.[/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Out of curiosity, which part of the team decided it'd be fun to constantly leave a link for members to click on, only to be informed that they don't have the privilege to see the link. I'm talking about the constant reference to the [B][U]Deal with this member[/B][/U] thread, which hasn't stopped popping up in one form another, in one person's blog or at the awards thingies. It's like, "Dude, you gotta see this thread," and then you click, and it's like, "Oh, wait, that's right! You can't! Ahahahaha!" It's annoying, and I don't think it shows maturity on the side of the moderators.

While I'm not targetting any mod (or any set of mods), I thought since this thread is moderator-related, I'd just bring that up. I'm just curious why a clearly private thread is being brought up in public areas. Isn't that like, a violation of privacy or something? Even if it's that darned good, it should be mentioned in private rather than public. It shouldn't be dangled in front of those who can't see it.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[Semjaza]

Eh, don't ask me. I've never posted or talked about anything specific
between mods when I was one, as I don't really think it's anyone else's business. At the same time, I don't really think I'd get very worked up about not being able to see it or whatever, it's a pretty harmless joke regardless of how "mature" it is.

[Annie]

[quote name='Adahn'] I would, however, avoid those who would quite obviously be corrupted by such power *cough* DW *cough*.[/quote]

[color=darkslategray]Thankfully, it's not at your discretion as to whom is to be moderator/and who's not.

How would you know [and who are you to say] DW would be "corrupted"? I happen to think that Dragon Warrior would make a decent moderator. Why? Even though you see him as playing around, making silly remarks, or whatnot, DW knows when to stop. He knows when to be serious, and I've seen DW run his own board. He can be mature when he wants/needs to be.

Your comment was derogatory.[/color]

[Sara]

[quote name='Annalisse][color=darkslategray']Your comment was derogatory.[/color][/quote][color=#ff6600]As have been several of yours.

Let's not get worked up over this thread, for goodness' sake.

in just seven days,
Sara[/color]

[Shy]

[QUOTE=AzureWolf][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Out of curiosity, which part of the team decided it'd be fun to constantly leave a link for members to click on, only to be informed that they don't have the privilege to see the link. I'm talking about the constant reference to the [B][U]Deal with this member[/B][/U] thread, which hasn't stopped popping up in one form another, in one person's blog or at the awards thingies. It's like, "Dude, you gotta see this thread," and then you click, and it's like, "Oh, wait, that's right! You can't! Ahahahaha!" It's annoying, and I don't think it shows maturity on the side of the moderators.

While I'm not targetting any mod (or any set of mods), I thought since this thread is moderator-related, I'd just bring that up. I'm just curious why a clearly private thread is being brought up in public areas. Isn't that like, a violation of privacy or something? Even if it's that darned good, it should be mentioned in private rather than public. It shouldn't be dangled in front of those who can't see it.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]
[size=1]Really AzureWolf, my dear, if you ever get to see the thread in question you'll discover how underwhelming it really is. All we do is talk about what members we sent warning PMs to and banned and such, it's not really very exciting at all.

As for a violation of privacy, we can [url=http://otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=30012]link to the thread all we want.[/url] I do see how it could be [url=http://otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=30012]frustrating to do to people, though[/url], it really must get [url=http://otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=30012]quite annoying.[/url] The staff forum is just as much a part of these boards as Anthology or Manga Workshop or Play It!, which I why I see no problem with having it appear in annual awards or OB-centric discussions such as these.

Of course, there is a certain limit to what we can and cannot reveal about the forum itself. We never really go into specifics about the place, but it's not like we go out of our way to talk about (this post being the sole exception.) We know how to keep the important stuff secret. [spoiler]Quite a few people would be surprised by the Yaoi sub-forum that inhabits it, for example.[/spoiler] It seems pretty harmless to nominate "Deal With This Member" for thread of the year, or Nifty Fifty or whatnot. It was hillarious how it almost won at the last Otaku Awards. That made me proud, and really showed how biased towards staff the awards were in the first place.

Xander: Are you serious about the moderators getting paid question? Aside from the benefit of getting IM'd by people I don't know all of the time, this job is it's own reward.

Yes, I would love to join your anime forums,
-Shy[/size]

[Dagger]

I very much enjoy being a moderator. It just makes me happy to help keep the Anime Lounge neat and tidy. For the most part I'm pretty laid-back and slow to anger (well--I like to think that, at least), so cleaning up after spam and such rarely irks me. The only part of the job which really, really sucks is that you end up stumbling across unmarked spoilers a lot--and it's hard to just ignore or forget about them, because then you have to tag the offending posts. I am rather determined to never forgive the person who ruined the ending of Wolf's Rain for me. Luckily for him or her, I can no longer remember his or her name.

Anyway... to answer the original poster's question, I'd prefer to stay in my post. :)

[quote name='Shy][size=1][spoiler]Quite a few people would be surprised by the Yaoi sub-forum that inhabits it, for example.[/spoiler'][/size][/quote]
[spoiler]Maybe they would be surprised by the fact that it's the only reason I spend so much time on OB. Yaoi 4-eva![/spoiler] Or... er... something like that. :devil:

I've always wanted to use the "devil" smiley,
Dagger

[Baron Samedi]

[size=1][quote name='Charles']And, anyway, everyone knows that I'm the best moderator.[/quote]
Not quite the right shade of grey there Charles ;)[/size]

[AzureWolf]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Shy, if you go by the premise that the moderator exclusive sections of the forum are as just as much a part of the OB community as anything else, the rest of what you say works perfectly. However, this is the point where we disagree. We don't even have to delve into philosophy, or jump into abstract and very obscure concepts in search of the meaning behind "community" to point out the discrepancy between moderator specific parts of OB, and the rest of OB. That is, we can stick with tangible facts, especially statistics, which is also as objective as you can get (so that's two birds with one stone).

We can agree that a community is a set of people "communing" together for whatever reason. So, to say that a part of OB (that only lets a fewer number than the total amount of those that makeup the community) is "as much" a part of the rest of OB isn't statistically sound. In fact, you've lost the community and have created another, aristocratic community that just makes up a part of this community (think Venn Diagram, with the mod section having zero and the overlap having the # of mods).

Not that I'm saying things shouldn't be like that, mind you. I'm just saying, I'd argue that the parts that are alienated to most of OB are not very much a part of OB. Of course I realize that there's a connection between OB's community and OB's adminstrative areas, but in the sense of community... (isn't even going to do "The Weakest Link" reference).

Also, just because most moderators selected the thread in question doesn't really show bias. Rather, it points back to the statistical differentiation: do you really think it was bias, or that most people couldn't see the thread and therefore the community couldn't choose it as a noteworthy thread?

*looks back* Bleh, even doing something concrete made it sound all vague. I'm just saying, how can you consider something as much a part of the community if the most important part of the community (rats, getting philosophical), the members, are not privy to it?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[James]

[color=#344366]Geeze, Azure. That is perhaps the dorkiest post I've ever seen on OB -- and I've seen a lot (and made plenty myself). I mean, c'mon. Get a real problem. lol

The Nifty Fifty is all about reflecting on various noteable parts/events/people of OB during that year. Not everyone even has to agree -- if something has created some sort of controversy, then it's probably worthy of being considered noteable (though perhaps not nifty -- but the more we get into semantics, the less hair I'll have on my head).[/color]

[AzureWolf]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Well, offline, life's been grand because I know how to solve my problems, and I'm not sure how many "real" online problems one can have (and whether or not the essence of the problem being online forgoes its ability to be real). So, yeah, I'm willing to admit that it's a dorky thing to talk about (*glances at Soda thread*). At the same time, I think the topic's more valid than seeking advice on a Jerry Springer-esque love dilemma (for an online forum, that is).

And besides, I never said it was a problem. It's more of a minor nuisance. Kind of like bumping into people in a crowded area: it's not a problem unless you start exaggerating the situation. So, at its worse, my gripe is a mere nuisance.

I asked why some mods linked to a private part of OB, and Shy responded by saying that linking to private threads is fine because it's just like every other part of OB. I didn't like that answer. If it's true and that was the reasoning behind the linking, so be it. But I didn't like that, and I feel that if that was the rationale, it was not wholly sound.

I don't really see why it's all THAT dorky. Still, it is kind of an off-topic discussion, and if you feel it's not a noteworthy thing to talk about, there's little I can do from you closing the discussion, heh.

If you are referring to me calling the private parts of OB aristocratic, that's not a bad thing (I love aristocracies, btw). In fact, I consider it a very good thing, and exactly how things should be. However, I think they should stay separate, and that things that are private have no justification in recieving public recognition (unless you consider "because we can" or something a justification). That's all.

Also, the nominations and award things (the 2004 and 2005 ones) aren't the only places I've seen a link to the thread.

(Hmm... I thought I edited my post to say that the Venn Diagram has the same number in the mod section and overlap...)[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[James]

[color=#334366]...

Azure, I didn't think it was possible, but that reply out-dorkifies your last one! Wow.

In all seriousness, it's no big deal. When you worry about someone linking to a private thread (which is the most mundane and boring thing in existence) and you start getting concerned about public/private ratios and so on...well, you know you probably have too much time on your hands.

The cool thing about Nifty Fifty is that it's a pretty lighthearted and fun event. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

But uh, in terms of the subject of this thread...the staff forum is certainly nothing to be envious about. In fact, it's all about business and practical matters. Believe me, nobody is missing anything, except perhaps the lame novelty of being able to view a private forum. But yeah, that's definitely a lame novelty, lol.[/color]