Changes to SDSAB

[C K Dexter Haven]

The title "Straight Dope Science Advisory Board" has been given to persons who are active in writing at least one Staff Report (or Special Report, or Mailbag, or whatever the heck they're called) each year. Up till now, we've also used it as an honorary title for former moderators.

However, we're doing some housecleaning, and we're removing that title from those who haven't actually written a Staff Report for well over a year. We're also removing it from retired moderators.

I'm just posting this so you know. Most of the people who are losing the title haven't even posted on the Message Boards in two or three years, let alone help with Staff Reports. So, it's probably not actually much of an issue, but in case there's any flak or curiousity, I thought I'd let y'all know.

[Polycarp]

Not your decision, I know, Dex, but to relay it to Ed and The Suits: IMO, those who have stepped down from Moderation for "honorable" reasons -- too busy a personal life, burnt out, etc. -- as opposed to those in a "quit or be fired" situation -- should get some sort of honorarium title. If it wouldn't mislead some into thinking there's still a staff relationship, I'd sugget "Moderator Emeritus" -- the 'professor/minister emeritus' is classically a 'he's retired but still well loved' usage that shouldn't mislead.

It might also be worth your while to explain how people become SDSAB members. I gather that an offer is made and accepted to write a Staff Report, it's scrutinized, and if one or two such reports pass your exacting standards and the person is amenable, he/she is offered the title. But I'll bet I'm wrong in at least one detail on that, and it'd be interesting to know how they are chosen.

[Arnold Winkelried]

In my case, I hereby request that you rearrange the letters in SDSAB and change my title to BADASS.
Thank you for your coöperation in this matter.

[Chronos]

the 'professor/minister emeritus' is classically a 'he's retired but still well loved' usage that shouldn't mislead.

I don't know about ministers, but professors emeritus seem to end up doing just as much work as before they "retired".

[Stranger On A Train]

Originally Posted by Arnold Winkelried

In my case, I hereby request that you rearrange the letters in SDSAB and change my title to BADASS.

And I think you should change Arnold's name to Sweet Sweetback.

"Watch out - a baad assss Administrator is coming to collect some dues!"

Stranger

[neuroman]

Originally Posted by Polycarp

those who have stepped down from Moderation for "honorable" reasons -- too busy a personal life, burnt out, etc. -- as opposed to those in a "quit or be fired" situation -- should get some sort of honorarium title.

I like this.

[C K Dexter Haven]

I'm involved with the administration of the SDSAB, so I can't speak to titles like "Moderator Emeritus," but the Powers (and I don't disagree) feel that, deep down inside, the fewer titles the better... espesh those that are not self-explanatory.

Originally Posted by Polycarp

It might also be worth your while to explain how people become SDSAB members. I gather that an offer is made and accepted to write a Staff Report, it's scrutinized, and if one or two such reports pass your exacting standards and the person is amenable, he/she is offered the title. But I'll bet I'm wrong in at least one detail on that, and it'd be interesting to know how they are chosen.

No, you're not wrong, although usually it's more than two such reports to get someone into the coveted and highly distinguished group.

[Boozahol Squid, P.I.]

With all of the hoopla that went on regarding whether or not SDSAB meant 'member of the establishment', people want to have ex-moderators keep the word 'moderator' in their title?

Yeesh, not that I'm expecting to ever be made a Mod here, but if I was, and I stepped down, and I continued posting... I don't think I'd still want to have some title hanging around my neck that would get me dragged into the pit every other week for my off-the-wall explanations of SDMB policy.

[MsWhatsit]

If we must have some sort of "emeritus" title, how about something simple and self-explanatory like, "Used To Be A Mod"?

[Ponderoid]

One issue to consider is that the board software shows that member's current title on all their old posts. (And I really don't like that behavior) It's sometimes confusing reading through an old thread and seeing posts that refer to titles and/or positions that are no longer current.

*** Ponder

[DrCube]

How about just "Emeritus"? No scary "Mod" word involved, and most of us can figure it out in short order.

[TheLoadedDog]

Asshole Emeritus?

[Happy Lendervedder]

How about for former mods, we bestow the title "Charter Member" upon them? It's sleek, classy, and leads to as little confusion as possible. Simply put, it's perfection.

[Arnold Winkelried]

Originally Posted by Stranger On A Train

And I think you should change Arnold's name to Sweet Sweetback.

"Watch out - a baad assss Administrator is coming to collect some dues!"

You know, I've never seen that movie, so I went to add it to my Netfix queue.

[C K Dexter Haven]

Yeah, "Charter Member" was applied to all the prior moderators.

[ouryL]

Originally Posted by C K Dexter Haven

The title "Straight Dope Science Advisory Board" has been given to persons who are active in writing at least one Staff Report (or Special Report, or Mailbag, or whatever the heck they're called) each year. Up till now, we've also used it as an honorary title for former moderators.

However, we're doing some housecleaning, and we're removing that title from those who haven't actually written a Staff Report for well over a year. We're also removing it from retired moderators.

I'm just posting this so you know. Most of the people who are losing the title haven't even posted on the Message Boards in two or three years, let alone help with Staff Reports. So, it's probably not actually much of an issue, but in case there's any flak or curiousity, I thought I'd let y'all know.

"Publish or Perish!"

[UncleBeer]

Originally Posted by Diomedes

With all of the hoopla that went on regarding whether or not SDSAB meant 'member of the establishment', people want to have ex-moderators keep the word 'moderator' in their title?

Yeesh, not that I'm expecting to ever be made a Mod here, but if I was, and I stepped down, and I continued posting... I don't think I'd still want to have some title hanging around my neck that would get me dragged into the pit every other week for my off-the-wall explanations of SDMB policy.

As I fit this category, I'd like to add my agreement with the above.

[mwbrooks]

Originally Posted by MsWhatsit

If we must have some sort of "emeritus" title, how about something simple and self-explanatory like, "Used To Be A Mod"?

Former Moderator? Demoderated? Dismoderated? Immoderated?

Sorry.

(Hoping not to be dismembered.)

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

We could always go with "Ain't a mod no mo' no mo'"




... or not

[MEBuckner]

"Escaped Moderator"?

[PBear42]

"Recovering Moderator"?

[Jake]

Modulated Moderator?

[LurkMeister]

De-Modulated?

[JillGat]

I don't care about getting "credit" for having been a moderator. However - even though I haven't written a staff report in more than a year - I did write almost a hundred of em in the past that are still on the site. Seems like I oughta get some kind of credit for that.

Now that I think of it, I don't care about having titles after my name on the message board. Now that I think of it, I should get something better! Let me think about this a bit and I'll get back to you.

[RiverRunner]

Originally Posted by JillGat

Now that I think of it, I don't care about having titles after my name on the message board. Now that I think of it, I should get something better! Let me think about this a bit and I'll get back to you.

Gee, you already have the love and admiration of a horde of rabid fans. Teeming ones, even. What more do you want?






And would it have to be cash, or would a check suffice?

[Happy Lendervedder]

Originally Posted by JillGat

I don't care about getting "credit" for having been a moderator. However - even though I haven't written a staff report in more than a year - I did write almost a hundred of em in the past that are still on the site. Seems like I oughta get some kind of credit for that.

Now that I think of it, I don't care about having titles after my name on the message board. Now that I think of it, I should get something better! Let me think about this a bit and I'll get back to you.

How 'bout a monkey butler named Eddie?

[Alex_Dubinsky]

Originally Posted by JillGat

I don't care about getting "credit" for having been a moderator. However - even though I haven't written a staff report in more than a year - I did write almost a hundred of em in the past that are still on the site. Seems like I oughta get some kind of credit for that.

Now that I think of it, I don't care about having titles after my name on the message board. Now that I think of it, I should get something better! Let me think about this a bit and I'll get back to you.

Ha! Like royalties?

[JillGat]

Originally Posted by Alex_Dubinsky

Ha! Like royalties?

Yes. And it's Princess JillGat to you.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by JillGat

Yes. And it's Princess JillGat to you.

Well that would make for an interesting title.

[Alex_Dubinsky]

Originally Posted by JillGat

Yes. And it's Princess JillGat to you.

"Royalties" on Google:

Searches related to: royalties
book royalties   oil royalties   seinfeld royalties   author royalties   
itunes royalties

Hmm. Clearly what I meant was that with the rising price of crude petroleum, JillGat deserves oil royalties. And a boxed set of seinfeld.