# How much time do the Mods spend moderating? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [April 5, 2002, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089 "2002-04-05T23:05:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/21 "2002-04-08T16:02:12Z")
I don’t complain. I often take bugs away from the smaller, weaker moderators. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/22 "2002-04-08T16:11:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bibliophage \* > \*\*Nobody gets to be a moderator without submitting an application. Some people are invited to submit an application, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll get the job. Only a sizeable bribe will guarantee that. \*\* **now** they tell me. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/23 "2002-04-09T05:39:05Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. If a Mod wants to quit, how is it done? Well, it _is_ voluntary, but it can be a bit difficult to convince the other mods that you mean business. Chronos: “It looks like I’ll have to step down in about a month” Chronos: “Two more weeks before I have to start studying heavily again” Chronos: “I’m staying on for another week, but then I’ll have to quit” Chronos: “Just a reminder: I’ll only be here for three more days” Chronos: “Well, it looks like tomorrow will be my last day as a mod” TubaDiva: “What, you’re not leaving us already?” And before you ask, I’m not interested again at least until I get my PhD. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/24 "2002-04-09T13:33:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Arnold Winkelried \* > \*\*there’s usually always at least more than one staff member around. \*\* Who are the staff members - or is that a secret?? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/25 "2002-04-09T15:27:04Z")
No secret. By “Staff members”, Arnold was referring to the moderators and administrators of the Straight Dope Message Board. **handy** : I think Lynn means moderating, mostly. She doesn’t post a lot - but she reads it all. Add to that the fact that she’s one of the administrators, and - _poof!_ - there goes another three hours of your life. FYI, and in response to your other remark: moderators on the Straight Dope Message Board are to follow the same rules as “normal” posters. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/26 "2002-04-09T15:55:23Z")
Hmmm. Test reply to see if it moves up in the forum list. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/27 "2002-04-09T16:22:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by grimpixie \* > \*\* > > Who are the staff members - or is that a secret?? \*\* The members of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board are also “Staff,” but they have no direct moderating/adminstrative responsibilities, and their status is not indicated under their names on the Board. SDSAB Staff membership is not a secret - just check out the Staff Reports. Some SDSAB Staff post regularly on this board, others usually only in reponse to comments on their own reports. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/28 "2002-04-09T16:36:07Z")
Oh, errr, yeah. The smart guys that do the _real_ work around here. Forgot about them for a minute. 🙂 In truth, there is some overlap, as moderators/administrators sometimes write staff reports as well (not that I’m a particularly good example). But the majority of the SDSAB is not involved in moderating the message board. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/29 "2002-04-09T20:39:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > FYI, and in response to your other remark: moderators on the Straight Dope Message Board are to follow the same rules as “normal” posters. Oh yeah? Make me. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/30 "2002-04-09T22:29:43Z")
After a _friendly_ visit from my colleagues, I realize now that yes, of course we follow the rules to which normal posters are subjected. (_medic!_) ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/31 "2002-04-10T01:10:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*"In the Pit, it takes me 3-4 hours a day, minimum. > " > > Is that for writing new messages or managing those already written? \*\* Managing those already written. I try to keep an eye on new registrations, and TRY to keep up with email. When my internet connection is slow and/or nonexistent, stuff can pile up quickly. I don’t use dialup, I don’t know how I’d cope if I did. While I don’t read EVERYTHING, I do try to keep an eye on the most troublesome areas and threads. I read other forums. I look up posts by users, and track their IPs. I do a lot of stuff. This time that I spend managing the board is time that I would otherwise use for posting. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2002, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089/32 "2002-04-10T22:51:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > \*\*I look up posts by users, and track their IPs. \*\* So, you’re one of THEM!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-time-do-the-mods-spend-moderating/102089.md?page=1)