Moderator Moderate Moderation

About This Message Board
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No this isn’t a moderator slam post. [sub]so get your finger off that banned button and take a deep breath.[/sub]
This is a curiosity post about the day in the life of a moderator here on SDMB.

I couldn’t really determine which forum to post this in since it has technical,less-than-cosmic, pointless and it’s a discussion regarding administration of the SDMB.
Regardless, if it’s in the wrong place please feel free to move it wherever.

So here it goes.

I have always wondered about the real life scenerio that unfolds while a moderator is moderating these boards. I’m sure that most of you are humans just like the rest of us, but it seems to me it would take a superhuman effort to read, modify and discuss with other mods, all the posts in their respective forums.

Is this daunting task much less incredible than I think it appears? Some of the threads take a long time to read, let alone being able to pick out the potential problems areas.

I have compiled a few questions that, if you have time, thought you might shed some light on your magical abilties.

Are all you moderators speed readers/thinkers?

Do you have to read each post that is created in your forum, regardless of how boring or silly it may be? [sub]like this one![/sub]

Do you have to meet a post-read quota by the end of your shift? And report on those posts?

Do you have a special macro for your “refresh button”?

How long are your shifts? 24/7?, 4 hours? 6 hours? No shifts?, whenever the boss is not looking?

On your way home from the office, [sub]or whatever you do everyday[/sub] do you think about poster “X” and what havoc he or she has created since you last saw the boards?

Do you dream about moderating?

Or do you simply moderate in moderation such as taking out the trash or washing the dishes.

Thats about it, I guess.

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Mostly, we just read through our respective fora, which, for the most part, is where we spent most of our time pre-modding, too. For instance, before I became a mod, I read an awful lot of GQ, anyway, so it’s not too much different now. We do try to get every post, but occasionally, one slips by, so if you see something that you think needs attention, don’t hesitate to e-mail us.

We’re expected to read the boards every day, if we can, but other than that, there’s no formal shifts. Usually, there’s no need to discuss things with the other mods, unless it’s something Really Big. Even so, we do end up with a lot of e-mails flying around, but that’s mostly a lot of replies to a few topics under discussion.

I personally don’t have any macros for browsing, but there are a few shortcuts I use. For instance, I have a bookmark directly to the “reply” page for the current incarnation of “Moved Threads”. Of course, we also tend to get a knack for finding problems… Often, I can tell that a thread will need moving or some other sort of attention just from the subject line.

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Are all you moderators speed readers/thinkers?
Speed readers? Nah. Most of my colleagues don’t think that quickly, either. :wink:

Do you have to read each post that is created in your forum, regardless of how boring or silly it may be? [sub]like this one![/sub]
Not as such. It would be a nice goal to strive for, but frankly, it’s impossible in most fora. You develop a sixth sense for problem posters, problem topics, et cetera. That, and we rely on the helping hands of the Teeming Millions - a lot of times we’re e-mailed a link to a potential bushfire somewhere on the boards. Something for which we’re eternally greatful, I might add.

Do you have to meet a post-read quota by the end of your shift? And report on those posts?
Luckily, no. :slight_smile:

Do you have a special macro for your “refresh button”?
Nope - we cruise the boards just as you guys do. Only for us, some buttons and links do work.

How long are your shifts? 24/7?, 4 hours? 6 hours? No shifts?, whenever the boss is not looking?
No real shifts. I can’t speak for all, but most of my moderating is done in the evening hours - if work isn’t busy (which is rare as of late) I’ll try to sneak in an hour as well.

On your way home from the office, [sub]or whatever you do everyday[/sub] do you think about poster “X” and what havoc he or she has created since you last saw the boards?
Since I use public transport and thus have plenty of time during my commute: yes, sometimes I do. It’s a rare occasion, though, and nothing a few beers won’t fix.

Do you dream about moderating?
I don’t remember my dreams. So I might dream about moderating. But in the light of my image, I’ll just stick to the “I only dream about sex and sports cars” schtick.

Or do you simply moderate in moderation such as taking out the trash or washing the dishes.
Mostly, that’s pretty accurate. It becomes a task - albeit one I perform gladly. It’s a privilege of some sorts, but it has its downsides as well. It takes time, and a LOT of patience (as well as a thick skin) at times. On the whole, the balance is positive. Very much so!

Does that answer your questions properly?

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Life is cheap to you, isn’t it, Clog Boy?

your humble TubaDiva

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Above and beyond! Thank You Coldfire and Chronos!

Linear Crack removes the “All SDMB mods share a single computer and a one bedroom apartment in Reseda, CA” rumor of his list.
:o