Moderators/Board Names posting

[Superdude]

@SlackerInc

So I assume you don’t believe ATMB should be used to complain about anything?

And if I did not have a more than 20 year relationship with this board, I would likely not be lured from Twitter.

I didn’t say that. My thought is that all you do is complain about how this board is like others. I’ve never seen you post anything positive in this particular forum. I don’t believe that ATMB should be used for the sole purpose of giving you a forum to do nothing but bitch about how this site isn’t like others.

And that’s all you do - complain about how SDMB should take your unasked-for advice and become a cookie-cutter website, a la Facebook or Twitter. Get over it - and yourself - already.

I mean, Jesus, dude, Mark Z doesn’t talk about Facebook as much as you do.

ATMB is designed for raising issues. But you seem genuinely miserable posting here.

[BlankSlate]

@SlackerInc

So basically the mods can’t be bothered to switch between accounts like people do on Twitter all the time.

Why do people on Twitter do that all the time? (serious question)

[Northern_Piper]

@Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension

I just realized, since the proposal is that there be separate accounts for moderators posting as moderators versus as posters, this is sort of a discussion about whether the mods should be mod-socks.

The mods went out of style fifty years ago.

Better to go with argyle socks - timeless classic.

[Scumpup]

@Giraffe

It would make modding this site significantly less enjoyable for the mods.

Well, we couldn’t have that could we? They are already unpaid employees of a for-profit entity AND they have to deal with the rabble.

[Johnny_Bravo]

I have been a moderator on a forum where ‘staff’ accounts were separate from regular ones, and I had to log in and out to do moderator things. It was a huge pain in the ass and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

I would love to see a more in-your-face standard for ‘official’ mod instructions - something like bolded bright red. or some kind of add-on that allows non-standard formatting. Two reasons:

1. All modding would be instantly recognizable, even while skimming, and there would be fewer instances of people missing moderator instructions in busy and/or contentious threads.

2. Over time, it would downplay the relative importance of non-moderation posting by moderators, since their text would look the same as everyone else’s. People would look for the special format, not for the ‘moderator’ tag.

This would of course require a rule against ‘spoofing’ moderator instructions, but I don’t think it would be all that big a deal.

[mod hat on][/mod hat off] isn’t enough, imho, to create a real distinction between posting as an authority figure and posting as a normal user.

[simster]

@Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension

So, this is an example of mod hat OFF, right?

And stilettos ON, apparently - Yowza.

I like the way the line runs up the back of the stockings
I’ve always liked those kind of high heels too you know, I
No no no no, don’t take 'em off, don’t take leave 'em on, leave 'em on
Yeah, that’s it, a little more to the right, a little more…

(VanHalen)

[Helena330]

The mods have a rough enough time around here without adding more complicated log-in and identification procedures. We know who the mods are so look at their posts for [Moderating] or its variants. Also, don’t post in a manner that warrants moderation. I can get heated and I’ve gotten a couple mod notes, but I KNEW I would and they were during times I was particularly angered by some idiot. I don’t think I’ve gotten any warnings. That’s because I know when to STFU (after a mod note!)

It’s on us to not act like jerks.

[Skywatcher]

@Helena330

It’s on us to not act like jerks.

Without being told exactly what “acting like a jerk” entails; we’re supposed to figure that out for ourselves.

[SlackerInc]

@Helena330

The mods have a rough enough time around here without adding more complicated log-in and identification procedures. We know who the mods are so look at their posts for [Moderating] or its variants. Also, don’t post in a manner that warrants moderation. I can get heated and I’ve gotten a couple mod notes, but I KNEW I would and they were during times I was particularly angered by some idiot. I don’t think I’ve gotten any warnings. That’s because I know when to STFU (after a mod note!)

It’s on us to not act like jerks.

You avoid warnings because you embrace the dominant culture of the board.

[kambuckta]

@SlackerInc

You avoid warnings because you embrace the dominant culture of the board.

I’ve had plenty of warnings over the years, and even got banned for a month (I think, might have been a week, long time ago now?? Yeah, I’ll never forgive you for THAT Lynn Bodoni RIP)

Would you care to tell us mere minions what the ‘dominant culture of the board’ actually is? I hear you talking about it a lot, but still not clear what you in fact mean by it.

[Kent_Clark]

@kambuckta

I’ve had plenty of warnings over the years, and even got banned for a month (I think, might have been a week, long time ago now?? Yeah, I’ll never forgive you for THAT Lynn Bodoni RIP)

Would you care to tell us mere minions what the ‘dominant culture of the board’ actually is? I hear you talking about it a lot, but still not clear what you in fact mean by it.

He made himself pretty clear inanother thread.

We are not there yet, but if the moderation trajectory continues apace, within a few months or a year it will be a demerit in my eyes if you can post regularly on this board and not get banned, because you will either be a true believer in an almost Maoist politically correct agenda, or be living out your days in pathetically cowed prostration before said True Believers.

[Cicero]

@Kent_Clark

He made himself pretty clear inanother thread.

With due respect that quote is totally wrong (in the meaning not in your quoting it). The board leans to the left, but due to the posters, not the Moderators. I am pretty straight down the middle regarding politics and have never had a difficulty expressing an opinion or fearing a Mod note for it.

Anyway, I am getting off the main topic here. Just an observation but the Mods seem too busy doing their duties to post much anyway so this whole thread is a nothing argument.

[Helena330]

@SlackerInc

You avoid warnings because you embrace the dominant culture of the board.

It’s more along the lines of knowing how to act within its rules. There are times I get pretty pissed about things that are accepted here. But I know what appropriate behavior is on this board and do a lot of backspacing before I post.

[engineer_comp_geek]

Moderator Note

This thread is about how moderation is indicated within threads, and whether or not some other method, possibly including the use of other names, is necessary.

This is not a thread about warnings or political leanings. Please stay on-topic.

[Left_Hand_of_Dorkness]

I think there’s a problem, which is certain mods not behaving well, and then when there’s no public consequence for them, the frustration of folks gets worse.

There are some solutions that address the problem:

1. Frustrated folks go outside and watch fireflies. It’s very soothing.
2. Moderators get noted and warned in public for their non-moderator posts, but official actions remain discussed in private.
3. Moderators get reprimanded in public when they misbehave as moderators.
4. Certain mods realize it’s time to retire and get their golden watch.

I don’t think separate logins is necessary or useful. If it’s done so that their non-moderator posts can be reprimanded in public, that can already be done, just needs a policy change. If non-moderator posts don’t get reprimanded in public, separate logins won’t help.