So people apply to @Ed_Zotti, {it use to be @TubaDiva}.
They may have you fill out the application.
You might not hear back for a while.
When we need a Moderator, both those applications and suggestions from the current staff are considered. Often some feelers are made.
Ed reviews the posting history and solicits opinions from the moderators.
If things look good, Ed interviews the applicant and makes his decision, usually with one last consult from the Modloop.
I’m not allowed to divulge the secret ceremonies that are involved, but braving the cornfield is one of the trials. But I’m sure everyone guessed that.
In this case, the process was, more or less, the existing P&E mods said “We’re kind of getting overworked here, we could use another mod”, and they suggested a few names, and other moderators suggested a few more, and we all commented on our impressions of the people named, and then Ed looked over the people we suggested, got in touch with a couple of them to ask questions, and then chose @ParallelLines .
In some cases, individuals have stepped forward on their own initiative, and again, the existing mods discussed them, and Ed had the final decision.
There’s always room for a discussion of the rarely-used metric prefixes like “femto-” and “atto-”.
Forget what the process is for choosing a new moderator; I’m amazed that anyone actually volunteers for the role. It seems thankless and a massive chore. So thank you to @ParallelLines for your (perhaps foolish) choice.
I was “felt” a while back for a potential mod role. While I’m not against the idea, given my current mood about the state of the world it’s probably a good thing they eventually went in a different direction.
Waitaminute… didn’t you say the same thing when I…?
I am very pleased that @ParallelLines was willing to join our band of merry miscreants, and I have every confidence he’s going to do great! In the words of Jon Oliver, Welcome, welcome, welcome!
The way it’s done here (combination of people volunteering and the staff reaching out) is how it’s done on every of the many fora I’ve moderated over the decades and nearly every forum where I’ve been a member. The membership is typically not consulted. That would be insane.
Anyway, sincere thanks and congratulations to @ParallelLines .
On a serious note- When I was having unexplained tiny explosions and bursts of flame in my apartment, ParallelLines sent me, asking nothing in return, a new in the box web cam so I could see my place was safe while I was away. He also sent me a new in the box carbon monoxide alarm.
The fact that it was your apartment wasn’t explanation enough? Honestly, I’d be a little worried if a mad scientist’s abode didn’t have little explosions of flame.
There seriously were explosions and bursts of flame in my apartment. It turned out to be a problem in the printer. Somehow the powdered toner was igniting. Before I discovered that, I had a team from the gas company looking for leaks, and a squad of firefrighters in full gear looking at the wiring.
