# Potentially stupid suggestion about board moderation. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 10, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993 "2003-06-10T23:59:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/21 "2003-06-13T16:29:55Z")
And that would be why this was a stupid idea. Thanks, **Tuba**. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/22 "2003-06-13T17:02:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Captor \* > \*\*But notice Tuba Diva didn’t say they don’t have STEALTH moderators. Which must mean … they HAVE them! And that they’re EVERYWHERE! Probalby not just on this board, but all over the Web! > > This might well explain why people refuse to take my posts seriously on any board I post to. It’s those stealth moderators, being … stealthy. \*\* You gave us away! You are soooo stealth-banned, mister. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/23 "2003-06-15T05:40:03Z")
"I’m a substitute for another mod I look real normal but I’m a god The modding things I do are all super-secret If you piss me off, I’ll make you pay for it, yeah 'Cause I’m a… Secret modder man! Secret modder man!" 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/24 "2003-06-15T11:26:45Z")
Substitute Me For **Dex** Substitute My **Ed** For Sex Substitute You For **UncleBeer** At Least I’ll Get My **Czarcasm** Here ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2003, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/25 "2003-06-15T13:39:16Z")
There once was an Admin from Texas Whose long absense did sorely vex us But someone filled in And banned all but ten Thus making a bunch nervous wrecks: us. Damn, it’s hard to rhyme Texas! ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/26 "2003-06-16T10:21:03Z")
One particularly cloying ad campaign uses “message”. I think “nexus” is probably the best bet. And “Lexus”. How about “solar-plexus”? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/27 "2003-06-16T13:25:47Z")
But **Q.E.D** you wouldn’t be able to post nearly as much if you became a mod. You don’t see them posting as much as say…you. **Chronos** - didn’t you used to be a mod? ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/28 "2003-06-17T00:18:47Z")
Since **Lynn** is back, and the question has become moot, I have only one thing to say: I feel _really_ stupid. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2003, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/29 "2003-06-17T12:27:01Z")
Not at all, not at all. We do appreciate your thoughtfulness. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/30 "2003-06-18T01:07:41Z")
I’m not a petty little backstabber or anything, but if you ever find yourselves in need of new staff members, I can think of a few people who would be just _perfect_. Heh heh heh. I’ve got 'em now. Heh heh heh. I’m sorry, did I say that out loud? ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/31 "2003-06-18T02:03:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Exgineer \* > \*\*Since **Lynn** is back, and the question has become moot, I have only one thing to say: > > I feel _really_ stupid. > > Carry on. \*\* If it’ll make you feel better, maybe another moderator will get sick, and … what? ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/32 "2003-06-18T02:23:17Z")
You just happen to be on my list of People Who Have Been Here A Long Time And Would Probably Make Great Moderators, **dantheman**. Seriously, you are right up there with **tomndeb**. Shall I nominate you for the next round? ---
**Author:** ![SlickRoenick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/33 "2003-06-18T05:24:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phlosphr \* > \*\*Chronos - didn’t you used to be a mod? \*\* Yes, Chronos used to be a mod. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/34 "2003-06-18T10:08:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Exgineer \* > \*\*You just happen to be on my list of People Who Have Been Here A Long Time And Would Probably Make Great Moderators, **dantheman**. > > Seriously, you are right up there with **tomndeb**. > > Shall I nominate you for the next round? \*\* I’m flattered. 🙂 But there are a couple things I think they look for: 1. You should be knowledgable in one particular area. Chronos, for example, is a physicist. Euty is all-knowing in terms of Disney. And so on. This helps them to determine the appropriate forum for you. 2. You should be level-headed and even-handed. Personally, I don’t know much about any particular area, including this message board, which would preclude ATMB. And I’m not the most level-headed or even-handed person, either. These criteria are just guesses, of course. But I don’t see myself in the same company as those who are already there. Definitely agree with you about **tomndebb** , though. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/35 "2003-06-18T11:18:51Z")
The knowledgable criterion mostly applies to those who write Staff Reports. You don’t need to be particularly knowledgable to say, “You’re a moron, you’re banned.” 😉 Can’t help you with the level-headed and even-handed part. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/36 "2003-06-18T11:26:30Z")
No, it applies to the forums, too, at least to an extent. I’m not saying it’s an underlying criterion, but it’s something I think they’d prefer. (I’m basing it on my recollection of the application.) ---
**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:** [June 18, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/37 "2003-06-18T20:29:33Z")
**tomndebb** , as I understand it, has already turned down the job, for the same reason that most folks approched about it do, and the same reason that I stepped down: It’s a friggin’ huge time commitment. If there were “part-time mods” which required a smaller time commitment, then there probably would be more people willing to do the job. But on the other hand, such part-timers would still require the full process of application and checking to make sure they’re suitable, and with too many mods, we’d probably end up adding just as much workload, in the process of checking all the candidates. Since **TubaDiva** ends up doing the brunt of the work of mod selection, it’s up to her to decide where to draw the line on this issue. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/38 "2003-06-18T21:32:58Z")
\<\< Yes, Chronos used to be a mod. \>\> He went through a 12-step program to stop, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/39 "2003-06-18T23:43:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anthracite \* > **Now, where’s that SQL script…** BEGIN TRANSACTION DELETE FROM USER\_TBL WHERE MEMBERWORTH = 0 AND TROLL = ‘Y’ COMMIT TRANSACTION BEGIN TRANSACTION UPDATE USER\_TBL SET MEMBERDESCR = ‘Banned’,MEMBERACTIVE = ‘N’ WHERE MEMBERWORTH = 0 AND TROLL = ‘N’ COMMIT TRANSACTION BEGIN TRANSACTION UPDATE USER\_TBL SET MEMBERDESCR = ‘Asshat’ WHERE (MEMBERWORTH \< 10 AND TROLL = ‘N’ AND MEMBERTYPE IN (‘STUPID’, ‘USELESS’, ‘IDIOT’)) OR MEMBERNAME = ‘Chumpsky’ COMMIT TRANSACTION BEGIN TRANSACTION SET MEMBERDESCR = ‘Petrochemical Goddess’ WHERE MEMBERNAME = ‘Anthracite’ COMMIT TRANSACTION Yeah, I think this would be a _ **great** _ idea. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Searching\_For\_Truth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@Searching\_For\_Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Searching_For_Truth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993/40 "2003-06-19T18:19:31Z")
Well, since we’re talking about moderators, and **Exgineer** insists that this is a stupid thread, I’ll ask a stupid question. What’s the difference between Administrator and Moderator? In the FAQs that I read, I never saw a difference outlined. I _did_ read the FAQs, I swear! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-suggestion-about-board-moderation/180993.md?page=3)