Well, until they show up to speak for themselves, I can tell you that moderating is a volunteer position. The only reward they get is the undying love of the Teeming Millions and a coffee mug. Because they all have lives beyond this little corner of cyberspace, they don’t spend all their time here. I’m sure there are times when we’re moderator-less, though there are enough of them now that those times are probably rare.
Actually, were all a single person. Lynn, Ed and Cecil included. I just use many psuedonyms to make you guys think I’m omnipresent. I get more coffee mugs that way, too.
And since I haven’t actually been outside in years, I don’t hafta worry 'bout grass stains.
Mods are just plain folk, like you and me, gang. Except for the coffee mug, of course.
They are just people who have been around the block a few times and have demonstrated, through their posts, that they are intelligent, patient, helpful, level-headed and certifiable (take that last one however you would like).
If you’re interested in Moderating, send an email to Tuba. It wouldn’t hurt to put something like, “Moderator Application Request” in the subject line since she gets two or three emails a day, I’m sure :).
Aside from the mug, it’s strictly a volunteer position. We can be from any which place (Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Montana, in that order, myself). We’re chosen from among the ranks of the members, mostly, although I suppose that different criteria must have been used for the original moderators way back when in the Olden Days. Logic would show that we’re not on 24/7 (we have to do something else to earn a living), but I think you’ll understand if I say I won’t tell you when we’re not :). And I would have a naked picture on the Web, but I’m still having a hard time getting my Web page finished and posted.