# Where's that thread about how to become a mod? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 7, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496 "2005-07-07T19:34:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/1 "2005-07-07T19:34:10Z")
I swore up and down we had a thread in ATMB about how to become a mod, and what they’re looking for. I was just curious but now I can’t find it. Anyone? …Bueller? ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/2 "2005-07-07T19:59:41Z")
You need to get Fenris to write you an origin, for one thing… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/3 "2005-07-07T20:08:47Z")
Yeah, I’d be curious about the process as well. For instance, do you have to provide your own jackboots, or are they company-issue? ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/4 "2005-07-07T20:23:48Z")
I heard that it’s over in the secret Moderators-only forum. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/5 "2005-07-07T20:30:43Z")
The boots are company-issue, but you have to provide your own official moderatorial accessory. For most mods, this is a mod hat, but back in the day, I used a mod watch, and **Coldfire** had a pair of mod clogs. The latter presented a particular challenge, since he had to have his clogs custom-made jackbooted, to comply with the uniform regulations. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/6 "2005-07-07T20:32:24Z")
> [@Hal Briston](#): > > Yeah, I’d be curious about the process as well. For instance, do you have to provide your own jackboots, or are they company-issue? _deep breath_ Time to confess my ignorance. I have only the faintest idea of what a jackboot actually _is_. Someone care to explain it to me? Is it the things the Nazis used to wear? Does it have spikes? Why is it called a jackboot? Why do all the fascist thugs seem to wear them? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/7 "2005-07-07T21:13:42Z")
[It looks like this.](http://www.wku.edu/Library/onlinexh/sanders/cartoons/imagery/solidarity_jackboot.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/8 "2005-07-07T21:28:48Z")
When _is_ **nonpolar** going to become a mod, already? > **[How to become moderator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=272877)** > > Do I ever stand a chance to become moderator on this board? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/9 "2005-07-07T22:25:56Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [It looks like this.](http://www.wku.edu/Library/onlinexh/sanders/cartoons/imagery/solidarity_jackboot.jpg) How is that different than a regular old boot? ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/10 "2005-07-07T22:30:31Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > _deep breath_ Time to confess my ignorance. > > I have only the faintest idea of what a jackboot actually _is_. Someone care to explain it to me? Is it the things the Nazis used to wear? Does it have spikes? Why is it called a jackboot? Why do all the fascist thugs seem to wear them? Actually the origin is a Hessian Boot. Here is the [definition](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=jackboot) I think 2 and 3 are most apt when discussing mods. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/11 "2005-07-07T23:34:00Z")
> [@Rufus Xavier](#): > > When _is_ **nonpolar** going to become a mod, already? > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=272877](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=272877) That’s it! I’d forgotten he’s the one who asked. Thanks a bunch…also, \*\*askeptic \*\* & **Colibri** , thanks for defining jackboot. Mods, if you feel like it, you can close this thread now. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/12 "2005-07-08T00:48:46Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > _deep breath_ Time to confess my ignorance. > > I have only the faintest idea of what a jackboot actually _is_. Someone care to explain it to me? Is it the things the Nazis used to wear? Does it have spikes? Why is it called a jackboot? How do you expect to become a mod if you’re going to ask questions like that in ATMB? Off to GQ with you! Sheesh. > [@Anaamika](#): > > Why do all the fascist thugs seem to wear them? Peer pressure? ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/13 "2005-07-09T03:25:53Z")
Not sure of a thread to be a mod, but here is a thread on how to become an [Administrator](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=106348). ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/14 "2005-07-09T03:38:06Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > How is that different than a regular old boot? What’s a “regular old boot”? I don’t wear boots like that. That’s a “regular boot” only if you are a Hermann Göring or a dominatrix. ---
**Author:** ![Atheist\_Princess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@Atheist\_Princess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atheist_Princess)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/15 "2005-08-25T01:21:41Z")
I think I’d like to be a moderator…I don’t think I’ve ever really said anything offensive or immature. What would be a reasonable post count and length of membership to aim for before applying for a mod position? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/16 "2005-08-25T03:29:05Z")
> [@Atheist Princess](#): > > I think I’d like to be a moderator…I don’t think I’ve ever really said anything offensive or immature. You’re right out, then. We _DO_ have our standards, doncha know! ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/17 "2005-08-25T03:51:19Z")
I used to be a moderator on a very busy messageboard. It’s not nearly as much fun as a lot of people think. After the wild parties, troll barbecues, and banning binges, there’s a lot of paperwork to fill out before morning. And then back to the same old grind the next day. If it hadn’t been for the six-figure paycheck, I woulda been outta there. Actually, come to think of it, I **am** outta there. [Roseanne Roseannadanna voice] Never Mind. [/Roseanne Roseannadanna voice] ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/18 "2005-08-25T03:54:45Z")
> [@Atheist Princess](#): > > I think I’d like to be a moderator… You’re right out then. Anyone who would actually _want_ to be a moderator is clearly unsuited for the job. 😉 ---
**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:** [August 25, 2005, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/19 "2005-08-25T04:23:57Z")
Send me an email and I will email you an application. The vetting process is long and complicated. Many are called . . . few are chosen. [TubaDiva@aol.com](mailto:TubaDiva@aol.com) your humble TubaDiva ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496/20 "2005-08-25T04:54:29Z")
> [@pinkfreud](#): > > [Roseanne Roseannadanna voice] Never Mind. [/Roseanne Roseannadanna voice] [PhonyMod hat]That was Emily Litella.[/PhonyMod hat] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-that-thread-about-how-to-become-a-mod/311496.md?page=2)