Moderator Elections

[#1]

Quote from: Jameseh

James - I'm absolutely certain that your idea hasn't be disregarded and I still believe that it's valid as I'm sure that the other moderators do. The problem is that with only VERY limited applicants, it's not possible to have enough moderators on board to manage specific forums to do the roles that you're suggesting. So, for our avid readers, nominate yourselves and we can then have a realistic opportunity to do as has been suggested.

The issue with getting people to volunteer as moderators has always been either the lack of time to do the whole job as it is now, or the fact that many people aren't interested in the whole forum, and just come here to look at specific things.
I know of at least two people who would make excellent moderators who declined in the past due to both of those reasons.
Sadly I'm certain that one of those people has been a victim of changed circumstance recently, so I don't think he'd be able to consider anything ATM, but the other might still be interested in smaller parts.
I reckon you'd have lots more interest if people knew they could volunteer to moderate on specific boards.

[#2]

Quote from: Jameseh

The problem is that with only VERY limited applicants, it's not possible to have enough moderators on board to manage specific forums to do the roles that you're suggesting.

That's a classic chicken and egg.
I suggest that until more moderators are in post you won't get the volunteers.
A radical suggestion - make this election for EIGHT new moderators.

[#3]

I've applied a couple of times, and I'm not sure really whether to go again. I think it's probably the fact that I'm not the most active of posters.
It's not really an issue of not having the time or anything like that, a lot of the things I don't keep up with enough. For example I don't know that much about say the technical aspects of ADSL. I know the basics, but I wouldn't say be able to look at a page of stats and know what they'd mean. I don't use PlusNet for e-mail, so I can't comment on the many threads like the platform or how the spam protection is going along.
As has been said before, I think people tend to specialise in certain areas of the forums. At the moment, I'd probably do well in 'rants and raves', but I am trying to make more constructive posts, honest

[#4]

Quote from: Alex

For example I don't know that much about say the technical aspects of ADSL. I know the basics, but I wouldn't say be able to look at a page of stats and know what they'd mean. I don't use PlusNet for e-mail, so I can't comment on the many threads like the platform or how the spam protection is going along.

But isn't the act of moderation more about monitoring and upholding adherence to Forum rules, and other administrivia, rather than taking active part in discussions? Those with technical and hand-holding skills get the 'bright spark' moniker as recognition.
Mike

[#5]

There may be a misconception here.
Unlike, for example a usergroup member, a role where a degree of expertise is required a moderator really only needs a good dollop of common sense, the ability to deal with others in a tactful and non-confrontational manner and the ability to interact with the other moderators and the Plusnet staff without taking or causing offence.
Having said that it took me a while to sort out the various options available to moderators - how to merge threads for example (I had a play in the restricted forums area first so you couldn't see my mistakes :-[).

[#6]

I already commented that an ideal moderator would be completely dispassionate about the subject being discussed, but the reality is that without a motive for being here and moderating - it tends to be done to a poor standard.
I appreciate that my post count makes it appear that I am a bit of a newbie around here, but thats only because I chose to start again from scratch once I stepped down from moderating here. (I used to have the fourth highest post count > http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php?action=stats )
So believe me when I say that I've seen more than my fair share of poor moderators, and poor moderation - not just here but on the other boards I frequent too.
Its not an easy role, and its one which has a tendency to put the holder on the side of unpopularity at times, and without a level of interest or passion in coming here to take part, the role becomes much harder to discharge effectively.
Its not coincidence that the moderators who are most successful in the role are those who are actually really interested in what is being discussed - it actually gives them a reason to be interested in reading the posts and following the discussion.
If you aren't reading the topics you are supposed to be moderating, its extremely easy to either go off half-cocked, misreading the situation, or to miss out on something that should have been sorted promptly.
Its not because I was a stricter moderator than most that I seemingly picked up on almost every transgression, its because for a long time I read *every* post that was made on these boards (and the individual ISP forums that came before them)
I know of a certain moderator who couldn't care less about the gaming forums, and who never reads them - its not a problem, but its a situation which could be improved if somebody who liked discussing gaming could be persuaded to spend a little extra time amongst reading/posting to fix things.

[#7]

How many ex-moderators are still around? It must be quite a lot going back to the likes of Thomas and Peter (don't forget three separate ISP forums, each with their own moderators were merged). I wonder if some of the resignations were partly because of guilt about not being able to devote the time they felt was required and whether they might not have resigned if they had been part of a much larger team.

[#8]

Quote from: jelv

How many ex-moderators are still around? It must be quite a lot going back to the likes of Thomas and Peter (don't forget three separate ISP forums, each with their own moderators were merged).

Four...

[#9]

I think most at least cited time as one of the reasons, indeed one of the people who might have considered taking up a partial moderating role was an ex-mod.

Quote from: Jameseh

Four...

I make at least five regularly, and a few more now and then:
I think I saw PJ around the other day, clearly I'm still here too, so is Chilly. Liam pops in now and then, Peter and Thomas are still here. Not sure about Bill (Billbow from MN IIRC)
Who have I missed (excepting those that are in the employ of PN)
Haven't seen Tom for a while, and John hasn't appeared recently, although I know he does pop in occasionally to check up on odd queries.
Lots of people who are capable and possibly willing, but all of which are probably short on time, and unwilling to set themselves up for the 'whole shebang'
I seem to recall you once agreed that you might consider looking after small parts of community, even though you don't have the time or inclination to take on the full role? Hopefully that's not a disingenuous version of the conversation?
Remember too that actual moderation is the easy part, the time consuming part is all the faffing around in the background, which would be undertaken by the 'full' moderators (who would have more time since they'd have less moderation to do)
Seems a virtuous circle to me...

[#10]

Chris used to post, but haven't seem him for a while.

[#11]

Quote from: James_G

I know of a certain moderator who couldn't care less about the gaming forums, and who never reads them - its not a problem, but its a situation which could be improved if somebody who liked discussing gaming could be persuaded to spend a little extra time amongst reading/posting to fix things.

adiweoo fits the bill for moding the gaming forum he spends most his time helping PS3 owners setting the complex network settings up anyway.

[#12]

Do the existing moderators have any potential moderators in mind and have you encouraged them to stand ?.
I know I'm safe - as I don't qualify 

[#13]

Quote from: ASBO

adiewoo fits the bill for moding the gaming forum he spends most his time helping PS3 owners setting the complex network settings up anyway.

Thanks for the vote of confidence there ASBO and will no doubt be able to count on your vote should I decide to stand again 
As I don't have to pay for my online gaming I can work less hours and help more people 

[#14]

I had a little shortlist of people I'd seen, and I'd approached a couple of them as we were formulating the plan.
The danger[?] is that we see a return to the previous mechanic of electing moderators, ie, we dispense with the often pointless rigmarole of election-style votes, and simply nominate,second and carry a candidate into the role.
My personal view is that the previous moderators (going back quite a few years now) were generally of a higher calibre than many of the more recent products of the democratic election process.
(I'm avoiding naming names, and its best to keep it that way too - even if you know whom I am referring to)
Why is this?
I think its because the moderators knew what was required, and the behaviours needed by somebody who would do the role well, so they kept an eye on people, and gave them a tap on the shoulder when it was time.
Is this a bad thing?
Any reason not to go back to this sort of thing?
There is no reason that any of us couldn't suggest somebody we thought suitable, and it saves this funny dance which purports to represent a democratic opportunity, but in reality just makes the process harder and longer for all involved.

[#15]

Quote from: James_G

I seem to recall you once agreed that you might consider looking after small parts of community, even though you don't have the time or inclination to take on the full role? Hopefully that's not a disingenuous version of the conversation?

That's about right - at the time I said I'd be happy to look after everything under The Community Site Forum as I read all the posts in there. Since then the volume of posts in that section has dropped.
I read everything to do with email (is IronPort and Email Platform Development also moderated by PUG members?)
I very rarely read Home Phone, Broadband phone, Gamers Forum and only dip in to parts of Computers and Networking (I ignore the Mac and Linux forums and largely ignore Wireless Broadband)