Flame Wars

[itsreallyreal]

It is natural that people of like interests, lifestyles, personalities (and sense of humor ) congregate together. This is a healthy thing, not a bad thing.

Not to mention.. If you share none of these things.. Why would you want to post anything with them or talk to them???...

[bethy]

I think it's totally acceptable to have different styles of moderating across the forum. Clearly, the ARG is going to be more strict than, say, the LG15 Community Forum. They serve totally different purposes.

The key is being consistent within the purpose. All of the ARG OPs need to be consistent among themselves so people know what to expect in the ARG section. Marbella, in her section, can still be consistent there while allowing much fro freedom and personal expression. "meep*ing and slurpees aren't going to go over well in OpAPHID. Sure, posters can participiate in both...but they need to know what to expect at each.

Swimsuits are perfectly acceptable at the beach, and even in some work places (if you work wher eyou need that). But it isn't approriate attire for most office jobs. Right now, it's as if the boss is letting the secretary wear her bikini to work because he enjoys it and she looks good. But if the dude down the hall with the beer belly wore his speedo, he'd be scolded for it. mocked and humilated. Who's wrong in that situation? Is it the Speedo guy for being visually offensive? Or the boss who was showing favoritism and setting a bad example? How do you guys know that someone else in the office isn't offende by the bikini girl? Just because they don't speak up doesn't mean they aren't bothered.

[AutoPilate]

Not to mention.. If you share none of these things.. Why would you want to post anything with them or talk to them???...

With all due respect, isn't that the whole point of teh internets?

[tigerlilylynn]

I think it's totally acceptable to have different styles of moderating across the forum. Clearly, the ARG is going to be more strict than, say, the LG15 Community Forum. They serve totally different purposes.

The key is being consistent within the purpose. All of the ARG OPs need to be consistent among themselves so people know what to expect in the ARG section. Marbella, in her section, can still be consistent there while allowing much fro freedom and personal expression. "meep*ing and slurpees aren't going to go over well in OpAPHID. Sure, posters can participiate in both...but they need to know what to expect at each.

Swimsuits are perfectly acceptable at the beach, and even in some work places (if you work wher eyou need that). But it isn't approriate attire for most office jobs. Right now, it's as if the boss is letting the secretary wear her bikini to work because he enjoys it and she looks good. But if the dude down the hall with the beer belly wore his speedo, he'd be scolded for it. mocked and humilated. Who's wrong in that situation? Is it the Speedo guy for being visually offensive? Or the boss who was showing favoritism and setting a bad example? How do you guys know that someone else in the office isn't offende by the bikini girl? Just because they don't speak up doesn't mean they aren't bothered.

That was the perfect analogy!

[Luminous]

I guess I think that consistent moderating is kind of unattainable if we are to appreciate the different cultures around here. I kind of think that there is something to be said for the "mob" mentailtiy of each group, since it provides a bit of self regulation in each area, even if it isn't always nice or welcoming. Truth be told, insular groups will probably remain and not everyone is welcome everywhere, but isn't it more up to us to hash that out, instead of the moderators?

I think this could ease up quite a bit by simply acknowledging these communities and officially recognizing their power to regulate themselves. Additionally, guidelines outlining the various communities and their standards made easily availabe for newbies, so they don't inadvertantly set off a bomb. Shop around, visit all the "hoods" settle in and hang your hat where you feel comfortable.

I know this won't solve all the issues, but I think it would diffuse a host of them.

[Sad Panda]

I am happy to hear that the MODs and Admins will be having a meeting...

I just want to make a quick distinction .... Tiger said the Operators are having a meeting.

We are only responsible for the OpAphid forums. This does not a mod meeting make.

I'm not saying that there aren't plans for a moderator meeting, I just want to be very clear that Tiger wasn't speaking on behalf of the Moderators. Just us Operators. We are separate entities, so you need to ask BK what the Moderators intend to do with your suggestions.

< -- thats my humble not-causing-trouble smiley, in case you were wondering.

Edit -- Fixted HTML.

[AutoPilate]

I think this could ease up quite a bit by simply acknowledging these communities and officially recognizing their power to regulate themselves. Additionally, guidelines outlining the various communities and their standards made easily availabe for newbies, so they don't inadvertantly set off a bomb. Shop around, visit all the "hoods" settle in and hang your hat where you feel comfortable.

I know this won't solve all the issues, but I think it would diffuse a host of them.

I can live with this arrangement.

[Luminous]

The key is being consistent within the purpose. All of the ARG OPs need to be consistent among themselves so people know what to expect in the ARG section. Marbella, in her section, can still be consistent there while allowing much fro freedom and personal expression. "meep*ing and slurpees aren't going to go over well in OpAPHID. Sure, posters can participiate in both...but they need to know what to expect at each.

Exactly - do as the Romans do when in Rome.

EDIT: Ooops, quoted the wrong person

[trainer101]

To Everyone:

The short answer is "Yes" - for the past couple of weeks we have (behind the scenes) been reviewing our policies and procedures along with Miles and the Creators. The goal, of course, is to develop an acceptable standard for forum moderation. You can view some of the results of our discussions at the top of each section under "Announcement: Forum Etiquette, Rules and Policies (updated)". BK worked very hard to compile all of the ideas and update these policies. We will continue to update as warranted. Please read them and kindly direct newbies to them - it's a good place to start.

Keep in mind that various sections warrant varying moderation styles based on the very nature of the section. "In Game" sections tend to be more restrictive and will probably continue to be so, simply because they relate to a specific activity. Generally speaking, there are other, less restrictive conversational sections where you can discuss peripheral aspects of the game such as "game theory", "plot development", "clue interpretation", "out of game developments" etc. that do not interfere with the actual "In Game" section. The same holds true for other sections such as the Video Section, Character Discussion and In-Character Interaction (the later 2 are often confused). if you read the In Character section right now, you'll see a number of responses to the original poster that are "out of character" and addressed to the original poster - these belong in the Character Discussion area - this is just a simple example.

In addition, we are in the process of "beefing up" the mod staff to handle the recent increase in forum activity. If you have recommended someone, please be concise as to your reasons, it will help us do an honest and impartial evaluation.

In any case, the point I'm trying to make is we are working diligently on improving the forum experience for all members. Please continue to pass along any ideas you have to make this happen. And thank you to everyone who has privately and publicly given me a personal nod – it really means a lot to me.

Regards again,
Trainer

[bethy]

It is natural that people of like interests, lifestyles, personalities (and sense of humor ) congregate together. This is a healthy thing, not a bad thing.

Not to mention.. If you share none of these things.. Why would you want to post anything with them or talk to them???...

Because this world would be a boring place if we just stayed with the people we like. It fosters an atmosphere of intolerance towards ideas different from our own and can sometimes inhibit accepting "checks and balances" that keep us fromgetting too extreme and putting on blinders. That doesn't mean we need to accept or embrace the differences into our lives, but we shouldn't be total asshats about it either.


That makes me sound like a liberal left leaning hippie, doesn't it?

[itsreallyreal]

I am happy to hear that the MODs and Admins will be having a meeting...

I just want to make a quick distinction .... Tiger said the Operators are having a meeting.

We are only responsible for the OpAphid forums. This does not a mod meeting make.

I'm not saying that there aren't plans for a moderator meeting, I just want to be very clear that Tiger wasn't speaking on behalf of the Moderators. Just us Operators. We are separate entities, so you need to ask BK what the Moderators intend to do with your suggestions.

< -- thats my humble not-causing-trouble smiley, in case you were wondering.

Edit -- Fixted HTML.

THANKS FOR THE CLEARITY!!!

Well BK? Any plans for the WHOLE site's MODS and ADMINS and OPERATOS be involved in a group meeting???

PS - As for the hoods and cliques... the only thing about that I cuold see being a problem is a sense of ownership those people may feel that imho is not OK to have on a public forum...

Neighborhood are great as long as it is all on community

[AutoPilate]

Because this world would be a boring place if we just stayed with the people we like. It fosters an atmosphere of intolerance towards ideas different from our own and can sometimes inhibit accepting "checks and balances" that keep us fromgetting too extreme and putting on blinders. That doesn't mean we need to accept or embrace the differences into our lives, but we shouldn't be total asshats about it either.


That makes me sound like a liberal left leaning hippie, doesn't it?

No, it just makes you not sound like an isolationist.

[Luminous]

Thanks for the heads up Trainer.

For the record, I just want to state I really appreciate what all the mods and operators are doing. I especially appreciate your willingness to hear us out and to take these things under serious consideration.

[bethy]

Thank you, Trainer.

I think the suggestion was made earlier about moderators using a different name "on the job" to help avoid certain dramas and personal issues.

I've seen this done elsewhere, where the moderators were totally anonymous and their posts were reserved for moderating purposes only. Although, at that location, posting under a different screen name was really easy...because a group of names were linked and you could select the user name from a drop down list without having to log out of one name and into another.

That might be a good option and might prevent some butt-kissing too. Plus, when acting anonymous moderators aren't going to be afraid to be tough on their "friends" when they need to be consistent.

[Luminous]

PS - As for the hoods and cliques... the only thing about that I cuold see being a problem is a sense of ownership those people may feel that imho is not OK to have on a public forum...

Neighborhood are great as long as it is all on community

Agreed And we'll have to deal with that on the occassions it arises.