can you do a good job of being a moderator on internet forums?

[Dancing Fire]

what do you think?

 

[RaiKai]

I WAS a moderator on forums for a few years.

I think I did quite a good job and most seemed to agree. However, it was a very, very fast moving forum (much more so than here) and it was a lot of work as we were quite diligent about ensuring compliance the forum policies (even when we weren't under "attack" from other forums coming into have some fun (I am not sure if this has happened here but it is a pain!). I have a lot of respect for the behind-the-scenes work that goes on by a lot of moderators. It can really suck up a lot of time!

The moderating team and admin were all wonderful people. However, at times I just had no time to actually post, or really read posts, which was what I liked to do! When it just became too much, or it just did not fit for my life or me anymore (and they also made some changes to the forums which changed the vibe), I resigned as a moderator and actually have not even been back as a regular member since for various reasons though sometimes I think about in passing even though I think other forums are more suited for me now. I still keep in touch with some of the other mods/former mods though.

 

[vc10um]

Not a chance...I like the drama too much!

 

[kenny]

No.

It is a big headache, and thankless at that.

People are buttheads on the Internet.

 

[elrohwen]

I am a mod on a forum. I''ll admit I don''t do a great job of it - I tend to like watching drama unfold, and only realize later that I should have been policing a bit more

The forum I''m on has many other moderators though, so I don''t feel pressure to moderate people very much. I mostly just answer questions and try to be helpful.

 

[MissMina]

I did for several years
I ran a tight ship
I''m sure some miss me
And others don''t

 

[somethingshiny]

I actually don''t really know what the mods do. PS is the only forum I''ve participated on. I know that they answer my questions and help me to solve technical issues, but other than that and the occasional thread lock, I got nothing.

 

[Demon]

Not me. I like the drama, and I wouldn''t be fair to those I don''t like.

 

[lyra]

I''ve done it on 2 different forums. It really can be a thankless job when people act like buttheads. I don''t visit either forum anymore. One was about a hobby I have since given up. It''s not fun, it''s a lot of work. I wouldn''t do it again.

 

[gemgirl]

I was a moderator (actually we called it facilitators back then) of an Internet support group for chronically ill people for five years. While it was somewhat of a thankless job, there also came great satisfaction from helping people. It was difficult at times, but I think that''s true of any large assortment of people. Not everyone was always patient or respectful or knew when to hold their tongues. I did it once and I wouldn''t want to do it again because it took an awfully big chunk out of my day, every day.

 

[yssie]

Definitely not. I will admit that I have difficulty seeing (um. respecting.) the opposing viewpoint on issues I feel strongly about.

 

[packrat]

I do on a shark forum, tho it was busier back in the day. There was SO much drama for quite a long time, but that was when I first found the forum. You wouldn''t think on an animal forum it would be so dang crazy but..wow. But, they also allowed religious and political talk, and that got *really* interesting. They tried getting some big sharky ocean people to post, and Sean Van Sommeran did a few times, but it was the childish behavior that kept them away for the most part. Too bad, b/c it''s a fun way to learn about animals that I have a fear/love of and passion for.

Until it gets a makeover and we work on contacting people thru FB and encouraging participation, it''s a matter of deleting random spam. All the wild dramatic posters have left.

 

[loriken214]

NO, I wouldn''t have the patience for it.

Lori

 

[zoebartlett]

I have no idea -- I''ve never been one and know nothing about how to go about it. I''ve always wondered -- is it a FT job, a PT job, or something to do in your spare time? I''ve always assumed that the moderators here are FT employees of PS but I''m not sure.

 

[VRBeauty]

Date: 6/23/2010 5:40:23 PM
Author: Demon
Not me. I like the drama, and I wouldn''t be fair to those I don''t like.

That''s me to a "T". I do try to moderate my own posts in deference to those who are willing to be moderators, but sometimes the pitchfork is faster than the halo...

 

[Hest88]

Yes, I think I would be. I''m pretty fair but also good at enforcing policies. However, I know I''d burn out quickly too.

 

[Imdanny]

Date: 6/23/2010 2:47:10 PM
Author: kenny
No.


It is a big headache, and thankless at that.

People are buttheads on the Internet.

Thankless? Thanks, moderators!

However, I don't have any respect for people who start forums and then ignore the fact that their participants are violating the terms of service routinely while they go away for months at a time while people are harassed, told to kill themselves, that kind of thing.

Not that I'm thinking of anyone specifically.

I appreciate moderators, who actually do their jobs. If they don't, they certainly don't deserve any thanks.

 

[Imdanny]

Date: 6/23/2010 2:29:39 PM
Author:Dancing Fire
what do you think?

I think you like to stir the pot. That's what I think.

 

[Cehrabehra]

depends on the crowd - the crowd I mod now is easy, but if it was a rough crowd it would have to be on a subject I had no interest in...

 

[RaiKai]

Date: 6/23/2010 11:14:43 PM
Author: Zoe
I have no idea -- I''ve never been one and know nothing about how to go about it. I''ve always wondered -- is it a FT job, a PT job, or something to do in your spare time? I''ve always assumed that the moderators here are FT employees of PS but I''m not sure.

I was never paid for it. Most are not in my experience (I am not sure about PS). How much time it takes up depends on the forum, how many mods there are, expectations of the admin/owners and so on.

I can say it could take up several *hours* of my day though if I was not careful - whether it was my spare time or not! Okay during lulls at work or between classes but otherwise could take up too much time for sure.

 

[elrohwen]

Date: 6/24/2010 8:50:28 AM
Author: RaiKai

Date: 6/23/2010 11:14:43 PM

Author: Zoe

I have no idea -- I''ve never been one and know nothing about how to go about it. I''ve always wondered -- is it a FT job, a PT job, or something to do in your spare time? I''ve always assumed that the moderators here are FT employees of PS but I''m not sure.

I was never paid for it. Most are not in my experience (I am not sure about PS). How much time it takes up depends on the forum, how many mods there are, expectations of the admin/owners and so on.


I can say it could take up several *hours* of my day though if I was not careful - whether it was my spare time or not! Okay during lulls at work or between classes but otherwise could take up too much time for sure.

I''m certainly not paid for it. The head admin/mod spends a lot of her time on the forum - it''s like a full time job for her. There are enough mods that I can go on as much or as little as I want and I haven''t even been on this week (things were getting annoying and I needed a break).