The power of the Moderator

Achieving Closure

Of course it's always worth remembering (and repeating) that if a mod closes your thread, you're welcome to send a U2U to the mod in question and ask that the decision be reconsidered.

We are known to do that kind of thing now and then if we're given a good reason.

And if that doesn't work, there's always the Complaint/Suggestion feature.

Again, if you give a good reason for changing something, we try to be open-minded.



[edit on 4/11/2007 by Majic]

I'm really not sure why this is such a big deal, i along with every other member would have had threads closed at one time or another. It's bound to happen that some topics are repeated, move on.
I also have some threads ive started which have never received even a single reply but are still active, please feel free to close these (i have lots of these, damn i'm boring).
I think the staff here do a fantastic job, i can quite happily sit here reading through threads with my kids and not have to worry about something popping up on the screen which i would rather they didnt see, the same cannot be said about alot of other sites.
What needs to be remembered is the huge amount of information that passes across our monitors daily on this site, to expect the moderators to be on top of every single one is impossible. A thread started 3 days ago and then repeated again today may not have been viewed by the same moderator/s, cut some slack to those who are working on this board gratis to make our stay here an enjoyable and enlightening experience.
Keep up the good work mods.

Yawn,
Power of The Moderator.
Here I joyfully thought when I clicked in to this thread that something nice was going on.
Like saying kind words about the huge responsibility it is being a Moderator.

I am fed up with all the ignorant poorly phrased bashing
Arghh

WIS

Originally posted by WalkInSilence
I am fed up with all the ignorant poorly phrased bashing

I couldn't agree more and am anxiously awaiting the knowledegable poorly phrased bashing.

If the moderators really were power crazed “Nazis” like some suggest, why is it that a thread that is essentially bashing them still open? All I know is that if I had the power to stop a conversation that was insulting the volunteer work that I do, and I could stop it I would. And that is probably why I will never be a mod. Yet the mods that we do have, allow this and have even taken part. Rationally defending them selves from yet an other baseless attack.

Originally posted by The Vagabond
On the subject of "the power of the moderator" and "lizard people", did you know that if you cut a moderator's tail off it will grow back?

Except for Mirthful Me- monkey tails don't regenerate.

While that may be true, I have become rather adept at avoiding any amputations, intentional or accidental... Being a master is the ancient art of "Who Flung Poo," my jitsu is quite strong...

Sensei Monkeys, not just for the Fecal School of discussion board antics...

I think Mirthful me deserves a warn from an Admin for his rather unique sense of humor.



[edit on 4-12-2007 by CPYKOmega]

If the moderators really were power crazed “Nazis” like some suggest, why is it that a thread that is essentially bashing them still open?

I think I can clear this up. You see down here at the ant-arctica base...oh dang I mean Administration Station Zero um it's really quite cold and it's messing with alot of our stuff and I'm not just talking about the particle beams and the saucers but it's even affecting the satelite dish.

We haven't had Sci-fi channel or HBO since I've become a mod and all we seem to get are an independent station from Peru and the step-children ESPN's

Do you have any idea what it's like coming off a ten hour probing/chip implantation shift (your doing one or the other depending on where your name is on the chore wheel) and being forced to watch ESPN 9.

I mean it's not so bad during jai-alai season but lawn darts and curling? Are you kidding me?

And there's never enough beer and somebody (looking at you Springer) keeps eating my bugles and munchos.

In short the place is just falling apart.

So until we get the jammers and death rays back on line (and for that we had to special order the parts from Radio shack) we just can't close down this thread.

But we are watching and waiting and planning.

Gotta go my turn to feed the zombie sharks.

Spiderj

Originally posted by Spiderj
probing/chip implantation shift (your doing one or the other depending on where your name is on the chore wheel)

hmmm….”probing” hmmm “chip implantation”. And how is it exactly that one becomes a mod?

And you guys get free ESPN9? how sweet is that! I’ve herd that they carry the adult T-ball championships!

hmmm….”probing” hmmm “chip implantation”. And how is it exactly that one becomes a mod?

Well without going into top secret matters the answer to your question is in your post.

Spiderj

Adult t-ball is on ESPN 4...we only get eight and up.

Originally posted by Mr Mxyztplk
If the moderators really were power crazed “Nazis” like some suggest, why is it that a thread that is essentially bashing them still open? All I know is that if I had the power to stop a conversation that was insulting the volunteer work that I do, and I could stop it I would. And that is probably why I will never be a mod. Yet the mods that we do have, allow this and have even taken part. Rationally defending them selves from yet an other baseless attack.

I agree.

Mods on internet forums often give a lot of their free time (voluntarily) to keeping the boards clean from unwanted intruders and unwarranted posts.

It's not an easy task, and not one that I envy.

People should respect the 'rules of the house' wherever they go, whether it's in real life or on an internet forum.

I think life on the 'net' would be a lot more chaotic and meaningless (and useless) without them.

We've all got to abide by certain rules in life. Why should the internet be any different?

We can't have a 'free for all'.

And we should appreciate (at least I do), that we are allowed to participate in discussions like these without any personal cost to ourselves.

Mods........all power to ya!!....erm.....figuratively speaking, of course !

Originally posted by Shar
Yes everyone does. I have seen over and over mods telling people not to call people newbies.


[edit on 11-4-2007 by Shar]

Uh, where? I have yet to see a Moderator say that... Hell, on introductory threads I have seen the blatant use of the word "newbie."

*cough*


ABOUT ATS: General ATS discussion etiquette

Originally posted by SimonGray
General Hints and Tips

Be nice. We're all here to better understand the various obvious and hidden influences on our often stressful world. Some members will have been researching these topics longer than others. Calling such beginning members "n-0-0-b", "n-e-w-b-i-e", or other derogatory names just because they're beginning their journey to enlightenment is generally frowned upon. (I'm so much against this vile practice I've applied a censor for the words, n-0-0-b = n00b)

Insulting new members using those names is bad. Mod's saying something like "Newbies ask for help here" is not insulting.

I have the power of a moderator, and use it from time to time.

Just about everything we do, and every action taken is discussed among all staff beforehand.

In the forums that cover politics and especially race do require more aggressive moderation.

We are tasked with keeping this a place where you can discuss just about anything in an environment where you can freely exchange your thoughts, opinions, information, links etc. So sometimes when the staff seem a bit aggressive remember they are working to keep this place a good experience for all.

I for one applaud all of my fellow staff members, they work very hard here, a labor of love, and its purely voluntary.

Actually, I'm just testing. I'm having trouble posting. If this works, please ignore it.

Thanks.
BH

Calling someone a n00b, noob, newb or whatever is only derogatory if its intended that way.

When you join a board you are a newbie. That's a fact. Everyone on this board was a noob at one point (yes, even the Almighty Mods of the Eighth Circle of Hell). To call someone a noob in way which just says 'You are new' isn't negative. Its only negative when you assume that because they're noobs they have no idea about anything and are idiots.

Uh, where? I have yet to see a Moderator say that... Hell, on introductory threads I have seen the blatant use of the word "newbie."

As you can see: Be nice. We're all here to better understand the various obvious and hidden influences on our often stressful world. Some members will have been researching these topics longer than others. Calling such beginning members "n-0-0-b", "n-e-w-b-i-e", or other derogatory names just because they're beginning their journey to enlightenment is generally frowned upon. (I'm so much against this vile practice I've applied a censor for the words, n-0-0-b = n00b)

Do you understand now?

www.abovetopsecret.com...

I think the moderators deserve utmost praise and congrats for putting up with all the drama that goes on here. They have took time out of their day to help make this board a better place and see that everything goes well. I still think that Abovetopsecret is one of the best moderated forums on the internet. Keep up the good work mods.

I just want to state that...

I love ATS.

This is the BEST board on the net. I've never met such a nice, caring and GENEROUS staff.

My true feeling is also that it's none of our business what the powers of a moderator are. They were chosen for the jobs and given the power, they don't own the board they work for it. The 3 amigos have the final say and it's their board we're just visitors here and we MUST play by their rules, bottom line.

I don't mind being called a boobie...

I like it when my threads are closed or derailed or even responded to. At least 'I' am getting a look in