Moderation

[AndyP & Lenore]

Over the past couple of weeks there have been a few threads which the moderators feel have stepped beyond what we feel is appropriate for newMINIScotland in tone and attitude. Not all participants have stepped over the line and only on a couple of occasions were actual moderation tasks carried out.

The moderating team at NMS (to be open and honest, particularly me) is being accused of "over moderation" by stifling discussions when they become contentious.

In the moderators forum we have accepted that "you can't please all the people all the time." Whilst this is true and we could simply rest back say, what the heck, nothing we can do about it, I'm sure all the moderators on NMS would agree that we are;

1. Human.
2. NOT infallible.

So, let's put this to a vote.

Is NMS "over moderated?"

Bear in mind, by over moderation, we are not talking of constantly asking people to fix typo's or moving threads around or banning people etc. We are talking about deliberately stifling debates even if they become contentious and argumentative in their tone.

This is a private poll, no one will see your vote.

A.

[EcosseGP]

Seems all fair to me ..

[Mon the fish]

I use this forum and MiniTorque. I very rarely use TotalMini, as IMO that is far too over-moderated - bordering on controlling, not moderating. That really puts me off.

This forum is somewhere in the middle of the two; I personally prefer the MiniTorque-style - that can allow some people to over-step the mark, however we're all adults and that forum, to an extent, is self-policing in that other users will bring loose cannons into line without requiring moderation.

However, from what I can see there is no need for any moderators on here to get involved. No-one has been overly nasty IMO. This site runs itself, and I see no need for moderators to get involved in daily posts, as nothing oversteps the mark IMO.

[Bazthemod]

I don't think moderation is the issue, although could be hard to tell unless the OP points out something has been removed etc.

I think the main thing is people are maybe too sensitive and need a thicker skin. I was guilty of this when I first joined here years ago... just gotta take it as banter and debate.

I think there has been underlying digs flying back and forward between some, and maybe this should have been sorted out with help of site admins etc. But im sure they tried.

[baptie]

I come on here every day and can honestly say I have never really noticed over moding inles highlighted as Baz states.
There a re a few threads that I have thought would have been modded but didn't.

It is very dificult to mod when the toys are out the pram.

On a few forums I go on the Sale section is closed to replies, all done via pm as this was an ongoing hassle due to 'comment', would that kind of thing help?

[Gismo]

I'm not gonna vote for the obvious reasons, but, i'm absolutely staggered to think that NMS is overly moderated, that is utter crap.
Moderating is editing posts, moving threads, requesting that folks stay on topic in certain areas, etc.

I don't want to influence the poll and any member should vote as they see it.

If a certain few folks are hell bent on creating flammable threads then i've pretty much left it ongoing, but, sometimes this gets just too far for NMS and the many members who do feel they are in a different environment step away.
Even the folks who think it's over modded complain that folks are reacting to their threads in a negative way, where is the thicker skin in that debate.

For every member who feels that members are being driven away it is often the result of forum bickering that causes it, not the modding of the posts.

Perhaps a forum for anything goes is required by those that choose to have their "fun" by slagging others would help keep the peace??

[Mon the fish]

Over-reacting and needing a thicker skin are the key things. If someone says something you don't agree with, just ignore it and move on. Sometimes people take things too personally.

But I don't think moderation on this site is an issue, unlike totalmini where posts get deleted without reason etc

[MINIme:)]

I don't see why I should have to develop a thick skin to be part of an online group. Being nice or at least polite is much...er nicer - and is always possible. If you develop that, it's a life skill that will always serve you well. In any situation. It's much more interesting to know what someone has to say when they say it politely. Strange how much more authority their words have too...

Anyway I expressed my full thoughts directly last night via PM.

[ianking]

One thing that I find strange is why some members (I think they might be moderators) like to have their names hidden at the bottom of the forum page so that it cant be shown if they are online or not. Whats the need for that, is it a form of over moderating? I dont know.
I certainly dont want to start an argument in here, especially as I have been posting on NMS pretty much since it got off the ground in 2003. Its just something that has come to my mind since this thread was started.

[Craig]

One thing that I find strange is why some members (I think they might be moderators) like to have their names hidden at the bottom of the forum page so that it cant be shown if they are online or not. Whats the need for that, is it a form of over moderating? I dont know.
I certainly dont want to start an argument in here, especially as I have been posting on NMS pretty much since it got off the ground in 2003. Its just something that has come to my mind since this thread was started.

I hide my status Ian, but just cos I can and for no other reason