O'club discussion

[JB88]

"my prescioussssssssss."  

- the future nash.

[BTW]

>> I feel like the O'club is a big fishing tournament where people compete to see who can get the largest and most heated response to their posts.
<<

I think anyone interested in the survival of a forum like the O'Club could help change the culture so it isn't a fishing forum. I mean even the innocent jokes/posts applauding obvious trolls probably hurt the forum.  Everybody can do ther part in making it understood trolls are no more revered than whines or infantile melt downs.

[Sandman]

Hmmm... in defense of the troll consider this...

Member A posts an honest opinion that happens to be 180 out from the rest of a group. Member B considers this opinion to be tantamount to (pick your crime) and rather than argue the point decides that the best method is to resort to ad hominem personal attacks on Member A.

or...

Member A posts an opinion that he doesn't necessarily believe in but he knows that Member B will throw a rod after reading it.


Which sounds more entertaining?


If you don't like trolls, don't feed them.

[Chairboy]

...and maybe if people would stop posting 'IN'.  This gives the trolls validation.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

A possible option is a second identity for the moderators. Yes, there are those who MIGHT be able to figure out who they are, IF they were so unwise as to do anything other than edit/delete/lock with a posting of the appropriate rule that was violated. By the way, I'd strongly suggest they refrain from making the above mistake.

It would give the moderators an identity, so that they could be SEEN, and recognized, without affecting their "regular life" on the BBS and in the game.

It is sort of a compromise, giving both transparency and a shield.

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by Pyro
We at HTC will have to further discuss about whether we think anonymous mods would be better or not for this forum.  My preference is not for anonymous mods but HT or Skuzzy may feel the opposite.  My feeling is that if the turnaround of this forum depends on that detail, it ain't going to happen either way.  So, I'd just prefer to keep things in the open and clear.  It makes communication a lot easier.

I dont think the tunraround of this forum would depend on that detail at all. I do agree with you on that point.

But I do think it would offer the Mods a certain degree of protection from unneeded abuse from those that wont like being edited. And we all know there are going to be those that arent going to take kindly to being edited.

I myself typically as a ruleprefer to keep things in the open also. Which is why I dont have a seperate handle here then I do in the game and many other places (Anyplace you come across the name "Drediock" on the net there is a strong chance its me.)

But for example. If I were a mod I wouldnt want people in fear or awe of me elswhere either. which would also be a concern for me personally
 And if I were playing the game for example I would want to be able to play the game without having to constantly hear about being a Mod or whatever is going on on the boards. Or be harrased by someone for moderating them.
I dont hold grudges but that isnt necessarily true with everyone.
I'd prefer to keep the two seperate. I think others might feel the same way as well.

[JB88]

i think that the comment that was made earlier was the best one so far....moderators 'moderate'.  they do not get involved in trolls or debates.

tenure does not neccessarilly mean wisdom either.

[Roscoroo]

Originally posted by DREDIOCK

But for example. If I were a mod I wouldnt want people in fear or awe of me elswhere either. which would also be a concern for me personally
 And if I were playing the game for example I would want to be able to play the game without having to constantly hear about being a Mod or whatever is going on on the boards. Or be harrased by someone for moderating them.
I dont hold grudges but that isnt necessarily true with everyone.
I'd prefer to keep the two seperate. I think others might feel the same way as well.

Exactly

[GreenCloud]

Paying...Playing costumers ONLY on BASE ..IN the O Club; )

[RightF00T]

On another forum I visit often, anyone is allowed to register but you have to have made a certain number of posts before you can post IMGs and have an avatar, sort of like a probationary period.   There exists an option to make a donation and the member immediately receives IMG and avatar rights.
   
 I believe there should be a period either based on time or post count where a new member should be limited to everything but the O'Club.  I'm betting this would cut down on the unnecessary 1-post trolls while at the same time, giving forum newbies incentive to be helpful in other forums.  I'm not sure if that option is available in the UBB software but I'm just throwing out ideas here.  
   
On the issue of donation amount, I believe it should be >$1 but definitely under $5.  I know some will scoff at the idea of making money off of a forum, but I figure time wasted moderating could be offset by revenue supplied back in.  

Moderating:  We all know the O'Club isnt the only forum that can get out of hand.  With that said I propose moderators be appointed for most of the heavily traveled forums, giving preference to those that have the most knowledge or relevance to a forum.

Example:(Fabricated names for our purpose)

TrainingVet1, TopRankedAce1 appointed to Help and Training

InternetGuru, PCConnoiseur, Skuzzy: Technical Support

HTC employees, 4YearCustomer: Gameplay Feedback

RandomVet2, TopRankedAce2: General Discussion

Skuzzy, CollegeDebater, BillMaher6969:
O' Club

With this method, considering the moderators would hopefully have expertise in each forum, they would ideally have a pretty good idea of what is appropriate for their particular forum.

Deciding on unbiased, but assertive moderators is the key in any of this working.

[rpm]

Originally posted by Chairboy
...and maybe if people would stop posting 'IN'.  This gives the trolls validation.

I disagree. "IN" is a sort of selfmoderation in it's self. It shows, without going to the extreme, that something that is likely objectionable to the board as a whole has been posted.

I agree with the nominations of Nilsen, Nash and Sandman. All are very intelligent and, for the most part, very level headed. None of them have ever flamed anyone that I can recall.

Some obvious things that should be reason for moderation:

Pron

Flames

Trolling

Vulgarity


Some obvious things that should NOT be reason for moderation:

Intense heated debates (as long as they do not turn into personal flaming)

Mild adult language (as long as it does not turn vulgar, we all know what and where the line is)

Personal opinions (political, religious or otherwise) that do not agree with that of the moderators (unless they become flames or vulgar).



We need to remember that this is a worldwide forum, not a local, regional or USA only forum. A bit of openmindedness is required to be a moderator and it should be a quality that is within each of us that post here. You also have to have a sense of humor.

Remember, you do not have to read, respond or comment on a topic or post just because it is there. Just like listening to the radio or watching TV, you have the option of changing the channel, ignoring it or simply turning the dang thing off. This is not Salem. You do not have to dunk the witch to see if she floats or drowns.

[Hangtime]

Wow.

Like watching 'Birth of a Nation"...

Gents, if yer gonna go with self moderation; fer cripes sakes, like government, keep it small. Quorum tops, three is best.

One 'user' mod has gotta take lead.. have the respect of the board and the other mods. Toad, take a bow..

Next yah need representative eyballs and brains for the other two. Extremists if yah will. Nash, laz; take bows. If yah need euro time zone coverage Saw's a good pick. Nils is probably gay, so he's on the list too.

Keep it small, keep it simple.

Move threads into a hiatus private forum for quorum/HTC review before being docked or deleted. Threads with questionable topic/content transgressions can be returned to the O'club if considered fit to be continued or 'dissapeared ' by HTC. Locked threads with all the damge done and left up tend to fester. If it's fit to be 'locked' just get rid of it...

Lastly.. did I mention keep it small, keep it simple? The larger the mod base the more likely nothin'll get done while you wordy weenies wrangle worthless whining.

"yer honors, I so beg.. for the people.. for the o'Club!!"[/b]

I can't wait to see the new mod team is so I can annoy the hell outta 'em.

[Chairboy]

The real key to making something work is finding something that cheap to implement.  Time is money.  Elaborate schemes to set up 'levels of review' and 'quorums for comment' and parliamentary procedure will kill this thick olive branch that the folks at HTC are extending.

Keep it simple.  Keep it fast.  And most importantly, keep it within the realm of what can be activated in the UBB setup with minimal effort.  Eg, toggling a setting.

Stop looking for the perfect solution.  Quality is the enemy of production.

I'm guessing that Pyro is looking for a 'fire & forget' solution.  Picking a handful of trusted (or at the very least, not crappy) moderators is that solution.  

We need to self govern, take care of our own problems, and keep O'Club from spilling out into the day to day business of running a WWII game.

[Hangtime]

Quality is the enemy of production

I'd like to rip that to shreds.. if it's worth doing; do it right. Best talent in the business runs this company.. surely implementing a private 'squad' of moderators with 'move thread' abilities to their private forum is a cakewalk.

As for final review, I'd assume HTC would like to retain the final call on what's ban/delete material at least while the team gets settled.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Hangtime
[BNils is probably gay, so he's on the list too.[/B]

oh stop it you you stud!... you make me blush.

wanna dance ?

dont be shy now..




And Steve ... love you too