Originally posted by LePaul
As far as new moderators go...
2) Let HTC select their own and allow said persons to remain anonymous. This would do a lot to avoid bias, etc etc
Personally I think this is the best choice.
IF HTC goes around asking people then folks that may not want it might ..run off at the mouth about it (for lack of a better term) that they were asked
So rather then HTC just nominate someone I think that HTC should request that those that are interested in the duty Send them an Email stating as such and then they could pick whom they want out of the bunch. And reply with a pleasant "no thank you" for those they decide against.
Then it truly can remain anonymous.
And I think it SHOULD be anonymous
Obviously all Mod should have to work under some sort of rules and guidelines.
Remaining anonymous being one of them.
Others might include not being overzealous with their powers.(letting it get to your head) and abusing your position.
Violation of either should be subject to immediate and permanent loss of MOD status
Any mod will have to keep in mind that your not going to be able to please everyone. Some people will always find something to complain about.
But they cant be too permissive either.
It would be a delicate job to find the right balance. Not putting the kabash on every little thing that might bother someone yet not letting things get too out of hand either.
Since nobody can be monitor everything 24/7 Mods should also be required to notify each other of potential problem threads to specifically keep an eye on to make sure things dont get out of hand
Mods should have editing & thread killing powers only.
A mod could possibly recommend a banning or submit a poster for review to HTC but.
Any Banning should remain the sole power of Hitech,Skuzzy etc.
And even submitting a poster for such action should not be taken lightly or on a whim.
I dont think users should be limited only to paying customers.
IMO there are too many worthy posters that even though I may have strongly disagreed with them at times, deserve to be here. And do contribute to the forum.
Again IMO it makes poor business sense to make the boards exclusive to paying members only. The idea is to attract people so they might be interested in the game and not shut them out of an exclusive club.
Disclaimers might not be a bad idea in several forms.
A disclaimer for the board itself. With so many people from so many countries, widely varying cultures and backgrounds from literally all over the world it would be both impossible and foolish to think that everyone is going to be on the same page all the time. And quite honestly I think it would become pretty boring if they were.
Disclaimers used by the posters themselves such as "Warning not work safe" or "Warning contains disturbing images," , etc., for things such as links that probably wouldnt go over well in the workplace.
Not to say that would make it ok to post pornography. It still wouldn't be.
But there are some things that one might call "fringe". Not really kosher for the workplace but too good not to share.
This would also put the power of choice in the readers of the forum that there might be something there they may not wish to see and thus take away any complaint they may have about what they did see. If you dont like horror or gory movies you dont go see Friday the 13th then complain it was scary or gory.
It would also give these same people a legitimate complaint if a warning is not given.
This allows users a bit of lattitude(within reason) in their posts which is needed IMO
And also allows to not look at something they dont like if they choose. Which is also needed and makes it fair to everyone.
If a mod has any questions on such posts he/she should simply submit it to Skuzzy, Hitech, or Pyro for a final thumbs up/down.
On reading through this thread I've made a few observations.
Some that actually surprised me.
By and large the people that frequented the OClub want it to stick around even with it faults.
The (and Im using a word I normally dont like to use in reference to this game or boards) "Majority" of people that did frequent the boards were far less bothered or offended by and are far more tolerant of what was sometimes said to them then they often let on.
There are people here who on first look one would think are mortal enemies. Yet they truly like each other of not each others opinions.
Some but not all of the naysayers. That is those saying good riddance to the OClub probably wouldnt be happy no matter what way it was worked out even if total peace broke out and people all took a make love and not war stance.
The people that complain about the boards numerically are in a very small minority. Not that some of the complaints arent valid. Its just that there are so few who actually do.
Most people here really do want free speech to a certain extent. Even if they are vehemently against what is being said. But the majority of people agree there are certain lines that shouldn't be crossed.
Those lines are made pretty obvious. Not by any forum rules but by the users themselves as to what is tolerable and what isnt. though they sometimes dont voice it in a way that makes themselves look any better.
And not so suprising there are some, but really very few who will never learn no matter what. They seem to thrive on becoming a problem for everyone like a child that feels they are not getting enough attention.
Well, those are my suggestions,ideas,thoughts, observations & ramblings.
I am sure I could come up with more and probably spend a few days writing a bill of rights of sorts but I at some point tonight would like to actually play this game.
That point is now .
sorry for the wall of text
and for those that made it this far.
Thank you for donating the time you wont get back LOL