Forum moderation - proactive vs. on demand

Danny Jo

Danny Jo

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This should really be addressed to Dan Foley. I know that he has a difficult job to do, that he is young and keen, and that he needs to establish his authority early in his tenure.

But although he has not taken any steps (to my knowledge) with which I would disagree, I think his pro-active style might actually be counterproductive. I don't mean just that he has stimulated a number of "wind-up-Dan" posts; rather that he is making more work for himself than is necessary. In the pre-Dan days, intervention by the moderator seemed to be quite a rare event, yet the Forum managed, broadly speaking, to uphold its own ethos. Much of this was, I think, attributable to peer pressure, both stated and unstated. Many of those that stated their disapproval of errant behaviour risked being ridiculed as busy-bodies, but they were nonetheless reasonably effective. The moderator had to step in only in the event of the odd storm, and my impression is that in those circumstances the storm is brought to his attention by a complaint from a contributor.

So my advice to Dan is let the class run riot - they'll soon get tired of it and settle down. Hang back a bit and keep your powder dry.

(Edited for spelling mistake: ridiculted)
 
Hmm! Dan has hardly moderated at all compared to some moderation in the past by both Kim and Keith. Not to mention the forums being closed entirely at one point. Things blow up once in a while, and a period of moderation calms things down, removing threads that escalate things. Dan has done very well so far in my opinion, and I've seen the moderation that has happened over many years.
 
I tend to agree with that, i haven't seen much from Dan at all and only at times when things have gotten out of hand which has happened quite a few times this week...

It'll all die down soon anyway, always does /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Oh how I wish that could be! I'm on my own at YBW at the moment and so don't get to spend nearly enough time moderating the forums. That's led to some things getting out of hand and some serious problems arising.

Sadly letting people alone to their own devices does not always work...

Cheers Dan
 
I thought this was a boaty place.

I really am becoming bored by all this

Tell me about your batteries, ask about your anti fouling, talk about tides, or what about the tightness of your luff, single line reefing, even your ebersbacher heater. Even where do you get an M4 widget. What about something truly fascinating such as mildew on canvas and associated issues. Lets stick to the interesting stuff.

Or am I laying myself open to a torrent for suggesting we talk boats.

Seems pretty straightforward to me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hmm! Dan has hardly moderated at all compared to some moderation in the past by both Kim and Keith.

[/ QUOTE ] I sit corrected. It was only a thought, a conjecture. And as Popper pointed out, there is no shame in conjecture so long as it admits refutation.

Dan, keep up the good work, although I bet they aren't paying you for these unsocial hours.
 
after a period of moderation, we get no end of posts about moderation. Even after the events that have caused the moderation have gone away. They too, like the period of moderation soon die away.
The fact that it is so much commented on, shows how little active moderation goes on here, otherwise it wouldn't be such a discussion point
 
anti social hours is a real concept for people paid for a living. Most employers don't expect their staff to work out of hours for free unless they are in high stress high paid jobs. I bet ybw don't pay those sort of wages. Yet all the moderators we've had have been quite engaged in the forums and even the technical staff as well. When Paul Lomax was the techie here, the forums fell over one New Years Eve. I emailed him, and he was on the job first thing in the morning. Not a working day.
 
[ QUOTE ]
....... as Popper pointed out, there is no shame in conjecture so long as it admits refutation.


[/ QUOTE ]
I hear quite enough of that sort of stuff at work, thanks. I am not sure what Popper would have had to say about the merits of roller reefing Vs hanked on headsails but I suspect he would have been wrong.
 
HQR: Sir Karl Popper: Paradox of Science & Truth : IntentBlog
Let us follow the good advice of Sir Karl Popper above and keep QM for our HDTVs, ..... When sailing close hauled, there's a "sweet spot" right between ..
 
[ QUOTE ]
When Paul Lomax was the techie here, the forums fell over one New Years Eve. I emailed him, and he was on the job first thing in the morning. Not a working day.

[/ QUOTE ]

Brendan, that is quite sad, I'm sure most of us have better things to do New Years Eve (and Day) than bother with the YBW forum /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
many people were logging on to wish each other best wishes for New Year, even if only logged on for a minute or so. That was the community spirit back then. I guess it's changed.
 
Please stick around and pick up the atmosphere of the place a bit before wading in and telling us what we are and aren't allowed to post.
 
Freestyle I have a question for you. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Why have you started this topic in the Yachting Monthly forum?

Over the years I have been a subscriber to most of the magazines represented here and each one has it's own style and one expects to find some consistency of content.

Now I have only just started on these forums and have been totally confused by many of the topics being discussed and been made very uncomfortable by the offensive personal attacks which seem to be going on here.

I expected to find discussions about modifications, repairs and maintenance in the PBO forum. Sailboat cruising worldwide in the Yachting Monthly forum. Motorboating in the MB & Y forum and wooden boat discussions in the Classic forum.

I notice that there is a lounge section for all the general chat not related to boating. I have no doubt this was created to allow the people who spend a lot of their life on here to get to know one another and socialise, without cluttering up the specialist forums.

Well I for one would like to see topics in their natural position, so the type of moderation I would prefer would be to move all the general chatter to the lounge, so that those wanting to read about boats do not have to wade through a lot of drivel to get to what interests them. (not that this applies to your topic Freestyle, I just think it is in the wrong place)

Dan Foley asked for this I think and was ignored.

I think he should take a stand, because certain people are just posting a lot of useless rubbish, which we should not have to waste our time reading, unless we so wish.

I am expecting to be shot at, but only because the main offenders seem to have made the most posts and presumably read every thread. I expect they consider these forums to be mainly for their entertainment, whereas there are a lot of members out there.

My guess is that the silent majority will agree with what I have written here.
 
How is it that newcomers feel they must lay down the law on what should be posted here?

Would you go into of a yacht club you had just joined, go up to groups at the bar and tell them their conversation isn't boaty enough?
 
There are those who believe that 'community/peer pressure' is the best way to manage our communication, and those who believe we all need a firm regulator, for we're not old enough to manage it for ourselves. There's a bit of both going on here, at times. Libertarians vs authoritarians, I suppose.

A few days ago, I posted an idea ( Forums' fresh-image makeover - #1641807 - 08/11/2007 23:14 ) which has worked very well elsewhere in virtual space, for 10 years, and has attracted very favourable comment worldwide. Given the current febrile atmosphere, I thought its success merited some considered comment here. No such luck. "Niet! Niet! Niet!

One thing I find especially irritating about the present pattern is that, when a whole thread is deleted, there is no explanation, justification, or reason given. It just disappears.....


/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Sorry Snowy, just for clarification, how Long should someone like Ockle or I wait until we are allowed to post a opinion?

I agree with him and James..

Theres a lot of Bi**** slapping goin on in here that I dont understand.

Because these arguments seem to be between people who have been on here quite a while and have history, the relative newbies here feel bewildered and unwelcome.....Not a good thing.

Quite frankly its ruining the place, theres more interest in the MOBO and Lounge than here.

Ive posted this against my judgment, I thought that the comment you made was really offputting. If we want this to be a interesting place we need to encourage new contributors, not slam'em. IF Ockle reposts Id be surprised. Shame.

Lets all take a breath before we post, and ask if its really gonna settle this place down, or is just inflamatory.

Every person on this forum, no matter how new or old, should be encouraged to contribute... If you dont agree with something you dont have to reply. I cant help think that restraint may be a good thing right now....
 
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