Damned if you do, damned if you don't - Why did you become a mod?

[partyweb]

I know you do a sterling job on this forum, but I was wondering why folks here become mods? What I mean is that as the job is unpaid and very time consuming what do you get out of it?

Is it the same feeling that someone may get from donating their time and efforts to a charity, local school, or other worthy cause?

Without getting into too much personal details I'd be interested to hear also from those that had a go at being a mod for a while but stopped. What made you want to be one and why did you stop?

[la gran siete]

I know its not a job that I'd fancy . I'd be too liberal for starters so -respect!

[kendoll]

masochistic?

Thankless job! People have a tendancy to voice displeasure rather than support with most things these days.

I think they all do a good job, and should get a Thanks every now ang again.....so..... Thanks guys and gals!

[Blackbolt360]

I became a mod first in the LCD forums as I was spending a lot of time there while choosing my HDTV and after buying it I spent even more time discussing settings with other owners. I volunteered to be a mod because I like the forums to be kept clean of hatred and smart arse comments.

I also now mod the Microsoft Gaming forum as I spend some time there too. The only thing that drives me to continue to be a mod is my utter zero tollerance for evil in any form, that includes right down the bottom end of the scale with bad attituded people who ruin it for others. I really don't like people who think they're better than others, bullies and arrogant people. Being a mod means I can prevent such people from becoming a nusiance.

This is why I like being a moderator, because I can help keep the scum bags at bay.

[Lezman]

Originally Posted by Blackbolt360

I became a mod first in the LCD forums as I was spending a lot of time there while choosing my HDTV and after buying it I spent even more time discussing settings with other owners. I volunteered to be a mod because I like the forums to be kept clean of hatred and smart arse comments.

I also now mod the Microsoft Gaming forum as I spend some time there too. The only thing that drives me to continue to be a mod is my utter zero tollerance for evil in any form, that includes right down the bottom end of the scale with bad attituded people who ruin it for others. I really don't like people who think they're better than others, bullies and arrogant people. Being a mod means I can prevent such people from becoming a nusiance.

This is why I like being a moderator, because I can help keep the scum bags at bay.

Blackbolts doing an excellent job too. The gaming forums are never the most impartial of places when it comes to posters.

[Ian J]

Many people who have benefitted from the community here are willing and able to give something back by helping out with the moderating. Most of the time it is just routine housekeeping by moving threads that have been posted in the wrong area or deleting duplicate posts etc as it is only a relatively few forums where tempers get frayed.

The most difficult areas to mod are HD Players and the gaming forums where there are always a few fanboys intent on spoiling it for everyone else, The classified forums where the mods have to be alert for anything that might "not be quite right" and of course General Chat where half of the people think that they should be able to post what they like including stupid or offensive posts whilst the other half disagree.

In a typical day I will open my PM box to find one PM thanking me for moderating in an even handed and dispassionate manner and another telling me that I'm a jumped up Nazi in love with the sound of my own voice and both are probably referring to the same thread.

Oddly enough General Chat is a good place for "sourcing" new mods as if they can handle themselves well here they can cope with anything.

[Nimby]

Ian J is my hero.

Love xxx

[mason]

Originally Posted by Nimby

Ian J is my hero.

Love xxx

youve taken that too far

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by partyweb

I know you do a sterling job on this forum, but I was wondering why folks here become mods? What I mean is that as the job is unpaid and very time consuming what do you get out of it?

Is it the same feeling that someone may get from donating their time and efforts to a charity, local school, or other worthy cause?

Well sometimes I ask myself that, but as the forum and some mods in particular had been helpful to me in many ways in the past (and still do) its my way of giving something back.

I have to admit on some occasions (99.999999%)it does make me happy to help someone out, on the other hand it can be a royal pain when making decisions on post that really should have not been posted or better worded. Some people take it on the chin and even apologise, some don’t and get abusive, but for those that do appreciate what you do it more than makes up for it.

[Nimby]

Originally Posted by mason

youve taken that too far

Everybody needs an idol.

I think it must be the beard.

[Yemeth]

Hmmm, I guess Im just the type of person who likes to follow the rules and make sure everyone else does.

I was on the LCD forums for quite a while, before and after I bought my first LCD tv. Every once in a while, I'd spot the odd post and thread that made me say to myself, this is the wrong thread, offensive post etc., but there was nothing I could do about it. Next thing you know, my name gets put forward for modding in the LCD forums, and up to now, Im enjoying the occupation Thanks Blackbolt!

[h4rri]

Originally Posted by yemeth

Every once in a while, I'd spot the odd post and thread that made me say to myself, this is the wrong thread, offensive post etc., but there was nothing I could do about it.

Ditto bud. Might earn my stripes one of these days

[Stephen Wilde]

I enjoy a rational discussion (argument ?) and so started contributing on the climate change thread since I have a long term interest in the subject.

Ian J asked me to be a Mod and I was rather doubtful but nevertheless had a go.

Mostly it's not too burdensome but it really does constrain your own available responses if you also contribute vigorously to a thread.

There are people who are aggressive, bullying and difficult but it's no good applying a disciplinary action if it might be seen as personally motivated.

Often making a good point is met with no answer save for a personal attack and a Mod has to just swallow pride and take the hit.

That said the majority of contributors do seem to have a respect for the Mods and it is possible to get respect from some of the difficult contributors with a mixture of carrot and stick together with the showing of respect to them from time to time.

Still trundling on with it but it is a fine balance as to whether it is worth the effort.

[Singh400]

Originally Posted by Ian J

In a typical day I will open my PM box to find one PM thanking me for moderating in an even handed and dispassionate manner and another telling me that I'm a jumped up Nazi in love with the sound of my own voice and both are probably referring to the same thread.

LOL

[Simian Sibling]

Originally Posted by yemeth

Hmmm, I guess Im just the type of person who likes to follow the rules and make sure everyone else does.

I think I am the same.

Personally, these forums have given me advice, bargains and a good laugh and I am glad I am in a position to give something back. Also I find it amazing that a stranger that only know me through these forums would think I would be suitable for the job and I am gald I have made a good impression. I understand some people are going to like us and some won't but that’s life, I think I am big enough and ugly enough not to take it to heart.

I enjoy it and hope I keep doing it for some time to come. It certainly has opened my eyes to how forums work and what hard work volunteers put into making it run smoothly.

Just my thoughts on this.

Ben