[Closed] Do moderators on this site moderate?

My opinion is that if they don't behave moderately (and imo some are not) they are abusing their position. I acknowledge that you disagree (educator).

Have to agree with that chain of thought....if he wants to carry on being as opinionated (and sometimes aggressive) with his views, he probably should give up being a mod. There have been a couple of posts recently along the same lines, so I'm not the only person with this view.

I think it depends what you describe as "argumentative, belligerent and pithy" and what the mods deem to be unacceptable. The thing is, a certain amount of that done in the right spirit is one of the things that makes this place great - it is when it is done in a negative way it is a problem (TBH I'm not sure Drac's post saying "it's not fine" is the most helpful, because clearly a lot of it is fine - I'm assuming there is a bit of background to this, but as we're not supposed to discuss specific moderation decisions..

And that is the problem. Trying to judge between a long winded discussion and utterly pointless petty arguing. Those who were banned for arguing took it to a level I could never reach, have the time to or even be arsed to do.

As I said we don't always get it right but we never ban for the sake of it. You've either had many warnings, broken a massive Cardinal Sin or a returning banned who refused to change their ways.
Have to agree with that chain of thought....if he wants to carry on being as opinionated (and sometimes aggressive) with his views, he probably should give up being a mod. There have been a couple of posts recently along the same lines, so I'm not the only person with this view.

Have to agree with that chain of thought....if he wants to carry on being as opinionated (and sometimes aggressive) with his views, he probably should give up being a mod. There have been a couple of posts recently along the same lines, so I'm not the only person with this view.

Again can you provide evidence to this and why was it not reported? Your the first person I'm aware of to express such views.

[quote=angeldust ]My opinion is that if they don't behave moderately (and imo some are not) they are abusing their position. I acknowledge that you disagree (educator).

So you are suggesting that mods shouldn't be allowed to post in the way that is acceptable for other people? I'm not sure I follow that train of thought - ISTM it is possible for the active mods on here to separate their two identities.

I should point out that I don't agree that he should give up being a mod because he is opinionated (in case that wasn't clear), simply that he is more important as a contributor IMHO (though I don't really know how much he does as a mod).

edit: though one potential abuse of power just occurred to me - presumably the mods can edit their posts for longer than 15 minutes after making them - I know I'd make use of that if I could 😉

Yes, I'm suggesting mods should have to be moderate if they want that 'job'. There is a big difference between generating discussion, and being deliberately antagonistic/aggressive.

Sorry, I just don't care about it enough to spend any time to dredge up 'evidence'. If that means you don't accept my opinion, so be it.

Also, don't you think there is going to be some reluctance to reporting a moderator? Potential for conflict of interest is huge. for that reason, I probably wouldn't bother.

[quote=angeldust ]Also, don't you think there is going to be some reluctance to reporting a moderator? Potential for conflict of interest is huge. for that reason, I probably wouldn't bother.

Really? You would have to assume they were corrupt for that to be an issue. Personally I wouldn't hesitate to report a mod - though personally I very, very rarely report for conventional reasons (I can only think of one occasion in the last year or so, involving direct personal abuse, the sort of thing I've never seen any of those mentioned even approach - hence why we're still asking for examples of what you're referring to).

For the record, I don't think I've ever reported anyone in ~15 years, which should give you an idea of how seriously I take this place. I'm not suggested a coup or anything! Just particularly don't like seeing people abuse their position.

Yet you can't give us an example.

This is most odd.

Anyhoo.. Regarding your point that mods should moderate themselves over and above that of other users.. Thanks for that input. I've considered it. And I don't agree. So it won't be happening. Shall we move on now?

Yet you can't give us an example.

It's not that I can't, I just won't. Because I can't be arsed. It's really not worth the time.

This is most odd.

You think? I disagree.

Anyhoo.. Regarding your point that mods should moderate themselves over and above that of other users.. Thanks for that input. I've considered it. And I don't agree. So it won't be happening. Shall we move on now?

Any reason why we should have to move on? I'm enjoying the discussion. I have no expectations of anything changing, just expressing my opinion.

Any reason why we should have to move on? I'm enjoying the discussion. I have no expectations of anything changing, just expressing my opinion.

🙄

Well, you sure are testing the tolerance towards argumentative, belligerent and pithy.

I'm finding your approach tedious and provocative. Have you always been like this, even with your earlier usernames?

I'm finding your approach tedious and provocative. Have you always been like this, even with your earlier usernames?

Which earlier user names would they be then? Genuine question.

If you aren't going to offer up any kind of support to your argument then it all seems pointless. Debate is meant to include evidence in the main - it's what makes opinions credible and not just made up crap on the internet for a reaction. If you want to debate the issue then fine. You've been challenged to come up with evidence to support your accusation of another forum user. It's odd that you are finding the time to continue to post and yet can't find the time to come up with the evidence to back up your assertion.

So, in light of that I'm going to call bullshit. You are making it all up for the sake of an argument - the definition of a troll.

Well, you sure are testing the tolerance towards argumentative, belligerent and pithy.

Ah yes, but I'm not a mod 🙂

Mark, in terms of finding the evidence of other people expressing the same opinion.....I assure you it is there, but I really think it would take me some time to trawl through the threads and find them. Sorry, just isn't going to happen. It takes me 2 minutes to post replies here, would take hours to find the above.

If that means you want to close the thread fine, but I hope you keep it open. Perhaps someone else will be able to find the posts in question.

That's fine. You are a troll. You are among many.

Thats unfair Mark. Check my long term post history...still think I'm a troll? Guess you are going to tell me you don't have time to/can't be bothered :lol:? Unlike you I will fully understand and accept that standpoint.

Cougar's "helmets" thread included a run-in with Three Fishes which perhaps justiifes the latter's comments on the previous page. No-one got banned though and I felt Cougar handled the opinionated-regular-poster/mod dilema fine. Judge for yourselves:

[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/helmets-must-be-removed ]Helmets thread[/url] - the only one I could think of without trawling and found using my own posting history in a couple of minutes.

Have you always been like this, even with your earlier usernames?

Spill the beans, old bean. I'm totally shit at this spotting this face-off style stuff...

Sorry, that's awful and uneditable now.

What I meant was who was Angledust's previous incarnation(s)...? And why keep returning once banned - don't get that...

Angeldust is a one-liner man who doesn't cause trouble AFAIK. Now if it were Ninfan... . 😉

a one-liner man who doesn't cause trouble

Ah. A man after my own heart...

Personally I wouldn't hesitate to report a mod

Me neither... 😀

My reason for asking was that angeldust claimed to have been on this forum for 15 years, which takes it back to its formative years, when I was also a member here with a different username.

Their profile suggests that angeldust joined in 2009-ish, so presumably had a different one before, as when I rejoined, my original name wasn't available and possibly something to do with the hack or whatever the issue was.

I was therefore applying the same thought process and wondered if I would remember their contributions from all those years ago.

Simple really.

Please mods, can I have my original username back please?

I used to moderate an airgun forum and the main problem was some people believed it should be child friendly despite having to be over 18 to join.
And when any subjects vaguely adult in nature were posted the above people would throw the toys out of the pram that there child might have read it.

I have had vaguely heated differences of opinion with both cougar and drac, and do not believe they abused there position. They just aired the opinion like any other member.

I have seen threads where members of the airgun industry have made cocks of themselves abusing disgruntled customers in the heat of debate on certain forums removed to save there reputation. Now that was mods abusing their power.

Mods are people too. 😀

Have to agree with that chain of thought....if he wants to carry on being as opinionated (and sometimes aggressive) with his views, he probably should give up being a mod. There have been a couple of posts recently along the same lines, so I'm not the only person with this view.

And don't forgot there are some moderators that don't have 'moderator' in their title...
They are amongst you... walking around like regular people... watching... waiting...

Teasel/slackalice, there is nothing to spill (sorry, very boring). I've been here since the beginning using the same username, but don't post much really, compared to many. Date only going back to 2009 is due to the hack I presume. Never been banned. Not sure why Mark is being super grumpy.

[quote=angeldust ]Mark, in terms of finding the evidence of other people expressing the same opinion.....I assure you it is there, but I really think it would take me some time to trawl through the threads and find them. Sorry, just isn't going to happen. It takes me 2 minutes to post replies here, would take hours to find the above.

Well if that's too hard, how about just some evidence for this previous assertion of yours - if it's a "large proportion" then it really can't be very hard.

[quote=angeldust ]If I look back at Cougars last 20 posts ( not going to in practice btw) I reckon I would describe a large proportion of them as being argumentative, belligerent and pithy, and not following 'stw expected behaviour'

[quote=angeldust ]Not sure why Mark is being super grumpy.

It's part of his job description - it says it right there next to his user name

Some of the moderation e-mails sent out were less than diplomatic. Recent ones have been civil.

Maybe it's just me, but if I was habitually receiving emails from the moderators of a mountain biking forum, I'd be having a word with myself.

It's just you. 😉

Speaking as someone who's been on here since 2003, I think the Modding now is the best it's ever been, handled with a light but deft touch that, as Cougar said, appears to be almost invisible to most users.

Completely disagree, goes to show you can't please everyone.

It's edu you're talking about there - I should imagine he gets lonely if he doesn't get one for a while 😉

All posts should be non-editable IMO, so that folk might think a bit before posting and we should also be able to click on a username and see all their previous names 😉

Other than that, this place is pretty much bang on, I'd say

(Oh, apart from getting rid of the share button, obvz)

scaredypants - Member
All posts should be non-editable IMO, so that folk might think a bit before posting and we should also be able to click on a username and see all their previous names

Other than that, this place is pretty much bang on, I'd say

(Oh, apart from getting rid of the share button, obvz)

*Shares*

It's the best moderated forum I've been on. But that might be in some measure down to the contributors.

But that might be in some measure down to the contributors.

Very much but there's always those who spoilt it. ^^

^^Reports^^

/bans

+lols+

You should probably ban me seeing as how I started the thread. And there I was thinking this was a cycling forum and could get some technical questions answered.

At least I'm out of hospital now

Sigh

[quote=scaredypants ](Oh, apart from getting rid of the share button, obvz)

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/singletrack-world-forum-e/cpgdlmbifgbhcoigdoeoooakijdionop?hl=en-GB 😉

<blocks>

Your post was removed because you called another user a naughty word.

*Wipes up*

Genuinely sorry CFH if it came across as bad.

Sorry about that, I didn't know that the 'T' word was naughty

😯

Did I miss something?

Good moderators & contributors. 😛

Good forum.

Think me nose is getting a bit brown ... 😆

someone called you a "Teapot" (I think)

To CFH.
I tried to email you but no link.

^^ 🙂

I've been called far worse than teapot! 🙂

No apology required, I'm sure!

Cheers CFH!

Cougar, my paranoia is effectively assuaged 😉 🙂

Well, this escalated quickly whilst I spent most of today writing a letter of complaint. Let's have a go at a few replies.

If I look back at Cougars last 20 posts... I would describe a large proportion of them as being argumentative [etc]... but that's okay because he is a mod?

I am as argumentative etc or not as any other user on the forum, but I don't get special dispensation. I'm frankly confused at your comments but, please, hit the Report-Post button next time I'm displaying non-STW expected behaviour, or call me out in public. Either I'm oblivious or you're talking out of the top of your head, it'd be handy to know if it's the former so I can do something about it.

My opinion is that if they don't behave moderately (and imo some are not) they are abusing their position.

You do realise that these are two different definitions for the same word, yes? I don't have to be a passive liberal in order to be able to delete inappropriate posts on an Internet forum, I just have to hold myself to the same rules as everyone else. Ergo,

adjective: moderate
?m?d(?)r?t/
1.
average in amount, intensity, quality, or degree.

--

verb: moderate; 3rd person present: moderates; past tense: moderated; past participle: moderated; gerund or present participle: moderating
?m?d?re?t/
4. monitor (an Internet forum or online discussion) for inappropriate or offensive content.

...

if he wants to carry on being as opinionated (and sometimes aggressive) with his views, he probably should give up being a mod.

There have been times where I've almost thrown the card in on a point of principle. But I don't really see why "having an opinion" should preclude anyone from being a moderator unless they were using position to win arguments.

If you've got an example of me ever doing that beyond either obviously jocular "don't make me get the hammer" quips or stepping out of User Mode with <mod> tags to address something else, tell me now and I'll resign.

one potential abuse of power just occurred to me - presumably the mods can edit their posts for longer than 15 minutes after making them - I know I'd make use of that if I could

Yeah, guilty as charged there. I corrected a typo a few days ago on a year-old post. I don't [i]think[/i] I've ever done it to change the meaning of something or other nefarious purposes though, it's mostly because my typing skills don't measure up to my inner pedant

don't you think there is going to be some reluctance to reporting a moderator?

Undoubtedly. But personally I have... issues and would welcome an external moral compass. See my earlier post.

Not sure why Mark is being super grumpy.

I expect it's because he's very protective of his team of unpaid volunteer moderators. (-:

How about some new mods to mix things up?
I vote Northwind.

I am as argumentative etc or not as any other user on the forum, but I don't get special dispensation. I'm frankly confused at your comments but, please, hit the Report-Post button next time I'm displaying non-STW expected behaviour, or call me out in public. Either I'm oblivious or you're talking out of the top of your head, it'd be handy to know if it's the former so I can do something about it.

Since I don't have the time or motivation to dredge up old posts, the next best course of action would indeed be to start using report-post when (or if) it happens again. Will I? To be honest probably not, as I don't expect a neutral, fair or unbiased appraisal based on the way some moderators behave....thus, whats the point? We clearly have different expectations of how a moderator should behave in order to be effective.

We've asked you to provide evidence, you can't. We asked you if you can report in the future, you won't. So if you accusations are correct and you say others have noticed then we can't change anything unless you give us evidence. Really why did you even bother making these accusations?

Maybe it's just me, but if I was habitually receiving emails from the moderators of a mountain biking forum, I'd be having a word with myself.

Worked for me.

I now see this thread as Moderator baiting.

Many have been banned for far less..

Many threads have been closed down on the same subject..

Makes me wonder why this ones still alive......

#Justsayin'

Makes me wonder why this ones still alive......

Light touch moderating.

^^ 😆

Been knocking around this forum for years now, and I think of maybe a handful of people that have been banned for good, and I think as users of the fotum we probably don't get to see the whole story most of the time.

The forum is one of the biggest MTB discussion sites in the country? I think, and the vast vast numbers of posts are friendly and informative, while not wholly down to the moderating, a measure of it's success (IMO) is down to them.

It's a long way from being overbearing, and from my perspective I can easily tell and understand the difference between when the named mods are Modding and when they are just being users.

There's a report post button. Use it, or alternatively, go for a ride.

I now see this thread as Moderator baiting.

Seems that way.

Many have been banned for far less..

They really haven't. Hold on you're not mod baiting are you? 😀

Many threads have been closed down on the same subject..

At times yes.

Makes me wonder why this ones still alive......

If we close it he'll claim a moral victory.

True, but there is only one winner.

Drac, Coug's, you know this place well enough....don't feed, it's simple.

It's worse than watching the swerving king troll in action.

True, but there is only one winner.

Me!

[img] [/img]

Hand on heart, the mods have the best interests of the community at heart.

It's a largely thankless task which is more difficult than people imagine - and the fact that they do it for free is remarkable.

Thumbs up mods.

*brownnosesmiley*

Moderation in action..

Anyone want to buy an iphone?

And now we wait...

Since I don't have the time or motivation to dredge up old posts

Bullshit you don't.

Takes minutes to have a look through a single users posts.

Shut up now, it's getting embarrassing listening to you try and wriggle out of it.

You've posted 20 odd times over the course of this thread. Plenty of time to do what you claim you don't have time to do.

I never realised what that moderator tag was for until this thread. I assumed it meant Cougar and Drac were considered to be mediocre, which I personally thought was being quite generous.

This thread was moderately interesting.

As an experiment, shall we withdraw the moderating rods and allow the reactor to go critical?

It's a reasonable name for the job description I think.

If there was no moderation we'd have a smoking hole in the internet where the forum used to be.

Pass the vodka, comrade.

I assumed it meant Cougar and Drac were considered to be mediocre, which I personally thought was being quite generous.

😆

Has the hammer been swung yet, did I miss it?

😉

In general the moderation is good. However the occasional abusing of the forum users is rather odd and inappropriate IMO.

As an experiment, shall we withdraw the moderating rods and allow the reactor to go critical?

It was tried. We got Fred. 😯

withdraw the moderating rods and allow the reactor to go critical

The [u]control[/u] rods absorb neutrons and are raised and lowered to control criticality.

But maybe you knew that and decided the pun was more important than the science? 🙂

Ok who let Homer Simpson in?