Moderatoration

[knoba]

Why would a member want to become a mod? What's in it for them?

I'll leave the question of any financial re-numeration out of it, but, it's the other reasons that intrigue me. Wozzaaah, reached 4000 posts and was (deservedly) made up to a mod. Is this my fate if I'm responsible and reach 4000 posts? I don't think I would like being a mod! I wouldn't want to balance having fun, with being a leader type example. And then there's the personal time it devours, the commitments, the responsibilities...

Hitch recently stated that;

Hitch

Moderating is always a difficult and thankless task, you get accused of moderating too much, then not enough...

Why would anybody want to do it then?

A feather in the career cap?
Simply; to help others?
What motivates a person to want to be a moderator...???

While I'm on the subject; what's in it for the owner?
Why build the site?
Does an owner get any personal "free time" at all?

I love this forum, all the members, the banter, the fun, the subjects, the education, helping other's... all quite selfish stuff really. I know why I'm here. The mods & admin make my indulgences possible. ...why?

Answers on a postcard please...

 

[rtbcomp]

We all get a lot of FREE benefit from forums on the web and helping them run smoothly is a way of saying "thank you."

I didn't apply to become a mod, I never even considered it until Malcolm asked me and then the thought intrigued me so I thought "why not?" It may be something to put on a CV, but at my age that's acedemic.

There is no renumeration, neither is any sought, although Hitch and I did get a free can of easing fluid off Malcolm.

 

[malcolm]

I'm not sure anyone does actually want to become a moderator. We kind of talk them into it, and once they've agreed it's too late.

Though it does give more involvement with the forum, an opportunity to change and influence things more, and when some spammer posts rubbish on the forum there's never that frustration of having to sit around waiting for a mod. Also there's the free beer from the executive bar, and we are thinking of knocking into the private forum to make space for a bigger swimming pool.

The question why would anyone want to become a moderator might assume a definition for Moderator which is off the mark. Paints an ugly picture of a forum full of disruptive members all battling away expecting a magical authority figure to smooth things over. Some other forums can actually be like that which is one of the main reasons this forum started.

On this forum all the members are working together for the good of the forum, so moderation tasks can be things like moving the occasional post so it's more likely to get a good answer, or helping to sort or compile information to make the forum a better resource.

Mainly we just join in and enjoy the forum with everyone else. After all that's why we're all here.

 

[dutchman]

I reckon the moderators learn a lot about managing people while moderating as well. And I must say they do a good job at it! They are there, intervene at the rare occasions necessary, but you hardly notice them as a Big Boss / Headmaster. I like that style and think quite a few managers can learn from Malcolm's approach.

 

[GeorgeB]

My own view, for what it's worth, is that no moderator on any forum should be a very active participant. This can, and sometimes does, result in a conflict of interest. The best moderators are those who respond to the occasional need to intervene but otherwise stay out of it, making very few posts. This is easiest to do where the moderator is an employee of the organisation behind the forum, I guess, and is simply paid to do a job, rather than being particularly interested in the subject of the forum. But, of course, that's not always possible so you do get conflicts of interest.

 

[Wozzaaah]

I understand what you're saying George, I have tried to stay level-headed on here since I joined, most of the time I think I've succeeded although once or twice I may have been caught up in things during the heat of the moment .
Hopefully me being a moderator won't change things, just because I now have a little extra 'power' won't mean I'll be using it on a regular basis, this forum pretty well looks after itself and I hope it always will. I won't suddenly sprout another head and come across all power hungry, I'd lose too many good friends on here if I did that .
There may (and most likely will) come a time when I have to have a quiet word with someone about their behaviour but it will be just that, a quiet word and it would have to be a pretty substantial incident for it to come to that. I don't relish the time when it happens but I know that's part and parcel of being a moderator.

 

[knoba]

I'm not asking anyone to justify the authority models. More sort of curious about what personal rewards the role may/does bring to each person (whether on this forum, mod, or not). ...and I am just asking. If anyone feels like choosing not to answer - that's completely OK.

We all get a lot of FREE benefit from forums on the web and helping them run smoothly is a way of saying "thank you."

I didn't apply to become a mod, I never even considered it until Malcolm asked me and then the thought intrigued me so I thought "why not?" It may be something to put on a CV, but at my age that's acedemic.

There is no renumeration, neither is any sought, although Hitch and I did get a free can of easing fluid off Malcolm.

Are you saying that "it comes around and goes around" rtbc? Do you find any added benefits; now, that you didn't see initially? Has it allowed you to re-define yourself?

Malcolm

[a moderator...] Paints an ugly picture of a forum full of disruptive members all battling away expecting a magical authority figure to smooth things over.

I wasn't implying / suggesting that of this site. Quite the opposite. I'm asking here because the membership is straight talking, experienced and knowledgeable. I was kind of after what motivates a person to be a mod and what do they find rewarding about it. And the same for a forum owner too...

I realise there's very little money in it, but then, it begs the question; "why do it in the first place?". To be fair though, I do think you owe Wozzaaah a can of duck-oil, Malcolm.

dutchman

I reckon the moderators learn a lot about managing people while moderating as well.

...managing people is a benefit?

No... you're right! I can see it; it is a self-rewarding, educational, perk of the job. Everyone gives good input here and there is a lot of good info available... It is a magnificent forum!

GeorgeB

The best moderators are those who respond to the occasional need to intervene but otherwise stay out of it, making very few posts.

I totally agree, but, that's another of the things that doesn't seem to gel with me about the role. All the mods, here for example, have a lot to offer in the subject's of the threads themselves, but, being an authority figure, necessarily, places some added responsibilities. In some ways mods can't be seen to make mistakes. The ability to make mistakes, however, is important to our continual growth, and can be a lot of fun too (if they're done right... ). What would/does a person get out of it?

Wozzaaah - I don't think anybody believes you're a dictator type (marching around the living-room, with a towel on your head, barking orders). You automatically have everybody's confidence. You are a natural choice. I think someone would have to push you pretty hard for you to lose it. Otherwise a very considerate & reasonable fellow.

 

[snowcat]

Just curious Malcolm, what do you look for when picking a moderator?? Im sure post count means little, as some of us may have been picked long ago, and in the words of the cap'in, thank Jehovah for that!!......

I'm sure like you say no one wants to do it but they become railroaded, In much the way I became treasure of a local club for a few years (another thankless job)

level headed must be one, but there must be others that you look for.......

 

[rtbcomp]

Are you saying that "it comes around and goes around" rtbc? Do you find any added benefits; now, that you didn't see initially? Has it allowed you to re-define yourself?

I suppose it's give and take, no extra benefits, never given t5he last point a minute's thought.

 

[malcolm]

Just curious Malcolm, what do you look for when picking a moderator?? Im sure post count means little, as some of us may have been picked long ago, and in the words of the cap'in, thank Jehovah for that!!......

There's no check list, and I'd not ask people to be a mod as a reward for a great contribution to the forum, otherwise there would be many more mods and we'd need more swimming pools. Also it would be bad for all of us to be completely alike, so we'd probably be looking for different things every time. One fairly important consideration is to try to pick moderators that everyone (without a single exception) is going to be happy with. You are stuck with the admin though.

More sort of curious about what personal rewards the role may/does bring to each person (whether on this forum, mod, or not).

Difficult question. I can't think of any direct personal rewards in being a moderator. It is often difficult and normally it's a thankless task. Though it's allowed me to redefine myself as a nasty evil git which is a useful trait in any properly balanced character. (I'm going to have to make sure that pool is heated and maybe put in a water slide from the brew room).

Though a society based solely on personal gain isn't a society. (That's a dig at governments and media, but not a dig at the majority of actual people who mercifully prefer to keep on doing their own thing).

Forget admin and mods, every member who sticks around on the forum is giving more than they receive. And a lot of extra hard work (by the members as well as by the mods) goes on unnoticed. The real rewards are here for everyone to see.

PS - mods have to work for the free can of duck oil. It's not something that's just given out willy-nilly.

 

[GeorgeB]

I understand what you're saying George, I have tried to stay level-headed on here since I joined, most of the time I think I've succeeded although once or twice I may have been caught up in things during the heat of the moment .

Wozzaah - good luck with your new role. This must be one of the nicest, most civilised forums I know so I hope it's more like becoming a teacher at a school where most of the children are well behaved, rather than at some inner-city trouble spot. Even though I've had a couple of threads moved and been slapped on the wrists for allegedly being a bit too enthusiastic about my arc welder, I still think this is a great place. Long may it last.

 

[snowcat]

My own view, for what it's worth, is that no moderator on any forum should be a very active participant. This can, and sometimes does, result in a conflict of interest. The best moderators are those who respond to the occasional need to intervene but otherwise stay out of it, making very few posts. .

Ermmmm thats that rule broken woz

 

[Sparkey]

Ermmmm thats that rule broken woz

Boohoo! so i can forget about ever being a mod too then....

 

[Wozzaaah]

Ermmmm thats that rule broken woz

What do you think the chances are of me taking a back seat and not participating? I'd say very slim!

 

[Drains]

One fairly important consideration is to try to pick moderators that everyone (without a single exception) is going to be happy with.

Well how come you picked that goody-two-shoes-mister-nice guy-never-have-a bad-word-to-say-about-anyone Wozz? Can't stand the bloke meself. Makes you sick, all that flannel and sicky sweet yeugh stuff. Bleugh.

 

[rtbcomp]

Well how come you picked that goody-two-shoes-mister-nice guy-never-have-a bad-word-to-say-about-anyone Wozz? Can't stand the bloke meself. Makes you sick, all that flannel and sicky sweet yeugh stuff. Bleugh.

Don't be shy Simon, say what you think

 

[Ratty]

Well I think that Mr Drains man is exceedingly rude and should be banned immediately.

 

[Archie]

Well I think that Mr Drains man is exceedingly rude and should be banned immediately.

Nah. He's just saying what we're all thinking.

 

[Sparkey]

Hmmmm, how long will it take him to show up?

Hi Ratty! how are you?

 

[Ratty]

Hi Sparkey
Feeling my age..actually feeling a lot older than my age (but not acting it)