CONFESSIONAL thread (ANONYMOUS so tell us the juicy stuff!)
- Thread starter Holdfast
- Start date
Well, I've had problems with two MODs myself, but both skirt just outside the rules, so I can sympathize with the newbie.
Was it actually following or was it just a coincidence that the mod posted in those threads?
I find it a bit hard to judge this one without any evidence.
It's really hard to see the poster's perspective without any context.
It's really hard to see the poster's perspective without any context.
That situation would definitely deserve a PM to the moderator in question. Nothing antagonistic, but a straight-forward "I'm confused as to how I crossed the line, can you explain your thinking, please."
I have noticed that the mods can be more strict here than at other sites I visit, but I don't necessarily blame them for it. It can sometimes come out looking like they are being rude to newbies when that's not really the case. For example, if a newbie brings up a complaint in MA, very nicely, non-confrontational and all that, but didn't follow the MA rules exactly, they will get called out on not PMing the mod and the thread is immediately closed. It may seem harsh and some may say, well they were new and nice about it, cut them some slack. And that would be great if we could, but if you cut someone some slack, even a new person who didn't know better and didn't mean harm, everybody is going to expect some slack. I have witnessed it several times here...a mod tries to be understanding/nice about things because they are human and realize that everyone makes mistakes, and then they get all of the trolls and flamers on their ass expecting the same kind of treatment. Saying things like, "well to be fair you have to do this for me too! Why are you playing favorites??"
Oh it's all so complicated! My point is that it may seem like they are being mean to newbies but really they just aren't cutting them any slack (this isn't always the case, but sometimes). I wish they could, and I bet they wish they could, but you have to be strict to prevent the "that's not fair!" calls.
Oh it's all so complicated! My point is that it may seem like they are being mean to newbies but really they just aren't cutting them any slack (this isn't always the case, but sometimes). I wish they could, and I bet they wish they could, but you have to be strict to prevent the "that's not fair!" calls.
Well, in one instance with a MOD via PM, I asked for clarification or something on what I was getting a warning over, but the MOD got quite pissy about it, nasty in reply.
Then another instance about three years back I would guess, I was accuse -- I dont' recall the details well enough to completely clarify -- of doing something again or harassing a member. Tried gettign clarification from the MOD, MOD refused to clarify. I could never get an answer for what it was I did, I even assumed at one point maybe I was being confused with another member.
Then there was another instance where my warning said I had been warned multiple times, when in reality I never received a single PM, never saw any comment in any thread -- confusing to say the least, and at the time appearently there was a comment about what I was doing (other members were doing it too) in some random thread -- like I read every post in every thread. If it had simply been in a set rules for the oard stickied at the top, or gotten a light warning telling em to mind, problem would have easily been solved.
That emcompasses about half the troubles I've ever gotten myself in since joining the board. So, about once a year I manage to get into some shit.
Then another instance about three years back I would guess, I was accuse -- I dont' recall the details well enough to completely clarify -- of doing something again or harassing a member. Tried gettign clarification from the MOD, MOD refused to clarify. I could never get an answer for what it was I did, I even assumed at one point maybe I was being confused with another member.
Then there was another instance where my warning said I had been warned multiple times, when in reality I never received a single PM, never saw any comment in any thread -- confusing to say the least, and at the time appearently there was a comment about what I was doing (other members were doing it too) in some random thread -- like I read every post in every thread. If it had simply been in a set rules for the oard stickied at the top, or gotten a light warning telling em to mind, problem would have easily been solved.
That emcompasses about half the troubles I've ever gotten myself in since joining the board. So, about once a year I manage to get into some shit.
Things have changed a lot since I first joined this BBS back in 2002. This was before the "Great Purge," and I remember at least having the rank of Captain at one point and had to start from Cadet/Ensign again.
Anyway, as I recall, most people (mods and regular members alike) seemed nice enough. One time, a poster got on my case because I started a brand new thread on the series finale of Voyager, saying I should've just posted on the other open threads, which I didn't know about. A moderator then advised me in a very friendly and civil way that discussions on the same topic normally stayed in just one thread. I found it refreshing that a mod was even friendlier than one of my fellow BBSers who apparently had been around longer than I and got all huffy with me.
Then again, I remember having an unfriendly encounter with one of the mods in the Fan Fiction Forum (it wasn't RevdKathy at the time) and I was charged with posting something inappropriate.
I didn't pursue the matter and make a big deal out of it. Back then, it seemed the mods were a bit more strict and almost had a hair-trigger response to posters who didn't abide by the rules and guidelines for posting. Things were a lot more Draconian back then.
Most of the Mods I've dealt with have been nothing but friendly, diplomatic, fair, and polite.
Anyway, as I recall, most people (mods and regular members alike) seemed nice enough. One time, a poster got on my case because I started a brand new thread on the series finale of Voyager, saying I should've just posted on the other open threads, which I didn't know about. A moderator then advised me in a very friendly and civil way that discussions on the same topic normally stayed in just one thread. I found it refreshing that a mod was even friendlier than one of my fellow BBSers who apparently had been around longer than I and got all huffy with me.
Then again, I remember having an unfriendly encounter with one of the mods in the Fan Fiction Forum (it wasn't RevdKathy at the time) and I was charged with posting something inappropriate.
I didn't pursue the matter and make a big deal out of it. Back then, it seemed the mods were a bit more strict and almost had a hair-trigger response to posters who didn't abide by the rules and guidelines for posting. Things were a lot more Draconian back then.Most of the Mods I've dealt with have been nothing but friendly, diplomatic, fair, and polite.
I'm going to agree with you, there, though I'll emphasize most. A couple mods have been a bit huffy with me, but it's mainly because I've either been in the wrong or they were sick of hearing about the particular issue. There's also been a couple whose ears were bent by their SO's, but even they have gotten a helluva lot better.
Alright...I've read everybodys post and I'm just going to take the liberty and consolidate it all into one sentence. I'm sure everybody is fine and dandy with me speaking for them. Most of us have felt persecuted by the Mods at one point or another -- unless you're a complete ass kisser. You musn't take it personally...even if it feels that way. Any person mod or no that would follow you around and post after you has issues. Just chalk it up to that. And no you shouldn't let them discourage you from posting on the board... FUCK THAT...then they've truly won then haven't they? Ok so it wasn't a sentence it was a paragraph...I'm chatty.
PM me the details, I'd like to see what's going on.
Or if you wish to be anonymous, send the thread link to Holdfast and he can just give me the link to the thread or threads without me knowing who sent it and who is involved. I can see if I see anything going on.
I think I have a pretty good idea who this confessor is. One needs only look around the BBS, say, like the 5th floor corridor, Hufflepuff Tower.
Now say that in muggle-speak
Philistines.
. It was my failed attempt at Harry Potter humor/analogy. AJ, check your PM.
Excuse me, but if AJ checks his PM, shouldn't he keep that PC and on the QT? Because if it leaks to the VC, he could end up MIA and we'd all be put on KP.
Excuse me, but if AJ checks his PM, shouldn't he keep that PC and on the QT? Because if it leaks to the VC, he could end up MIA and we'd all be put on KP.
Yes, but only if the CEO gets PO'd. LOL
I don't think I've experienced that here either... it took me a while to get into the swing of things - which is to be expected posting as a newbie when theres a majority of posters who know each other better, or are used to each other. But generally it was friendly - and I'm not the easiest person to get along with at times
As for mod stuff... I've been/am mod or admin on several forums, some of which were quite heated, but like this one they've all had the private mod forum to discuss stuff which tends to cancel out personal feelings by working as a group. But as said, they're not a hive mind and I don't know how they address things in there...
...but generally this is a pretty busy forum. Some things get missed (we all have lives and jobs, the mods don't live here) or maybe from a personal view you can't see where your comments were wrong, while others weren't targeted (as far as you're aware - you can't see the others PM's).
I've never had a warning publicly or via PM (that I'm aware of) but if I did, I'd check to see why and if I disagreed I'd merrily discuss it. It's the internet, not to be taken serously.
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