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Oldtimer
11-11-2010, 04:53 PM
How moderation is done on this board

Board Standards

1. How do moderators determine what to do? Is it based on personal opinion?

The moderators uphold the board standards as outlined in the faq:
http://www.redpatchboys.ca/forums/faq.php

Obviously, there will be some questions of interpretation in individual situations, and how to apply the standards will evolve over time.

For example, article 1 bans bigotry. About two years ago, some members said that the use of the word "gay" as a put-down was troubling to them. So since that time, that phrase has been excised from the board. Similarly, restrictions were put in place for off-topic posts on politics or religion (http://www.redpatchboys.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=20632 -members only), this March. These are an evolution of the standard,and shows how the application of the rules changes over time. While we learn from experiences, and develop how we apply the standards, we try for consistency between moderators, and significant decisions are discussed beforehand (see below).

2. What type of things do the moderators do when there is a problem?

Most of the time, a warning or a PM to the person breaking the rules suffices. Sometimes a post will be edited or deleted. If further escalation is required, an infraction may be given (3 infractions results in a 30 day suspension). Beyond that, temporary or permanent bans may be issued for persistent or serious infractions. Individual mods do not give infractions or suspensions without discussing it with other mods first (the exception might be at 3 AM with one mod on duty, in which case it will be reviewed later). We are in constant communication with each other over situations, pointing out problem threads to watch, etc.

3. I had a brilliant thread, and it's been closed! Whazzup?

Threads get closed for various reasons. Some examples:

* The number 1 reason why a thread gets closed is due to it duplicating another thread. If there is a thread already existing on the board that covers the subject, even if your thread is from a slightly different angle or makes an important point, the new thread will be closed or merged.

* The thread might be fine, but some other users are turning it in an ugly direction. With experience, the mods get a good sense for when a conversation is heading towards a violation of article 3 (personal attacks, malice). If there have been personal attacks, the thread may be locked, or if the conversation is heading towards that situation, the mods may preemptively lock a thread. Threads can be unlocked, and you can appeal for that to be done (sometimes after a cooling-off period for those involved).

* Off-topic threads will be locked or moved (article 5).

* A thread may also be locked if a topic is no longer relevant (for example, ticket trader for a game already passed).

4. Someone insulted me! What do I do?

You can report a post to the moderators by clicking the exclamation point icon under the offender's name. The mods will discuss and decide the issue, looking at the context of the conversation as well.

5. I was unfairly penalized!

All mod decisions can be appealed to the moderator team leader. If unsatisfied, all mod decisions can be appealed to a board administrator (jabbronies, Boris, or RooneyRPB).

6. Do moderators lock threads/infract/edit out posts because they personally disagree with what was posted? What should I do if I don't know why a thread was locked?

Short answer to the first part: no.

A recent story will illustrate. A user on our board posted an idea for protests against MLSE. His thread was locked because it duplicated another thread. At that point, he could have PMd any moderator to ask why the thread was locked. He would have discovered simply by asking that he could have posted his material in the continuing open thread, regardless of whether anyone agreed with it: it would stand or fall on it's own merits. Instead, he jumped to conclusions that his thread was locked because of personal disagreement, posted comments attacking the moderator who carried out the locking (which was actually a group decision), which posts then got deleted and got the user banned. So unnecessary, when he could have simply asked a question! So... the moral of the story is: if you don't know why an action was taken and need to know... ask (via PM)!



Mod Team set-up

7. Is the moderator team leader "boss" of the moderators?

Our team is like any of the other teams (membership... banners... tailgate... etc.). The moderator leader is responsible for the smooth functioning of the team, and making sure that things get done, but he is not the "boss." We work on a "collegiate" model: significant decisions are group decisions, we discuss everything.

8. It seems that the moderator team leader is the one locking so many threads. Is he particularly hard-line?

Each moderator can only moderate in one, maybe a couple of sections of the board. If they see a problem in another section, and they don't have mod powers in that area they ask for help. Only the moderator team leader and the board administrators can moderate all sections of the board, and it is often the moderator team leader who answers the call.


Moderator Standards

9. Are there guidelines on moderator actions?

Moderators are asked to try to not moderate discussions in which they are involved. Another moderator can give much-needed perspective. Obviously there may be exceptions.

Further Questions or Comments

Feel free to PM me if you have further questions or comments.