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Policy Changes: How do you feel?
nthnclls:
--- Quote from: Priscellie on June 21, 2010, 12:03:24 PM ---The forum has gone through a lot of changes lately, like a teenager or caterpillar. Our goal is to stem the tide of unpleasantness that was choking the forum, making tempers flare and making the forum environment toxic. We're requiring that folks communicate with a certain level of civility and courtesy, and we're cracking down a lot harder on the kinds of crass, deliberately goading behavior and subject matter that seemed to be the root of the problem.
It's become clear that a number of you are uncomfortable with the actions of some of the moderators, but are afraid to speak up. That's not good. We want to make this forum a place where you can enjoy yourself again, not where you're living in fear of the Wrath of Mod.
If you have any suggestions on how better to accomplish this, or if you feel paranoid to bring up any topic at all for fear it'll be labeled TT, LET US KNOW. We thrive on your feedback. Share your thoughts here, or PM the mods if you'd rather your words be kept private. Snide remarks about the mods and admins without specific grievances will not be taken well. Constructive criticism, however, is welcomed, even if we end up disagreeing with it. We want folks to take an active interest in making this forum a better place. When folks whisper behind our backs, we can't exactly do anything to anything to remedy the problem they're whispering about, can we?
So have at it! How do you feel about the changes?
--- End quote ---
Honestly, I thought that the forum was very well run and more-or-less free of flames before the recent changes, although that's entirely a matter of personal opinion, and it's Iago's opinion that counts.
However, since the changes, I've only seen one thread-locking that I was a little weirded out by, and that's when a topic in the DF spoilers section was locked because they were arguing about very specific details. I'm still not sure why that was a problem, when the posters were on topic, even though they were getting very theoretical and delving into minor, almost insignificant details. It still seemed like discussion of the books to me, which is, afterall, what the section is for...I'll stop now before I go off on a rant. I'm sorry if this seems too snide, but I'm really not sure how to word it better.
Anyway, that raises the question (for me, at least) of how specific we are allowed to get, since I didn't see much difference between that thread and many others that have taken the same path.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not a mod on any site, nor have I ever been. Any site that has me as a mod would probably close within minutes. :P
Btw, are we allowed to name names on this forum? For example, could I have actually mentioned people's names in the above paragraph instead of saying "a mod" and "the posters"? I'm only asking because another forum that's pretty much free swinging is rather strict about no unwanted attention, and I sort of do it out of reflex now...didn't even realize it until I looked back at what I had written. :P
Kali:
I have noticed almost zero difference.
But I never was the type to go looking for things to get in fights over, and once I identified the drama-seekers and attention hos in the "old" forums, I was quite capable of avoiding them. I still continue to wistfully long for an "ignore" feature, but I soldier on womanfully.
The only thing I've noticed is a slight increase in some threads being relocated to boards that seem odd. Once in a while, I've seen a thread locked, was completely unable to determine why it was locked by reading the thread, and there was no explanation given. This may be uncharitable, but frankly I chalked it up to new middle managers flexing their muscles to prove they have them. I don't mean to be insulting really, it's just what happens anytime you get a new 'boss'. They get the job, make a bunch of changes, and after awhile everything settles down as the shiny wears off.
So aside from a slight increase in middle manager syndrome, and that merits nothing more on my part than a smile and a shake of the head, nothing's changed. All to the good, as far as I'm concerned.
Chiroptera:
--- Quote ---The only thing I've noticed is a slight increase in some threads being relocated to boards that seem odd. Once in a while, I've seen a thread locked, was completely unable to determine why it was locked by reading the thread, and there was no explanation given. This may be uncharitable, but frankly I chalked it up to new middle managers flexing their muscles to prove they have them. I don't mean to be insulting really, it's just what happens anytime you get a new 'boss'. They get the job, make a bunch of changes, and after awhile everything settles down as the shiny wears off.
--- End quote ---
Some of the threads in The Bar? If that's what you mean I think it's just due to the "rapid expiration" policy they've taken on the general chatter type threads. I think they lock them after a week, even if they are active. It doesn't mean anyone did anything wrong.
Paynesgrey:
--- Quote from: Katty on June 23, 2010, 01:07:24 AM ---So if we have complaints on your modding, PG, we send them to onlyelise? ;D
--- End quote ---
Actually, go to Iago and Co first, they don't scare me as bad. If you reaaaaaaaally get pissed at me, then tell Elise. And if she cheeses you off, report the hell out of her, just not to me.
she knows where I sleep.
Priscellie:
--- Quote from: Niccos Shadow on June 23, 2010, 12:38:29 AM ---If the general response is "This is the way it works, deal with it" and/or "It's ok for mods/admins because their forum experience is more stressful, deal with it". Then what is the point of asking for member feedback?
I understand all too well the work involved. I've seen and dealt with junk in other online communities that make the rudest post I've read here look like a pleasant conversation over tea (including stuff in TT). But I've never seen a forum/community where it was acceptable for the administration to break the same rules they were trying to enforce, regardless of how stressful or burdensome their task becomes.
There's nothing wrong with "Ok, this person was banned because <insert reason>". But there's a big jump between that and "Wow you guys are ignorant children. Stfu or i'll ban you... on second thought, I'll just ban you now!". That kind of thing is unnecessary and promotes the same kind of issues that the administration is trying to prevent. And it just plain looks bad.
--- End quote ---
Why are we asking folks for feedback? We want to clear the air. We want folks who are harboring frustration and resentment to come forward and speak their piece, and know that their concerns are being heard and taken into consideration. We may or may not change our policies, but the knowledge of what mod behavior triggers negative reactions in our membership may inform the way we go about our duties. And if we can help you folks understand our process, so you might have an appreciation of the complexity of thought and action that goes into our decisions, all the better.
I must say, though, I'm scratching my head over your last paragraph. Your perception of the level of mod civility on this forum is so wildly different from mine that I don't even know how to approach your complaint. Can you PM me with a link to the specific example to which you refer?
--- Quote from: Kali on June 23, 2010, 01:17:28 AM ---The only thing I've noticed is a slight increase in some threads being relocated to boards that seem odd. Once in a while, I've seen a thread locked, was completely unable to determine why it was locked by reading the thread, and there was no explanation given. This may be uncharitable, but frankly I chalked it up to new middle managers flexing their muscles to prove they have them. I don't mean to be insulting really, it's just what happens anytime you get a new 'boss'. They get the job, make a bunch of changes, and after awhile everything settles down as the shiny wears off.
--- End quote ---
That's part of the automated thread-cleanup initiative. Threads of a certain age are locked, then eventually deleted.
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