Help Me Moderate

[scalzi]

I've noted some complaints about certain topics (mostly political ones) devolving into the sort of name-callery and rudeness I would personally like to avoid here.

Here's the thing: I check in every day, but I don't always read every thread or post. So if you see something going on that you feel is going beyond the standard range of discourse, it'd be helpful if you gave me a head's up. You can do that pressing the "report this post" button (it's the triangle-shaped button with the exclamation mark in it). That will draw my attention to the thread, and if I think people are being a little dickish, I'll tell them to quit it (and if they keep it up, I'll take other measures).

Bear in mind I believe in giving people a lot of leeway in expressing opinions, so I may not respond to every complaint. But especially when the attacks get to the ad hominem level -- people start whacking on each other, other than on the ideas expressed -- I want to know about it.

I'm happy to moderate and keep things on a conversationally even keel, but again, it's not going to happen unless folks let me know when they see trouble. So, you know. Let me know when you see trouble. Thanks.

[zizban]

I am willing to be a moderator, should you ever need one.

[Lauren]

Does this bulletin board software come with a built-in disemvoweller? I enjoy that feature on Making Light.

I ran a bulletin board for our underground network at the Cal State University campuses many many years ago, when dinosaurs roamed California. When there was trouble, my only choice was to delete the post - I couldn't even block a user unless I called the computer center at his campus and had the workroom attendents break his fingers so he couldn't type. I will admit that I didn't have to do that too often. Our underground network was actively frowned upon by university officials but every single workroom across all the campuses had two or three workroom attendents that belonged to the network.

[Random Michelle]

Bear in mind I believe in giving people a lot of leeway in expressing opinions, so I may not respond to every complaint. But especially when the attacks get to the ad hominem level -- people start whacking on each other, other than on the ideas expressed -- I want to know about it.

I'm happy to moderate and keep things on a conversationally even keel, but again, it's not going to happen unless folks let me know when they see trouble. So, you know. Let me know when you see trouble. Thanks.

Thank you!

I've been reluctant to post on some of the more interesting threads, because I just don't like getting called names or having my many fine personal qualities commented upon in a derogatory manner. Well, even if they aren't fine qualities, I still don't like dealing with abuse in my recreation.

And although I have a history of being a moderator going back to BBSes, no way am I volunteering here. I no longer that masochistic. ;)

[scalzi]

It doesn't disemvowell automatically so far as I know, but it's a simple enough procedure, and for Whateveresque, I think I'm more likely to do that than simply delete, which is what I do on Whatever.

[Nathan]

Yes, but when you delete, you always do it with such artful panache...something like "deleted because Mr. X has become a hideous arse-candle"

[Christian]

I'll tell them to quit it (and if they keep it up, I'll take other measures).

Can we have public shamings? In fact I'd vote for a special "Public Stocks" thread, where badly behaved Whateveresquers have to crawl through broken glass on their hands and knees, begging to be un-banninated.

[Nathan]

Christian,

You're gonna get such a smackdown for that one. LOL

[ora]

Many boards have notify/report buttons on each post that message the admin/moderators. Given the volume of traffic is still reasonably low here, if you can get such a button for phpBB (I know VBulletin and SMF have them) that might work.

[scalzi]

Yes, there are such buttons on each post. I am encouraging people to use them when necessary.

[Janiece]

John, thanks for bringing this up and volunteering to spank the extremely rude. Like Michelle, I've been staying away from some topics because it's just not worth joining the discussion if it's going to immediately devolve into "Your Mama's a gay, gun-toting, Hillary-loving Arse-Candle!"

[zizban]

I never discuss politics on the web anymore, Just too much angst.

[Nathan]

Janiece,

You've made some punctuation errors. Please allow me to correct them for you.

"John, thanks for bringing this up and volunteering to spank the extremely rude, like Michelle."

You're welcome. :D

[Random Michelle]

Janiece,

You've made some punctuation errors. Please allow me to correct them for you.

"John, thanks for bringing this up and volunteering to spank the extremely rude, like Michelle."

You're welcome. :D

That's it. Next story you're gonna meet a large hirsute woman named "Bubba."

[Janiece]

Nathan, stop stirring the pot. Or meet the Shovel of Doom™.

[Cindi in CO]

Nathan, stop stirring the pot. Or meet the Shovel of Doom™.

Don't let her scare you Nathan, she's all talk. ;)

[Janiece]

Cindi, you can be Shovel of Doomed, too.

[Zalandris]

I wouldn't mess with her people, the Shovel of Doom only drops off Illidan in Black Temple Super-Heroic. It is truly a legendary weapon.

[Cindi in CO]

I wouldn't mess with her people, the Shovel of Doom only drops off Illidan in Black Temple Super-Heroic. It is truly a legendary weapon.

It's okay, Zalandris, I can run really fast, and I've got about 6 inches on her as well. :D

[Random Michelle]

Mr Scalzi,

If I may make a suggestion, perhaps a flame war thread or section might be useful?

It would be no holds barred, say whatever you want AND if someone gets out of line, their post can be redirected there. It won't be deleted, it will exist completely, but it won't be disrupting a serious thread.

Also, it may be fun for people who just want to goof around. So not only can we go tell someone they're a giant poopy head and their logic isn't logical, we can also construct elaborate insults for our friends as well.

Just a thought.

[Janiece]

I wouldn't mess with her people, the Shovel of Doom only drops off Illidan in Black Temple Super-Heroic. It is truly a legendary weapon.

It's okay, Zalandris, I can run really fast, and I've got about 6 inches on her as well. :D

You can be replaced, you know.

[Cindi in CO]

I wouldn't mess with her people, the Shovel of Doom only drops off Illidan in Black Temple Super-Heroic. It is truly a legendary weapon.

It's okay, Zalandris, I can run really fast, and I've got about 6 inches on her as well. :D

You can be replaced, you know.

Probably, but wouldn't you be really, really bored with a different sister?
Besides, who's funnier than we are? :D

[Janiece]

Probably, but wouldn't you be really, really bored with a different sister?
Besides, who's funnier than we are? :D

Nobody, apparently. Since we crack us up.

[Cindi in CO]

Probably, but wouldn't you be really, really bored with a different sister?
Besides, who's funnier than we are? :D

Nobody, apparently. Since we crack us up.

I know I'm laughing.

[zizban]

Anyone got a spare sister? I could use a new sister.

[Nathan]

I've got three of 'em. If you don't need them to leave their husbands, they might be available for some added sister duty.

[zizban]

No, I don't want to break up any homes. I am just sister challenged.

[Random Michelle]

No, I don't want to break up any homes. I am just sister challenged.

I don't have sister either, if it makes you feel any better. Though I'm well practiced at *being* a big sister.

[Lauren]

Wouldn't you know it! I've been trying for 42 unsuccessful years to give my sister away. Finally, an opportunity opens up to trade her away, and darn it, I found out this weekend that she's finally grown up to become a nice person. I just can't give her away when she's finally become fun to be around.

Another opportunity missed.