Can We Get A New Mod In The Other Forum????? - Diesel Forum

VH_OU812 · 10-14-2003, 11:26 AM

Everything seems to be a "bait thread" according to Kevin. Getting a reaction to a comment is called a discussion. This is how we learn things and have debates. And now he closes a thread, then he opens it back up, then he closes it again. Maybe it's time to let someone new take of the other forum.

kreynol2 · 10-14-2003, 12:01 PM

Whenever a poster puts a statement such as "liberals do this" or "conservatives think that", that is usually a blanket statement that simply starts out a food fight. I'm sure some folks actually enjoy such threads, but that is not what the Other Forum is for. Consequently, I close them as soon as someone starts onto that tack. Invariably, they lead to venting and shouting.

As to the thread in question, I saw that the thread was a speculative thread. I had closed off an earlier thread because it was speculation that was leading to bashing. In the past, if I closed down a thread for a given reason and did not close down a second similar one, I would receive a bunch of vicious emails about my supposed bias, how I was inconsistent, etc. So, I closed down the thread in question.

However, looking at this one thread more closely, I saw that it had some redeeming qualities. There were some posts that put what I consider bait out there, but the bait was not taken. Maybe the Forum had gotten the message. So I reconsidered and reopened it with the message that if a baiting post was made, the thread would be locked. I couldn't do anything about the other posts as I was out of town when they occurred, but I could make certain that nothing of the sort occurred in the future. So I left the message about re-opening.

Bait was then thrown and the thread duly locked, as promised.

I want to point out that being a moderator, I could have chosen to delete both posts, reopen the thread and just not mention anything but I decided to be upfront with the people in the Forum, admit that I might have acted too hastily, and apologize. None of that was required but I felt I owed it to the folks down there. Now, that honesty is seen as something objectionable. Oh, well.

Debates are fine, as long as they stay on the issue itself and don't wander into areas that have almost invariably led to rhetorical food fights. Some may think that is fun, but I don't think that the Other Forum should become the food fight forum, as it was becoming. Topics can be discussed without the baiting and catcalling and until I am notified otherwise, I plan to ensure that this occurs. That may feel a bit constraining to those members who like to engage in these battles, but until told otherwise by the site owner, that is how I plan to proceed.

Swany · 10-14-2003, 12:26 PM

Since I've been around this site for a couple years, I'd say that the moderation is pretty good. Bait threads are obvious, and for the most part they are picked up. How many times have things slipped by the moderators then everyone whines about bashing or start bashing other members.

My sentiments have always been that if you don't like it, then remove yourself from it. This is a family site and has been run as a family site. For the most part, the "other" forum has been given a lot of freedom in expressing a multitude of topics.

Kevin's moderation has been straight forward, hasn't been directed toward any one individual and he will also indicate why a thread is being locked, some moderators just lock without reason.

I feel the moderation of this site is on the mark.

SmokeyWren · 10-14-2003, 12:32 PM

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Can We Get A New Mod In The Other Forum?????

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No.

Kevin is doing an outstanding job. I'm glad he's there. You should be too.

Kevin donates hours and hours of his free time as a volunteer - unpaid - moderator. And what thanks does he get? *****in' and moanin' about doing exactly what the WebMaster has asked him to do. I'll bet that makes him feel all warm and fuzzy and loved! Don't you think so?

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

rheaman · 10-14-2003, 12:36 PM

Oh boy, here we go again. We are all entitled to an opnion, here is mine.

I really wish we would leave the moderators alone. Can you imagine what the forums would be like with out moderators? (shudder)

In his ongoing effort to be fair, yesterday Kevin went against his first instinct and reopened a thread he had previously closed only to close it again out of necessity. Should have trusted your gut.

We don't need another moderator in the "other forum" we need to give the one we have a friggen break. I figure Kevin is on Jason's @#$% list as it is. I just can't believe anybody would ask to be a moderator in that forum [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

I think it would suck to be a moderator. You spend more time reading crap you don't particularly want to be reading and are doing more for the site and get less appreciation for your efforts.

Before you start calling me a kiss @$$ consider this. I know none of the moderators. I sure as hell am not bucking for the job. The only thing that is in it for me is my FREE use and enjoyment of this site. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bleh.gif[/img]

So I say if anything, kudos should be given.

caveman · 10-14-2003, 12:42 PM

Very well said RheaMan. But then you have a way of speaking the truth.

I see some of our fine members, mods, and even Jason agree. That should tell somebody something.

VH_OU812 · 10-14-2003, 12:57 PM

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Count yourself lucky that Kevin is moderating it and not me or a couple of our other moderators. People who've been here for several years will recall that I was much more strict when I was moderating everything. Kevin does a great job in my opinion and is very fair.

Jason

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You say he's doing a great job yet you say you would be more strict??? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] That sound like he's not doing it up to your standards. I think all of you mods need to lighten up. A good thread seems to get closed just for the slightest thing.

Larry M · 10-14-2003, 01:16 PM

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Can We Get A New Mod In The Other Forum?????

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No.

Kevin is doing an outstanding job. I'm glad he's there. You should be too.

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I've been off since early this A.M. (retired military medicine is a great value except for the time factor), but boy do I ever agree, I don't know how Kevin does what he does as well as he does it.

I spent 20 yrs in the military and the last 13 in retirement and have never been involved in the civilian sector and might well be able to count on one hand the number of minutes I have engaged in many of the type discussions that go on in the "Other" forum, so I don't think I want be mucking around (and that's what I would be doing for the most part) down there very much attempting what I consider an almost impossible moderation task or this forum here would have 95% of the TDS traffic complaining about my "Other" moderations.

Keep up the great work Kevin, I appreciate it both as a moderator and as a TDS member.

My nickel's worth [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Larry

mhardin · 10-14-2003, 01:43 PM

Kevin does a great job at a thankless task. Thanks Kevin!

Mike

4cstr · 10-14-2003, 01:55 PM

I have always lived by the rule when I was a passenger in a vehicle...and thats the driver has 51% of the vote. Same goes for this website. I own no part of it and overall probably contribute very little to its success...so...Jason has at least 51% of the vote of what is allowed...disallowed...etc. Ifn you don't like it, you can have your site dues back...oh wait...we don't pay any...and find another site in which to whine, complain and dig at the moderators.

I for one think that Kevin...as well as all the other mods are doing a good job. Well. I kinda think that Larry is slacking off in the linking department...but retired folks tend to slow down [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]I get enough of the BS at work, I don't want/need/require or desire it at a site I use to relax, learn and hang out with.

Dave

TTLS · 10-14-2003, 05:27 PM

As an infrequent visitor, and an even less infrequent poster to this site, I gotta go with the majority and say "give Kev a break". This site has evolved over the years, and as it has become more mainstream and visited, the moderation has needed to become more and more stringent.

A majority of posts that were allowed in the past in the "Other" forum really no longer fit the demographic of this site.

"Hows that you say???"

Well the way I see it as an outside observer, basically the owners are steering the site towards more of a "public/professional" oriented site, instead of a good 'ole boys, cheeky, back of the bar, enjoy a brewski or two with yer buddies before you go home, type of site.

There are plenty of other corners in the web where one can "bait", "bash", and be as cheeky or imbecilic as they like. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] (I'm not as good with big words as Kevin is....... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img])

Eventually, I see the "Other" forum going away. Or it's focus changing. Now let me also say that I didn't agree at first with the new direction the "Other" forum was taking, I liked the way it was. But now I can see why it has become more and more "moderated" than it has in the past. It simply has to. It's the old "camel's nose in the tent" proverb, and like I said before, there are plenty of other corners in the web to find that stuff. I have seen how it can scale out of control to the point where sites become completely worthless.

If you wanna find out the truth about something, you don't look in the National Enquirer. That is what the "Other" forum can become (as well as "General Diesel", but that's another discussion), without moderation.

Lastly, Kevin is just doing what the owners of the site want, so if you have a beef, take it up with them, they give the moderator's their marchin' orders.

That's my $0.02 on the subject FWIW.

KRMNAL1 · 10-14-2003, 05:35 PM

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Well. I kinda think that Larry is slacking off in the linking department...but retired folks tend to slow down

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ya know I was thinking the same thing......what gives Larry [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

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I get enough of the BS at work, I don't want/need/require or desire it at a site I use to relax, learn and hang out with.

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your right the money there. I use this site as a relaxing way to learn new things and not just about Ford trucks. I like being able to meet new people and especially trying to put a face on some of the outstanding and not so outstanding personality's (sp?) portrayed through the posts they put on the Other forum (although I still cant figure out a face for the RheanMan yet [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]) all I want to do is be able to read different opinions and ideaologies without it resorting to a bunch of F you's and your a this that or the other. I admit that sometimes we get caught up in the heat of the argument and slip off course and it is a highly skilled and overpaid moderator that comes in and puts us back on course or just closes the course. either way I take no offense when one of my statements gets one closed down. I have even emailed a couple of moderators and appologized for my poor choice of words [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

a moderator on this site has told me to consider ourselves lucky that he was not doing the moderating because atleast 90% of every thread would be locked [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] so count me in as one the guys that thinks Kevin is a fair and even tempered mod who at times can be strict but it is my opinion that a buch of threads were closed as a sort of a "sting" operation to get people to calm down on the political name calling. maybe similar to a police speed trap once people get the idea of the cops being there all the time they automatically slow down.

however I do disagree with Kevin when he says that the term "Left wingnut" and "right wingnut" is a personal attack on someone. I think it is just a friendly little jab at one another with no malicious intentions [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] but he is the hall monitor and I'm not so I guess I play by his rules or dont play at all, right [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Believer45 · 10-14-2003, 06:01 PM

One problem I see with getting another moderator in the "other" forum is that nobody else will put up with what Kevin puts up with. I have been "moderated" and still say that I believe Kevin does a GREAT job.

As I have posted several times before, this is not a democracy. Members do not have voting rights. This is Jason's house, Jason's site, Jason's domain both legally and morally. I appreciate the site, the way it is run and the job the moderators do to keep things on track. When I visit Jason's house I abide by Jason's rules, even if they are not my rules.

Thanks once again for a well run, enjoyable, 99.9% non-offensive site (a very rare thing indeed on the internet).

This is me getting off my soap box.

Dave / Believer45

Larry M · 10-14-2003, 06:44 PM

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Well. I kinda think that Larry is slacking off in the linking department...but retired folks tend to slow down

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ya know I was thinking the same thing......what gives Larry [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

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Now wait just a minute there LOL [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] You "Other" forum bottom feeders J/K [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] must have missed ...

 TODAY's POST

 YESTERDAY's POST

 LAST WEEK's BEST

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however I do disagree with Kevin when he says that the term "Left wingnut" and "right wingnut" is a personal attack on someone. I think it is just a friendly little jab at one another with no malicious intentions [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] but he is the hall monitor and I'm not so I guess I play by his rules or dont play at all, right [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

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All the rest of this is JMVHPO (i.e. the P is for Personal and not as a moderator) ... In a very general sense I tend to agree, but only in smaller more tight groups. With such a large readership "someone" will always takes exception to labels such as that, or attempted friendly jabs between two members (remember this is not a private conversation, but a public forum) and then someone else has to comment, etc. etc. and all of a sudden the thread is as I like to call it is "headed for the weeds" where the original subject will get or has already gotten lost. Things like this even happen in the "Technical" forums, but are often more of an entrenched emotional/loyalty nature. I had an instance of that this A.M. where I spent almost 30min trying to sort out what to do in a thread where the subject and help being asked by the originator of the thread got so way laid and "out in the weeds somewhere" that I deleted almost 1/2 of the thread to get it back on course when I first saw it at around 4AM this morning. This thread had 40 posts in a 5hr period (that's one post every 7min [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] ) between around 10PM last night and 3AM this morning ... not my prime time to be here [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] I think all of us have to remember that our main concern is to help or provide viable opinions in the "Technical" forums and in the "Other" forum to "Discuss an Issue" by making non personal points of view or fact or "help give viable opinions" and not to poke, prod, or try and get in the last word. All this has to be done in an atmosphere of civility and still have an enjoyable and at times fun experience here at TDS. My favorite fun thread before I became a moderator was the one on "how old you had to be to be a PSD owner" ... "25 as I remember" ... I still chuckle at that one which I think Smokey finally rightfully axed and think called it silliness which it was [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]. In a contentious discussion I usually try and give it my best shot and then quit unless I can provide a reply that has somekind of back up other than what could be considered JMO.

Just like this thread, this will be me last post since I've had my say (twice now) and that's enough for anyone to endure IMVSO [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Larry

**KINGTUT** · 10-14-2003, 08:00 PM

Let me add another twist to this tale, heres my take old K boy went a Turkey hunting........did'nt kill a damn thing, did'nt even see one, or saw a bunch of em and could not hit one.... Came back home all PO'ed and opened his pirates chest of locks...............and used them on a bunch of "Turkeys" that hang out in the "Other" forum, and bagged a few, swigged one and said to himself, I knew I would kill some turkeys "one way or the other"............................ [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bleh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bleh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bleh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bleh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bleh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]