How to Moderate in a Fair and Consistent Manner

[SMOKE 1,426]

The report button, while a noble idea, has been a failure. I have had several Mods state that if a violating post is not reported, then they cannot possibly know about it. So what happens all too often is that active members will selectively report the posts they don't like and ignore other violating posts. It happens all the time. Heck, we even have Mods actively posting in threads that contain violations and not do anything about them. However, setting up 'bozo' filters that would alert Mods would remove the bias that selective use of the report button has. It would then be up to the Mods as to what appropriate action should be taken.

I don't think that it would be beneficial to go after every conceivable violation, especially when looking at the context of the entire post or series of posts within a thread. The general purpose of having TOS in the first place should be considered when deciding what kind of administrative action taken, if any. But in any case, this nonsense of selectively hitting the report button needs to stop, especially when some Mods actively post in threads and take the position that they don't need to take any administrative action until someone hits the report button. That whole scheme has turned the purpose of TOS on its head.

yah. so whats new? VJ has always been like that. actually most message boards are like that.

i may be misunderstanding the 'bozo' filter. does a 'bozo alert' go to the mods when X or Y poster logs in? if so...i stand by my previous post. if not... where am i wrong?

I 've actually noticed a few people missing for quite awhile. Me thinks they either got tired of being edited/thread banned or they were booted permanently

from what i hear, what bill said. and some people are getting progressively longer suspension w/ warnings of bans if the problem continues. which imo is best way to deal with a poster that has a known history of intentionally violating the tos.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

yah. so whats new? VJ has always been like that. actually most message boards are like that.

i may be misunderstanding the 'bozo' filter. does a 'bozo alert' go to the mods when X or Y poster logs in? if so...i stand by my previous post. if not... where am i wrong?

from what i hear, what bill said. and some people are getting progressively longer suspension w/ warnings of bans if the problem continues. which imo is best way to deal with a poster that has a known history of intentionally violating the tos.

A filter can be designed to be used in several ways. I'm suggesting using filters to alert Mods to posts that most likely are offenders, but not as a way to automatically censor posts. Whatever action taken, should be done by the Mods and with careful consideration as to the context in which the post was made and whether or not it contributes to the overall conversation of the thread.

I'm not in favor of suspensions or bans except in extreme cases where someone is just looking to cause trouble. If the behavior is addressed and dealt with rather than the person, then we are being more inclusive than exclusive. Especially considering that most active members on the board are quite capable of and have from time to time, violated the TOS. We're here to engage in online discussions/arguments which can get heated at times. That heat has actually helped generate a lot of hits for this site. I'm sure Captain Ewok is aware of that benefit and doesn't want to impede upon its outcome while still maintaining a sense of civility and order on the boards. If only his Mods would also be online for that as well so that they aren't going overboard with their moderation.

[Confused 2 94]

Most of the people here that get posts removed , post just to see how long before their post is removed. Those people should have every post moderated. Other sites allow moderation by ID

A lot of them actually post to be heard but obviously 'The Moderators' are humans too with leanings/biases and most of them will delete a post, lock a thread or ban a member if the posts do not appeal to their tastes or seem insulting to a certain sect of people. The truth is that I have seen some get away with anything and some are just not allowed to voice any opinion.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

A lot of them actually post to be heard but obviously 'The Moderators' are humans too with leanings/biases and most of them will delete a post, lock a thread or ban a member if the posts do not appeal to their tastes or seem insulting to a certain sect of people. The truth is that I have seen some get away with anything and some are just not allowed to voice any opinion.

When your opinion is against the TOS, don't be surprised if it's removed. If you insult a class of people, you've violated the TOS and you face the consequences. Most people know when they're posting whether or not they've stepped over the TOS. Hell, last admin action I had (for when I called a bully a very not nice name) was completely deserved and I knew it before I posted.

You should familiarise yourself with the TOS. It makes for a better VJ.

[Pooky 3,784]

You should familiarise yourself with the TOS. It makes for a better VJ.

Why? It takes away the fun for the rest of us.

[Darnell 8,478]

A lot of them actually post to be heard but obviously 'The Moderators' are humans too with leanings/biases and most of them will delete a post, lock a thread or ban a member if the posts do not appeal to their tastes or seem insulting to a certain sect of people. The truth is that I have seen some get away with anything and some are just not allowed to voice any opinion.

The bias of which you speak,

is that strict adherence to the TOS.

What's up? You should familiarize yerself with the TOS, soonish. It's changed over the years.

One can voice an opinion without making a personal attack. It's dead easy to do, even. Shift to sharing yer opinion WITHIN a personal attack? Oh My - lots of fun stuff happens then...

[Brad and Vika 129]

It looks like this topic has run its course. I will close it.