Petition: Sign if you believe Mods should have identify their bans

[KillyKillall]

Too many mods delete threads, lock threads, and comment without having to own up to who they are for the end users. This makes it seem like they are some super powerful force united when in fact you can have some seriously weird conversations trying to PM them and getting 3 different replies.

UPDATE - This is meant to drive consistency, not to say that they are doing a bad job. I believe most of the time they do a great job and I've only had 1 lock ever. This is just to help things stay consistent.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: KillyKillall
Too many mods delete threads, lock threads, and comment without having to own up to who they are for the end users. This makes it seem like they are some super powerful force united when in fact you can have some seriously weird conversations trying to PM them and getting 3 different replies.

it is a little odd and there are definitely no consitencies between mods
is it true that the mods are just other members of this forum? if so, thats a major conflict of interest.

 

[Drakkon]

um if you dont like it so much...leave?
I dont approve of their actions at times but its their forum and your just a person in it.
Thus what they say goes....its not like this is a democracy or anything

 

[MikeMike]

meh

 

[RagingBITCH]

Don't post questionable/bannable material. Done. If you're so worried about who locked your thread, get a fvcking life.

 

[Homerboy]

Mods aren't unreasonable though.... I was perma banned for an arguably fine post. I calmly xchanged emails with the mod that banned me and pleaded my case. Eventually whittled my sentancing down to a 2 week hiatus. While borderline dictortorship (with multiple dictators) they are at least reasonable and open to discussion.

PS: this thread will get locked... with no reason given

 

[BrokenVisage]

I believe they are doing a fair and unbiased job.

Thanks care,
Anand

 

[JMWarren]

Originally posted by: BrokenVisage
I believe they are doing a fair and unbiased job.

Thanks care,
Anand

What the....?

 

[Patt]

Remember the mods aren't likely getting anything in return for their services ... and this is a free board so don't get too picky. Besides, there are plenty of boards out there where you can post whatever you like, and which degenerate quickly ... sometimes ATOT is like that, but there are at least limits, even if they are totally subjective.

 

[T3C]

Who cares

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: JMWarren

Originally posted by: BrokenVisage
I believe they are doing a fair and unbiased job.

Thanks care,
Anand

What the....?

Get used to it.

Take care,

Anand

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: JMWarren

Originally posted by: BrokenVisage
I believe they are doing a fair and unbiased job.

Thanks care,
Anand

What the....?

Don't get too confused

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: KillyKillall
Too many mods delete threads, lock threads, and comment without having to own up to who they are for the end users. This makes it seem like they are some super powerful force united when in fact you can have some seriously weird conversations trying to PM them and getting 3 different replies.

UPDATE - This is meant to drive consistency, not to say that they are doing a bad job. I believe most of the time they do a great job and I've only had 1 lock ever. This is just to help things stay consistent.

I agree about having the mods each own a unique "secret identity". I asked a mod for assistance the other day, they helped me and had a comment, and I wanted to respond to them but I knew if I PMed back, the mod who answered my PM would have no idea what I was talking about.





-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conversations via PM with the Moderators are kept available for all of us to view.

If an issue is critical or generic, then any Moderator will usually follow up on it.

Most times when a PM exchange falls in the middle, the "relevant" Moderator will follow up when they get a chance. Other Moderators may also intervene, if needed, on a case by case basis.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[DougK62]

I remember getting banned for saying "dingleberry".

Don't piss off the wrong people.

 

[calbear2000]

I think the mods here do an excellent job. But is AT the only major forum where mods are anonymous?

I don't visit message boards too often, but I've never seen any other forums where mods are completely anonymous. Anonymity has its pros and cons, and its commendable that AT has flourished going against conventional practice of identifying who the mods are...

 

[kirkaptain]

ban

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: BrokenVisage
I believe they are doing a fair and unbiased job.

Thanks care,
Anand

OMG TINFOIL HAT!!!

 

[Kung Lau]

This ain't a democracy.

 

[Reckoner]

I can't believe this thread hasn't been locked yet

 

[DivideBYZero]

Forum issues, dimwit.

 

[gigapet]

I will not sign your petition.

I will however sign any petition to ban you.

 

[altonb1]

It seems like threads like this keep popping up repeatedly lately. Meh.

 

[Trey22]

Not signed.

Don't care until one of MY threads get locked/deleted/blown up !

 

[aidanjm]

Whirlpool is a forum that has tried to develop a more transparent moderation process. Here is a FAQ describing their process:

http://whirlpool.net.au/faq-wp.cfm#3.4.3

Why does it seem like this forum is heavily moderated?
My goal when designing the moderation interface is to ensure operational transparency. The reason this forum seems like a heavily moderated environment is because most moderator actions are publicly exposed. For example:

If a reply is removed...

Whirlpool forums: Reply is replaced with a deletion message. The content remains in the database for scrutiny by other moderators and the original author.
"Other" forums: Reply is deleted without a trace. In most cases, the deletion will go unnoticed by the majority of users, and there is no opportunity for other moderators to disagree or to repeal the action.


If a reply is edited...

Whirlpool forums: Replies can not be edited by moderators. Instead, the moderator can hide the reply and request that the offending passages be edited by the original author.
"Other" forums: Replies can be edited by privileged moderators. At best, this may cause confusion; at worst, it may be deceptive. Depending on how the forum is configured, moderators can edit posts without any indication that a modification occured.


If a thread is removed...

Whirlpool forums: Thread is replaced with a deletion message. The content remains in the database.
"Other" forums: Thread can either be moved into a private area, or deleted without trace. In most cases, the deletion will go unnoticed by the majority of users, and sometimes even by other moderators.


The Advantages:


Users are aware when posts and threads are deleted.
Other moderators can inspect what was deleted.
Moderators use more caution knowing their actions are visible.
Moderators can undo any changes.
Users can feel safe knowing their words can't be tampered with.
Complaints sent to me can be investigated easily.
In summary, while it does seem like a lot of moderation occurs here, it's actually less than what happens on other forums.

Here, moderation occurs out in the open, where actions can be scrutinised. Elsewhere, moderation is done covertly, with the majority of users oblivious to deletions and modifications.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
I can't believe this thread hasn't been locked yet

It won't be locked if the discussion stays civil, sensible and nef-free. The mods tend to be reasonable about things but are low tolerance on those three issues, I've noticed.