Q&A Thread for members to post questions to Moderators

[Sunrise089]

Question: Why do some subforums have individual mods (CPUs, For Sale, OT, etc) but others (memory, free stuff) not? Are there no specific mods for those subforums?

Question: What is the difference between an Admin and a Mod here. The OT thread with the Mod identities specifies two Admins, but I don't see a separate title.

Recommendation: I agree that "Senior Moderator" looks REALLY close to "Senior Member." It probably isn't possible in Fusetalk, but writing Mods' and Admins' titles in a different font or color would be more intuitive.

Comment: Really poor form on the two mods who created new accounts rather than reveal their names. It really shows no confidence in their judgment of their past actions, and questionable integrity on the part of the powers that be who allowed them to keep their positions anonymously.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: fisher
why isn't red dawn held to the same standards as everyone else on the forums in regards to his abusive treatment of members?

I am. I know the boundries and how far you can go without stepping over them. If you were to analyze my posts compared to some of the other Mods you'd see that I'm no more "Salty" than many of them. In fact if you were to look at my posts in P&N you'd see that I'm rather subdued compared to a lot of the members there. I'm no longer the "Kick Ass and take names later" kind of member I use to be when you first encountered me Fish and I'll probably be even more subdued in the future unless someone attacks me, my wife, my friends here (all 3 of them) or the Mods and even then I'll be within the boundries.

Anyways I'm sure if you or any of my other fans like you see me going overboard you won't hesitate to go running to Derek and I'm sure he'll analyze the situation and address it correctly.

 

[dennilfloss]

Originally posted by: AnandTech Moderator

Originally posted by: markgm

Originally posted by: Alone
Is there any way we can find out which mods went by which titles? Like Funny Mod, Kinky Mod, etc? Or is that one of the past things not going to be revealed?

I always figured it was all of them, and they signed it based on their mood or the spirit of the thread.

:thumbsup:

Yup. I acted more often as the Fun Mod but the Mean Mod was necessary at times when things got real unruly or nasty.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Sunrise089
Comment: Really poor form on the two mods who created new accounts rather than reveal their names. It really shows no confidence in their judgment of their past actions, and questionable integrity on the part of the powers that be who allowed them to keep their positions anonymously.

The need for a separate account is due to some of the actions by a few members here on AT.

The problem is that a few bad apples made the risk unacceptable for myself.

With either Mod, their previous actions would be consider beyond reproach.
Both are Elite members of long term standing w/ great respect within the community.



Should anyone ever feel that my moderation is biased or unfair; I have no qualms about a complete explanation in public using the Personal Forum Issues or via PM.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Sunrise089
Question: Why do some subforums have individual mods (CPUs, For Sale, OT, etc) but others (memory, free stuff) not? Are there no specific mods for those subforums?

Senior Moderators are responsible for all forums. There are some forums that do not have assigned moderators at this point, but the long term plan is to have some assigned.

Originally posted by: Sunrise089
Question: What is the difference between an Admin and a Mod here. The OT thread with the Mod identities specifies two Admins, but I don't see a separate title.

The Admins keep the forum running and are the final say on major decisions. In the simplest terms, this is the reporting structure of the forums:

Moderators --> Senior Moderators --> Administrators --> Anand Lal Shimpi

That is greatly simplified as there are a lot of dynamics in there, but it should give you the general idea.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: fisher
why isn't red dawn held to the same standards as everyone else on the forums in regards to his abusive treatment of members?

I am. I know the boundries and how far you can go without stepping over them. If you were to analyze my posts compared to some of the other Mods you'd see that I'm no more "Salty" than many of them. In fact if you were to look at my posts in P&N you'd see that I'm rather subdued compared to a lot of the members there. I'm no longer the "Kick Ass and take names later" kind of member I use to be when you first encountered me Fish and I'll probably be even more subdued in the future unless someone attacks me, my wife, my friends here (all 3 of them) or the Mods and even then I'll be within the boundries.

Anyways I'm sure if you or any of my other fans like you see me going overboard you won't hesitate to go running to Derek and I'm sure he'll analyze the situation and address it correctly.

i've never attacked you or your wife, yet you've taken multiple chances to personally attack me. i believe your actions in the past (which have lead me to not be around as much in the present) went unchecked and were way past the bounds of acceptable. you've always managed to skate by tho, amazing how that works eh? guess you can't deny the whole "i'm a mod so i get special privs" angle anymore?

as far as derek, done and done. i think removing someone like you is the first step to actually bringing trust and respect back to the general membership of the forums.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: Sunrise089
Comment: Really poor form on the two mods who created new accounts rather than reveal their names. It really shows no confidence in their judgment of their past actions, and questionable integrity on the part of the powers that be who allowed them to keep their positions anonymously.

The need for a separate account is due to some of the actions by a few members here on AT.

The problem is that a few bad apples made the risk unacceptable for myself.

With either Mod, their previous actions would be consider beyond reproach.
Both are Elite members of long term standing w/ great respect within the community.



Should anyone ever feel that my moderation is biased or unfair; I have no qualms about a complete explanation in public using the Personal Forum Issues or via PM.

then you should resign.

 

[dartworth]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

The need for a separate account is due to some of the actions by a few members here on AT.

The problem is that a few bad apples made the risk unacceptable for myself.

risk...:laugh:


give me a break...


this is so typical of AT...yes, you should resign

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: fisher

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: fisher
why isn't red dawn held to the same standards as everyone else on the forums in regards to his abusive treatment of members?

I am. I know the boundries and how far you can go without stepping over them. If you were to analyze my posts compared to some of the other Mods you'd see that I'm no more "Salty" than many of them. In fact if you were to look at my posts in P&N you'd see that I'm rather subdued compared to a lot of the members there. I'm no longer the "Kick Ass and take names later" kind of member I use to be when you first encountered me Fish and I'll probably be even more subdued in the future unless someone attacks me, my wife, my friends here (all 3 of them) or the Mods and even then I'll be within the boundries.

Anyways I'm sure if you or any of my other fans like you see me going overboard you won't hesitate to go running to Derek and I'm sure he'll analyze the situation and address it correctly.

i've never attacked you or your wife, yet you've taken multiple chances to personally attack me. i believe your actions in the past (which have lead me to not be around as much in the present) went unchecked and were way past the bounds of acceptable. you've always managed to skate by tho, amazing how that works eh? guess you can't deny the whole "i'm a mod so i get special privs" angle anymore?

Actually when I became a Mod in late 2002 I had to reign in my berhavior, Russ who was the Admin at the time insisted on it. You just hold a grudge for a long time and even though I've been aware of that grudge for a long time I can't recall having cross words with you. I just ignore you for the most part. In fact the only place I ever come across your posts is usually in the Forum Issues area complaining about the Moderating or about some member doing this or that. In fact I could have made book that you would have been in this thread complaining. :beer:

as far as derek, done and done. i think removing someone like you is the first step to actually bringing trust and respect back to the general membership of the forums.

You're entitled to your opinion. :thumbsup:

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: fisher
why isn't red dawn held to the same standards as everyone else on the forums in regards to his abusive treatment of members?

I am. I know the boundries and how far you can go without stepping over them. If you were to analyze my posts compared to some of the other Mods you'd see that I'm no more "Salty" than many of them. In fact if you were to look at my posts in P&N you'd see that I'm rather subdued compared to a lot of the members there. I'm no longer the "Kick Ass and take names later" kind of member I use to be when you first encountered me Fish and I'll probably be even more subdued in the future unless someone attacks me, my wife, my friends here (all 3 of them) or the Mods and even then I'll be within the boundries.

Anyways I'm sure if you or any of my other fans like you see me going overboard you won't hesitate to go running to Derek and I'm sure he'll analyze the situation and address it correctly.

Yeah Red is a big softy. Hugs and Kisses for Red!hehehe

This is a kinder, gentler Red Dawn since he got married. The palm sisters made him cranky!

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: fisher

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: fisher
why isn't red dawn held to the same standards as everyone else on the forums in regards to his abusive treatment of members?

I am. I know the boundries and how far you can go without stepping over them. If you were to analyze my posts compared to some of the other Mods you'd see that I'm no more "Salty" than many of them. In fact if you were to look at my posts in P&N you'd see that I'm rather subdued compared to a lot of the members there. I'm no longer the "Kick Ass and take names later" kind of member I use to be when you first encountered me Fish and I'll probably be even more subdued in the future unless someone attacks me, my wife, my friends here (all 3 of them) or the Mods and even then I'll be within the boundries.

Anyways I'm sure if you or any of my other fans like you see me going overboard you won't hesitate to go running to Derek and I'm sure he'll analyze the situation and address it correctly.

i've never attacked you or your wife, yet you've taken multiple chances to personally attack me. i believe your actions in the past (which have lead me to not be around as much in the present) went unchecked and were way past the bounds of acceptable. you've always managed to skate by tho, amazing how that works eh? guess you can't deny the whole "i'm a mod so i get special privs" angle anymore?

as far as derek, done and done. i think removing someone like you is the first step to actually bringing trust and respect back to the general membership of the forums.

My god man, it's sticks and stones.

Don't have a stroke. It will be OK.

 

[Dean]

I never, in my 7 1/2 year here, had an issue with a mod. Have I agreed with every decision they ever made? Nope. I will say however that it is impossible for us to know much of the information when they decide to punish a member of the forum.

So many people here have felt singled out and lash back, run to TFNN and complain. I never saw one of them try to reach an understanding with a mod or correct what was wrong in the first place. It always escalates. Moderators are only human, they can make mistakes just like anyone else and can be talked to like anyone else. I don't even see why the public identities of the Moderators needed to be shown as many of them over time may not feel like a part of the community like they once did. They will be looked upon differently to many. I do see this as an olive branch extended to the people who did have an issue with them though.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Dean
I never, in my 7 1/2 year here, had an issue with a mod. Have I agreed with every decision they ever made? Nope. I will say however that it is impossible for us to know much of the information when they decide to punish a member of the forum.

So many people here have felt singled out and lash back, run to TFNN and complain. I never saw one of them try to reach an understanding with a mod or correct what was wrong in the first place. It always escalates. Moderators are only human, they can make mistakes just like anyone else and can be talked to like anyone else. I don't even see why the public identities of the Moderators needed to be shown as many of them over time may not feel like a part of the community like they once did as they will be looked upon differently to many. I do see this as an olive branch extended to the people who did have an issue with them though.

Frankly I like that we are now public. I think I do a good job and I would like others to see that I do. I also don't mind being held accountable for a bad decision, in fact it may prevent me from making a bad call as like I said, others will see it and lord knows there will be hell to pay if I do, especially with Fisher:laugh:

 

[Dualist]

Will this time a mod will post a reason why a thread is locked? Because it would save us the trouble of guessing why and how such threads get locked in the first place.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Dean
I never, in my 7 1/2 year here, had an issue with a mod. Have I agreed with every decision they ever made? Nope. I will say however that it is impossible for us to know much of the information when they decide to punish a member of the forum.

So many people here have felt singled out and lash back, run to TFNN and complain. I never saw one of them try to reach an understanding with a mod or correct what was wrong in the first place. It always escalates. Moderators are only human, they can make mistakes just like anyone else and can be talked to like anyone else. I don't even see why the public identities of the Moderators needed to be shown as many of them over time may not feel like a part of the community like they once did as they will be looked upon differently to many. I do see this as an olive branch extended to the people who did have an issue with them though.

Frankly I like that we are now public. I think I do a good job and I would like others to see that I do. I also don't mind being held accountable for a bad decision, in fact it may prevent me from making a bad call as like I said, others will see it and lord knows there will be hell to pay if I do, especially with Fisher:laugh:

I can see why you would want to bring all into the open. My only fear for you guys is that from this point on, you will be put under too much scrutiny by the rest of the community. I can see it getting to the point where you will have to proof read everything you type before you hit that submit button, as many here will be watching, building their list and ready to pounce, simply to get back at whatever moderator they suspect was at fault for that week vacation that was given to them at such and such a time.

My crystal ball is never wrong, and I can just envision everything you say being scrutinized by some wannabe Church lady.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Dualist
Will this time a mod will post a reason why a thread is locked? Because it would save us the trouble of guessing why and how such threads get locked in the first place.

Yes. Which mod locked it, and why it was locked. Obviously we may miss some explanations since this is a new process, and please PM AnandTech Moderator so we can get the reason posted.

 

[markgm]

AnandTech Moderator
Ultimate Moderator

Haha, nice touch!

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Dean

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Dean
I never, in my 7 1/2 year here, had an issue with a mod. Have I agreed with every decision they ever made? Nope. I will say however that it is impossible for us to know much of the information when they decide to punish a member of the forum.

So many people here have felt singled out and lash back, run to TFNN and complain. I never saw one of them try to reach an understanding with a mod or correct what was wrong in the first place. It always escalates. Moderators are only human, they can make mistakes just like anyone else and can be talked to like anyone else. I don't even see why the public identities of the Moderators needed to be shown as many of them over time may not feel like a part of the community like they once did as they will be looked upon differently to many. I do see this as an olive branch extended to the people who did have an issue with them though.

Frankly I like that we are now public. I think I do a good job and I would like others to see that I do. I also don't mind being held accountable for a bad decision, in fact it may prevent me from making a bad call as like I said, others will see it and lord knows there will be hell to pay if I do, especially with Fisher:laugh:

I can see why you would want to bring all into the open. My only fear for you guys is that from this point on, you will be put under too much scrutiny by the rest of the community. I can see it getting to the point where you will have to proof read everything you type before you hit that submit button, as many here will be watching, building their list and ready to pounce, simply to get back at whatever moderator they suspect was at fault for that week vacation that was given to them at such and such a time.

My crystal ball is never wrong, and I can just envision everything you say being scrutinized by some wannabe Church lady.

That's cool, from what I've seen of Derek I am fully confident that he can judge what is petty nonsense and what is reality. Also with this new attitude regarding moderating we are more likely to check with other Mods and Derek himself when it comes to situations that maybe be a little sticky for us.

 

[Sunrise089]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: Sunrise089
Comment: Really poor form on the two mods who created new accounts rather than reveal their names. It really shows no confidence in their judgment of their past actions, and questionable integrity on the part of the powers that be who allowed them to keep their positions anonymously.

The need for a separate account is due to some of the actions by a few members here on AT.

The problem is that a few bad apples made the risk unacceptable for myself.

With either Mod, their previous actions would be consider beyond reproach.
Both are Elite members of long term standing w/ great respect within the community.

Should anyone ever feel that my moderation is biased or unfair; I have no qualms about a complete explanation in public using the Personal Forum Issues or via PM.

I appreciate the attitude with which you have addressed this, as well as the explanation you have provided. I still feel it isn't an appropriate action. If the actions of the community are that threatening, then you should choose not to represent the community. Public service, and the power it offers, come at the cost of some degree of risk. If the risk is word based, than a choice needs to be made to either accept it or pass on the offer. No different at all if the risk isn't word based. No one is forced into being a mod, and the other mods have seen fit to come out and reveal their pasts and identities. So far I don't see anything that justifies a separate exception in this case. If I were an Elite Member, and I deleted my account, I'd have to start over from scratch. I couldn't just ask for a new Elite title and forget my past. Here we're involving actual (internet) power, but for whatever reason the exception IS being made. I still think it's poor form to distrust the membership so much.

All that said, I don't have the post count or history to really have any long-term beef here, and I'll continue to use and enjoy the forums. Overall the changes seem like a step in the right direction, with this as the rare exception.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Dean

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Dean
I never, in my 7 1/2 year here, had an issue with a mod. Have I agreed with every decision they ever made? Nope. I will say however that it is impossible for us to know much of the information when they decide to punish a member of the forum.

So many people here have felt singled out and lash back, run to TFNN and complain. I never saw one of them try to reach an understanding with a mod or correct what was wrong in the first place. It always escalates. Moderators are only human, they can make mistakes just like anyone else and can be talked to like anyone else. I don't even see why the public identities of the Moderators needed to be shown as many of them over time may not feel like a part of the community like they once did as they will be looked upon differently to many. I do see this as an olive branch extended to the people who did have an issue with them though.

Frankly I like that we are now public. I think I do a good job and I would like others to see that I do. I also don't mind being held accountable for a bad decision, in fact it may prevent me from making a bad call as like I said, others will see it and lord knows there will be hell to pay if I do, especially with Fisher:laugh:

I can see why you would want to bring all into the open. My only fear for you guys is that from this point on, you will be put under too much scrutiny by the rest of the community. I can see it getting to the point where you will have to proof read everything you type before you hit that submit button, as many here will be watching, building their list and ready to pounce, simply to get back at whatever moderator they suspect was at fault for that week vacation that was given to them at such and such a time.

My crystal ball is never wrong, and I can just envision everything you say being scrutinized by some wannabe Church lady.

That's cool, from what I've seen of Derek I am fully confident that he can judge what is petty nonsense and what is reality. Also with this new attitude regarding moderating we are more likely to check with other Mods and Derek himself when it comes to situations that maybe be a little sticky for us.

OK you win and have alleviated my fears

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Dean
I never, in my 7 1/2 year here, had an issue with a mod. Have I agreed with every decision they ever made? Nope. I will say however that it is impossible for us to know much of the information when they decide to punish a member of the forum.

So many people here have felt singled out and lash back, run to TFNN and complain. I never saw one of them try to reach an understanding with a mod or correct what was wrong in the first place. It always escalates. Moderators are only human, they can make mistakes just like anyone else and can be talked to like anyone else. I don't even see why the public identities of the Moderators needed to be shown as many of them over time may not feel like a part of the community like they once did as they will be looked upon differently to many. I do see this as an olive branch extended to the people who did have an issue with them though.

Frankly I like that we are now public. I think I do a good job and I would like others to see that I do. I also don't mind being held accountable for a bad decision, in fact it may prevent me from making a bad call as like I said, others will see it and lord knows there will be hell to pay if I do, especially with Fisher:laugh:

Similar to Umpires.

99% of the games go realitively quiet as far as second guessing the Umps but sometimes you get a wild one. Even Umps can have a bad day.

 

[Platypus]

Is the forum software ever going to work or will we get the 'we are working on it' line forever?

Seriously, it's embarrassing for a tech website to have so many elementary mistakes on it. It makes the site look laughably bad. I realize there's nothing you all can do directly about it but I'm hoping you're at least told more than we are.

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: dartworth
I see that DrPizza is an Elite Member, Cameras Moderator, and an Off Topic Moderator.

Just curious, how does one become a mod in a forum they have never posted in?

not so much a bad thing... someone who isn't personally involved in something can be more neutral...

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Platypus
Is the forum software ever going to work or will we get the 'we are working on it' line forever?

We really are working on it. We are working closely with Fusetalk to get the system running as it should. Some issues have been addressed, some are still being worked on. Issues like the quotes has been fixed for example.

I am not excusing anyone however, and I am not going to say that the fusetalk migration went just fine, or even remotely fine. In hindsight the upgrade should have not happened until these bugs were found and fixed. If there was some switch we could throw to go backwards, trust me, it would have already been thrown.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: markgm
If my company matches to my 401(k), am I taxed on the amount they put in when I withdraw it if I invest the money after retirement into a college fund for my great-grand children?

If I understand what you are saying correctly, under the current law the investment would be treated as a gift, and subject to tax if greater than $10k per calendar year.

I am not a tax attorney, but I have done quite a bit of research on 401k's. Always verify with a tax attorney as the law changes constantly. Don't sue me.

I think he's talking about income tax; you appear to be talking about gift tax (which is $11,000 or $12,000 now I believe, but there's also a $1 million lifetime threshold you have to hit before worrying about it).