If you guys are moderators, why dont you have stars or something under your name like Bob and Bergie does?
Grayson,
I’m sure that Crandell (selector) and Ken (NZRMac) will probably chime in also. We’re called user-mods. The idea is for us to just be low-key; to blend in, interact, and be a part of the forum gang - just like we were before we became mods. That’s the way I prefer it.
Well, we may not have stars under our name when we post but our profile names are highlighted in green in the Who is online box on the Model Railroader Forums homepage. That way it’s easier to see which of the mods is online. The other moderators are in red.
Tom
Hi, Grayson. The answer is that, once upon a time this forum used a different software, and part of the provision was that each member’s posts were counted, or tallied, by the computer. As we got into the hundreds, and then 1000, 2000, and so on, we got coloured stars, and eventually had 5 stars, all gold if I recollect. It meant nothing, certainly not any clout, nor knowledge, nor seniority. It only meant that we posted alot.
In July 2006, Kalmbach sprang for some new software. They must have been listening to the advice of some folks, including voices here, who felt the star thing was getting in the way and encouraging garbage posts just to wrack up a post count and get stars below one’s name. So, they did away with them. Everybody lost their stars below their names, except the Staff moderators, who asked the supplier and tech to keep the stars for their online names. And that is what you see. I may be out on some of the details about how they retained the stars, but that is what I recollect from their response to a similar question.
Tom and I are “User-Moderators” invited to act on Kalmbach’s behalf (actually, we offered), and aside from the ability to modify or to lock/delete posts, we don’t have all the “Uber-Moderators’” capabilities. Nor were we permitted to keep any stars, just like the rest of the members.
BTW, NZRMac is also a User-Mod, and there is at least one other whose name I have seen in the member’s list when you go to the all-forums list page. I think it is Katy Tube, or something like that.
-Crandell
Shhh…They’re under cover…[;)]
Congratulations on your “promotion”. I missed the official announcement and promotion party. Seriously though, good luck. Forum moderation is a often thankless job.
The Deputies have kept the forums under control while the big Bergie snored in his Pullman.
I for one dont have any problem with it.
I really would like to thank all the user moderators. Since you volunteered, the Forum has been much more civil, especially on weekends when it could get out of control.
They’re not moderators…they’re merely bar flies (or should i say forum flies) with nothing better to do than hang out here all day…LOL…chuck
Since the user-mods system has been with us, we have had far fewer troll problems. Yes, the trolls are still there, but they are kept under “con-troll,” particularly on long weekends when they used to cause havoc. Thanks to you guys for maintaining order so well.
One question - do you get the “report abuse” messages? Or do those only go to the “front office?”
“CON-TROLL”, LOLOL. For some reason that made me laugh. I think the user-mods have been doing a good job. I think of them as the big brother that will slap you upside the head if you get out of hand, but they still like you after they do it, lol. Best thing Bergie ever did was create the user-mods.
MB,
Yes, we get and have access to the Report Abuse messages. We do try to deal with them as soon as possible. (It’s the first thing I check when I come onto the forum.) Sometimes it might take a little time to look into each case in order to properly assess whether the report either needs to be dealt with quickly, or a more watchful eye on the thread is warranted.
We do our best to maintain the forum policy set forth by Kalmbach and to keep personal feelings and relationships out of equation. However, a few decisions sometimes come down to a judgment call by the moderator, if he or she foresees or anticipates the “potential” for further trouble looming off in the horizon.
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. [:)] Ken and I have only been doing this for 3 months now. Crandell is the “newbie” on the team and has only been on-board for a little more than a month. Like I said, we just want to keep it low-key and enjoy, participate, and be part of the forum right along with you.
Thankfully, the “bar flies” (as Chuck put it - Thanks, Chuck! [:)]) only have to deal with “fly stuff” every once in a while. (For example, like Al’s tirade this past late Friday PM/early Saturday AM.) As others have already stated, the occurances have been happening less and less, and at a less frequent rate than they used to. And, we’re still learning on the job and about our new responsibilities.
On behalf of Ken and Crandell, thanks again for the kind words and the encouragement.
Tom/aka bar forum fly
Shhhh! Don’t say that![:D]
Bergie may have snored, but it was probably from exhaustion by the time he was able to get to bed at night, especially on those nasty weekends back in the early summer when the trolls were hard at work. He has other things to do, including meeting with other staffers and discussing ideas, overseeing projects of one kind or another, and so on. So, I am pretty sure he is grateful for the help we can give him, particularly after hours.
Heck, I have snored for years. [(-D]
-Crandell
Isn’t there a CV you can set to shut that off? [:-^]
Yes, but that darned Digitrax manual only has instructions for hex, and I can’t figure that out. [:(!] Digitrax, are you reading this?
As the old adage goes: You snooze, you lose. Shoulda gone NCE, Crandell. The Power Cab will do it automatically. And, if it doesn’t work the first time, I just use the “hammer head” to whack it in place. [swg]
Tom
Night night, sleep tight, don’t let the Sound Bugs bite…
I feel like a technical “moron” at times when going into the Digitrax manual. Usually have to seek my technical advisor (Paul3) or half my stuff wouldn’t run right!
And I still can’t program half the CVs whatevers…Maybe I should just stick to my scenery and woodworking.
Well, I can’t complain too much. I am now into my 29th month with my SEB, and I wouldn’t part with it. I don’t need the manual any more, except to find out how to delete the slot list or something like that.
By the way, I would like to respond to your earlier message of encouragement. Thank-you!!
We all try very hard to be fair and practical in what we do so that we don’t interfere unnaturally with the tone and culture here. Or, if we do, we are meant to improve it by eliminating the “undesirable element”.
As Tom says, it wasn’t fun last weekend…not one little bit. But if it all seemed seamless to you, then we accomplished our aim. [:D]
-Crandell
I must have missed the whole thing last week, you guys must have done a great job. And I’m on everyday !