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Armchair Arcade -> Forums -> General Discussion

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[moved] [moved] Running a Forum

Moderators: Bill Loguidice, David Torre, crcasey, Mark1970, deshrill

Author

Post

Matt Barton

Sat Jan 24 2004, 07:37PM

Location: Tampa, Florida
posts 2680

Hi, folks. Most people who follow my posts to various message boards have realized early on that I'm a man who enjoys nothing better than a good intellectual sparring match, especially when an opponent enters the ring whose talent is matched by raw enthusiasm not only to win but to give the audience a show worth their attention.

The best forums I know are ones with people who, quite frankly, I despise. Their attitudes strongly conflict with my own; their opinions assail my nostrils, and the hot air that bellows from their flatulent minds ruffles my feathers to the point of flight.

However, be that as it may, I realize that without such people, a forum is a banal and boring place, with cowardly cows mooing and nodding in agreement as one lazy specimen plods across the field to plant a patty in some well-trod spot under a shade tree. Such discourse is relaxing, but about as exciting as a Grateful Dead concert with no drugs or booze.

A colony of yes-men, lickspittles, cowards, and slavish devotees is about as fun as cleaning up after your wife's affairs. To those men who can tolerate no comments but praise, no discussion but flattery--I leave you to tend them; for there is no place I feel less welcome than those forums where the cudgel swings at every topic contrary to the "king's" opinion.

It is the job of a government, an administration, or a moderator--to make itself felt only as a positive force, sowing discussion, encouraging growth, nourishing those pale flowers as they battle the weeds in their quest for the sun.

A forum where the moderators make their unwelcome presence consistently felt in the guise of censors and tyrants; however, is no place for an intellectual, be his interest Socrates or Ms. Pac-Man.

In short, be proud to express your opinion on any matter whatsoever; as long as it stated with dignity, no moderator here will squelch it. So is my promise!

My question to you all would be this: What is a perfect moderator? What is the best way to run a forum? How can someone encourage discussion but inhibit "flaming" or mindless drivel? How can we create a forum where people will feel compelled to learn and teach, not insult or preach? Speak now !

[ Edited ]

Matt Barton

Buck Feris

Sat Jan 24 2004, 11:05PM

Armchair Arcade Editor

Location: Louisville, KY
posts 1542

I like this. I know you spent a while on it. It's well written. Question. Why was it moved? From where was it moved? Are you planing to make this a sticky?

Not sure about the title though. Don't want to appear to be jabbing someone else. I agree with letting our forums be freeform. I just don't want to anger people who are already angry.
[ Edited Sun Jan 25 2004, 12:07AM ]

Buck Feris - Armchair Arcade Editor - buck@armchairarcade

Bill Loguidice

Sat Jan 24 2004, 11:20PM

Armchair Arcade Co-Founder and Editor

Location: Central New Jersey, USA
posts 4817

Yeah, even though against the spirit of the actual post itself, I'm afraid the title might be a bit harsh and possibly construed as a jab. Still, I think it's a good idea for US and I think you SHOULD post it in the general area, just perhaps with an altered topic title.

Personally, all I've done as far as "moderating" these forums was clean up typos in topic titles or make topic titles more clear. Otherwise it's been hands off. Of course, that approach is easy since everyone has been very well behaved. Of course that could have something to do with our content...
[ Edited Mon Jan 26 2004, 02:13PM ]

Bill Loguidice - Armchair Arcade Editor
www.billandchristina.com (includes videogame & computer collection)
www.mythcore.com (creative development company)
www.armchairarcade.com (soliciting articles NOW!)

Lord Rinja

Mon Jan 26 2004, 12:15AM

Registered Member #75
Joined: Mon Jan 19 2004, 09:28AM
Location: The Dojo of Illusions
posts 20

Basically, a good moderator should delete spam topics, anything stupid like mindless posting (EX: The Vanilla Coke Topic on the old Sega Message Boards back in 1998 got over 6000 posts and it was nothing but garbage. Nothing to do with games what so ever) Usage of cursing is really up to you guys. Some people allow cursing on the boards as long as it's not towards any individual or talking in a sick or perverted manner. In other words, there is a difference between "This kicks @$$!!!" and "I'm gonna kick your @$$!!!" If you don't want to allow cursing, that's cool also. If you get someone who is constantly aguing pointlessly without listening to another persons view and just they are just bashing somone for what they like, they should be IP banned because their argument does not bring anything good to the table (EX: Any Fanboy that resorts to maiming and cursing just because they think Console A is better than Console B because that is the only console they own) I'm not saying people can't have their own opinion. What I am saying is that someone shouldn't push their opinion on other people. It is intelligent discussion but you get nothing accomplished if you try to make people like everything you like.

Lord Rinja's Dojo of Illusions

Spin

Mon Jan 26 2004, 09:54PM

Registered Member #16
Joined: Fri Jan 16 2004, 07:07AM
Location: Ohio
posts 81

Though I am sure all moderators pride themselves on free speach I am also sure that "Freedom" would come at a cost.
Be it the cost of relavance, entertainment, content or mature response. All good fourms suffer some sort of censorship.
Should there be no need for moderation why would the term Moderator be used on the fourm software.
I am sure the intent is freedom at all costs but really if it demeans the conversation or perhaps the sight I am quite sure the sword would fall on the offending comments.

Lets be real if a fourm is to be successful it must be guided in both content and rules to support the intent of the fourm.

Spin

Spin

number6

Tue Jan 27 2004, 07:46AM

Registered Member #15
Joined: Fri Jan 16 2004, 05:33AM
Location: The Village
posts 205

As a moderator of my own forum I can speak for myself how I see things. First off I think members must always respect the moderator even if we don't agree with some of their decisions. In my opinion the moderator is simply there to maintain order and to keep discussions on topic. Some moderators are more diligent than others and I respect that level of commitment. For instance I see nothing wrong with Bill editing topic descriptions if he feels it will motivate people to actually read the thread. I know that I will ignore threads titled "this is so cool" or "what's this?". If the title does not grab me I aam not going to read the topic, unless of course I see a member I respect has responded to the topic.

I think a good way to limit the amount of moderation needed is to have a well defined set of rules that you require all members to abide by. Here is the rules page from the forum I run with several other online friends. If I catch anyone breaking these rules I move their post/thread to a hidden board that is locked. That way no one sees the offending post and I don't actually delete the post/thread. I guess I try to be as accomodating as possible, but there are times when I have pissed a member off or vice versa.

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