Preliminary note: this only reflects my opinion, and my fellow moderators might have a different one. I invite them to discuss it in the comments to this blog then, i am very interested in knowing what they think of it especially subjeffie and BotyomBear. Other comments are welcome as well of course.
Being a moderator is not an easy task, especially a chat moderator. Keeping your head cold and not abusing your mod powers when it would be so easy to do so requires some temperance. Being a slave moderator is even more difficult as some Masters might get angry at being given orders by a slave (which is perfectly understandable). They should stop seeing the slave as a slave but see him as a moderator, but that's easier said than done, especially when you are in a hot discussion.
That's the reason i rarely moderate the chat. i mostly moderate the pics, to relieve MoA from the burden and i leave the chat moderation to Master mods. However when no Master mod is present, or none of Them can moderate (for instance if They are involved in the conflict), i will not hesitate and take my responsibilities.
Here are a few guidelines i have in that case, and i would not be surprised if even Master mods would find them good:
1°) i am not a mommy trying to separate her bickering kids. You are all 18+ (at least that's what you said when you registered on OF) so you are supposed to act like adults. If you have a problem with another member, discuss it with them in DM, don't come to me to decide who is right and who is not. i will not take sides. Or rather i will always take the same side: the side of OF.
That means i don't care about the reasons of the conflict, but i will do my best to preserve the chatroom as a peaceful and friendly place. If you disturb it, you can expect me to tell you to stop. If you don't you can expect me to ban you.
This goes for everybody, Master or slave, friend or not. i would even ban my Owner if needed. That might earn me some dungeon (He is very intelligent and hopefully He would not do worse than that like booting me from His stable), but i would do it anyway.
i must admit i would probably not ban MoA since He could overrule me anyway ;-)
2°) When i speak as a mod and tell you to stop doing something, i am not opening a debate. If you don't comply, you are banned. This is not a discussion, this is an order (I know Masters won't like this word, but that's what it is). Usually it is pretty obvious when i am speaking as a mod because my tone is very different from the one i usually have in the chat, but if you find that's needed, i can use some typing effects like typing in bold or in red or whatever. We can discuss that but that would be better if that was a common rule for all mods.
3°) I can be wrong sometimes, and if you think so, feel free to discuss it with me but in DMs, not in the chat. If you think i am abusing my powers and you no longer want to speak to me, feel free to complain to MoA, i will accept His judgement without causing any trouble, but once again, not in the chat.
OF is not a democracy where we discuss and vote on issues in the chat. We are here as guests of MoA, and when you are a guest, you don't s**t on the carpet. If you don't like something in the site, discuss it with Him, but His rules apply, and the chat is no place to criticize them (unless He calls for a debate of course but usually He doesn't do so in the chat). You are free to leave if you cannot find an agreement with Him, and He is free to stop welcoming you as His guest if your company is not to His liking.
4°) Even if i ban you, that doesn't mean i have become your deadly enemy. That just means i think you need to take a step back and reflect on what i just told you. The discussion is welcome in DMs, and we can become very good friends if we can reach a common agreement.
5°) i never ban permanently. Personally i think that should be MoA's privilege. If a recidivist is going too far again, i can ban him for 24 h and that gives me plenty of time to request his permanent ban to MoA.
Well, i have no problem letting people know i did the ban. The most important to me is that they know why it happened, and they understand what they did wrong. For that, the best way is to talk.
If people are arguing in chat just ask them to take it to pm. Why should others have to put up with watching it and ruin chat for everyone else. If they don't stop then ban them both. If you don't know what to do then pm me about it and I'll decice myself what to do.If people are arguing in chat just ask them to take it to pm. Why should others have to put up with watching it and ruin chat for everyone else. If they don't stop then ban them both. If you don't kno...See more
Well put servus 100% with you, When acting with your moderator hat then you should be seen as the moderator you are and not the slave. Also 100% with MOA, arguing is never something for public but some joking disagreement if it dose not get out of hand can be fun to watch.Well put servus 100% with you, When acting with your moderator hat then you should be seen as the moderator you are and not the slave. Also 100% with MOA, arguing is never something for public but som...See more
Just to weigh in a bit here, banning by most of the mods and MoA himself is usually after warnings / repeat rule breaking. It’s true that the platform here was built by MoA and the rules set to keep it flowing for us all to enjoy while keeping things up and working. The anonymity of say the chat block is utterly needed Id say based on how we have seen some react to being told they aren’t able to avoid rules even when other community members try to ease the tension or explain. Keep it up and good commentary Servus. As true now as when you first put pen to E paper.Just to weigh in a bit here, banning by most of the mods and MoA himself is usually after warnings / repeat rule breaking. It’s true that the platform here was built by MoA and the rules set to keep i...See more
Thank You Sirs, as i said, i usually don't hide myself behind HAL. When i ban i usually have given a warning before, and i often comment after the ban that i never give two warnings, so it is easy to know who did the ban.
Interesting commentary servus, I enjoyed reading it. This is a complex subject, poachers becoming gamekeepers and all, but you're right of course, we're guests of MOA, and guests should always behave appropriately. In my experience of moderators they have behaved impeccably. I wonder with the first warning there should be a statement that gives breathing space, for example: "This is you first and only warning. Please stop your current behaviour. Please read the chat rules again. Please take a breath."Interesting commentary servus, I enjoyed reading it. This is a complex subject, poachers becoming gamekeepers and all, but you're right of course, we're guests of MOA, and guests should always behave ...See more
As a mod, you are an extension of MoA's authority and everyone should see you as such. We are all grown ass men and should be able to behave in a public chat room, or else we'll deserve a clout in the ear from a slave.
