Moderating the moderator

[sharui787]

Often the functions of any public forum moderators are to moderate. In universal terms, to ensure the orderly running of the forum and to encourage participations, input of new ideas, lively discussions and encouraging dissenting views. To make them feel welcome so that the forum can reach as many users as possible.

What if the moderator become dysfunctions and failed in its objective?
Site admin and most of the moderators are great and humble peoples but….

For the records, I am a strong supporter of MFM and its futures!!

Many and I sharing are similar views. Most of us are just too lazy to discuss the issues. Some worries about retribution. Others realize the problem but want to avoid a direct confrontation.

The truth is not everyone can be a businessman, doctor, teacher or a moderator, but with great strength in other areas. Moderating is a skill, an art and needed plenty of patience.

The forum is just stale within little interesting inputs. Many come to download and caput. Threads remain in the same page for weeks if not months. Browsing through, it is not hard to understand some the underlying factor. One of them which I like to address is a malfunction or runawy moderator. It will be easy if we have a troublemaker member. But a moderator?

It is not fair if other members think I am just insinuating. Let me highlight some of them to share and discuss.

1) Hostilities/demeaning toward newbies. Rookies posted are usually reprimanded. Instead showing compassions, providing guidance and giving little pointers, they are usually told to seek the help of the sellers. It is not MFM problems. Could be firm without been rude. Some threads were locked on its tracks bcos the moderator has concluded it is useless or not meaningful.

2) Dominating of threads. Unnecessary intercepting or interjecting without inputting any useful ideas. Should have let it runs its natural course. Let other members take care of it. Of let it drops off by itself.

3) Dictatorial in the arguments. What the moderator says must be right despite the points are lame. Actively suppressing dissenting views.

4) Writing without tact. Blunts and un-restrained. Words like “pls” is a rare commodities. Tone of voice is kuat and manyak tinggi. Bad for reading. Again can be firm without being rude!

5) Threaten to lock if item (1,2,3,4) is not heeded. Even a special phrase is being invented. The style also draws a cults following in locking threads as soon as the moderator is not getting his way.

6) Cakap tak serupa bikin. Rules of the forum are clearly violated for using of strong language and personal attack. May be one rule of member, another one of the moderator.

7) All else failed. Deleting thread. He will deleted again if it is off topic?



I like to quote a member’s observation as follow; someone with little debating skills joining the frays…. And finally ran amok.”


Just summed it all.

[sharkteef]

tl;dr

[imantulen]

i would like to put into the proper context for the quote which was contributed by me, lest some misunderstanding might arise from it: it was directed to incoming posters & not towards the moderator/s....

being a moderator comes with a heavy burden, it's a tough job - i don't envy their job at all...

sometimes actions taken by them might seems arbitrary & high-handed at times, but one must always give them the benefit of doubts.....

While i understand your frustrations on this matter, i would much prefer that you take this up with the administrator privately, rather than openly....

to others, i would suggest we not add fuel to fire..... time-out is necessary.....

[antyong (retired)]

Bros,

Points taken. Thanks.

What if the moderator become dysfunctions and failed in its objective?

The senior mappers and I pick moderators based on their contributions to our mapping activities. This is not a reward. Being able to moderate post help tidy a our forum especially the contributions forum.

The position of the moderator is not permanent. Some resigned or I invited some to resign when they could no longer serve their position.

The moderating of moderator will have to be done by the persons who pick them, namely senior mappers and me. As the owner and administrator of the forum, the buck stop at me. I invite all members to PM me any grievance.

Some issues are worth debating. But grievances against a moderator or any member of MFM is not one of them. Courtesy and diplomacy dictates that things should be handled in a delicate manner. I do not encourage and will not tolerate further topics in our Community Hall forum airing dissatisfaction against anyone.

Again, I invite members to PM me. Some had already did. Some PM me from time to time airing their views on different matters. I believe that I had responded to them most of the time (some I may have missed or forgotten). I take this as my duty

/topic closed