Moderating the moderator
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:25 pm
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.
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.
