Brainstorming

[AdAstrα]

Thanks for clearing up what you mean by backseat moderating Noah. I understand the rule better now.

[Regulus]

Oh I got banned for saying "if steve jobs is in hell he is probably using the computers he sells". I mean wow big deal. Who did i offend? People who worship steve jobs? I also never got an explanation as to why I got banned for saying that and I asked TWO mods. Think then act, not the other way around.

And seriously? Making a backseat modding rule because someone ONCE said something in a pm. Big deal...

you got banned for only saying that? well, thats just rediculous... its getting really strict arround here.

lol, I thought that comment was funny, and not offensive. Maybe it would help if I knew the context of which it was posted, but I don't even...

I definitely agree that the backseat moderating rule has to go, or at least change a bit. I don't see what's wrong about alerting Mods to certain situations and helping out etc.

You guys are missing the point. We are not talking about "alerting mods to problems", we want that from you guys. We are talking about when someone micromanages the forum when they are in no position to do so (heck, mods don't even need to be doing this). Let me give you some examples.
*If a member sends someone a message asking why they created a topic
*If a member sends someone a message asking for verification of something they claim
*If a member attempts to nose their way into someone's personal life
*If a member abuses the report system in a friviously manner
*If a member takes it upon themselves to act like someone who owns the place.

So, backseat moderating isn't really moderating at all? Why didn't you (or anyone else, for that matter) say so earlier?

If this is true, then eliminate the rule altogether, and replace it with "don't micromanage the forum."

As another rule to be added, I sarcastically suggest "don't confuse anyone by doing stuff like this."

[SlayerOfLight]

forgive me my ignorance... but what exactly is ''backseat modding''?

[FlipMode]

^ hey man you have a thin about god in your siggy, Religion is not allowed to be discussed here WHAT U DOING GTFO THE FORUM ETC ETC
This, as far as I know and care would be an example of backseat modding

[SlayerOfLight]

^ hey man you have a thin about god in your siggy, Religion is not allowed to be discussed here WHAT U DOING GTFO THE FORUM ETC ETC
This, as far as I know and care would be an example of backseat modding

oh, sounds annoying to me so I guess in my opinion I think it shouldn't be allowed. I have been backseat modded a long while ago by someone only because I said the word ''crap'', while there are about 1187 matches with that same term.

[DGFone]

You guys are missing the point. We are not talking about "alerting mods to problems", we want that from you guys. We are talking about when someone micromanages the forum when they are in no position to do so (heck, mods don't even need to be doing this). Let me give you some examples.
*If a member sends someone a message asking why they created a topic
*If a member sends someone a message asking for verification of something they claim
*If a member attempts to nose their way into someone's personal life
*If a member abuses the report system in a friviously manner
*If a member takes it upon themselves to act like someone who owns the place.

1. How is asking someone why they created a topic backseat modding? Sometimes people just want to know.
2. Asking for verification. It's called doing your research. It's why in essays you have to cite your sources. This is no different than asking for citations. Again, not exactly backseat modding.
3. Nose your way into someone's personal life. Define "nose their way in".
4. Define "abusing the report system"
5. Acting like someone who owns MLK. You already stated that you can't punish people for being rude. And now being rude is backseat modding. Oy!

What I see here are a bunch of rules that either don't make sense, or are created so vaguely, that they can be interpreted many different ways.

---

Also, about discussing mod actions in public: When a member trolls MLK or a member, they get banned. If a mod trolls MLK or a member, you have to report it. It often goes right back to the md who then bans the reporter. (Abusing the report function).

This is why we need to be able to discuss mod actions in public. Because the mods watch over MLK, but MLK also needs to be able to watch over the mods.

[Woeler]

A member should have the freedom to pm people with a concern they may have. And I mean seriously? someone asked someone else to change the gender of their OC? my gawd... Seriously that's not even a mod action.

Then I would suggest another thing. I call it the magic words. We have one word and one phrase that always lead to s***.
1. The word ''Drama'', doesn't matter where, doesn't matter when as soon as it drops people flip out
2. ''another day at mlk'' spikes the same unneeded chaos.

No profanity is BS. As long as it's not getting personal it won't harm anyone.

Big generalization is big, but yeah, that rule needs to go >.>

Invalid argument is invalid, I can play this game too...

[Panda-chan]

Then I would suggest another thing. I call it the magic words. We have one word and one phrase that always lead to s***.
1. The word ''Drama'', doesn't matter where, doesn't matter when as soon as it drops people flip out
2. ''another day at mlk'' spikes the same unneeded chaos.

Because limiting free speech will definitely lead to less drama...

I agree with DGFone that mods need to be checked for bad behavior too. Both members are mods are expected to follow the rules, and currently there is no way to ensure that the mods actually do. It's as simple as permabanning someone they don't want on the site and pretending like nothing happened.

[WildSimba]

Then I would suggest another thing. I call it the magic words. We have one word and one phrase that always lead to s***.
1. The word ''Drama'', doesn't matter where, doesn't matter when as soon as it drops people flip out
2. ''another day at mlk'' spikes the same unneeded chaos.

Because limiting free speech will definitely lead to less drama...

I agree with DGFone that mods need to be checked for bad behavior too. Both members are mods are expected to follow the rules, and currently there is no way to ensure that the mods actually do. It's as simple as permabanning someone they don't want on the site and pretending like nothing happened.

Not really. Mods have rules and regulations they have to abide by themselves in order to not get in trouble. Trust me, I've gotten in trouble for some of my actions before, even while on the staff team. Not sure why everyone seems to think we get some sort of special treatment, cause we don't... Just ask Noah. lol

[FlipMode]

You can report moderators exactly the same as normal members (which when you think about it, its what they are any way). You can also PM a different staff member about the issue and if that was not enough we have the feedback form too.
And if THAT still is not enough, the staff are actively encouraged to ensure other members of the team are behaving rationally.

I say again, this whole thing could have been sorted in one very easy way - stop being so dayum strict...
Have rules, do not overly enforce them, quit using them as reasons to rid yourselves of people you don't like and done, simple, hello, Bob is my aunty.