[en] suggestion about mods

[Elvain]

as there were several discussions where mods or semi-mods were engaged and I got impression that some people think that being mod means not to take part in discussions where personal oppionon is to be said
I think that the mods should distinguish between normal posts (normaly most of posts because mods are not only mods, but also forum users) and "mod posts"

So every mod would put in his signature:
In this color I write as a mod, otherwise I'm just normal forum user like you
for 3 reasons:

1) all users will see that they should follow mod's demands and it will be very clear
2) it will protect users from mods - it would be harder for them to mis-use their authority
3) it will enable the mods to participate in discussions as normal users and it will be clear that something is written without "mod's authority" but just as normal user's post

[RoadRunner]

How did you find this problem? Did you experience something that made you think about this question? :scratch:

[Rnett]

it's useless, this forum will be closed soon.

[Angryminer]

@RoadRunner:
Users came across that problem during the "[+foreign languages discussion]".

I usually make it clear wether I'm using my authority as a moderator or not. Often I switch between the official and the personal opinions with paragraphs and lead the personal opinion with 'Personally I think...' or something of similar effect to make clear what the rules say and what I'd personally suggest to avoid restrictions. I don't like acting as a moderator so I like giving advice on how to avoid actions.
I don't know wether I should change my way of dealing with the user-moderator-dualism, but I guess the biggest achievement of this thread should be that the moderators think about the matter to avoid ever getting those two mixed up.

Angryminer

[Traveller]

I don't really find it necessary, but I also find it quite good to be possibly implemented. Therefore I would vote for "Every mod should decide if it's convenient enough for him/her" if there was such an option...

[karima]

I actually don't think mods should have to distinguish so clearly. It would kind of ruin the personal atmosphere here. I have not experienced many occassions when a mod was really recquired to act as one, and anyway, they seem to be pretty able to make themselves clear without different colours...:wink:

[Doux]

No, they shouldn't. Mods are subgods - whatever they say is true. :wink:

[seriously]I agree with Karima. It can be made clear what is said as moderator, as Angryminer does, and I think that that is clear enough.

[Kuno of Gersenau]

No, they shouldn't. Mods are subgods - whatever they say is true. :wink:
There isn't more to say about that, just accept. http://www.computerbase.de/forum/images/smilies/king.gif










No, actually I don't think it is necessary to use colors as it generally seldomly occours that I have to use my "authority" as a Mod. If I have to I normally try to use a bit stricter words but that's all and usually it works. Honestly I think if I have to do something it takes me more work to delete spam or flagg threads in the Inn (little hint to the thread-creator :wink:) than reminding people to stay on topic.
It might be that I do not participate in discussion where I see conflict potential as much as if I wouldn't be a mod but that occours only very seldom.

[Dobber]

No, there should be no additional effects to denote that action is as Mod. The tenor of the post itself is enough to clarify it as a Mod action and not a personal comment. If it is serious enough that additional attention needs be drawn to it then it can be handled via PM.

[Elvain]

I'm glad for your comments, guys.

When a mod speaks he should "sound" more strict and it shuold be respected by other forum members.

I was afraid I did something wrong, but now it doesn't seem so, right?

[Kuno of Gersenau]

I was afraid I did something wrong, but now it doesn't seem so, right?
No, it's a good discussion and I guess we can only profit. It's nice to see what the other Mods and especially the frou members think about this topic. :go:

[karima]

I'm actually feeling a little alone among you mods here...:wink:

[Moryarity]

hihi..

Really quiet interesting, that a thread with this topic is drawing mainly the attention of mods to it :biggrin:

I also think, that it is clear, when we speak as mods and when we speak as users....in fact..we "speak" as users the most time..the most "mod work" is done without words...as mentioned above...moving threads..mark them..insert Code-tags( has become one of my favourite hobbies :wink:)...if it is neccessary to act in a thread in the majority of cases it is a hint to come back to topic....stronger actions are mostly accompanied by PMs :biggrin:

btw.... what would I do, if I hadn´t the extended PM store :rofl:

[NaVatar]

I personally don't think it's necessary for mods to use a different text color when "speaking as a mod" but it's a splendid discussion nontheless. Generally, as some has stated, moderators often use a different "text tone" when speaking as an authority figure. Stricter and more cautious if you will.

Although I agree with Elvain at reason one (and two and three for that matter) that if mods had a different color/font/style of the text people, whom we can call "thread-hoppers", would spot just that post/text more easily and would read it with more detail than "ordinary" posts with the usual color/font/style and perhaps take it to consideration (if the said post was an "important" post as to say).

I can see that younger people (this should not be taken as a taunt nor in a demeaning manner) has a tendence towards skipping posts and only read a fragment of the post without taking it in.

This can, and surely have been done in the past, cause conflict and problems.

But it would also be quite annoying (for users and mods alike) if every strict-post would be shining brightly red. It would, as Karima said, ruin the personal feel of all things in this forum and make it more like a military camp :biggrin:

[Elvain]

I agree that there's no need for many posts like that.

That was why I proposed this solution that it could be clear which posts should be taken as rules-demanding

(and red colour was just an example, I wouldn't like it that much and I personaly would prefere royal blue :biggrin:)

[NaVatar]

I personaly would prefere royal blue :biggrin:)

How fancy :ycool:

[Rnett]

I don't know of any forum where people need to use different colors for different context.:wacko:

[Xuca]

I don't know of any forum where people need to use different colors for different context.:wacko:
Well, I do. I've seen it on one forum where mods use red text and start each sentance with "Voice of mod:". Now using both is a bit excessive, but either different text or a clear notification would be useful imo.

[Doux]

I was afraid I did something wrong, but now it doesn't seem so, right?I don't think that this can be concluded from the thread, since it is not on your individual case, but rather, the general mod behaviour case.