OSDev.org

What's it like being a moderator? I've been asked to moderate a forum and I just wanna make sure I actually know how before I dive in there. What do you actually do, what is it like?

Cheers,

Calum

I moderate a forum on another site, it isn't particularly difficult or anything, more like just knowing when to or not to act. That forum simply adds the moderation controls to the normal user interface so it doesn't seem much different then just being a user (other than being able to edit/delete/hide other peoples posts, rename topics, lock threads, etc).

Really, the only sort of commitment you have is to visit regularly and deal with posts that don't meet the rules (implying that you at least try to look through the newest posts).

Be a regular guest of the forum in question.

Know the moderator controls of the forum. (I messed up a couple of times before no longer confusing "quote" and "modify" and learning how to properly split a thread. :-[ )

Know the language, the subjects discussed, the netiquette of the forum in question, and the limits of your knowledge. Make sure your idea of what the forum should be like matches that of the other moderators.

Know when to act. Better yet, know when not to act.

If unsure, contact the other mods.

That's about it. A good moderator on a good forum makes himself felt only very rarely. (Thank you very much, "__pissed". ::) )

I personally just read through everything that is being posted, and cross reference in my mind as to whether or not what the person has said reflects the rules instated by the Administrator. It can be fun, and it can be hectic...its just a matter of what your audience is.

Patrick

Moderating is usally keeping the boards in line. If people post off topic stuff, split it off to a new topic. If people spam or post inappropriate things, delete it. If topics get out of hand lock them. If they post a topic in the wrong board, move it to the proper one.

These things are pretty general from board to board. But please talk with the Administrator because policies on what is and what is not to be moderated varies from Administrator to Administrator.

(Thank you very much, "__pissed". ::) )

Is this referring to what I think it's referring to?

To someone who has an attitude but not the guts to write under a "real" nick, and writes postings which he knows I will delete on sight (since I told him beforehand).

No wonder, unpleasant individual thou' that lad is. Should learn to behave himself ere strolling around telling other ppl bout what he things they should or should not behave/do/whatsoever - nevertheless each sentence uttered crossing the line of his competence so what the heck, away with him. And yes, I'm disgruntled.

I've done usering, moderating, and admining on forums that actually get lots of posts.

Moderating isnt overly hard...

Admining, however, can be quite annoying....especially when there are some aholes who want to take your forum down for whatever reason.


I would take the moderating job...if i were you.

The only thing as moderator you have to do is make sure that the board is being used for things it's supposed to be used for, and that in a positive demeanor. Result is that the only thing you're supposed to do is remove posts that are offending, content-less, double-posted etc., fix posts that are broken, have an offending line in it, break the forum layout (some people think everybody runs in 2048*1536) or something like that. Just make yourself not noticed, or barely noticed by the people that want to do good, and make yourself like an iron barrier to those that do not do good.

BI solemnly vows that he is up to no good *mwaaaahahahahahaaa*

... just because good lads just get to heaven, but bad ones get everywhere.

Don't panic - remember where your towel is and you'll have a nice moderating time.

If I were you, I wouldna tell ppl lame threats and intimidations. Do. No warnings, no babble about netiquette - if someone breaks the rules, he/she deserves altering or deleting of his post/s. Immediately. Netiquette can be checked. the rules are to be known. Not knowing a law is no reason to break it. Period. I daresay that's hard but reasonable.

STay safe.

ps: No, I'm no angel. *gg* I'm the bad guy. ];->

beyond infinity wrote: BI solemnly vows that he is up to no good *mwaaaahahahahahaaa*

ps: No, I'm no angel. *gg* I'm the bad guy. ];->

If you're the bad guy, I must be pretty evil too... But then again, I barely (if ever) touch your posts, and if I do it's usually cosmetic (long url's...). People like __pissed are however quite a different story.

PS: Mischief accomplished. Why do you read those books as well?

Isn't the phrase uttered, "Mischeif managed!"?

well, it's indeed "mischief accomplished" in the versions I#ve got at home.

@candy: why? because I'm helplessly book addict. Give me a good book, a soft chair and a warm chimney, and I'm away for the good of a cold winters day. Oh, and because I've got kinda affinity for Harry.

It must be to do with translation issues then.... Oh well