Forum:Recent Moderation

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It has come to the attention of I, Pony and meatball sub, and another user, Callofduty4, that chat moderators recently have been a bit "uppity" in a few ways. "What few ways?" or "Why does this concern me?" might come to mind, or even more questions. To firstly answer, this concerns mods and "regular users" because we feel that mods should know our opinion on the modding style recently, and that regular users should know as well, and feel free to share their opinion. I will be discussing how I feel that mods are putting their job above being a regular person and helping users, and Callofduty4 will be discussing his stance on the level hostility lately.

Pony and meatball sub: "I feel that moderation has been taken a step too far lately. Some of the rules are taken a bit too far. Before I state my point... I would like to provide an example, that in your opinion may be related or unrelated. Someone would type 4 words in caps lock and they are told to "watch the caps", which is not called for because 4 words in caps is far from "caps lock spamming". Now onto my point. The other night, a few of you all may remember my question, "Is it bad if I don't want to go to my cousin's funeral?". I was told to not bring up "in real life 'drama'". In my honest opinion, that is far from drama and was a mod being too serious, again in my opinion. Another day, a mod PMed me and told me that I "should act more professional". This is the internet, the sky is the limit. I was told that by "them" because I was being playful at a time that did not call for moderation. I have. I have also been told multiple times by users who they are afraid of and the reason always being their moderation style (General Twilight Sparkle not included in this), and because they always correct them when they say something like "LOLOOLOL" or roll their eyes when someone wants to role play. I did not know that the internet required us mods to act like the president's envoy."

Callofduty4: "I am getting a feeling that we are starting to descend into an atmosphere of "shut up and do what the mod says". This is a very hostile atmosphere to have and it paves way for power abuse and excessive rule enforcement, and makes it very difficult for users to disagree and speak out against what they think is wrong. Moderators and admins are not omnipotent or omniscient, so the opportunity for users to question decisions must be made available. Yes, it is true that users should listen to mods when they request them to do something, but mods should never tell them they cannot question what they have said. It is possible for mods to make mistakes, and if someone points out a mod's mistake, they should not be met with hostility. Making mistakes is fine - being hostile to people who point them out is not. Doing this pushes away new and veteran users alike - and that is not something we want."

In conclusion, our opinions do not have to be taken to heart or thought about, but we do indeed hope you actually care. Signed http://i.imgur.com/FAHqYUz.png Spitfire ^Talk http://i.imgur.com/xzAIGzM.png and

i agree in everything http://i.imgur.com/NPxWU8r.gif Reptile 21:17, May 5, 2014 (UTC)

Comment Well said, and unfortunately I must agree. Lately, some of the mod behavior I have seen has been on the intimidating side. For example, I too have noticed there have been cases where "do not question mods" has been used when, say, the offending user is asking what he has done wrong. This is intimidation in my eyes; shouldn't a phrase like this only be used in cases where there is serious insubordination? In this case, the user was only asking what he did wrong. There are also times when there are as many or more mods than normal users. Not that this is a problem, but when a mod is intimidating, say, with phrases like "mods are not to be questioned", what does the mod force start to look like to the normal users, even the ones not breaking rules? After the mod says that, it's likely they will generalize, and the mod force seems to be towering over them. That's intimidation.

There have also been a couple cases in recent times of kicking new users without warning. For example, a new user, who has never joined chat before, spams the "o" in his greeting of hello. Then, without a warning, a mod kicks him, and the user doesn't return. And then a normal user asks, "Why did you kick him?" and the mod replies, "He was spamming. He was breaking rules." Wouldn't it be better to ask the user not to spam? Shouldn't the rules be linked? What happened to warnings? There was a point one or two weeks ago when I was thinking about making a forum like this. This is just my input as a normal chat user, I thought maybe it would be helpful to know what a normal user thinks. Thanks, You've just been Klepto'd! (talk) 21:45, May 5, 2014 (UTC)

Comment I don't have much of a bone to pick with moderators, but I can come up with a few things that bring me concern. Certain mods tend to be super-sensitive when it comes to moderating, either by overreacting and taking things to the extreme like Pony said or by refraining from kicking and banning and strictly stick to warning even though the user they are warning will not heed to them, as I had a run with a certain mod who did that and hoped that he would do things as expected of him, yet that mod stayed with being extremely passive and only warn a user continuously who was sharing with chat personal inappropriate topics and won't listen and even continued to warn in PM, and surprisingly the user stopped, even though it was clear that the user was supposed to be kicked at that moment.

My other bone to pick is how certain moderators have a grudge on some users and tend to warn them a little more than usual than they warn other people, my previous encounter being with a moderator who warned me not to be rude for sarcastically mentioning how we have a lot of users who are below 12 in our chatroom, when we were clearly being invaded by some other wiki at the very same time.

I just hope that these moderators stick to what is expected of them and have to do things they believe they shouldn't do that isn't guideline-breaking, because they should be busy being obedient to their guidelines since they were given that trust, that's all from me for now. http://i.imgur.com/1tsWYY6.png Filly Please 05:31, May 6, 2014 (UTC)

This is quite clearly aimed at me and I would ask you please to assume good faith rather than jumping to the conclusion I hold grudges. I do no such thing and am insulted that you would try and make out I do. Assume good faith. At the time, I felt the way you were saying it was horrible and off-putting to those who are underage to be apart of our community. Saying things like "Hopefully we'll get some new users who are over 12" I don't see as very friendly and welcoming. 343TheGuiltyProphet - Talk 11:14, May 7, 2014 (UTC)

Comment I'm not sure what the point of this forum is, or what you two are trying to accomplish, but I can say that being warned for bringing up in real life drama such as you said is reasonable. What even drove you to bring up your cousins death in an online chatroom, I don't know. And as for the other complaint, a professional attitude from a mod wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. From what I've seen, you always seem to act in a "playful" manner rather than a professional manner. TRIPLEJAY 12:04, May 6, 2014 (UTC)

Nothing about what she brought up was "drama", that has already been established. Also being "playful" isn't an issue - why shouldn't she be allowed to be fun? If you looked at other posts you would see that there is indeed a point to this forum, even if it is to just to raise awareness about these points.

19:23, May 6, 2014 (UTC)

Why would someone bring up their cousins death in an online chatroom about a show? I'm quite sure that'd constitute as "in real life drama", whether or not you consider it to be established. In all honesty, having a more professional attitude (aka losing the terrible innuendos (eyeroll)) would be beneficial. TRIPLEJAY 19:39, May 6, 2014 (UTC)

To correct you, Jay, I don't make innuendos, sorry you think that way about everything I do. Not my issue. It's also not my issue that you have to be extremely rude a lot of times which I think is blocking you from seeing the point of this forum. I am not entitled to acting professional at all times. It is not a rule that I have to be. You are not going to make me do it either. I don't see how me moderating at all times, which is moderating nothing at certain times, would be beneficial. Will not respond to anything after this. http://i.imgur.com/FAHqYUz.png Spitfire ^Talk http://i.imgur.com/xzAIGzM.png

I guess there is no point in replying, but I will anyways. To correct you, Jay, I don't make innuendos whether or not you "make" them is totally irrelevant because you participate in them anyways, and I'm sure you realize that. Not my issue. It's also not my issue that you have to be extremely rude a lot of times which I think is blocking you from seeing the point of this forum. lol I am not entitled to acting professional at all times. I never said you had to be professional at all times, but that having a more professional attitude would be beneficial. It is not a rule that I have to be. You are not going to make me do it either. Of course, it is a suggestion. I don't see how me moderating at all times, which is moderating nothing at certain times, would be beneficial. Where did I say you had to moderator at all times? TRIPLEJAY 21:08, May 6, 2014 (UTC)

I can somewhat see what Jay means by the innuendos but I know that they are not at all intentional and to be honest, not that bad. The only way they can possibly be turned into an innuendo is if someone looks at it and is filled with bad faith in their mind. I don't think Pony makes innuendos and I think you need to just sit back and relax a little, JJJ. Assuming good faith is always the best way to go. 343TheGuiltyProphet - Talk 11:22, May 7, 2014 (UTC)

You could not be more wrong. One can only assume good faith for so long. Also, thanks for the personal attack. TRIPLEJAY 11:37, May 7, 2014 (UTC)

Sorry, I didn't intend on making any personal attacks. I request for you to see the above comment as a diplomatic one. I don't mean to insult anyone. Just trying to help here. 343TheGuiltyProphet - Talk 11:42, May 7, 2014 (UTC)

Honestly, I don't think you have any idea of what I was referring to, and request that you do not reply so dogmatically to any other posts I make. Because, frankly, you are very dogmatic. TRIPLEJAY 19:32, May 11, 2014 (UTC)

I am entitled to participate in forums wherever I wish. If I disagree with what you're saying, I will state so in a professional manner. I have tried being nice and co-operative but nothing is coming as a result. Like some others above, I will not be replying to this anymore. 343TheGuiltyProphet - Talk 13:13, May 12, 2014 (UTC)

Comment I have noticed this for quite a while actually. There have been a few times a mod has straight out kicked someone for doing something minor, not warning them whatsoever. The whole "don't question the mods" thing is drilled into our heads falsely by mod intimidation. Not that all mods are like this, but a few have shown this kind of behavior. I've also experienced a kick for something rather minor that should have only warranted a warn. I'm not going to explain it, but it seemed very rash. This whole no warn kick thing is something I call "trigger happy moderating." Sadly, I'm seeing some mods doing this. I'm not sure what we are going to do about it, but the current chat moderation style is in quite a sad state. Not that all mods are guilty of this, but those who are don't try to hide it, whatsoever. Unknown^Prodigyhttp://i.imgur.com/OoYA0kr.gif 14:16, May 6, 2014 (UTC)

I have seen the foreboding benevolent moderator concept thrown around at times by moderators. Perhaps other mods/admins can intervene with the suspected mod and confront them to cease this attitude, rather than pussyfooting around and disregarding this, as it's now in the spotlight. http://i.imgur.com/B0lGGoQ.gifOz 19:47, May 6, 2014 (UTC)

Comment I've seen use of "don't question the mods" increase lately, and this doesn't sit right. It creates a hostile (and maybe even totalitarian-esque) atmosphere. It's unacceptable for someone to be moderating with this attitude. TheUltimateH4M ^Talk 20:04, May 6, 2014 (UTC)

Comment ...I know I've not been all that active in chat lately, but when did this start up? I don't recall a single mod in recent months that has abused their power or taking any "shut up and do as I say" attitude. Since we've already called out the issue, anyone mind showing some evidence of this? http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/274/6/d/6d9b956b91e0c92565e2a90a818bee37-d5gij3r.gifAppleJon-Talk 23:11, May 6, 2014 (UTC)

Comment - I too haven't been active on chat the past couple of weeks due to internet instability and a very busy life. But, I agree. I don't think moderators should be hostile if a user questions their choices. On the other hand however, I think these "questionings" would be best done in PM. This would be sure to prevent any drama and potential debates occuring in the main chat room. Whatever is going on right now, I hope things get better. 343TheGuiltyProphet - Talk 11:22, May 7, 2014 (UTC)

Comment I understand that all mods do things differently, sometimes not the best way, but what should we do about it? The mods have to follow their best judgement and if they're not doing that, perhaps other mods should speak up. Sometimes i wanna speak up, but then would i backseating or mini-modding? If a mod does something wrong, should any user be allowed to call them out? If there is proof a mod continues to do it, should their powers be taken away? Maybe we should do another evaluation of the mods.Or there could be a specific/certain guidelines the mods should follow. Eidlover (talk) 00:37, May 9, 2014 (UTC)

You're more than welcome to point out any flaws or mistakes you have spotted when it comes to moderators. It's not backseating or mini-modding. But, I would recommend doing it in PM so there is less drama in the chat room. 343TheGuiltyProphet - Talk 07:27, May 9, 2014 (UTC)