Administrative Announcement #1
Heeelllooo!
Some of you might be wondering why it has been so quiet about any new rules or announcements around here as far as administration goes. Well, simple fact is that I became admin during my exams phase which was supposed to be over last Friday, but due to an unlucky and unforseen circumstance has been extended until Thursday next week. Therefore, this is the first of a few announcements that will come regarding the administration of the boards.
First of all, I thank Eagle for giving me this responsibility. Who knows, maybe in 12 months I won't be so grateful anymore
So far most of the previous admins weren't exactly happy about the job and I certainly can see why. During the past few weeks I have received more PMs than during the 12 months prior to them (with the exception of the Movie Awards ballots). Some were valid complaints, others, well, not very much so. However, when I agreed to do this job I knew what would be coming.
This is not a job you take to be liked by others. I'm sure while some will agree with my decisions others will disagree and that's fine. It'd be kinda creepy if there was some kind of an absolute consensus on things to be done because we don't have that in real life either. The duties that do come along with this job sadly include taking actions from time to time that some of the posters whom those actions concern don't like.
Offensive behavior:That said, I'd consider myself a fairly liberal admin. I don't rule out bannings, not at all. In some cases they are necessary (if someone purposefully tries to bring down the boards or just spams them for the purpose of spamming), in some other cases they seem warranted after strong offenses. However, on general, I do oppose bannings. First of all, there's always the problem of double accounts. Mostly anyone can just come back, even after an IP ban. Second: well, I don't think that in most cases bans really make the banned person more reasonable when the person comes back so it's either no ban or permanent ban in most cases. Of course that won't happen here and there will be all kinds of bans (in length)
incase bans are being considered. But this should explain why, on the whole, I am not very much in favor of bans. I have been to these boards and at BOM long enough to see how effective bans can be (or not). They are inevitable sometimes, but I'll consider each case personally with the first sentiment being against the ban.
At the same time I have also sadly become witness to somewhat of a deterioration of these boards. While part of this development is indeed caused by certain individuals (I think most of you can think of whom I mean), another part is also caused by the general negativity, cynicism and fights that have spread throughout the boards, but in particular have infested the Water Cooler. Now what's the internet without flame wars and fights? I agree. This isn't BOM. You are, in fact, allowed to say "douchebag" and I do think that some fights, from time to time, liven up the boards a bit. However, as of recent, this has gotten out of control and led to several posters having left the site. I don't see the situation as dire as Maverikk does, but it sure as hell could be better. Want a proof? Then see how the Oscar forum has pretty much become a wasteland. Some of those posters might have been controversial, but others were perfecly fine and well-liked contributors who were simply put off by all the fighting. And, yes, several of those who left (reduced their posting drastically pretty much said it to me this way. Many of them actually went on to point out some of the names involved. Someone told me recently that fighting is all the life these forums have (at least in the Water Cooler). That might be true in a way, but I will not let that pass anymore. Some of you wil disagree. Some will say "it's just the internet" and while this might be true or not, several posters did leave and with them gone the fighting has become all the more visible scaring off the newbies from actively participating. Therefore, whether "it's the internet" or not, I shall act on cases where I think lines are being crossed or things get out of control.
How do I plan to act? It depends. Obviously I am still working it out, but there won't be a SOP here. These are message boards, there's no legislation here and no real constitution to speak of. Right now and until further notice, I will decide cases on my own discretion. Because this is what it comes down to. Of course there are the ground principles of WOKJ that I shall stick to, but at the end of the day if I decide that someone's crossing the line, then his person will be warned by me personally. One of these lines, is, first and foremost, insults and atacks that tap into a poster's personal life that doesn't have anything to do with his/her actions on the message boards and that have the sole intent of hurting that poster. Depending on the severity of following actions, either a repeated warning will be issued or measures will be taken. Generally, before taking any action, I always prefer to warn the poster first and give him/her a chance to change the behavior. In soem cases I'll simply delete the offensive post or lock the offensive thread and that'll do. If the behavior change doesn't happen consequences will follow. They include, but are not limited to: taking away privileges (avatar, signature, images posting, rank, user name, limited access to the boards), changing avatar/screen name or Signature as a form of punishment and, ultimately, a ban. I, however, do prefer the first two measures as opposed to a ban.There have been bans here and by the look of it, it hasn't quite worked out. Just like bans, however, the accessand privilege changes will be restored after a while of (hopefully) civil behavior. I don't know if my method will work and I don't even know if there is a way to fully fix the current situaton, but I sure as hell will try. Whatever I will do I will do for what I think is best for these message boards.
Moderating:You might have noticed that the moderating team is now down to yoshue and xiayun, but it won't stay this way. As stated at the beginning, I have been under some stress recently. Once that is over (hopefully Thursday next week) I do plan on appointing new mods. I already have 3-4 candidates in mind that I see as very fitting, but I haven't approached them yet. I will discuss this issue with xiayun, Nebs and yoshue.
I also do have some other plans to discuss with all of you, but that will wait until the next administrative announcement.
Truly yours
