Moderator Notes

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 6:34 am

A place for the moderators to have a word with eplaya in general.

Reply if you like, but keep it on topic. I'm serious, this is my job!

(points for the movie reference) ((No, you don't have to post a video))

First, just as I ask that none of you reply to spam posts, I also ask you do not reply to threads which you KNOW will be pulled. That would be threads about other users. You don't get to start them here. I will delete them wholesale. I may miss these things for a day, but eventually, they have to go away.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 6:42 am

Here are the guidelines used on the Burning Man Facebook page; I wonder when I'll be asked to moderate along these lines. The stay on topic? Yikes.

http://blog.burningman.com/comment-policy/

Comment Policy for the Burning Blog & the Burning Man Facebook Page

Burning Man values the spirit of a civil community discourse. We think that a lively, on-topic public conversation is one of the best reasons to write and host a Facebook page and a blog, and that a blog without comments is more or less just another webpage.

That said, we also have a responsibility to maintain this space for the benefit of all our visitors. The comments made on this blog will have the power add to or detract from the Burning Blogâ€™s general vibe, and it is our responsibility to see to it that they serve to enhance the experience of our visitors, rather than chasing them away.

That means that we expect commenters to identify themselves in their posts, and conduct themselves as they would as guests at a party, where spirited conversation is welcome, but unruly and rude behavior is not. It also means that our moderators can and will remove posts that they believe run counter to the spirit of civil discourse.

This page is our attempt to give you some idea of what we mean by â€œcivil discourseâ€

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 6:45 am

Thoughts? I know eplaya isn't faceblech, and should not be, but I feel there are some damn fine ideas presented there. Although being the one to enforce such guidelines makes e a bit queasy.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 6:50 am

I really don't see much wrong with eplaya.......
it seems pretty rare, it gets personal or out of hand.

The above rule of "staying on topic" just plain scares me...........haha

and, Dear AntiM........you do a wonderful job here.

my vote would be no changes.

and, no soy milk in my coffee.

Post by **Sham** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 6:54 am

Are you snowed in today, AntiM?

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 6:56 am

Stay on topic, please.

(no, just the usual amount)

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 7:10 am

Aside from getting on the spam, I've never thought there was much moderation needed around here. The thread strays...the glorious, glorious thread strays are one of the best things about this place.

Just not in this thread.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 7:17 am

I'm in trouble now. One URL,,, yikes,,, I'm a violator.
"expect commenters to identify themselves in their posts" The sock forest isn't going to like this. 'Stay on topic" . I thought it was a god-given right to be always wandering around in "left field"
"Intentionally disrespectful" OOOPs, I guess that I shouldn't have started 2 threads on religion and 2 on Bush. I've given equal time to Obama too.
How does one talk about religion and politics and still be respectful? I guess that I can't mention Pelosi

BTW, what constitutes; "ad hominem" ?

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 7:50 am

I will be a good boy. I will be a good boy. I will be a good boy.

But i wont stop answering idiocy with the truth...

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 7:54 am

The good news: we aren't facebook. So disrespect only becomes an issue when it is pointed personal attacks to another user, via single post or a thread. I let the single posts ride, until they reach some critical mass where the user is on the verge of tears. Then I try reason. Yeah, that works most days. As we know, outright banning is rare, and doesn't truly work anyway. No personal attack threads; I pull those. Political and public figures? Hey, they're public, I will allow comments, although death threats are't welcome.

Stay on topic? I don't think that's too much of an issue, unless someone is highjacking an Introduction thread, or one of the Share Resources/Q&A, or someone's art installation/theme camp thread. Those I try to steer back on track. Open Discussion can wander all over hell as far as I'm concerned.

The URL thing is specifically Faceblech. Post as many as you like. Until you, or we, get bored.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 7:57 am

C.f.M. wrote:Aside from getting on the spam, I've never thought there was much moderation needed around here. The thread strays...the glorious, glorious thread strays are one of the best things about this place.

Just not in this thread.

I'm taking this as a compliment. That you do not see much of my moderation means I am doing it right.

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:43 am

Yes, AntiM, Your doing it right!
And we thank you for all the time you give it!
People, this woman does this for free.

Kinda like taking on a apprentice job to clean up after the elephants.
The pay is, um, shit and the only peanuts you even get in the deal are in the turd ya just picked up!

ya strange thank you, but I mean it!
Love you AntiM!

Post by **Sham** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:56 am

I live for thread drifts. It's what eplaya and Burning Man are both all about. It's "playa time" for the internet. Sure, if things drift too, far, a friendly reminder is OK, but banning the thread drift is blasphamy!

Oh, and AntiM, you are truly appreciated here. Without you, and your fellow moderators, there would be no eplaya.

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 9:06 am

(ya, I like thread drifts too)

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 9:44 am

What about Dead Thrifts and the Savings and Loan Scandal?

Whoops, i am so sorry, where are my meds, im drifting...

JStep · Post by **JStep** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:34 am

I like the status quo. Certainly no need to model after facebook, that's why the forum has plonking and blocking, no? So the user is in control of what content they are exposed to to some degree, or at least what authors.

Post by **Eric** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 1:39 pm

I remember what this place was like before we had moderators, and can't thank you all enough for what you do to keep eplaya functional (well, as functional as we get)

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 1:48 pm

Krisjna overvinn demonen Trinavarta i virvelvind-form medan alle rundt han er blinda av sand han bles opp.

neon tetra · Post by **neon tetra** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 2:13 pm

I think some people get so caught up with trying to be the boss of the playground that they forget why this board is actually here.
In the Open Discussions forum it isn't really a problem, but when it spills over into the ones dealing with the actual event, it becomes one, IMO.

EvilDustBooger · Post by **EvilDustBooger** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 2:34 pm

Nice sig line by the way...

tamarakay · Post by **tamarakay** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 2:55 pm

I have learned so much from this board, amazing stuff, but the drift and (i am afraid to admit it) the snark, is what keeps me entertained. The snarky here are the most gifted snarkers in snarkingdom.

AntiM you do a fabulous job. I'm wondering what brought this on?

JStep · Post by **JStep** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 3:17 pm

tamarakay wrote:I have learned so much from this board, amazing stuff, but the drift and (i am afraid to admit it) the snark, is what keeps me entertained. The snarky here are the most gifted snarkers in snarkingdom.

AntiM you do a fabulous job. I'm wondering what brought this on?

No doubt a recent spate of troll baiting by a regular poster here? Hence the specific mentions that we don't post threads specifically attacking an individual poster out of simple malice. The thread has since been removed, and although it was funny, it was probably outside the lines of general decorum. And that's why we have moderators and rules, no? Great Job AntiM!! Keeping us in line, like unruly children, cause though we might not like it at the time, we are much better for it in the long run.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 3:21 pm

If you didn't see it, there is no reason to go into details about who and what. In general, one person began a thread about another person. It was unflattering at best. So, it didn't fly. PMs happened, it is now laid to rest.

Ahem. It had better be.

Also, I've needed a mod thread to address mod issues in general for quite a while. Someplace to throw up the bat signal to the rest of the board. The mods can get together in private, but the threads down in eplaya feedback are not effective means of communication to the community at large. Too many people ignore that entire section. Open Discussion gets enough attention to warrant a mod sticky. Technically not where this belongs, but it is where it works.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 3:54 pm

AntiM, you look great with your hair down.

hsdavis · Post by **hsdavis** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 4:15 pm

Simon of the Playa wrote:AntiM, you look great with your hair down.

I hear a sucky sucky suction sound.
Very cool phone booth by the way.
Kids, that's what people used to communicate with each other before there was text messaging!

Roberto Dobbisano · Post by **Roberto Dobbisano** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 4:20 pm

my lips on AntiM's ass?

it was more of a slurp.

Rabbi Dali Rick · Post by **Rabbi Dali Rick** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 5:54 pm

Can I go pee now?...

Box Burner · Post by **Box Burner** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:26 pm

The only problem I see is because it is a sticky, and always at the top it will be mostly ignored. Better to let this thread float And then bounce it back up when you need to grab someone by the ear and get their attention.

H.G.Crosby · Post by **H.G.Crosby** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:50 pm

"ow, leggo of my ear, i gotta go pee!"

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 1:41 pm

Hey Anti-M, this really isn't the right forum for this thread...

Thanks for doing your best cat herding job with us folks!

Moderator Notes

Moderator Notes

Me. Me. Me!..