Moderator2

Scott did a very good job of explaining what goes on at that board.

Of course the Koko thread gets the most traffic!

Q Shoe Guy

The black helicopter stuff is all documented in the abused/banned user data base!

kokonutz

I'm kinda pissed that my thread has fallen so low.

I have been banned far more quickly by better IBBs than THIS!

schley

I don't think this issue has even been thought of for 95% of the FTer's. I see no reason why the TB president shouldn't moderate his own forum. He needs an editor with supreme power? I think not. Maybe Moderator2 should be our president if he is controlling what is said in the presidents forum due to a, "that's the way it has always been done" reason.

Way too many levels of bureaucracy here, but I have always been on the less moderation the better side of things.

tcook052

I know someone who's created another one recently.

Cholula

kokonutz

Are miles and points discussed there? Is it beta than FT?

Q Shoe Guy

Speaking of which, I am still trying to understand why you feel the need to have 2 moderator handles? Wouldn't one suffice?

Moderator2

Q Shoe,

Despite your off-topic question I'll respond. I actually only have one moderator handle.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...isclosure.html

Purely a technical decision at the time moderation was first implemented in July 2001. Originally moderators were going to be anonymous. That decision was reversed by myself and Moderator1 within a few days, and we outed ourselves, so to speak.

The third appointed moderator (about three or four days after Moderator1 and I were "created") asked Randy implement software that would allow readers to easily determine of someone was an appointed moderator, which happened within a few days afterwards. The board host decided future appointees all used the software solution for identification. Switching between handles requires logging in and out, which is a bit of a pain. Moderator1 and I decided to continue doing so, in order to maintain an identity that would not be formally identified as being a moderator.

Moderator1 ("Burkey") gave up his moderation role in 2003.

Now back to the topic of TalkBoard members being moderators...



Moderator2

essxjay

What about an impartial TB member or even an impartial (non-elected, non-appointed) general member as TB 'moderator'?

Maybe the better question is whether impartiality is the chief concern here -- in which case it shouldn't matter who is doing the moderating, e.g. regular mod, TB member or general member -- or Talk Board self-rule? I'm not entirely clear whether those are necessarily exclusive concerns, to tell you the truth.

That said, I continue to support M2 remaining in his current assignment for as long as he is willing to do it -- not because because he is a mod first but because he's temperate.

. . . . .

As we're delving into finer points of identity and membership, two quick cents worth:
That was a indeed an excellent solution though one I cannot accept credit for. But as the other (non-anonymous) leg of the original troika, I felt you and burkey were justified in opting for generic mod handles given the degree of correspondence between your actual name and regular handle. It was a complex call and the first of many you've been forced to make over the last ~10 years.

B747-437B

As a former elected TB member who has been suspended in the recent past (while serving as an elected member) by a non-TB moderator for comments made in the TB forum, I do believe that there is a problem. If TB is to maintain the appearance of independent elected representatives of the userbase, they must enjoy some levels of privilege to voice their true opinions without fear of unelected officials using their powers to silence or even remove them from office.

I think Moderator2 does an excellent job within the constraints that he has, but there is no way that someone can effectively "moderate" the "public" side of a discussion without a knowledge of what is happening on the "private" side of the discussion. This is not an attack on him personally (he knows I have the utmost respect for him) but rather on the system.

Spiff

Sorry, we're members first and foremost.

If voicing your opinion = violating the TOS, then expect the consequences.

SkiAdcock

Spiff was installed as Talkboard President in accordance with the TB guidelines. There is no questionably installed about it.

If you were suspended, you violated FT TOS. If you disagreed w/ the suspension, then contacting Randy was the appropriate course of action.

Back on topic. Speaking for myself, I'm fine w/ Mod 2 continuing to be Mod of TB forum.

Cheers.

B747-437B

That is a matter of opinion. Multiple users other than myself have questioned the interpretation of the TB guidelines to appoint Spiff as the Substantitive President as opposed to Acting President.

In typical autocratic fashion, he has not bothered to address the issue himself but instead relies on a network of sycophantic flunkies to take cheap shots at those who dare raise their voices and simply pretend we don't exist.

nsx

I am working on a proposal to state the procedures for filling vacancies unambiguously in the guidelines. If you had not raised the issue, I might not have bothered. You may soon be able to claim credit for a change that makes your objection moot. @:-)