I intend to run for President of the TalkBoard and I am going to tell you why.
Dec 1, 2011, 9:06 am
#16
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
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You can prove me wrong by persuading me how each of your proposed changes, or even just a majority of them, will make FT a better place. Better for the 99%, you know, the ones who have no idea what TalkBoard is. People who just read and sometimes post. Will your changes attract and retain more members? Or do they risk damaging FT?
I have an open mind, since these are changes I have not seriously considered before. Persuade me. Please.
Yes, that's a problem koko has, but without the attitude he wouldn't be the koko we love.
Dec 1, 2011, 9:21 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Canadia
Programs: A loyal Amerisuites customer... oh wait
Posts: 2,033
Hello. Just a FT n00b here.
I'm one of the ones who has no idea what TalkBoard is.
And, after reading this thread, I'm going to try to keep it that way.
So far, I like FT exactly as it is.
Dec 1, 2011, 9:29 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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Post of the day!
Dec 1, 2011, 10:11 am
#19
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
Alienation, alienation, and more alienation...
First things first. There are changes and there are changes. Changes are good. Changes can be good. Changes are not necessarily evil.
+2
There are more than one FTer who loves FT. There are countless folks who selflessly pour their own time into building content and community here on FT. Quite a few of them do what they do with or without a title or official capacity. For the love of FT, they do what they do, with or without recognition.
I don't and cannot speak for all of them. Speaking for myself, I sense waves of alienation coming from the recent hot topics from die-hard FTers, such as OMNI post count, lounge threads, the rise of MP, dog collars on MODs...etc.
Alienation is all my bleeding heart feels. What directions are FT heading for? What messages are vocal FTers sending out?
koko, <snip>
You can prove me wrong by persuading me how each of your proposed changes, or even just a majority of them, will make FT a better place. Better for the 99%, you know, the ones who have no idea what TalkBoard is. People who just read and sometimes post. Will your changes attract and retain more members? Or do they risk damaging FT?
You can prove me wrong by persuading me how each of your proposed changes, or even just a majority of them, will make FT a better place. Better for the 99%, you know, the ones who have no idea what TalkBoard is. People who just read and sometimes post. Will your changes attract and retain more members? Or do they risk damaging FT?
There are more than one FTer who loves FT. There are countless folks who selflessly pour their own time into building content and community here on FT. Quite a few of them do what they do with or without a title or official capacity. For the love of FT, they do what they do, with or without recognition.
I don't and cannot speak for all of them. Speaking for myself, I sense waves of alienation coming from the recent hot topics from die-hard FTers, such as OMNI post count, lounge threads, the rise of MP, dog collars on MODs...etc.
Alienation is all my bleeding heart feels. What directions are FT heading for? What messages are vocal FTers sending out?
Dec 1, 2011, 10:29 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 15,344
I just want to post to tell you that I have no intention on running next year to be President. I meet the eligibility requirements, but just don't have the time or desire.
Thank you for listening.
(I mean President of the United States, of course.)
Thank you for listening.
(I mean President of the United States, of course.)
Dec 1, 2011, 11:11 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
i really dont see how the TOS regarding moderation could be changed.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Dec 1, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Dec 1, 2011, 11:25 am
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 1,653
I volunteered to become a moderator because FT was a place which I liked spending time on, and I wanted to give back.
Now I'm being told that actually, what I'm doing is not good enough, and it will only be good enough if I have to go through audits, reviews and suspensions. That's getting scarily close to sounding like a job actually - the kind of thing I'd expect to be compensated for. What next, performance targets?
But I don't get paid for any of the grief of doing that. I'm expected to do it all for the love of FT.
Tell me koko, as one of those moderators you want to exercise control over - and forgive me for putting me first for a change, but I do devote quite a large number of hours to doing what I do for free, and now it appears that you are asking even more of me - what benefit is there in this for me? What is there in the regime you are proposing which actually improves what I do, helps me do what I do or makes what I do easier?
In other words, why shouldn't I just quit if you make the role too onerous for me to continue on in it?
Now I'm being told that actually, what I'm doing is not good enough, and it will only be good enough if I have to go through audits, reviews and suspensions. That's getting scarily close to sounding like a job actually - the kind of thing I'd expect to be compensated for. What next, performance targets?
But I don't get paid for any of the grief of doing that. I'm expected to do it all for the love of FT.
Tell me koko, as one of those moderators you want to exercise control over - and forgive me for putting me first for a change, but I do devote quite a large number of hours to doing what I do for free, and now it appears that you are asking even more of me - what benefit is there in this for me? What is there in the regime you are proposing which actually improves what I do, helps me do what I do or makes what I do easier?
In other words, why shouldn't I just quit if you make the role too onerous for me to continue on in it?
Even though Koko is basically just promising Free Pizza Fridays to the Middle School Assembly, if he could push for more transparency on this issue, I would support his dictator-for-life campaign.
Dec 1, 2011, 12:37 pm
#23
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I volunteered to become a moderator because FT was a place which I liked spending time on, and I wanted to give back.
Now I'm being told that actually, what I'm doing is not good enough, and it will only be good enough if I have to go through audits, reviews and suspensions. That's getting scarily close to sounding like a job actually - the kind of thing I'd expect to be compensated for. What next, performance targets?
But I don't get paid for any of the grief of doing that. I'm expected to do it all for the love of FT.
Tell me koko, as one of those moderators you want to exercise control over - and forgive me for putting me first for a change, but I do devote quite a large number of hours to doing what I do for free, and now it appears that you are asking even more of me - what benefit is there in this for me? What is there in the regime you are proposing which actually improves what I do, helps me do what I do or makes what I do easier?
In other words, why shouldn't I just quit if you make the role too onerous for me to continue on in it?
Now I'm being told that actually, what I'm doing is not good enough, and it will only be good enough if I have to go through audits, reviews and suspensions. That's getting scarily close to sounding like a job actually - the kind of thing I'd expect to be compensated for. What next, performance targets?
But I don't get paid for any of the grief of doing that. I'm expected to do it all for the love of FT.
Tell me koko, as one of those moderators you want to exercise control over - and forgive me for putting me first for a change, but I do devote quite a large number of hours to doing what I do for free, and now it appears that you are asking even more of me - what benefit is there in this for me? What is there in the regime you are proposing which actually improves what I do, helps me do what I do or makes what I do easier?
In other words, why shouldn't I just quit if you make the role too onerous for me to continue on in it?
(I wish Carol would remove the restriction of moderator discussion so I can elaborate more @:-) )
Dec 1, 2011, 12:42 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
What was the Rule Randy put in place regarding mods?
Dec 1, 2011, 12:59 pm
#25
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
Programs: TSA Refusenik charter member
Posts: 15,978
Posted by Randy Petersen, Nov 30, 2004:
There's really only one restriction on this forum, one that has long been part of my philosophy on FlyerTalk. If you have a personal issue with another member, and that includes a moderator (as they are first and foremost members), then please direct that question or issue to me directly. Moderator issues, like member issues, are personal in nature, and as long as I have anything to do with FlyerTalk, I will strive to treat personal issues as personal. Those issues are best handled by writing me: [email protected]
Dec 1, 2011, 1:08 pm
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Cheers.
Dec 1, 2011, 1:11 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
Righto, Thanks.
I understand.
I understand.
Dec 1, 2011, 1:12 pm
#29
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
Programs: TSA Refusenik charter member
Posts: 15,978
One unintended consequence of the OP's proposal is breach of member privacy with respect to suspension records. Again the implication that the CD's oversight is somehow insufficient is curious.
Last edited by essxjay; Dec 1, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Dec 1, 2011, 1:16 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 842
I intend to run for President of the TalkBoard and I am going to tell you why.
First of all I think it would be cool if, for the first time in, what? Ten years or more? The President of the Talk Board was not also a moderator. In point of fact, not only am I not a moderator, but by Randy’s stupid old rules I am prohibited from ever becoming a moderator.
And really, how stupid is that; there is no person who is more dedicated to FlyerTalk than I am. I was one of the very first posters here. I have made a lot of my best friends here. For God’s sake, I even met my wife here. True story! And I’ve never tried to make a dime from being involved in FT or very frequent travel. And yet, by some retarded, arbitrary Randy Petersen decree/decision I am prohibited from getting more involved in the FT decision-taking process. Stupid.
But that’s not what this post is about. Because Randy did me a favor in his decision to never allow me to moderate. He ensured that I would always and forever see FlyerTalk from the perspective of a poster and only a poster; that I would never become invested in FlyerTalk as a moderator or senior moderator or administrator. So he locked me into that perspective, that unique perspective, and it has given me a unique insight into the poster experience.
So, from that unique perspective I am taking the unusual (and likely controversial) decision to announce my intention to run for President of TB here rather than in the rarified airs of the private TB forum. After all, if TB is going to be totally transparent it should start right here, right now. I apologize in advance for this breach of decorum.
But I view my intention as far more than an administrative nicety. I view it as a proposed revolution.
I don’t intend to preside over the TalkBoard. I intend to revolutionize it. I intend to, to coin a phrase, #occupy it.
Here is what I would do as President of the TB:
Work with Carol to expand the scope of the TB beyond its Randy-assigned task of recommending forums into a body tasked with making recommendations regarding every aspect of the FT experience.
Make FT truly and 100% responsive to the posters, from forum creation to moderation to forum closure.
Use that influence to, for example:
I realize that these ideas are outside the box, radical and not in keeping with the status-quo, go along to get along TalkBoards of yore. There are many posters reading this right now who are probably thinking: ummm NO. Most mods must be thinking the same thing.
I’m posting this in the wee hours from Louisville, Kentucky. I’ll be slightly surprised if it’s not deleted by the time I wake up in the morning (c'mon, Craig, gimme a chance!!!).
I don’t expect everyone to like my intentions or this post. Hell, if Randy had never done me the favor of entering his BS suspension of me into the moderation database, I’d likely be the first to say that this post and my intentions were an insane over-reach.
And maybe they are.
But I don’t think so. I think they are simply removing stupid limitations from the advisory focus group that is the TalkBoard.
If I’m right, I will be elected President of the TB. If not, then so be it. The will of the posters via their elected TB members be done.
And oh, but one last thing: I love Spiffy. I consider him a true friend, from our many drinking and talking sessions. But he and I have incredible different views of the TB. That’s cool. Because maybe he is right. Maybe the TB should be severely limited in scope. I suppose we’ll find out if a majority of the TB thinks so before the next four weeks are up.
Until then, as always, I look forward to a lively conversation. That is, after all, what FT is all about.
xo
First of all I think it would be cool if, for the first time in, what? Ten years or more? The President of the Talk Board was not also a moderator. In point of fact, not only am I not a moderator, but by Randy’s stupid old rules I am prohibited from ever becoming a moderator.
And really, how stupid is that; there is no person who is more dedicated to FlyerTalk than I am. I was one of the very first posters here. I have made a lot of my best friends here. For God’s sake, I even met my wife here. True story! And I’ve never tried to make a dime from being involved in FT or very frequent travel. And yet, by some retarded, arbitrary Randy Petersen decree/decision I am prohibited from getting more involved in the FT decision-taking process. Stupid.
But that’s not what this post is about. Because Randy did me a favor in his decision to never allow me to moderate. He ensured that I would always and forever see FlyerTalk from the perspective of a poster and only a poster; that I would never become invested in FlyerTalk as a moderator or senior moderator or administrator. So he locked me into that perspective, that unique perspective, and it has given me a unique insight into the poster experience.
So, from that unique perspective I am taking the unusual (and likely controversial) decision to announce my intention to run for President of TB here rather than in the rarified airs of the private TB forum. After all, if TB is going to be totally transparent it should start right here, right now. I apologize in advance for this breach of decorum.
But I view my intention as far more than an administrative nicety. I view it as a proposed revolution.
I don’t intend to preside over the TalkBoard. I intend to revolutionize it. I intend to, to coin a phrase, #occupy it.
Here is what I would do as President of the TB:
Work with Carol to expand the scope of the TB beyond its Randy-assigned task of recommending forums into a body tasked with making recommendations regarding every aspect of the FT experience.
Make FT truly and 100% responsive to the posters, from forum creation to moderation to forum closure.
Use that influence to, for example:
- Audit suspensions, forum bans and permanent suspensions of posters to make recommendations to ensure they are appropriate.
- Make recommendations to enforce best practices on moderators up to and including reviewing and if necessary removing moderators.
- Draw a bright line between FT administration and moderation by ensuring that TB members divorce themselves from moderation responsibilities.
- Ensure that TB members, moderators and all who are entrusted with leading FT have the interests of FT and only the interests of FT at heart. Ie, no hucksters, money-grubbers or commercialists taking the critical decisions on FT.
- Generally work in an uninhibited and unlimited collaborative way to ensure that the TB make FT into a place that is by the posters, of the posters and for the posters.
I realize that these ideas are outside the box, radical and not in keeping with the status-quo, go along to get along TalkBoards of yore. There are many posters reading this right now who are probably thinking: ummm NO. Most mods must be thinking the same thing.
I’m posting this in the wee hours from Louisville, Kentucky. I’ll be slightly surprised if it’s not deleted by the time I wake up in the morning (c'mon, Craig, gimme a chance!!!).
I don’t expect everyone to like my intentions or this post. Hell, if Randy had never done me the favor of entering his BS suspension of me into the moderation database, I’d likely be the first to say that this post and my intentions were an insane over-reach.
And maybe they are.
But I don’t think so. I think they are simply removing stupid limitations from the advisory focus group that is the TalkBoard.
If I’m right, I will be elected President of the TB. If not, then so be it. The will of the posters via their elected TB members be done.
And oh, but one last thing: I love Spiffy. I consider him a true friend, from our many drinking and talking sessions. But he and I have incredible different views of the TB. That’s cool. Because maybe he is right. Maybe the TB should be severely limited in scope. I suppose we’ll find out if a majority of the TB thinks so before the next four weeks are up.
Until then, as always, I look forward to a lively conversation. That is, after all, what FT is all about.
xo
http://www.r-word.org/
