Is criticism of Moderators a bannable offense?

[HowardE]

It all goes back to, "people wouldn't treat the staff like secret police, if they didn't act that way"

 

[gangrel441]

Where's Uncle Pug? Where's OE2X? Where's Snowbear? There are others ... those three just happen to be friends of mine who don't participate here anymore because of the disrespectful way they were treated.

Bob, I have a great deal of respect for you, and have never had a beef with you, but I can tell you that one of the users you mention above (and I won't say which one) treated me very disrespectfully as a user once. Without going into too many details, let's just say I think we can agree that when a user asks in a PM "Did I do something wrong that prompted your comment?", the appropriate way to respond is not with sarcasm and a non-answer.

Point being, this place wasn't utopia under the old guard, it isn't under the new guard, and it never will. I can deal with that. Please don't act like this is the first time anyone has ever felt sleighted by a mod. I am sure I am not the only poster in this board that feels this way...

 

[The Chairman]

time to not say anything nice about management ... again

Yeah, we get that. Mostly from former management. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Bob, I have a great deal of respect for you, and have never had a beef with you, but I can tell you that one of the users you mention above (and I won't say which one) treated me very disrespectfully as a user once. Without going into too many details, let's just say I think we can agree that when a user asks in a PM "Did I do something wrong that prompted your comment?", the appropriate way to respond is not with sarcasm and a non-answer.

Point being, this place wasn't utopia under the old guard, it isn't under the new guard, and it never will. I can deal with that. Please don't act like this is the first time anyone has ever felt sleighted by a mod. I am sure I am not the only poster in this board that feels this way...

No doubt ... and I can tell you that having been a mod for a couple of years, I made mistakes that in hindsight I wish I hadn't. Every mod is capable of making mistakes ... and they should be given some margin for that.

On the other hand, that doesn't make the current rash of actions ... nor the response to complaints about them ... any less inappropriate ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Yeah, we get that. Mostly from former management. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Pete ... dismissing this as sour grapes isn't going to resolve anything.

You've given the keys to a few folks who need to learn how to drive responsibly. Rather than take shots at the people who are complaining about getting run off the road, perhaps a few driving lessons would be more productive.

You've made some promises. And some of those who you've entrusted to represent your word aren't doing so very well. That reflects badly on your credibility. It also reflects badly on the credibility of the majority of your staff, who do a fine job day in and day out.

You're the man ... you can either choose to address the issue at its source, or continue rationalizing their actions while it spirals into something larger than it should be.

I used the term "Decider" in earlier posts for a reason ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[mike_s]

Now, I haven't asked the mod in question WHY they used SB Mod, but seeing how quick y'all are to crucify anyone for any deed, I can't blame him. Who wants to deal with all the character assassination? Once it was brought to our attention, the thread was quickly re-opened.

Pete.

Question. Aren't "sock puppet" accounts such as the above against the TOS?

And doesn't having such an account usually reason for a 5 to 10 day 'vaction' banning?

I'm not sure who this MOD is and really don't care, but I think that the person this thread was started about was banned also for having a sock puppet account. So if you were to treat this equally, it would mena banning this MOD for creating a 'sock puppet' account.

Now... before you do that.... Personally I think that is crazy to do. Just like I thought it was crazy to ban the other person for 5 or 10 days for creating the 2nd account, which I don't think he ever even used to post with. I think he was just trying to read the threads and keep up.

Now I don't know which MOD did all this,,, but it just goes to show this whole thing has gotten childishly out of hand.

To say the least, I am a little dissapointed with the tenor of this thread. Actually, I am downright disgusted. For those of you have shown support and compassion, my sincerest thanks for your PATIENCE in letting us deal with things.

I think most of us support you and the other moderators here. But I can easily see how some folks (members of the 'mob') can get just as digusted over the childish actions of a few who didn't excercise the right judgement.

 

[gangrel441]

No doubt ... and I can tell you that having been a mod for a couple of years, I made mistakes that in hindsight I wish I hadn't. Every mod is capable of making mistakes ... and they should be given some margin for that.

On the other hand, that doesn't make the current rash of actions ... nor the response to complaints about them ... any less inappropriate ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

This wasn't a simple mistake, Bob...it was a series of PMs that I initiated with the former mod in question (FMQ) over the span of the few days. Ultimately, I was in the wrong in the thread, and I admit that. However, the way the FMQ dealt with me, especially since I initiated the dialogue, was over the top and was not a one-time thing. What I saw in that brief exchange was a patern that probably went well beyond my own experiences.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Pete.

Question. Aren't "sock puppet" accounts such as the above against the TOS?

And doesn't having such an account usually reason for a 5 to 10 day 'vaction' banning?

I'm not sure who this MOD is and really don't care, but I think that the person this thread was started about was banned also for having a sock puppet account. So if you were to treat this equally, it would mena banning this MOD for creating a 'sock puppet' account.

Having been a mod, I think there are legitimate reasons for this account to exist ... and legitimate times for its use.

I don't think this was an appropriate use ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MB]

Aren't "sock puppet" accounts such as the above against the TOS? ... So if you were to treat this equally, it would mena banning this MOD for creating a 'sock puppet' account.

Maybe it would help to know this. About 8-9 months ago there was some discussion about creating an SB Moderator so that some staff could do business on the Board free from retribution (which most assuredly does occur). The SB Moderator was created for that purpose. Its seldom used, but when an action needs to happen, and the only person ready to intervene is unwilling to get targetted, harrased, or smeared for his or her action, that handle is available.

Call it a sock puppet, call for a ban, but its been a tool available for staff in an effort to allow them to work for the Board for quite some time. Whether its a good tool will be discussed again.

 

[The Chairman]

Question. Aren't "sock puppet" accounts such as the above against the TOS?

And doesn't having such an account usually reason for a 5 to 10 day 'vaction' banning?

Very few (if any) are banned for having a sock puppet. Some have their suspensions lengthened when they use a sock puppet to circumvent their suspension.

This account was made a long time ago, for other reasons. It has subsequently been disabled.

Mods and Admins are encouraged to have a sock puppet for testing and other purposes. I make no apologies for this necessity.

But hey, this just shows that we LISTEN. Contrary to the unfounded criticisms being leveled at management, we do listen. Perhaps a few need to develop their patience.

No Bob, I am not interested in trading barbs with you or anyone here. If you have a substantive reccomendation for improving things, please PM me. If you just want to continue in your efforts to try and embarrass me and the mods with unfounded criticisms, then the floor is all yours.