Moderation in all things, including moderation...
ScubaBoard moderation is predicated as a response system. We encourage users to report problematic areas, rather than us actively seeking them out. That's right: users are an integral part of the mod team and set the tone for the Board. If no user feels obliged to complain about a post, then it's probably just not that important and there's no need to spend much time on it. We are reactive more than we are proactive depending on the Zone. We have at least five public zones: Learning, Normal, Normal with Marketplace, Surface Interval, and Guest.
If you're not sure, go ahead and hit it. It will open a dialog box like this:
This starts a thread in the Mod Zone where all the mods get to see it and possibly discuss it. One mod will claim it and then gets to make the final decision on what will happen. You should be notified one way or the other. The sooner you report the post, the quicker we can respond and put the thread in question back on track.
If you're moderated we have several different ways of letting you know. A mod post in the thread, an explanation only you can see on the deleted post or even a conversation if the mod feels it is merited. If you don't like the moderation you can always report the conversation or send an email to Support@ScubaBoard.com with a link (don't forget this) and a detailed explanation. Help me to see the problem from your perspective.
FWIW, Moderators were selected to be leaders and not the Scuba police. If you feel one is being overly aggressive to you or even stalking you, report that to Support@ScubaBoard.com where I and only I will be viewing it. Please be patient as I usually check this only once a day in the morning... less during Invasions, Surges or other diving intensive events. You can also start a thread in support, but why turn up the drama? These kinds of things are best handled privately. Most complaints are spurious, but a few have resulted in a mod being demoted. We don't want mean or aggressive moderators any more than you do. In this respect, I retain final veto power on just about everything here on ScubaBoard. I worry about the community and will do whatever I have to in order to protect the community.
ScubaBoard moderation is predicated as a response system. We encourage users to report problematic areas, rather than us actively seeking them out. That's right: users are an integral part of the mod team and set the tone for the Board. If no user feels obliged to complain about a post, then it's probably just not that important and there's no need to spend much time on it. We are reactive more than we are proactive depending on the Zone. We have at least five public zones: Learning, Normal, Normal with Marketplace, Surface Interval, and Guest.
- New Divers and Basic Scuba (aka Learning or "Green" Forums):
- Proactively civil.
- We will respond quickly to any reports.
- Always on topic.
- No Ad threads.
- Responses to questions allowed but must be precisely on topic.
- Normal Forums:
- Moderation is reactive and not proactive.
- Mostly on topic, but discussions are allowed to evolve.
- Ad threads are allowed in the forum within reason.
- Responses to questions are allowed with a bit of latitude.
- Normal Forums with marketplaces:
- Moderation is reactive and not proactive.
- Ad threads are confined to the marketplace only.
- Responses to questions are allowed with a bit of latitude.
- Competing offers within a thread are strictly forbidden.
- Surface Interval and child forums:
- Moderation is almost exclusively reactive.
- Threats and bigotry are still not allowed.
- Guest (Manufacturer's Q&A and Group) Forums:
- These forums are sponsored (owned) by the manufacturer or group and hosted by ScubaBoard.
- They provide mods and SB mods assist them.
- Their rules apply in addition to ours.
- These may be inconsistent with how SB mods do their jobs.
- Moderation is a mix of reactive and proactive.
- No competing manufacturers allowed.
- Or comparisons to competing products.
- No trolling of the manufacturer or group is allowed.
- Please treat our guests respectfully!
If you're not sure, go ahead and hit it. It will open a dialog box like this:
This starts a thread in the Mod Zone where all the mods get to see it and possibly discuss it. One mod will claim it and then gets to make the final decision on what will happen. You should be notified one way or the other. The sooner you report the post, the quicker we can respond and put the thread in question back on track.
If you're moderated we have several different ways of letting you know. A mod post in the thread, an explanation only you can see on the deleted post or even a conversation if the mod feels it is merited. If you don't like the moderation you can always report the conversation or send an email to Support@ScubaBoard.com with a link (don't forget this) and a detailed explanation. Help me to see the problem from your perspective.
FWIW, Moderators were selected to be leaders and not the Scuba police. If you feel one is being overly aggressive to you or even stalking you, report that to Support@ScubaBoard.com where I and only I will be viewing it. Please be patient as I usually check this only once a day in the morning... less during Invasions, Surges or other diving intensive events. You can also start a thread in support, but why turn up the drama? These kinds of things are best handled privately. Most complaints are spurious, but a few have resulted in a mod being demoted. We don't want mean or aggressive moderators any more than you do. In this respect, I retain final veto power on just about everything here on ScubaBoard. I worry about the community and will do whatever I have to in order to protect the community.
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