Moderation!!!!

[Quark]

Hi All,

Just wanted to share some thoughts about the level of moderation on IIS, especially in this "Year of Astronomy". I have noticed some dissension regarding the level of moderation on this site.

Astronomy is for everyone, all age groups, no one is to old or to young to become involved. I applaud the level of moderation on IIS, I think you only need to look at other forums to appreciate it.

There have to be rules and they need to be applied, this is one of the few astro forums in this country that attempts to control the language and content of what is posted. This is a family friendly forum where mums dads and their kids can learn about astronomy without being confronted by offensive language.

Maybe I am old fashioned, but the language that would be fine in the crib room on the mine is not appropriate on a public forum that is trying to promote astronomy to the community, that is my humble opinion.

Regards
Trevor

[ngcles]

Hi Trevor & All



I'm in 100% agreement and I couldn't have expressed it better Trevor.

Keep up the good work mods.

Yep, you probably are old-fashioned Trevor but I don't have a problem with that at all. If people spoke like that at my astronomy club meeting or at Sydney Observatory they'd be politely asked to moderate the language and/or leave. Why should it be different here? It is very much a mixed audience and an "intelligent" avocation that doesn't need it.

Just my 2c worth ...


Best,

Les D

[matt]

I agree 100% with you too, Trevor.

[astroron]

Hear! Hear! Trevor, if people can't express themselves without putting in an expletive, then it is a pretty sad state of affairs.

[xelasnave]

The moderation on this site has always been excellent even on the receiving end on the odd occassion I think the moderators here do a fantastic job....

Swearing destroys ones ability to select the right word by substituing a disgusting universal... not good for the brain not good for society... I hate it when I fall victim at a party or such to swearing...

Trevor is on the money.


alex

[Kevnool]

Trevor you are right 100% in my books as well.
I also like the idea that you can alert the moderators by pushing the bad post button (which i have done on occassions) because there not here all the time and some of these posts just go over the top and stray away from astronomy.
My 2 bob......Cheers Kev.

[Dennis]

I wouldn’t label this as “old fashioned”, more like respecting others because you respect yourself and the community where you dwell.

The need to pollute the Forum (together with yourself!) by throwing pebbles into the toxic waters of negativity, creating far-reaching ripples that you can never hope to re-call, just doesn’t seem necessary.

On those occasions where I have succumbed to this unwise and uncool behaviour, I have always instantly regretted it, feeling quite diminished, not to mention appearing like a chump to the world wide readership! A Pyrrhic victory always leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

Summed up perfectly, Dennis:thumbsup:

And by ruling firmly on foul language and boorish behaviour IIS is more than just a family-friendly forum....

[iceman]

Thanks for your thoughts Trevor and I appreciate everyone's support.



Excellent points there Les.

IceInSpace has always been, and will always be, a family-friendly forum where people can come and learn about astronomy, find out what equipment to buy, look at beautiful astrophotos and hopefully continue coming back for more. There's absolutely no reason people need to swear to get their point across or talk to their friends on IceInSpace.

The level of moderation here isn't for everyone and there's often been times where conflicts have arisen because of it, but ultimately it's the whole community that benefits from these rules.

There's other places people can go if they don't like the terms and conditions and level of moderation here.

Thanks again for taking the time to start this thread, Trevor. I'm sure the moderators, whose job is often a very thankless one, appreciate your words.

[WadeH]

Cheers to the moderaters.

As my grandpa used to say "bad language belongs down the back paddock, not in the farmhouse!"

Mick et al, keep up the good work.

[RB]

Very much appreciated everyone !!

Here's to a wonderful 2009 !

:)

[Shawn]

Indeed , well done team, I know from experience how difficult it can be to moderate a forum. Bad language , well there is bad and there is bad, and I agree there is no room for coarse or offensive language, the difficulties arise in other areas, chat about religion and politics, even haircuts..this sort of stuff is difficult to moderate. I take my hat of to the team of 2008...Good Job..:D

[GeoffW1]

Ah yes, but we still need one or two volunteers to misbehave a bit in 09, just so they can have something to moderate :D

Cheers

[Jen]

:clap::clap::clap:
Yay for the mods :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
:bowdown:

[Jen]

:lol::lol::lol: yeah we have to give them something to do :lol: i have been known to be a bit cheeky at times :innocent::innocent:
:evil2::wink2:

[xstream]

Thanks all for the support. It's truly appreciated. :)

[acropolite]

Thanks for your understanding and support. :D

A special thanks to the members who make our task easier by using the report bad post button. :thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

Onya guys, you're doing a great job.

[erick]

What they all said :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

what he said ^^^ - thank you

[edwardsdj]

I really appreciate the moderation on this site also.

I have no problem pointing my thirteen year old daughter to material on this site because it is so clean.

Thanks very much to the moderators :)

Best regards,
Doug

[astronut]

I agree wholeheartedly Trevor.
"Offensive language is the carriage of the feeble mind"
Well done moderators!!
Thanks Mike!!

[garyp]

The level of moderation on this site is spot on:thumbsup:

It makes a great family site.:)

The rules are the rules and that's how it should be.

Cheers all

Gary:)

[theodog]

It may be the quality of moderation that keeps IIS away from the NSW Dept of Ed. web blockers.
Great work Mod's for keeping this site available.

[Ric]

I find this site is perfectly moderated and Mike and the moerators are doing a fantastic job and should be applauded for this.

Keep up the great work guys.

[Octane]

I, and, I'm sure, many countless thousands, are applauding the latest moderation. ;)

Regards,
Humayun

[spacezebra]

I agree that the moderators are doing a great job. I personally would like to see a more balanced mix of male and female moderators on the site.

I think that it would underpin one of the IYA ideals of getting more women involved in astronomy.

Just my thoughts.

Cheers Petra

[jjjnettie]

I agree with you on that Petra.
But would a female moderator put in only as a token gesture be given the same respect as the other moderators?

[spacezebra]

I agree - that this should not be a token gesture. And one would hope that a female moderator be granted the same respect.

Interesting reading on "she is an astronomer" corner stone project for IYA.

Promoting gender equality and empowering women is one of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. She Is An Astronomer will promote gender equality in astronomy (and science in general), tackling bias issues by providing a web platform where information and links about gender balance and related resources are collected.

http://www.astronomy2009.org/globalprojects/cornerstones/sheisanastronomer/

Cheers Petra

[Ric]

I have no problem with the idea of a female moderator and they would have my full respect as does all the moderators.

[alan meehan]

Hear hear.! petra could not agree more,well done to the moderators,just remember theres always the naughty room.

[iceman]

I appreciate the sentiments expressed by Petra and Jeanette, and am certainly not ruling out a female moderator in the future.

However, it should be noted that potential moderators are chosen based on a number of factors and criteria, and their gender is certainly NOT one of those criteria.

It should also be noted that we're not currently recruiting any additional moderators at this time - male or female :)

As far as gender equality for IYA2009 is concerned, IceInSpace is more than happy to have articles, events, activities etc that work towards this and we'll do our utmost to help out, promote, advertise, sponsor etc.

[spacezebra]

Hi Mike

I agree that a moderator should be not chosen based on gender. I would however be interested in the factors and criteria for moderation, as mentioned in your post. Is this information published?

Cheers Petra

[Octane]

Probably something like length of time on the forum, post count, knowledge, post quality, friendliness, helpfulness, etc. :)

Regards,
Humayun

[leon]

Very interesting point, and I'm 100% in favor of the mods, I joined a new forum some time ago just because I could, I lasted two days, some of them, the forums I mean, are a shockers. :scared:

I now am connected to only one and It is, IIS, ;) keep up the splendid work guys. :thumbsup:

Leon :thumbsup:

[gbeal]

We have moderators? Oh goodness I didn't realise that, LOL.
If there is one thing I hate about the internet it is that you havn't a clue who your message will "touch", (be read by). So this behoves you to opt for the safest option and keep it as the Queens Engrish.
It is a great forum, with many an experienced helper, like a big family really.

[iceman]

Hi Petra
No, this information is not published, but it's easy enough to make a guess at what they are - as Humayan has done.


That's actually a pretty good list, although post count I wouldn't have put on there. Obviously a future potential moderator does need to be posting on the forum and be known in the community, but the number of posts isn't really considered - at least not in a major way.
Some other considerations are loyalty to IceInSpace, how I've seen them handle conflict, how I think they'll handle conflict, generally how they've behaved, how much they've spammed, what their temperament is, etc.
And of course as H has said, how friendly they've been, how knowledgeable they are to be able to help people, etc.

Potential moderators don't come to me - I always go to them and ask them. A very short list is usually discussed by the existing moderators first and evaluated based on the criteria above.

I hope that answers your question.

[jjjnettie]

I'm sure we've all been there Leon. Sites where if you go the tiniest bit off topic and they come down on you like a ton of bricks. Too much moderation is as bad as too little.
Apart from the wealth of knowledge here, what I like most about IIS is the friendliness of its inhabitants and their sense of humour.