I have an idea.

[Stu]

Besides all the possible rule re-definitions, topic re-titleling...etc. What if iceinspace used some techniques that other sites (that have moved to the next level in greatness) use.

Not many larger forums that both my wife an I use, have all moderators moderating all topics. Usually it is because either the site is just to big to scan through effectively (leading to what someone said here that spam within threads is not picked up) or that one moderator may have more experience in a particular topic than another (like a moderator with some ATM experience just keeping an eye on the ATM section).

Also, (and importantly on iceinspace) it can be like having 3 umpires on an AFL field, you get three difference interpretations of the same rule. And we all know how we like to bag umpires! (sorry to all NSW's people who do not follow AFL :o , umpire bagging in part of the game). This is like what has happened with some poster's being agrivated lately.

The point is, you can (and it is done) have a moderators way of moderating matched to what topics they moderate. Some may tend moderate more strickly than others. The less stringent ones should be assigned the "general chat" section. The more stringent should be assigned the "Astronomy Science" and "Buy sell trade" sections.

Dividing the section workload will help in picking up more errors and cutting down inconsistancies. This helps everyone. :)

As the forum gets bigger you will have to do this eventually.

[mick pinner]

good idea Stu (l helped feed the Save-O-Meter)

[mickoking]

Yeah, that makes lots of sense stu :thumbsup: good one.

[BerzerkerNerd]

Life and forum in evolution, nice work:) . How might the delegation of moderators to the different sections be best achieved ?

[stinky]

Problem here seems to be too many people interpreting the word "General" - but appreciate the angle you are taking - definetly something worth developing. Go for it!

[Starkler]

This idea has been discussed in the moderators circle before, but deemed to be not practical due to the number of moderators that we have, and what would be required to man all sections at all times.

Members can assist however by using the "report bad post" tag that appears in the banner above every post, when they see a post that is problematic.

[RAJAH235]

Great idea, Stu.
Q? to all. How many of 'you/us' have reported what you termed to be 'a bad post'? I know I haven't. Prob because I completely forgot I could. Maybe we should be more attentive to this in the future? (Just thinking out loud here).
Perhaps we rely on the mods too much?
I do know that I for one, will be here for a long time to come, irrespective of the outcome of this episode.
Keep up the good work guys.
Regards, L. :D
ps. We are all here to enjoy ourselves in our chosen hobby, aren't we?

[slice of heaven]

Neither have I, the mods have done a great job in overseeing the site, and most members seem to contain themselves fairly well.

Neither have I complained about deletion of posts, if it doesn't fit within the guidelines....why shouldn't it be removed??



Lets hope so ;)

[LR110]

As a new menber (lurked in the background for ages) could I make a sugestion re the "chat" prob.?? would a section like they have in Astronomydaily.com called "the black hole " work , it is for ot use and appears to work well..

john


ok coat in corner no need to tell me ;)

[asimov]

Re the 'chat'...I see this as a problem in itself, half the group is off chatting in Skype or whatever & not in this forum...Doesn't anyone else see this as a problem, or is it just me?

[beren]

Agreed John :confuse3: ...think Mike had the sentiment a while back too

[rumples riot]

For what its worth I don't think that there are enough moderators. CN's has several moderators for each forum. They have a much larger member base and forums than here, that is true; however the numbers here still require this sort of configuration for your suggestion to work.

Nor does this address the issues raised the other night. I am sure that all know about them and I don't need to go over them again. I agree that the idea of strict moderation for specific forums is good. By and large spam is low in specialised forums on this site. Albeit that some does make it way through.

I think as an adjunct to what you have proposed Stu. The guidelines need better definition as to what is acceptable in the various forums. The guidelines say nothing about this notion of "posting threads and posts with a point". I just checked and it says nothing about this, nor any thing about the notion of "relevance to astronomy". This will make moderation easier and fairer on each post that is made.

[rumples riot]

John thats right, it is a problem if the members feel more at ease off site than here. That says that some subjects are discussed there that cannot be discussed here. Very disturbing.

[asimov]

I must admit though, real time chat would be good for moderators to discuss something urgent that is happening in the site. I'm not opposed to forum members chatting in Skype...as long as they think of this site as 'home base'.

'What ever floats your boat' has always been one of my moto's.

[RAJAH235]

Makes you think tho. What goes on & has gone on, 'behind the scenes' so to speak. To my way of thinking, Skype is great. I use it not only for conversing with friends here but also off site.
As for 'subjects not suitable for the site', sometimes I, 'just want to talk something over' or 'shoot the breeze' or 'exchange computer program info'?
Nothing 'disturbing' in that at all. IMPO.
Asiboat, I/We do call IIS 'home base'. I/We would not continue to frequent it, if I/we did not. I/we have no intention of going anywhere, as I/we, find 'great globs of info' here.
Regards, L. :D
ps. Cool it all. T'aint worth the hassles.

[acropolite]

Rumples said... A little paranoia perhaps Paul???. Actually right now, as we speak there are several guys IISers in a chat, it's a great way to get to know each other, they all check on the forum and post as they go. It doesn't take anything away from the forum and they certainly aren't planning a rebellion in the background...Just having fun, 5 IIS blokes in a hot tub eating Pizza....:D

[rumples riot]

OK, demean away Phil.

[Stu]

I agree with the definintion change. It needs to happen, but I thought I'd try another view.

Mind you, I feel the definintion change is needed to fit the moderating. Not the other way around. I'd much prefer the rule change to occur first.

But if you put it in perspective, one day the sun will go red gaint and we are all screwd, so nothing we do here makes any difference. :) So why bother.

[Starkler]

You're quite right about that ! Absolutely invaluable :)

[Stu]

What does pizza have to do with this topic? Where's that report button..

[xstream]

I have to second that Geoff. :thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

The little read shield at the top right of each post Stu :)