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Author Topic: JC ideas and suggestions
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 Date Posted: 11/26/08 10:39am Subject: JC ideas and suggestions
What I don't want is discussion to turn into finger pointing, passing blame to specific people for why something didn't work, or a statistics thread where we talk about why traffic is low. All of which I already know about and hear on a daily basis. That won't be helpful in this thread.

What I do want is ideas and suggestions to move forward with. What do you want to see? What new things can we do? What existing things can we make better? Now I have some thoughts of my own but before I go into those, I want to hear what others have to say.

 

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 Date Posted: 11/26/08 1:18pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
does this translate to "we're stumped, please help" ?

surely your door is permanently open to new ideas to encourage activity ?

shouldn't *you* be the one driving innovation around the boards ?

 

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 Date Posted: 11/26/08 1:23pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
Just get rid of the dead weight. I think there has been enough talk about it already. It is time somebody took responsibility and just actually did something rather than avoid hurting people's e-ego.


Also, to throw in a controversial suggestion: Set term limits for mods.

Again, I know it's highly controversial as good mods might be forced to step down even when they are still doing a fine job. However, those can always be re-promoted after a few months. A good user doesnt need colors or a few buttons to stand out. Any mod should be an integral part of their forum or community, so they should have no trouble at all continue to be so without colors. It shouldnt be considered a demotion but more a challenge, a way to keep a fresh perspective and a way to recharge the batteries. More as a break from things than a punishment. it's is viewed too much as a negative thing.

It can avoid the current well-spread assumption that there is dead weight and that some mods lots touch or perspective. Please note Im not judging or accusing anybody here. But if there are indeed mods that could be considered dead weight, then they wont be able to step up and be a standout user (again). They'll either continue their (non-)posting habits or stand out as a sore thumb in whatever forum when trying to appear active all of a sudden.

Of course this might be difficult and unnecessary with some of the slower forums due to the lesser traffic and not many potential candidates. So high traffic forums as the community forums or movie forums could work with a shorter time limit as the slower ones as the Fan Art forum.

 
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 Date Posted: 11/26/08 1:44pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
I would annotate Grants suggestion - set term limits for Mods, yes, but we'll need a central crew of Mods that don't just cycle in and out. Maybe have some Mods elected to positions that are more permanent? A revolving door Mod Squad could be a problem, in the long term.

Otherwise, I wholeheartedly agree with Grant's suggestions.

 

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 Date Posted: 11/26/08 1:47pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
malkieD2 posted:
does this translate to "we're stumped, please help" ?

surely your door is permanently open to new ideas to encourage activity ?

shouldn't *you* be the one driving innovation around the boards ?

Seriously? Surely someone such as yourself can appreciate a thread devoted to suggestions and new ideas, rather than having a head admin with a closed ear imposing his will upon the rest of us.

 

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Date Posted: 11/26/08 1:50pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
I don't know if this is the right place, or wether it has been discussed before, but is there a way to change the notifications skightly, so that instead of getting new notices for every post made, we get one message per topic, which isn't updated until you go onto the thread?

Sorry if this has been discussed before.

Daft-Vader

 

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Date Posted: 11/26/08 2:01pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions - Date Edited: 11/26/08 2:26pm (2 edits total) Edited By: LostOnHoth
Following on from what Grant posted re mod term limits here is my suggestion (which I have largely re-posted from another thread):

There needs to be a more robust MS policy of honest and critical review of mod activity and performance after 12 months or 24 months. There has to be a process whereby deadwood mods are forced out to make room for new blood. I guess this requires action from the head admin.

Basically, there should be a presumption that you will serve as a mod for two years and then upon reaching two years, a review will be undertaken to see whether appointing another user as a mod would be detrimental to the forum (ie, the incumbent mod is doing an excellent job and there appears to be a lack of good replacement candidates). If so, then the mod would remain. If not, then the mod's tenure would expire and a replacement would be sought. This way, tenure is not automatically limited but is open to review.


My only other suggestion would be for people to lighten up. This is a message board, a recreational diversion. The way people carry on here sometimes, you would think the goings on here are a matter of the survival of the species.

 

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 Date Posted: 11/26/08 2:12pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
are you asking us to help you with your homework?

 
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 Date Posted: 11/26/08 4:03pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
Grand_Admiral_Grant posted:
Just get rid of the dead weight. I think there has been enough talk about it already. It is time somebody took responsibility and just actually did something rather than avoid hurting people's e-ego.


This most of all, but this entire post, seriously reminds me of you in the SSA, Erwin tongue

Having said that, I agree with it.

 

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Date Posted: 11/26/08 4:25pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
The problem with a phrase like "getting rid of the dead weight" is it required each of us to, individually, decide what constitutes "dead weight". Just as with "what makes a good moderator", it's probably going to vary forum-by-forum.

What I'd suggest, to those of us who see "dead weight" out there and have a desire to get rid of it, is to look at the forums you actively participate in, and, if you see a "dead weight" moderator and/or a moderator who is inhibiting the forum, rather than helping it grow, bring that up to the other mods of that forum and to the head admin himself. Of course, you may also want to go to that moderator first and explain that you feel they are "dead weight" and are a hindrance to the forum. I know, personally, if I got a PM like that from an active user in a forum I moderate, I'd take it quite seriously and look into the solutions to fixing the problem, including stepping down.

I think that specific requests (in private, to begin, at least) are going to be more effective in getting rid of these types of moderators than blanket statements like "get rid of dead weight".

 

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Date Posted: 11/26/08 5:02pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions - Date Edited: 11/26/08 5:03pm (2 edits total) Edited By: jedichef1
How about this, in every forum there is a Manager who has been there the longest, I see this as the "senior mod" this person should in essence know there forum inside out, if they dont it begs the question why are they there, but thats a different arguement.

So the senior mod and 506 talk about what there forum is all about, I dont think anyone not even the HA knows every forum inside out so he listens to what is said by the senior mods about their forums and between them they come up with some kind of agreement of what is expected and what is required to build and drive the forum forward.

This then is not built around post count but then if the mods who are currently in place do not have a history of anything that that is percieved to be needed then they are considered to be not doing what is required.

Now I know this is not the best thing out there, and is seriously open to collaberation between mods of each forum looking after each others backs, but this is then Chris' chance to step in and sort out what he knows is just plain looking after "their own"

It is plainly obvious to "normal" users when it is percieved that MS members are looking after their own so I should hope that Chris can see this to when setting up the guidelines to be followed.

Just a suggestion, may not be the best but it may be a starting point.

 

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 Date Posted: 11/26/08 5:30pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions - Date Edited: 11/26/08 5:31pm (1 edits total) Edited By: HookLineAndSinker
Can someone help clear up a few things for me?

What is growth in a forum and how does a moderator help this growth in this day and age? Current examples would be helpful.

What is leadership in a forum and how does a moderator help lead their forum in this day and age? Current examples would be helpful.



I'm just trying to get a clear picture here.

 

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 Date Posted: 11/26/08 5:32pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
I would also like clarification on whether this thread is just for ideas on how to get rid of "dead weight" or is this thread on how to make the forums more enjoyable and attract more users?

 

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 Date Posted: 11/26/08 5:38pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
While I agree there is dead weight, I don't think this thread should be totally about that. Having said that, I agree with everything Inty said.

 

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Date Posted: 11/26/08 5:41pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
PrincessChattyCathy posted:
I would also like clarification on whether this thread is just for ideas on how to get rid of "dead weight" or is this thread on how to make the forums more enjoyable and attract more users?


I think that 506 said in his opening post what he wants from this thread.

If you are taking umbridge to my post, I see it as a two fold thing, it will help by making mods come up with ideas on moving their forums forward. And it will set guidlines for mod participation.

 

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Date Posted: 11/26/08 6:04pm Subject: RE: JC ideas and suggestions
HookLineAndSinker posted:
Can someone help clear up a few things for me?

What is growth in a forum and how does a moderator help this growth in this day and age? Current examples would be helpful.

What is leadership in a forum and how does a moderator help lead their forum in this day and age? Current examples would be helpful.



I'm just trying to get a clear picture here.
I'll try my hand at this, but I apologize ahead of time if I don't come across 100% clear. I'm willing to try to further clarify anything that needs it done.

Forum growth is measured, to me, in two ways:

1) When a new user shows up, does the forum offer things that the new user find attractive, therefore making the new user someone who frequents that forum?

2) When an existing user logs on, do they participate in your forum?

Number one is fairly self-explanatory. We still get new users. Some of whom are honest new users. some of whom are old users who don't want to track down new passwords, and some are old users who aren't allowed to track down their old passwords. Do we get them in the volume we once did? No, of course not. But we still get them. For a forum to be growing, in this regard, it has to have threads, ideas, activities, and ways to be involved that are appealing for new users. If a forum is full of inside-jokes, established hierarchy, and mundane rules, it's probably not going to do well here. If moderators see new users and react by locking, redirecting, and being snarky to new users, they probably aren't going to do well here.

On the other hand, if a forum has easy-to-jump-into topics, a well-organized and properly updated index, and rules that help, not hinder, community and bonding, it probably does well. If moderators help new users get involved by finding them threads that match their interests and desires, it's also probably going to do well.

Number two is a little less well-defined, but I think still easy to understand. Perhaps it is best illustrated with an example. I doubt I am alone in having some boards on my "favorite boards" list that I haven't posted in for a long, long time. There are many days when I don't even visit those forums. So, why is that? Perhaps stagnation has occurred, or perhaps a clash with the moderating team or the culture of those boards, or perhaps they didn't change with me, as I changed, and I no longer have a desire to post there.

A forum is going to grow with existing users when it can capture and captivate them. When it can allow them to share their talents, their desires, and help to shape the community. If a moderating team is ruling with an iron fist from an ivory tower, they are going to fail here. If moderators are actively seeking input, seeking out leaders to help with new ideas, and things of that sort, they're going to keep people involved and keep the forum growing in this regard.

As to leadership ...

I'll just give a few examples of things I've done in my forums that I think provide leadership, because I'm not sure I can give a dictionary-esque definition.

During the Olympics, a group of Arena regulars, including myself, woke up to watch the Men's Basketball final. We had a blast live chatting in the thread as we watched it. Recognizing this, I've been working with one of the forum regulars to try to schedule future events like that for the forum.

Again, in the Arena, I've recently started a new game. It's not very involved, but I think the people who have joined so far can attest that it can be a lot of fun, and can, in some small way, enhance the experience of following a real-life sports game. I think it's a great fit, because everyone can join in ... from the forum regulars, to a freshly registered noob, to the head admin (who has).

Over in SWC, one of our most popular games since I've been around is the Jedi Draft. Recently, it had begun to get a little stale. So, I took some initiative, worked with some other draft regulars, and came up with an idea to try to add some spice to it, which we call "The Ultimate Star Wars Draft", and it's actually a joint effort with EUC. Results are mixed, but the idea itself has lead to some users coming to me with ideas for future tweaks and ideas spinning off of it.

Also in SWC, another flagship game of ours is the Jedi Trials. As it was floundering to survive, I've actually taken an active role in the thread to make sure it has a steady hand to guide it, and s65horsey did the same thing for a while. Making sure that popular and flagship games and threads stay active and change with the times to accommodate the current userbase, I think, is a good exmample of leadership.

Beyond that, I also think it's important for forum leaders, especially moderators, to have a presence outside their own forums. If no one knows who you are, no one will have a desire to visit your forum unless they already are doing so. By venturing outside and into the larger community, you can bring people back with you, providing both growth and leadership.



I hope that answered you well enough. Or at least gave you some idea of where I was coming from in using those words, anyways.

 

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