Why does this forum only have one moderator?

[88gta350]

For a forum with a couple hundred thousand members to have a single moderator who has many other full time duties to attend to doesn't make a lick of sense to me. There are a lot of topics on this forum that have degraded into p!ssing matches between members that need to be locked down or edited.

I call for Trains to entrust a couple more people with moderator duties. Bergie obviously can't spend all his time on these forums picking up after us. I'm afraid it'll get to the point where they'll just shut the whole darn thing down.

Another forum I belong to has only a few hundred members but half a dozen moderators. Trolls and personal attacks, though few, are shut down instantly. Things around here shouldn't be allowed to go on for so long. Bergie will end up having a coronary like a few weeks ago.

Again, Trains.com, if you're listening, please bring in some more moderators. I am a moderator at another, non-train-related, forum and would be happy to take up the duties if asked. The key is, unless you use Kalbach employees, to find people who won't use the moderator powers to simply further their own agenda and exact their own personal revenges.

[David_Telesha]

<<I moderate several forums....

Offered my help several times, haven't been called upon yet...

[Anonymous]

I moderate a few on line forums, also...certains topics(the 3 G's, as we call them) are verboten, as are personal attacks and are deleted immediately.
So, Bergie , if ya need a hand cleaning up this board, shoot me an e-mail.[:D]

[Poppa_Zit]

I'm a moderator on another train-related forum with about 1200 members, with maybe 20-25 posts on an average day.

All postings must be approved by one of five or six moderators before they go up, which prevents flaming and posts about politics and religion and the like. Works pretty good, and keeps adreneline levels safe.

That type of "delayed appearance" format may be necessary here someday, just to keep things civil. It will, though, hurt those who like to use these forums to carry on conversations.

[jeaton]

Actually, Bergie is not the only member of the Kalmbach organization looking at the Trains.com forum. He is just the one with the delete key.

And, he has often stated that he appreciates valid complaints about content from members.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: So, Bergie , if ya need a hand cleaning up this board, shoot me an e-mail

[#ditto]

[Anonymous]

I would say it is because it was assumed everyone had decent social skills. Evidently, some among us have some unresolved issues.

[Kevin C. Smith]

Why one moderator?

Well, if it's like any other thankless job, he was chosen by being the only one not in the room when the decision was made.

Shoulda never made that trip for coffee...

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kevin C. Smith

Why one moderator?

Well, if it's like any other thankless job, he was chosen by being the only one not in the room when the decision was made.

Shoulda never made that trip for coffee...

[(-D]

[Anonymous]

And yet the TROLLS keep on coming back. Allan.

[ValleyX]

How many of these topics actually get out of hand? I don't read each and every topic, only the ones which subject line catches my eye, or the ones that say THIS FORUM!, currently going on, which content I barely understand, because I don't see it as being a topic, it's a ranting by a juvenile. Some postings on here are juvenile but there really aren't that many. I've seen far worse forums.

[jsoderq]

Since Kalmbach owns this site there are legal concerns which is why Joe Blow is not a moderator.

[tree68]

All things considered, this place looks pretty good. And even with a half dozen moderators, unless you do the kind of post review Poppa mentioned, there will be times when none of the moderators are on line. Kinda like that little tiff that went on overnight a while back. I think it ran to four pages of sniping, mostly due to one participant's baiting. Once discovered, it was nipped.

Individual post review would, of course, get rid of most of the immature stuff that happens, but what happens when a moderator is part of the problem? (Rhetorical question - don't answer it!) A couple of off-line emails to Bergie usually take care of most issues. You'd be surprised at how close a pulse he keeps on the forums...

And even though a lot of us stick by one or two of the forums, some of the troublemakers over time have found it necessary to run amok around the entire place, causing all sorts of trouble.

As a group, we've gotten a lot smarter about trolls and their sort, and are less likely to take the bait.

[CShaveRR]

I am not sure having one moderator is a problem. I think most of us respect Bergie for the job he's doing, and those who don't probably should be living in fear of being booted.

It's Kalmbach's forum; Kalmbach employees should wield the sword when necessary. If I remember correctly, Mark Hemphill, when he was the editor, also had the power to delete threads (I got an e-mail from him once, apologizing for deleting my post when a bad thread was removed).

Bergie is a reasonable person, there has been at least one instance of a forum contributor being allowed back, and he's stayed on the strait and narrow since.

I don't think I'd like to see moderators second-guessing other moderators. I wouldn't wi***o be a moderator on any forum--heck, I can't stay on an even keel from one day to the next, and today I don't feel like reading much of anything (so be nice to me, or you may find yourself on your ear! Could you live with that?).

[chad thomas]

Even though Bergie isn't in here all the time there are several responsable members of this forum that will alert him if things get out of line. I have had to contact him a couple times myself. For the most part though the intelegent members of this forum can spot trolls and ignore them. Though I must admit sometimes I cant resist the temptation to toy with them. I really got to stop feeding the trolls though.[(-D]

[n2mopac]

From personal experience I will say if there is content or attitude that is inappropriate, email Bergie about it, give him the name of the thread and the member in question, and he will take care of it immediately. I did this on the modeling forum once with a member who was randonmly and relentlessly singling out members and harassing them. I emailed Bergie and that member was gone that day.

Ron

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

I am not sure having one moderator is a problem. I think most of us respect Bergie for the job he's doing, and those who don't probably should be living in fear of being booted.

It's Kalmbach's forum; Kalmbach employees should wield the sword when necessary. If I remember correctly, Mark Hemphill, when he was the editor, also had the power to delete threads (I got an e-mail from him once, apologizing for deleting my post when a bad thread was removed).

Bergie is a reasonable person, there has been at least one instance of a forum contributor being allowed back, and he's stayed on the strait and narrow since.

I don't think I'd like to see moderators second-guessing other moderators. I wouldn't wi***o be a moderator on any forum--heck, I can't stay on an even keel from one day to the next, and today I don't feel like reading much of anything (so be nice to me, or you may find yourself on your ear! Could you live with that?).

Aww - No one is going to believe that kind and gentle Carl is going to suddenly go bad! You will feel much better tomorrow. Trust me!

And besides - the forum only has one Mookie and why would you want a whole group of them cluttering up the forum. One of anything is enough! Bergie does just fine.

[jchnhtfd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

I am not sure having one moderator is a problem. I think most of us respect Bergie for the job he's doing, and those who don't probably should be living in fear of being booted.

It's Kalmbach's forum; Kalmbach employees should wield the sword when necessary. If I remember correctly, Mark Hemphill, when he was the editor, also had the power to delete threads (I got an e-mail from him once, apologizing for deleting my post when a bad thread was removed).

Bergie is a reasonable person, there has been at least one instance of a forum contributor being allowed back, and he's stayed on the strait and narrow since.

I don't think I'd like to see moderators second-guessing other moderators. I wouldn't wi***o be a moderator on any forum--heck, I can't stay on an even keel from one day to the next, and today I don't feel like reading much of anything (so be nice to me, or you may find yourself on your ear! Could you live with that?).

Aww - No one is going to believe that kind and gentle Carl is going to suddenly go bad! You will feel much better tomorrow. Trust me!

And besides - the forum only has one Mookie and why would you want a whole group of them cluttering up the forum. One of anything is enough! Bergie does just fine.

purr purr purr...[:D] Amen!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rebelfdl

I moderate a few on line forums, also...certains topics(the 3 G's, as we call them) are verboten, as are personal attacks and are deleted immediately.
So, Bergie , if ya need a hand cleaning up this board, shoot me an e-mail.[:D]

I've never seen a board yet that did not descend into cliquishness and stink from favoritism once "member moderators" were adopted.

Too many people willing to kiss up to power in order to buy favoritism, and too many ego maniacs looking for 'power' to trust independants.

I think that Bergie does a fine job on his own, and if he decides he needs more help I hope he uses another Kalmbach staffer and not one of us.

[2c]

[David_Telesha]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates

QUOTE: Originally posted by rebelfdl

I moderate a few on line forums, also...certains topics(the 3 G's, as we call them) are verboten, as are personal attacks and are deleted immediately.
So, Bergie , if ya need a hand cleaning up this board, shoot me an e-mail.[:D]

I've never seen a board yet that did not descend into cliquishness and stink from favoritism once "member moderators" were adopted.

Too many people willing to kiss up to power in order to buy favoritism, and too many ego maniacs looking for 'power' to trust independants.

I think that Bergie does a fine job on his own, and if he decides he needs more help I hope he uses another Kalmbach staffer and not one of us.

[2c]

www.railroad.net/forums

6044 members

I don't have any trouble... Come over sometime.

I haven't used any moderator tools in my 4 forums in months..

I think you're generalizations are ill-informed.

[selector]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates

QUOTE: Originally posted by rebelfdl

I moderate a few on line forums, also...certains topics(the 3 G's, as we call them) are verboten, as are personal attacks and are deleted immediately.
So, Bergie , if ya need a hand cleaning up this board, shoot me an e-mail.[:D]

I've never seen a board yet that did not descend into cliquishness and stink from favoritism once "member moderators" were adopted.

Too many people willing to kiss up to power in order to buy favoritism, and too many ego maniacs looking for 'power' to trust independants.

I think that Bergie does a fine job on his own, and if he decides he needs more help I hope he uses another Kalmbach staffer and not one of us.

[2c]

Couldn't agree more. We will be much further ahead if WE, as a group, tackle unseemly matters and settle them between ourselves in a civilized manner. The vast majority of us are couth, and can determine readily when something posted is offensive or inflammatory. Accordingly, we have two options: ask Bergie to come over here, or tell the offender that we disapprove...and hope that peer pressure regains the tone that we appreciate. Clearly unacceptable posts will always have to be Bergie's purview, but testy disagreements are usually solvable with patience... and volume.

I also know full well that, if moderators are chosen from among us, and one the choices proves to be a mistake, we may lose an otherwise good member to embarrassment when he/she is told that their services are no longer required. As for favouritism and cliquishness, they happen whenever groups form...so they are probably extant here already.

-Crandell

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by David_Telesha



I don't have any trouble... Come over sometime.

I haven't used any moderator tools in my 4 forums in months..

I think you're generalizations are ill-informed.

Well, thanks for the invite, I may have to check it out.....but I have say that in context with my "ill formed" opinion, I've been participating in web forums for a long time, and my opinion is based upon more than just a little obeservation.

We all tend to favor our "friends" over others, and many is the man who will readilly exploit that.

Usually it is some variation of where some smart aleck regular will kiss up to a member mod, then exploit his friendship to get away with more than he should.

Then all the members are faced with having to kiss up to the member mod, or fall second fiddle to the smart aleck.


Again, I think Bergie does a super job the way it is...problems get delt with.....loose cannons do not roll free on the deck for long here.

What I don't understand is, if some of the people are so uneasy with the "excited" debate threads, what keeps them from ignoring them? why do they keep going back to the same thread, knowing they are not gonna like what they see?

when you see some guy with 3000 posts arguing with some guy who has 2500 posts , and some noob with 65 posts comes along and acts like it is his job to make peace, isn't that jist a little stupid?

I know I laugh when I see it.

It's like people running to a bloody car accident in a way. They run to look and then exclaim how terrible it is.

Well, if the sight of "blood" makes them squeamish, then why can't thay stop looking?

Just a thought.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector they happen whenever groups form...so they are probably extant here already.

Well - If that's what you think of us! Harumph!!!! [;)]

[David_Telesha]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates

QUOTE: Originally posted by David_Telesha



I don't have any trouble... Come over sometime.

I haven't used any moderator tools in my 4 forums in months..

I think you're generalizations are ill-informed.

Well, thanks for the invite, I may have to check it out.....but I have say that in context with my "ill formed" opinion, I've been participating in web forums for a long time, and my opinion is based upon more than just a little obeservation.

We all tend to favor our "friends" over others, and many is the man who will readilly exploit that.

Usually it is some variation of where some smart aleck regular will kiss up to a member mod, then exploit his friendship to get away with more than he should.

Then all the members are faced with having to kiss up to the member mod, or fall second fiddle to the smart aleck.


Again, I think Bergie does a super job the way it is...problems get delt with.....loose cannons do not roll free on the deck for long here.

What I don't understand is, if some of the people are so uneasy with the "excited" debate threads, what keeps them from ignoring them? why do they keep going back to the same thread, knowing they are not gonna like what they see?

when you see some guy with 3000 posts arguing with some guy who has 2500 posts , and some noob with 65 posts comes along and acts like it is his job to make peace, isn't that jist a little stupid?

I know I laugh when I see it.

It's like people running to a bloody car accident in a way. They run to look and then exclaim how terrible it is.

Well, if the sight of "blood" makes them squeamish, then why can't thay stop looking?

Just a thought.

True... I didn't say you're opinion was ill-imformed - just the generalization...

By default I do my best not to get along with anybody - cause I speak my mind... LOL[:D]

[Anonymous]

Just out of curiousity, if a "noob" has been reading the forum for the same time the "veteran" has been posting, what qualifies the "veteran" to pass judgement on the "noob"?

Could it be the reason there is only one moderator on the forums?

[chad thomas]

You guys got to remember that a nubie might not be able to recognize that there is a difference between a hot topic debate between old forum members (that can have a civil debate and walk away with no hard feelings) and a flame war. I think we have a lot more of the former then the later.

[chad thomas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NS2317

Just out of curiousity, if a "noob" has been reading the forum for the same time the "veteran" has been posting, what qualifies the "veteran" to pass judgement on the "noob"?

Could it be the reason there is only one moderator on the forums?

Well the only way we really have to tell what kind of person you are is for you to post so we can get to know you. If you never post then we have no idea what you are all about. But if you read and don't post you should have a pretty good idea what not to do if you don't want to be labled a troll.

I will tend to give nubies the benifit of the doubt and forgive those that make mistakes. Take the thread Paul started on forign power on the NS. I took the time to write a well thought out explaination (as did several others) and he acted like we didn't know what we were talking about. I think he learned his lesson though and am willing to give him a chance.

What bugs me is the trolls that manage to fly just under the wire and don't get kicked off the forum and persist to cause problems when they can, even though most of the rest of the older forum members ignore there existance.

[selector]

Also, just because a person is new doesn't mean that they are wrong. One's stars, as i am frequently reminded, don't correlate highly with rectitude, savvy, experience, or common sense.

[Anonymous]

Just to clear things up about my earlier post--

I am not the only moderator on any of the boards that I VOLUNTEERED to moderate--in fact, 1 of the boards has 26 moderators.

If any topic violates that board's rules, etc, it is moved to the moderator section, where it is discussed by the mods, and then the FINAL decision is made by the board's Administrator, or the person who "runs" the board. Nothing "cliquish" about it. Everyone has a valid argument, and all views are taken into consideration before "judgement" is passed.

I've been a member of this board for years--I don't have a lot of posts simply because I only respond to Q's that I "think" I may know, or to ask questions. I'm not a "post hog" on any of my boards, just there for info on particular subjects.

Just my[2c]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NS2317

Just out of curiousity, if a "noob" has been reading the forum for the same time the "veteran" has been posting, what qualifies the "veteran" to pass judgement on the "noob"?

Could it be the reason there is only one moderator on the forums?

Well, if a "noob" has been here a long time, just remained silent...then he's not a 'noob', ...he is a "lurker".

And for some guy to regularly come here,.....read the board heavily, but seldom contribute anything himself...it's pretty unlikely that such a person is going to come out of the closet just to referee.

Wouldn't make sense, would it?

Usually what I've found when some guy with a very low post count shows up and starts acting like he has rank over other members, barking orders like he is in charge,..it's usually one of the other regulars who has created a psuedo, or secondary ID that they use to stir up trouble with any way. That way if their deeds get them banned, they don't have to wear the reputation for their misbehavior.