Local Moderators...A Change of Color...Why???

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

**If copying this document is against rules please remove it immediately**


I have copied the following proposal with the understanding that if we are allowed to view it in government halls then it is permissible to present it for public discussion. If I am incorrect please excuse my stupidity and remove it.


Proposed by: XXXXXXXX
Supporters: XXXXXXXXXX

First of all, this is not a drastic proposal, it is not an urgent proposal, and I can't think of any really strong argument either way. It's one of those things that doesn't matter that much.

Proposal:
Change the name colour of local moderators to the same as normal members, instead of grey.

Reasoning:
Local moderators who are not yet citizens are no different from normal members, except that they have been given forum-keeping abilities in certain forums, almost always forum games or mod forums.

In my newb days of TWC I assumed that local moderators were just moderators who only had certain forums assigned to them. This is not the case at all, local moderators are there for housekeeping, they are not staff moderators.

I doubt it's possible to make their local moderator title only appear in their assigned forums, and because of this they are known as local moderators across the entire (vast) TWC, even though the distinction between a local moderator and member is zero outside their own (usually small) forum


With no disrespect intended toward any af our government officials, with respect to the above mentioned proposal I again ask....Why???

If it ain't broke....Don't fix it. Hallo...It ain't broke.

1. I am a Local Moderator. I endeavor to treat every one with the utmost respect.
2. This is an additional duty I gladly accepted. However it takes considerable amounts of my time. My time is valuable and so is yours.
3. I like my Grey color and in time I hope that I haved proved I am worthy of keeping it. Since I am brand new that remains to be seen. Why don't you'all give me the opportunity to prove myself?
4.Again I ask the Masses WHY are we endeavoring to fix something that isn't Broken
5. If their are Disrespectful Local Moderators...Sack them! Problem solved.

In conclusion please understand this is not an attempt at showboating or grandstanding. The ONLY reason I have opened two threads in this forum is that I believe these two proposals are WRONG!!!


I invite all possible clarity and opposition to my presentation.

Thank you all for your time and attention.

Respectfully,

Mega


Post Scriptum: Folks I all honesty there are programs like they have in schools where kids write stories and generate rations for folks in impoverished parts of the world. Why don't we invest time & effort into enterprises like these instead of exspending energy just to show we can assemble coherent presentations...I use myself as example..

Post ScriptumII: To the Parties concerned. We're GREY and we like it that way...

[RVFVS]

I cant support this...how can you tell who the mods are?

[Augustus Lucifer]

I cant support this...how can you tell who the mods are?

Look in the bottom right of whatever forum you are visiting, and it will list the mods. Outside of the forum they moderate, knowledge of who is a local moderator is irrelevant.

Having said that, I see no reason to change the color.

[Aetius]

I like and deserve my silver name. Ask those who know me.

This is a pointless topic, there are no problems with the current system.

If the citizens vote to take it away, we should take away their titles as well.

[Chim]

If the citizens vote to take it away, we should take away their titles as well.

You are free to make up such amendment as the topic starter is free to discuss this.

That said I fail to see how a discussion on this matter is pointless as any input to enhance the experience on the site is warmly welcomed.

I have never seen a case where someone mistakes a local mod for a junior moderator, and so I do not see the need to change the color as it is now.

[Elzabar]

I like and deserve my silver name. Ask those who know me.

I can vouch for this.

I also like the silver/grey name, and I think the removal of it would severely anger the seventy or so members of the Silver Auxilia.

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

I opposed this proposal in the Prothalamos, copying my post from there:

Opposed. A separate colour is the least we can do to distinguish local mods. Although they may not be citizens, they contribute more or less. Without them, this site couldn't work the way it works now.

The sheer number of the Silver Auxilia shows how proud they are of their name colour, and in my local mod days I was proud too.

Maybe change the colour to something else, more conspiciuous as Justinian proposed, but it should be different from black.

In my newb days of TWC I assumed that local moderators were just moderators who only had certain forums assigned to them. This is not the case at all, local moderators are there for housekeeping, they are not staff moderators

edit: I don't think local and global mods could be mixed up, because the badge clearly shows the difference of their status. Local mods don't have any badge, that's why they can't be regarded as site moderators. Maybe change the group name from local mods to local forum managers or something like that.

If a local mod wished to change his clothes back to black, he can already do so by PM-ing a global mod.

[Armatus]

Dear "Staff"


Speaking as Local moderator for the Mount&Blade subforum as well as for my RPG otherwise known as Barbarikon and as the founder of the Local Moderator social group the Silver Auxilia I feel I should make my thoughts known on this matter.

Needless to say this is probably the draw back I receive from declining three separate offers of nomination for citizenship, assuming I would have acquired the title. The drawback preventing me from having an effect upon changes I feel important for TWC. The truth is I really don't care much for politics whether that be at the office or in my place of recreation in cyberspace better known as TWC. However I feel since this directly affects myself as well as many other well deserving members I should take a moment to speak out now.

My personal feeling towards the color is that I like the Silver name tag, in fact if I ever became a citizen I'd choose to keep it over red, that's how much I like it. Unfortunately I don't think that's a choice either... at any rate allow me to quote:

I quite simply don't like the grey, it's a bit of an eyesore,

I'm not sure how one could think the neutral tone of gray to be an eye sore. Personally I think all the many other "colors" are not only confusing, but an eye sore. Who really needs all the various colors in the first place when there's plenty of badges to identify certain jobs within the forum?

and the different color confuses new members who think that they're affiliated with TWC, which makes us indirectly responsible. Moderation powers over a subforum are no special thing,

I hate to bust bubbles here, but unless you are paid to do what you do at TWC or have some sort of contract or vested monetary interest in the ownership of this site, people running around with "special" titles are no more affiliated than the local moderators group. Let us set aside the badge er... ego for a moment and strip this matter down to it's core shall we?

In reality "staff" (in regards to TWC) is nothing more than a group of voluntary individuals working together to keep this web forum functioning smoothly. Nothing more, nothing less. Senior moderator, Junior Moderator, Local moderator, Citizen, Civitate etc, etc, makes no difference from a legal standpoint. The primary responsibility of any action within the forum will fall upon it's owner to address regardless of any criminal implications of an individual.

Therefore any member entrusted with functional responsibility (title or not) is expected to uphold the TOS and to perform their duties within it's guidelines. Local moderators regardless of what sub forum they are assigned are the 'junior moderators'. Local mods aren't selected on a whim they are selected because they have shown a level of merit above and beyond a regular member.

Let me ask this, what careless ownership would allow a member semi-control of a sub forum on such a high traffic site with an established reputation? There are many reasons to visit TWC many of which are under care of Local mods. A visitor or a newly registered member doesn't always arrive at the 'front door' and so a local mod may be the first representation of site "staff" they encounter. We would hope that a local moderator would be a respectful representative of the community. I have personally experienced this during my tenor here as local mod and I am not alone.

It is for this reason I would argue local mods are in fact "staff" or at minimum associated with staff. Why? Again, because we are Not chosen randomly, we are selected for our contribution and trustworthiness. When I became local mod of the Mount&Blade subforum I was essentially told it was my duty to familiarize myself with the TOS. I was also told while I could not resolve member disputes I would be responsible for reporting or dealing with any abuse that may occur under my watch. This in addition to my job of general organization.

For certain members to continue to talk down local mod status and their responsibilities is to do no less than treat us like children. Children spoiled by the privilege of getting their own sandbox to play in. It is also to ignore our good standing membership and valuable assistance to the senior moderators who have one less subforum needing their immediate attention.

We must remember all moderators here do "housekeeping" some are simply charged with a greater share than others. 'Local moderator' in my opinion is an entry level position. It is the perfect training ground to becoming a citizen or full fledged forum moderator. We are the Assistant Moderators. As such we should be reinforcing the importance of the role.

However there is one thing I will admit does not work well for us and that is the custom user title. If there is any confusion it is because of this. Once a LM decides to change his user title he or she looses any sort of association with the forum above and beyond a regular member. This is why the color then becomes pointless and is the true source of confusion.


So it is as Local moderator of two subforums and as the founder of the Silver Auxilia the Local Moderator social group with current membership count of 74 and growing; I must Oppose any decision to belittle our status or change the Silver tag we strive to preserve.





I am unfortunately on lunch break and unable to pass the word to my peers. I would hope no decision is made until we've heard from a few more local mods.

Thank you


- Arma




P.S. didn't have much time to proof this, so please excuse the grammar!

[Dromikaites]

I believe the local moderators should be easily identifiable. So their color has to be different. Which color it's a matter of taste though

[Turkeys!]

I believe there has to be something distinguishable between local moderators and members so that people don't get confused as to who is who.

[Garbarsardar]

I vehemently oppose the proposal.

[Babagitta]

Yes, I think it doesn't look so fair. Generally, I like changes but this one...
Sometimes, I feel that there is an A Class members and a B or C Class of members. Believe me, nobody likes that.

Do not forget that each one of you represents the whole community.

[sinople]

I totally disagree with that. First because Local Moderators have some responsabilities (even if we are not in the staff) and secondly because I like my Grey Name

On the contrary I totally agree with Armatus.

[Galerius Priscus]

What's the point of being in the Silver Auxilia as a Local when you're not Silver anymore?

[y2day]

You are free to make up such amendment as the topic starter is free to discuss this.

That said I fail to see how a discussion on this matter is pointless as any input to enhance the experience on the site is warmly welcomed.

I have never seen a case where someone mistakes a local mod for a junior moderator, and so I do not see the need to change the color as it is now.

I have to agree with my Patron here. The silver should stay.

y

[AnthoniusII]

I like things the way it is.
If there is no serius cause why should we change it?:hmmm:

[Astaroth]

The silver names help a lot with recognizing the Local Moderators quickly. Without them, it might be confusing to some why a normal member is deleting their posts and closing their topics. Furthermore, they give more recognition to those who spend their time here, helping with the site for free. I don't see a problem with that.

Don't fix what isn't broken.

[The Cobra]

What is it with these proposals nowadays, next they'll propose banning non-serious members.

Sorry, but I obliviously oppose this.

[Confederate Jeb]

But I like my name being grey/silver/grey-green/whatever it is on different computers.

Opposed

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Garnier....Thank you for your wisdom in this matter.