Excellent choice Brix! Very best of luck Goldie. By the way, I know that the ever modest CB doesn't like to talk about it, but apparently there's a rumour that he was offered the role..
Never going to be the way to choose people. Because, unless you're very lucky, the people that you like most on message boards (translation: the people with the same opinions as you) almost NEVER make the best moderators. You need to be a certain type to do the job, and that person would never come out top of a popularity poll until they have shown over a long time (Like Northolt did, and like Brix has, and like Goldie no doubt will) that they are able to moderate fairly, evenly, and decisively.
I think you're doing the people that post here a bit of a disservice saying that. I think the vast majority would be more than capable of making a decision that isn't based on who they ''like'' (or share the same opinion as) and instead based on who they think would make a good moderator. It's how we choose our Prime Minister isn't it???? Everybody has a voice!
I'm all in favour of members' voice and choice. If you want, I will discuss a suitable time with Goldhawk and we'll hold formal elections for QPR mods. However, make no mistake, this is a fairly critical transitional situation to recover and re-stabilise the board. If I step down now (which I'm more than happy to do if that's what's required) we lose any sense of continuity. Assuming from responses received thus far, this is not the case, then I have to insist upon the new mod being my choice. This simply because of time constraints my end and the need for a partner with similar traits and no conflicts. There is a bit to get through in terms of general agreements on approach and technical know-how around the various mod tools etc.. If you want formal elections for a new set of mods, all you need to do is consult the members and make the call. You'll get no resistance from us - but be prepared to do some organising work.
Not for me. I'm perfectly happy that the mods are the best people for the job, not those selected by a vote. Unless of course, we are talking Strictly Come Moderating on Ice, in which case..... Seriously, keep things as they are, and change moderators only if they either step down or aren't moderating properly. I don't want the board to become a popularity contest, because if it does, it'll die.
True, voting for things always ends up badly Anyway, I'm not sure why you replied in that way Brix, wasn't questioning your Moderator status or suggesting a complete overhaul of mods - was just an observation/suggestion really - I'll keep quiet next time!
From the 2011 award votes, it was clear that Brix has demonstrated a maturity and rationale that warrants due respect. Therefore, surely he is the best representative of us to select a like minded person (a decision I'm certain that he didn't take lightly). If people feel strongly about this, then elections in June, say, would be more appropriate due to lower volumes of posting and a greater settling in time. I, for one though, am happy for the current mods (plus our beloved Northy if he ever would wish it) to persevere as long as they want the job. If it came to the point where we had two new mods then that could be a different matter but that's not the case. Continued thanks to Brix and best wishes to Goldie.
Not everything, but message boards - yes. People should be selected because they can do the job, not because they are necessarily nice people (although Northolt, Brix and Goldie are very nice peeps!), or they are your mates, or that they agree with what you say. That's what keeps the board fresh, and ensures fairness for all members. Letting someone rant when you don't agree with them, or moderating someone you know, like, and agree with, when they step out of line, is the tough side of the job, and Brix has showed since he joined that he treats everyone fairly and evenly - I can't recall a single post where he got angry, or abusive, or anything. THAT'S why he's the best bloke for the job. and if he sees the same in Goldie, then that's fine.