Sorry, Captain, couldn't resist! However, I am also aware of the words of Plato: "Those who seek power are not worthy of that power." That's why we pick on you, Captain! Activity could also be important. For instance people like me frequently disappear off the board for a few weeks, so are unlikely to make good mods. But I think the attributes thus far are calm, active and mature, with good communication skills.
You guys really don't need a mod, you're a well like club so you're not going to get a bunch of wums like we get on the United board, and the Liverpool gets invaded by some the low life's from general chat every so often. If you guys are going to elect a mod, they need to be active and have a good sense of when someones just joking and when it's gone too far. When mods just start deleting and locking thread because they have some personal vendetta against a poster it ruins the atmosphere.
I agree that Fulham don't generally attract a lot of ill-will, but we have had some wumming from QPR fans. There was a flurry of posts last season, which melted away after we beat them 6-0 (funny that), then we had some more just recently. I wouldn't be surprised to see more of the same next season. Much as I'd like another handsome victory, I don't suppose we can count on that to keep them quiet. What difference would having a mod make to that kind of scenario?
So true. I'm not trying to curry any favour or anything, but Nort really got under my skin and I was as much to blame as anyone (probably more so) for it getting as ugly as it did. You live and you learn eh. None, really. If it gets as bad as it was, they'll be wumming every last thread, and the mod can't be expected to lock every thread on our board. Also mods don't have the power to ban, do they? So if it ever came to that (I'm doubtful it would) they'd have to ask one of the deities to wield the mighty Banhammer anyway.
I'm in agreement with the others who have said we don't need one for internal disputes- I think this section of the forum is one of the more enlightened. To use a rather poor analogy- we need a maintenance man, not a chair of the board. Obviously in appointing a maintenance man they will be bestowed with great power, so providing they understand the decision is not because of massive problems or inherent flaws in how we currently operate (and therefore don't sack the whole backroom team and usher in an ambitious new order ala Hughes) it would be to everyones benefit. I think a key attribute, as important as objectivity and empathy, is simply how much that person uses this forum. Some members, like me, dip in and out. I find this forum a lot like Football Manager- I go through phases where I'm playing/posting and then drop off for a little while. We would need a true regular. Fortunately I think there are plenty of other posters who could would be great mods- Cottager or the Cap'n would be my vote.
I think Cottager would be a great choice. He's on here a lot and he's the only one of the 1000-post club who I can't remember getting heated and hostile when arguments start boiling over. I think I'm reasonably calm and measured, but I know that I get drawn in sometimes. For that reason alone he'd be a better choice than me. If we want one mod, I vote Cottager. If we actively want to have two, I'd be willing to do it alongside him. The question remains whether we need to change at all. I think there's a feature on this site to hold votes on things, does anyone know how to do a simple 'yes or no' vote for the question 'Should we look to appoint someone to moderate this board?' If the vote is yes, we can then decide the appropriate way of choosing the right person or people, and if the vote is no, then that's the end of it.
From a mod's perspective: It's certainly helpful to have a mod on a particular board, even if there isn't much moderating to be done. We have 4 mods on our board due to the amount of activity we get over there, and every single one of them is a great member of the community. If say you were to get a resident WUM, or even if one of you came over to our board looking to WUM, a Mod on this board would be eternally helpful in sorting that kind of thing out. Also, quickly reading through some of the other posts, sorting out disagreements isn't the job of a Mod, we deal with unpleasant people and undesirables, so the dynamic of your board certainly won't change.
As far as I can see we've done a good job so far, the only issue is a few unwanted guests from other clubs. If we were getting loads every day then I would say that a couple of mods would be a good idea. Maybe wait until the season starts to guage the situation. But I'm still in the 'not yet' camp. What happens in the greater Not606 community anyway? We all dip in to other boards occasionally anyway.
Agreed Craving. Now if QPR manage to beat us this season either home or away or God forbid, both, then we may well need that mod to keep the cretins away.
Even then, I don't think a mod could just impliment a blanket ban on QPR fans, or ban them as soon as they say something gloaty. We'd only be able to ask for a ban if there was persistent and/or abusive posting. And I suppose we'd be able to ask Syd to ban them whether we had a mod or not.
