New moderator

Really agree with cosi on this. It's like the age old chestnut says "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

Yes a little bit. I don't think i've been as clear as i would have liked to be. The reason i haven't explained an opposing view is because i don't have one. I am indifferent and only questioned it as i was trying to understand why you seem to feel quite strongly about it rather than start a debate. To see if once it was clearer i would agree.

I just wanted more explanation of the "big chance for improvement" in particular i still don't really understand what you meant here.

 

Thanks, Julius: I understand a little more now.
I'd hoped my various contributions to this thread so far would have clarified my reasoning; but I will attempt again to make my point here. I'd also hoped to avoid the need to air what might look like dirty washing in public, as most forums in my experience prefer to discuss the mechanisms of internal running behind closed doors such as through 'Personal Messages'; although I acknowledge that this does not seem to be the case here…

Roadrunner asked a very reasonable question about what was happening, which has kick-started this, AG's very important thread, back into action:

BLS then very correctly took some action just over an hour later by creating a poll, presumably on the basis of RR's prompt. Would you not agree that we are lucky to have such a vigilant moderator? I found myself wondering if, without such vigilance, action would have been taken to address what was clearly needed? Or at the very least, wondering how many days it might take to get some sort of decision on the next stage in this process. If BLS was not here earlier, who would have done it tonight? Perhaps you see it as a small matter of little significance; but my own opinion is that we should congratulate Bright and be thankful to him for his seemingly unstinting enthusiasm and/or work-ethic.

El_Bando has himself admitted to being unavailable for various valid reasons. Indeed, it would seem that tonight he may not have been available to respond to RR. But whether or not this is the case, there have been many previous occasions where some positive action has only come about when either BLS or Bando have noticed; thus, the forum has been relying on occasionally sporadic help from the moderation team, more often than not rescued by just one of them. Thanks to AbsolutelyGlorious's acknowledgement of his own lack of interest, he has done the honourable thing and graciously resigned; yet as I write, he is still showing as a moderator. This gives out a strange or at least potentially confusing message; and does not appear to be especially professional, regardless of whether there is a direct, noticeable impact from such a carefree approach.

An extra moderator might serve to offset the problem at least a little bit.

Other examples of a lack of participation are manifested in – for instance – more than one thread discussing the same thing sometimes for days until a member points it out; and even then action is not necessarily taken. And although once again, things may appear to 'tick along nicely' this in fact is somewhat less good than it could be.

A six cylinder car should not be left to run on just four (or even fewer when Bando or BLS cannot be around); yet that has been the case for many months. And I say this not in criticism of AG or BLS or Bando; but of a system of moderation – or whatever controls it from above – which condones it through inactivity or what appears to be a lack of 'botheredness'.

It ain't good for passers-by. It is not actively seeking to recruit. This is a 6 cylinder engine ticking over on four at best. If we really want to 'down-size' to 4 cylinders, that's fine by me; but if you are aware of some of the previous contributors who have dropped away from well before the season's end, you might begin to see what I'm getting at. Besides, a 4 cylinder car needs to be quite highly tuned to compete with a straight six, and I for one prefer better performance…

 

Ive read all the comments here regulary even when 'away'. Im just staying as impartial as I can. you guys are the posters so you guys should decide.

I know I have been away at times but that has only been at quiet times. If me and BLS were PM'd I would think we would act at a very reasonable rate. And If you had any queries about the forum we would do our best to help and answer.

 

Count me out, I don't have any spare time, however I do agree three mods would apply better control than only two

 

It's nice to see that after over a year of moderating half the forum think my influence was so insignificant that I don't need to be replaced.

I haven't read through all the comments, but with it being pretty much even I think the two remaining mods should just decide whether they think an additional mod would hinder a job they can handle easily with two, or whether they'd like a bit of added help to lessen the load.

 

I think the contribution of all the mods has been outstanding over the life of this board. The fact that your work is almost invisible to a good portion says that you're doing it right. If you do choose to call it quits, I'd say it's worth adding a new mod as it's always good to have an odd number to break any potential stalemates.

I think that it would likely be a good idea for the mods to make their own shortlist and contact the people they think would work well privately though rather than some kind of public vote though... Just so the process doesn't get ugly or leave anybody with their nose out of joint.

The ideal solution is for AG to have a change of heart, problem solved then.

 

Everyones pretty well behaved on here and can normally restrain themselves from 'feeding the wums' which saves a lot of work so thank you

Most of the problems are ones you guys rarely see:

please log in to view this image

Assuming the people who voted and then changed their minds have still changed their minds it seems you want a new third mod.

If you're interested in being a mod can you please make it obvious in this thread. A few people have changed their minds back and forth, make sure your final answer is the choice you really want and I'll get a poll set up soon

From this thread so far I can see the following want to be mods:

EternalMSC
DHCanary
Kyle?
Nazara
RoadRunner
Paco Montoya


Anyone I've missed/now interested?
Or anyone who no longer wants to be considered?

 

Yeah! you guys are missing out on some really great deals on viagra!

 

I want to withdraw my name from the list. It occurred to me i'm not that good with computers, so being a mod would be a waste of time for everyone else.

 

A very honourable post, Kyle.

I should like to add that although I am guilty of having suggested this decision should not be hurried, I did not envisage it taking weeks to reach the next stage. I confess to feeling this whole process is becoming unnecessarily drawn out. In a sense, it sums up the ponderous problem itself. Why, for instance, is there no poll to vote for a new moderator already? Surely it can be seen that the best candidates have already stepped forward, since clearly anyone else is not here enough in any case?

Why do we not proceed with a vote forthwith? And if there is a valid reason, why are the members of this forum not being informed of the logic?

From my perspective: please get on with it!

 

As this is quite a important decision I'm making sure that members really do want to be mods.

I only made the first poll a few days ago anyway


Ill take your name down Kyle, last chance for those interested or no longer interested. The voting will be opening soon.

 

I don't see any reason why the mods should hurry this process, especially given it's the off season and things are fairly quiet anyway. I'm a tad confused at the somewhat abrasive way you seem to be addressing this particular topic Cosi. Let them do what needs to be done and if you want something changing, then throw your name in the hat.

As for public vote... I really would ask that this isn't something open to the public. Once there is a pool to pick from, I think the remaining mods should choose who they want. A public vote could become toxic, so I hope we can avoid that.

I would put my own name forward and volunteer, but following some pretty horrendous circumstance in the past while moderating, I have sworn off it for the remainder of my life.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for your response, BLS.

Once again, it is good to see such diligence / vigilance. Certainly, it is reassuring to think that whomever may be about to join your team will find invaluable guidance. This thread began just over a fortnight ago, plus a couple of hours. It is therefore good to see that the intended action of the forum, or at least one of its moderators, appears to be to conclude the matter without further delay. After gaining a reasonable and interested response from the forum – for which an initial delay was, in my view, completely justified – the sooner the matter is now resolved, the better, since others who might have been interested in helping are clearly either not around enough to have noticed, or have not felt sufficiently motivated to put themselves forward.

There is now a clear mandate from the forum and a clear list of volunteers whose 'latest' decisions, after protracted consideration, are obviously valid. If a poll is now* set up to vote for a new moderator, listing all those who's latest posts show them as willing to help, any further 'second thoughts' (such as Kyle's, above) from a serious volunteer/candidate will quickly be revealed and therefore not present a problem.

As any manager will be aware, unnecessary delay can be frustrating as well as interfering with the 'selling' or perception of a product. Such delays may sometimes act as a disincentive to interested parties but at worst, can appear lackadaisical with the result that a previously good team becomes increasingly demotivated before either dissolving into the salt or moving to nearby pasture. Since impressions are vitally important, not only to present members who hope for a dynamic environment but perhaps more importantly, to passers-by who may not already be members, it is my view that it is in the interests of the forum to conclude this matter sooner rather than later.

- - -o0o- - -

​

*I think today, 7th January 2013, UK time, would be a good idea…

 

I completely agree with your thoughts, Bhaji, that any vote should not be public – and for the very reasons you have highlighted. My contributions to this thread are made as an expression of my opinion as a member of this forum who hopes for its increasing success; and I'm sure you'll agree there is no requirement to restrict such suggestions or opinions to people who volunteer themselves as potential moderators.

However, I would like to thank you for pointing out – and hereby apologise to anyone who might share your view – that my manner appears abrasive, even in the slightest way. This was not my intention at all. The chronology of my posts perhaps suggests a growing sense of impatience, since I do not share the view that any further delay – after two weeks – serves any fruitful purpose. Indeed, I feel it there comes a point where further delay is more likely to have a negative, rather than positive impact (as outlined in my earlier, thankful response to BLS).

In a nutshell, this is my standpoint:

1. We have a number of people who have volunteered to help.
2. Anyone who may have been interested but through absence from the forum or a lack of awareness of this thread has not yet volunteered, would not seem to suggest the loss of a seriously viable candidate.
3. Given the two points above, I see no advantage in further delay. In fact I see keeping things moving, particularly over this matter of appointing a new moderator, as a positive thing to help galvanise the forum during this natural lull and also to provide the newcomer with a gentler entry before things kick off in about eight weeks.

But I would like to repeat that I did not and do not intend to be abrasive. Again, apologies if I gave the wrong impression. It's just the way I write when I feel passionate about something. The sole reason for my stance is that I hope and want this forum to be as enjoyable and appealing to as many people as possible. It's a great bunch of people and that's how I sincerely hope it continues. And I hope that this will be appealing to newcomers as well as old passers-by. As I think you know, I have no personal interest, save that of maintaining and encouraging interest in motor sport, and understanding the mentality of people sufficiently interested to want to contribute to sites such as this.


If people want me to say no more, I'll oblige; but I'll continue to hope and strive for increasing interest in what is the source of my life-blood. Once again, I apologise to any member of the forum who may have felt anything I've said was abrasive. I repeat: it's passion. And I assure you, that is all.

Right. I've more than said my bit, so until the poll is set up, this is "over and out" from me in this thread.

 

I'm getting confused here with what people mean by a 'public vote'. Would people rather the mods decided who they want to join their team by themselves, or that we have an open vote with the vote-breakdown hidden, or a completely open poll like with the race threads?

 

I think its best the people of the forum decide rather than us (Thats how we got the job). Its a good point raised though. Should the Poll be on the off topic where the more regular of the users are aware of, or do we put it on the main F1 board for all users to come accross the F1 forum to have a vote.

I agree with Cosi too. I think we should get the poll going ASAP so our new Mod can get comfy before the season starts.

The latest list of candidates are:
EternalMSC
DHCanary
Nazara
Road Runner
Paco Montoya

 

Personally I'd put it on the off-topic board, so only regulars are likely to find and vote (seeing as they'll know the users involved best), but hide who voted for who.

 

Definitely a secret vote on this one for fairness of all

 

Right, I'm going to have some food and unless theres any objections I'll make the poll when I'm back.