Melinda, I would just like to point one thing out. While mods do work hard to maintain the site and answer questions of users, there are many many regular users (not mods) who spend countless helping others and answering their questions.
Melinda, I would just like to point one thing out. While mods do work hard to maintain the site and answer questions of users, there are many many regular users (not mods) who spend countless helping others and answering their questions.
Usil,I didnt mean to offend any one.That is why I put"(mods?) sorry
Melinda, no offense taken :)
I too would like to say sorry if it seemed like to any one that someone's issue was passed over.
But since the issue has been raised (raised again), let me just say that I am fully aware that there are concerns/issues involving the use and consistency in the use of authority. And this is something we must deal with.
500th Post, this has almost cuaght up with the what little program thread and that's been going for months.
This one is just days young.
Obviosuly goers to show that there is concern about VDr.
I guess the proliferation of threads in the feedback section since the move to VB3 also show this too.
Regarding the posts that don't get answered for whatever reason (I'm sure it's happened to everybody at some point, nu?), would it be possible (or maybe it's already happening and I just don't know) to have one person (mod) responsible for a quick skim through each day/night to see if a post has been left to sit with no conclusion? I know this might be a little complicated. But if someone could log it just informally (not on the site, but maybe just on a piece of paper at home!), and maybe ask someone whom they know to be an expert of sorts to take a look and consider trying to help.
Sometimes things do get overlooked.
Cheers
Wendy ;)
Wendy,
There are probably a few things that might be done as a stop-gap measure to handle the situation you describe. But when a site like vdr is vital and active there is no need for such measures. So what I personally hope can happen is that we can identify and do the things needed to restore the site to such a state.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrMDJ
I was waiting to see if anyone else had any thoughts on this, I think I almost detect a bit of side-stepping as it can be a pretty touchy issue. This is my 3rd try over the weekend trying to type this, I can't seem to get it worded right.
Let me say first and foremost I mean to step on no toes, point no fingers. We have a great group here, but based on what's been posted in this thread, apparently there have been clashes with authority here that have been hurtful enough to drive members away.
I personally agree with what Doc said above but am just not sure how it should be approached. Does anyone else have any thoughts? Should it be addressed in-depth here? (not talking about naming names, am personally dead-set against that). Should it be left "as is" and hope a member>mod issue that has driven a member away will be taken to Joe, BJ or one of the mods? I thought a lot about this, and wondered what I would do if I did enounter a problem? (I don't know how to say this so it makes sense.) I've never had an issue with a mod here, but if I did, would I feel comfortable going to one of the "authority" figures and confiding in them? From my own viewpoint, probably yes, because there are some with authority who have repeatedly presented the posture of "come in, sit down, tell me about it", an oft repeated and open invitation, so much so that I'd feel fine going to them. However, there is also what could be perceived as a subtle undercurrent of a 'knights of the round table' atmosphere, if you will. (And that pertains to any message board where there are mods.) There are table/tribal council meetings and things going on behind the scenes we 'regular' members will never be privvy to. So could that be intidimating to a member, so much so that if they feel they are taking on one mod they are, in essence, taking on the whole 'round table'. I could see that happening. So I guess what I'm trying to say is: if a member has left over a unpleasant encounter/situation with a genuine misuse of authority, how do we get it fixed? Do we leave it for the "behind the scenes" conferences or just get it out here, clear it up, and put it away? And another thought I just had. What about a newbie who feels stepped on by one in authority very early on in their membership? If they haven't been here long enough to get to know the differing personalities a bit, they won't know who to turn to in authority. In other words, they won't know that there are some in authority here who have extended the invitation to come to them with problems. But mods at any type board are essentially a parallel to a Police Dept. So a newbie who has a distasteful encounter might perceive the entire "Department" as being a brother/sisterhood that all thinks the same way, or even if they don't, they're going to stick up for each other, so the newbie's 'knee-jerk' reaction might be 'who needs this, I'm outa here...' I'm just tossing out a couple scenarios and wondering how the topic should be handled. Gosh, I hope this makes sense?...
Morning Kat, good points you brought up, I have it pretty much covered in one of my announcements, Tips for new members, if anyone has a problem with another member or a mod to feel free to bring it to me via pm or e-mail & I will see that it is taken care of. Do not want any member to feel intimidated by doing this. This is part of my job. BJ
Mornin' BJ. :)
Yes, you are one of the ones I was referring to above who makes a repeated and concerted effort to extend a 'counseling' hand. Whether or not it's part of your job description, you do a good job of presenting yourself as a mediator/counselor/friend.
And even tho it's not necessarily within the mods job description, per se, there are those of them, as mentioned above, that do extend the offer of coming to them with issues.
And yes, now I see your offer that you covered in the announcements. Sorry I didn't see it sooner, the heading about "lost passwords", etc. was a bit misleading to me. Didn't read it because having been here for awhile, lost password issues are a 'given'. On that line of thought, perhap rephrasing the title might draw more attention from newbies, and readily establish that you're available? Something like Announcements - Please Read:: Virtual Dr's. Acceptable Use Policy, Posting Tips for All Members, Lost Password Policy, etc." I toss in this suggestion for one single reason: your announcement is clearly visible at the top of each message forum. If words are included in the announcement title addressing "posting tips" and "acceptable use", those are key items relevent to new members. The title shifts the focus away from Lost Passwords and specifically summarizes all the key areas addressed in your announcement. Therefore that might make a newbie more inclined to click on it & read it. Then they'd more readily see your invitation to come to you for help if there's a problem with another member. And perhaps put the "Hello and Welcome..." post at the top, so the greeting is the first one seen? Just a thought or two ;) ~Kat
Well, Hello All !!!
It's been a while since I posted, but then I just spend the most part of the past weekend reading this thread and getting used to the new VB. ;)
Just a few pointers from my end in good old KISS fashion (keep it short and simple) :
a) Less participation of long-standing members
I used to post and reply much more in the past. Is the reduction a lack of quality on VDr as has been asked before? That's a most definite NO! In my case it's simply an issue with wedding, master's final and job related things cutting my days very short.
b) Subject of posts
The number of my own posts has certainly decreased, due to the increased knowledge I gained from VDr! Nowadays, I am usually having a very complex issue, or need a reference that can't be found via the search tool.
So, again, no quality reason in VDr.
b2) Subject of posts
My number of replies has decreased, as an increasing number of subjects I could contribute to, can be found and answered via the search function already.
c) Search engine exposure
I have and still do, refer VDr via word-of-mouth. I believe this targets more 'quality' potential members.
Looking at the previously listed stats, 90% here are more-or-less one-timers.
d) Page layout, advertisement etc.
I'll take a step back on this, as there are plenty of suggestions and changes already in progress.
However, the LINUX forum layout linked before is an EXCELLENT example of clarity and structure IMO.
TTFN,
KGG
KatMac wrote;
"....but based on what's been posted in this thread, apparently there have been clashes with authority here that have been hurtful enough to drive members away. "
And;
"Should it be addressed in-depth here?"
And;
"Does anyone else have any thoughts?"
My stand is definitely not. These type issues should be left to the administrative authorities and dealt with solely in that realm.
"Do we leave it for the "behind the scenes" conferences or just get it out here, clear it up, and put it away?"
Dragging issues of this type out into the general public can serve no purpose that I can see. It's good that the issue is known and being addressed, but it should be addressed and resolved within the management levels. I don't know who or how the issue came about, but if it happens to me I will deal directly with the individual in a civil, intelligent, and patient manner. If this doesn't work, then I will elevate it to the administration levels.
Quite frankly, I don't understand why this issue is dragging on here. There's a perceived problem. Address, assess, alleviate.
Thanks Dan, yes there have been issues in the past with certain members. These things are private & will stay that way as it is no one else's business other than the member themselves & the management of the forums. BJ
I feel that I MUST put my 2ยข in on the subject of users/mods discipline issues.
1) I understand and respect the "privacy" policy, and wouldn't want MY personal issues aired publically.
2) Some "disclosure" of the problem posting or issue or policy would be BENEFICIAL to the users as a whole.
3) I know my following recommendation would be tedious work for the administrators to implement, so I don't expect it to happen... that being said:
I would be PERFECT if the NAME of the party(ies) could be changed, but the CONTENT of the thread posted so that the rest of us could see just exactly WHAT was out of policy. There have been numerous occasions since I joined that a thread was deleted, or a member suspended, or something of the sort, and NONE of us in the user community knew what, why, how, or when the problem occured.
This would enable all of us to learn by example, to see what is NOT acceptable, and in the case of misuse of authority, would allow us to COMMENT on whether it seemed reasonable or not.
But, I have to admit, if I was a moderator, I wouldn't want to have to go through the work required to accomplish this.... I was just dreaming that such items could be moved to a separate forum where we (the users) could go look if interested.
Just my humble opinion...
Shiva, thanks for your opinion, we value all of our members opinions. We have an Acceptable Use Policy & everything that that we will not tolerate is outlined in there. The only problem is getting everyone to read it. There is a policy that if someone joins with the sole purpose of spamming the forums that user is removed immediately. In the case of a long time member they are given a series of private warnings before any action is taken. Because of our privacy policy we cannot discuss any of this in the forums, even with a name change. BJ