09-27-2011 at 12:40 AM

I think that the first statement of Hypno's (stop advertising in chat a, go to sales) differs in how the person perceives the mod. One can say that that mod(Let's say ModA) is mean, but I say ModA is just doing her job. I mean, doesn't that count?<br /><br /><br />When you're on your job, nothing's personal. It's just that some people are just too sensitive to take that in and want to get back at them mods for that. Users should see that these mods are just doing their job, and there's nothing personal.<br /><br /><br />Personal feelings about other users should be pushed aside when they're on duty, much like what I said earlier. A boss can be friends with his employees, but feelings can never be there when choosing someone for an important decision or firing someone because they just did something against the boss but nothing against the corporation itself.<br /><br /><br />I've been warning-ed for only once so far; I'm a fan of showing dogs in non-Sales chat even if they are on sale, but I thought that mod was just doing their job, you know? I mean, just accept that you broke a rule and they're just saying that you shouldn't do that.<br /><br /><br />...I think I should shut up now. xD

08-31-2011 at 12:46 AM

Yes, I know the first statement lacks manners - but it is essentially the same thing. I'd not see it as rude (depending on the situation maybe). <br /> <br /> Just trying to point out that a lack of manners may not be intended as rude. Not everyone has a good social awareness, I'm the best example of that. <br /> <br /> A few of the chat complaints about mods I've seen was that they reacted harshly or rude, but in the given situation it might have been all that was possible.<br /> <br /> I think it depends on how well you know a mod or how well they know you how things are handled sometimes. That's not favoritism in my eyes, just a logical thing.

08-27-2011 at 6:24 PM

Actually, that statement is different, Hynp. The first is a command and doesn't really use manners at all. The second is a question and has the use of manners. People perceive the one with manners more positively, and it doesn't make them feel as bad about themselves. And it truly isn't that hard to remember to add a please or a thank you -- you do it in everyday life, why not online?<br /> <br /> And Wysp -- could there be an option where it says something along the lines of "haven't interacted with this moderator"? I think that might be able to clear up that little problem :)

08-23-2011 at 2:40 AM

You know, everyone sees something different as rude. I'm sure some of you would see "stop advertising in chat a, go to sales" as very rude, but would have no problem with "would you please stop advertising in this chat and go to sales?" Yet, essentially, it is the very same thing. Some people just don't like to make a lot of words and get straight to the point. Doesn't mean they make bad mods.<br /> <br /> And, considering I'm an admin at another site, I know how impossible it is to stay calm and polite if you have 100 things thrown at you and most of the issues could have been resolved without admin or mod involvement. 80% of mod work, the site user won't see - I think it isn't different on Ala. And at some point you just get tired of it and snap at people, probably without even realizing you do. <br /> <br /> Yes, there is some favoritism. It exists everywhere in the world and you bet in most cases, the mods in question won't realize it themselves. User A posts something which a mod perceives differently than from user B simply because she knows one user and their intentions but not the other. It's human. <br /> <br /> For me, the contradictions you get from mods are more annoying. I have a problem understanding/working with some of the rules anyway as I interpret it wrong - like what is advertising, what isn't, or remembering we cannot talk freely in the normal chats, or what is supposed to be chat speak and what isn't - and if two mods tell me different things it really confuses me to no end.

08-22-2011 at 11:40 AM

How about feedback in the issue hub?<br /> <br /> A User who puts a problem in the issue hub can leave a 'feedback' or 'comment' after their problem has been fixed and solved. This can do some 'evaluation' of some sort. It might not be what you guys are looking for, but its an evaluation on performance nonetheless.

08-21-2011 at 4:47 PM

I agree with Alc on that topic.<br /> <br /> So far I haven't really seen anything out of hand with the mods (then again I don't always go on chat or the forums).

08-21-2011 at 4:40 PM

I don't think that we should use the idea I had to select mods or fire them. I think that it should just be used so that admins could notice any trends in mod activity. <br /> <br /> If the admins noticed that a certain mod has been voted "rude" by a hundred people for a few months in a row, something might be done. Or if its the same number of people for the same amount of time and instead of "rude" it is "ignoring problems", then something could definitely done, I think.<br /> <br /> Even though we can't pick mods that we prefer jsut based on personal opinion, we can still help admins realize which mods aren't been helpful or friendly. It is in my opinion that mods should be friendly and helpful. No one would want to go to a mod if they know they will be treated rudely in the process.<br /> <br /> Its kinda the same as a police officer. would you rather go to a more happy and warm cop, or one who looks grumpy and always looks down on you?

08-21-2011 at 11:24 AM

I'm sorry guys, we won't do player voted mods at this time.<br /> <br /> This is kinda like, asking you which you prefer, the mods who DO their jobs, or the one's who don't. Of course you will pick the one's that you have had no interaction with. lol<br /> <br /> This is on how to improve the situation, and what you guys think can be done to fix it with the current mods.<br /> <br /> No mods have broken any rules to be in fear of losing their position at this time.<br /> <br />

08-21-2011 at 11:15 AM

I've actually found a lack of mods in chat lately. I'm not sure what it is. Usually when I'm on I find a way to pull one of them in through using MSN. I dont know if it's a need for more mods or if it's something else. It's a little frustrating =).<br /> <br><br /> I personally haven't had any issues with any mods. I wasn't even sure what the big chatter was about. I think maybe having mod evaluations would be good? Have users evaluate on a scale like someone said maybe every 3 months and have the mods evaluate each other as well?<br /> <br><br /> For user evaluations maybe have a page and you can click a link to what mod or just have the page include the evaluation for all mods. Have the scale and maybe a comment box if they chose to write something. Have all forms sent somewhere sorted for the admins?

08-21-2011 at 11:06 AM

Unfortunately, nothing can be done about the "favortism" unless it is reported with proof.<br /> <br />

08-21-2011 at 10:54 AM

Alc has a great idea there, only needs a little tweaking. Some of the mods do really need to be evaluated, like giving them a "wake up call". I've noticed that some mods favor certain users, and that's not appropriate behavior for a moderator. Quite frankly, I'm also just tired of the favoritism.

08-20-2011 at 2:27 PM

@Alc - That's a good idea although I think it needs to be improved a little bit

08-20-2011 at 2:12 PM

I only have a problem with one mod, but I won't mention which. I feel like I'm ruled not by what I did/didn't do, but by personal feelings. I feel like I've been insulted, whether it be directly or indirectly when it comes to this person. <br /> <br /> So I agree with Roo, personal feelings should NOT be influencing descions. Part of what I experienced led me to quit being a newbie helper. <br /> <br /> I think we should have a mod evaluation poll that should be done or something. Users can vote whether a mod was "helpful, nice, generous, etc." and of course "rude, argumentive, ignored me, favored someone else" and you can give the reason for choosing negative response if you want. The writing could be optional so admins aren't bombared with many written responses, and can just look at the tallies of each response. Maybe there can be another staff section to deal with this?<br /> <br /> Random thought, might not work, but I think we NEED to evaluate some mods. It's nice to enforce the rules, but its unfair to be rude and condescending at the same time. :/<br /> <br /> -Al

08-19-2011 at 6:25 PM

Nevermind.

08-19-2011 at 5:48 PM

I have spent several years lurking as a mod on a large sim site on several of its servers. Back in the beginning when we reported someone they have a large red banner on the forum saying they had been reported for " blah blah blah" and who had reported them / how long the banner was going to be there for. <br /> <br /> We had to remove that as mods were getting a large amount of hate mail. So now its a button system, click for a report and its anonymous. However a copy of what was reported and who reported it is sent to admin. So that if any issues arises admin can double check everything. <br /> <br /> The thing that became the biggest issue however was the double standards of rules. The rules were not black and white, this meant that some people were reported for something and some people were not. I haven't had much to do with the mods on Ala so im not sure if that is an issue here. However it helped us tenfold when we revised our rules and every mod was on the exact same page. <br /> <br /> I had always been approachable but wasn't in a mod position to make friends. I didn't play the game was simply there to mod and control the forums. So I copped a lot of abuse for being " tough mean so on." A lot of the mods I knew however were happy to bend the rules or be a bit lenient depending on the player in question. Once again I don't think this is something that happens on Ala but just throwing it out there.

08-19-2011 at 2:50 PM

Heh, if the site is doing it, then the site has bipolar disorder :o)) <br /> <br /> I got contradictory infos from mods a few times.

08-19-2011 at 1:05 PM

It doesn't have to be a serious form letter :P Besides, I think if it was advertised that the messages are form letters, it would eliminate the whole "She yelled at me because she hates me!" argument. There would be no personal feelings involved, just a copy/paste letter. Since I've never been a mod, I'm not sure exactly what kind of questions you get from users who receive these letters, but I don't think it would hurt to just answer them without a form. <br /> <br /> The letter itself could just be something kind of simple and not terribly threatening:<br /> <br /> "Hello <i>(Username)</i>,<br /> This message is a reminder that it is against the rules of Alacrity to <i>(do whatever thing they did)</i>. Please keep this in mind and do not <i>(do whatever it was)</i> again. If you repeatedly break this rule, you will <i>(receive another warning, fine, punishment, etc)</i>." (End with something kind of positive, like "Our goal is to keep Alacrity a fun and friendly place, and blah blah yackity yada").<br /> <br /> I think J'aime's suggestion is good too, about the smiley faces. When I do online sessions at the writing center, I put a smiley in after almost every sentence >.&lt;

08-19-2011 at 11:40 AM

If the complaint is that we're too serious, not approachable, or harsh, then I don't think a standardized form would help. The form would have to be generic and cut-and-dry, and if the user responds with questions or in need of clarification, we'll have to reply without a form anyway.<br /> <br /> I think it might be better if mods are required to (when they become a mod or every few months) show the admins a basic example of the messages they send out - or a real example of one sent. Perhaps we could post them up so all mods can see what other mods send in warnings, and we can become more in sync without losing flexibility.

08-19-2011 at 11:19 AM

I personally haven't heard much from mods (I don't break rules much ? =p) so I can't really offer an oppinion but I will admit when I do deal with them, even in a friendly manner, it always seems like they're so.... serious ? Just a smiley (: or please or thank you like previously stated can help a lot!

08-19-2011 at 10:15 AM

I don't have issues with most mods, just Kit, I got into an argument with her a while back and now when I go into chat and say anything with opinion, she get all upset and yells at me, and I am tired of it. I have had several other users tell me she treats them the same.