Cycling Mods

Does anyone else think this could be a good idea?

I think the staff here on WF is pretty damn good, but at the same time there is always the chance of complacency when things get too comfortable. Even if every mod is working together great and there are no problems, there is still the issue of there being the possibility for an impression of it to build among the general membership.

With that in mind, would some kind of cycling of mods be a good idea? While I think every mod we have here on Wordforge is a good choice, there are also many other members who could do a good job.

Currently we have five mods, six if you include Scorps temporary role. What if that was expanded to a roster of 10-12 (or more if there are suitable people) but keeping the low number of active mods at a time, with a change being done every month?

Something like this below, the names bolded are ones who would be active at that time:

...and so on like that.

While something like this could be good for member perception of the staff, there are obviously some good arguments against a system like this.

The "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach for one. Also while all mods are active across the board, there is the fact that we each tend to have areas we are more active in so are well balanced, changing things around constantly could leave some sections of the board without much attention being given to them.

Thoughts?

You'd need a freakin' scorecard to keep track of who was doing what when. Too complicated.

The strength of our current scheme is its simplicity. Wordforge is not yet a gigantic sprawling mass the way TrekBBS is, so a handful of supermods plus two admins can handle the whole thing quite nicely. And I think turnover will handle itself, actually. We've had mods before who just got tired of doing it and voluntarily gave up the power and glory of Eliteforge. I expect that will happen again. I know I toy with the idea from time to time.

Elwood seems to like things the way they are. It's worth talking about, certainly, but I think what we have works well, and I'm hesitant to change it just to change it.

^I hope you decide to stay on, you're one of the best Wordforge mods. Definitely within the top five.

Agreed.

Yep. We've had many mods over the years, most of the folks you'd want as mods have already been mods and stepped down or have refused to be mods in the first place. Yes there are worthy members in neither category but like Lanzman said turnover will allow those folks the opportunity.

Personally I think we're lucky to have the staff we have now (not talking about myself) this type of approach to moderation should be tricky but it's not, it works and works well.

Also, Bailey's plan does not account for when members/mods are online. Typically when I'm online the only other mod online is Bailey. So whomever is to replace us should have a similar schedule.

That said, I don't mind stepping down, I've never seen much difference between mod and member anyway.

Ooo, I didn't even think of the timezone thing. Good call.

They are all good reasons for not changing things up.

Honestly, of all the staff schemes WF has had, I really think we finally hit on what works best...a small, boardwide group with broad powers. The best part is you guys are generally discreet and have really gotten the notion that we are all just posters who do some extra shit and handle the inevitable "ELITEFORGE!!!! really well.

I don't think there is anyone in here at this point who gives two figs about "power" and we are all happiest where there is nothing to do.

Except Clyde of course, he's a regular cut-throat, powermad dictator.

If you'd like to make suggestions for future Mod choices, we'd love to hear 'em though and your rationale why they would be good for the job.

I'm one of those people who disprove the widespread belief that it's impossible to forget how to ride a bike...
So cycling is never going to be high on my list of favourite occupations.

Forgive my brief response, but I'll be happy to answer any questions related to it.

When I look for mods, I have three criteria. In order of importance, they are:

#1 - People I can trust.
#2 - People skills
#3 - Timezone coverage
#4 - Diversity of political and ideological views different from my own.

To be brutally and totally honest, there's probably not 10-12 people on this board that I completely trust to act in my place when I'm not around.

If one of you decides you no longer want the "job." I may or may not replace you.

Clyde? No, that much more accurately describes...

Silence, knave.

Are basic counting skills on the list as well.

I added people skills in and forgot about the rest. Report to Room 101. Now.

:bitch:

You just made the list, buddy.

See why I don't quit even when I want to?