Rules Suggestion: No Backseat Moderating

[doctorwho]

OK, I've been noticing a trend.  Whenever we get someone who bumps a thread (or breaks any rule, for that matter), we get three or four members getting on their case.  

Frankly, it needs to stop.  The moderators are here for a reason, folks.

The problem's reached such a level that I really think we need to add something like this to the rules (from Buy a Vowel Boards):

"3. Don't act as a back seat moderator. We have a very good moderation staff on this site, very capable of doing their jobs...we don't need your help. Do this and we will smite you. If you have a concern about something, please send a PM to a staff member. Please only use the "Report Post" button for serious offenses."


I wouldn't use the exact wording, but this is a good start.

[FinalAnswer19]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Some people use the report button as if it will dispense instant candy. It's annoying. Like when that jokster a few weeks ago put 16 one-liners in one thread. We had 16 reported posts. Not necessary.

[RegisFan]

It's not the reporting of posts that gets on my nerves so much as it is the actual comments in the threads. Members who feel the need to police threads or (my personal favorite) threaten other members with bans are not only sidestepping the staff's authority, but they tarnish both their own images and the image of the site.

And what's even more annoying is that this is an issue that doesn't even apply to most members. It's the same two or three people who just keep doing it over and over again.

[FinalAnswer19]

I totally agree 100% with you. The 16 reported posts were the first thing that came to mind so that's why I threw that out there.

As for those who like to police the threads, I don't know what you think you're accomplishing by doing that. It only annoys the new member when there are other members telling them what to do/not do. When they see the staff notation on the posts, though, they're more likely to knock it off. If you are doing it in hopes of getting noticed for potential staff material, it does the exact opposite.

[millionairefan64]

Here's the only problem I have. There is times where there is no staff member(s) online. If a dead thread was bumped and their was no administrator to tell that member not to do it again. To have to wait until an administrator is online to tell that member that bumped a dead thread could be painful for those members like me that get anxiety. Although I do think three, four plus members that boss that member who bumped a thread is ridiculous. You're going have to make this rule work somehow. However, that's just my opinion, you don't have to agree with me, you don't have to listen to what I said. Just do what you got to do.


Edit: Of course the 16 consecutive posts really ticked me off and I remember now that it was one of those that multiple members even myself did boss the member for doing it and I feel terrible because I could of been just only one member. Of course that one was the most serious rule violations I've ever seen. It would still be as bad as there were 16 posts reported at once.

16 consecutive crappy posts in a thread? That's downright unacceptable. You'll face serious consequences for this.

I do have to admit I was quite harsh again I fell terrible. 

[FinalAnswer19]

I know it's easy to say, but just don't let it bother you. If you see something like that, just don't think anything of it and move on to the next thread you want to read. There's no reason to let them stress you out. That means they're winning. It's pretty safe to say that there's a staff member online at least once a day. And for the once in a blue moon occasion that none of us is on for a day or two here, the problem member will just cause more trouble and then, when one of us does sign in next, we'll see it all and then they're on the fast track to ban-land. They are the only ones that cause trouble for themselves. Don't let it get to you.

[millionairefan64]

Aug 12, 2013 0:52:05 GMT -5 FinalAnswer19 said:

I know it's easy to say, but just don't let it bother you. If you see something like that, just don't think anything of it and move on to the next thread you want to read. There's no reason to let them stress you out. That means they're winning. It's pretty safe to say that there's a staff member online at least once a day. And for the once in a blue moon occasion that none of us is on for a day or two here, the problem member will just cause more trouble and then, when one of us does sign in next, we'll see it all and then they're on the fast track to ban-land. They are the only ones that cause trouble for themselves. Don't let it get to you.

 I'll try my best FinalAnswer19 and that's all you can do is your best.

[FinalAnswer19]

That's all anyone can ever expect from others

[sand.rules]

This rule is so obvious is shouldn't need to be added; but if some members are backseat moderating over the forums then it should. It's actually a shame to have to put it down in writing because on every forum, this is an unwritten rule. Wherever a ranking and staff system is used, the members should already know to not mini-moderate - but it still happens.

When I first joined the site I had the feeling a lot of members were backseat modding and getting away with it and coming down hard on members where it's not their jurisdiction to do so. We also need to consider if people even bother reading the rules or not. Those few people that backseat really make the site look bad; and it needs to be stopped.

I've also noticed backseat modding in the Auditions forum too. Regardless of whether someone has the Fan Games rank or shoving rules in bold or green text to other members, it shouldn't be happening in the first place; and could make other members hesitant to audition.