rogerd - 6:18 pm on Jun 20, 2004 (gmt 0)

Ha, interesting strategy, Viggen. "Hey, look, I'm just trying to help you out here before Rudolf sees what you've posted. You know what Rudolf is like when he's mad..." ;)

I don't think mods need to be cloyingly sweet, but maintaining a good natured approach and a sense of humor really help calm down situations that a stern or sarcastic reply might escalate. Then again, just like in real life, some bullies just need to be backed down by someone bigger and meaner before they behave.

In reality, most TOS violators aren't bad people - they simply haven't learned the rules of the forum they are in, or are used to a different style of communication, or even have issues with the forum's primary language. Some gentle steering will work wonders in most cases.

I have a forum that attracts high school and college students, and in their personal interactions it would be common (and not particularly offensive) to say, "You are a $%&#@ idiot, that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard." Put that in a forum post to a total stranger, though, and you've got a very hostile exchange. Good moderation assumes that the poster hasn't adapted to the forum's style of communication vs. that the poster is a hostile, obnoxious jerk who deserves a severe tongue-lashing if not immediate banning.