I am Webwork. I am a Mod. I am Broken. Fix me.

hhhmmm webwork you like to live dangerously but I am afraid you are 1 of the 4 mods on this board that I hold great respect for both knowledge of your subject area and your moderation so no public flogging here

steve

You are kind, sir, about the "live dangerously" part, but I regret to say that I harbor doubts about my moderating . . so I ask.

For example, there are times when I think I would do a better job moderation by "sleeping on it" versus responding in real time. Unfortunately, one of the hazards of volunteer positions is dealing with time issues. And, well, re-visits add to the time it takes, so I sometimes make a snap judgment versus backing away. Argh.

In a sense I'm extending an olive branch here. I'd really like to know when, where, why or how "I get it wrong" or fall down on the job.

As an administrator on a much smaller board I often PM (you call it sticky) a member about intentions and wordings on a post *before* moderating. Often it's then a combined decision to edit a post.

Webwork, I have seen you more than any other mod allow very specific words or discussion allowed that would be blocked in other areas of the site because you believe that is the best way to understand the problem or the discussion point , I am sure that makes it more important that you keep carefull eye on that thread for abuse, I understand many of the policies on the forum and would not like to see them relaxed much but sometimes the limitations of only using widgets does not cover the discussion or problem being discussed.

As a recommendation I would like to see two mods for each specific area with one concentrating on helping newbies type questions with a very gentle touch and manner and the other mod concentrating on the much heavier type questions from well informed webmasters,

It could well be that adding an option when OP posts a question for Basic, Advanced or News discussion.

The reason I say two mods is I suspect it is hard for a moderator moving from a very detailed query from a knowledgable webmaster to a real newbie type question without appearing 1. as condescending or 2. not knowledgable.

I can think of a few sections of the site where my question might seem really stupid and I would post as basic , that does not mean I am stupid just had little exposure to that part of the business

Steve

allow very specific words or discussion allowed that would be blocked in other areas of the site because you believe that is the best way to understand the problem or the discussion point

And I do love when he gets burned for it. There was one thread a couple of weeks ago when I first got back here after a bit of a hiatus, that had me in stitches -- old trusting Webwork still being old trusting Webwork -- until the nickel dropped. Priceless!

"Sleeping on it" I think is just what you should do in most cases. After all, this isn't the "Ask Jeff a Question" forum and you can't and shouldn't be expected to be actively involved in each thread -- that ain't your job. If you do find that you're participating too much you might consider JDMorgan's semi-Socratic approach: point folks in the right directions, to the right resources and have them come back to discuss any fine points.

Modding isn't an easy job but you still do it as fine as anybody in that ungodlike way of effectively moderating without anybody really noticing it. (And yeah, can still tell when you get a bit bored and the new threads come out rapid fire.)

I don't see any reason you should change anything you do around here.
I also don't see any reason to change the site unless there is a need to on Brett's part.

Webwork, your spelling is atrotious and you make to many typos.

Webwork, your spelling is atrotious and you make to many typos.

oh the irony

Webwork;

What the hell are you rambling on about now? :)

Broken? Not judging by your posts and/or visible moderating in the domain names and directory forums where you moderate. Broken? Nope, not that I can see anyhow.

I have almost no interest in directories or domain names. But I still read those forums. If I did have a question or issue about domain names or directories, I'd very much look forward to what you had to say, and trust your responses and moderating.

Now.... when you wander over to the AdSense forum.... wellllllll..... :)

Webwork, you're beyond fixing.. A full overhaul required :)

He can still be fixed. I'll make an appointment with the vet.

Webwork you are the best. And didn't you get the ICANN Award for substantially boosting the worldwide registration of geoservice.coms or was it servicegeo.coms ..... anyway, now there's people with millions of them.

Reminds me of a cat or dog... need a pet every once in a while. Consider yourself stroked!

Lack of self-confidence mate. I've read some of your dissertation like replies that spewed nuggets galore! Broken? phbtt :)

I think it's to safe to say that the mods aren't the problem with WebmasterWorld, assuming there are problems.

its not the mods. its some of the rules and practices that they are told to follow that makes them look bad.
i put up a link which showed webwork telling a newbie to go the library, which ended up with the newbie taking offence and never coming back. i didnt mean to make webwork himself look bad. i just meant to show that telling all newbies to go the library instead of posting their questions is a dumb and counter-productive rule, because you end up losing the newbies.
asking mods to delete everything that can be deemed a little bit non-PC is another dumb rule, which makes the mods look like prudes and overbearing school headmasters.

webmasterworld doesnt need new mods, they just need to fiddle with a couple of the rules.

What better time to take a public flogging

Other than the fact that you sometimes wax poetic and don't do a very good job of it, I can't think of anything to flog you about.

Give me time, I'm sure something will come to mind! :)

the mods aren't the problem on here. It's the suffocating rules-based regime that is more the issue. That's what needs looking at.

For me this is one of the better forums. Webwork, thanks for all of the helpful advice over the years.

WebWork, if you really want some "negative" feedback, I'd check out this topic.

[webmasterworld.com...]

Some people are using this example as a reason newer people don't stick around long. I think you handled it as well as someone who's seen that sort of topic 5,000 times, but it is what it is.

I like your style Webwork. Takes guts to ask the question, "what specifically about me needs to be changed?"

Quite often people will tell you... ;) ;)

I like your nick too.