On reflection Yogi have you thought of putting yourself forward?  You are a popular FM and I know you to be a very fair person.

I've now sent Ted a PM. Hopefully there will be others besides myself and Fluffy who would be wlling to give it a go.

Edited to say that Ted has acknowledged my PM and will come back to me later in the week. They are looking for muliple moderators so we need more than the 2 of us.

To answer the question about access to member email addresses.  Only admins who have "member management" permission can access that information.

We still have not decided what level of administrative access to give moderators though, so it's possible they will not have access to that information.

That's really nice of you, Squiggle, but I don't think I'm cut out for it - I'd be sending everyone to their beds or the naughty step.

The Villa on St. Barts is now available to Fluffy and El Loro.

I think you'd do a good job, you seem quite light hearted.  We might need that

Thank you for the clarification Ted.  I'm very sorry that the views of so many people are not being taken on board - I think it is clear that the overwhelming majority of FMs do not support the idea of other FMs acting as mods.  Whilst I have enjoyed being a member of this forum, and Channel 4 before it, I don't feel happy staying here if one or more of us become mods, so I think I will be deregging once the changes are introduced. 

Growly....I'm still not comfortable with FMs becoming mods but if it's the only way to keep the forum running then we either have to accept it or sadly de-reg.  Stick around for a while after the changes are made and see how you feel once the new mods have been 'in office' for a wee bit.  

No Ells, whilst I do like it here, and have been around on here and C4 for many years, I don't feel comfortable with any of the names suggested as mods (and would feel exactly the same about ANY FM who was suggested or who put themselves forward). I don't think I will want to stay on a forum where I don't have complete trust in the mods to continue the excellent work that Seattle have carried out since we've been here.

I feel exactly the same Growly 

It's nothing personal against any of the names mentioned but it just doesn't feel right. I stand by what I said before. I don't think anybody here could be 100% impartial if it got heated. If the hosts are still gonna be our hosts and the job isn't that demanding then I don't see why things can't carry on as they are now

Jeebus who care's who the mods are gonna be.

I'm sure they've got a read.

Perhaps I see it as one who posts more more often than some others in this thread.

We've gotta keep this going or we lose pals.

Thank you Ted....

I'm with Growly and Cags on this one, I've been seriously considering de-regging for the last couple of days.

No offence to Fluffy and El Loro, who seem the best equipped to deal with being mods because they both have a certain 'detachment' when it comes to trouble, but I actually feel that if, and when, Seattle leave us to it then boundaries will be tested and it will be a similar situation to what it was when we first came here and some people let the freedom go to their heads

Why?

I'm a million miles nearer the hitlist by my posting than you are.

I don't get it.

Hope you're not gonna say principle.

Hmmmm

Why what?

Me neither, I agree with all you said Velvet  

Forget it.

See.....there is an example.....I think what Velvet was saying is that he/she has more chance of getting into trouble with any moderators than you or many others....and if he/she is not worried, why are you.

I can't speak for others, but I feel there are far too many friendships, bad feelings, alternate IDs and general history going back many years for any existing FM to be able to be completely impartial when dealing with the problems which will inevitably happen - even if it's just dealing with the well known banned FMs who reappear from time to time.  As I've said in this thread, I also think anyone from the forum who takes on the role of mod would be put in a very difficult position and would be viewed with suspicion from others.  I also agree with the concerns raised by other people about the possibility of mods from here having access to my personal email address, although I realise that I could change that. 

I hope people will give whoever does become moderators a chance before de-regging as that would be a shame. Ted's made it clear that any moderator who  is seen to be unfair would cease to be a moderator. I hope the moderators would have a light touch and only step in when needed in the same way as Lori has.

Did I say I was worried about getting into trouble with the new mods? Where did I say that?

I'm not in the slightest bit worried about getting into trouble with the mods - I just don't think that it is a good idea for an existing FM to take on the role of mod on this forum.  I agree that it works very well on most other fora for mods to be appointed from within the membership, but most fora don't have the sort of history that this one does.

I don't know if the moderators would have access to personal email addresses, but if they did they would have to undertake only to ever use them for the purposes of moderation and for no other purpose.

Thinking more on a long term basis....

The posts sound (to me) to hint at Seatle taking a big step back from this forum.  I'm now wondering if that means that in future (whether soon or way down the line) they won't be the ones controlling the forum at all?

I'm ok(ish) with FM mods as long as I know the power actually lies wit Lori and co in the long run.

It's principle then.

Basket cases  

If it helps any, I work with patient personal information  at Wishaw General Hospital and for the previous 20 years with staff personal information. I'm still working there and haven't divulged anything yet.

I know it hasn't been decided yet whether the new mods would have access to email addresses, but if they do, then that's all tied up in the issues around trust and past history.  I'm sorry, but I wouldn't feel comfortable in waiting to give any FMs a chance as mods.  If Seattle go ahead and appoint FMs as mod, regardless of who is chosen, I will dereg, if they don't, then I'll stay. 

It takes one to know one

Emotional blackmail.

I think Seattle will be staying as the administrators but with FMS doing either all or some of the moderation.

Access to email addresses is only a minor side issue where I'm concerned.  My main issue is with ANY FM becoming a mod and their ability to act in a completely impartial and unbiased way. 

Me too El Loro - and well done to you and Fluffs for stepping up to the plate.

It's going to be a big change and, like when we moved here, there will probably be lots of 'new FMs' testing the new mods out, and Lori and co will probably stay quietly in the background (whilst keeping a beady eye) to see if we can sort it out ourselves.

And we will sort it out Why? Because this place is unique - we survived the C4 shutdown and we will survive this. Sadly we lost FMs when C4 closed, and I daresay we will lose more now. But, there will be a little corner of the cyberworld for us diehards

*cue violins*

Lets all try and forget the past (as I am getting older it is getting easier) and move on to the future.........I personally do not have any bones to pick over and am not in touch or know anybody else who has either. 

Why come out the woodwork now though?

**Snips strings**

Perfect credentials for a mod I reckon

*proposes Syd*