Awww, I know it looks like a load of negatives, Nuts but I think everyone's got the best of intentions for the forum.

 

And yeah, we're a great bunch but it only takes one @rse muppet to go and set the cat amongst the pigeons.  It'd be a shame if 'our' Mod got caught in the middle of it 'cos there's bound to be some ripple effect afterwards.

and you bliddy snaffled

I agree Cosmo...... and although some of the stuff sounds negative I think it needs saying......

agree cosi + through the various live posting threads lots of us have become quite close - upset one you upset us all difficult job for a newbie - TBH difficult job full stop - like being between a rock and a hard place really

Which is my point about a new start for all of us. 

That's it exactly Ros - rock and a hard place.

 

You probably have a point there Zaph! Those of us who 'manage' people/disagreements in rl, whether that be at home or work, (so, pretty much all of us presumably?) accept that you're not going to be  'flavour of the hour/ day' or 'mr/ms popular' with all of the people all of the time. For me, as I presume many others, when I come on here, I am 'free' from all of that 'management responsibility,' I can, for e.g. bitch about someones outfit/hairdo/botox on SCD or laugh out loud at some of the eejits on X Factor. At work , I have to be MUCH more careful, I could do it with some, but definitely not with others. That would be the challenge for a fm to become a mod imo, that they would have to be, generally 'holier than though' to be accepted

Well I guess if we're not adult enough to walk away when things get to us, there's really nothing worth sticking around for is there? 

 

(And I like coming on this forum for a bit of daftness and carry on after a stressful (a lot of the time) day at work. 

Yeah, that clearly needs to be managed too  FWIW I think that you'd be a fabulous mod Cosi, (I've seen you do it 'informally' several times!) Not that I imagine that you'd remotely have the inclination/time to do it formally

Nuts   I understand your point but can you say hand on heart that you've always walked away..?  Never prodded or maybe given a sideswipe just for the hell of it..?

 

I'm not getting at you - more thinking of ME and my own ways/nature.

Can't recall a specific event but I doubt that I've been 100% in never taking the bait....or laying it for that matter.

 

Supes!  Don't even think about it..!

As I said previously, maybe this should be the thread to link to DS and the like to attract more members

Well that's you out of the running Hears BIG sigh of relief form casa cosi's!

  

 

I love it that you got hob-nobs in there!! 

I won't go quotetastic, but, Supes, while your post sounds so reasonable and adult, if people could be talked down so easily, we wouldn't need a mod, we could moderate ourselves - people do try to calm things down when things get heated.    If that doesn't work, and bannings/suspensions do have to happen, if that's being actioned by one of our own - I really don't see how that's not going to impact on the forum.   Thinking back, in particular to CBB... emotions ran high.. but we all got through it unscathed.  I'm not so sure that would be the case if a forum regular was handing out tickings off.    Still.. sounds like it's gonna happen, so I suppose it's adopt a 'wait and see' approach.

and that is exactly why the new Mods shouldn't be from the forum.. . often the odd rows get worse because of friends also jumping in to 'help' their friend. . I understand people are close to some they have come to know over the yrs [I am close to a couple of people here in RL as well] but that can in itself cause problems when things start going wonky

 

I'm with Zaph, a totally unknown person or persons seems the only way to go if extra help is needed

Yep - one reason I'd never have the job even if I had the time to do it, Olly.    Most people have formed friendships, feel affinity for a few other FMs more than others.. I know I have.   If I was a mod and I saw a friend posting something that I knew in my heart they should be pulled up on  what would I do?   Possibly pm them?  Then that would mean I wasn't impartial, unless I PM'd everyone.  Pull them up on it in public?  What would that do to our friendship?

I've been away for most of the last week and am really surprised that this discussion is still going.  I completely agree with Olly and Kaffy, and with so many others who are concerned about this.  I don't think one person so far has said that they are in favour of an existing FM becoming a mod, but it looks as though some people are gradually being persuaded that it's the only option.  I have got to know some FMs very well over the years, and think it would be very difficult for anyone to be faced with dealing with a problem caused by one of their friends. I honestly can't think of one FM who I would personally be comfortable with having as a mod here, for a variety of reasons - not wanting to impact on personal friendships, previous issues on C4, knowledge of people from other forums, friendships between FMs and other people who don't use this forum - the list is endless. 

 

I also agree with comments about the access to email addresses. I am registered here with an email address with my real name and am extremely selective who I give my personal details to; for the same reason I very rarely use Facebook. 

 

I think it woudl be a shame if this forum were to close, but don't see the way forward as appointing a mod from within the membership. I've seen comments made on a regular basis about dwindling numbers, but I think if one of us was appointed as a mod, the membership would fall dramatically as so few people would be comfortable with the situation.  Lori has always been an excellent and very fair moderator, and deals with any problems brilliantly. 

I think you're right Kaffs. It's v rarely needed atm,most of us are grown up enough to just sort it out between ourselves. My view stands that just about anyone could do it, but, would they want to? Well that's another story entirely, particularly as it would almost certainly mean that person  having to be almost saint like in their own behaviour!

 

I read Ted's post - I think they want a contribution - I think we're  lucky that we're being given the option.

 

This isn't C4 - that ....... and most of the former FMs, have long gone.  We're not talking about moderating the C4 forum we're talking about GaGa. It is not the same.  I'm reading the concerns and there is nothing that is not dealable with.

 

I would disagree with that.  I can remember almost everyone who uses this forum from C4, and whilst most people get on fairly well most of the time, we are still largely the same group of people who used the C4 forum, with many of the same allegiances, likes, and dislikes.  I think the fact that this thread has now run into 9 pages, with very few comments in favour of a mod being chosen from the existing membership, shows that most people have real issues with the suggestion.  I can't think of any criteria which could be used to appoint a mod which everyone, or even a large majority, would feel comfortable with. 

I am very , very uncomfortable about the whole idea....and despite reassurances I can still see more minuses than pluses.....but if there is no alternative I want answers to the following questions : 1. What actual powers will the FM mod have? 2. What personal information will they have access to ? 3. Will they have the last word on say banning/sanctioning people ? Or will they have to report back to Seattle on such matters?

We may all have come from C4 but it's not the same forum - that forum has gone and most of the FMS have moved to FB or elsewhere.

 

The numbers posting here on a regular basis is significantly less - the issues are not the same - there are still spats but nothing at all like the volume and ferocity of C4.  Old memories die hard - but it's perfectly possible to move beyond them.

I understand what you are saying Hoochie , but I am not sure it's that simple ... Like someone said earlier , you only have to look back to CBB and see how heated things got ... I am really not sure that a FM mod would have been a good idea during that .......

I think with time and professionalism it is possible that it can be done. I don't think the keys to the forum would just be handed over and whaaaayayy they're off! - GaGa have dealt with us very professionally up until now, I can't imagine that their approach would change on this.

 

We have dealt with a lot of change, we could do this as well if we had to.

Yes, I agree Seattle are great and very professional and if it has to be , it has to be .... Doesn't mean I have to like it though

However or from wherever new Mods are chosen from I hope this thread is deleted before Seattle follow their plans to encourage new members here. With nine pages, and probably ongoing, anyone wandering by here and seeing this thread would surely think why are so many afraid of an FM being chosen, what on earth goes on here between the FM's that they don't trust their fellow FM's to be mature and impartial enough to handle their job as a Mod. If I didn't know this place and just wandered by personally I wouldn't join if I read this thread unless I was a draaamaaaaholic or loved engaging in confrontation which many posts here are implying happens. As for GaGa closing this down I've seen no sign of that and don't believe it, just another part of the paranoia it seems which doesn't send out a good message to possible newcomers.

 

Personally I've never had a problem with anyone here since I joined after CH4 went down. I've been a member and Mod on several forums over the years, there's no need for "personal" confrontation whether as a member or a Mod, don't become attached to what someone else says if they direct it at you, it could be their problem not yours.

 

 

I don't think anyone's saying they wouldn't give it a go, Hoochie, but it's obviously a big issue for a lot of people, so it seems reasonable that they make their feelings known and not simply say 'yeah, sure' if there may be an alternative.

 

I stand by what I said about how feelings ran high during Denise-gate for example... how many people said things that were a bit near the knuckle at that time? If deserved people will take a rap on the knuckles from Lori (who, I have to say, has this mod thing sussed) shrug and move on and perhaps even feel a bit shamed faced.   If that rap came from someone who you knew to be friendly with a fm-er on the 'other side' - I just feel that a lot more people are less likely to take it on the chin and more likely to say 'Sod this for a laugh - I'm not taking that from them... I'm off'     Just my opinion.   Personally, I'd hope not to have a problem  - I tend to avoid arguments if I find myself on the opposite side from someone I like and respect on here, but during the heat of a decent BB - or any debate that polarised opinion really, I think it could be quite testing.

What about if the mod from here just had the power to Close a thread or delete posts and any other punishment should be dealt with by higher up 

does everyone view a mod  as a superior being to an fm?

 

or just a layer of oil to keep things running relatively smoothly?

 

i would have said the latter, but i know from experience that  when  people get heated, reason flies out of the window  and hits the mod square between the eyes.

 

they are often asked to make impossible decisions, and i've known ultimatums , emotional blackmail, threats and so on,directed at mods.

 

an enigmatic/detached mod is the only way to go.

Have to disagree with you there Yellow Rose. .I would look at this thread and think they seem to be able to discuss a dodgy topic in an adult way with no harsh words.

 

I hear what Hoochie is saying but I think the fact a lot of people have left, and some may be ones that may have caused trouble in the past, does not mean they have completely broken connections with the place. . some may not post but may be kept in the loop so to speak via friends they have that still post here, and  they could influence them with the countless whispers and rumours that go on or did go on in the background.  .it is that history that troubles me tbh. . it will never go away...

 

Plus I will say this again that if a FM does become a Mod they really will have to think about dropping back as a full on participant and am not sure that would be fair to them... after all people come here for fun and discussion not to work don't they?

 

 

As was said too, the majority in here are against it/uncomfortable with it. . and if this is a democracy then shouldn't we go with that..?

 

The best answer I have seen in here is a swap with another completely unconnected forum of each others Mods. . ie someone volunteers to help out elsewhere and they send someone here.. I'd be game for that as a solution 

I think that's what we need to know Aims... just exactly what's going to be expected and some confirmation of whether it's a 'do it or you close' ultimatum - I've not read that so far.

We could end up with a mod from another forum who takes the job a bit too seriously and be called up on silly things that Lori and co don't mind.

 

At least if it was a FM mod then they'd know how far Lori and co usually let things go before stepping in, like letting people get their point across and having an adult discussion which can sometimes end better than just closing a thread/deleting posts etc.

 

Maybe better the devil you know?

 

 

 

That sounds like a possible runner to me Aimee.

Sounds about right to me too.

 

I like the idea of an FM from another place doing an exchange but - they might not get us - I'm amazed at how quickly Lori 'got us' so it's not beyond the realms of possibility.

I do hope we get some clarity on the situation before BB starts ,I don't want to find myself homeless.

I don't think that would be a solution.  People all have different thresholds for what they would consider an inappropriate or offensive post, and I'm not confident that a FM could be impartial when it comes to deciding whether to delete posts which might be made by one of their friends or possibly derogatory comments made about a friend. 

i think the issue is becoming clouded and worries are taking over, any mod needs to be impartial and consistant, (they do not need to "get us" or to understand how we got here) and as i said before, be from another forum

 

I said that the other night. Just close a thread until it's looked at by someone higher up 

I think the answer is for Seattle to answer some of out questions..... but I agree with Olly... I don't see this thread as a negative thing at all.....I think it is something that needs to be discussed..