Well I just spent 20 minutes writing a response that described what it is like to be a Mod here and lost the damn thing because I got timed out.
So I'll sum it up.
AR15.com is the biggest firearms sight online. I've never read a question posted here that didn't get answered. We are growing at a rate that most Fortune 500 CEO's would kill to have.
You know what one of the biggest reasons is?
Our Mods. This place would have been nothing but a memory by now if we didn't have the dedicated group of individuals that log in here day after day and give of their time.
It's not a thankless job because sometimes you get an IM or an e-mail thanking you..or posts in a thread like this supporting you. It makes a difference.
Being a Mod here turns into a job in a real hurry though and our's do it day in, day out because they want to. They do a hell of a job and the fact we are the benchmark that other sites are measured against is testament to the hard work they do.
Sorry to ramble but this topic grew old 4 years ago and it gets tiring after awhile explaining your actions over and over to people who have never been in your shoes!!

here is what an intellectual has to say about some of the chat mods [url]http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=190679[/url]

How is it to be a moderator?
Well, you are watching topics, and blending in most of the time.  I like to cut up and have fun on the board.  I have been known to make attempts at hijacking serious threads to turn them into funny threads by the second or third page.  You have to abide by the CC just like everybody.  You are expected to be something of a role model.  That's what they tell me anyway...
What will you do when you come upon a thread that is borderline?  Ignore, IM and ask for an edit, edit it yourself, or lock?  Or maybe try to salvage the thread by steering it back on course?  Do this knowing you can get flamed by somebody for doing one of those, all of those, or none of those, at any time.  It's nearly completely random, and it depends on which of the 50,000 members you are interacting with.
Then when you make your decision, prepare to be flamed for doing it, and not choosing an alternative. Sometimes it sucks.  Sometimes it is good.
Depends on the day and the phase of the moon.

[b][/b]

 What DF said.  Especially as a GD forum Mod, it's a PIA job.

[b]1776[/b]

I understand your concerns and thank you for making them public,although I could not disagree more with them than I already do!

[b]This board[/b]is a means of communications for friends-many of whom do not even know each other yet-until they get together in a shoot,restaurant,at home.

[b]This board[/b] is not about having more members than any other,but about [b]having quality members......... like we do [/b].

[size=4][red]The basic operating principle is:RESPECT EACH OTHER![/red][/size=4]

If you don't understand what I mean, maybe you are not paying attention to the threads where members give memberships to others they don't know.
Threads where people travel hundreds of miles to help one of our own install or fix something, when the person needing help is way over his head.

Open the threads where members donate to others who are less fortunate, until they can get back on their feet.
Where they pool their resourses to get someone they do not know a rifle,ammo,food.
Where they offer their professional advice, on just about anything........for free!

If to keep the spirit of friendship alive and draw more good people,we need to keep a few troublemakers out,we will do it.

And those entrusted with the task of keeping some threads from degenerating into unwinnable pissing matches, are the people who provide their leadership and time as moderators and staff!

[b]Like many of our members,the mods and staff lead with generosity,kindness and desire to help others.[/b]

Without them keeping the forums friendly,we would not look forward to getting together with 50,100 or 1,000 other members like we often do.

If you ever go to one of our shoots and meet some of your fellow members,you will understand what I mean.
Until then,you will have to trust us on that! [;)]

Take care and count on me for whatever you might need!

Have a great[size=6][red] 4th[/red][white] of[/white] [blue]July![/blue][/size=6] [USA]

well i am still waiting for suggestions?

When i used to post my rants i always backed them up, right or wrong.


mike

"However for those who say if you don't like it go elsewhere I have thos to answer.
Some of us have paid money to be here, not much I have to confess but still have paid for a service. To change the rules after payment has been accepted is wrong. "

Now this is a good point. I don't think it has been a big issue with many people but is a valid issue. The CC was consolidated and redone to make it clearer. With the exception of some rewording i don;t think it changed a great deal.
The old CC was vague on some issues which made certain things difficult to enforce as interpretation could be different depending on who read it.

mike

I've been a mod for about a year now...  I might have edited one thread because it included personal information, about somebody that wasn't even a board member, and urged people to contact that person at home and harass them about something over which they had no control...  Other than that, I think I asked somebody to change their avatar to comply with the code of conduct.

Now I know why everyone calls me a fascist.

Nice cover story from the Staff. Like any good Mafia Boss, you hire a group of Moderator Cappos to do your dirty work.  [flame]

Darn notso[b]steenky[/b] [:)],this is exactly what I ask the mods to do,although often in the heat of battle they forget and lock the thread.

I agree there is no reason for locking a whole thread for the unacceptable comments of one or two.

I will remind them again to not lock them.I wholeheartedly agree with you [:)]

Gary,

I this needs to be addressed every now and then.And I do so here with all due respect to all of our Team Members.No offense intended at all!


The memberships are NOT a quid pro quo (payment in exchange for) service.

While perhaps a technicality,your contributions to help pay for running the site is VOLUNTARY.
The site throws in perks for those who contribute,but it was never intended to be a payment for services rendered or to be rendered.

[b]Imbroglio[/b] is not banned.  

I knew you loved me... [kiss]

Now settle down Frances... no need to use bad words.

So anyway Sage, how did you like Bulletfest?

We talked for a shorter time than we should have this BFIV,but at least we talked. [:)]

Your secret is safe with me.I won't say what your old handle was.....even if I remembered! [:D]

Bulletfest I was remarkable for many things,one of which is that there were so "few" of us that I actually got to meet everyone!

Do you remember the clay pigeon competition with MP5's? [:D]

My thoughts on the lock vs. individual edits.

I am able to check the site in the mornings and occasionally through the day. Like all the other mods i have a job and can't be here 24x7.

When a thread turns into a raging piss fest the first thing i do is try to im the offending person. Sometimes i get a response sometimes i dont. Likely because they are also at work. AT that point i have to make a decision to leave it alone and hope it does not degenerate further or lock it and be done with it. It's a judgement call plain and simple.

If i know other mods are online i usually post in the mod board so someone else can watch the thread while i am away.

My preference would be a post edit/delete but when it involves multiple users that can be worse than just a lock.


mike