Ok Jsocha, if you would run it like that, I would vote for you then. I know in your previous post you said something about closing topics that advocated the use of drugs, or something to that effect. (Now myself, I don't touch drugs, not even tylenol, but I am not against drug use) So when I read that, it turned me off to voting for you as a moderator. Just because I feel that these topics should be talked about. But I know for the most part, controversial issues, will just about always turn into flamewars, there are some times when they don't. So I think by taking a reactive approach to moderating, will be better than taking a proactive approach. This way people will see that it got ugly, and that it was deserving of being shut down.

The only other thing I disagree with it the 3-and-out rule. I don't think it should go out even that far. I think one warning is more than enough. If forum members aren't going to listen after one warning, they probably aren't going to listen after 3 of them. But this is not really a sticking point with me.

And I don't want to sound like I am bashing you JSocha. I have read many of you posts, and I do think you would be a great moderator for the off topic section. I am just more or less trying to point out the potential pitfalls that could come along in this. So please don't think I am attacking you. The last thing I am looking for is a fight with anyone!

I'm not moderator material so I'll stay out of that.

Here's a list of the nominees so far (only the ones that asked to be moderators, no reason voting for someone that doesn't know their in the running.)

as for myself, i have a bit of time (over the next few months) and would be honored to moderate a section. while i have no experience doing this, i have been around for a while and seen the kinds of things that pop up (from time to time), causing offense. probably my biggest asset is the love i have of this forum, and the friendships it has brought.

Well IMHO, this isn't going to work. And the 3 out rule won't work either. I mean think about it..... 2 moderators on each section, Publicly nominated and elected every 3 months.... all the politicking, posturing & voting issues & we'll need a new Forum section just to handle it all. Cliff, guess who gets to moderate THAT Forum section?

Take a look back at the discussion in this thread right here. Many of you guys are arguing back and forth right here. Just imagine all the flaming that will be going on in the political campaign.... this will be something to watch.

The 3 and out rule?..... why don't I like that idea?

Well let's say some one starts a nice technical thread in the tech section... like this one http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/011699.html Then let's say 2 or 3 jerks come into the thread and start trouble, the moderator sees who started trouble and he warns him. The guy (or one of his buddies) starts trouble again, the moderator warns him again. Now for a 3rd. time the guy starts trouble again..... the moderator shuts down the thread. Instead of getting rid of the trouble makers, your 3 time rule would get rid of the thread. It would "Cut off the Nose to spite the Face".

Now who is punished here?

1) The person who caused all the trouble? NOPE, he's happy.... he set out to shut down the thread and he succeeded.
2) The person who started the thread? Not really, but after all the bullshit leading to the shut down of the thread, you can bet he won't be posting again soon.
3) The people who wanted to read the thread? Yep, they are the one's who will be punished. No only do they lose out on the info that was going to come from the thread...they will lose the future information that the person could have provided.

Cliff, don't get mad but I gotta tell you this. You wanted this Forum to grow fast. You wanted it to be the biggest and best. You and I had some "words" about the beginnings of the Forum. You remember those conversations we had and others can look some of them up in the archives. I love this Forum, I love the way it has been run for the most part etc.

Now it's the biggest and the best and you feel that you can't handle it.

Please don't get mad at me.... but if you go forward with this announced policy, July 6, 2001 will be marked as the day this Forum started to go down the tubes to become a shadow of what it once was & to be just like all the other Forums on the Internet.

You wanted to be the biggest and best, you got that wish. Now you need to make a decission that will effect everyone and you're going to leave that to an ELECTION? If you want some moderators, than YOU APPOINT them. And they serve at your pleasure AND they do what YOU tell them to do.

PLEASE Don't burden us with Nominations, Elections and 27 teenagers and their politicking. I can see it now, one candidate searches the Archives for "Mud" on the other candidate, then posts up all the mis-statements & mis-spelled words in his past. This is gonna be a kick to watch.

Now, you can flame me all you want, but remember your voting public is watching you right now.

Archie

BTW, I'm only talking about 27 teenagers, not all of them.

Ok just checkin...

Jennifer

But I don't agree with Archie on his idea's against the 3 strikes and out point. Of course it isn't fool-proof (Archie pointed out the obvious flaw of it) but I still think it's the best approach to take (Well at least something to that effect, as I said, I would probably only allow one chance) Nothing is going to be perfect. Most of the message boards that I frequent have moderators, so what should make us the exception? They seem to get along allright. There will always be flames and trolls, and just plain stupidity, you will never get rid of that completely. But at least, we will be able to tone it down a bit with some moderation.

No matter what we do, nothing is going to be perfect, and nothing is going to please everyone. Cliff, you have shown yourself numerous times to me to be a wise and intelligent person, so you make the choice on what's the best for the forum. And if not, you can always shut it down. It's your forum, it's your choice. But I hope you decide to keep it up, and use our advice to make a good decision about how to run the forum.