- Joined
- Oct 5, 2001
- Messages
- 30,085
We are making a small but significant change to the forum moderator structure. A new moderator group has been created, called Super Moderators. The purpose of this new group is to actively review how the forums are being run, and make improvements.
You may have seen the Off Topic Poster Satisfaction Survey. This is actually an initiative run by this group (while the re-organization was in the planning process!), and is the type of thing that we are looking to do: Get input to make improvements.
The next step in this process is a focus on a few key areas, such as reviewing and updating the forum rules, reviewing the (internal to staff) moderator guidelines and also reviewing how the infraction system works (these are aimed at improving moderator consistency). Other (as yet not well-defined) goals including reviewing the forum structures etc.
Ultimately, we are attempting to make meaningful changes that will improve the forums for all.
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It occurred to me in writing this that I should probably formally outline what the various moderator groups actually mean (for those that are not familiar)
Junior Moderators: New moderators are made "Junior Moderators". They have limited moderating powers, and are restricted to moderating their assigned fora. This is aimed at getting them to understand the moderator systems and processes, and typically lasts for around 6 months.
(regular) Moderators: Junior moderators get promoted to 'Moderators'. While 'moderators' have the functionality to moderate in all forums, they are generally expected to limit moderating in forums outside of their own to 'emergencies' or dealing with spambots etc.
Senior Moderators: After around 2-3 years, regular Moderators get promoted to Senior Moderators. These people are officially supported to moderate all forums when they see the requirement to do so.
Super Moderators: The new group. Same power as Senior Moderators, but also expected to do a bit extra on the forum management side, as noted above.
You may have seen the Off Topic Poster Satisfaction Survey. This is actually an initiative run by this group (while the re-organization was in the planning process!), and is the type of thing that we are looking to do: Get input to make improvements.
The next step in this process is a focus on a few key areas, such as reviewing and updating the forum rules, reviewing the (internal to staff) moderator guidelines and also reviewing how the infraction system works (these are aimed at improving moderator consistency). Other (as yet not well-defined) goals including reviewing the forum structures etc.
Ultimately, we are attempting to make meaningful changes that will improve the forums for all.
_______________________________________________________________________
It occurred to me in writing this that I should probably formally outline what the various moderator groups actually mean (for those that are not familiar)
Junior Moderators: New moderators are made "Junior Moderators". They have limited moderating powers, and are restricted to moderating their assigned fora. This is aimed at getting them to understand the moderator systems and processes, and typically lasts for around 6 months.
(regular) Moderators: Junior moderators get promoted to 'Moderators'. While 'moderators' have the functionality to moderate in all forums, they are generally expected to limit moderating in forums outside of their own to 'emergencies' or dealing with spambots etc.
Senior Moderators: After around 2-3 years, regular Moderators get promoted to Senior Moderators. These people are officially supported to moderate all forums when they see the requirement to do so.
Super Moderators: The new group. Same power as Senior Moderators, but also expected to do a bit extra on the forum management side, as noted above.
