Admin/Moderator Advice...

[superslug]

Of all the various forums I've participated with online, I consider this to be the most effectively run. I mention this because I'm starting my own forum elsewhere on the net. So, I'm wondering if the mods have any advice, words of wisdom or just funny stories for a newbie on how to start and manage a good board?

(Don't ask about the board or a link, that would be inappropriate at this time.)

 

[Lefty Scaevola]

If you want moderation and steadiness from your moderators, go with older, more experienced, and lower hormones.

 

[col]

If you want moderation and steadiness from your moderators, go with older, more experienced.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Do we infer col likes mods with hormones?

 

[Dell19]

Go for a mixture of mods but don't fall into the trap of making every member a mod by making too many forums and then giving moderator powers to people who register first.

 

[ainwood]

Go with your hormones.

 

[Dell19]

Is that young or old hormones?

 

[MarineCorps]

Don't go with crazy people who think they can see everything

 

[superslug]

Don't go with crazy people who think they can see everything

Why are you wearing purple underwear today?

 

[Knight-Dragon]

Much the same as what Lefty, col said. Don't fill up your mods with whoever you can find, or with your friends just because they're your friends or something. Look back, if possible, over their posting history and style etc.

And make sure they understand who's the boss.

 

[Dell19]

Ideally I feel that a small number of mods is best as this prevents a new forum looking like it has been created by a select few people who all know each other as it isn't exactly welcoming for others. Also it shouldn't be necessary for a huge amount of moderators anyway since a couple of mods can probably read all the threads anyway and it is likely that most posters will be known.

 

[superslug]

And make sure they understand who's the boss.

Oh, they know. I've got a remote detonatable pipe bomb in the bottom of the staff cooler. We're not big enough to afford a fridge yet, so we just have to take turns putting ice in it.

 

[Dell19]

If everyone takes turns putting ice in, who puts the beer in?

 

[superslug]

If everyone takes turns putting ice in, who puts the beer in?

Posters who want their bans reduced.

 

[ainwood]

Decide on a set of standards that you want, and stick to them. Make sure they are clear and concise. Enforce them. Don't make exceptions, for anyone: friends, mods, guests.

 

[Moss]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here that I think deserves a little comment is the strictness of your moderators.

I have often found that when a forum is just starting out and has relatively few members that it is best to be a little looser. Now I'm not saying you should allow swearing or other things...but if you get too strict before you have a good base of members, the possibility of people defecting is greater.

As for choosing moderators, choose moderators who are pretty steady in their posting, and are not prone to getting into huge arguments. Also pick moderators who you know you can trust.

 

[anarchywrksbest]

In the Communist forum, moderation begins at home.

 

[ybbor]

Now I'm not saying you should allow swearing or other things...but if you get too strict before you have a good base of members, the possibility of people defecting is greater.

yeah, we'll build a temple and culture flip 'em to CFC

 

[Gengis Khan]

Mods don't matter initially, without members you'll just be banning each other.

The members make the forum, not the mods.

 

[Dell19]

Thats basically what I've been saying that not too many mods should be chosen as you need a forum with posters, not just moderators.