Music Banter - View Single Post

**Yac** · 06-02-2015, 06:03 AM

I took my time responding to this, but here's my take on rules and rules enforcement.
As some of you probably know, I'm a lot more active on city-data.com/forum than here, here I only visit to help the mods out if there is need and to(though I have to say they are a great bunch that can deal with anything thrown at them).
At city-data, rules enforcement is strict. Very strict even. Infractions are very common, many folks spend sometimes months restricted - even though to get that kind of punishment they had to really work for it, it is harsh.
Musicbanter is.. well, anarchy. Mods are a lot more relaxed and I think this style of moderation fits this forum very well, certainly better than my very strict approach.
Having said that though, as with everything the best solution lies somewhere in the middle. Imo MB cold use just a pinch of rules, not too much as it's an unique ecosystemso to say that would be completely ruined if the changes were too big.
I won't name any specific members, but the biggest problem is member ego. There's a certain kind of people that at a specific point, once they feel safe enough, start acting like they are better. Start acting like they can do whatever the f*ck they want because hey, they've been here a while, people recognize them, they're allowed. Often the results are comical or at least within the boundaries of the usual forum banter, but sometimes it becomes so bad it ruins the experience for everybody. And this isn't just a senior member issue, that specific point in time I mentioned depends on the person.
Then there is the fact that the sole source of revenue for this site are google ads - and they are by far not as invasive as they can be. In fact, registered members either see very few or don't see them at all.For the forum to work the way it does, without any banners, popups and all that crap, it needs to maintain some standards.
So here's my take on this: I don't think a slightly stricter approach to rules would hurt. It wouldn't muzzle the forum at all. In fact I'm sure many folks would find it refreshing that they can actually discuss some topics in detail without having to deal with "funny" comments from members that couldn't care less and only came into the thread to mock it. Rules need to be applied to everybody equally, regardless whether he or she has 3 or 3000 posts, regardless who they are friends with. Additionally repeated rules violations should be treated seriously. We're all humans, we all make mistakes. We all sometimes get carried away. But when someone is hijacking a thread with his drivel again and again... maybe he should enjoy a week away from the forum. If he or she won't listen to reason, only a stronger punishment can potentially convince him to start acting properly.
Having said all that, It's all up to the mods and the community. I am sure that a compromise can be reached that will satisfy all but the most fringe anarchists/authoritarians

Yac.

06-02-2015, 06:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
Yac Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: It's a secret too. Posts: 1,363	I took my time responding to this, but here's my take on rules and rules enforcement. As some of you probably know, I'm a lot more active on city-data.com/forum than here, here I only visit to help the mods out if there is need and to(though I have to say they are a great bunch that can deal with anything thrown at them). At city-data, rules enforcement is strict. Very strict even. Infractions are very common, many folks spend sometimes months restricted - even though to get that kind of punishment they had to really work for it, it is harsh. Musicbanter is.. well, anarchy. Mods are a lot more relaxed and I think this style of moderation fits this forum very well, certainly better than my very strict approach. Having said that though, as with everything the best solution lies somewhere in the middle. Imo MB cold use just a pinch of rules, not too much as it's an unique ecosystemso to say that would be completely ruined if the changes were too big. I won't name any specific members, but the biggest problem is member ego. There's a certain kind of people that at a specific point, once they feel safe enough, start acting like they are better. Start acting like they can do whatever the f*ck they want because hey, they've been here a while, people recognize them, they're allowed. Often the results are comical or at least within the boundaries of the usual forum banter, but sometimes it becomes so bad it ruins the experience for everybody. And this isn't just a senior member issue, that specific point in time I mentioned depends on the person. Then there is the fact that the sole source of revenue for this site are google ads - and they are by far not as invasive as they can be. In fact, registered members either see very few or don't see them at all.For the forum to work the way it does, without any banners, popups and all that crap, it needs to maintain some standards. So here's my take on this: I don't think a slightly stricter approach to rules would hurt. It wouldn't muzzle the forum at all. In fact I'm sure many folks would find it refreshing that they can actually discuss some topics in detail without having to deal with "funny" comments from members that couldn't care less and only came into the thread to mock it. Rules need to be applied to everybody equally, regardless whether he or she has 3 or 3000 posts, regardless who they are friends with. Additionally repeated rules violations should be treated seriously. We're all humans, we all make mistakes. We all sometimes get carried away. But when someone is hijacking a thread with his drivel again and again... maybe he should enjoy a week away from the forum. If he or she won't listen to reason, only a stronger punishment can potentially convince him to start acting properly. Having said all that, It's all up to the mods and the community. I am sure that a compromise can be reached that will satisfy all but the most fringe anarchists/authoritarians Yac.