Member/Mod Middleman

[Aselia]

I think it would be a good idea to elect a member - or members - to be a sort of Middleman for the mods and the members. This person would have access to the staff forum - but no modding powers - so they could tell the staff what we members want? We could tell this person our ideas and suggestions instead of making a thread about it.

 

[Jinx]

You mean like member reps? It do sound like a good idea. But in practice it may just cause drama (as on another forum). If the communication between the staff and the members are really that blurred here (which I personaly havn't noticed). Than yeah maybe something like that should be put togeather. But that's only my two cents.

 

[Aztec Triogal]

I'm not sure that's really necessary considering that we have this forum. Not to mention it's not like mods are really different from members other than a few key details. We still talk to members just as we would if we were one ourselves.

 

[Casanova]

If we have "Member Reps" that would render this section useless and I don't think this forum's big enough to need them, Mods and the like are almost always there if any of us should need to voice an opinion or make a suggestion, it's not as if they alienate themselves from us...I don't smell that bad

 

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

You mean like member reps? It do sound like a good idea. But in practice it may just cause drama (as on another forum). If the communication between the staff and the members are really that blurred here (which I personaly havn't noticed). Than yeah maybe something like that should be put togeather. But that's only my two cents.

Actually, the drama was caused by the senior staff's blatant disregard of TCH. The Reps tried endlessly to do thins in there.

Anyway, I agree that it could work, though without access to the staff section. Create another section viewable only by these "middlemen" and staff. It wouldn't actually render this section useless. The purpose of such a section would be fore more in-depth discussion between the "middlemen" and staff. It would (or should) make things run more smoothly on the forums. Trust me, I've seen this implemented and providing that the staff treat it with respect, it would really help FFF.

 

[Davey Gaga]

Not to mention it's not like mods are really different from members other than a few key details. We still talk to members just as we would if we were one ourselves.

I'd disagree and I've got a few PM's to back that up. Apparently, we can't use this forum for complaints anyway. Sorry, backtalking.

I like the idea of Member Representatives. For those people who do feel intimidated by the staff members, this can be quite beneficial for them. For disagreements between staff and members, the member reps can be almost impartial parties to sort out problems; or, at least, help to.

 

[Ace Strife]

I'm mixed on this subject. On another forum I was on before, I suggested an idea like this because we were having a huge SPAM epedemic. Everyone else shot the idea down saying Mods were all that we needed. I agree with the part that there should be a middleman of sorts, I just don't know how you could do it without them turning into Mods.

 

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

I just don't know how you could do it without them turning into Mods.

Easy; don't give them moderative powers.

Riku's point is also a good one. There will be countless members out there who have perfectly good opinions and input on matters, but probably feel intimidated by the power a member of staff has. And regardless of words to the contrary, that will not change. They would probably feel more comfortable talking it over with regular members, and then the idea or point or whatever is passed on.
Really the only reason that staff would go against an idea such as this is because they fear that it may undermine their authoritory.

 

[Koloth]

Well, this forum here kinda serves that purpose. Plus mods can also be contacted via PMs or IM services like MSN and Yahoo. The idea of a middleman makes me think that members think that staff do not make themselves easily accessible.

 

[Shenorai]

The idea is good, yes. However, if (as members claim) the staff won't listen to the members as it is, what are the chances of them listening to the middleman, too?

 

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

Because the middleman or men are being appointed for this purpose. By ignoring them, the staff are neglecting their duties. So it becomes sort of mandatory for them to pay attention.

 

[Daenerys]

I support this idea because recently it seems as though F/S threads are being completely ignored and forgotten about, leaving nothing done and a wasted thread. where as Middlemen/women P) could Remind the staff that these threads and suggestions need to be looked upon again and that we members need a clear Yes or no answer. not just A "We will discuss it" reply, because then nothing arises from it.

 

[Finnegan III]

Did you feel the bitterness in Rikus post ladies and gents

It Won't work.

Power Hungry mods ignoring members will ignore anyone if they're lower than them, they never change, if people don't like the moderator in question then the moderator couldn't careless he's in his position and ain't budging unless someone higher than them says so.

And I know EXACTLY who you all are aiming it at and if you don't stop pussy footing around the subject I'm just going to come out at say it. When I say all I mean Davedavedave

I'm pretty sure the person in question is also aware of it.

 

[Scrutator]

I'm absolutely disappointed that anyone here would even suggest the idea that the staff here don't listen to the common member. You should be ashamed of yourselves, ashamed I say!

But in all honesty if a mod or whatever doesn't listen to what you say now then having an elected middleman won't change anything at all, just means that the complaints etc would be coming from one source instead of from several people.

 

[Angel Valentine]

Well, all I'm gonna say is that no member......any member ever, should ever be intimidated by me %D I'm not kidding. If any member has a question about anything, go ahead and pm me. Suggest shit to me. SRSLY. I won't make fun of you, and I'll do my best to answer anything, cause I feel like a retard myself anyway about 90% of the time xD


And I have mixed feelings about 'member reps'. There were member reps on 'another site', and I was eventually appointed as one......but before I was...I never contacted a member rep myself :/ I just started a topic in the S/F forum, or I contacted a mod directly.


Buuuuuuuuuut, I also know that sometimes, if there is another section like that for a 'member rep', it truly is harder to ignore for a mods, and will most likely act on the matter faster.

 

[Ace Strife]

Buuuuuuuuuut, I also know that sometimes, if there is another section like that for a 'member rep', it truly is harder to ignore for a mods, and will most likely act on the matter faster.

I never thought of that. I think my mind has been changed! It's a frikkin' miracle!

 

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

No offense intended, Angel, but you were hardly active in TCH.
And I know that you are one of the more approachable staffers here, but that comes from the fact that I know what you're like (sort of).

Could we at least give the idea a test run?

 

[Angel Valentine]

No offense intended, Angel, but you were hardly active in TCH.

No offense taken, cause I know I wasn't. I had tried in the very beginning, but I got the feeling quickly that I wasn't......well, I wasn't as 'globally known' or as 'welcome' as other member reps. Especially due to certain pm's I received that I'm not going to go into.


But I do like the idea of a test run. But it's just another topic that is going to have to be brought up in the staff section :/ I'll make a topic now since I'm here %D

 

[Aztec Triogal]

Well on one hand it would be nice to know where attention was needed... but on the other hand, you guys are right that not every suggestion will be listened to. Not every suggestion can be listened to. It's a million times easier to stand back and bitch than it is to do. And although it would be nice to know where attention was needed, you would have to go into it with the understanding that not every request could be answered.

It honestly makes much more sense to PM a moderator and express your concerns that way. It'd be brought up in the HQ lounge and we'd discuss it. If the mods weren't motivated enough to make the changes suggested, then it would just be the duty of the mod to PM the member back and let them know the verdict. I've had that happen several times with me. The other common scenario is that someone brings something up for discussion here and then a topic is made in the HQ lounge.

Certainly everyone plays their parts with the current mod team now and that really is appreciated... but there's still a bunch of times when it seems like there's just so much going on that it's hard to know where to look. You do honestly get burned out at constantly searching for the lastest fuck ups. I really wouldn't mind the help. That's why I made that topic about using the "report" feature...

 

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

Well on one hand it would be nice to know where attention was needed...

This section, really. Over the last month, possibly even two, absolutely none of the suggestions that have been made have been acknowledged with even a post of "possibly" or words to that effect by Darkblade. I appreciate that he may be busy IRL, but his inactivity is a different matter.

By using this system, it would (or should) force staff to listen to member opinions and suggestions in a serious light. By making it mandatory for staff, or at least senior staff to heed the members, then things will get done around here.