[Roy Fokker]

I'm somewhat bemused by your opinion that : "what's the fun of being a moderator if you can't moderate?". I sense an implication that moderators are power-mad fiends who love stomping on the opinions of others.

I humbly submit that nothing could be further from reality.

Originally Posted by lizz

I've also thought that maybe there's too many moderators. Afterall, what's the fun of being a moderator if you can't moderate? So, when you have a bunch of them ... maybe that's why so many threads do get shut down without any obvious TOS violations.

At last count, there were over 200,000 members and almost 13,000 active members. There are 25 moderators (including administrators) responsible for this board. We have hundreds of unique posts [at least 350 unique topics every 24 hours] on this forum per day. Even assuming all 25 moderators were on staff all the time, that means an average of 14 topics per moderator.

At the moment I made this post, there were over 1800 members online on the boards and just four moderators (myself and three others).


I log in maybe once or twice a day and there is at least 3 pages worth of 'reported' posts that need to be looked at. This is besides the regulars - moving posts, deleting duplicates, blocking spammers, ejecting advertisers, banning imposters, helping members with posting difficulties etc.

And when we get the time - to contribute in discussions.

No decision is ever unilateral and our actions are frequently reviewed by administrators and Brian.

Moderating this board is not a paid job. None of us get any sort of compensation for plugging in our time and efforts in the board.

And yes, we moderators make mistakes. We are all human. "Administrators Feedback" has been used to collect information. We've learned much from the feedback submitted by members.


As such lizz,
I thank you for your candor and honesty - but I must state that I disagree with you.


cheers,
Roy
allnurses.com moderator

[Gromit]

I'm with Garden Dove. MOST sites do not run NEARLY as smooth (or as civily) as this site. I've found sites that were great forums, and watched them turn into flame-fests over time -and I quit going back to them. I don't want to belong to an environment such as that.

[hogan4736]

Originally Posted by lizz

... I do sometimes feel that the threads are moderated to the point that you really can't say anything because it might be viewed as controversial ... even if it's just a remote possibility.

I too have seen threads shut down for no particular reason that I could see and there wasn't any explanation for it either. The threads just disappeared.

I personally don't understand it because to me, at least, controversy drives traffic and one would think a little less moderation would probably be better for business.

And, to be honest, sometimes it's just plain boring. Just when a thread is getting really interesting, they'll shut it down ... and it's not like anybody is name calling, insulting, etc...

Having been around for over 5 years here, and also having my posts "previewed" before showing up online, I would tend to agree...Sometimes the discussion is really "lively" and then the thread is closed...The mods here are too worried about being PC, it's boring at times...

It's Brian's site, his rules...
Though there have been some "lively" discussions...

I would submit that a forum such as "sternfannetwork" is the other extreme...(I'm a H. Stern fan, but...) Every other post is a troll or mult...the cursing (allowed on the forums there) doesn't bother me, just the gratuitous flaming is over the top, and unproductive...

Though, in Allnurses' defense, I have been known to publicly cross a mod here, and haven't been banned (yet)

I would like a nursing discussion board somewhere in the middle...

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by sonnyluv

I can only think that the reason the mods took it down is that some of the "negativity" was actually starting to make sense, and that's threatening to a posting forum that makes revenue.

Shame on the mods. It is your very actions that symbolize the one step foward, two steps back mentality of nursing. More well trained nurses will keep leaving, more professional skilled people will bring there talents elsewhere. Mods: What was the reason you got involved in this website? Because your work life was so happy? I don't think so. You no doubt found yourselves thinking, "There moust be something else..."

Again, I am totally diappointed in nursing.

I got involved in this website simply because I found it a fun place to be and a very informative place where I've learned a lot and found some support. It's obvious a different experience for everyone.

You're certainly allowed to your opinion. However you're making some leaps and presumptions that aren't true and the reasons you cite was not why the thread was shut down. I won't get defensive, because I've already sited the reasons why ealier.

With respect. Thanks.

[RN4NICU]

Originally Posted by lizz

And, to be honest, sometimes it's just plain boring. Just when a thread is getting really interesting, they'll shut it down ... and it's not like anybody is name calling, insulting, etc.

I have found this frustrating as well. Just a couple of weeks ago, there was a thread where a mod had posted about thinking it had the capacity to turn ugly. It never really did - certainly no more so than any of the other more controversial threads. But sure enough, a couple of days later, that same mod posts "This thread has run its course" Thread was closed - end of discussion. Obviously the membership did not feel that the thread had run its course or they would not have still been actively discussing the topic. Then there are other threads that have long since left the point where much of anything original is being said - I would love to see them go away, but I respect the desire of others to discuss it (or just to observe the discussion). I just feel that the threads get overmoderated a bit at times (and perhaps undermoderated a bit at others).

That said, overall I think most of the mods do a great job.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by lizz

Well ... I'm going to take a chance and be really honest here.

I think the moderation policies are both good and bad. They've certainly helped in a lot of cases but I've also had my run-in's with the mods. I do sometimes feel that the threads are moderated to the point that you really can't say anything because it might be viewed as controversial ... even if it's just a remote possibility.

I too have seen threads shut down for no particular reason that I could see and there wasn't any explanation for it either. The threads just disappeared.

I personally don't understand it because to me, at least, controversy drives traffic and one would think a little less moderation would probably be better for business.

And, to be honest, sometimes it's just plain boring. Just when a thread is getting really interesting, they'll shut it down ... and it's not like anybody is name calling, insulting, etc.

I've also thought that maybe there's too many moderators. Afterall, what's the fun of being a moderator if you can't moderate? So, when you have a bunch of them ... maybe that's why so many threads do get shut down without any obvious TOS violations.

But, having said all of that ... at the end of the day, it's their board and you have to play by their rules ... even if you don't agree with it.

Lizz, I appreciate your honestly. I've had a few run ins with mods myself over the years myself. Moderators have both good and bad moments.

I'll say it again. Threads are not removed for no good reason. Just because you don't understand or agree, doesn't mean it's just indiscriminate0. Again, we are under instructions from the ownrt to not shut down threads unless absolutely necessary. So there is always a reason. We may not agree, but there is always a reason.

Anyway, one more thing about too many mods. One just had a baby, one had a relative just die, another has health issues, on and on, we are human and not all of us are on here all the time policing the boards. There are many mods that spent only a few moments a day here and there, others who can't be here for days on end. Others like myself you can't shut up.

Thanks for sharing your opinion. I've always enjoyed your posts and appreciate you playing by the rules and expressing yourself.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by RN4NICU

I have found this frustrating as well. Just a couple of weeks ago, there was a thread where a mod had posted about thinking it had the capacity to turn ugly. It never really did - certainly no more so than any of the other more controversial threads. But sure enough, a couple of days later, that same mod posts "This thread has run its course" Thread was closed - end of discussion. Obviously the membership did not feel that the thread had run its course or they would not have still been actively discussing the topic. Then there are other threads that have long since left the point where much of anything original is being said - I would love to see them go away, but I respect the desire of others to discuss it (or just to observe the discussion). I just feel that the threads get overmoderated a bit at times (and perhaps undermoderated a bit at others).

That said, overall I think most of the mods do a great job.

Thanks for you opinions.

The thread that run it's course was probably the obesity thread. I cleaned up and removed many terms of service violations from that thread. Perhaps when you looked at the thread it "looked" good to you, but in fact was taking a lot of moderator time. There were many personal attacks back and forth that you didn't see So when you come on and see a thread closed, you think...."duh, it was going so well". Wrong. Personally I would rather clean up a thread than close, so I don't mind. However, sometimes we have to surrender. It wasn't an individual decision to close it. It was decided by several mods, including myself, if one more person attack occurs, then it would be closed. Usually, it's a group decision when we close.

Also, sometimes there's a history. We've had many obesity threads go bad and on for dozens of pages, so if we're quick to jump the gun and close such threads it's because sometimes the writing is on the wall. Some things like "BSN's are better nurses than ADNs", "Circumcision is child abuse", "There shouldn't be any fat nurses because we are role models", sometimes the do do hits the fan andwe're weary of getting splattered and we close the thread quickly.

If that's not the thread you mean, I apologize, but the above is how it usually goes.
Sorry if that sounds defensive. I appreicate you listening. I appreciate your input.

[CseMgr1]

While I don't necessarily agree with everything the moderators do and say on this website, I feel I can come here and leave without feeling victimized as I have been by other websites. They have a tough job to do, for protecting an individual's right to speak his/her mind while protecting the rights of others is never easy.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Gromit

I'm with Garden Dove. MOST sites do not run NEARLY as smooth (or as civily) as this site. I've found sites that were great forums, and watched them turn into flame-fests over time -and I quit going back to them. I don't want to belong to an environment such as that.

I agree. I've been part of unmoderated sites and it's ugly for sure. Unfortunately you can't count on adults to behave and speak without profanity online.

I would much rather be part of a moderated site.

[Sheri257]

Originally Posted by Tweety

I agree. I've been part of unmoderated sites and it's ugly for sure. Unfortunately you can't count on adults to behave and speak without profanity online.

I would much rather be part of a moderated site.

I'm not arguing for little or no moderation. I don't want a flame fest either. Like others have stated, I'm just advocating for something in between. Too often the pendulum, so to speak, swings to the other extreme.

I don't have a problem with cases where it's obvious that a thread needs to be shut down. But when threads get shut down for no apparent reason ... it is very frustrating. Obviously you guys have your reasons, like preventing a flame fest, etc.

But, whatever those reasons may be ... the end result is basically the same old bland milk toast discussions which gets kinda boring. After a while, you don't feel like you can speak your mind at all because you'll get dinged by the mods.