Public Moderator Policy?

Should there be a publicly available set of guidelines and standards that moderators are to abide by when enforcing the rules, so users can understand the guidebook they go by, and can avoid any altercation that may arise from this? I can understand that there are already basic forum rules, however, there are no real sets of standards in what degree or extent to enforce said laws. However, if one is so inclined to, and these guidelines are agreed to be made, they could be written along with the existing rules. What say you?

What does it matter? YCP has public guidelines and the mods never follow them. If you call them out on it you get a strike. I doubt it would work any better here.

No, guidelines for mods won't work well. Just do what's right for each circumstance.

Can you make a chat mod book? In some circumstances I'm not sure what I should do.

SonicFanPS2 wrote:Can you make a chat mod book? In some circumstances I'm not sure what I should do.

Just clear to chat what it lags, and that's about it.

Absolutely. People are going to question moderators no matter what, it would be nice if we could answer any invalid complaints with a simple "read the rules".

I think that is a good idea, Zezima. It gives a sort of policy on how the moderators should operate, so that it is easier to place faith in the system.

Zezima wrote:Should there be a publicly available set of guidelines and standards that moderators are to abide by when enforcing the rules, so users can understand the guidebook they go by, and can avoid any altercation that may arise from this? I can understand that there are already basic forum rules, however, there are no real sets of standards in what degree or extent to enforce said laws. However, if one is so inclined to, and these guidelines are agreed to be made, they could be written along with the existing rules. What say you?

At first I was against it, as its pretty self explanatory, but now I do kinda see why some would want one. I can type a quick mod handbook up if you want.

SupaSEGA wrote:

Zezima wrote:Should there be a publicly available set of guidelines and standards that moderators are to abide by when enforcing the rules, so users can understand the guidebook they go by, and can avoid any altercation that may arise from this? I can understand that there are already basic forum rules, however, there are no real sets of standards in what degree or extent to enforce said laws. However, if one is so inclined to, and these guidelines are agreed to be made, they could be written along with the existing rules. What say you?

At first I was against it, as its pretty self explanatory, but now I do kinda see why some would want one. I can type a quick mod handbook up if you want.

That'd be appreciated.

I have to agree with sykog and Erazor. Although it may be good to have, it can very easily act as a double-edged sword and become a disadvantage for the staff. For example, if there is an item within a user's post that the staff member feels that it should not be in the site, but does not break these rules, then they may not be able to do the such without a possible conflict with the other member.

Miles24 wrote:I have to agree with sykog and Erazor. Although it may be good to have, it can very easily act as a double-edged sword and become a disadvantage for the staff. For example, if there is an item within a user's post that the staff member feels that it should not be in the site, but does not break these rules, then they may not be able to do the such without a possible conflict with the other member.

That's when the moderator takes up the matter with the rest of the staff before taking action or not. There are unwritten rules that govern our site as well, and if a mod feels he/she should take action on the grounds of these unwritten rules, he/she should first get approval from the rest of the staff. If the member complains, then the staff can explain. There will be gray areas in this, and when they do come up, then the staff can discuss and come into agreement.

Mario wins.