I would like everyone to discuss how you feel about the moderating of topics and posts on modified. Three of the most Specific issues that come up for moderation are topics or posts about Drugs, Directly offensive language to other members of the community, Homophobic or Discriminatory language.
What are your feelings on these topics being moderated?
Moderating...BE SPECIFIC
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NotHisRealName
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These forums used to be an online community. Now it's looked at as more of a resource. I don't know if that's a good thing, or a bad thing. Maybe it's neither, and just a natural sign that the community is so much larger now. I officially joined the Modified community in October of 2002, and have seen a good number of changes here - the moderation of these forums is just one of many.
As I've been asked for my opinion, I'll say that I'm disappointed with the moderation of these forums. While I do understand the need to protect young people from questionable material, I still find it unfair that the 'mature' members need to suffer as a result. Curse words are probably one of the main issues I have with the moderation. Any child can hear a good number of curse words any day of the week, so what's the problem with them being a part of written text? Hell, I'm sure many kids have a number of albums containing any ammount of curse words... probably even give to them as a gift! I think the moderation of curse words is wrong, and should stop.
I will say, as a sub note to that, that excessive use should result in a PM from a moderator with the request to tone it down, but... little more can be done. I've no problem with the odd 'Fuck', 'Shit', whatever, thrown in, but you can have too much of a good thing. I'll admit that.
As far as other content is concerned. I believe drugs and sex are still topice that can/should be discussed within the community. It it a part of this community as many members have had experience with either subject, and have a right to discuss it.
Again, however, I do understand the need to protect children from this material, and I would suggest that upon signing up for membership of Modified, they must click an option to say if they are over or under 18. Upon signing up only over 18's would be able to view the Discussion section where sex/drugs/questionable material can be discussed.
I do think there is too much moderation on Modified, and something needs to be done.
As I've been asked for my opinion, I'll say that I'm disappointed with the moderation of these forums. While I do understand the need to protect young people from questionable material, I still find it unfair that the 'mature' members need to suffer as a result. Curse words are probably one of the main issues I have with the moderation. Any child can hear a good number of curse words any day of the week, so what's the problem with them being a part of written text? Hell, I'm sure many kids have a number of albums containing any ammount of curse words... probably even give to them as a gift! I think the moderation of curse words is wrong, and should stop.
I will say, as a sub note to that, that excessive use should result in a PM from a moderator with the request to tone it down, but... little more can be done. I've no problem with the odd 'Fuck', 'Shit', whatever, thrown in, but you can have too much of a good thing. I'll admit that.
As far as other content is concerned. I believe drugs and sex are still topice that can/should be discussed within the community. It it a part of this community as many members have had experience with either subject, and have a right to discuss it.
Again, however, I do understand the need to protect children from this material, and I would suggest that upon signing up for membership of Modified, they must click an option to say if they are over or under 18. Upon signing up only over 18's would be able to view the Discussion section where sex/drugs/questionable material can be discussed.
I do think there is too much moderation on Modified, and something needs to be done.
Thanks for posting this up Brad,
I personally think that the moderating has been a bit over the top recently. I mean people are having a go at each other regularly on the discussion section, but hey, look at what you are describing.
"READER BEWARE, YOU'RE IN FOR A SCARE! This section is mostly serious non-footbag discussion and it can get ugly."
Well i know this may be a joke, but if you say this then it does encourage people to posts ridiculously rude things and it also make their posts appropriate according to that. I personally think it should be changed.
As for swear words, i agree that people should get a PM from a mod as a warning if they go overthetop. But i think right now its going ok, because not many people use it to attack other people. I think its almost funny though when people go at each other on an internet forum where they have actually never met in person. When they actually do meet, do you want a convo like this?
#1: hey
#2: Hey, i had the fight with you on the internet
I completely disagree however with Gareth's proposal for only over 18's to read the discussion section. i mean, its not like kids (im speaking on my age group behalf , around 15) dont know about anything, and i think it is beneficial if they read more discussion topics. These days at school there are MANY guest speakers coming in to speak about drugs and alcohol, and as a sad enough fact as it is, Kids need to learn sometime about it as well. Ill be honest here, when i joined this forum i was only 14, and i knew about drugs and all that stuff but after reading the discussion section for a year and a half, ive gained much more knowledge.
Also i also dont understand why there are so many mods. Something needs to be done about this, before we all become one!
Hehe, i think though the moderators have done a good job. I mean these days on modified its pretty hard to be a mod without being criticied about something, i mean i appreciate 100% your efforts to make this community better. Thanks Brad,Emily,Erik,Nic,Mike,C-Fan,and Matt C
Alex
I personally think that the moderating has been a bit over the top recently. I mean people are having a go at each other regularly on the discussion section, but hey, look at what you are describing.
"READER BEWARE, YOU'RE IN FOR A SCARE! This section is mostly serious non-footbag discussion and it can get ugly."
Well i know this may be a joke, but if you say this then it does encourage people to posts ridiculously rude things and it also make their posts appropriate according to that. I personally think it should be changed.
As for swear words, i agree that people should get a PM from a mod as a warning if they go overthetop. But i think right now its going ok, because not many people use it to attack other people. I think its almost funny though when people go at each other on an internet forum where they have actually never met in person. When they actually do meet, do you want a convo like this?
#1: hey
#2: Hey, i had the fight with you on the internet
I completely disagree however with Gareth's proposal for only over 18's to read the discussion section. i mean, its not like kids (im speaking on my age group behalf , around 15) dont know about anything, and i think it is beneficial if they read more discussion topics. These days at school there are MANY guest speakers coming in to speak about drugs and alcohol, and as a sad enough fact as it is, Kids need to learn sometime about it as well. Ill be honest here, when i joined this forum i was only 14, and i knew about drugs and all that stuff but after reading the discussion section for a year and a half, ive gained much more knowledge.
Also i also dont understand why there are so many mods. Something needs to be done about this, before we all become one!
Hehe, i think though the moderators have done a good job. I mean these days on modified its pretty hard to be a mod without being criticied about something, i mean i appreciate 100% your efforts to make this community better. Thanks Brad,Emily,Erik,Nic,Mike,C-Fan,and Matt C
Alex
Alex Urano
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Iron Clad Ben
- Superior Precision Bionics
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Frankly I have no problem with the level of moderation. It's a footbag forum, not the freakin' blogoshere. People are bitching about free speech and whatnot? Give me a break. It's not like this is Communist Era Russia or something, but the mods do have to drop in and keep the peace from time to time.
The only people I see complaining are the attention whores. They're more upset about the fact that people can't see that they're posting something than the mind-numbing content of said posts.
If you want to go start a flame war, go do it somewhere else.
The only people I see complaining are the attention whores. They're more upset about the fact that people can't see that they're posting something than the mind-numbing content of said posts.
If you want to go start a flame war, go do it somewhere else.
i think im indifferent on the level of moderation. i don't care if it stays the same, intensifies, or lessens. either way, i want to read modified, and learn from others.
i think it can be done without flamewars, swearing and drug topics running rampant. it seems that modified has just got its time of the month recently.
i dont think there should be a big change tho. no lock down, and no completely free speech. but a good middleground would be nice.
i think it can be done without flamewars, swearing and drug topics running rampant. it seems that modified has just got its time of the month recently.
i dont think there should be a big change tho. no lock down, and no completely free speech. but a good middleground would be nice.
I don't think we do anything with swear words, except those that cross the "discrimination" lines. Do you feel that you are suffering because you can't use a word like fag? (You're probably referring to a different specific word but I don't know what it is. I'm not saying that you are a "gay-basher" or anything.)NotHisRealName wrote:While I do understand the need to protect young people from questionable material, I still find it unfair that the 'mature' members need to suffer as a result. Curse words are probably one of the main issues I have with the moderation. ... I think the moderation of curse words is wrong, and should stop.
Why? I have my own views on the number of Mods there are, but I would like to know why the community is so freaked out by having 7 mods/admin. There are only a few of us who actually change anything but broken picture links and deleting double posts, etc.. I know someone posted in a different thread that there are too many mods and that there used to be fewer and things were better. But the mods disagree on things, and we discuss issues. I feel more comfortable knowing there are several people with different opinions, because it's less likely that one personal attitude with dictate the actions of the group.Uranos wrote:Also i also dont understand why there are so many mods. Something needs to be done about this, before we all become one!
Someone also brought up the point that the forum used to be much smaller than it is now, so there is a need for several mods to focus on their own little sections, which we pretty much do.
"I contend we are both atheists, I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
Emily Kulczyk
Emily Kulczyk
Firstly, I like to thank all the moderators who keep this place in order. Not nessesarly editing post, but also keeping threads on track and moving/organizing them. Thanks!
I think that there should be the strictest moderation in the sub forums directly related to footbag. After all, it is just footbag. As for the kicking circle and serious discussion, there should be less. People arn't going to come to modified to find things not related to footbag (generally speaking), so there is *technically* no need for anyone to view non-footbag related areas on this forum. What I'm saying is that people have a choice to go and read threads of thier choice. If you see a thread about smoking, you don't have to click it. But if the thread is on how to grow your own weed, then I can understand how that can me moderated.
As for language, I don't think we should have to moderated language, hopeing that we could all use appropiate language and be respectful of eachother. We could have a nice friendly place here if everyone worked on it. I know when I was yonger my mom didn't want me on IRC because of the language. It was for a clan so it was kinda important to me. I would hate for someone else to be in the same sisuation with modified because something slipped and they couldn't visit such a good footbag resource/forum. Possibly we could have language moderated in the areas related to footbag and maybe clear warning about the lack of moderation in the areas of non footbag.
I think that there should be the strictest moderation in the sub forums directly related to footbag. After all, it is just footbag. As for the kicking circle and serious discussion, there should be less. People arn't going to come to modified to find things not related to footbag (generally speaking), so there is *technically* no need for anyone to view non-footbag related areas on this forum. What I'm saying is that people have a choice to go and read threads of thier choice. If you see a thread about smoking, you don't have to click it. But if the thread is on how to grow your own weed, then I can understand how that can me moderated.
As for language, I don't think we should have to moderated language, hopeing that we could all use appropiate language and be respectful of eachother. We could have a nice friendly place here if everyone worked on it. I know when I was yonger my mom didn't want me on IRC because of the language. It was for a clan so it was kinda important to me. I would hate for someone else to be in the same sisuation with modified because something slipped and they couldn't visit such a good footbag resource/forum. Possibly we could have language moderated in the areas related to footbag and maybe clear warning about the lack of moderation in the areas of non footbag.
Rather than having power hungry moderators editing other peoples posts, if they really need to make a comment they should make it themselves in the thread. Just post a warning on the language or whatever, but changing other peoples texts is wrong.
Moving threads from one section to another has been blatently used by the mods as a way to stifle discussion on topics and prevent the use of the edit button.
Modramafied is largely self regulating, and the user base generally has been able to hash out issues for themselves.
I think the fact we are aware that we have moderators is a sign the moderators are stepping in far too often. Agressive moderation takes away the community's ability to regulate itself, and gives more power to the mods than I think is desireable. Now instead of being a self regulating community the users feel anything is cool as long as a moderator doesn't say anything. This creates a need for the moderator to continually make their presence known, further feeding them the power they are tripping on.
Moving threads from one section to another has been blatently used by the mods as a way to stifle discussion on topics and prevent the use of the edit button.
Modramafied is largely self regulating, and the user base generally has been able to hash out issues for themselves.
I think the fact we are aware that we have moderators is a sign the moderators are stepping in far too often. Agressive moderation takes away the community's ability to regulate itself, and gives more power to the mods than I think is desireable. Now instead of being a self regulating community the users feel anything is cool as long as a moderator doesn't say anything. This creates a need for the moderator to continually make their presence known, further feeding them the power they are tripping on.
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SandWraith
- Egyptian Footgod
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I'm not gonna read other people's posts cause I don't think it should influence my opinion anyways. I have no preference in regards to the drug-related posts, since I don't frequent those at all. I can understand both sides of the issue. I think that offensive and homophobic language, though, should and is well-managed. There's no reason to be slinging around that kinda stuff at other people (furthermore, using homophobic language to describe anything is just plain rude).
Zach Marine - Member of the Tendonitis Club!
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I dont mind cussing or swearing, but I think all this talk about Marijuana should be modified. Well, I liked the idea of an 18 an over subforum for discussing all of that stuff. People can talk about itt all they want, but I really dont think everybody needs to see that. Like the pot tv video recently on the forums. What the fuck?! Thats illegal, and I'm glad it was deleted. I really dont think there is too much moderation on modified, but I think some things are best left unsaid.
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One of the biggest issues I have and many people have had over the years is the quantity of drug topics that come up and most of them are the same topic. We became more strict about drug topics when people started giving information about where to obtain or how to grow certain illegal substances. Another problem was that most of those topics were posted here in the "kicking circle" rather than in the "discussion" section.
Also, there is not end to the amount of drug related websites and forums where that shit can be discussed. My opinion is that modified isn't one of them, nor should it be.
As for language. Regular swearing and such has never been a really big deal, it's when it gets to be every other word and generally an attack toward someone else that it's a problem and should at the very least be kept in the discussion section.
Discriminatory language simply doesn't belong (IMO) on this forum. If we are a community then we need to be accepting of the members of our community and it's diversity. That includes the fact that there are members of the footbag community who are homosexual, black, brown, red, white, and blue (lavered). Using verbage that marginalizes them creates a rift in the community. Some of you may remember about 3 years ago when Modified all of a sudden shut down for several days, followed by Chris and Rob quitting as admins and Jeremy and Erik quitting as moderators. That all began over the use of discriminatory language and direct attacks on the sexual orientation of one of our community members. It sucked for everyone and I don't ever want to see that kind of discrimination again.
Also, there is not end to the amount of drug related websites and forums where that shit can be discussed. My opinion is that modified isn't one of them, nor should it be.
As for language. Regular swearing and such has never been a really big deal, it's when it gets to be every other word and generally an attack toward someone else that it's a problem and should at the very least be kept in the discussion section.
Discriminatory language simply doesn't belong (IMO) on this forum. If we are a community then we need to be accepting of the members of our community and it's diversity. That includes the fact that there are members of the footbag community who are homosexual, black, brown, red, white, and blue (lavered). Using verbage that marginalizes them creates a rift in the community. Some of you may remember about 3 years ago when Modified all of a sudden shut down for several days, followed by Chris and Rob quitting as admins and Jeremy and Erik quitting as moderators. That all began over the use of discriminatory language and direct attacks on the sexual orientation of one of our community members. It sucked for everyone and I don't ever want to see that kind of discrimination again.
Old Skool
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NotHisRealName
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Who's trying to start a flame war? We're having a discussion about moderation.Iron Clad Ben wrote:Frankly I have no problem with the level of moderation. It's a footbag forum, not the freakin' blogoshere. People are bitching about free speech and whatnot? Give me a break. It's not like this is Communist Era Russia or something, but the mods do have to drop in and keep the peace from time to time.
The only people I see complaining are the attention whores. They're more upset about the fact that people can't see that they're posting something than the mind-numbing content of said posts.
If you want to go start a flame war, go do it somewhere else.
This is a footbag forum, not overgrow.com or hightimes.com. If a thread doesn't relate to footbag in some manner, in my opinion, it's just a waste of space and one more post to filter through.
I don't think drug topics are fair to the sport/hobby/community. When I tell somebody what I'm doing is called Footbag, I don't like the idea of them doing a search and finding topics about vaporizers or "how many blunts is too many", or "my crazy fuckin acid trip weekend" .
Footbag already has a bad enough rep as being for potheads and junkies. Talk about it in private or somewhere more appropriate.
I'm OK with cursewords, but they should probably be kept out of thread titles.
I don't think drug topics are fair to the sport/hobby/community. When I tell somebody what I'm doing is called Footbag, I don't like the idea of them doing a search and finding topics about vaporizers or "how many blunts is too many", or "my crazy fuckin acid trip weekend" .
Footbag already has a bad enough rep as being for potheads and junkies. Talk about it in private or somewhere more appropriate.
I'm OK with cursewords, but they should probably be kept out of thread titles.
I dont beleive at all that the kicking circle and discussion subforums should be eliminated, I even encourage off tiopic discussions such as religion or politics. But I think all these drug and sex topics dont need to be here, and I think they should be gotten rid of. As was said, there are other forums for pot users or what ever. This is a footbag site, not a footbag and marijuana site.
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Five feet of fury!!!
Im back!
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