UESP Forums

This is the place to come forth with ideas and visions of how UESP could work, as an organization. Kind of "Do you want a strong leadership", "Do you want Group Leadership in Topics", do you want elections - where, what, why...

Whatever. Written right after we're having a crisis within the Moderator Team, because there's simply too much to do, this was given birth in my mind, to give a possibility for ideas to be shared and divided in order to make them flourish.

Make The Tom a proper mod,I say.

I don't see what the point is of a "Tea Party" Mod. If you can moderate the fast paced General forum,then you should be capable of modding every other,slower moving forum.

Because it leaves global spots open for people who are still playing the games and are therefore more likely to moderate those forums without it being a chore.

In that case,Jeff or krisCrash are more than worthy of the position.

Perhaps the idea of Tea Party mods could be expanded by adding one that only has powers in Skyrim? It seems to be the section requiring the mos mod attention, so someone who can devote all his/her mod duties to that forum would take a lot of weight off everyone else's shoulders.

I really like Veck's idea. I don't have anything to add, really, except to say that I think that a 'Skyrim mod' would be beneficial to the rest of the forums in that more attention could be devoted to the other sections of the forum, while not making any sacrifices in the attention given to Skyrim. Then again, Veck already said pretty much all of that, so I guess I didn't have anything to add, after all.

If we actually did that, their name should appear in (Dark enough to read) Snow Color.

Consider pinkie status as a training course.

Perhaps the moderators should divided into different groups that moderate their own sections of the forums.

Perhaps one group for the game related forums, Another for the general banter, and a third for the lore and technical help.

Three should be the minimum since there will be confusion and bureaucratic-style fighting if there are too many.

Also there should be an appropriate number of moderators for each section. Three to four for the games, at least two for general and maybe three for lore & technical.

As for those that can be the new moderators, well... that can be left up to the remaining staff.

People who are experienced with forums and are fast-paced and have some free time can do the normal moderating. The general banter moderators don't, in my opinion, have to be as "lock this and lock that", since the general stuff can go just about in any direction.

For the Lore & technical, they need to be those who have the time and patience to answer the various questions regarding everything from "who was that Septim emperor?" to "How do I fix this glitch and that glitch?" They should generally be knowledgable in lore or technical information.

I was just putting in my two cents about the moderator dilemma.

Frankly, I think the problems with the UESP run deeper than who mods which board. There needs to be an understanding that this place needs mods and members on the same page. For some time, that's clearly not been the case.

New mods aren't just grown on trees. So whoever's left - and whoever's staying around - will need to bring in level heads with some experience. Whether they eventually make those individuals mods or not, isn't important. Only the potential advice they have to give is.

I also don't think the current method of 'crisis talks' works at all. A now well worn example; 99 days out of 100, a mod team will be able to deal with most matters based on the current model. But when bigger issues crop up, the system of dialogue between concerned members and mods just doesn't work. There needs to be greater transparency, and accountability from individual mods.

Members need to know that major concerns are being listened to, and considered (irrespective of any decisions made). If there are issues with mods - policy, attitude, or behaviour - under the current system? Trust breaks down, and resentment grows, which in turn adds pressure upon the mods and leads to people quitting.

If olive branches were offered and ignored, I don't see how any reform can be implemented by the same two groups of people. As a result, I've given up with this place until things change.

My own suggestion: because they need help, the current mods need to bring in experienced members (not I). These would help clearly define (or redefine, where necessary) mod policy and general guidance. Candidates would be picked and briefed based on these remits - not personal preference. If any of those advisers were then retained as Mods? So be it. If not? Ditto. The only important thing is that there are enough mods for the site, who are all reading from the same policy page, and acting with as much transparency as is feasible.

And - this may not seem important, but it really is - when that 1 day out of a 100 comes, there needs to be in place a means for concerned members and the mod team to meet on (numerically) even terms, to collectively pool resources, and resolve preconceptions. There needs to be trust on both sides for anything to truly work.

(i'd also suggest merging some of the General's boards, because this place needs to figure out what its actual reason for being is, and then stick to it. but those issues are a separate matter, and not a priority for now)

I believe that for some (SOME!) rule changes, there should be voting threads set up by a mod, but this obviously isn't always applicable (i.e. The Offtopic regulations, which were clearly warranted).

Have you not the time or something? I think the greenies should consider anyone who has joined during 2008 or beforehand as a potential candidate.

Well, since Leilah's leaving, we need a new Head Mod. I strongly recommend Dark Lord for this position. He has the most experience out of any of the currently active mods, and is definitely more in touch with the needs of the community than any of the other current Greenies.

I'll +1 that. He's definitely qualified, if you ask me.

I second Jpot's notion, if he's willing. Just because he COULD do the job, doesn't mean he should have to.

Lindai: I have the time, but not the inclination - I disagree with this places rules so completely, and its policies, that I could never help implement them. For TES, this place is perfect. For everything else? It's a site with an identity crisis, and a lack of stones.

I back the vote for DL as head mod. I think forum specialized pinkies would be a good idea, especially for Skyrim. If someone can successfully cut his teeth there, he's definitely mod material. As said, some rule changes should be put to more or less a site-wide vote. Others, notsomuch. I think more back and forth would be good, between mods and regs. I think experience is a must in electing new mods. Preferably past moderator experience, but at the very least, time spent here, post count, and general attitude must be considered.

It appears my suggestion came true. Congratz,The Tom.

I see that The Tom is a greenie now. That is good for him.

As for head moderator i vote for DL

All hail the Dark Lord!

Do we really want a leader who calls himself "Dark Lord"? (Just kidding! He's the one with the most experience so he's the first choice that comes to mind.)

Definitely Dark Lord. And if not him, someone who has the most experience governing these fora in total: Cactus, or Jeff.

QFT

Honestly, I think the idea of having a head moderator is kinda stupid. I'd rather just have the moderators all as equals.

This.

Well, of course, that would be ideal. I just figured they'd be stubborn and not want to change.

Exactly... Though to be honest, if we have to force people to work together, we don't want them as moderators.