New forum rank - Mod on Leave

[Avron the S'wit]

The forum staff is introducing a new forum rank - the Mod(erator) on Leave, as represented by the rank "Mod on Leave" and these faded coins:

This rank intends to allow users to know that, though they have not stepped down from their moderating position, this member is temporarily busy taking care of things behind the computer screen and may not be able to readily reply to your questions and concerns. Everyone, moderators and members, have a life, and there's no reason to put the forums first when things come up! We're hoping that this new rank will help alleviate confusion of removing and re-adding members to the staff.

If you see this rank and have an important question, you may want to review the other members of the moderator team or e-mail the forums at [email protected].. Any questions about this position, please ask here or PM your friendly mod squad!

[Musicman247]

To add onto this announcement, the first Mod to go On Leave is Eltee.

[AddictedtoMorrowind]

Would an admin on leave have these same coins?

[Musicman247]

Silly AtoM, Admins never leave

In all honesty we haven't discussed it.

[Dark Spark]

So, it's like Temporary Insanity, then?

You wallow in the mayhem and dole out the madcap, all accented by mild meglomania...

...Then your coins fade and you get to pretend you're a normal human being who has a handle on life again.

[Avron the S'wit]

Would an admin on leave have these same coins?

Yes. This applies to Global Moderators, Admins, and Tea Party Mods, since they're all moderators.

[OblivionDuruza]

I think this is a pretty handy and nifty change that will save a lot of confusion. Could it perhaps also be an idea to house a 'Moderator Availability' (locked) sticky somewhere like the UESP Forums Forum in which moderators could update we general users as to things like the expected duration and end date of their leaves of absence.

Something like:

Admin X - Avaliable via PM or via email at [email protected]

Moderator Y - On a two week vacation. Back around June 30. I will respond to any PMs you send me during this time when I get back.

Moderator Z - Active and available via PM and on IRC between 5:00 and 9:00 Pacific Time (GMT-8)

[DarkEastwood]

I think this is a pretty handy and nifty change that will save a lot of confusion. Could it perhaps also be an idea to house a 'Moderator Availability' (locked) sticky somewhere like the UESP Forums Forum in which moderators could update we general users as to things like the expected duration and end date of their leaves of absence.

Something like:

Admin X - Avaliable via PM or via email at [email protected]

Moderator Y - On a two week vacation. Back around June 30. I will respond to any PMs you send me during this time when I get back.

Moderator Z - Active and available via PM and on IRC between 5:00 and 9:00 Pacific Time (GMT-8)

I like this. The only problem is that most people don't have an excellent idea when they'll be on, except for work and sleep. Maybe something like:

Admin X - Not available 9:00am to 5:00pm (Pacific Time) on weekdays, as well as 11:00pm to 8:00am (Pacific Time)

[Musicman247]

I think Duruza meant that we should post in a thread when we will be on vacation, not necessarily our moderating hours.

It's not a bad idea, but Mods also post in the Welcomes & Goodbyes thread when they will be gone for an extended period of time, which would make this info a bit redundant.

[OblivionDuruza]

That's true Musicman, but it's also harder for newer users to access, because a moderator's goodbye post might be buried deep within a thread that is hundreds of pages long, as opposed to in an Announcement-style post which's express purpose is to inform on Moderator availability.

Anyway, as always, my suggestions are only suggestions. I've just seen this done very effectively on other forums, and thought it might be worth considering as you seem to be trying to make things clearer for users (of which 'forum noobs' are the most in need of help, as opposed to veteran regulars).

[Avron the S'wit]

It's a great suggestion, Duruza, and if we get to a point where moderators aren't easily accessible, we'll definitely post it to make it more clear. It's a little tough since this is a strictly volunteer position and we don't have regular hours, but if we need it, we'll consider a similar system.

For now, the Mod on Leave should be fine.

[Dohva.]

So, it's like Temporary Insanity, then?

Yes. Just like this.

Thanks for creating this status MM. Mods have lives too. <3