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The principally responsible party is the one in charge. If the people in charge won't take responsibility for the condition of the forums, the community is helpless to do anything about it.
Attempting to make anonymous internet masses responsible for the state of moderation is an exercise in cyclical futility.
Not attempting anything, only stating that Bioware isn't the only ones at fault
No worries. Years ago one of our community moderators quit her position. She was asked by the head moderator to suggest anyone to replace her. She thought I'd be a good pick.
She was told upon suggesting me that I was on a list of people who would never be made mods(probably based on suspensions or whatever else). So there went that.
I'm thinking that their moderators only look at reports and it's mostly up to the community to police itself anyway. When they're logged in as themselves they may notice trouble spots and then keep an eye on things, but inactive moderators are the worst thing a community can have.
But I do want to thank whoever moved the character threads to the Party Members subforum. Except, that only happened after I reported it and requested it, despite the numerous requests in this thread and a thread in the forum itself. Which I think partially proves my point.
Bioware has always asked that posters self-moderate and if they see something that breaks a rule, report it.
My reports led to not one but two notoriously negative and vitriolic forum posters here getting perma-banned on the same day. It felt so good to breathe that sigh of relief.
I'm "one of us", with no capabilities beyond voicing my concerns.
That's what moderators are supposed to be. 
They're supposed to have a stake in the community which makes the anonymity a huge problem IMO. I don't know you but you might be the first person to step up and want to take the role, which, in itself, says a lot. I'd vote for you.
Well that sucks. You would be good at the job. Which should be all that counts.
Keep in mind that was years ago. Way back in the day. I don't know if Bioware's opinion of me has changed. They HAVE acknowledged I have a good reputation and history here as far as not breaking rules is concerned, but thats not all they take into account when selecting moderators for the community.
Bioware has always asked that posters self-moderate and if they see something that breaks a rule, report it.
*sigh* That's not how effective forum moderation works.
That's what moderators are supposed to be.
Thing is, saying you want to be a moderator is one of the things that keeps you from becoming one. If you ever happen to be given that role, its probably because you never asked for it.
I believe under the assumption that someone asking for it is intending to use it for nefarious purposes.
*sigh* That's not how effective forum moderation works.
It is, but only to a degree. If moderators don't see a rule break, they can't do anything about it. But if forum members report it, then they will and then they can act.
Even if I was a moderator, I'd ask the same thing of the forum. Tell me when you see something wrong and I'll head over and deal with it accordingly. If I don't see it, I can't help.
Keep in mind that was years ago. Way back in the day. I don't know if Bioware's opinion of me has changed. They HAVE acknowledged I have a good reputation and history here as far as not breaking rules is concerned, but thats not all they take into account when selecting moderators for the community.
I think it's save to assume their way of selecting moderators isn't working. So yeah, ditching the old model is one of the more sensible things they could do.
But before that, the entire rotton structure has to be torn down and a new community management build from ground up as whatever they've got now is evidently not working (under the assumption that a lively community is wanted, that is).
It is, but only to a degree. If moderators don't see a rule break, they can't do anything about it. But if forum members report it, then they will and then they can act.
Even if I was a moderator, I'd ask the same thing of the forum. Tell me when you see something wrong and I'll head over and deal with it accordingly. If I don't see it, I can't help.
I agree in part, because moderators can't be everywhere, but logging in and only taking care of reports isn't effective. Moderators need to be stripped of anonymity so that we know they have just as much stake in the forums as we do. We know where they've been active and we know that they're fans. It makes a big difference when you see someone you just talked with about a plot point posts as a moderator warning people to stay on topic. It's far more effective.
They would never let outspoken people be mods. Not you, not me, not anyone like us. We are much too volatile. And we'd let our personal opinions cloud our judgments, or at least I would.
They would be better off with someone like Elite Pincone anyway, or Lady Sif.
I think it's hilarious that Bioware killed the old Bioboards to create their own social network.
Then killed that to basically recreate the Bioboards.
While it is funny, it also seems to play in well with life in general. Things are cyclical and there is nothing new under the sun.
"The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again..."
I think it's save to assume their way of selecting moderators isn't working. So yeah, ditching the old model is one of the more sensible things they could do.
But before that, the entire rotton structure has to be torn down and a new community management build from ground up as whatever they've got now is evidently not working (under the assumption that a lively community is wanted, that is).
If they were down to have me I'd be part of that community management team. At least, the part that focuses here. No sense in me diverting attention to other locations like the Twitterverse or Tumblr.
Well, in all seriousness, these are legitimate problems that need to be addressed. I got a warning that I don't think I deserved and PM'd the moderator asking for an explanation based on my understanding of the ToS. The moderator read it but never responded. What am I supposed to think about that? The mod doesn't care or doesn't have a good answer? In either case, it makes me suspicious of their handling of legitimate issues.
I don't think the mods are supposed to explain themselves. I still think those are shared accounts used by several people in shifts... or manned with interns.
6 out of 7 warning points were given for "abusive behaviour" which seems to be their catch-all category for "inflammatory content" and "trolling". One was for spam but the message said:
Greetings DaemionMoadrin,
This message is to inform you that your recent post in "An Open Letter to Bioware Regarding Explicit Content" has been removed due to non-constructive/trolling Which is against the Site Rules.
Please keep future posts respectful and constructive. Any further infractions may result in a suspension of your account.
Thanks,
BioWareMod011
... which means even their rules aren't consistent.
Bioware has always asked that posters self-moderate and if they see something that breaks a rule, report it.
My reports led to not one but two notoriously negative and vitriolic forum posters here getting perma-banned on the same day. It felt so good to breathe that sigh of relief.
I only ever used the report function once, because I judged it to be an extreme case in which a poster had violated at least three forum rules in one post. Intentionally. He was perma-banned within the hour.
The rest of the time I feel people report posters even for minor stuff and the mods have no discretion at all... there were a lot of things that could have been handled with a warning, instead they handed out warning points. For example, making a comment about the reading comprehension of a poster who flat out ignored pages upon pages of arguments is deemed a personal attack and results in a warning point. That's no way to hold proper discussions.
Although since no one so far could explain to me what those points do, what they signify or how long they last, I feel you can safely ignore them. They are supposed to be a tool but it's not used (well).
I agree in part, because moderators can't be everywhere, but logging in and only taking care of reports isn't effective. Moderators need to be stripped of anonymity so that we know they have just as much stake in the forums as we do. We know where they've been active and we know that they're fans. It makes a big difference when you see someone you just talked with about a plot point posts as a moderator warning people to stay on topic. It's far more effective.
Well yeah, the only issue with named mods is they get attacked by the bad apples in the community. But then, I'd just deal with them accordingly.
They would never let outspoken people be mods. Not you, not me, not anyone like us. We are much too volatile. And we'd let our personal opinions cloud our judgments, or at least I would.
They would be better off with someone like Elite Pincone anyway, or Lady Sif.
I could also see that being a problem for the Community team getting volunteer mods
They would never let outspoken people be mods. Not you, not me, not anyone like us. We are much too volatile. And we'd let our personal opinions cloud our judgments, or at least I would.
They would be better off with someone like Elite Pincone anyway, or Lady Sif.
One thing you need to be a moderator here is follow the rules 100% and ensure you don't abuse your power or even vaguely do something you're not supposed to.
Years ago me and a friend were being quite helpful on the forums. He was selected to become a community mod and was one until the day he had an issue with EA on the phone and stickied his own thread about it to help others who might be in the same boat. He lost his privileges immediately and barely posted after that.
I convinced him to make a couple of returns since then but it appears that nobody remembers him. Or few do, anyway. His heyday was the ME2 era.
Anyway, I'm not likely to ever be selected as a mod because I believe my opinions would have to be carefully expressed so as to not get anyone angry.
I love brutal honesty. But I don't think Bioware is looking for that in community mods. If they are I'd love to be proven wrong.
Well yeah, the only issue with named mods is they get attacked by the bad apples in the community. But then, I'd just deal with them accordingly.
Sure they would. They have on other forums. But then you restrict their account or ban them.
One thing you need to be a moderator here is follow the rules 100% and ensure you don't abuse your power or even vaguely do something you're not supposed to.
Years ago me and a friend were being quite helpful on the forums. He was selected to become a community mod and was one until the day he had an issue with EA on the phone and stickied his own thread about it to help others who might be in the same boat. He lost his privileges immediately and barely posted after that..
That sounds like a communication issue between Bioware and the moderators, which is unfortunate. In another forum I moderated there had to be a good reason and consensus among the moderators for stickying a thread.
I don't think the mods are supposed to explain themselves. I still think those are shared accounts used by several people in shifts... or manned with interns.
6 out of 7 warning points were given for "abusive behaviour" which seems to be their catch-all category for "inflammatory content" and "trolling". One was for spam but the message said:
Greetings DaemionMoadrin,
This message is to inform you that your recent post in "An Open Letter to Bioware Regarding Explicit Content" has been removed due to non-constructive/trolling Which is against the Site Rules.
Please keep future posts respectful and constructive. Any further infractions may result in a suspension of your account.
Thanks,
BioWareMod011
... which means even their rules aren't consistent.
I only ever used the report function once, because I judged it to be an extreme case in which a poster had violated at least three forum rules in one post. Intentionally. He was perma-banned within the hour.
The rest of the time I feel people report posters even for minor stuff and the mods have no discretion at all... there were a lot of things that could have been handled with a warning, instead they handed out warning points. For example, making a comment about the reading comprehension of a poster who flat out ignored pages upon pages of arguments is deemed a personal attack and results in a warning point. That's no way to hold proper discussions.
Although since no one so far could explain to me what those points do, what they signify or how long they last, I feel you can safely ignore them. They are supposed to be a tool but it's not used (well).
I'm of the opinion that even questionable things should be reported, and its up to the moderator to decide how to deal with it, whether its a verbal warning, a warning point, a suspension, or a permanent ban.
I could also see that being a problem for the Community team getting volunteer mods
Volunteer mods just need to have an overwatch above them and not have the same level of control.
It does have a bit of a "purging" feel to it all, doesn't it? A bit like the last time this happened.
Reminds me of the big announcement Jessica made over a year ago, when she was still here, that all off-topic groups were to be deleted. There was an outcry and the group I was a part of preemptively moved everyone off-site to a new, self-contained and self-run forum. In the long run, it has worked out well for us as we can moderate ourselves now and there's a lot more leniency for wackiness. Ironically enough, our old group still exists here, though long-since abandoned... the purge never came.
Or it did, in a manner, since we all buggered off. A few of us, such as myself, still frequent here for DA and ME discussions and news, but the vast majority was so unhappy with the decision that they are gone for good.
And now it is happening again. Only this time, they actually did shut down the thing they said they would - pretty much instantly. I am glad to see y'all have organized an off-site escape so quickly. I imagine since now the purge seems very real, groups will likely be the next to go away. Not that I have any advanced information, but it's just the logical way I see things going from here on out.
Speaking of Jessica, since she left around this time last year, how many people even know who the new community manager is?
Speaking of Jessica, since she left around this time last year, how many people even know who the new community manager is?
It is a question that has been often asked, but there still has never really been an answer given, as far as I am aware.
Speaking of Jessica, since she left around this time last year, how many people even know who the new community manager is?
There was one after her, but he's no longer the community manager too. So we have no idea who the new one is or if there even is a new one
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