Moderation Methods

Me and a friend are going to set up a forum based around racing cars. The only problem is we're not sure how we're going to go about appointing moderators. Since Giant Bomb is the only forum I'm a member of, I thought I would ask you guys what you think on Giant Bomb's approach to moderating. Do you like the system? Do you think the moderators always make good decisions? Let me know, I'd love to know how to best handle it before we launch the forum.

Depends .....

i think while its good to have moderators there should be a higher level of mods that approve what the mods mod.
also just because someone posts allot does not mean they should be a mod.

GB moderators do a great job. We are allowed to freely express ourselves, yet they mods will kick us in the ass if we seriously fuck up, as they should. When you launch your site, I doubt moderation will be an issue, at least until you have a decent user base. Let people act as they will, and hit them with the ban hammer if they are being abusive to you, your staff or your members.

shit damn piss. The moderators here are cool as hell. They really only step in when things get way way out of hand. I know you have pointed out a few issues you've had with the mods banning people (your avatar for ex), but I feel GB forum mods let us get away with a lot more than most forums. For that I am pretty thankful.

Its a certain MOD who i have a issue with ...on the whole they do a good job

" i think while its good to have moderators there should be a higher level of mods that approve what the mods mod. "

How can i get modded for being silly and never cussing or talking bad about anyone and i see cussing and swearing on this site all the time isn't that disruptive. But other than that giant bomb is cool..

Swearing is not against the rules. Spamming is. Got it?

" @damswedon said:

" i think while its good to have moderators there should be a higher level of mods that approve what the mods mod. "

I think you just fucked my mind. "

Besides that, um, issue that we have run into recently, I still do like the mods on Giant Bomb. They are *usually* pretty friendly and they are all good guys. I also miss BoG :( But the model here is a good one to follow.

" @turbomonkey138:   Well played. "

" @Metal_Gear_Sunny said:

" @damswedon said:

" i think while its good to have moderators there should be a higher level of mods that approve what the mods mod. "

I think you just fucked my mind. "

But who watches the mods who watch the mods?  "

If you're starting up your own site, and this isn't just some subtle attempt to bash the Mods here or ignite conversation about recent events, then I suggest making sure the people you choose to become Moderators are people you actually trust. People you know are loyal to you and can be entrusted with the authority and abilities you provide them by making them Moderators.
 
At the end of the day a Moderators job is to uphold and support the feelings and policies of the site and those that run or own that site. So make sure who you pick is in fact someone you can trust to do that and not someone who will try to undermine your every effort.

" How can i get modded for being silly and never cussing or talking bad about anyone and i see cussing and swearing on this site all the time isn't that disruptive. But other than that giant bomb is cool.. "

" @Megalon said:

" @Metal_Gear_Sunny said:

" @damswedon said:

" i think while its good to have moderators there should be a higher level of mods that approve what the mods mod. "

I think you just fucked my mind. "

But who watches the mods who watch the mods?  "

we need Mod Mod Mods "

" @damswedon said:

" @Megalon said:

" @Metal_Gear_Sunny said:

" @damswedon said:

" i think while its good to have moderators there should be a higher level of mods that approve what the mods mod. "

I think you just fucked my mind. "

But who watches the mods who watch the mods?  "

we need Mod Mod Mods "

But then who watches those mods? "

Explain the spamming charge sounds silly but i don't understand. Thanks

" @damswedon said:

" @Megalon said:

" @Metal_Gear_Sunny said:

" @damswedon said:

" i think while its good to have moderators there should be a higher level of mods that approve what the mods mod. "

I think you just fucked my mind. "

But who watches the mods who watch the mods?  "

we need Mod Mod Mods "

But then who watches those mods? "

I think regulators do us all a service.  
 
I also like car racing!

I'm part of a couple of other forums, so I'll give a general idea of what I suggest.
 
Pick Moderators you trust. Don't promote someone to such a high level if they abuse their power. If a Moderator gets out of hand, don't simply ban them. Demote them from their status first, and see if they still act the way they did. If they do, then consider banning them. Members who are also an active part of the community are worth considering for the Moderator status - they have to enjoy the community to become an active part of it.
 
Select a few very good members. These members can be promoted to an Administrator if you deem them suitable. Admins tend to have higher authority on a forum than Moderators do. 
 
Remember the hierarchy of the site. Just because a Mod or Admin wants to ban someone, remember, you're the owner. You have the final word. Don't let your select group order you around - you made them Mods, and you can easily strip them of their status as well.
 
Send me a link too please - I'd be interested in seeing your forum :)

I like what xMP44x  said, its accurate.
 
I started a forum a few years ago, french canadian forum for metal fans called Poilus Online, its still around but i'm not with them anymore. Here's what i've learned.
 
Start small, don't establish too much rules, just go with the flow at first with the people that come on your forum. Once you start to feel that there's too much activity for what you can handle, THEN you assign mods. Go with regulars of your forum, people that you know how they think and how they act and that you feel, fits with your vision of the forum.
 
simple.

what you do is not have mods, but just declare yourself as king, and if anyone pisses you off BAM they're banned. that way you cut out the middle man.

Mods r guurreeatt

" @damswedon said:

" @Megalon said:

" @Metal_Gear_Sunny said:

" @damswedon said:

" i think while its good to have moderators there should be a higher level of mods that approve what the mods mod. "

I think you just fucked my mind. "

But who watches the mods who watch the mods?  "

we need Mod Mod Mods "

But then who watches those mods? "

Man...this thread feels like flamebait.  Nonetheless, just pick doods you trust and slap 'em around when they get out of hand.

I think the mods are idiots.

" I think the mods are idiots. "

In general the mods make the right decisions but sometimes they make terrible ones.

" @Drebin_893 said:

" I think the mods are idiots. "

I'll start to work on my " DREBIN_893 is banned, WHY?? " user icon. "

" Me and a friend are going to set up a forum based around racing cars. The only problem is we're not sure how we're going to go about appointing moderators. Since Giant Bomb is the only forum I'm a member of, I thought I would ask you guys what you think on Giant Bomb's approach to moderating. Do you like the system? Do you think the moderators always make good decisions? Let me know, I'd love to know how to best handle it before we launch the forum. "

" @demonbear said:

" @Drebin_893 said:

" I think the mods are idiots. "

I'll start to work on my " DREBIN_893 is banned, WHY?? " user icon. "

I think when I get banned there'll be no need to wonder why. "

Meh, they could be better, but I guess the job is done.

Call me crazy but my first reaction to this thread is that the OP isn't actually making a forum.

" @Drebin_893 said:

" @demonbear said:

" @Drebin_893 said:

" I think the mods are idiots. "

I'll start to work on my " DREBIN_893 is banned, WHY?? " user icon. "

I think when I get banned there'll be no need to wonder why. "

I love the fact that you've already embraced your eventual ban. "

There is really only one moderator who I don't appreciate. The rest do a good job in my opinion. By no means do I agree with every decision made, but then again I'm not in their position, and never would want to be. It's a tough job. Lot's of hours and no pay, plus all the shit you have to deal with... it's a tough job.

This is the only forum I've been on (granted I've only been on a couple) that's truely free and lets you have your full opinion.

" @Miniman said:

" Me and a friend are going to set up a forum based around racing cars. The only problem is we're not sure how we're going to go about appointing moderators. Since Giant Bomb is the only forum I'm a member of, I thought I would ask you guys what you think on Giant Bomb's approach to moderating. Do you like the system? Do you think the moderators always make good decisions? Let me know, I'd love to know how to best handle it before we launch the forum. "

Considering your avatar I'd have thought this approach rather transparent. And unwise.  I choose to show my displeasure with moderators by writing an Allegorical Farmyard Adventure where pigs represent community figureheads. That's much more subtle. "

" I think the mods are idiots. "

" i think while its good to have moderators there should be a higher level of mods that approve what the mods mod. also just because someone posts allot does not mean they should be a mod. "

fuck, fuck, fuck the MODS! 
lol jk, i dont mind GB mods AT ALL. this site is kick ass. i got banned from gamespot after being a member for like 10 years because i said san francisco was a happy gay land.