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After making the thread about improving Lakers Discussion and going through a few changed guidelines, I sat back to see how things would develop our first month into the season.
Well, to be honest, it didn't go as planned...but as some of you can see, Lakers Discussion isn't as bad as it was a year ago today. Maybe that's because we're off to a good start, or maybe we really are doing what we can to improve, but nonetheless, things are looking better.
However, it's time to run across something I was meaning to bring up in the initial improvement thread: backseat moderating. For those of you who don't have a clue what I'm talking about, it simply describes a member who attempts to take on the role as a moderator, not only voicing his/her opinion on one or two threads, but does this in a negative manner on a consistent basis, in situations where only a board moderator has the green light to make those opinions. For example...a Kevin Garnett thread is created in Lakers Discussion, and it asks about a trade: Garnett for Odom and Radmanovic. The staff understands that there are plenty of Garnett threads already, but when we enter the thread to lock it up, we find the following:
"NB4, this thread sucks"
"who's more ignorant, the topic starter or the poster above?"
"SCROLL DOWN AND FIND THE KG THREAD"
For one, the tone is all wrong. This is where we run into problems between members. Secondly, it's not your place to decide if a thread stays or heads off to the Graveyard. The best thing to do, in this scenario, would be to avoid the thread altogether, or post a decent reply to the topic itself. If you have a problem with it, don't bother, or use the PM system.
There are times where we do appreciate the help. An example of this would be with a spammer/troll/heated argument. Also, reporting large signatures or inappropriate posting is fine, but we ask that you do not comment in the thread. Instead, browse to the main index and look for a moderator (doesn't take much to find one of us online).
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Just one or two more things, before I forget. Remember that thread titles are most effective when they are fairly short and to the point. Four or five words in a thread title can be used to describe any topic, most of the time. One word isn't enough, and twenty is a few too many. The appearance of each forum will look five times better, and topics will get more hits this way.
Also, the moderating will be changed a bit (possibly for all moderators, or whoever wants to adopt this method). Some of you have seen me use it before, but when moderating, you'll notice that the staff may go in and edit your offensive post with a short sentence explaining the problem, usually in a different color than your post, and then that post (your original with the edit) will be quoted. This allows the thread to be bumped, and you will notice the staff edit. We know, we know...it does put you out there in public when you break the guidelines, but the thing is, you wanted the attention in the first place, correct? Don't forget, we are still using the warning system: three fouls, and you're benched (suspended), while six fouls gets you ejected (banned). If you're worried about how many you've received, you can always ask a staff member...but I'm sure you've been keeping track anyways.
Everything posted above goes for all forums, not just Lakers Discussion. After showing signs of improvement in just the last month, I think the staff owes the entire community a big thank you. Our biggest problems so far lie within the board itself, mainly the search function and the spamming, which will be taken care of as soon as possible, with a board update.
Thanks for reading.
