nevermore
04-27-2010, 10:11 PM
Since releasing the new mod applications, it has come to my attention that a large number of you are unclear on how, exactly the strike system works. I'm opening this thread today to dispel some myths that seem to be floating around and to answer any questions you guys may have. Also, if you are reading this and have applied to be a mod in the last few days, you may amend your answer to the question about "dealing with a fight" if you feel you may have answered that incorrectly.
Myth: Mods can give strikes
Fact: Mods cannot give strikes. I am the only person who has the power to do that. What mods CAN (and will) do, is report problems to me so that I am aware of them. From there, I discuss the situation with the supermods, and amongst ourselves, we decide whether someone has earned a strike. When that actual email arrives, however, the only person who will ever send it is me. When all is said and done, I reserve the right to decide, once and for all, who gets a strike and who doesn't.
Myth: When a strike "expires," you don't have a strike anymore
Fact: The strikes you see in the strike thread are up for 6 months for everyone to see. I am a big believer in forgive and forget, and by removing the public explanation of the strike, it helps members get over what happened. HOWEVER, I have a list for my own personal reference that displays the strikes for all time. It is on this list that some members will have a strike in 2008, and a second strike in 2009, and were banned in 2010 (<--example. has not really happened).
Myth: Mods are above the law
Fact: False false false false false! That could not be further from the truth! In fact, mods (and particularly supermods) are expected to be perfect little angels, all the time! :p I often select mods based on behavior (among other things, but behavior is #1), because they are our forum's model citizens. They are expected to follow the rules to a tee, and because of that, there's no wiggle room. If a mod breaks a rule even once, they get a strike right away. Granted, this has not been a problem on CB, so I can see how you might be led to believe otherwise, however on UE there were instances were mods were given strikes, stripped of their mod status, and even banned. While you may not be aware of this, the mods sure are! I make a point to inform every mod that I have high expectations of their behavior, and it's something they understand from day 1.
Those are the big misconceptions I have seen come up over the years. Please feel free to discuss, or if you have any questions, ask away. I'm happy to talk about this with everyone. :)
Myth: Mods can give strikes
Fact: Mods cannot give strikes. I am the only person who has the power to do that. What mods CAN (and will) do, is report problems to me so that I am aware of them. From there, I discuss the situation with the supermods, and amongst ourselves, we decide whether someone has earned a strike. When that actual email arrives, however, the only person who will ever send it is me. When all is said and done, I reserve the right to decide, once and for all, who gets a strike and who doesn't.
Myth: When a strike "expires," you don't have a strike anymore
Fact: The strikes you see in the strike thread are up for 6 months for everyone to see. I am a big believer in forgive and forget, and by removing the public explanation of the strike, it helps members get over what happened. HOWEVER, I have a list for my own personal reference that displays the strikes for all time. It is on this list that some members will have a strike in 2008, and a second strike in 2009, and were banned in 2010 (<--example. has not really happened).
Myth: Mods are above the law
Fact: False false false false false! That could not be further from the truth! In fact, mods (and particularly supermods) are expected to be perfect little angels, all the time! :p I often select mods based on behavior (among other things, but behavior is #1), because they are our forum's model citizens. They are expected to follow the rules to a tee, and because of that, there's no wiggle room. If a mod breaks a rule even once, they get a strike right away. Granted, this has not been a problem on CB, so I can see how you might be led to believe otherwise, however on UE there were instances were mods were given strikes, stripped of their mod status, and even banned. While you may not be aware of this, the mods sure are! I make a point to inform every mod that I have high expectations of their behavior, and it's something they understand from day 1.
Those are the big misconceptions I have seen come up over the years. Please feel free to discuss, or if you have any questions, ask away. I'm happy to talk about this with everyone. :)