Let me preface this post by making it clear that I am not upset or angry in any way. I know that it is difficult to properly discern the emotional content of a text-only (barring occasional "smileys" which I tend to not use) communication. Please understand that I was and am writing strictly from the standpoint of a board-member who was concerned with actions that took place by moderators.
It is an inappropriate use of moderator powers to alter someone's post merely to comment upon it. A moderator's ability to edit others' post is designed to permit administration of the forum's rules - not infringe upon freedom of speech.
Infringe upon freedom of speech?!? I just added a tiny comment, in agreement, I didn't change what he was saying.
That comment was made when I believed that you had actually altered his post. It was my mistake to assume so and I apologize for that. I agree, you didn't infringe on his freedom of speech by way of your edit. That being said, it does not change any of my other concerns with such actions.
One good reason is that those edits don't show up in your last posts. In a way you don't "own" the post since you're piggybacking off another's post, so they can remove it with your reply in it. It's like having someone in a conversation read out words from a piece of paper instead of speaking for yourself. If you're going to join in the conversation you should do it properly with your own post. They're my thoughts anyway.
It's kinda late to say that, I can't add a post way back there, what's done is done, I could take out my minor comment and edit my closest next post, but seriously, what's the big deal with a little comment, I mean Eliminator himself has told me he would mind being a moderator........I feel like I'm being attacked, I mean seriously, why are you guys making such a big deal out of a little thing like a comment?
Yes, what's done is done. At this point I don't expect you to go back and remove your edit, nor am I asking for you to do so. I've expressed my reasons for concern and it stands that your action was an inappropriate use of moderator privileges. No comment of mine was intended as an attack toward you - I can not speak for anybody else. The cause for making it a "big deal" is to ensure that it does not continue to happen.
Second, as mentioned before, it is an abuse of the moderator's power. The purpose of a moderator's power is not to streamline communications with others. It's purpose is to enforce the rules. Edit when edits are required to maintain order, not when you find them convenient.
So are you also attacking Kucac? I have no doubt we can all agree that he's a great moderator, but he's made edits to posts that had nothing to do with enforcing the rules.
You are absolutely correct that Kucac has also made unnecessary edits. In fact, his edit (and not you) of one of my posts is what sparked the one that you quote above. Again, I am not attacking anybody - that includes both of you - but I felt it very important to make it absolutely clear that I would not tolerate such edits and for what reasons - no matter who was involved.
Third, if your reply isn't worthy of an addition to your post count, "+30000 bytes", or whatever other criteria you deem necessary to be post-worthy, then don't bother posting it. If your additional editorial commentary on my post can't stand on it's own it shouldn't exist at all.
Jesus Christ! Does it really matter all that much, look at the scale of the edit, did I obstruct his post in any way? NO!
Again, the reason it should not have happened is that it was an inappropriate use of moderator privileges.
Fifth and Final, if my posts are edited for reasons not related to rule violations I will find somewhere else to spend my time. I am an adult and am insulted that somebody else find it acceptable to alter my posts, no matter how trivially. I have spent exactly ZERO time (pick your preferred unit of measure, it'll still be zero) modding or playing Glest in the past 5 months. The reason I am still here is because I enjoy the community interaction with people of similar interests. Reduce my enjoyment in this way and I'll find a different community.
I guess I'll try and remember that.
I really do find it insulting that somebody would find it necessary to alter my post. Imagine, if you will, if someone were to take a mod you've developed and insert commentary without your prior permission or knowledge. Sure, you could remove it - except that if they really feel like it they can just put it back in anytime they like. You may never even know that they did. How would that make you feel?
I am completely serious about this. I hope that you value my presence here and will respond accordingly.
I do value your presence here, I just wish I could make minor little comments on a post about something as trivial as emoticons without everybody firing off bio-weapons at me.
Thank you. Again, I am not attacking anyone.
Totally agree with Hectate on this.
Glest is still a relatively small community, excessive and bad moderation will see the community drop like flies.
Bad!? This is ridiculous....
While I can't speak for wciow, I don't see this as being the current case. I see it as merely a comment on the potential for the future. This is about prevention.
Arch, I had a lot of misgivings about you being appointed as a moderator in the first place, and I think it's turned out pretty much how I expected. Personally, I never had a problem with Kukac's edits, as they were tasteful and unobtrusive, but what we don't need is a big red edit when somebody posts something you don't like, especially when you're the one who diverted the thread in the first place.
In short, don't be a jackass.
Ok. I see that I should lighten up on Eliminator, it's just that he seems to be attacking me...and my......I don't know....will to fight back I guess........is slanting my posts toward a more angry approach, I'll back off, that won't happen again.
Guys you got to give me chance to settle into a new level of power, I'm not perfect, and emotions, ego, and all the other stupid things the Human body has.....make it impossible to just move to the new level and be perfect from the start. Seriously, all I'm asking from you guys is give me a few chances, and constructive responses so I can adjust better.
Just please don't all pile on me, I'm already very depressed, and the thought of deleting my account here crossed my mind while reading these posts...
I'm not mad at anyone here, I'm just much more depressed...
Arch, you're a good person from everything I've seen out of you on this forum. The same goes for Kucac. Please realize that I also value your contributions to the community and do not want to see you leave.
I think you need to realize that you haven't been "moved to a new level of power". You've been given
additional responsibility. This is an important distinction because the Glest forums are not a RPG that you just leveled up on. If you're a moderator you have a
job. The simple fact is that if a rule hasn't been violated and nothing needs to be adjusted (such as moving a post to an appropriate board) there should be no reason to use any kind of moderator-specific abilities. Consider yourself as an undercover cop. You're just here to post and read like everyone else - until you see a law broken.
I don't consider this too much to ask of you.
edit: ultifd, John, I apologize for the continuation but I'm sure you understand that I feel it important that I post this.