Message Board Moderation in 2014

[Inox]

As you may have noticed, there have been some changes to the boards. We are entirely open to feedback on how these look, work, etc.

Additionally, this is going to become a bit more relaxed of an environment restriction-wise. Usernames can be as little as three characters, signature files and images can be slightly larger, and the ridiculous word filter has been pared down to a few words you genuinely can't say on TV. I'm not sure why words like hax0r, fanny, and breasts were banned, but they aren't now.

That said, moderation of abusive, threatening, or otherwise disruptive posts will still happen. However, if a topic disappears for some reason, or you feel something was censored unnecessarily, you will not be banned for questioning the mods. That fascist crap stops here. I can't guarantee that a deleted post is going to be restored, but you do have the freedom to question decisions and weigh in on them. Even--and especially when--we disagree. Just keep it civil.

Also, the Board of Directors is going back to being full moderators, as had always been done in the past on the unofficial boards. There's no reason for the Board to not be able to delete spam and otherwise deal with the boards for which they're ultimately accountable.

Finally, being a fan of full transparency and personal accountability, I am not a fan of the moderation structure that a previous BoD put into place when we moved to these new boards.

Basically, moderators on here use the MOD_ prefix, added to a username that's some astronomical reference. These are regular users of the boards who also have separate moderator accounts.

So, I am curious what Darkon as a whole thinks. Would you prefer the rest of your moderators to have to be publicly known and accountable for their actions, or would you like them to remain mystery personas? The BoD members, obviously, will be seen as their regular accounts, save for the President & Magistrate accounts that those people can use in addition to their regular logins.

Oh, and I personally do know who the moderators are, so if you respond to this and make some ideological argument for remaining anonymous on your own behalf, I'll call you on it & out you. :D

[fingers630]

Just let me know if I should reveal Im mod gnosis or not

[MOD_Gnosis]

Rumors of my identities have been greatly exaggerated!

[Sir Aethilgar]

Can the theme of the forum be returned to something less modern in appearance?

[Inox]

As I said on the Facebook page, this is really just a placeholder. When the web redesign group modernizes the rest of the website, this can be changed to something that matches that. Entirely flexible.

[Inox]

Oh, and also, anyone who wants to change their username can do so.

Obviously, you can't use this to be a tool and then switch identities, as we'll be able to see who you were previously.

However, if you want a new name in light of the shorter minimum length for usernames, or you just feel like a change, enjoy.

[Kobalos]

I'm totally fine with moderating under my usual login--in fact, I'd prefer it. That way I don't need to logout & login whenever I see something in need of a fix. Feel free to switch my mod capabilities to this username.

[Inox]

Done!

[Darll]

You can switch my mine to this username.

[fingers630]

Doesn't matter to me, but Mod_Gnosis shall never die in spirit! =P

[Inox]

Darll & Fingers: Done!