Message Board Moderator Wanted?
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Last post: Mar 29, 2018 Member since:Jan 19, 2000
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It was a suggestion to verify IDs . I can create 20 fake email IDs in about as many minutes on some of the free sites... but I can't get credit cards in anything other than my real name. At least legally, and that's how I roll.
I gave up on the forum years ago because of the crap that was directed my way. I still will not offer parts to this forum, having been jerked around too many times. It has the potential to be a good resource, but if newbies (and experienced people) get flamed for innocent questions it's not a resource, just a source of amusement for... um... jerks.
Prove me wrong.
There are many other online groups this day. The MM site has great technical information, I don't bother looking here for helpful information from the forum.
Cheers, Jim aka britbits
ps.. My Avatar is the infamous Pumpkin. I gave it to someone who wasn't a jerk.. my brother. It's the last thing I will ever offer on this board.
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Well, like Mike, I used to really like this place. In fact, being on here 'back then' bolstered my budding enthusiasm for the hobby through not only the quality of advice given, but also the (mostly) light-hearted and social aspect of the community. I felt like it was a sort of family, disfunctional at times, but helpful, warm and welcoming. Alex captured this in his post.
Moderators weren't necessary back then, but when MiniMania and MiniSpares first split their once-common message board, Suzi, Steve and I became moderators on the MiniSpares forum. I still have my old signature images... I don't think we ever needed to 'act' as moderators, as members were 'nice' to each other.
In fact, the deterioration of this forum left me quite disenchanted with the hobby and the 'community'. As conditions here deteriorated, I migrated to another forum - but it's not the same. Sure, it's friendly and helpful - has games also - but it's still not the same and I rarely post. If this message board reflects current society's hostility, well, I'm glad I've become quite the selfish recluse.
I would support light and monitored moderation, where the moderators' activities are subject to review, yet it bothers me somewhat that it's necessary to 'moderate' what used to be a by-and-large civilized community.
It's up to you, Don - it could be great again, but it's not the only rodeo in town. (Make MiniMania Message Board Great Again?)
The peasants are revolting...
"Gone with the Wind" - a brief yet moving vignette concerning lactose intolerance
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"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."
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Last post: Mar 29, 2018 Member since:Jan 19, 2000
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So yeah, maybe someone who would PM me if I(or anyone else) start going off topic (or off civility) might be good.
I am a Mini Mania customer with address and billing information linked to my user id, maybe that's the way to limit "create a new account, play troll for a weekend until the account is cancelled" behavior. Whether I am active or not on the forum I still need parts on occasion and don't feel like creating a new account every time I need something. So make new users set up a full account with payment info before they can post on the forum, that should scare off some of the trolls.
Just an idea.
Cheers, Jim
ps. I am NOT volunteering to be a moderator, I don't really have the patience for it. Again, my OCD.
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While I'm at it I'm not in favor of people coming here and using the board as a hammer to pound on someone else. A recent poster did just that only to ask his post be removed. No big deal as he has at one count 12 posts on the front page. I decided first day to try and make a few suggestions after which I have decided to moderate myself. Yes, it limits the post I can reply to but it will keep me out of trouble. Having 5 completely rebuilt rod change units on the work bench, having worked with quick shift units and repaired a few of the KAD knock offs I might have some info helpful but it can wait. Look around I have noticed several more names not showing up here. As my dad says, advice is worth what you pay for it and I give you this for free. Steve (CTR)
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I've been an active participant here for over twenty years, and in that time there have been very, very few instances where moderation is genuinely required.
This place is unique in that it doesn't have a multitude of subforums and millions of rules about where and when you can and can't post - something that is part of the appeal and success of the message board. The only rule really needs to be "Play Nicely", and generally that is the case.
Okay, over the years Bill has misbehaved and exiled to the wilderness, QS was just QS and probably should have been exiled, and then we had the Robster/Velocity/Specialist fiasco... which I am convinced was the product of a damaged mind and should have been nipped in the bud.
That is not down to having Moderators, that is just down to plain common sense - when the howls of objection reached the levels they did several years ago, the Powers That Be should have stepped in and stopped it as was done with Bill and his countless new identities. Actually that was predictable and mildly amusing - a new login would be created late on a Friday or Saturday after MM working hours had finished, would wreak havoc over the weekend, and be blitzed first thing Monday morning.
This was different, it was a sustained assault on a treasured resource that was tacitly given permission and overtly allowed to continue. Whether Jemal was behind it, or complicit in it, to try and generate false traffic stats we'll never know - all we do know is that there is a trail of casualties left by the wayside as genuinely knowledgable people have left in droves, unable to put up with the constant spewing of drivel.
IF - and I hope that it is decided against - we do end up with Moderators, I feel that they should be chosen by Don and his team based on the general knowledge, sensibility, standing, and impartiality of the person asked.
Anyone who puts themselves forward is unsuitable as they are seeking power, something that should be bestowed not obtained.
Just moderate the sustained trolls, racist comments and flame wars that get TOO far out of control.
A simple edit of the post "Removed by moderator because of x" should be sufficient. Banning people is an extreme measure, not to be done often. Just for the sustained trolls (only 2 or 3 over the lat 15 years) and the spammers.
P.S. If Alex didn't volunteer, I officially volunteer him
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I've been an active participant here for over twenty years, and in that time there have been very, very few instances where moderation is genuinely required.
This place is unique in that it doesn't have a multitude of subforums and millions of rules about where and when you can and can't post - something that is part of the appeal and success of the message board. The only rule really needs to be "Play Nicely", and generally that is the case.
Okay, over the years Bill has misbehaved and exiled to the wilderness, QS was just QS and probably should have been exiled, and then we had the Robster/Velocity/Specialist fiasco... which I am convinced was the product of a damaged mind and should have been nipped in the bud.
That is not down to having Moderators, that is just down to plain common sense - when the howls of objection reached the levels they did several years ago, the Powers That Be should have stepped in and stopped it as was done with Bill and his countless new identities. Actually that was predictable and mildly amusing - a new login would be created late on a Friday or Saturday after MM working hours had finished, would wreak havoc over the weekend, and be blitzed first thing Monday morning.
This was different, it was a sustained assault on a treasured resource that was tacitly given permission and overtly allowed to continue. Whether Jemal was behind it, or complicit in it, to try and generate false traffic stats we'll never know - all we do know is that there is a trail of casualties left by the wayside as genuinely knowledgable people have left in droves, unable to put up with the constant spewing of drivel.
IF - and I hope that it is decided against - we do end up with Moderators, I feel that they should be chosen by Don and his team based on the general knowledge, sensibility, standing, and impartiality of the person asked.
Anyone who puts themselves forward is unsuitable as they are seeking power, something that should be bestowed not obtained.
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Time for a little oversight to bring this site back to a higher standard again. Thanks and "get er done"
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Werewolf beware
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Moderating the board is a good idea. Try it. See how it works. I assume the reason the board is here is to keep the name MiniMania on your mind for your mini needs. It's not like a company just spends thousands hosting a place for people to rant.
I buy a fair share of parts from Mini Mania. I've helped them with some products and have had a number of conversations with Don. The first conversation was so he could help me purchase every piece I needed to get a 23 year old barn find on the road.
Thank you to Don and Mini Mania. I hope the clean up goes well and makes this site a more enjoyable one.
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Met some fantastic people here *(too numerous to mention) and then also met a lot of them in real life at Mini meets, etc.
While it's true, I don't buy too much from MiniMania (or anyone for that matter), the message board
has turned into a cesspool for trolls, n'ere do wells, sh!t disturbers and people with multiple personalities.
At this point, I would be real hesitant to recommend MM (for parts) to anyone getting into Minis simply because of what the message board
has become.
I recommend several moderators.
Choose from the guys that have been here 15+ years if you can. (real people with real Minis)
Thank you for this service and thank you for finally caring about how the world sees MiniMania. Bottom line is it's not good for business.
~ 30 minutes in a Mini is more therapeutic than 3 sessions @ the shrink. ~
Mike NB, Canada
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John