So, that's why it took all week for this to go live. you had to authorize the account?

I like nothingland, too. I'd be happy to go with Rich, Wolf, Bruce, Elspode and the like (or anyone else who volunteers/that you approve) as moderators, either on a time-on/time-off basis or for specific forums. You certainly deserve time off and to share responsibility otherwise you don't get no fun, UT. Brave move, wise move :thumbsup:

Moderation can be limited to by-forum if we choose to work it that way. In most areas there is not that much to do. 80% of the spam lands in Home Base because most spammers are not sophisticated/smart enough to take the tmie to figure out the place.

The thread placements were logical, and hopefully can be used as a guide for where future threads should be posted. The new "Nothingland" board was a cool idea.

Regarding appointment of moderators:

For people (most regulars?) who use New Posts to read the place, thread placement isn't even noticed at all. But as time goes by and there are more posts, there will be more people that only browse by section.

Plus, there'll be less complaint about the threads if they are in the "right" place. Can't say a thread is too chatty/gamey if it's in Nothingland, right, because that's what it's supposed to be.

I'm glad you enjoyed your time off, man. I wish I could get some! I'm pulling my frickin' hair out here (IRL). If you enjoy running this place, then you have to do whatever is right for you in order to keep it as something you enjoy. You have to fight against your "hobby" becoming a "job" . . .

I hope, after the last couple weeks, everyone appreciates how much work UT does to kept this operation running smoothly. Sure it's his baby, his hobby, but damn, it ain't easy. :headshake

People are like packs of wild animals, and the internet makes it worse.

Welcome back.

And I'd like to suggest that the name for "Nothingland" be "Gallimaufry"

Sounds good.

?

!

I agree with whoever proposed small-scale moderators. You know, the idea for mods each having one forum or whatever, not the whole boards. Demands higher quality modding, and less power to abuse.

I would recommend two things: the new mods be anonymous and that they can only relocate posts/threads and not delete them - to a hidden probation zone until "the sherrif" returns to render final judgement.

Things to think about: Do the new mods serve in their new capacity all the time or just when you are on sabbatical. The new mods will always be "caught in the middle" - some will be upset at a deletion while others will be upset at the lack of a deletion. I worry about certain folk being mods because they won't be their "old selves" anymore. Not that they will change but when you go from not being a mod to being a mod, things are different. That's one reason I thought they could serve under cover of anonymity - to avoid being questioned at every turn.

Nothingland... Reminds me of Yello Submarine for some reason. Other possibilities: The Void, Nothing To See Here, The Attic.

We could also create a new forum for everyone who wants to bitch about how the Cellar is moderated: The Whine Cellar.

I would like to be permanently on sabbatical and have nothing to do with messages and threads.

The new mods have to be named, because we need to share both the ability AND the responsibility.

What you say is certainly part of it. I don't get to "be myself" on the Cellar.

It wasn't always that way. This particular headache started when Cerebus's ex-wife declared that she would have nothing to do with the Cellar, since I ran it. Old-timers, does anyone remember that incident from what, 1995-96?

It's true: if you are seen as a person of some importance, people will treat you differently for it. And some people will do so relentlessly as it is a part of their equation and they can't drop it. Potential mods should consider this when deciding whether they want to do it. Part of the title is accepting that you are giving something up in order to improve the community.