New Mars Forums

Official discussion forum of The Mars Society and MarsNews.com

You are not logged in.

Announcement

Announcement: This forum is accepting new registrations by emailing newmarsmember * gmail.com become a registered member. Read the Recruiting expertise for NewMars Forum topic in Meta New Mars for other information for this process.

#1 2004-11-22 15:01:45

Josh Cryer
Moderator
Registered: 2001-09-29
Posts: 3,830

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

New Mars gets over 500k hits a month, it has more than a dozen regular posters, we're nearing 60k posts and 1k members. It's a big forum. Most likely the most prolific Mars-related forum on the internet. And perhaps even one of the bigger space-related forums in general (certainly it's one of the most civilized; compare to Space.com, etc). Adrian and I are kind of busy guys, Adrian himself is schooling and I'm sure his life right now is very busy. I myself could probably spend a lot of time here on a daily basis, but right now my life is kind of ferked up, so I only visit once maybe twice a day, barely enough to really see if anyone is up to anything (I caught a spammer recently by sheer luck, had I missed 'em the whole forum would've been cluttered for hours upon hours).

So, we need new moderators. That plain and simple. If you post here a lot, and think you would make a good dictator (I myself don't like dictating that much), then post your desire to become a moderator. For fun, you can nominate someone, but they should not take it seriously; moderating is a job, you have to pay attention to posts you normally would ignore.


Some useful links while MER are active. [url=http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html]Offical site[/url] [url=http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Web.html]NASA TV[/url] [url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/]JPL MER2004[/url] [url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/statustextonly.html]Text feed[/url]
--------
The amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the earth totals some 3.9 million exajoules a year.

Offline

#2 2004-11-22 15:07:08

Palomar
Member
From: USA
Registered: 2002-05-30
Posts: 9,734

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

*I nominate Shaun Barrett, Cobra Commander and Robert Dyck.

--Cindy


We all know [i]those[/i] Venusians: Doing their hair in shock waves, smoking electrical coronas, wearing Van Allen belts and resting their tiny elbows on a Geiger counter...

--John Sladek (The New Apocrypha)

Offline

#3 2004-11-22 15:18:37

Josh Cryer
Moderator
Registered: 2001-09-29
Posts: 3,830

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Good nominations, all good people. I seem to recall Robert Dyck actually having an interest in moderating...  smile


Some useful links while MER are active. [url=http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html]Offical site[/url] [url=http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Web.html]NASA TV[/url] [url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/]JPL MER2004[/url] [url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/statustextonly.html]Text feed[/url]
--------
The amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the earth totals some 3.9 million exajoules a year.

Offline

#4 2004-11-22 15:26:46

Rxke
Member
From: Belgium
Registered: 2003-11-03
Posts: 3,669

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

I nominate Cindy, girl powah!

No, seriously, I noticed lately Cindy is actively trying to 'tidy up' some threads etc. We're in desperate need of that.
I've been visiting Badastronomy, and the admin (THE Bad Astronomer) is *very* strict, and sometimes that's needed, Though here it's not that bad with weirdo's, sometimes it's good to be pointed out you're posting in wrong thread or going too far offtopic.

A more 'organised' forum would add a lot to it's worth, esp. for people that do not visit daily, and newcomers.

P.S. Oh, yesss: C.C., the gentle dictator! good choice.

Can't you guys enlist an 'overabundancy' of mods? so alleviate the work pressure etc? Every potential mod listed here has its own errr... speciality, so that'd be good, you can't expect someone to watch it *all*

Offline

#5 2004-11-22 15:44:26

Josh Cryer
Moderator
Registered: 2001-09-29
Posts: 3,830

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Heheh, I've been tryin' to get Cindy to moderate for a long while now, but nah, she won't, so yeah. smile

I would love to have a dozen or more moderators, that way we have good coverage. The more we have, though, the more we would have to adhere to our own set of standards (ie, forum rules, which we still don't really have yet).


Some useful links while MER are active. [url=http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html]Offical site[/url] [url=http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Web.html]NASA TV[/url] [url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/]JPL MER2004[/url] [url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/statustextonly.html]Text feed[/url]
--------
The amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the earth totals some 3.9 million exajoules a year.

Offline

#6 2004-11-22 15:45:06

John Creighton
Member
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Registered: 2001-09-04
Posts: 2,401
Website

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

I second Cindy but I guess she doesn't want it.


Dig into the [url=http://child-civilization.blogspot.com/2006/12/political-grab-bag.html]political grab bag[/url] at [url=http://child-civilization.blogspot.com/]Child Civilization[/url]

Offline

#7 2004-11-22 15:54:56

Rxke
Member
From: Belgium
Registered: 2003-11-03
Posts: 3,669

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Frankly, I don't think anybody is going to volunteer publicly. There ain't that many politicians visiting New Mars, heehee...
You Uebermods better invite people... By PM or organize a voting thingy or something...

Offline

#8 2004-11-22 15:56:39

Josh Cryer
Moderator
Registered: 2001-09-29
Posts: 3,830

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

It may come to that Rxke. smile


Some useful links while MER are active. [url=http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html]Offical site[/url] [url=http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Web.html]NASA TV[/url] [url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/]JPL MER2004[/url] [url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/statustextonly.html]Text feed[/url]
--------
The amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the earth totals some 3.9 million exajoules a year.

Offline

#9 2004-11-22 16:00:36

Rxke
Member
From: Belgium
Registered: 2003-11-03
Posts: 3,669

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

By all mean, add Nader to the list to satisfy Clark  big_smile

(lame referece to other thread)

Offline

#10 2004-11-22 22:46:13

Shaun Barrett
Member
From: Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Registered: 2001-12-28
Posts: 2,843

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

It's always nice to be considered for things like this but I really don't have the computer-smarts for it. I'm so primitive it's as much as I can do just to post stuff here!
    I haven't even figured out how to do a custom-made icon or post a picture yet!   yikes    tongue    big_smile

[But soon ... I'll learn soon!! ]


The word 'aerobics' came about when the gym instructors got together and said: If we're going to charge $10 an hour, we can't call it Jumping Up and Down.   - Rita Rudner

Offline

#11 2004-11-22 22:56:58

GraemeSkinner
Member
From: Eden Hall, Cumbria
Registered: 2004-02-20
Posts: 563
Website

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

I second Cindy but I guess she doesn't want it.

I'm sure with a few bribes she could be convinced to take the job on.

Graeme


There was a young lady named Bright.
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day
in a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
--Arthur Buller--

Offline

#12 2004-11-22 23:05:39

GraemeSkinner
Member
From: Eden Hall, Cumbria
Registered: 2004-02-20
Posts: 563
Website

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Perhaps somebody could do a dual role of moderator and help with the production of future issues of Ares Express.

Graeme


There was a young lady named Bright.
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day
in a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
--Arthur Buller--

Offline

#13 2004-11-23 02:50:30

Josh Cryer
Moderator
Registered: 2001-09-29
Posts: 3,830

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Cindy actually moderates a mailing list and stuff, among other things, so yeah, let's let her have some breathing room. smile

And Shaun, actually, it's not that hard to moderate, so don't be so modest.


Some useful links while MER are active. [url=http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html]Offical site[/url] [url=http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Web.html]NASA TV[/url] [url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/]JPL MER2004[/url] [url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/statustextonly.html]Text feed[/url]
--------
The amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the earth totals some 3.9 million exajoules a year.

Offline

#14 2004-11-23 07:44:49

clark
Member
Registered: 2001-09-20
Posts: 6,374

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Why don't you just make us all moderators?

Offline

#15 2004-11-23 11:21:54

GraemeSkinner
Member
From: Eden Hall, Cumbria
Registered: 2004-02-20
Posts: 563
Website

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Cindy actually moderates a mailing list and stuff, among other things, so yeah, let's let her have some breathing room. smile

The bribe comment was a joke big_smile  But only in response to your earlier comment that you'd been trying to get her to moderate.

I agree with whoever suggested having plenty of moderators though, 12 sounds a reasonable number.

Graeme


There was a young lady named Bright.
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day
in a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
--Arthur Buller--

Offline

#16 2004-11-23 11:32:41

Palomar
Member
From: USA
Registered: 2002-05-30
Posts: 9,734

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

*My 2 cents' worth:  A dozen (or more) moderators?  ???  A dozen people is generally what we have visiting New Mars at any given time, and not all of them post daily or even frequently.  I once joined a Yahoo! group where at least 2/3 of the members were moderators.  To be honest, it looked ridiculous and smacked of a "mutual admiration society."  They had a difficult time pulling in new members, much less retaining them.  I can't speak for anyone else who joined that group (and soon exited), but is it likely they were intimidated by the strong show of authority? 

I can't help thinking 5 New Mars moderators maximum would be enough, as things stand now.  Probably could get by on 4 (Phobos is no longer with us, so it's just Adrian and Josh currently).

Can't help thinking of the old Japanese saying:  "Too many captains might steer a ship up a mountainside." 

--Cindy

P.S.:  Thanks for the nominations.


We all know [i]those[/i] Venusians: Doing their hair in shock waves, smoking electrical coronas, wearing Van Allen belts and resting their tiny elbows on a Geiger counter...

--John Sladek (The New Apocrypha)

Offline

#17 2004-11-23 11:40:32

GraemeSkinner
Member
From: Eden Hall, Cumbria
Registered: 2004-02-20
Posts: 563
Website

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

If the moderators are just sticking to set rules, the number does not really matter does it? The more the better in that case as there'll be a better chance that a moderator is always online. At the end of the day as long as the moderators are honest and reliable the majority of us will be happy whoever it is big_smile

Graeme


There was a young lady named Bright.
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day
in a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
--Arthur Buller--

Offline

#18 2004-11-23 12:12:02

Cobra Commander
Member
From: The outskirts of Detroit.
Registered: 2002-04-09
Posts: 3,039

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Since the nomination has been floated and no one has stepped up, after some consideration and a bit of prodding I suppose I'm open to it.

Anyone want to volunteer now?  big_smile


Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.

Offline

#19 2004-11-23 12:17:11

clark
Member
Registered: 2001-09-20
Posts: 6,374

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

I nominate Rick Dobson.

Offline

#20 2004-11-23 13:21:48

Josh Cryer
Moderator
Registered: 2001-09-29
Posts: 3,830

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Well, if this was my board, I'd make everyone a moderator and let loose the wolves. big_smile We used to do this on efnet's #lisp, everyone was automatically opped, and this was before the channel takeover measures were implemented, so it was risky. However, it's not, and that was just a psychological experiment anyway; it wouldn't work here.

Here's what moderators can "do": they can move, lock, and delete posts (there's also an ability to "prune" posts, which helps you delete a lot of spam posts). They can also "approve" topics, but we don't have strict posting on so that's unnecessary. Moderators can also "warn" users, giving them a warning level of 5 prevents them from posting entirely. (But we haven't been using the "warning level" to delete users, we just ban them from their IP or delete them from the forums altogether from the Admin Control Panel.) All of these actions can be done by a very simple table at the bottom of every topic (so it's really quite intuitive, anyone can do it).

3 is more than enough, and it seems I already have two people ready and willing. Keep on talkin'. smile


Some useful links while MER are active. [url=http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html]Offical site[/url] [url=http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Web.html]NASA TV[/url] [url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/]JPL MER2004[/url] [url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/statustextonly.html]Text feed[/url]
--------
The amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the earth totals some 3.9 million exajoules a year.

Offline

#21 2004-11-23 13:32:09

GraemeSkinner
Member
From: Eden Hall, Cumbria
Registered: 2004-02-20
Posts: 563
Website

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Don't like the sound of everyone as moderators, there's some strange people about :;):  I'd nominate someone like Rxke. But any of the regulars would be fine I'm sure.

Graeme


There was a young lady named Bright.
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day
in a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
--Arthur Buller--

Offline

#22 2004-11-23 13:37:05

John Creighton
Member
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Registered: 2001-09-04
Posts: 2,401
Website

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Yeah Rxke would be a good one. I second.


Dig into the [url=http://child-civilization.blogspot.com/2006/12/political-grab-bag.html]political grab bag[/url] at [url=http://child-civilization.blogspot.com/]Child Civilization[/url]

Offline

#23 2004-11-23 13:44:21

Josh Cryer
Moderator
Registered: 2001-09-29
Posts: 3,830

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Cobra Commander and Cindy are now mods. smile


Some useful links while MER are active. [url=http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html]Offical site[/url] [url=http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Web.html]NASA TV[/url] [url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/]JPL MER2004[/url] [url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/statustextonly.html]Text feed[/url]
--------
The amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the earth totals some 3.9 million exajoules a year.

Offline

#24 2004-11-23 13:51:59

Palomar
Member
From: USA
Registered: 2002-05-30
Posts: 9,734

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

... and Cindy are now mods. smile

*My god Josh... 

We went from tentative discussion regarding an alternate scenario to Moderator in 20 minutes??  yikes

I'll do my best.  Let me catch my breath first...  yikes

--Cindy

---------

It's okay, Josh.  Just took me a bit by surprise is all.


We all know [i]those[/i] Venusians: Doing their hair in shock waves, smoking electrical coronas, wearing Van Allen belts and resting their tiny elbows on a Geiger counter...

--John Sladek (The New Apocrypha)

Offline

#25 2004-11-23 13:58:22

Josh Cryer
Moderator
Registered: 2001-09-29
Posts: 3,830

Re: Okay guys, we need new moderators... - Want a job? Post here or nominate.

Hey, when I became a mod the controls didn't even work, so maybe you guys can't even do anything. Hehehe.

And Cindy, I had to take advantage of the moment, it was the first time (in some 3 years) you said you'd be open to it, and I'm sorry, but yeah, there you go. It can always be taken away if you find it too annoying, okay? Don't feel pressured.


Some useful links while MER are active. [url=http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html]Offical site[/url] [url=http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Web.html]NASA TV[/url] [url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/]JPL MER2004[/url] [url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/statustextonly.html]Text feed[/url]
--------
The amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the earth totals some 3.9 million exajoules a year.

Offline

Board footer

Powered by FluxBB