06-1-2011 at 10:27 PM

Mods should never block users. The user should be spoken to, then warned and banned if harassment persists.<br /> <br /> I actually think it would be better if mods didn't interact as much as they do, at least in my opinion. Almost every single successful site I've seen had invisimods or anonymous accounts for mods. You didn't know who they were and they weren't an ever-present part of the site so you weren't as stressed by them looming. The mods themselves didn't get nearly as emotionally invested and biased because they didn't interact as openly. I've been an anonymous mod and admin before, on two separate sites. I've also been a named mod. They were very different experiences.<br /> <br /> To do the job anonymously, you have to be able to take 'verbal' blows because the userbase genuinely stops seeing you as human, but it's more efficient. You have to occasionally remind users that you are, in fact, a human being.<br /> <br /> But it's worse as a named mod, because users know who you are and can use your public face against you, which can result in.. well, harassment like this. They know your personality and your flaws are just flapping in the breeze.<br /> <br /> Apologies if this is slightly incoherent; don't rite guud when I'm not totally awake.

06-1-2011 at 9:17 PM

I also feel mods shouldn't block users unless there are extreme circumstances. For example, if a user is someone you know from a previous site or real life and you've had a history of bullying/harassment issues with them, that might warrant a blocking. I feel like it should be approved by an admin first. <br /> <br /> However, I'm not quite qualified to have an opinion because I've never been harassed before... I would probably react like Evlon and report the issue for someone to deal with (being so personally involved, I feel like it could be an abuse of power to deal with it myself).<br /> <br /> What if the blocking was temporary? It could last from anywhere between a day to a week. That would give the both parties time to calm down. There doesn't necessarily have to be communication after the unblocking, but if the user wanted to apologize it would be possible, and if the mod needs to deal with the user again it could be done. (Hopefully after that length of time, both parties could be calm about it.)<br /> <br /> As for players blocking mods, that's interesting. It would definitely need some kind of pre-approval so users can't just block every mod. I think I feel that if a user feels so strongly about a mod that they want a blocking, an admin should look into that mod's behavior.

06-1-2011 at 7:05 AM

I also agree that mods should NOT have any special treatment just because they are a mod. The most recent time I was harassed on here, it was a nasty message. I reported it, an admin took care of it, by warning the player it was not appropriate, they apologized and the problem was over. No freezing or blocking of the player was done. It wasn't needed.<br /> <br /> Some of the mods people think don't interact may just be more active at later times. I, myself, am more of a very late nighter, so I hang out and chat more at that time, though often there are only a handful of players in chat. Personally I rather enjoy the smaller chatting because I feel like I get to know fellow players as people more then :) Not to say I don't drop into chat randomly in the day either, I do quite frequently if I see an interesting topic.<br /> <br /> None of this doesn't mean if people are saying negative things I ignore them, I was speaking of blatant out right cursing and harassment. Its not appropriate for any member to say to any other user, and should simply be reported to be dealt with in a swift and appropriate manner. <br /> <br /> When some one says something negative, for example, "your just picking on me because I am new." I explain that I am only doing my job in enforcing the rules they are breaking, and link them to the TOS, Rules, FAQ, and Issue Hub to help prevent them from getting in more trouble if they are unaware of the rules, and a way to contact a helper if they have more questions. I've found this very effective in helping the player understand that they are not just being singled out, and prevent future problems.

06-1-2011 at 2:28 AM

This is where I am right now. I absolutely cannot see through to either side of this issue - on the one hand, disallowing the use of the block function under ANY circumstance will open these people up to abuse. On the other, mods should not be in the habit of blocking other users. If someone can't handle the flak thrown at them in the course of their service to the site, that person probably shouldn't be a mod. However, I'm more concerned with the normal occurrences of harassment between persons which isn't related to modship. <br /> <br /> Mods should be among the users they mod and have a vested interest in the game, the site and the community. That is how progress is made and things are improved upon, with staffers who are in touch with the community. What people say to mods on this site should be important to those mods. When someone tells a mod they're not worthy of being a mod or are a waste of humanity, that should matter to that mod or that mod doesn't care enough to be a mod. I see users saying mods are not engaging with the site personally and are instead distant and lording over their userbase. There should never be a time at which players see mods as some kind of outsiders who don't know the way of things and are detached from the users. I am uncomfortable with the idea of mods simply ignoring all negative comments directed at them because that means they are not engaging with the community and not seeking to improve themselves as players, people or mods. I don't know if that is an argument for or against blocking the fringe element, honestly. Is it better to have mods just ignore things they dislike? And how is that different from blocking the user?<br /> <br /> I've heard the argument that if a user is harassing a mod that the mod should have the user frozen or banned. I find that an abhorrent abuse of power. It is a fact of life that not everyone will get along with everyone else but that doesn't mean that one person is 'bad' and the other 'good'. A mod should not be treated in these matters as better than any user, in my opinion. If one does to a mod what would incur only a warning and a block if one had done it to any other user, doing it to a mod shouldn't incur more severe punishment. Mods are not special. <br /> <br /> Again, I'm going to have to ask that people stay respectful. I don't have a personal relationship with all my fellow mods, but when I see them dragged out and told they're not good enough to be mods with all the work that they do, I find that shameful and I think Alacrity is better than that.<br /> <br /> So lets keep it coming! Convince me! Argue with me! This is a hot issue, you've got to have something to say!

05-31-2011 at 10:16 PM

I have to agree that it should never be acceptable for a mod to block a user. Part of your job as a moderator is to deal with the users, even the ones you might not like or gives you a lot of trouble. If you feel that you might be biased against a user, don't block them, just pass the issue on to another moderator if neccessary, or if a user is actually harrassing you, then take the issue to an admin.

05-31-2011 at 9:05 AM

I've never felt that mods should block players. The few times I've been harassed I reported the message as such and it was promptly dealt with, no blocking needed. Frankly in my opinion if they want to keep harassing me they are digging their own grave, I will not reply to them, and simply report the message (as should any user who gets harassed). I've found this to be the most effective and without the need for blocking. <br /> <br /> Honestly if something some one says online bothers you that much, try stepping back, breathing, watching a movie or something to take your mind off of it. And I mean in any situation, on any site. Some people just like to do things to harass you for their own amusement.<br /> <br /> I've been called all kinds of bad things, and what a horrible person I am all over the internet, but my block list on every website are completely empty. Why? I don't reply to them, I don't add fuel to the fire. I calmly report it, the offender is handled, and it generally doesn't happen again.<br /> <br /> In short I do not believe mods should ever block players (as both a mod and player I say this). We are supposed to deal with problem players, and even if one is harassing a mod, well they are a problem player.

05-31-2011 at 8:53 AM

Te only time only one mod seems to be in the chat is late at night when hardly anyone is on. Threwout the day at least 2 mods are on at the same time.<br /> <br /> A block on a mod would have to be thought out carefuly. Hence the blocking request fourm. It would have to be read by three other mods, who are not personaly involved in the situation, and then voted on as a valad reason or probable reason to block the mod. This way if a user makes requests to block to meny mods it can be brought up in the revew of the request forum. <br /> <br /> But thats just my idea.

05-31-2011 at 8:28 AM

Certainly a thought-provoking post, Jambers. <br /> <br /> I don't know how I feel about a user blocking a mod. Mods need to be able to issue warnings. If a mod is doing something you don't like or you feel a mod is targeting you, PLEASE (I cannot emphasize this enough) PLEASE take it to Wysper. There is no excuse for any user treating any other user badly, regardless of reason. What if the only mod online at the time was blocked by the user who was misbehaving? That could significantly hinder the enjoyability of the site for other users being wronged by an offender.<br /> I do totally see that it doesn't seem fair that a mod can block a user but a user cannot block a mod, which is why mods have to be chosen so carefully - so that they are mature enough to not need to be blocked.<br /> <br /> Blocked users can still contact each other via the forums or chat, but you're right, blocking another user effectively cuts off an future communication, which is why I feel it should be used only in the most extreme circumstances. That would cause problems if the user feels s/he did the other wrong but can't say so. I was just throwing the apology thing out there because it was the only example of a condition I could think of. I just want more ideas - things of which I haven't thought!

05-31-2011 at 8:18 AM

I can see the need for a mod to block a user, if the user is simply harassing all mods so he is blocked by all it should be brought to the attachion of Whysper, the head mod, to let it be known whats going on, and that user may have a harsher punishment (freezing) because there ovisley trying to get away with something. And that much harassment is clearley agest the rules in the first place. <br /> <br /> However i also believe that it should not simply be a one way street with mods and blocking. If a user fells that a mod is unfair, that user should have the right to request a mod blocking. By this i meen that user should fill out a request forum for haveing a particuler mod blocked, it should be read by 3 different mods, and the mods have to vote on weather or not there is a valad reason for the mod to be blocked by that user. <br /> <br /> As for the apologizing part how would the mod even know if the user was ready to apologize if the user has been blocked?

05-31-2011 at 8:05 AM

No. Because if a mod can't handle the users, they shouldn't be a mod. If the user is honestly that bad, they should be banned. (And from what I've seen around the site in the year I've been here, I don't think I've ever seen the latter. I've never seen a user actively harassing a mod enough to be perma-banned. Mainly because if they are that bad, the question isn't "Should *insert mod here* block them?" it's "Should this player be banned/get a warning?")<br /> <br /> The only times I've seen players get blocked by mods, the players actually weren't at fault (or not at fault at the time)* or were later banned.<br /> <br /> *Yes, I was blocked for a short while by a mod a while back. At the time, it was completely unjustified. I mean, I know players have seen me around in chat being rude, but I think this was after the first time it happened or right before. I was not harassing said mod, I was asking a completely valid question out of true curiosity and was blocked. I was not harassing. This post was not written out of my bias from that incident. (Because people love to twist what I say, I thought I would post this little disclaimer, although it will probably be in vain.)