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Ragnarok Online => General Discussion => GameMaster Talk => Topic started by: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM

Title: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM
This is regarding what should be an acceptable place for a moderator to step into a thread and start telling people to get back on topic.  Questions will be followed, please answer them.

Scenario 1:Creator of the Thread has engaged in a debate/argument ( no flaming ) that slightly went off track to their original topic.

Should a moderator intervene?  Or is it up to the creator of the thread to say which direction their thread goes into?

Scenario 2: Creator of thread requests that people get back on topic but they do not.

Should a moderator intervene? or should the moderator just allow it to continue?

Scenario 3: One player is flaming other players, and other players are jumping to the defense. 

Should the thread be locked or the flaming players posts be deleted?

Scenario 4: Players are disagreeing with eachother, making good points on both sides, but the moderator is fearful that it might lead to flaming.

Should the moderator intervene with warnings/thread be locked as a preventative measure?
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Cielte on Mar 07, 2009, 04:45 PM
QuoteScenario 1:Creator of the Thread has engaged in a debate/argument ( no flaming ) that slightly went off track to their original topic.

Should a moderator intervene?  Or is it up to the creator of the thread to say which direction their thread goes into?

No, and yes(somewhat).
-

QuoteScenario 2: Creator of thread requests that people get back on topic but they do not.

Should a moderator intervene? or should the moderator just allow it to continue?

Depends on how many times TC requested, or how the reaction is.
-

QuoteScenario 3: One player is flaming other players, and other players are jumping to the defense. 

Should the thread be locked or the flaming players posts be deleted?

Flaming posts deleted(This slightly reminds me of someone)
-

QuoteScenario 4: Players are disagreeing with eachother, making good points on both sides, but the moderator is fearful that it might lead to flaming.

Should the moderator intervene with warnings/thread be locked as a preventative measure?

Not until the flames burst.
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Guest on Mar 07, 2009, 07:01 PM
Quote from: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM
Scenario 1:Creator of the Thread has engaged in a debate/argument ( no flaming ) that slightly went off track to their original topic.

Should a moderator intervene?  Or is it up to the creator of the thread to say which direction their thread goes into?
a simple "could you please get back on track" would probably work

Quote from: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM
Scenario 2: Creator of thread requests that people get back on topic but they do not.

Should a moderator intervene? or should the moderator just allow it to continue?
mostly yes, the mod should probably do something..... unless the topic starters being a hypocrite XD

Quote from: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM
Scenario 3: One player is flaming other players, and other players are jumping to the defense. 

Should the thread be locked or the flaming players posts be deleted?
depends how many stupid flames there are =3

Quote from: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM
Scenario 4: Players are disagreeing with eachother, making good points on both sides, but the moderator is fearful that it might lead to flaming.

Should the moderator intervene with warnings/thread be locked as a preventative measure?
x3 leave it until something bad happens
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 08:37 PM
Quote from: JJJ on Mar 07, 2009, 07:01 PM
Quote from: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM
Scenario 1:Creator of the Thread has engaged in a debate/argument ( no flaming ) that slightly went off track to their original topic.

And if the creator refuses to go in the direction you say?  Then what?
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Guest on Mar 07, 2009, 08:40 PM
xD then take action when it goes too far off topic
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Descent on Mar 07, 2009, 09:29 PM
If I'm 3J, I'll just delete the off-topic posts and then threaten Warns.

Then I'll make an off-topic post, myself.

If I'm Pow, I'll just close the thread whilst banging my head on the desk repeatedly trying to make the hurting stop.
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Anti-Static Foam Cleaner on Mar 08, 2009, 04:32 AM
The whole "stay on topic" rule was always pointless, let the topic flow and change as long as it doesn't become gibberish.
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Pow on Mar 08, 2009, 06:57 AM
Quote from: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM
Scenario 1:Creator of the Thread has engaged in a debate/argument ( no flaming ) that slightly went off track to their original topic.

Should a moderator intervene?  Or is it up to the creator of the thread to say which direction their thread goes into?

Depends on how 'off track' it is. I mean, if they are, for instance, discussing why one skill should be 'nerfed' and another skill comes into context - then that itself is off track, but it still is on topic.. If that makes sense..

I figure, if the content still relates to the original topic, it's fine.

Quote from: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM
Scenario 2: Creator of thread requests that people get back on topic but they do not.

Should a moderator intervene? or should the moderator just allow it to continue?

Posting is a privilege, not a right. If the creator of the thread cannot 'see' it going back to it's original purpose, then just leave the topic to die. Most off topic discussion is bought on by the fact that people wish it to cease.

Quote from: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM
Scenario 3: One player is flaming other players, and other players are jumping to the defense. 

Should the thread be locked or the flaming players posts be deleted?

To the defence of what? Themselves? I'd let it go. If they are jumping to the defence of others - then there is no reason for it to continue, since it will just result in one massive cross firing mess.. Junk that s***, now.

Quote from: Mewi on Mar 07, 2009, 04:41 PM
Scenario 4: Players are disagreeing with eachother, making good points on both sides, but the moderator is fearful that it might lead to flaming.

Should the moderator intervene with warnings/thread be locked as a preventative measure?

If the players are mature enough to have not started a flame war by this stage, then they are mature enough to continue the discussion in a manner which is 'acceptable'. I'd just let it go and let them have a bit of le-way.. Don't want to be too much of a Nazi now, do we?

If all else fails;

Quote from: Descent on Mar 07, 2009, 09:29 PM
If I'm Pow, I'll just close the thread whilst banging my head on the desk repeatedly trying to make the hurting stop.

-Pow
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Littlechan on Mar 08, 2009, 10:43 AM
scenario 1, same answer with pow(-chan)

scenario 2, I'll try to say to them to get back to topic, otherwise, the topic must be locked

scenario 3, defense who? defense themselves? okay, but not by giving another insult, otherwise I'll lock it ~_~

scenario 4, I'll watch it, if it's become flaming area, locked. if not, well, isn't it good? ^^

scenario 5, wait, there's no scenario 5

xD
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Poki on Mar 08, 2009, 10:29 PM
QuoteScenario 1:Creator of the Thread has engaged in a debate/argument ( no flaming ) that slightly went off track to their original topic.
I'd close it.  I take the forums seriously.

QuoteScenario 2: Creator of thread requests that people get back on topic but they do not.
Send out everyone a second warning.  The first one came from the Topic Creator, the second one came from me.  I'd also delete some posts.

QuoteScenario 3: One player is flaming other players, and other players are jumping to the defense. 
Ban the player who started the flaming, warn the others who jumped in and defended each other by flaming back.  Anyone who defended themselves without having to flame is off the hook.  All posts that are off topic and irrelevant are deleted.

QuoteScenario 4: Players are disagreeing with eachother, making good points on both sides, but the moderator is fearful that it might lead to flaming.
I'm not fearful, I'm fearsome.
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Aris on Mar 10, 2009, 09:56 AM
Scenario 1: same as pow. depends on how off topic it is or if it has any relevance to the original topic at all.

Scenario 2: Id warn them to get back on topic or risk closure of the thread.

Scenario 3: I would give the people in question punishment which on LRO, would be a warn level + temporary forum ban. No one is right here even if the other person was just defending himself. They could have easily reported it to a mod instead of flaming back.

Scenario 4: If the argument has no flaming atm, I wouldn't do anything other than remind them to keep it civil.
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Mewi on Mar 14, 2009, 10:47 AM
I knew what JJJ was going to say from the very start of this thread.

Scenario 1:  The fact is,  I do not feel it appropriate to be intervening on player's conversations simply because it gets off topic.  I feel that it is important to allow things to play out ( as long as it remains respectful ) ,  intervening will only cause drama and it is an unnecessary use of moderation privileges. 

Moderators should be focusing on far more important things than people going "off topic".   Not only is it an unnecessary use powers, it is also dictation in my opinion and violates player's free speech rights and violates the authors of those thread's rights.   It also means that moderators are granted far to much power,  you cannot and should not try to tell someone what to talk about unless you are an author of the thread.   Author's should have full rights to control their topics as long as it stays respectful and not spammy.
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Guest on Mar 14, 2009, 04:15 PM
/yawn so what was the point of asking? XD
just wanted to try and shoot me down? =P
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Mewi on Mar 15, 2009, 11:07 AM
Quote from: JJJ on Mar 14, 2009, 04:15 PM
/yawn so what was the point of asking? XD
just wanted to try and shoot me down? =P

To get other points of views ;p and no actually this had something to do with an official game and recently hired player "moderators" :O
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Guest on Mar 15, 2009, 03:04 PM
lol a moderating style is a moderators alone
but when they are given rules as to how to enforce that moderation style they should (not all do /desp)

its just like how no server has exactly the same rules, but they are similar
Title: Re: Moderators and "Off Topic" discussion
Post by: Mewi on Mar 15, 2009, 04:52 PM
Quote from: JJJ on Mar 15, 2009, 03:04 PM
lol a moderating style is a moderators alone
but when they are given rules as to how to enforce that moderation style they should (not all do /desp)

its just like how no server has exactly the same rules, but they are similar

Well the game I had in mind was one where the Moderators go off on a tangent breaking the very rules they advocate, they do not allow arguments or disagreements,  should you continue a debate of arguments they will warn you lol...

Have a heated respectful argument = flaming to them =3