As mostly explained in these threads, I consider no moderation to be good moderation for the most part. Just having a few people around who post regularly with the title is 95% of it. The other 5% is deleting profanity and abuse, closing or moving out of control threads, giving the occasional warning about hijacking and trolling. Deleting hijack posts on RARE occasions. Editing posts ALMOST NEVER. Dumping things that have degenerated into Off-Topic is one option, but closing a thread that has useful information in it and leaving it in place is also possible.

When your powers are activated you'll see a few new buttons on posts and at the bottom of threads. You can edit/delete posts (the pencil and paper icon on each post), move, close, or delete topics. Please let me know after you make your mod power the first few times. It could be months from now or tomorrow. When we upgrade the board software in a few weeks (whenever they release the next board bug update) it will be significant. I would appreciate it if the mods could check out the new user manual so they can help newbies with usage issues. Not if it's a hassle.

Mods get an email when someone posts to the Help board. About half of these are incorrectly placed and just need to be moved to more relevant boards. People post about help with ChessBase, etc. If you don't know an answer, just skip it. If you ever have a dilemma about what to moderate, or any question at all, feel free to ask. If you're a first-time mod, please let me know the first time you use your powers.

Btw, keeping an eye on new members is also appreciated. There is the usual plague of spammers who have automated account creation with the URL selling pharmaceuticals, etc. They never post, but the account should be deleted.

Editing posts is tricky and should be avoided, but removing an inflammatory dig or attempt (intentional or not) to hijack is usually better than deleting the entire post. It automatically puts a note in the post saying that it was edited by a moderator. You can add a personal note as well if you feel explanation is necessary. E.g. saying no profanity, or please no personal attacks or hijacks. Of course the nature of discussion is to move and evolve, so if a topic has been up for a while and it starts to degenerate, that's not a big deal or a hijack. Mostly it's when someone posts something way off topic or trolls a new topic that you should be concerned. It's often worth checking the person's other posts to see if there's a pattern of abuse. In extreme cases I'll ban a user who does nothing but post abuse. I think I've done only a handful of times.

Personal attacks are also tricky because some of the people have been around for a long time and mess with each other knowing they can both take it and that no harm is really meant. Newer posters are on a shorter leash. Adding a "play nice, guys" to a thread, even as just part of a regular post of your own, is usually fine. Again, just making people conscious of the existence of mods is the idea.

Rotations are random. I'll try to do this again in a three or four months, I'd guess. Don't take it as an obligation in any way. Continue normal posting, hours, etc. I don't want it to be an imposition and don't let people tease you about it either way with requests for action, etc. Rondino is mod emeritus and can offer advice.

Thanks much for your help, we all appreciate it.

Haven't heard much about octal or Ken but at least I've heard nothing bad.

Originally posted by Malthrope:

I'd like very much to be one of the first to extend my hearty congratulations to...


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octal
Ken
Russianbear

and the ever amazing...

rondino

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As Mig's final choice of selections to fill the Mod positions here at CN!

Originally posted by Ken:
Thanks for the support. I'd second Octal's post re: spirits-underfoot-grape-mouse stuff 'cept my mouse just got underfoot (size 12) and 'graped' (is that a word?) and now my spirits are crushed...well, sort of bruised for a minute or two anyway.