"How do I become a moderator?"

Started by Nick November 7th, 2010 6:29 AM
  • 1984 views
  • 49 replies

Nick

Seen 4 Weeks Ago
Posted July 28th, 2021
17,572 posts
18.6 Years
"Hi, I'm new. Just registered here yesterday. I've stalked and lurked for about a year and a half and I just decided that I finally want to take part in being part of this community. Don't worry about telling me to read the rules. I already did. How do I become a moderator?"

1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?

Just wondering. I hate polls like these that relates more to online things than offline myself, but my curiosity of your opinions is overbearing. A lot of people make a big deal about people who ask how to become a moderator and reply with sarcastic responses, rather than outright telling them how to become a moderator other than linking to a vague FAQ answer.

Charizard★

Age 28
Female
Seen January 28th, 2019
Posted November 13th, 2018
13,369 posts
13.8 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
I feel, that they should at least read the rules first and then re think if asking a mod is a good thing to do.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
I was a Mod on a forum, so my advice is don't ask, your not helping yourself become one.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
No, everyone is a n00b in the beginning but they learn from their mistakes and their past mistakes shouldn't be held against them.


Miss Doronjo

Gaiden

Age 30
Male
Toronto, Ontario
Seen August 20th, 2015
Posted September 4th, 2013
4,473 posts
12.6 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?

Well asking how or can they be a mod is the last thing they can do. Well asking shouldn't be necessary anyway; they can just read up on the FAQ, or rules if they are interested in becoming.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?


Well if they ask, I guess I can share my experiences/advice...

Like I'd tell them that you have to be kind, sincere, and helpful with all members; etc, etc.

(shrug) That's just me. Again, they can just read up this on the FAQ or Rules.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?

Like stated before, asking for mods is the very last thing you can do to become a moderator. Of course, ultimately, its up to the admins...
I'd say no, cause people can change~

Hawthorne Guardian
Moderator of Video Games
Paired to: Perdition Haze

Pokémon:PhoenixRising
Sylvie

Ho-Oh

used Sacred Fire!

Age 31
Female
QLD, Australia
Seen June 5th, 2022
Posted April 23rd, 2022
35,988 posts
17.5 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
I think they have rights to ask, but it depends on how much experience they have on PC as the whole, how long they've been around. Idk, if they have a chance, then they should be able to ask, but because PC has a policy on not asking, it's too bad for those. Mod applications? (Yes, although Nick didn't mention it, just saying~) Wouldn't really work here imo, which does relate to asking... sooo yeah. Oh and I've been asked if I could make someone a mod, which I can't, but I just replied with how they can get modded. As mentioned, the FAQ isn't really that personal and it's more of a guide, I think actually asking current staff is a better idea than the FAQ.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
Well, I'm on PC's staff now, so. I think it's best to just report, and be as helpful as you can, like, what I did was help Erica with the thread index, it was small, but hey, it still helped. I know of some other mods who helped out with things like that before getting modded, so get involved in projects in the section you're interested in too, I guess. Other than that, be active in the section you're interested in, get along well with the users, because if you do become a mod, you're going to have to get along with them eventually. Maturity matters, too, which is kind of obvious, but I really think that how mature you are defines how good you'll be as a mod, considering arguing with members isn't exactly a good idea.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
Not... really. The only thing it should get is the emblem, which is just a joke thing. Oh just adding: (I'm not sure if I've given out the emblem) but idk I give out emblems for the fun of it, rather than make fun of anyone, so yeah, just clarifying. XD;
But yeah, they should be able to ask, as said in the first question, sooo!
Male
USA
Seen November 17th, 2010
Posted November 12th, 2010
24 posts
12.5 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
Annoyed, sometimes. If people who deserve to be a moderator for a certain section and asked, I wouldn't mind, in fact, I will support him/her. If otherwise, you're just being plain annoying, really.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
I was a super moderator on forums, not Pokémon ones, and to be honest, my only advice to them is show the higher staff that you really DO deserve the position rather than constantly bothering them and all the members.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
Not really, no. They could do a good job around the forum.

mervyn797

What? I'm right here. >D

Male
Seen November 28th, 2011
Posted December 3rd, 2010
1,696 posts
14.2 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
It's okay to ask about that. Though it may be quite certain that the person asking is a noob, they need to be made to understand with patience and shouldn't be mocked at or insulted in any way. Your own level of maturity shows when you answer such people who desire to become mods.
I can say this with a straight face because once upon a time, I asked a member of the staff about it, and today when I think of it I feel rather embarrassed.... I'm pretty sure that he/she will read this post. XD
;;
2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
I've never been a part of the staff, so.. I don't think that I am qualified enough to answer that.
3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
I don't think so, because of the reason I mentioned in the first answer.

Stellar

Minior used Cosmic Power!

Age 31
Female
outer space.
Seen December 7th, 2022
Posted November 27th, 2022
870 posts
14.1 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
They aggravate me, but I can't blame them. It's sort of funny, actually; I'm sure there are plenty of people here who would jump at the chance of becoming a mod, but the brave few who actually have the nerve to ask about it are looked down upon. It's like that one guy who walks into a room and says exactly what everyone else is thinking, and yet he ends up looking like the idiot. I guess it's all a matter of tact.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
I've never been on staff at a major forum like this, but I would offer what advice I could. I am human, after all, and even if I couldn't speak from experience I might still be of use.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
I wouldn't say a death token, but I think it would kill their immediate chances. They might be fit for the job, but if they're blatantly asking for it then that's a sign they're not mature enough to handle it.

Captain Hobo.

Posting King

Male
Seen September 4th, 2011
Posted September 3rd, 2011
3,871 posts
14 Years
1. I just think they need to read the rules better.
2. Umm, I have never been on the staff on this forum.
3. No, just it should cut there chances on becoming one.
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Kevin

kevin del rey

Age 24
Male
Virginia
Seen February 3rd, 2021
Posted July 5th, 2015
2,686 posts
12.8 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
I kind of feel like they didn't read the FAQ, and staffers most likely read the FAQ. (Well, they should've. :P Unless they didn't ask.) It sometimes annoy me, though it sort of decreases their chances, I'm guessing. So it would be their own fault, I guess.
2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
I've been a mod to S-mod to admin on this forum before. Let's see... I think I have. They just needed to be well-mannered and helpful, sort of like how people here become staffers. If they asked me individually, I most likely would. xP
3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
Think I answered that in Question #1, xD. Not really, since if they REALLY deserve it, they could become staff.
Seen September 18th, 2020
Posted February 18th, 2018
7,741 posts
16.6 Years
I feel, that they should at least read the rules first and then re think if asking a mod is a good thing to do.
I just think they need to read the rules better.
The FAQ is not the rules. The rules themselves don't appear to mention anything about becoming a staff member.
Age 29
Female
Outta the kitchen.
Seen December 28th, 2010
Posted December 23rd, 2010
2,216 posts
12.9 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
Depends on the user. If he/she performs well and such and there's a need, why not? If it's just another idiot with 10 messages, lol in their face and and then say they don't qualify.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
No. What do you mean by sharing advice?

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
As with the first question, it depends. If said user is active, understands the subject and helps a lot, even though he/she might want to be one for the heck of being one, why not? Another condition should be how active the forum is, and if there are any moderators there or not or if these moderators do their job well.

Captain Fabio

Age 33
London, UK
Seen November 4th, 2021
Posted November 2nd, 2021
12,193 posts
17.1 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
They might be good for the job but by asking, they are just making a fool of themselves. Just because you ask, doesn't mean you will get.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
I have been a staff member on a lot of different forums. Ones for fun and others that actually make money. If I was looking for a staff member, I would look at people who have been solidly active for 6+ months and someone who is reliable.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
I wouldn't say that, we are all innocent n00bs at one point, trying to help out. But it hinders more than helps if you ask.
Age 29
Seen November 5th, 2017
Posted November 5th, 2017
3,499 posts
14.9 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
Some forums do in fact allow applications to become moderators, and they may have only seen these types of forums in the past. There's no harm done in asking at all. I see no problem with it.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
Yeah, I simply explain to them what the situation is. That we're not looking for staff and new staff are chosen by the current staff, and that if they want to be chosen then they should make good quality posts.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
Definitely not.
Male
Seen January 10th, 2011
Posted January 10th, 2011
828 posts
13.2 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
I find it a little annoying when people ask to be a moderator, I was on a forum before I joined this one and I learned there, that I shouldn't ask to be a moderator.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
No one has ever come to me for advice of becoming a mod, so I don't give them any.
But I have been a mod on two forums before.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
Like Captain Hobo said, no, but it will cut there chances of becoming a mod.
| Warmshipping: Agent Clank x Kirozane |
Seen January 4th, 2013
Posted October 21st, 2011
1,804 posts
13.8 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
Some forums do in fact allow applications to become moderators, and they may have only seen these types of forums in the past. There's no harm done in asking at all. I see no problem with it.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
Yeah, I simply explain to them what the situation is. That we're not looking for staff and new staff are chosen by the current staff, and that if they want to be chosen then they should make good quality posts.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
Definitely not.
exactly this, and i think it's ridiculous when people express hostility to those who simply ask (and the emblem given as what, a token of humiliation? equally ridiculous :s). it doesn't take much effort to do as Ryan said, explain how staff is selected here and encourage those members to be good contributors.
Age 29
Female
Scotland
Seen May 9th, 2013
Posted February 29th, 2012
392 posts
14.3 Years
A lot of people make a big deal about people who ask how to become a moderator and reply with sarcastic responses, rather than outright telling them how to become a moderator other than linking to a vague FAQ answer.
I have a name for these people. "Bros".
RIP Slowpoke Jackson

Elite Overlord LeSabre™

On that 'Non stop road'

Age 97
Shimoda City
Seen 2 Days Ago
Posted January 25th, 2022
9,705 posts
15.5 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
It doesn't really bother me. I mean, on some sites it isn't clear that you shouldn't ask about it and it isn't the most annoying thing I've seen on a forum.
2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
No. I was a moderator on a forum that, thankfully, is dead now. One day out of the blue they made me a mod. They never explained why or asked me if I ever wanted to be a mod in the first place, so even today I'm totally baffled as to why I was even a mod there. And my experience as staff on that site left a bitter taste in my mouth, so I don't think I could offer good advice on the subject if I tried.
3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
No, IMO there are much worse offenses than that.

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Livewire

Male
Sunnyshore City
Seen December 3rd, 2022
Posted August 2nd, 2019
14,091 posts
13.8 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
It depends- There are some people who are are obvious sycophantic suck ups, however, there some people who ask that because they generally want to become one to help the community.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
It's always better to help other members out, and to share tips/tricks, etc, but I'm sure Staff here get blasted with questions like that on a regular basis, so It would get kind of annoying after hearing it a thousand times. But As a Staff member, your duty is to the community, so it's your job to be helpful.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
Again, I don't get asked how to become a Moderator often, so I wouldn't want to call the Grim Reaper down on some hapless no0b. But I can see how it would get irritating over time, after getting asked a million times.

Nick

Seen 4 Weeks Ago
Posted July 28th, 2021
17,572 posts
18.6 Years
I'm surprised so many people see it as a bad thing. Really not what I was expecting when I made this thread. I thought more people would be more encouraging about that. Also, asking "How do I become a moderator?" =/= "Can I be a mod?"

1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator? I love it when someone asks me how to become a moderator. It's something a lot of people want to ask, but really don't want to put anything on the line with it and ask someone to give off the wrong impression. I think sometimes people ask and the one thing that comes up to everyone's mind is them asking, essentially, if they can be one when that's not the case at all. I don't like nor understand why so many people think it's a bad thing and label people as n00bs for them asking what's on a lot of people's minds, established or not.
2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them? I give them advice. I actually gave two current staff members advice when they were regular members to become a moderator.
3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future? Unfortunately, I think a lot of people label it as a death token and dismiss their chances if they ever asked how to become a moderator. I don't dismiss someone's potential by them asking how to become a moderator. I don't see it as a sign of immaturity. I see it as someone being mature enough to go up to someone and ask whether than wondering and worrying.
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
I don't see anything wrong with asking. There's nothing wrong with being curious and I know others will argue that it comes off as 'nooby' but if you actually want to be a moderator to benefit the community then how will you ever know if you don't ask? I know there is an FAQ that generally lays out how a moderator is picked, but I can see where that can be too broad of an explanation or where a newer member is not even sure where to find it.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
I've never really been on another forum so of course I was never apart of staff anywhere.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
Not at all.

Guy

just a guy

Age 31
Male
Florida
Seen March 26th, 2016
Posted January 22nd, 2014
7,127 posts
14.7 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
Indifferent. I don't mind having them ask, but at the same time it's also within the FAQ if they took the time to search. I was actually one of those members almost a year or so ago that asked the typical question to a moderator, "How do I become a mod?" So, I don't mind people asking me how to become a mod. I think it's quite nice that they are interested in becoming one, if that is their intentions for the future.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?

Whenever someone asks I'll either guide them to the FAQ showing the details on staff if I'm busy. If not, then I'll take the time to explain how to be on staff. The qualities needed, etc.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?

I don't think so. There is a difference between "Can I be a mod? and "How can I be mod?" Asking how isn't exactly asking to make a person a mod. It just shows curiosity, which I see nothing wrong with. To be honest, I think that those who do want to be on staff and put their minds to it, end up doing a great job when they achieve that goal. They work harder at it. One example would be myself and a few other members currently on staff that I know of.

Kura

twitter.com/puccarts

Age 33
Female
London, UK (orig. Toronto, Canada)
Seen August 30th, 2021
Posted August 24th, 2021
10,993 posts
18.7 Years
If people genuinely want to help around the community, why should you treat them like a newbie just for asking a simple question?
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Kenshin5

Wanderer

Male
Oklahoma
Seen September 18th, 2013
Posted March 25th, 2013
4,391 posts
14.9 Years
1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
I don't really have a stance on how I feel about them. Most of the time they are just ignorant on how to become a mod, and I see nothing wrong in seeking knowledge of how to achieve Moderator Status.

2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
I tell them, that they need to demonstrate a few attributes to even be considered for the position if we are ever looking for future Staff Members. 1. Follow all forum rules to the best of your ability, and it also helps to be well versed in the forum rules so you can assist the current staff in their jobs. 2. Make sure you want to be a Staff member for the right reasons, after all being a staff member is a job just because you get to have a special color and user group doesn't mean anything so make sure you are in it for the right reasons. 3. So that you are active on the forums, we aren't going to choose somebody that is rarely ever on the forums. 4. There is a difference between mini modding and back seat modding. So be a mini mod and help the current staff members by directing the topic/post in question to the Staff members attention or report the topic/post. Never take it upon yourself to tell the user what to do that is the staff job not yours. I probably mention other things but that was all that I thought of at the moment.

3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
No on both them them. Asking to become a Moderator is frowned on every forum I go to, but asking isn't going to end your chances. It may my the staff second guess your reason for wanting to become a staff member though. I find that multiple infractions/warnings and suspensions is more of a death token then simply asking. Asking how isn't a death token what so ever, if anything it shows the person has an interest in becoming a mod, they just aren't aware how.

Brian - 0089 1621 6313 - White

Age 30
Male
Soaring in the sky!
Seen July 5th, 2013
Posted May 26th, 2011
1,696 posts
13.2 Years
Acctually it's explained pretty well how can someone be asked to be a moderator.
it's in the PC rank, if i'm not mistaken...

1. How do you feel about people who ask how to become a moderator?
Well they sure are ambitious, but they probably don't know how the staff, or "hireing" staff works...
2. If you've had experience with being part of staff on a forum, do you share advice with them?
Well I haven't been a part of the staff, but I don't see how adviseing someone to behave on a forum can be a bad thing...
3. Do you think asking to become a moderator (or how) should be a death token for the future?
IMO it shouldn't. Is it gonna be... not sure...

Lance
the Dragon master


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