Question for the Moderators

[XCHAMPX]

I've been posting here a little while now and got to thinking. Who are these Moderators that look over these forums? What makes them tick? So I was just wondering how did you became a moderator or get intrested in it? Is it a more of a hobby or a full paying job? How often do you watch over these forums personally? Do yall moderators know the other fellow moderators personally?
Just felt like getting to know the people who do what dey gotta to do to keep this great forum running smoothly.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

If you're trying to become on yourself, the rule of thumb is don't ask to become one or you won't.

Juts contribute to a specific forum heavily be polite and never let your emotions interfere with your professionalism like a certain someone I know. You'll have to have been here for at least six months I'd assume maybe even a year.

 

[XCHAMPX]

naw I dont have enough free time to become one. Just wondered what led them to do what they do.

 

[doesn't matter]

Most of us just needed the money. I found a better paying job, so I quit being a moderator here.

To be honest, I also felt quite bad about the commissions we were given every time we awarded an infraction or warning. Just didn't seem right.

 

[Nick]

I've been posting here a little while now and got to thinking. Who are these Moderators that look over these forums? What makes them tick? So I was just wondering how did you became a moderator or get intrested in it? Is it a more of a hobby or a full paying job? How often do you watch over these forums personally? Do yall moderators know the other fellow moderators personally?
Just felt like getting to know the people who do what dey gotta to do to keep this great forum running smoothly.

https://www.pokecommunity.com/faq.php?faq=pokecommunity_faq#faq_become_moderator

1. Who are these Moderators that look over these forums? We're bots, obviously.

2. What makes them tick? The same thing that makes everyone else tick; sleep and food. And the occasional oiling.

4. So I was just wondering how did you became a moderator or get interested in it? View the link.
5. Is it a more of a hobby or a full paying job? It's a full paying job, of course. You don't think we'd be doing this for free, do you?

6. How often do you watch over these forums personally? Whenever I'm online. Moderators have limited moderating ability compared to the other staff ranks, so we can't look over all these forums.
7. Do y'all moderators know the other fellow moderators personally? Oh yeah! We go way back.

We have a forum where we can get to know one another, though. But if you mean personally as in we all know eachother in real life... no. Not all of us do; only some.

...Was any of that believable? :(
Great use of the SarcMark! :>

If you're trying to become on yourself, the rule of thumb is don't ask to become one or you won't.

Juts contribute to a specific forum heavily be polite and never let your emotions interfere with your professionalism like a certain someone I know. You'll have to have been here for at least six months I'd assume maybe even a year.

You don't have to be here for a certain amount of time before you become a moderator, just clearing that up. The only aspect that needs to be done is that the moderator in discussion needs to be approved by the majority of the higher staff in order for them to go ahead and mod that person.

 

[Façade1]

Admittedly the question about getting payed was a little silly, but you guy's didn't need to go full on 'lolnoob' on him; He was just making conversation. (Don't even know where the assumption that they were asking to be a mod came from)

Who are these Moderators that look over these forums? We're bots, obviously.

Pretty sure that was just rhetorical. >_>

What makes them tick? The same thing that makes everyone else tick; sleep and food. And the occasional oiling.

Again, same as above..

So I was just wondering how did you became a moderator or get interested in it? View the link.

Perhaps some thoughts on when you were offered the position? Were you expecting it? Did you have any thoughts about turning it down?

Do y'all moderators know the other fellow moderators personally? Oh yeah! We go way back.

This was actually the most valid question out of all of them, not sure why you felt the need to get sarky there. :|

Were there any staff members that you only got to know once you yourself were promoted? Do you think these friendships would've happened otherwise?

 

[Ninja Caterpie]

Admittedly the question about getting payed was a little silly, but you guy's didn't need to go full on 'lolnoob' on him; He was just making conversation. (Don't even know where the assumption that they were asking to be a mod came from)

Pretty sure that was just rhetorical. >_>
Again, same as above..?

That was why there was a SarcMark (TM) on there.

 

[Nick]

You obviously started this before the edits I made and paid no mind to them after you replied.

Admittedly the question about getting payed was a little silly, but you guy's didn't need to go full on 'lolnoob' on him; He was just making conversation. (Don't even know where the assumption that they were asking to be a mod came from)

Nobody made that assumption. And I'm pretty sure nobody went "full on 'lolnoob' on him," so perhaps you're reading too much into this? There's a difference between insulting someone and using sarcasm, which is clearly shown in my post by the SarcMark that I purposely put there for the sole purpose of showing that I was being sarcastic because I knew that things like this would have happened. Honestly, you can't expect me to be all uptight about everything, considering most people consider me to be one of the more strict and more intimidating moderators on the community (though I'll never understand why). Sometimes its nice to joke around.

Perhaps some thoughts on when you were offered the position? Were you expecting it? Did you have any thoughts about turning it down?

Anyway, this is going to be fun to explain because I love how I was modded more than anything.

It was Christmas. I was helping my dad wrap presents in my room for my brothers. Before he came up to start wrapping, I was in a group conversation with Lightning, Fallen Nocturne, Aegis, Neytiri Anthony La, and Arcanine. We normally had group conversations like that, so it wasn't anything I expected to be special. Anyway, I was wrapping the presents and became very frustrated because I was butchering them like crazy, so I decided to stop and go back to the conversation, explaining to them how I sucked at wrapping presents, thus that's why I decided to come back.

As you can see from the following:

Spoiler:

[1:56:18 AM] Cherikkou :I like, screwed up all but one of the seven I wrapped. (1:56 AM)
[1:56:22 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:XD (1:56 AM)
[1:56:23 AM] Jeff|run.for.:XD; (1:56 AM)
[1:56:29 AM] Cherikkou:Then I got frustrated and quit. (1:56 AM)
[1:56:29 AM] Like a song in time:lol 8( (1:56 AM)
[1:56:33 AM] Cherikkou:And turned the computer on (1:56 AM)
[1:56:36 AM] Like a song in time:I wrap presents perfectly. :] (1:56 AM)
[1:56:36 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:I had SUCH problems with my brother's (1:56 AM)
[1:56:39 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:because I tried to wrap (1:56 AM)
[1:56:39 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:like (1:56 AM)
[1:56:39 AM] Cherikkou:So,.. if I didn't screw up, I wouldn't be here

A few minutes later, one of them (Neytiri / Like a song in time) linked to a post that was in the staff section. I can't remember if I clicked it or not, but I certainly didn't notice where it was if I did. This was at 1:54 in the morning.

Three minutes later, with the unsuccessful realization of his first attempt, he linked to another post. I clicked that, read it, spaced out a little bit and went to the forum index. It took me a little while to realize what had happened, despite using PokéLink 4 Blue, and having my name in the mod format and the staff section being shown. I was completely oblivious... then I realized it. My reaction... was certainly not what you would expect if you don't know me on a friendly level. :|

Here's part of it:

Spoiler:

(1:58 AM) [1:58:53 AM] Cherikkou:OMG (1:58 AM)
[1:58:54 AM] Cherikkou:OMG (1:58 AM)
[1:58:55 AM] Cherikkou:OMG (1:58 AM)
[1:58:56 AM] Like a song in time:I'm a b-- I'm sure he has plenty of clothes on (1:58 AM)
[1:58:58 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:... (1:58 AM)
[1:58:58 AM] Cherikkou:My heart is pounding (1:59 AM)
[1:59:03 AM] Cherikkou:I'M GOING TO CRY (1:59 AM)
[1:59:04 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:JESUS FINALLY. (1:59 AM)
[1:59:04 AM] Jeff|run.for.:That won't warm me up (1:59 AM)
[1:59:08 AM] Like a song in time:Jeez Nick (1:59 AM)
[1:59:09 AM] Jeff|run.for.:Lol XD (1:59 AM)
[1:59:12 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:god :( (1:59 AM)
[1:59:14 AM] Jeff|run.for.:I noticed like, 20 minutes ago (1:59 AM)
[1:59:15 AM] Like a song in time:We modded you like 20 minutes ago (1:59 AM) [1:59:16 AM] Jeff|run.for.:Jeeeez (1:59 AM)
[1:59:17 AM] Cherikkou:I can't scream :[ (1:59 AM)
[1:59:17 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:Merry Christmas. :D (1:59 AM)
[1:59:19 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:lmao (1:59 AM)
[1:59:20 AM] Cherikkou:Oh.. (1:59 AM)
[1:59:20 AM] Haraken:So now I'm eating pasta for Christmas dinner (1:59 AM) [1:59:22 AM] Haraken::( (1:59 AM)
[1:59:22 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:go outside and scream (1:59 AM)
[1:59:22 AM] Cherikkou:Oh! (1:59 AM)
[1:59:23 AM] Cherikkou:OH! (1:59 AM)
[1:59:24 AM] Cherikkou:OMG (1:59 AM)
[1:59:25 AM] Cherikkou:OMG (1:59 AM)
[1:59:26 AM] Like a song in time:Merry Christmas :3 (1:59 AM)
[1:59:28 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:watch him not even have noticed (1:59 AM)
[1:59:30 AM] ☆ Erica ☆:and we just spoilt it (1:59 AM)
[1:59:32 AM] Cherikkou:Thank youuu. I'm going to cry. ;;

I don't know what's up with my excessive OHing... but apparently it took me 20 minutes to realize I was modded. And despite being so active in that section, I didn't know where I modded:
[2:03:49 AM] Cherikkou:Where do I mod? :X

A few days ago I was loling at some of the retarded things I said (that I didn't show here) with Erica... :B

But yeah, I did expect to get modded in a way... but in a way, it caught me by surprise.

Hands down, though, that was the best Christmas present I got that year.
Here's a link to my celebration thread: https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=164131

Were there any staff members that you only got to know once you yourself were promoted? Do you think these friendships would've happened otherwise?

Most of the people I talk to these days are staff members and they were friendships I made after I was modded. The only friendships with staff members (apart from the retired staff members) that I made beforehand were with Arcanine, Fallen Nocturne, Lightning, Aegis, Neytiri, Beachy, Franceschi, Loki, Zet and Klippy.

 

[Façade1]

You obviously started this before the edits I made and paid no mind to them after you replied.

Haha, you're right. That extra bit did change the tone of the post quite a bit; Sorry. xD

Nobody made that assumption.

First reply actually, but yeah, as for the rest it was just a misunderstanding; Before the edit it just seemed as though two mods had gone by without taking him seriously.

And wow, It's great when things work out like that. :]
I can imagine responding to the typical question of "What did you get for Christmas?" with the fact that you got promoted on an online community and them not quite understanding though. xD
I know when I've spoken to others about various forums they just think I'm crazy. ._.

[2:03:49 AM] Cherikkou:Where do I mod? :X

I lol'd. xD

Most of the people I talk to these days are staff members and they were friendships I made after I was modded. The only friendships with staff members (apart from the retired staff members) that I made beforehand were with Arcanine, Fallen Nocturne, Lightning, Aegis, Neytiri, Beachy, Franceschi, Loki, Zet and Klippy.

That's quite a handful though. :o
I know (or at least in my experience) it can be awkward stepping into a staff position and not having much interaction with other staff on a personal level, so knowing those beforehand must've helped with that.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

So moderators are paid for their services?

Do you have to report this income on your taxes?

 

[.Gamer]

I would hate to be a mod because I would have to deal with trolls and spam all day Q.Q but tbh there doesn't seem to be any here (must have been weeded out by now). But being a mod on Smogon must be a chore.

 

[♣Gawain♣]

1. Who are these Moderators that look over these forums? We're bots, obviously.

Okay, that's weird. It should be "ghost bots".

2. What makes them tick? The same thing that makes everyone else tick; sleep and food. And the occasional oiling.

Loled at that. Or maybe because they like job? And you skipped at number.

4. So I was just wondering how did you became a moderator or get interested in it.
View this link.

Read this before. Tried the "goodie" method last year, but I gave up. I'm not really that interested anyway.

5. Is it a more of a hobby or a full paying job? It's a full paying job, of course. You don't think we'd be doing this for free, do you?

It's the first time I've heard of that. I thought it's for free, since I think all you have to do is to click and drag amd type. Or otherwise?

7. Do y'all moderators know the other fellow moderators personally? Oh yeah! We go way back.

We have a forum where we can get to know one another, though. But if you mean personally as in we all know eachother in real life... no. Not all of us do; only some.

Wow. A private forums for mods and staffs only. Now we know. And what the heck is a "SarcMark"?

 

[Ivysaur]

So moderators are paid for their services?

Do you have to report this income on your taxes?

Okay, so I'm the only idiot who doesn't get paid here? Okay, I want my money by tonight or I'll start hard-deleting threads! I'm serious!
Sadly, and despite what all the jokers up there said, we don't get paid. We do this out of the boredom goodness of our hearts.

And I was modded in the board I was most active at, Other Trivia, even if I had always wanted to get modded in GBA/C Pokémon Games XD So it depends a lot on which forums need a mod, and the opinion of the Higher Staff.

When I got modded it was a big wtf moment, because Anthony La started a convo with me pretending to be talking about giving me another position on his hack (I was testing his game by then), but then slipped a mention about Rom-Hacking instead of his game, making me think of PC and spoiling the surprise, since I knew they'd be looking for a OT mod by then XD

My smodding was even worse- an admin hinted that they were looking for smods in the staff boards, and a couple of days later, I'm suddenly added to a convo with three admins and a smod, and I was "Gee, I wonder". Specially since that was the first time I have ever been in a staff-only convo XD So yeah.

 

[Peeky Chew]

I'm sure the mods could get paid. All the money made through advertising and donations would be more than enough.

 

[Morkula]

I'm sure the mods could get paid. All the money made through advertising and donations would be more than enough.

Um...do you realize how much servers and vBulletin licenses cost? It's not cheap - PC costs hundreds of dollars a month to run. It takes every bit of the advertising and donation money to run it, and probably more.

 

[Percy Thrillington]

Um...do you realize how much servers and vBulletin licenses cost? It's not cheap - PC costs hundreds of dollars a month to run. It takes every bit of the advertising and donation money to run it, and probably more.

But Rukario struck it rich when he created his Hello Kitty Enterprise. Now he can afford licenses and servers and mods' saleries... Hell, he can even give them bonuses every so often.

Wait was that meant to be a secret?

 

[Honest]

Most of us just needed the money. I found a better paying job, so I quit being a moderator here.

Hang on a second, so you guys do get paid? I never knew that, I always thought it was a volenteer (Sorry for my spelling) thing.

 

[Legobricks]

Hang on a second, so you guys do get paid? I never knew that, I always thought it was a volenteer (Sorry for my spelling) thing.

No; as above, Went is the only one that took that question seriously because apparently all the others are a bit too fond of sarcasm.

 

[Honest]

No; as above, Went is the only one that took that question seriously because apparently all the others are a bit too fond of sarcasm.

Oh. Lolz, well, okay, sorry about that. Didn't read that far down. : /

 

[Cherrim]

Getting paid to wake up and immediately have to go delete a bunch of posts and ban someone would be pretty awesome. (That was my morning today. B|) But alas, every bit of money we make from ads and donations goes right into server costs and it still doesn't cover it 100%. Plus, I think we'd be liable to be sued if we were a for-profit fansite? Not so good.

But yeah, it's a hobby. The staff isn't 100% BFFLs or anything but we get along (for the most part) and there are groups of us who are pretty close friends. Just comes from working together so often. :]