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This topic has moved here: Subject: The Chronicles of a Forum-copper.
  • Subject: The Chronicles of a Forum-copper.
Subject: The Chronicles of a Forum-copper.
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I really gotta stop coming late for the parties, all of this reading is giving me a headache.

Posted by: xTr1GGeR HaPPYx
Posted by: Savag3Shadow
And by the way, I've been here as long as anyone else has, yet what recognition and respect do I get? I post on a regular basis, but no, nothing for me.
Do you feel special knowing that you have been here since 3/4/'06? What respect do you want? Do you feel that because you're posting in an 'important' thread, that you truly do deserve some sort of recognition? I really do hope that you were joking.

Anyways, about the Forum Cop thing, here's my take on it.

Most users here will probably think that being a moderator is a fun thing. You get all these fun tools and that sense of power that you come across in a Group that you help administer or moderate, and as an added bonus, you must get all this respect and new 'friends' because you're a moderator on the main forums.

To get all this, some users will go out of their way to befriend some of the moderators, have a nice joke with them at any opportunity they can get. Heck, add them on MSN and play your cards right, they might just get used to you. Then on the main forums you post helpfully everyhere and there, giving people advise and information on some problems they're struggling with. They go to the Septagon and try to get themselves heard, act like the 'perfect knight' (Anyone seen Kingdom of Heaven?) Talk about some community based issues, give ideas to help the website... what every good member could (maybe should) do.

This is all good right? Well, the forums bit? Yeah? Well, it's not for a noble cause, is it? Nah. It's for that chance to become a moderator. It's for that chance to be rewarded and respected.

But what happens to those people who have wasted their time on these boards, those people who have not had the fun that they could have, what happens when they finally come to realise that they will never get that reward they've sought after so oh so long?

They'll become a wee bit nasty, eh? Might lash out a bit, eh? (As mentioned above somewhere)

Sorry for the rambling. What my point is exactly, that it's both good and bad to have forum cops. It's good because they help out, give their input and generally follow the rules. It's bad because it's not for a selfless cause - well, in most cases - they do it so they can get that reward.

I find it horrible how some people lash out at those few good members who do come onto these forums and help out truly because they want to. For being discriminated because they are that one student who gives the teacher the apple.

Why can't we just leave them be?

If you read my entire post, you're a champion.

I completely agree with this post. Some forum cops may be good, and some may be bad. But not all are to one side. Both sides, have their own intentions and reasons why they act as such.

The good forum cops, most likely because that is the way they are. Helpful in every bit of way they can be. Helping out new users, lending a helping hand when it is needed.
The bad on the other hand, may be in it just to become a moderator and that is it. May possibly care less about the community.

The fact is, there is a fine line between both. Many times, that line is crossed. Many members hide their true intentions so well, it is hard to tell. My point here, is that no matter how good of a system we have, there will always be two different types of helpers, or in this case, forum cops. The good, and the bad.

Posted by: Mabian
Posted by: Uberdawg
Anyway, forum coppers must give up. It is a pointless existence they live. Seriously, these guys need to let the stinkin' mods do their jobs, they're capable enough.


So people should not help other people? It's pointless to help the community?

Are we talking about the same kind of people?

Exactly what I was going to say. I believe the Septagon community should break down the term "forum cop" into either a good or bad thing. Define the word as well as possible, aswell as all the other terms, such as mod-wanna be. Because after a second glance at this thread, I find that many may be mixing up the terms.


Forgive me if I rambled in this post. I am quite tired. I will try and make corrections later on tomorrow when I have the time and if there are any question, I will try my best to clarify.

  • 12.18.2006 8:03 PM PDT

He watches every Hodgetwin video they put up...on ALL their channels. He calls them the Hodge Triplets, and considers himself the 3rd triplet. He's started talking and acting like them now. Every other line out of his mouth "Thaaas some BULLLLLL**** maaayne" or "Gotta make dem gainzzzz". He calls his biceps "gains". When he eats post-workout, he talks to his biceps, "Don't worry gains, I'm feeding you. Daddys gonna feed you, gainz *kisses biceps*".

Posted by: Mabian
Posted by: Uberdawg
Anyway, forum coppers must give up. It is a pointless existence they live. Seriously, these guys need to let the stinkin' mods do their jobs, they're capable enough.


So people should not help other people? It's pointless to help the community?

Are we talking about the same kind of people?


I'm not sure we are, lol. I suppose I'm talking about the fellows that like to go into a topic and rant about how terribly off-topic for the board it is, etc. If the mods agree with them, they will move or lock or delete the topic. If the mods disagree, well... their opinions are the only ones that really matter when it comes to the rules, I guess, so the forum-coppers need to just be quiet. That's what Uberdawg says, anyway.

Tell y'all what, in my opinion, the best and easiest way to help the community is to actually quote other people's posts most of the time you do post. Personally, I think it encourages the personal relationships and that kind of thing, because it's showing that not only are you reading their post, but that you've got enough respect for them to give them some attention. I haven't done this as much as I should, but I will work on that >_>

  • 12.18.2006 8:05 PM PDT

Posted by: Uberdawg
Anyway, forum coppers must give up. It is a pointless existence they live. Seriously, these guys need to let the stinkin' mods do their jobs, they're capable enough.

Have you read all the posts in this thread?
Posted by: just another fan
We can't see everything, and we do need help from the community every now and then. That's what makes this a community. A little effort to help out every now and then isn't a bad thing. Perhaps we shouldn't see everything in black white. There is a large gray area, and let's not forget about the greens and reds. Whether you're a forum cop or not, just make sure you aren't an ass.

The mods are just fans who've been entrusted with keeping the forums tidy. Sure, they go through that 'training' Recon talks about so much, but in the end they can't see absolutely everything. Hence why Forum Cops are good... well, mostly.

  • 12.18.2006 8:18 PM PDT
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"Whatever exists, whatever in creation exists without my knowledge exists without my consent. These anonymous creatures may seem little or nothing in the world. Yet the smallest crumb can devour us. Any smallest thing beneath yon rock out of men's knowing. Only nature can enslave man and only when the existence of each last entity is routed out and made to stand naked before him will he be properly suzerain of the earth."

Posted by: Uberdawg
Posted by: Mabian
I'm not sure we are, lol. I suppose I'm talking about the fellows that like to go into a topic and rant about how terribly off-topic for the board it is, etc. If the mods agree with them, they will move or lock or delete the topic. If the mods disagree, well... their opinions are the only ones that really matter when it comes to the rules, I guess, so the forum-coppers need to just be quiet. That's what Uberdawg says, anyway.


Oh, you mean wanna-be mods. I think it's only fair to ask that until we vote on it, that the term "Forum Cops," or any variant of that term, should not be equated with a bad person. Switching back and forth is far too confusing.

[quote]Tell y'all what, in my opinion, the best and easiest way to help the community is to actually quote other people's posts most of the time you do post. Personally, I think it encourages the personal relationships and that kind of thing, because it's showing that not only are you reading their post, but that you've got enough respect for them to give them some attention. I haven't done this as much as I should, but I will work on that >_>


You mean the best way to help the community is to participate. However, isn't it also helpful to give other members advice on how to properly participate? So what I am calling Forum Cops until the vote are good people, helpful, and are not pointless. Agreed?

  • 12.18.2006 8:22 PM PDT

He watches every Hodgetwin video they put up...on ALL their channels. He calls them the Hodge Triplets, and considers himself the 3rd triplet. He's started talking and acting like them now. Every other line out of his mouth "Thaaas some BULLLLLL**** maaayne" or "Gotta make dem gainzzzz". He calls his biceps "gains". When he eats post-workout, he talks to his biceps, "Don't worry gains, I'm feeding you. Daddys gonna feed you, gainz *kisses biceps*".

Posted by: xTr1GGeR HaPPYx
Posted by: Uberdawg
Anyway, forum coppers must give up. It is a pointless existence they live. Seriously, these guys need to let the stinkin' mods do their jobs, they're capable enough.

Have you read all the posts in this thread?


Nope. I'm just saying that I've seen quite a few people who unnecessarily forum cop for various reasons or perhaps none at all and it's not all that cool.

Didn't mean for all y'all to get so offended... my bad. I'm just pointing at the bad forum cops, and I think we can discern fairly easily who those guys are.

Edit: damnit, I -blam!- up the quote >_< but y'all know what I meant lol.

Edit part 2:

Sorry Mabian, didn't catch your post before I made this one...

You mean the best way to help the community is to participate. However, isn't it also helpful to give other members advice on how to properly participate? So what I am calling Forum Cops until the vote are good people, helpful, and are not pointless. Agreed?

I guess I agree. Meh, I think I'm aiming at the wrong forum... perhaps there are more folks on B.net that have no really participated in other internet forums than I realize, and that's who the forum cops are aiming at. I'm just saying that a lot of the time it's not needed. I've screwed up and put the topic in the wrong forum sometimes, and forum cops came in there and busted me, even though I'd already realized it and edited the post.

So in conclusion, what I'm saying is that forum cops can cop away, but they need to be discerning between stupid mistakes that the topic creator knows he committed and new folks who need some guidance. That's all :)

Well, I'm gonna go play some Halo 2.

[Edited on 12/18/2006]

  • 12.18.2006 8:22 PM PDT
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"Whatever exists, whatever in creation exists without my knowledge exists without my consent. These anonymous creatures may seem little or nothing in the world. Yet the smallest crumb can devour us. Any smallest thing beneath yon rock out of men's knowing. Only nature can enslave man and only when the existence of each last entity is routed out and made to stand naked before him will he be properly suzerain of the earth."

Posted by: Uberdawg
Didn't mean for all y'all to get so offended... my bad. I'm just pointing at the bad forum cops, and I think we can discern fairly easily who those guys are.


Ahh...but I believe I addressed that very point earlier...talking to Trigger no less.

I'm sure you mean that the bad Forum Cops are the people who say "Locked" rather than give a detailed explanation of the nature of the problem and a civilized explanation of how to fix the problem. But are those people bad just because they aren't doing it right? I used to do that...and now I don't. Am I a bad guy, or was I ever?

  • 12.18.2006 8:28 PM PDT

Wow, OK, completely ignore that last post I made Uber, the 4th page hadn't loaded for me yet :-\

Edit:

Posted by: Mabian
I used to do that...and now I don't. Am I a bad guy, or was I ever?

Well, were your intentions good?

[Edited on 12/18/2006]

  • 12.18.2006 8:37 PM PDT
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"Whatever exists, whatever in creation exists without my knowledge exists without my consent. These anonymous creatures may seem little or nothing in the world. Yet the smallest crumb can devour us. Any smallest thing beneath yon rock out of men's knowing. Only nature can enslave man and only when the existence of each last entity is routed out and made to stand naked before him will he be properly suzerain of the earth."

Posted by: xTr1GGeR HaPPYx
Well, were your intentions good?


I'm pretty sure they were. As far as I knew it was what you were supposed to do to inform a person that they did the wrong thing, and now I do what I do, albeit not very often due to certain constraints, so that people can know that they made a mistake and that they can avoid making it in the future.

So was I bad?

  • 12.18.2006 9:00 PM PDT

Posted by: X Rampancy X
JESUS CHRIST I'M COVERED IN BEES
Theme song tiem.
Pezz = win.
Lazer kitty says: PEW PEW PEW!

As a regular forum go-er, I see no reason to not help somebody when help is asked for. I also see no reason to go completely out of my way to look for someone to help.

Banning or locking off threads are the Mods job. Its nice to give them an anonymous tip here or there, but to go completely out of your way to find such topics or individuals report them is just rediculous.

I personally am here to just relax, socialize, and hopefully enjoy myself.

In my experience when I see a "forum cop" scold someone and cite the rules that were broken, it annoys the hell out of me.

But just out of morbid curiosity, do you mods get paid for what you do, or is it volunteer work?

  • 12.18.2006 9:35 PM PDT
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Posted by: th3m4dblimp3r
But just out of morbid curiosity, do you mods get paid for what you do, or is it volunteer work?

Volunteer work. No money. I think we get a shirt but I wasn't sent one for some reason.

  • 12.18.2006 9:39 PM PDT
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Gah! My eyes is melting! Too... much.... text...
*dies*

Obviously, I'm never gonna be a mod.

  • 12.18.2006 9:45 PM PDT
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"Whatever exists, whatever in creation exists without my knowledge exists without my consent. These anonymous creatures may seem little or nothing in the world. Yet the smallest crumb can devour us. Any smallest thing beneath yon rock out of men's knowing. Only nature can enslave man and only when the existence of each last entity is routed out and made to stand naked before him will he be properly suzerain of the earth."

Posted by: th3m4dblimp3r
As a regular forum go-er, I see no reason to not help somebody when help is asked for. I also see no reason to go completely out of my way to look for someone to help.

Banning or locking off threads are the Mods job. Its nice to give them an anonymous tip here or there, but to go completely out of your way to find such topics or individuals report them is just rediculous.

I personally am here to just relax, socialize, and hopefully enjoy myself.

In my experience when I see a "forum cop" scold someone and cite the rules that were broken, it annoys the hell out of me.


Once again, I feel as though I'm missing something. Are you saying that there is no reason for people to give advice, such as "This thread belongs 'here'"? Or are you saying that people should not go out of their way to find people and tell them what to do?

Is it alright for one member to tell another that they made a mistake, so long as they do it in a nice way? I'm guessing you'll say yes, but I just need to make sure.

  • 12.18.2006 9:47 PM PDT
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Basic facts:
People like to make others think that they're better than others.
They also like to make themselves think they're better than others.
Both can be achieved through:
A) being a forum cop AND
B) being a 'helpful member'.
It's really up to personal preference which route you take.
I like option C: random comic relief interspersed with random, slightly useful information. Like this post :D

  • 12.18.2006 9:54 PM PDT

Posted by: X Rampancy X
JESUS CHRIST I'M COVERED IN BEES
Theme song tiem.
Pezz = win.
Lazer kitty says: PEW PEW PEW!

Posted by: Mabian
Once again, I feel as though I'm missing something. Are you saying that there is no reason for people to give advice, such as "This thread belongs 'here'"? Or are you saying that people should not go out of their way to find people and tell them what to do?

Is it alright for one member to tell another that they made a mistake, so long as they do it in a nice way? I'm guessing you'll say yes, but I just need to make sure.


Yes, you should give helpfull advice when you can, but you shouldn't be actively searching 24/7 for someone to give advice to. Does that make more sense?

And yes, I would tell another member they made a mistake as long as its in a respectful manner, not like "ha u suckz, and u failz at life u retard." <--That would just be mean.

  • 12.18.2006 9:59 PM PDT
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"Whatever exists, whatever in creation exists without my knowledge exists without my consent. These anonymous creatures may seem little or nothing in the world. Yet the smallest crumb can devour us. Any smallest thing beneath yon rock out of men's knowing. Only nature can enslave man and only when the existence of each last entity is routed out and made to stand naked before him will he be properly suzerain of the earth."

Posted by: dalmedya
Basic facts:
People like to make others think that they're better than others.
They also like to make themselves think they're better than others.
Both can be achieved through:
A) being a forum cop AND
B) being a 'helpful member'.
It's really up to personal preference which route you take.


You better be glad that people are able to think they're better than others by being constantly insulted. Otherwise this forum would be complete chaos.

Yes, you should give helpfull advice when you can, but you shouldn't be actively searching 24/7 for someone to give advice to. Does that make more sense?

A bit. If I can assume you mean that people should not go around giving advice so that they can be seen as a good person, then I'd agree.

[Edited on 12/18/2006]

  • 12.18.2006 9:59 PM PDT

Posted by: X Rampancy X
JESUS CHRIST I'M COVERED IN BEES
Theme song tiem.
Pezz = win.
Lazer kitty says: PEW PEW PEW!

Posted by: Mabian
A bit. If I can assume you mean that people should not go around giving advice so that they can be seen as a good person, then I'd agree.


Yes, that is what I mean.

And you can assume, but it makes an ass out of u and me. XD

^It never hurts to have some humor as well.

  • 12.18.2006 10:09 PM PDT

Posted by: twinkiemaker
Hey, big surprise here, but people are different and egos/personalities are going to clash. Its going to be true in any community you go into. Do we really need to fill The Septagon with threads about "this" type of member or "that" type of member?

Is it so hard for everyone when they come across a member they dislike, to act like theyre older than 12? Spread yourselves out a little, you have the rest of your lives to deal with people you dont like, dont waste all that hatred here in a place that no one is forcing you to come to.


You sir, are getting a clan invite...................oh wait.

As far as forum cops go? Two words: "The Frontline." If you're not familiar with this group, The Frontline was formed to recruit B.net members for the sole purpose of running around the forums telling people they're posting improperly, they're going to be blacklisted, stop spamming or else. Basically being asses and acting like moderators. The Frontline even went as far as to try and permaban members by creating false accusations to Achronos and other ninjas.

Yes, this is extreme case of forum copping. But at it's core, this is a perfect example of why being a forum cop is hardly ever a good thing. A smell of superiority taints the very soul of a forum cop, which in turn causes resentment among other members.

This resentment might not be overt, but if you're the kind of B.net member who's only contribution to this forum is to go around directing traffic and telling people they're posting in the wrong forum, how genuine are your motives really?


  • 12.18.2006 10:24 PM PDT

Strange evolution how people have come to believe
That we are it's greatest achievement
We're barely, we're just a collection of cells
Overrating themselves

Posted by: LaSelva Factor
Posted by: twinkiemaker
Hey, big surprise here, but people are different and egos/personalities are going to clash. Its going to be true in any community you go into. Do we really need to fill The Septagon with threads about "this" type of member or "that" type of member?


Err.....The Septagon has been like that for quite some time.

-LF


Which was my point. Just because its the status quo doesnt make it right.

  • 12.19.2006 7:26 AM PDT
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For Carnage, Apply Within.

I have returned from the Untamed Lands. MOAP is dead.

Posted by: Pezza
Posted by: th3m4dblimp3r
But just out of morbid curiosity, do you mods get paid for what you do, or is it volunteer work?

Volunteer work. No money. I think we get a shirt but I wasn't sent one for some reason.
Bungie didn't want to pay for shipping.

  • 12.19.2006 11:58 AM PDT
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Posted by: Pezza
Posted by: th3m4dblimp3r
But just out of morbid curiosity, do you mods get paid for what you do, or is it volunteer work?

Volunteer work. No money. I think we get a shirt but I wasn't sent one for some reason.

Neither did I. And to make things worse, I didn't get any of the pixie and fairy dust either. Damn it, I want a raise!

  • 12.19.2006 12:28 PM PDT

MY LOVE FOR YOU IS LIKE A TRUCK...
Posted by: Langley
--on another note, I think MLG Chewhatever is an idiot.

Posted by: Achronos
There is a reason I am user ID 1 and my account creation date is before this site came online.

Posted by: just another fan
Posted by: Pezza
Posted by: th3m4dblimp3r
But just out of morbid curiosity, do you mods get paid for what you do, or is it volunteer work?

Volunteer work. No money. I think we get a shirt but I wasn't sent one for some reason.

Neither did I. And to make things worse, I didn't get any of the pixie and fairy dust either. Damn it, I want a raise!


Ask DMB if he still has any left over? Apparently he was stockpiling the stuff with hopes that it would go up on the commodies stock exchange. I'm pretty sure he has a secret bunker full of the stuff.

~B.B.

  • 12.19.2006 12:45 PM PDT
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Posted by: atomic weggie
Posted by: twinkiemaker
Hey, big surprise here, but people are different and egos/personalities are going to clash. Its going to be true in any community you go into. Do we really need to fill The Septagon with threads about "this" type of member or "that" type of member?

Is it so hard for everyone when they come across a member they dislike, to act like theyre older than 12? Spread yourselves out a little, you have the rest of your lives to deal with people you dont like, dont waste all that hatred here in a place that no one is forcing you to come to.


You sir, are getting a clan invite...................oh wait.

As far as forum cops go? Two words: "The Frontline." If you're not familiar with this group, The Frontline was formed to recruit B.net members for the sole purpose of running around the forums telling people they're posting improperly, they're going to be blacklisted, stop spamming or else. Basically being asses and acting like moderators. The Frontline even went as far as to try and permaban members by creating false accusations to Achronos and other ninjas.

Yes, this is extreme case of forum copping. But at it's core, this is a perfect example of why being a forum cop is hardly ever a good thing. A smell of superiority taints the very soul of a forum cop, which in turn causes resentment among other members.

This resentment might not be overt, but if you're the kind of B.net member who's only contribution to this forum is to go around directing traffic and telling people they're posting in the wrong forum, how genuine are your motives really?



I believe you may be speaking about another person. From my point of view a forum cop is a helpful member, from your example, the people within that group was a bunch of "mod-wannabe's".

I declare that we should put a vote as to define what terms are with what definitions. This would make life a bit easier, and not to mention us forum cops(as a whole) can actually stick with one name. This jumping back and forth with terms and definitions is giving me a headache.

  • 12.19.2006 5:57 PM PDT
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Posted by: mr poopoo232
its like a large force of win going through fusion, thus creating a chain reaction of a huge asplosion of win destroying any fail within its awesomeness.

I swear, everyone here speaks paragraphese.

[Edited on 12/19/2006]

  • 12.19.2006 6:32 PM PDT
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I like your whole "biography" but I don't see what you're trying to get at.

Are you trying to say what a moderator does, the advantages, how to become one, act.

I'm not 100% sure, just 99.9%.

-Vink-

  • 12.19.2006 6:39 PM PDT
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"Whatever exists, whatever in creation exists without my knowledge exists without my consent. These anonymous creatures may seem little or nothing in the world. Yet the smallest crumb can devour us. Any smallest thing beneath yon rock out of men's knowing. Only nature can enslave man and only when the existence of each last entity is routed out and made to stand naked before him will he be properly suzerain of the earth."

Posted by: Vink
I like your whole "biography" but I don't see what you're trying to get at.

Are you trying to say what a moderator does, the advantages, how to become one, act.

I'm not 100% sure, just 99.9%.

-Vink-


I think Raven's lesson is twofold, though he only actually has one lesson. It seems that one goes to the community, and one goes to other Forum Cops.

I think Raven is trying to tell the community that just because someone is helpful does not mean that that person is trying to become a moderator. Some people try to inform other members of the rules in order to look good, and some people try to inform other members because they feel those members need some guidance.

I think Raven is trying to tell the other Forum Cops that it is pointless to go around and be a "Forum Cop" in order to be recognized.

  • 12.19.2006 6:47 PM PDT