ResMod Round One: A Post-Mortem
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Jeffrey Gomez
Cubed™
Join date: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 3,522
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01-26-2006 11:49
Just to set the record straight for the folks worried about the process here and here and here and here, I just wanted to offer a bit of a look at things on our side of the fence. This is purely for discussion on making the process into something that works better next time around. Note I declined this position as presented. A little over two weeks ago, Jeska posted a call for resident moderator volunteers here. The entire contents of the thread is pretty clear-cut. I did not post there more or less on purpose. At about 10:30 PM my time last night, I walked in the door from about six hours of running around at the uni. Exhausted is an understatement. At around 11 PM, Jeska sent me messages in-world stating I had been chosen for the first round of the ResMod program and sent me a notecard detailing the position. A PM was also included with the same information. I picked this up at around 11:10. The entire contents of said notecard can be found publicly here and read as follows, verbatim: From: someone Second Life Forum Resident Moderators (ResMods) Manual
Introduction
You have been selected from the Second Life Forum community to help keep the forums organized and enjoyable. The task of being a forum moderator is very important in keeping the Second Life Forum community together and helping it remain attractive to both new Residents and the Second Life Community as a whole. Here are some simple guidelines. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact one of the Linden Administrators (forummaster@secondlife.com).
Becoming a Great Second Life ResMod
The best Moderators are skilled facilitators or ''guides at the side'' who are able to keep Residents within the focus and stated purpose of the discussion forums. In some forums the purpose is defined with a narrow focus. Other times, a broader focus allows for the conversations to flow unfettered. It is up to each Moderator to pick a style that suits their personality and allows their passion and enthusiasm for a particular focus to consistently shine through. Another job of the moderator is to stimulate conversation in the forum. By being active within the forums during your time in the Moderation pool, you will increase the interest in the Second Life forums as a whole. After all, who wants to sit in an empty room?
How Second Life Resident Moderation Works
Resident Moderators will be rotated into and out of the active pool on a bi-weekly basis in a way similar to that used by Slashdot. Depending upon the level of their involvement, a moderator may be rotated back into the pool or removed altogether. Any disciplinary problems within the forum moderation community will be dealt with swiftly and any misuse of moderation abilities will result in a loss of volunteer status and possible disciplinary actions.
ResMod Conduct
Within the Second Life Forums, we expect you will always take the high road. Please do not belittle members, do not air dirty laundry in public, etc. If you have a personal problem with a member, send them a private message or contact them in-world. Linden expects you to keep the best interests of the Residents/Second Life Community in mind when you’re acting in your official Moderator capacity. It is not in the best interest of anybody for you to start or contribute to flaming/bashing threads which only results in general negativity. Privacy is an important concern to the Second Life community, while it is unlikely that you will encounter confidential information, it is completely unacceptable to use anything that you have found out in your moderator role against a Resident either in the forums or in-world. Any missteps in conduct will be handled by immediate loss of moderator status.
Second Life ResMod Forum Duties
You have been assigned to the Second Life discussion forums for the duration of your time within the moderation pool. Your overall duty as a Second Life Moderator is to participate in the forums in a positive way and to identify when a thread is starting to become derailed. If you see problems emerging you can post and refocus the conversation. If the thread continues to be problematic, you may have to remind posters of the purpose of the forum, and point them to the Forum Guidelines. If you believe a thread has gone beyond the point of refocusing, you should move it into the Moderation Queue.
We hope you will make your forum moderation duties a priority. However, if you feel that maintaining your portion of the Second Life Forum has become a burden or that you simply do not have enough time, please notify LL and we will remove you as moderator. Helping us moderate the Second Life Forums will necessarily mean regularly visiting to make sure that there is no spam, the forum is active, and there are no problems to take care of.
Rating Threads
Only moderators and Linden Lab staff are able to ‘rate’ threads. Please feel free to rate threads on a 1-5 star rating scale, where 5 calls out an exceptionally interesting or helpful thread. Ratings allow the Second Life Forum Community to more easily locate the most valuable conversations and then sort by post date or by rating.
Moving Threads
If there are any threads that you feel need to be reviewed by a Linden Lab staff member, please move then to the Moderation Forum, using the "Move thread" function under “Thread Tools”. Also, if you identify a thread that is not relevant to a particular Second Life forum, please move it to the appropriate forum. Be sure to use the “Move thread to destination forum” so it will not leave a redirect. If you are moving the thread to another forum for further discussion, be sure to post a brief note at the end of the thread explaining why you have moved it, i.e. “This thread is off-topic and is being moved to the Off-Topic forum for further discussion.”
Forum Guidelines and Community Standards
An important part of being a Second Life Forum Moderator is in helping remind people of the Forum Guidelines and Community Standards that support positive community values in Second Life. While Linden Lab values freedom of expression and allows a great deal of latitude in the use of the Second Life Forums, there are certain kinds of discussions that are inappropriate in this venue and that diminish the community by their presence.
ResMod Community Space
Linden Lab has provided a ResMod community discussion sub-forum, accessible by all ResMods, which includes the “Linden Review” forum. This forum is being provided as a space for discussion about moderation and interaction among the ResMods. It will also serve as a location where a general moderation knowledge base may be cultivated for both current and future ResMods. Please note you will only have access to these forums while you are an active ResMod. I declined prior and post-reading this pitch. About an hour later, I was told by a friend that a thread had been spawned in the Announcements forum here.----- Enter the problems with this process: 1) Many of the first round mods were volunteered for the position as opposed to the other way around. A few of us, including myself and Catherine Omega, expressed our displeasure at having this happen.
2) This list was placed publicly before any of us were asked, and phrased in such a way that it was said and done.
3) Many residents who did volunteer were seemingly completely ignored in the first round in favor of a supposed "A list" to call on. Insert "FIC" cries here.
4) The nomination process has not been made transparent whatsoever. Edit: HOWEVER, vague criteria have been posted here.
5) The residents who were nominated and not interested feel used by Linden Lab for being called out prematurely for a volunteer position. Speaking for myself, anyway.------ Now, what would you suggest for improving this situation? This is not intended as a flame thread; I'd like to see this work even if I'd rather not participate directly in it.
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Reitsuki Kojima
Witchhunter
Join date: 27 Jan 2004
Posts: 5,328
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01-26-2006 12:02
Scrap the existing incarnation.
Through out all "pre-selected" canidates. Throw out the entire list of resmods, as a matter of fact. Make a new call for people to come and express their interest. Select from that list and only from that list. Publish, clearly, exactly what is being looked for, and exactly what will be expected. Don't wait two weeks, decide in a handful of days. Make sure everyone selected still wants the job (In case they have had second thoughts since applying).
The entire thing reeks of "These are the people we think are cool!". The fact that some of you (I'm starting to get the feeling that not all) were completely unaware of their pre-selection is just glaringly odd-minded. Offloading a workload on people who neither asked for a job nor wanted it in a game that they play as a diversion or hobby is a sure way to get frustrated people who simply *leave*. That said unknowing people were chosen above canidates who had expressed interest in the position is the icing on the cake, and again speaks to the "Cool people" attitude of the existing list.
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I am myself indifferent honest; but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me: I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offenses at my beck than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in. What should such fellows as I do crawling between earth and heaven? We are arrant knaves, all; believe none of us.
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Zapoteth Zaius
Is back
Join date: 14 Feb 2004
Posts: 5,634
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01-26-2006 12:10
I don't like the way this was carried out and am with you on this one Jeffrey..
I didn't read through everyone that volenteered but I see at least a couple of names on the list that I hardly ever see on the forums.
I agree they should not have posted names before they ALL agreed to become moderators.
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I have the right to remain silent. Anything I say will be misquoted and used against me.--------------- Zapoteth Designs, Temotu (100,50)--------------- 
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Jeska Linden
Administrator
Join date: 26 Jul 2004
Posts: 2,388
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01-26-2006 12:15
For clarification, since the original announcement about this project - this process has been transparent. (Copied below): Help Out!
The Community team has already nominated several possible candidates for the first round of the Resident Forum Moderators and we are also accepting volunteers. Please post to this thread if you are interested in being part of the Resident Forum Moderation Team. Volunteers will be notified shortly if they are selected. Volunteers for the first round will be accepted until Wed., January 18.
Resident Moderators Selection Criteria:
- Must be both an Second Life Resident and forum participant for at least 3 months
- Write thoughtful, constructive posts
- Have clean Linden Rapsheet (no warnings/suspensions)
- Be peacemakers and know how to use humor to diffuse not attack
- Be warm and welcoming to fellow Residents from all walks of Second Life
- Clear from past participation that they value positive discussion and will contribute to the overall tone of the Second Life Forums In keeping with the general philosophy that Second Life is a user-created world, some degree of self-moderation in the forums seems appropriate. This program is the initial phase of a new chapter in the Second Life Forums history. It will of course be refined as we go, but I'd like to give it shot for longer than one day before we scrap it. |
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Gabe Lippmann
"Phone's ringing, Dude."
Join date: 14 Jun 2004
Posts: 4,219
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01-26-2006 12:18
From: Zapoteth Zaius I agree they should not have posted names before they ALL agreed to become moderators. Private acceptance of appointment to position prior to public announcement would be a grand tweak to the work-in-process mod program.
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Enabran Templar
Capitalist Pig
Join date: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 4,506
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01-26-2006 12:20
I find it... amusing that Linden Lab did not stop to think that perhaps some people wouldn't actually want to serve when called. It's kind of sweet and sad, in the way of an innocent little puppy who stumbles on a slippery floor and falls.
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From: Hiro Pendragon Furthermore, as Second Life goes to the Metaverse, and this becomes an open platform, Linden Lab risks lawsuit in court and [attachment culling] will, I repeat WILL be reverse in court.
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Lecktor Hannibal
YOUR MOM
Join date: 1 Jul 2004
Posts: 6,734
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01-26-2006 12:23
I just find it amusing period.
Much like several incidents of late coming from the haLLowed haLLs.
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YOUR MOM says, 'Come visit us at SC MKII http://secondcitizen.net ' From: Khamon Fate Oh, Lecktor, you're terrible. Bikers have more fun than people !
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Siggy Romulus
DILLIGAF
Join date: 22 Sep 2003
Posts: 5,711
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01-26-2006 12:26
Yah find it funny too 
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The Second Life forums are living proof as to why it's illegal for people to have sex with farm animals. From: Jesse Linden I, for one, am highly un-helped by this thread
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Cybin Monde
Resident Moderator (?)
Join date: 27 Jan 2004
Posts: 2,468
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as per volunteers vs. nominated
01-26-2006 12:33
last night i went through the published list and compared them against the thread calling for volunteers. the result was that 5 (1/3) had volunteered and that 10 (2/3) were nominated.
what we do not know is if these people had been approached previously about such a thing. i had been approached about this possibility long before (september of 04!) it was ever in its current incarnation. i'm not sure if that means i would have been nominated regardless of my position as a volunteer or not.. but, it doesn't matter nmuch to me.
the point is that it was pointed out from the original announcement that these positions would be filled by a mixture of volunteers and nominations. i don't think this has anything to do with a "col list" honestly..
sometimes things may seem that way, but that's because we're looking at it from our side and LL sees things from a completely different viewpoint. we also have to remember that some who volunteered may not have met the aforementioned criteria, thus culling *cringe* that list down.. on top of that, they may have had certain persons in mind due to their past performance, not due to their FIC holdings, thus the nomination list was possibly already partially populated. after this point it could simply have been a matter of suggestions versus volunteers with the result being what we have seen.
but let's not forget that there may be volunteers who will be at the top of the list when the first turnover occurs.
i do want to say this as well.. i agree that contacting nominees first before publishing the next list would be a good idea. same with volunteers actually. this way, the next set of ResMods will be made up of a definite list of participants instead of a preliminary one. it makes logical sense to have said list in stone before going public with it, so yes.. i definitely agree with this point.
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"We, as developers, are doing the easy part – building the scaffolding for a new world. You, as the engines of creation, must breathe life into it."
- Philip Linden
"There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you'll be free if you truly wish to be."
- Willy Wonka (circa 1971)
SecondSpace (http://groups.myspace.com/secondspace) : MySpace group for SLers.
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Aimee Weber
The one on the right
Join date: 30 Jan 2004
Posts: 4,286
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01-26-2006 12:37
From: Cybin Monde but let's not forget that there may be volunteers who will be at the top of the list when the first turnover occurs. Bet it wont be me NOW  I think the Lindens just revoked my FIC card. |
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Anya Dmytryk
i <3 woxy!
Join date: 13 Jul 2005
Posts: 413
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01-26-2006 12:43
i don't understand why there were nominees to begin with. why consider nominees when they could have zero interest in the position. people should be chosen from a list of volunteers. and, as with any job, the position should be offered and accepted before it is officially announced.
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Into the Mist Aglia (234,41) Darkwood (105,26) Elven Glen (129,10) Elven, fae, celtic & fantasy designs. Affordably priced avatars, wings, clothing, and more. Splashable water & waterfall L$1. SLboutique storeSL Exchange Store
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Moopf Murray
Moopfmerising
Join date: 7 Jan 2004
Posts: 2,448
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01-26-2006 12:44
From: Jeska Linden For clarification, since the original announcement about this project - this process has been transparent. (Copied below): Help Out!
The Community team has already nominated several possible candidates for the first round of the Resident Forum Moderators and we are also accepting volunteers. Please post to this thread if you are interested in being part of the Resident Forum Moderation Team. Volunteers will be notified shortly if they are selected. Volunteers for the first round will be accepted until Wed., January 18.
Resident Moderators Selection Criteria:
- Must be both an Second Life Resident and forum participant for at least 3 months
- Write thoughtful, constructive posts
- Have clean Linden Rapsheet (no warnings/suspensions)
- Be peacemakers and know how to use humor to diffuse not attack
- Be warm and welcoming to fellow Residents from all walks of Second Life
- Clear from past participation that they value positive discussion and will contribute to the overall tone of the Second Life Forums In keeping with the general philosophy that Second Life is a user-created world, some degree of self-moderation in the forums seems appropriate. This program is the initial phase of a new chapter in the Second Life Forums history. It will of course be refined as we go, but I'd like to give it shot for longer than one day before we scrap it. Handy Hint No. 1: Why are you basically forcing people who had no interest in doing this to do it and didn't even apply? Is this a forced jury service kind of a thing? Would it not have been best to seek their agreement before announcing the names publicly. Or is it yet again an example of the arse not knowing what the elbow is doing? |
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Margaret Mfume
I.C.
Join date: 30 Dec 2004
Posts: 2,492
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01-26-2006 12:48
From: Aimee Weber Bet it wont be me NOW I think the Lindens just revoked my FIC card. Wasn't it revoked after your attempt to unionize labour during the telehub buyback to-do?
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hush 
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Enabran Templar
Capitalist Pig
Join date: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 4,506
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01-26-2006 12:49
From: Moopf Murray Or is it yet again an example of the arse not knowing what the elbow is doing? Moopf, your post has basically been asked a dozen times. I doubt they're going to break out of PR-speak and answer it now. Anyway, the arse-and-elbow remark is the funniest thing I've read all day.
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From: Hiro Pendragon Furthermore, as Second Life goes to the Metaverse, and this becomes an open platform, Linden Lab risks lawsuit in court and [attachment culling] will, I repeat WILL be reverse in court.
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Moopf Murray
Moopfmerising
Join date: 7 Jan 2004
Posts: 2,448
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01-26-2006 12:55
From: Enabran Templar Moopf, your post has basically been asked a dozen times. I doubt they're going to break out of PR-speak and answer it now. Yeah I know, I've been dipping in and out of the forums seeing what the fall out was and biting my tongue. I've not read everything but it just strikes me as totally nonsensical. I mean, Jeska talks about how transparent the process was. It was so transparent some of the people who've been chosen (a) didn't know they'd applied, (b) were ignored when they declined and (c) were announced publicly regardless. That's a whole new definition of transparency. Kind of like dictatorship transparency. From: Enabran Templar Anyway, the arse-and-elbow remark is the funniest thing I've read all day. Why, thank you It's quite a common saying in the UK and sums situations like this up nicely  |
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Zapoteth Zaius
Is back
Join date: 14 Feb 2004
Posts: 5,634
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01-26-2006 12:55
I think it has everything to do with a cool list.. Many of those users don't have even a post a day on the forums. And I'd really like whoever chose the "nominees" to point out some of their many "Thought provoking, constructive" posts.
This isn't an attack on anyone, the ones I know on the list are wonderful people, and those I don't, I'm sure are great people too. They just don't participate in the forums the amount I expect the chosen moderators to.
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I have the right to remain silent. Anything I say will be misquoted and used against me.--------------- Zapoteth Designs, Temotu (100,50)---------------
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Margaret Mfume
I.C.
Join date: 30 Dec 2004
Posts: 2,492
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01-26-2006 12:56
From: Enabran Templar Moopf, your post has basically been asked a dozen times. I doubt they're going to break out of PR-speak and answer it now. Anyway, the arse-and-elbow remark is the funniest thing I've read all day. Heh, I was wondering how many times the original post about the community team appointed volunteers was going to be replayed myself. Also, how many people are going to try to explain to Jeska that the issue is in the not inquiring to the availability before announcing the list that makes no sense and that the issue is not that there are community team appointed "volunteers". 
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hush
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Jake Reitveld
Emperor of Second Life
Join date: 9 Mar 2005
Posts: 2,690
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01-26-2006 12:58
Don't worry Aimee, I still think you are cool.
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ALCHEMY -clothes for men.
Lebeda 208,209
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Jeffrey Gomez
Cubed™
Join date: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 3,522
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01-26-2006 12:58
From: Anya Dmytryk i don't understand why there were nominees to begin with. why consider nominees when they could have zero interest in the position. people should be chosen from a list of volunteers. and, as with any job, the position should be offered and accepted before it is officially announced. My gut feeling is "nominees" are to be considered in later rounds of the process. However, the gulf of information there is vast. That's a bit of a problem. Cybin: I was not approached whatsoever prior to last night (read: after the fact) on this express issue. Jeska: For the time being, I'm standing by the statement that the proceedure was not made clear. While you do have a point on the selection process being part volunteer and part nominations by the Community Team, I feel the statements are vague, as evidenced by some of the reactions here. A breakdown of the decision-making process beyond "whoever we felt like at the time" for each round would go far to making this more professional and more objective, in my opinion.
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Moopf Murray
Moopfmerising
Join date: 7 Jan 2004
Posts: 2,448
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01-26-2006 13:00
From: Zapoteth Zaius This isn't an attack on anyone, the ones I know on the list are wonderful people, and those I don't, I'm sure are great people too. They just don't participate in the forums the amount I expect the chosen moderators to. I know at least one of the people on there has taken every opportunity they can to nigh-on continually bring out their grudge against a couple of others over the past 6 months or so. Probably not the best person for the job. I guess it wasn't public enough for the Lindens to pick up on it though  (Yes, that's sarcasm) I mean, neither would I be. But fortuntely I didn't apply and I ain't FIC enough to be pre-approved so there's no fear there PS. Having said that there are a few on there that I think would do a great job as 'ResMod' (is Torley writing PR announcements for LL now as well?) |
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Aimee Weber
The one on the right
Join date: 30 Jan 2004
Posts: 4,286
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01-26-2006 13:01
From: Margaret Mfume Wasn't it revoked after your attempt to unionize labour during the telehub buyback to-do? HAHAH Good point. People don't get to hear this very often, but if you happen to be logged in when the Lindens revoke your FIC status, they actually play a game-show BZZZZT sound. Sort of like the one on Family Feud. |
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Jeffrey Gomez
Cubed™
Join date: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 3,522
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01-26-2006 13:04
From: Moopf Murray Yeah I know, I've been dipping in and out of the forums seeing what the fall out was and biting my tongue. I've not read everything but it just strikes me as totally nonsensical. I mean, Jeska talks about how transparent the process was. It was so transparent some of the people who've been chosen (a) didn't know they'd applied, (b) were ignored when they declined and (c) were announced publicly regardless. That's a whole new definition of transparency. Kind of like dictatorship transparency. I think you're being a little too harsh, man. It doesn't look in any way like they're "forcing us to take the position," because hey - I walked away from it. But the public announcement point is well taken, and that's part of the reason I'm freaking out, err, bringing this up in the first place. Because I didn't get the memo until after the fact. I dislike raking people, especially the Lindens, over hot coals. But here it seems more or less necessary to get the process hammered out. Carry on.
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Juro Kothari
Like a dog on a bone
Join date: 4 Sep 2003
Posts: 4,418
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01-26-2006 13:05
From: Jeffrey Gomez Enter the problems with this process: 1) Many of the first round mods were volunteered for the position as opposed to the other way around. A few of us, including myself and Catherine Omega, expressed our displeasure at having this happen.
2) This list was placed publicly before any of us were asked, and phrased in such a way that it was said and done.
3) Many residents who did volunteer were seemingly completely ignored in the first round in favor of a supposed "A list" to call on. Insert "FIC" cries here.
4) The nomination process has not been made transparent whatsoever. Edit: HOWEVER, vague criteria have been posted here.
5) The residents who were nominated and not interested feel used by Linden Lab for being called out prematurely for a volunteer position. Speaking for myself, anyway.
I volunteered for this - don't laugh too hard - I thought it would be fun & interesting. We'll see and I'll report back.
To put my $.02 to your comments - there seem to be two main issues that, if reviewed and acted upon by LL, would address all 5 of your points.
1) Resident notification of acceptance into program prior to public announcement. Allow residents who have been accepted into the program a chance to excuse themselves from the program before LL makes any announcement. This would address #5, #2, and possibly #1 - although #1 is a bit confusing (see more below).
2) More clarification/transparency on the process of selecting those who have volunteered/been nominated for program and have passed all the 'hoops'. LL has been very transparent about the requirements and duties, but I think what you're asking is: How do they arrive at the list? Names in a fishbowl? By alpha order? Better clarification on how they sort through the larger list could address #4 and #3.
I am a little confused by your comments in #1 -
"Many of the first round mods were volunteered for the position as opposed to the other way around. A few of us, including myself and Catherine Omega, expressed our displeasure at having this happen."
I think you may have meant to say 'nominated' vs. volunteered? If you volunteered for it, why would you be upset over it? I think that anyone who has been nominated, should be asked to accept or decline the nomination as a first step in the selection process. Anyway.. I could be off - but that's my $.02 |
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Margaret Mfume
I.C.
Join date: 30 Dec 2004
Posts: 2,492
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01-26-2006 13:08
Fair might be a better word than transparent since (almost) everyone seems to have been equally clueless about what was going on.
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hush
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ZsuZsanna Raven
~:+: Supah Kitteh :+:~
Join date: 19 Dec 2004
Posts: 2,361
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01-26-2006 13:10
From: Aimee Weber HAHAH Good point. People don't get to hear this very often, but if you happen to be logged in when the Lindens revoke your FIC status, they actually play a game-show BZZZZT sound. Sort of like the one on Family Feud. And here I thought it was more like Press Your Luck. No Whammies, No Whammies..... Oh Damn
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~Mewz!~
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