Making CD a More Constructive Place

[Steve W]

I have the privileged to be a moderator here on CD. I can tell you that there has been a lot of discussion on how to handle many issues. We try to work as a team and be consistent. The problem come s from a few different points.

1: Post come on so fast and are responded to before we even read them. These can start at 1 or 2 am or while we are at work or school. It is impossible to be on top of everything as it happens.

2: Moderators are people. We all have different views and personalities. What one may see as OK another takes offense to. Is this a problem? I don't think so. I believe that CD is as good as it today because of this. If we all saw everything the same then no one would be here except those with our views. How boring.

3: Moderators are from all over North America (maybe the world). This causes us to have some lag in our consulting with each other. Again sometimes good and sometimes not. I can tell you however that there is a lot of thought going on behind the scenes. There is also great support by the people on Team 47.

I really like this topic as it really can help us out. There are many opportunities for the users of CD to bring discussions back in line and cool heated discussions. PMing people is good. Calm, thought out responses are good. Reporting posts is good. These are tools that help everyone.

There is the issue of neg reps. I personally have received them from 2 people. They were from people that give a lot of neg points when they do even once. These were probably not needed but deserved. It made me rethink my position and see another side of an issue. I did learn 1 thing even more important. DON'T give neg rep unless it is really ,really, REALLY deserved. I have only given neg rep once and that was to a member of my own team and that person needed it. When I see an issue I deal with it By PMing or some times modifying a post. I prefer that the person posting modifies on their own. Sometimes however there is no time and I make the decision to modify myself (with and explanation)

CD is a wonderful place. In general we have a great bunch of users and mods. If everyone does their little bit, thinks before posting and try to see each side of a view, it will be even a better place. I am not saying that we can't have opposing views, but that they must be presented in a constructive fashion.

All points here are posted by me and represent MY points of view. CD may not hold all or any of the above statements as their points of view. I am sure that one of the big 3 M's at CD will post here at some point.