“Watson” wrote: you don’t have a history of being a mod on our forums.

What new candidate would? You have to start somewhere. I have been a mod in the Contests forums since my appointment earlier this year.

“Watson” wrote: Additionally you’ve mentioned in the past that you “cannot commit to be on the site every day,” but rather about “two or three times a week.” There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but I believe it will make it very difficult for you to adequately moderate the forums.

I refer you to RevMen’s comments above.

“Watson” wrote: Your plan can still be implemented, but you don’t need to be MoD to make that happen. I’m certain that Cometgreen would be happy to give you the chance to do so in a deputy position, which would be much more fitting to your circumstances.

Equally, he could continue to do what he does as MY deputy. This would allow me to have overall responsibility for the tone of moderation.

Why don’t we let the electorate decide?

By the way, does your last comment imply you are not serious about your bid to be MoD. If so, have the grace to withdraw and make this a sensible election. If you are serious, then fine.

I am keen enough to carry out this role as deputy to the MoD, but I now think I would prefer to see who gets the public vote.

I liked your idea, it’s something I had never thought of; in many sites I’ve been to there are separate sections for advanced and beginners and this can be very effective.

I think there is nothing wrong with the current moderator style. If it where to get the point where each post is evaluated and then removed if it is irreverent, then we will have become communist.

Not that that was what richard was suggesting or was even implying…

Mr frost receives my full and complete support. and my (by now) redundant holler of “seconded”.

“Night Owl” wrote: So, as I said, I’d be happy to support you and be your deputy.

I could just appoint anyone I like, and who wants to do it, as my deputy. I would, however, prefer it to be someone the community wants. So I’m likely to ask the runner up, should I be the winner, to do that role.

“Cometgreen” wrote: I think it can be beneficial and keep things focused, but I get caught up on a free speech attitude. I believe that, by keeping discussions relatively open, there’s a better chance of some new idea or technique being brought up, and it is better to keep things mellow.

Whilst I’m favour of free speech, I think the technical forums should remain focussed. The best example I can think of right now is the Flying Pickles thread, begun by Digital Dave. This thread has constantly been revisited and added to, and has by default become a great resource for people wanting to know how to make things fly.

I don’t see why this couldn’t work for light sabres, etc. etc.. I would delete superfluous threads and move the post into the relevant thread, corrected for spelling, grammer, punctuation and smilies, if there was a new question being asked. If not, I would simply point the poster at the relevant thread.

What should then happen is a virtuous circle, where the technical forums become cleaner, therefore easier to use, therefore less full of dross, therefore easier to manage.

Got my vote.

I think I might vote for you. I would also like to be the deputy if the runner up declines (unlikely though).

If you were to delete topics then PM them what would happen if you were away and a number of replies had been posted?

If the reply was useful, it would get spliced onto the main thread. If there isn’t a suitable thread, then the original thread could remain, but might get edited for clarity and to remove any worthless responses.