[wp-forums] The "moderator" hat

[Josh Lobe]

Hi Otto,
Newly 'crowned' forum moderator here.
http://wordpress.org/support/profile/josh401

I just wanted to say I came to this same realization during the latest 
3.9 update.
I develop a pretty popular plugin "Ultimate Tinymce".
The update to 3.9 changed so much with the inclusion of TinyMCE4, I had 
to completely rewrite my code; and create a new plugin.
I'm sure many are aware... a LOT has changed with this update.
If you click on my WordPress profile.. and read some replies... you can 
get a small idea of the nightmare this has been ;)

In the end.. I decided last night.. not to let it aggravate me anymore.
You can lead a horse to water... but you certainly can't make them drink.
This is so very true with close-minded people, and trying to get them to 
understand a logical perspective.
It's simply not going to happen.
By remaining positive and constructive... it minimizes their urge to 
retaliate.
Usually.. if they aren't getting a 'rise'... the conversation will stay 
more productive.

I have to admit, I've made a couple statements in the forums I've 
regretted.  (many directed at me, personally :)
But, it's helped me learn how NOT to respond.

It has been a pleasure working with WordPress the past three years.. and 
I intend on staying.
I very much appreciate the opportunity to join this group of 'elite'!

Take care for now.

On 4/24/2014 2:20 AM, Otto wrote:
> On Thu, Apr 17, 2014 at 10:08 AM, andrew nevins <
> andrew.nevins.misc at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>> And yes, that means we cannot be JUST ourselves when we're in the forums
>> because we represent a part of WordPress.
>>
>> I don't understand this bit, because everyone represents a part of
>> WordPress regardless of whether they have powers.
>
> You, and all the other moderators, are in a position of authority. What you
> say matters. In that sense, I'd like what you say to be a) professional, b)
> factual, and c) correct.
>
> If you don't know an answer, that's fine. Just phone-a-friend here or
> elsewhere and get somebody else to answer. Or let it go. You can't answer
> everything. That's why we have many moderators and volunteers and other
> people doing their best, all the time.
>
> But what I'm really seeing a lot, and which gets the most complaints, is
> the slight snarkiness and the somewhat overbearing nature of the replies.
>
> It's simple really. These are people who have a problem and may be venting
> a bit. And that's just fine. Venting doesn't hurt us. You are not the
> defenders of the crown, and you do not have to justify anything to anybody.
> All I ask is that you be consistently helpful. If you can't help, then
> don't try. Let it go.
>
> More and more, after every update, after every change that upsets somebody,
> we get complaints about the moderators. And sometimes (not always), they're
> justified complaints. Let people vent their righteous anger at the world.
> It hurts nobody and makes them feel better. Whatever. Don't argue back,
> don't delete their posts (you can edit out the cussing, this is a family
> friendly forum, after all), and don't close their threads. Let 'em be
> pissed. The only response you should give is a helpful, factual one.
>
> Example:
>
> "I'M ANGRY ABOUT THE LACK OF IMAGE BORDERS IN 3.9! BLAARRRRGGGH!"
>
> Response:
>
> "We're sorry that you don't like it. If it helps, here's a plugin, or
> here's how to edit your theme to do whatever it is that you want to do."
>
> Reply:
>
> "ANGER! RAGE! NOT GOOD ENOUGH, YOU'RE ALL IDIOTS!"
>
> ... No response should be made to this. The thread should just be left to
> die a natural death.
>
> We cannot solve all the problems of the world. We should not try to do so.
> We should seek instead to be most effective at helping the most people
> instead.
>
> As the great Dante Hicks once said, "Sometimes, you gotta let those
> hard-to-reach chips go."
>
> -Otto
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