[wp-forums] The "moderator" hat

[it's EMG]

Speaking of which, can someone please take a look at this thread:

http://wordpress.org/support/topic/live-site-shows-login-link-to-admin?replies=9

I thought they were talking about the Meta widgets but it seems like
they're talking about the Admin login page itself.


On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 2:10 AM, andrew nevins <andrew.nevins.misc at gmail.com
> wrote:

> It sounds bad, but it's not really. You're at least providing the next guy
> who comes to help the OP with loads of info.
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:08 AM, andrew nevins <
> andrew.nevins.misc at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > No there isn't, I don't think you need to worry about that. Sometimes you
> > have to answer threads to probe people for more information, which does
> > take them off the no-replies list but it should be the responsibility of
> > the original poster to provide as much information as you can for you to
> > provide a solution.
> > I don't agree with Otto and Mika that you shouldn't reply to a thread if
> > you don't know the answer, because most of the time the answer isn't that
> > complicated and all you need to do is ask a few questions to get there.
> > Getting off topic from your question, but that's why I do 1 sentence
> > replies most of the time and then only give a proper reply when I know
> the
> > answer.
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 9:10 AM, it's EMG <its.emg at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> ... Dang it, I forgot to add:
> >>
> >> I know in the past, the volunteers all tried to not overlap with other
> >> volunteers in the same support topics to prevent confusion re: too many
> >> answers.
> >>
> >> But sometimes, like in the example I gave above, more help really is
> >> needed.  In which case, what is the best protocol on how to handle such
> a
> >> situation?
> >>
> >>
> >> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 1:08 AM, it's EMG <its.emg at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> > I'm not a moderator but I was wondering (in relation to this
> >> discussion):
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > *Is there any way for me - or anyone else - volunteering in the forums
> >> to
> >> > 'forward' a support question that ends up being unmanageable/out of my
> >> > league to someone who I know/we know would be able/better able to
> >> answer? *
> >> > Sometimes what I think is one question (based on what the person first
> >> > says/talks about) ends up being something different and where I might
> >> have
> >> > been able to help them before, I can't anymore because the REAL
> >> question is
> >> > something other than what the original seemed to be.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks in advance!
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 12:21 AM, Josh Lobe <joshlobe at joshlobe.com>
> >> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> 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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> >> >>> http://lists.automattic.com/mailman/listinfo/wp-forums
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
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> >> >
> >> >
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