Staff

[Matt 34.5]

Ok, I'll start this off by saying, I've yet to have a problem with a member of the staff.

Now, even though I have no evidence that the moderation staff is messing up because, well, I haven't seen it (being inactive and all), I've heard a lot of complaints on this as well as 2 other forums (I only ever visit 3 TAO-related forums including this one), and in-game (which I've spent maybe a total of an hour on in the past month). Having been told a few times myself that I could come off as a little too strict, administrating the TDP forums, fully believing I wasn't at all, I took action anyways, and did my best to 'loosen up', because when the majority of the community thinks you're doing something wrong, even if you don't believe you are, theres a problem.

I do realise people are going to bitch either way. I'm not suggesting you all loosen up, but what I'd like to suggest is, assuming there's a hidden board for the staff, or via PMs, have a discussion and try to have some slightly more solid ground on what should be done in any given typical situation. When I was active, I noticed mods did things differently in similar situations, some warned then kicked for repeated offences, some kicked without saying anything, and some would explain then kick. Just discuss, and try to come to atleast a partial agreement, then less people will have reason to complain because cybernoob123 saw uniq do this to noob004, then gryph did this to cybernoob123 for the same offense "Which was so not fair!".

[Sacred Silence]

Some mods are just cooler than others. ^^

[Hatchet Klown]

A set standard to help take out inconsistancies has been tried and failed.

Matt, if you have seen any specifics about complaints please post them or PM them to a mod, we're curious because out of the dozen complaints we've seen recently, not a single person has given any sort of specifics. Two of them I personally kicked for just causes, so I thought it was funny.

[gryph89]

I'm used as an example.

I feel flattered. Honestly though, sarcasm or not, I never kicked anyone named cybernoob lol, I think they've gotten -slightly- smarter on the ways of trying to avoid us.

[Magician]

I never kicked anyone named cybernoob lol, I think they've gotten -slightly- smarter on the ways of trying to avoid us.

... so you'd like to think. ;)

Heh. I get people complaining to me about kicking them for whatever reason - whether it be cybering, spamming, harassment, etc. I'll usually warn the first time, unless I've already warned someone else and another person has decided to commit the same offence. The other thing I KoS for is inappropriate names - and Wizzy for the hell of it. :rolleyes:

[Jeffery]

I have never seen a user-moderated system where there are not constant complaints of the moderators abusing their powers.. It's almost an automatic given. And like 99% of the complaints generated,you never get any details,such as what mod, or what the mod did that is against any sort of rules.

In the end you get one of two things. Moderators and complaints about them,or no moderators and complaints about them.

[monkus]

I don't get it. I can't imagine getting yourself kicked without doing something blatantly stupid. I think the real issue is people enjoy pushing the line, and they get upset when they can't push quite as much a they'd have liked.

It's a game, not a chatroom. If it were a chatroom, then yeah, we'd need careful standards to make sure the moderation wasn't impeding on the purpose of the website. But it's not. Just keep your damn conversations PG and don't troll and you'll NEVER get kicked. Don't try to prove a point, because no one will be amused.

[Supersmiley :-)]

I havn't seen one mod "abuse" power, though there are different styles for each person. I honestly feel like this whole issue of the mods abusing their power was created by people who arn't as active in the TAO community, though ingame they might just here one complaint in their clan or something like that and then make an account just to post a thread complaining.

I have seen a lot of people who mods kick get into arguements with the mods saying that they didn't do anything, though I'll believe the mod's side of the story because they have no reason to lie.

Maybe this whole issue is only comming up now because there are more active ingame mods than there used too, and people who break the TOS (intentionally or accidentaly) never have had to suffer the consequences from it, but now they do.

[Zander]

Most complaints are just /jealousy, the mods do fine.

[Rubbish]

It's either jealousy or plain desire to complain for the sakes of it.
I think most mods do their jobs fine; the only problem I can think off regarding them is that they, after a couple of months of doing their assigned job, get inactive, leaving the game with the need of more moderators.

[Lieutenant]

With most honesty, I've seen how mods have preference over kicking. I have been kicked numerous times for cursing or avoiding the filter. I don't think that's a wrong thing, like at all. But I've seen people doing the same, and just because they brown-nose on mods all the time they don't get kicked out of the lobby. I'd really hate to say who they are, but it is true, and mods know it's true. They are not fair and just with everyone in the lobby, they have their preferences over whom they will kick just because of their relationship.

Also, mods actually work hard? ROFL. I want to see an admin kicking all the boosters the mods name so I actually believe some work's been done. I can't believe TAO has over 20 mods and none of them can actually catch a booster. It's really not that hard. Go to each FPS server at approximately 12AM-2AM and you'll find an answer. Oh, and regarding that marvelous point granted by my budd Matt 34.5, I do think the only thing mods actually do is abuse their power. Rep me or Neg me, but all I see in signatures is people who've had a mod say words in their name instead of doing what they're supposed to be doing. Don't believe me? Look at how much crap Lizzy has posted on signatures of a load of people, like Butcher for example. Butcher has a signature of complete abuse of power. I didn't know green and red letters were supposed to *hug* and *kiss* a player all the time.

I know I'm gonna get negged for this, but I do think mods ain't doing shit except Mag, Uniq and Meat.

[Hoolwath]

I am a really really good mod. I bet no one complains about me.


Because of me being so good at modding...

[Rubbish]

I am a really really good mod. I bet no one complains about me.


Because of me being so good at modding...
You and bludz = coolest mods there could ever be.

[Hatchet Klown]

With most honesty, I've seen how mods have preference over kicking. I have been kicked numerous times for cursing or avoiding the filter. I don't think that's a wrong thing, like at all. But I've seen people doing the same, and just because they brown-nose on mods all the time they don't get kicked out of the lobby. I'd really hate to say who they are, but it is true, and mods know it's true. They are not fair and just with everyone in the lobby, they have their preferences over whom they will kick just because of their relationship.

Also, mods actually work hard? ROFL. I want to see an admin kicking all the boosters the mods name so I actually believe some work's been done. I can't believe TAO has over 20 mods and none of them can actually catch a booster. It's really not that hard. Go to each FPS server at approximately 12AM-2AM and you'll find an answer. Oh, and regarding that marvelous point granted by my budd Matt 34.5, I do think the only thing mods actually do is abuse their power. Rep me or Neg me, but all I see in signatures is people who've had a mod say words in their name instead of doing what they're supposed to be doing. Don't believe me? Look at how much crap Lizzy has posted on signatures of a load of people, like Butcher for example. Butcher has a signature of complete abuse of power. I didn't know green and red letters were supposed to *hug* and *kiss* a player all the time.

I know I'm gonna get negged for this, but I do think mods ain't doing shit except Mag, Uniq and Meat.

How many times can you talk about rep in one post? Damn dude, get over it, most of us realized years ago that rep was worthless. Oh, and there are probably alot of complaints about me, but I've been one of the more hardass mods since I was modded, it's not going to change.

[Lieutenant]

How many times can you talk about rep in one post? Damn dude, get over it, most of us realized years ago that rep was worthless. Oh, and there are probably alot of complaints about me, but I've been one of the more hardass mods since I was modded, it's not going to change.

Rep is worthless. But some people seem to cry when you negg them. :rolleyes:

And I'm quite surprised you didn't argue about anything I said about mods, but you did about negs and reps. Is it maybe because what I say is in part true? ;)

[Hatchet Klown]

I can't speak for other mods, do I sometimes warn someone for something I kick someone else for? Yes, but because knowing them as well as I do I know their intentions and do warn them. Talk to Riot Girl, she went into a rage the other day on GL because I kicked her for trolling after I kicked one of her friends, and I speak to her on MSN quite frequently.

It's not favoritism, it's judgement. If you can tell someone's intentions, you can make a more informed decision; if you cannot tell what their intentions are, you have to err on the side of caution.

[Lieutenant]

Perhaps my friend you follow that procedure. And I think it's great, and I would really love it if ALL MODS did the same. The day I ever see Lizzy or some of those pathetic mods kicking some of their friends I'll be baffled. :D

[Hatchet Klown]

You're trolling, stop.

[Rubbish]

You shouldn't make this personal, Lieu.
If you're going to rant about the mods then you are free to do so here, but it isn't very cool to make it personal and offensive towards especific people.

[Trounce]

This one time, behind the furnace, Worker touched my naughty spot. I don't think he took pictures, but if I remember correctly he did have a video camera set up. Unfortunately, I didn't get a copy of the tape; no proof.

[Shiznit]

I've got no complaints against the new mods, and I don't know what you mean by inactivity.

I think I see either Sayter, Match Strike, or Uniquinious on at all times. And if they're not on the server, there's usually a mod on the forums.

Quit whining.

[Matt 34.5]

Am I not clear on things when I post? Lieu, my Mods suck. thread was a complete and OBVIOUS joke, filled with sarcasm. This thread, was not an "I hate mods" thread, it was a "I think this would help the community" thread. I don't have an issue with one or more mods, I just think the way things are makes people feel Unjustly treated, because the staff is so chaotic.

And Shiz.. if that was aimed at me I'm not sure because it wasn't relative to my original post. My post wasn't about new or old mods, or about their activity.

Anyways, I've seen new mods, but haven't heard so many complaints about things being unfair, and there are always alot (Not taking Lieu's posts here as an example). I don't think the mods are doing a bad job, I just think theres a serious lack of structure and agreeance, if that is in fact a word...

I just think an effort should be made.

[mushroom_girl]

Perhaps my friend you follow that procedure. And I think it's great, and I would really love it if ALL MODS did the same. The day I ever see Lizzy or some of those pathetic mods kicking some of their friends I'll be baffled. :D
Why would my friends put me in a position to make me kick them? That wouldn't make them very good friends now would it? ;)

[The Cheat]

Am I not clear on things when I post? Lieu, my Mods suck. thread was a complete and OBVIOUS joke, filled with sarcasm. This thread, was not an "I hate mods" thread, it was a "I think this would help the community" thread.

Oh. That sucks.:angry:

Matt respect level just fell....

[Hugh Junit]

I do realise people are going to bitch either way. I'm not suggesting you all loosen up, but what I'd like to suggest is, assuming there's a hidden board for the staff, or via PMs, have a discussion and try to have some slightly more solid ground on what should be done in any given typical situation.

That's exactly what mods do, in the moderator forums and elsewhere. Discuss different situations and how to deal with them. Advice is asked for and given, sometimes votes are taken. It's not a mysterious process.
But mods are also trusted to act independently and make decisions, especially in "typical" situations, like you said. Mods are responsible for recognizing when someone is blatantly spamming the lobby, or trolling the forums, or posting inappropriate and explicit content. I haven't seen any inconsistency in how we're dealing with normal situations.
People are always going to complain when new and more mods are added. I was a mod here a few years ago, and I remember the same thing happening then. It happens every time
But mods do communicate, and we do try to come to a consensus on issues.

[Lieutenant]

Oh. That sucks.:angry:

Matt respect level just fell....

I second that. Why the hell would you post a thread of how mods need to do their work if it's only sarcasm?

And regarding to Lizzy's question. Perhaps your best and fantastic friends are people like Lex 3.1 and Unfo who eventually get banned for their stupidness. Just because you don't see how much harm they bring to forums or community doesn't make them good people.

[Trounce]

I second that. Why the hell would you post a thread of how mods need to do their work if it's only sarcasm?

And regarding to Lizzy's question. Perhaps your best and fantastic friends are people like Lex 3.1 and Unfo who eventually get banned for their stupidness. Just because you don't see how much harm they bring to forums or community doesn't make them good people.

You're just upset that you didn't get selected as one of the new moderators. Suck it up and quit your whining, scrawn.

[Rubbish]

Why would he expect to be elected a moderator when they picked them at a time when he didn't have any contact with TAO?
Don't say things you don't know, it makes you look like a complete asshole.

[uniquinous]

I do think the only thing mods actually do is abuse their power. all I see in signatures is people who've had a mod say words in their name instead of doing what they're supposed to be doing. Don't believe me? Look at how much crap Lizzy has posted on signatures of a load of people, like Butcher for example. Butcher has a signature of complete abuse of power.First off, I"m pretty sure that signature is photoshopped, because I have no recollection of saying that, let alone with other mods. Secondly, typing is not an abuse of power. Interacting with the community, even if our letters are a different color, is not an abuse of power. If you disagree, explain who you think is being abused and how.

Secondly (and this is for most people in this thread), it's hard to make improvements if we're only given vague references. If the issue is uniformity in response, I have to ask why that would be beneficial? If some user gets around the swear filter and curses someone out horribly, and one mod warns but another mod kicks, where is the problem? Let me put it this way: if every mod warned would that ensure users would know it's ok to get around the filter when they want so long as they discontinue after being caught and warned?

As Hugh said, the mods openly discuss things regularly. If some people are being a bit more lenient on rules, that's an unnecessary benefit to whoever just didn't get kicked. The rule of thumb, as far as user action goes, is to just not break the rules in the first place, and no one will need to wonder "will I get warned or kicked for purposely breaking the rules?"

If there are specific incidents of inappropriate mod behavior, by all means bring it to our attention. We love stoning each other in the mod lounge - it's a good laugh and generally just gets everyone on the same page with that specific issue.

[Matt 34.5]

I second that. Why the hell would you post a thread of how mods need to do their work if it's only sarcasm?


I didn't post about mods not doing their jobs. I posted a thread about mods abusing their powers, because people like you are constantly complaining about how they're abusing their powers -- which is funny to those of us who know the mods are just ordinary members who do, essentialy, what they were told to do with their additional in-game functions. And they also screw around and have fun, which is absolutly acceptable, seeing as how they take on the responsibility of keeping the game clean and fun and their only compensation is the ability to type in pretty colours & sizes and post links. So you see, the joke wasn't on the mod staff, it was on people like you. :)

As for the point of mods going easy on their friends, Hugh had a good point, but other than that I can appreciate the fact that when a friend pushes the boundries a bit that you'd show leniency. Could you put yourself in their shoes? You're a member joking around with your friends, maybe bending the rules slightly, like most of us do -- no harmful intensions, then all of a sudden your friends are making the same kinda jokes the next day, and you're a mod? That would be a difficult situation, suddenly your friends have to change when their around you, which isn't fair, or you have to be lenient. Also, I've seen mods show the same kind of leniency to other groups outside their own close friends, because they understand the situation.

Still I have no doubt that Liz or anyone else would /kick a friend if they went too far. And like Liz said, any good friends would avoid putting you in that position.

[Lieutenant]

So you see, the joke wasn't on the mod staff, it was on people like you. :)

As for the point of mods going easy on their friends, Hugh had a good point, but other than that I can appreciate the fact that when a friend pushes the boundries a bit that you'd show leniency. Could you put yourself in their shoes?

Next time you talk don't drool so much. It is really hard to understand your sarcasm with your ineptitude.

Anyway, talking about Mods. Any idea which one will take over the TAL thread? Mag's departure has left the TAL Season at a crucial point. And not to be shitty or anything, but a big reason for why people still play this, and especially people from Legends, is because of TAL Season. It's because with TAL Season you can actually get a prize and have fun in an entire year. But if TAL Season is over at this point, you can say buh-bye to a big part of the playing TAO Community.

[Memory of Light]

well i have to say i have many many screenshots of liz and uni and hatchet and others posting funny things for/about me. ive certainly been on the receiving end of mod leniency, but at the same time i was banned on 5 separate accounts by theburning for trolling. and we are at least reasonably cool, or we were when she was active.

you bitch about liz all the time, yet when i did something totally out of line, i was certainly kicked.

when i boosted there were some mods in favor of a lighter sentence than what was eventually imposed. for really serious issues, the mod who argues for the toughest punishment decides what to do to the offender. granted that system is employed in the extreme cases, but still they do their best to play fair.

its ridiculous to pretend that you or anyone else would be that much more fair than the current mods. no one is perfect and even if it wasnt intentional some people will get lucky. if you want fairness you could ask for a computer but then legitimate extenuating circumstances would be ignored cause computers have limited capabilities in that area.

pretty much, suck it up. and btw, brown nosers are not the ones get leniency. i dont brown nose. i act how i act and its up to other people to decide how it makes them feel. just because someone happens to get along well with some mods doesnt mean they are brown nosers.

honestly all this time bitching could be put to so much better use.

[Hatchet Klown]

Next time you talk don't drool so much. It is really hard to understand your sarcasm with your ineptitude.

Anyway, talking about Mods. Any idea which one will take over the TAL thread? Mag's departure has left the TAL Season at a crucial point. And not to be shitty or anything, but a big reason for why people still play this, and especially people from Legends, is because of TAL Season. It's because with TAL Season you can actually get a prize and have fun in an entire year. But if TAL Season is over at this point, you can say buh-bye to a big part of the playing TAO Community.

Being as TAL was my creation to start with, I'll take it over if necessary... but we're talking about that privately now.

[Jeffery]

Being as TAL was my creation to start with, I'll take it over if necessary... but we're talking about that privately now.
If you want, I can run the TAL into the ground for y'all.

[Lieutenant]

If you want, I can run the TAL into the ground for y'all.

Seriously, I don't think anyone would ask your help for anything.

[Jeffery]

Seriously, I don't think anyone would ask your help for anything.
Lieu, if I send you some money, think you could buy a sense of humor?

[Lieutenant]

Lieu, if I send you some money, think you could buy a sense of humor?

Eh, if you want to you can still send it. Regarding sense of humor, yours is the worst, so I don't see where this is actually going.

[Trounce]

Eh, if you want to you can still send it. Regarding sense of humor, yours is the worst, so I don't see where this is actually going.

Jeffery has a great sense of humor. You are just too retarded and butt-hurt to see it.

You're just a little asshole who doesn't know my situation. I just came back from a 3-month break. Have fun with the neg.~ With love, Lieu.

Much love to you too, nerd.

[Jeffery]

Eh, if you want to you can still send it. Regarding sense of humor, yours is the worst, so I don't see where this is actually going.
You were getting all dramatic how now that Mag has left, everyone is going toquit playing TAO.
Seriously. It's a huge overreaction. Mag didn;t create the TALand run the whole thing single handledly. Any nbumber of other mods have and can continue running it just fine.

And if you don;tlike my sense of humor,fine. Doesn;t seem to change the fact that at least I have one, as opposed to an anally challenged dickhead like yourself.

TAO is not going to die because Mag has decided to leave. Another mod willtake over and run the TAL. Nobig deal.

[Lieutenant]

You were getting all dramatic how now that Mag has left, everyone is going toquit playing TAO.
Seriously. It's a huge overreaction. Mag didn;t create the TALand run the whole thing single handledly. Any nbumber of other mods have and can continue running it just fine.

Eh, dood you don't play this game anymore so you really wouldn't know the situation that TAO has as of now. Foruming isn't exactly the same as playing the game itself. I know you probably know TAO isn't what it used to be, which is a valid point. But you haven't been playing on TAO for a really long time, so you don't know what you're actually saying. If you go to Banff one of these days you'll actually find less than 5 people there. Most of the people from Legends have moved to FPS just because of TAL Season. So, let's just say something bad happens to TAL, just how many people do you think will quit FPS or TAO for having done an effort on getting TAL points for nothing?

[Hugh Junit]

The mods are already talking about who will be picking up slack and helping with TAL. Several have already volunteered to make sure everything continues to run smoothly. There will be plenty of help, especially with the recent addition of new mods.
It'll work out.

[Jeffery]

Eh, dood you don't play this game anymore so you really wouldn't know the situation that TAO has as of now. Foruming isn't exactly the same as playing the game itself. I know you probably know TAO isn't what it used to be, which is a valid point. But you haven't been playing on TAO for a really long time, so you don't know what you're actually saying. If you go to Banff one of these days you'll actually find less than 5 people there. Most of the people from Legends have moved to FPS just because of TAL Season. So, let's just say something bad happens to TAL, just how many people do you think will quit FPS or TAO for having done an effort on getting TAL points for nothing?
I have been playing tao every single month since February 2004. I have grey accounts on all three main servers, as well as on Legends. The only server I didn;t have access to for a while was Rev,and I am active there again.
Iam well aware of everything going on on TAO. More so than you with your recent "break". I know the activity status of all5 servers.

I know that TAL is helping bolster Rev activity (which BTW,contributes $0 to TAO since many of the active TAL players are using permagold accounts that have expired on the main servers) This includes many of the Legends players,who at most,paid for one month of service just to get a permagold to TAL on.

I also know that during the other times the TAL organizers have "stepped down" it continued on.

So please,continue overreacting to one person leaving. Continue spazzing over a simple joke. And continue being ignorant. It is a "free country". ;)

[Hatchet Klown]

Seriously. It's a huge overreaction. Mag didn;t create the TALand run the whole thing single handledly.

Mag didn't create it, but he did pretty much run it single handedly, I'll give him that credit. However as you also said, it will be continued, we're just deciding who will do it and other alternatives to keep the TAL running smoothly and least interrupt the flow of Season 2.

[Snowolf]

I have been playing tao every single month since February 2004. I have grey accounts on all three main servers, as well as on Legends. The only server I didn;t have access to for a while was Rev,and I am active there again.
Iam well aware of everything going on on TAO. More so than you with your recent "break". I know the activity status of all5 servers.

I know that TAL is helping bolster Rev activity (which BTW,contributes $0 to TAO since many of the active TAL players are using permagold accounts that have expired on the main servers) This includes many of the Legends players,who at most,paid for one month of service just to get a permagold to TAL on.

I also know that during the other times the TAL organizers have "stepped down" it continued on.

So please,continue overreacting to one person leaving. Continue spazzing over a simple joke. And continue being ignorant. It is a "free country". ;)

gg

[Matt 34.5]

Seriously, I don't think anyone would ask your help for anything.

When you talk, I just wanna smack you.

Just throwing that out there.

[Rubbish]

When you talk, I just wanna smack you.

Just throwing that out there.
You're not alone.

[steve12]

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8586/bonethrill5kw.jpg

What's wrong with the new staff?

[Memory of Light]

needs to have a black diamond in that hole in the center of the skulls forehead

[Matt 34.5]

What's wrong with the new staff?

Nothing, far as I can tell.

[ambienteternity]

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8586/bonethrill5kw.jpg

What's wrong with the new staff?

Hahaha. It actually took me a second to get that because I'm so tired :p


The Mods around here seem to all have their own way of doing things, and setting restrictions or general guidelines seem like they would cramp their style.

It may even become...dare I say it.. Semi-LF-ish.

[Memory of Light]

except that our mods would still be far more mature. no ban messages about being a douche here.