[ale] moderation

[Tom Freeman]

Jim

I'll try to keep it simple.

Thank you for all you have done for this group.

On 05/07/2011 09:50 AM, Jim Kinney wrote:
> As I've read the on and off list responses to my attempt to storm off 
> from being involved in ale, the is a common thread in all of the 
> responses - moderation.
>
> It's not just the job it's also the process and the goal of the 
> discussions. Sometimes, people say extreme things and other chime in 
> with an alternate view that is equally extreme. Sum total is still 
> moderation. Some people post often and other lurk. Sum total is 
> moderation.
>
> I have been asked to stay on as admin and moderator by many and asked 
> to step down by only one. As I wrestled with the ethics of using the 
> moderator button on the entire group, the comment that turning off the 
> microphone doesn't silence speech rang true. That simple act allows 
> the spirited discussion(s) to continue in direct, private 
> communication that doesn't impact the greater community of ale. It's 
> like the parent taking the crying child out of the theater.
>
> I'm very OK with that concept (screamer in the theater while I was 
> watching the first Iron Man film. I asked her to please be polite. Her 
> response would have made a sailor blush so I replied in kind and she 
> then understood and left).
>
> So unless a nasty political coup emerges and the ale.org 
> <http://ale.org> domain is moved to servers unknown without my 
> technical assistance, I will continue in my current roles.
>
> I ask that all posters be mindful of their responsibility to the 
> community at large and make a deliberate effort to refrain from either 
> direct or potentially inflammatory comments (outside of those wretched 
> emacs lusers who haven't seen the light of the one true religion of vi).
>
> I have been deeply humbled by some of the comments received and will 
> strive to keep the respect of those who made them. The feedback, much 
> from lurkers and seldom posters (which is about 80+% of the group) 
> indicates that ale serves a vital purpose and even with the occasional 
> zit, the overall community over the last many years has been 
> appreciated and no change is required. Apparently, they know how to 
> hit delete faster than some of us :-)
>
> So let's keep using the [OT] flags and start looking towards the ALE 
> 2011 Summer Social Special to occur near a grill and keg somewhere.
>
<snip>