The Mods...

..and how I feel about them...in general I'm disapointed with you all..this site is dying and you are all too busy to to anything about it! Ive tried posting topics and a few have responded....Mike I do love your quirkyness!

Ok...

Larry...You still sign in regularly..don't contribute too much in the threads now...why?

Sybs..Haven't seen you around of late...although I did note you managed to post a poem when Colm's contest was going on although as a club member (The Club) it was said that none of you had the time to contribute...

Silvershoes..all of the above...you were snowboarding....cool...you're back now so..where are you?

Mel...I don't know what's happening with you? I do see you ahve left M&M...wondering if you are considering leaving P&Q also?

Colm...Well you did start off ok...done the contest thing but....where are the final results....?

Sher...Total waste of a mod space....

This club is dying....have you got anything to say about it mods? My passion for the site is still here but...not for much longer...

There are cycles on the site and this is the calm after the Colm-storm. Not every day needs to be full of angst and strum.

I appreciate your feedback, though.

Ha, I'm probably the least present mod right now, so I think it's funny that I'm the first to see this.

In general, I think the strict duty of moderators is to moderate... and things have been running fairly smoothly lately. So that is good, I guess. While I think mods (and other members who care) might feel a social duty to contribute, constant entertainment of the members is more of an optional thing. Last time I was really around was during Colm's contest, and that seemed pretty active to me. Maybe he tired everyone out ; )

Personally, I haven't been doing much of either moderating or entertaining since January. I check in, drop a line, and am off. Lately I've had a busier life, combined with the seasonal ebbed interest in PnQ that seems to happen to everyone now and then. (Not everyone knows, but I'm going to graduate school full time, and I tripled my working hours this semester. It's kicking my butt a little, but I can see the light at the end of the... winter...! Summer brings only one class, and I'll be down to two jobs at the most. Woo!)

I'll say to everyone here what I've said to the mods: I haven't stepped down, because I feel that this is probably a temporary scenario. But if people feel like they want me out, I could definitely leave, no hard feelings.

That's all I've got. Thanks for bringing up your concerns. Any ideas for how we (or anyone) should "fix" this? More mod-generated threads?

Ok, fine. Larry GOT to it first, but I bet I SAW it first!

Much of Colm's time is occupied by answering questions from the curious foppers as to what his deepest desires and secrets are. Hmm, first, he owns orange and red stripy Winnie the pooh pajamas, a Minnie Mouse comforter and a t-rex pillow that lights up because he has this irrational fear of the dark. He also had his first kiss when he was 10 years old and secretly wants to be a snow leopard. :)

But, really Colm, where are the results!!!

Yeah. I've been busy. I try to be here when I'm needed for mod stuff. I wrote 6(?) poems for Colm's contest, then I had midterms and other duties...

I don't think being an entertainer is part of the job description, but I appreciate your concern for the site.

The results should be done and dusted by tomorrow :) I'm sorry for the wait, but the judges had a considerable amount of poems to read and rate as well as balancing PnQ time with other life pursuits (mods have to do this too!)

I (can't speak for the others but I'm pretty sure they feel the same) appreciate feedback about modding/site issues. As stated above though, the site goes through phases of activity/inactivity, same as in clubs where you can put all the threads you want out but sometimes not enough people have the time /interest at that moment to get involved. Ideas/suggestions/critiques are always welcome

P.S Myryn fabricated most of that description but got the T-Rex pillow spot on. I don't leave home without it :)

LMAO awwww that's supper cute Colm!! lol and it's true the clubs and people hardly get on i try to be on most of the time but even i can't be on all the time!!

It occurs to me that we are all reporting being in a down-cycle right now.

That means in the coming weeks we're likely to have a major manic phase hit the boards.

Batten down the hatches!

You think this website is going to become massively active if the Mods bust their balls trying to fill it with threads and competitions? You are sadly mistaken Hellon.

The only reason this website seems dead is because of the creation of Clubs, and not anything the mods are doing, or not doing.

Why should I, or anyone else bother posting an interesting or personally involved thread in the general forums where we know we'll have to deal with the same level of retardation we all know and love when we could just post it in our club. I can speak only for my own club, but I know if posted something cool, or interesting or very personal I'd get, cool, interesting and very personal responses.

THAT is why this website seems dead. People are with the people they like the most and spending less time on the main boards.

You want the website to be active again, petition to have clubs removed.

Kevin

This is a great post, you make a lot of sense, perhaps PNQ should be one big club, rather than a load of active members hiding behind their own little doors....

however, I spent time out of a club, (twice) I felt isolated and largely ignored.....

So by all means start a petition, just don't expect many signatures.

On a personal level I don't really care. I lost my interest in P & Q due to the previous mod team and some of the things they did and I've never really gotten it back. There are other websites I find more suitable to poetry for me personally. I do really love the people in my club though, despite rarely posting there I check in every other day.

That's a point I hadn't really considered, Kevin. Maybe the site isn't dying (a cry we've heard for years)... maybe its centers of energy are just gathered more around clubs than around the main boards. That's not necessarily a bad thing. (As long as you're in a club, I guess.) Maybe we just need to embrace our gypsy natures - travel in small clans and tribes that occasionally come together to form the more universal rituals of site contests and debates. :)

In any case... I suppose the first purpose of this site is to accept, foster, and share poetry. Is that still the purpose? What effect do the boards in general have on that? Do dead boards mean less poetry? Do more posts mean better poems?

I agree with what's been written.
Clubs have taken away from activity and camaraderie on the main boards, but that all still exists behind layers. It's funny how clubs have been around for years and years, but over time they've solidified into close-knit groups with individual personas.

I don't like the idea of taking away clubs. It's too late for that. Then again, sometimes smashing the walls of security can do wonders in making people break out of their shells and interact.

Placing so much emphasis on discussion boards detracts from the poetry aspect of PnQ, which is supposed to be central, and once was. Not only does it detract from poetry, but it makes participating in discussions seem more like a duty than recreation. Why should we talk about anything if there's nothing we want to talk about? :)
Maybe if we let the discussion board run itself... with no pressure to remain active... the "problem" will solve itself.

^^Kevin: "I lost my interest in P & Q due to the previous mod team and some of the things they did and I've never really gotten it back."

I don't want to open up tales of the past;
however, is there anything the current team is doing that continues any problems from the past?
For that matter, what might we do better?

You think this website is going to become massively active if the Mods bust their balls trying to fill it with threads and competitions? You are sadly mistaken Hellon.
^^^^

That wasn't what I meant Kevin. Apart from Larry...I don't remember when the last time was that I saw a comment or a nomination from other mods and, while it's not compulsory to do so....leading by example is always a good idea I find. It takes less than 5 mins to post a response or a new thread so...no matter how busy you claim to be I'm sure there is 5 mins in everyone's day (even the mods) to come here and do so.

Funny I find that...although most of the mods have claimed to be busy these last weeks..most of them have now found the time to contribute to this thread and some others I've noticed so....possibly this thread has not been in vain.

Why should I, or anyone else bother posting an interesting or personally involved thread in the general forums where we know we'll have to deal with the same level of retardation we all know and love when we could just post it in our club. I can speak only for my own club, but I know if posted something cool, or interesting or very personal I'd get, cool, interesting and very personal responses.

^^^^

I don't think you're really allowed to say retardation but...I'll overlook that one. As for the rest of this part....what about non club members...don't you want to share your thoughts with them...haven't we got the right to share ours with you?

This was not about bashing a mod...this thread was made from frustration and disappointment when I think of past activities and friendships regardless of who you were and which club you were or were not in.

Darren..

however, I spent time out of a club, (twice) I felt isolated and largely ignored.....

^^^^

Why would that bother you?

I have no intentions of leaving the site. I'll be around for a long time to come.

It's true I haven't been as active as I once was, hence my absence from MM. I've been around more as a mod rather than a social butterfly and I'm sure a couple of my friends would love to complain to you about my lack of social skills as of late.

I've never been particularly active on the main boards and that is simply because I spent most of my time inside MM/RTVW keeping it active with challenges and what not.

Without going into many details the last year wasn't a pleasant one for me, lots of changes and lots of new adjustments. I've had a couple of messages asking why I haven't been writing and the truth is with Uni and trying to kick start my career I've felt creatively drained. I'm in my last year of a double major in graphic design and visual arts, therefore most of my time is spent in maniac states trying to complete assignments and figuring out where I'm going next.

On a side note at the moment it's summer break and I was traveling. Now that I'm back home I'll show my face a lot more and hopefully get back into writing and reading. Thanks for your concerns Hellon, hopefully your passion for the site doesn't fade away.

My oh my.. I guess I did push the right buttons after all...well apart from Sher that is so...I'll reiterate on that one...total waste of a mod space!

EDIT

I've asked this before so I'm saying it again...do you guys ever come up for re-election...you know a prime minister's stint is generally 4 years I believe so...do we get to vote? Don't recall ever voting for any of the mods who are in right now?..they just apppeared!!

Hellon, you know as well I do that this whole thread was a big red button with PUSH written on it. Haa, well done!

I see no need for the mods to justify themselves here. They only have to see that the site runs smoothly and it is running fairly smoothly, albeit slowly.

I'd be happy to see clubs vanish, I never understood the point of them. But that's not going to happen. Personally I participate just as much here as there. Others need their comfort zones. Fair enough.

I know of many poems and poetic moments that were inspired through discussions and people on these forums, so forums are not totally redundant. They are not vital, but I'm glad they exist.

I miss the active days, but it always cycles around, and the mods don't have any responsibility over that - not more than the rest of us. It's bad enough that they are forced to model good behaviour all the time. Ugh.

Jeezz...Abby you found me out...Next time I try to push the red button please let me borrow your skirt...a girl has to be colour corordinated after all...

Here, Hellon - regarding re-election, at least 4/5 mods responded to you in November.

http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/discussion/topic.html?topic_id=138293

I think I'm pretty attached to my club. Even when we aren't super active, I like to know it's there. It's a more curated space, where I feel safer sharing some identifying or personal information that I'd rather not have available to everyone on the site.

I do like active boards, though. I expect there's a way to have both, maybe just not both all the time.

Hellon

to feel isolated is not good for me,

I may start going 'downstairs' in my mind again with just a table and solitary candle for company, it is quite dark, and quiet.

so it might not bother me, but it would bother those that live with me.

Squelching confrontation is self-destructive.

Hellon, I present you with an array of red buttons from which you may choose:

alluring -

http://eaxan.mobile9.com/download/thumb/99/120/1282818903.gif

or if you're daring -

http://www.polaine.com/playpen/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/fart_button.jpg

but if you're in a kinder state -

http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/albachiaraa/albachiaraa1104/albachiaraa110400016/9230393-red-button-love-icon.jpg

I know, it gets frustrating:

http://thekingfishway.com/storage/the-red-button-2.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1287760065204

in such a state it only helps to . . .

http://stevenbush.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/761911_red_button.jpg?w=426

then you can make a fashion statement:

http://www.africanz-creations.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/red-button-earrings.png

just keep on pushing, hon, the site needs you.

Your very kind Larry sending me all these lovely shiney buttons....They are all cute....I tried #2 and it works a treat...has to be my favourite as it's the most functional haha!!!

Sibs

I think it was said on that thread that the mods were chosen because of the way they handled themselves on the main boards..how active they were ect..etc...You have to admit if some of you were to be selected on these fact now most of you wouldn't be there.

Now that the mods have all defended where they have been.....can we focus on a better question.

What would you like done about this Hellon? (No sarcasm here, being completely serious). I think when someone raises a concern that is stating there is a "problem", if theres a problem, lets stop running around in circles saying what we like and dislike about PnQ, that wasn't the purpose of this thread actually, lets focus on what the creator of the thread would like "fixed".

Truthfully, I can't imagine how hard it is to be a mod. Since taking the hosting position of the site contest (which I love by the way) I have found these weeks fly and I'm continually busy organizing that, checking votes, fixing errors. As well as running weekend challenged in my club. I meander out to the main boards when I can because I do like the diversity and not just the same names and faces in my club. However, its pretty challenging when I have a life to live and things to run here, so mods I do applaud you for the effort you are willing and able to put in here.

I don't really think the inactivity has to do with where mods are at the moment (because as theyve stated things are running smoothly), but I do think they have to do with what the mods havent done. People have left PnQ due to main board discussions. The lack of respect that was shown the past few years was really discouraging to me, a member of 9 years, that i can see why people have left. Back in the early PnQ days mods would have suspended so many accounts and done a lot of IP research on people who had dirty, displeasing, disrespectful things to say... Where there is lack of discipline there is chaos, where there is chaos, there are people who wish to evacuate. Hence one reason for lack of activity on main boards.

Going along with that ^, for those who didnt leave because of it, but witnessed all those fights and hurtful digs, theyve chose to hide in their clubs, their safe havens, because dear God, going to the main boards was a fricking battlefield. Quite scary. I NEVER went to the main boards the past few years (when I was a teen), I was so scared to get my feelings hurt, to get attacked over my view on something, that I chose to not respond. Yet I am very active in my club and with commenting and posting poetry.

So how do we get main forums active again? I do agree with lead by example, howevere that doesn't necessarily mean every day or even every other. People have lives outside of a website I understand this. But perhaps, those of you who say you miss "old pnq days", or miss the "activity", well by all means you lead by example as well and post discussion of the main boards. Looks like a handful of us would join...

So the solution to the activity to me, doesn't really have to do with where the mods are, I see them pop in every now and then and I'm sure most of them are doing the behind the scenes works that aren't appropriate to discuss here, I think it has to do with the people of PnQ as a whole. We have lost great members, and the new ones we are getting are too timid to come out.

Contests and fun posts seem to be drawing people out and I think thats going great for those who can participate.

What else do you suggest?? :) Re- election of mods? I'd be open to that, although I love the mod team I think you all are a great group and I see no chaos on this site right now, nothing that really needs managed (aside from what Janis needs to do)...but if that just makes things more fair, then lets do it.

The energy a new mod brings seems to last about 6 months to a year and a half, but ultimately, it fades. I thought I wouldn't give into the pattern, but I most certainly did. My zest for the site has been quieted along with the site itself. I still love PnQ, and I still care about being a mod (the sporadic breaks are nice), but per usual, I'm down for whatever majority wants. I'll support a re-election, and I'll step down if I'm not voted up.

I disagree that a mod's duty has anything to do with keeping the discussion boards active. We are here to moderate and participate as members (by choice). We're not site promoters or entertainers :P

I think if you want a mod to step down, it should be for a better reason than not participating regularly in random threads.

I agree to that the MODs aren't trained monkeys but i really do like my club for although i don't like to post personal stuff in here i can in the boards in the family one and i can curse too lol just kidding but i can have a helping hands give me a helping push not to be scared but i do post here if anyone needs me in the public posts lol

No Larry, there is nothing the current Mod team could do. All water under the bridge old chap, and before your time.

The Man Rules thread had been closed now so I'm putting my thoughts here...I'm pissed off at you Colm!....the F word was used quiet freely throughout that thread and yet you made a point of reprimanding me...why?

Hi Hellon, I was referring to everybody as a general reminder, I wasn't even aware you had used the F word, I just saw it starred out. I posted when I read through the thread and spotted some of the swears so sorry if you thought I was targeting your post

Well...that will include all the mods who took part in this thread right? because they all copied/pasted the F word..I just happened to fill inthe blanks for them in my last post ....will we put it down to bad timing then?

Yes, it applies to everybody to just use something other than the F word

But...it such a descripitive word....(apart from f off into the kitchen)..I mean...I say F off all the time...don't you? I'ts a built in language for me as a Glaswegian...F off make it yourself...f..off //get your own...I'm never gonna be a Stepford wife..now F off yourself man...I have to fix my mulcher....nearly there...oil all over my white shirt but...I'm happy...got it working...

I took Colm's post as directed at me as well... I guess I used it without even thinking, since it wasn't directed at anyone. Whoops! Sorry, everyone sensitive/under 18.

Colm was not acting alone nor were the mods seeking to escape blame. We agreed there were slips, but that nobody was flagrantly abusive, so it was just a reminder that we have underage and sensitive people on the site.

So....were ny penalty points issued here or on the other thread?

No penalty points were given, just a friendly reminder to all members.