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Post by Biggles on Jul 3, 2015 1:26:38 GMT 1
Can anyone tell me WHO is actually in overall control of this site and its operation ? I see titles like Administrator or Moderator under members names etc, but actually have no idea how one attains such am elevated postion. I also haven`t managed to see a title of anything akin to Boss, Chairman, or The Buck Stops Here,so would be obliged if an answer to the puzzle can be published please. Many thanks.
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Post by viscount on Jul 3, 2015 8:25:51 GMT 1
Operation of a forum is generally up to one person, or a small group of people working together. Usually the person who starts a website or forum is the person in charge as it is 'their' site and they have control of membership and to a degree content. A website content is generally controlled by one person, the 'webmaster' who has the passwords to enter/delete data at their whim. On a forum the content is provided by the members.
A forum is open to all who 'join' to contribute. My experience is that if the forum has no leadership it lacks direction and anarchy rules. However as most forum are there to support a group interest be it knitting, aviation, shipping, local history, whatever, with a shared interest comes common sense 'rules', some are controlled very closely by the administrator, some by the application of common sense of members. Generally the person who has the passwords, who started the site is referred to as 'administrator' as they have the full control of the administrative functions and settings; the forum set-up allows selected members to be given more selective 'moderator' powers, although with Proboards these are very limited. However, and I think this is one point of 'Biggles's' question, these terms are applied differently across different forums and are rather loosely used by us on nwan froum.
The nwan forum has a 'history' stretching back to the mid 1990s, when home PC ownership and use was in its very much in its infancy. It was started by the 'North West Air News Group', a membership society with a paper monthly magazine who had been operating since 1986. The site was started by Dave Graham for the Group and was accessible for members of NWAN to join, although anyone could visit. Initially the site was hosted by Lycos, then when they folded, xsorbit and then when that host had their plug pulled March 2009 (on the arrest of the owner) shortly after to Proboards. However that gets ahead of the narrative, as in the meantime, the NWAN Group ceased as a Society and magazine publisher in June 2006. Dave Graham, as a webmaster before that had started a website mounting photographs and articles relating to Liverpool Airport history and used his site to continue to publish monthly monthly movements until June 2014 - when he decided enough-was-enough, and overnight 'pulled the plug' and deleted the lot. You know my opinions of this and the loss of a mass of collective information as a result. Although Dave Graham was owner of his website, he was administrator and not owner of the forum - which had been initiated by Paul Derbyshire of Derbosoft who held the main passwords. Before Dave Graham stepped down as site administrator Brian Jones and Tony Williams were moderators, joined by Brian Thompson shortly before DG pulled out in July 2014. So in a sentence, despite writing a paragraph, we became Moderators then Administrators by invitation of the then Administrator. No doubt in time we will look to the active posters who display balance, a good attitude and an enthusiasm for the forum to become Administrators and take-over when we are ready to stand-down.
Due to the way site controls are set up by Proboards, one person (in our case Paul Derbyshire) has the main password control, however he has delegated full 'Administrator' control to Brian Jones, Brian Thompson and Tony Williams. There is absolutely no reward (in a financial sense) for running a forum, indeed a rather thick skin is required not to take upsets personally. Our policy with the NWAN forum has been to try and 'rule' with a light hand as far as possible, unlike DG who exerted tight control on the Liverpool Airport sections. The 'administrator' powers delegated by Proboards include granting and banning membership, control to move, amend or delete posts, create new sections, allow sections to be 'members only' and not viewable by visitors etc. Although we frequently use the term 'Moderator', with Proboards a Moderator actually has very little access to Admin powers. However, I do not really like the controlling title 'Administrator', generally refer to myself as 'Moderator' as a much more friendly style title - although not Proboards correct.
As stated we hopefully run 'nwan forum' as a friendly welcoming place to exchange mutual information politely. As such our rules are basically common sense - with the main rule being to respect the views of others and certainly don't be offensive to other members. However it is not as easy as that. I certainly don't think of myself in terms of 'Boss' 'Gaffer' 'Chairman' 'Head' 'Director' of forum simply because I'm not. Yes, we do have the power to delete posts (which may add-up in the opinions of some as authoritarian censorship), lock threads, ban members, formulate site policy etc., but we perceive the general desire of the members is to have the smooth, polite exchange of information facilitated with the minimium of conflict or space wasters. Indeed if I had to give a title to our role, I would call myself a 'Facilitator'.
Forum are an interesting phenomenon of the early 21st Century. In their operation they can be neither be dictatorship nor a democracy. Due to the use of 'user-names', they are possibly the closest we have ever got as a civilisation to a classless, raceless society without borders. I've no doubt there are Sociology Degree dissertations on that very subject. The opinions of world experts in their field, are posted on a level footing beside the thoughts of a teenager. In that sentence though is one of the basic problems facing the moderator of a forum. While it is clear which contributors know and have great experience about the topic they are posting, how do you facilitate them alongside those who have little in the way of social experience, or worse still aim to provoke and stir with their own agenda. The forum moderator has to have the wisdom of Solomon and patience of Job (have I got that saying right?) to keep topics and comments in line, while dealing with their own life's up and downs. This where an earlier comment about respect comes in. Indeed, I suspect that 'Biggles's' question is prompted by my tired sharp response to a member who re-asked a question after being given a sourced answer by a member whose knowledge I respect.
OK, just gone back to look at the OP and have to answer qualifications needed to be a Administrator/Moderator of a forum. Clearly none, however a sense of fairness, a balanced viewpoint, patience and an ability to take action when needed are helpful. Dave Graham felt I would helpful when he invited me as a Moderator to support him. Clearly someone who frequently looks at all posts across the forum is essential so that activity on all sections is monitored is essential. Am I the best person to be an Administrator, possibly not as I tend to be long winded (just read this post!) while the other Brian can be blunt and to the point, so we balance each other - what we both have is a wide knowledge/interest across the spectrum that this forum wishes to cover and vitally a great enthusiasm to see this forum continue grow in popularity and following.
Thank you for the comments that follow, even before I had fully finished this essay. It is always good to know that we have support, although I suspect (hope) that 'Biggles's' post was actually more about questions seeking background information than questioning our right to 'Administrate' nwan forum.
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Post by acklington on Jul 3, 2015 9:39:08 GMT 1
I'd just like to say that it is greatly appreciated what you do, and the personal time that you and the others put in to running the forum.
It is easy to forget that all of these forums are run by unpaid volunteers, and they give their most precious commodity - time!
The members also make it successful, and regular contributors are the 'life & soul' of a forum.
So well done all!
P.S. I also think that some reliable means of saving all the data for posterity is important, otherwise 'history' will be lost, and individual efforts wasted.
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Post by deteulada on Jul 3, 2015 9:46:29 GMT 1
I'd just like to say that it is greatly appreciated what you do, and the personal time that you and the others put in to running the forum. It is easy to forget that all of these forums are run by unpaid volunteers, and they give their most precious commodity - time! The members also make it successful, and regular contributors are the 'life & soul' of a forum. So well done all! P.S. I also think that some reliable means of saving all the data for posterity is important, otherwise 'history' will be lost, and individual efforts wasted. I fully concur with acklington's comments. This is the best forum that I know of and I think it is administered/moderated correctly. |
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Post by crumb on Jul 3, 2015 10:16:50 GMT 1
Seconded- run exceptionally well. Also nips it in the bud went people with a chip on their shoulder go off on a rant. Greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.
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