Re: Simple
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think common sense should be utilized rather than strictly following the t&c. Rules and laws need to be made for people that lack the ability to utilize common sense.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah, now this is something different.
I believe Jim is thinking along the right lines. Utilizing our own judgement is usually a much more effective means of moderation than coming up with strict rules for each forum. However, once these rules are created, they must apply to everyone. Essentially I am saying that the mods who create their own specific guidelines for their forums are actually limiting their own ability to make judgement calls.
If these standard 'policies' and 'rules' (apart from what is already spelled out in the site's T&C) were not created in the first place, all the moderators would have to use their own judgement on how to handle a situation.
If a rule would require that you sometimes ban or suspend a person, don't put it in your own guidelines.
Wouldn't that be better?
Also, think about how moderators would no longer be able to fall back on, "It's my policy, so it had to be done." No, any bans or suspensions they make will be about their own judgement of the situation. If that were the case, they could be held more directly accountable for these decisions.
Let's face it...
All situations and posters are not equal. So why should the moderators of these forums be creating rules which limit their own ability to make the right calls and use their own judgement? Isn't our supposed better than average judgement why we were made mods in the first place?
Once you make something a rule or policy, it must apply to everyone.
My solution: Don't make new rules. Use your judgement. If a decision isn't good, the only fault is that of the decision maker.
Simple.
[/ QUOTE ]
We have our terms and conditions in writing. I consider it my job to apply these terms and conditions using my own judgment. It was the directive given to me by Mason about three years ago, and I believe it is the only directive I've passed on to moderators asking what was expected from them. So I agree with Cola. On the other hand, I have trusted the judgment of those who felt that in certain instances specific rules should be posted, and I still do. People may want to consider, however, that they may be restricting themselves unecessarily
|