Since this forum, like many nowadys, uses mostly volunteer moderators (unpaid AFAIK), I'm curious what type of person would do it. If they're not getting paid, they must be getting some enjoyment out of the work.

So what kind of pleasure does a person get from censoring/locking/banning/lecturing/scolding forum users?

Oh, never mind

Same as any other forum. Its unpaid and sometimes nasty work, but it needs to be done to keep things in order. People can't be trusted without authority.

As for the kind of people that would do it. Probably the kind of person who doesn't want to see a forum degrade into a flame fest of people with 12 year-old mindsets. Because, really, if you feel you need to start flaming, then you are no better then a child.

Its not just for censoring/locking/banning/lecturing/scolding forum users?

They keep the entire Forum under control. I'm glad we have people sacrificing there time to sit in front of a screen like a mindless zombie rotting there brains away. Wait went to far sorry, anyway without them things would be chaotic. Mods are the reason why this is my favourite Forum to visit.

:foodndrink:

If offered I'd do it.

I do believe they get teh epic l00tz around new game release time.

Doesn't our mods get free Bethesda/Zenimax games? If so i'm totally jelly right now.

Alhtough i'm not sure if i'd like to be a mod. You lock one thread/ban someone and some people will hate you. I don't like people hating me, my ego can't take it

Then you simply ban the people who hate you! Problem solved!

I like the way you think good sir.

I doubt there would be anyone left though...

Its more about the pleasure of keeping an orderly, civil, and pleasant forum.

Free games for sitting at a computer screen and warning/banning 12yroldlittlekiddies flamers? Hell, I'd kill to have that job.

That depends on who you ask, some people do it for the top hats and others for the cats, so on and so forth...

The mods here wouldn't have to lecture/scold/lock/censor/ban/whatever if people could actually control themselves when on the internet. Unfortunately, most people can't actually do that. The mods are necessary in order for people to enjoy the forum, because not everyone here wants to be sworn at, abused and argued with.

They may seem a little strict at times but if they start making exceptions all over the place then they either have to start making exceptions everywhere or else people start calling favouritism and then degradation of forum ensues.

Sure they rule with an iron fist but we've only ourselves to blame for that.

The moderation here is near perfect. I think they rule with a fancy iron fist.

Im sure being in a position of authority doesn't hurt ones desire to be a moderator.

Not to kiss collective ass but I wouldn't call the rules iron-fisted and I certainly don't blame myself for the rules or for people on the internet. Then again I've never really been very active on any forums but these.

If no one argued then the internet would be very boring and stupidity would reign even more than it does

I completely agree!!!

Thats almost quote worthy.

some people might do it just because it gives them something to do instead of just sitting around the house with nothing to do

They usually choose people that want to give back to the community and that were helpful before they became mods.

Also, some of them are retired and free games are always nice.

I wonder if all our mods were chosen by admins or they went out and actually to be one.

I hope when they return they'll answer.

There's a difference between debating and arguing. Debates are good. Arguments are bad, especially since most of them tend to be over something completely stupid and immature and mostly resort to throwing insults about.

When the current mods think they need help, or they see a problem with coverage at a certain time, they start considering possible candidates. People who are helpful, polite, and show an understanding of the forum rules are usually on the list. Mods have to be at least 18 years old due to possible crap that needs to be cleared out. The mods get a list of names together that everyone agrees on, and the list gets passed on to the admins. The admins are the ones who send out the black vans and ninjas invitations. Sometimes people do manage to escape turn it down. I don't think anyone who is a mod actually set out to be a mod. I was lurking here when the hassle with General Discussion started, and a group of posters were spamming and posting a lot of not very nice stuff, managing to make the forums a rather unpleasant place for newcomers to try to post. If you were one of their little group, you got a hard time if you posted just about anything. That's when the admins started the volunteer moderators, and shut down General Discussion. If your post wasn't about a game, and on-topic, it was locked or deleted for spam.

Mods aren't paid, but we do get, as HD says, swag. We do get the game; sometimes, depending, we'll get other stuff too, like shirts or posters.

I get the feeling you recieved that awesome NCR New Vegas promo shirt. If so I'm extremely jealous.

Also thanks for answering my question.

Anytime one of those post your room or collection threads come up I always get so jealous of all the cool stuff you guys get.