2 inactivity related questions

[retta283]

These might seem like weird questions but they made me curious.

First, I notice that there was talk of archiving Distributed Computing that went nowhere, not sure if you guys just Overlooked that because it's only gotten 1 new thread since the discussion started and it only happened because of a certain event not truly related to the subject matter.

Second, do you not demote inactive mods? I notice two people on your Staff members list that have not been active in a while. balamw hasn't been on in a year. Knox hasn't been on for almost 2 and 1/2 years, and hasn't posted in over 8 years. Now I don't know if these guys are acting as mods still while not appearing, but it seems like they're inactive. While I know both of them enough to know they wouldn't do anything harmful, it just seems odd to me that you are not stripped of your rank after a certain point, but again I am not sure if this is just an oversight or policy.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Question 2 seems rather odd to focus on, in my opinion. I don't see how that aspect of the inner circle policy is really any of our business.

More than likely, an acting mod has to request removal from the staff, unless he or she is asked to leave due to private circumstances, or abandons his or her post by not logging in for x amount of time.

It seems to me that the current active mods are handling the site well.

There is no way a moderator could do physical damage to the site, as they don't have that kind of access in their panel settings. It is very easy to turn off access for any mod or make 'adjustments' to specific access control for the admins and Arn, should they wish to do so for someone AWOL.

 

[retta283]

There is no way a moderator could do physical damage to the site, as they don't have that kind of access in their panel settings.

This was my concern. Good to know this is not possible here. I did have that happen to my own Forum some 15 years ago, one of the admins returned after a few years and totally wiped the boards...

As I said, the two examples I used are people that would never do so but it seemed like a potentially dangerous precedent. Without the knowledge of what powers they are given that is.

 

[Apple_Robert]

This was my concern. Good to know this is not possible here. I did have that happen to my own Forum some 15 years ago, one of the admins returned after a few years and totally wiped the boards...

As I said, the two examples I used are people that would never do so but it seemed like a potentially dangerous precedent. Without the knowledge of what powers they are given that is.

An admin could cause temporary problems, and moderator cannot, outside of breaking protocol and banning several people at once.

The database is backed up regularly and should something ever happen from the aforementioned or a hack, Arn would be able to recreate the forum.

Like Apple, this site is pretty locked down with panels and protocols. If something happens, multiple people are alerted.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

These might seem like weird questions but they made me curious.


Second, do you not demote inactive mods? I notice two people on your Staff members list that have not been active in a while. balamw hasn't been on in a year. Knox hasn't been on for almost 2 and 1/2 years, and hasn't posted in over 8 years. Now I don't know if these guys are acting as mods still while not appearing, but it seems like they're inactive. While I know both of them enough to know they wouldn't do anything harmful, it just seems odd to me that you are not stripped of your rank after a certain point, but again I am not sure if this is just an oversight or policy.

I'll admit that the second question has also occurred to me.

Question 2 seems rather odd to focus on, in my opinion. I don't see how that aspect of the inner circle policy is really any of our business.

More than likely, an acting mod has to request removal from the staff, unless he or she is asked to leave due to private circumstances, or abandons his or her post by not logging in for x amount of time.

Such matters may not be "any of our business", but, while I think that the site is under no obligation to actually answer this question, I would submit that we do have a perfect right to pose it.

And, while I have not raised it publicly - I will admit that the same question has occurred to me.

It seems to me that the current active mods are handling the site well.

That is a matter of opinion.

Personally, I think that there is - as some school reports might, in such circumstances, have phrased it - "(considerable) room for improvement".

There is no way a moderator could do physical damage to the site, as they don't have that kind of access in their panel settings. It is very easy to turn off access for any mod or make 'adjustments' to specific access control for the admins and Arn, should they wish to do so for someone AWOL.

Do you know this for certain?

Nevertheless, if true, it is reassuring.

 

[Doctor Q]

Regarding inactive moderators: Inactive or former moderators do not retain moderator privileges, but some MR team members help the site without using their forum accounts.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Regarding inactive moderators: Inactive or former moderators do not retain moderator privileges, but some MR team members help the site without using their forum accounts.

That is a good answer; thanks.