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Foxy's Community Post #20 (Wall-o-text edition!)

Published by Vulpine Script in the blog Blogsytail. Views: 230

Hey there everypony. It's this time again, and this time, I got more than just news for you guys, so I hope you've got your reading glasses!

First of all, you asked and we listened. The Serious Discussion section will be implemented for a trial period by the end of this week. I can speak for all of us when I say I hope that we can all be well behaved, mature ponies when this area is opened up and I look forward to looking at and participating in some serious talk!

Now, for something I think I need to talk about. First of all, let me quote a former administrator and my past self.

Derpy Hooves;123403 said:

I've seen on a few posts lately words like "this will get deleted soon" and it seems a lot of people have misconceptions about the way we deal with touchy scenarios - it's not an act of suppression as some may seem to think.

As moderators of the forums, our goal is to make everyone happy - unilateral happiness is what we strive for, but at the same time pleasing everyone is impossible, especially as a forum grows - the more members we have, the more likely that someone will be at unrest for some reason or another (it's simply how probability works, we cannot pretend that there will never be problems, even in a community that likes to value "lover and tolerance" - bronies are people just like anyone else, expecting there to be no conflict is unrealistic), be it a problem with another member, the community as a whole or an assortment of other reasons. When this unrest emerges our first instinct is to try to mend the issue to return the user to said happiness, but in the same manner we cannot allow the process to endanger the happiness of others - the problem with large public posts expressing anger is that should we allow them to sit, more and more people will try to combat the original post or support it, thus more people enter the situation - from this point the situation escalates and what was a problem between a few users becomes a forum wide brawl, thus the unrest spreading - with our goal of happiness to as many as we possibly can, this is a scenario we work hard to avoid.

So how does it get solved again?

Simply put we take it out of the main public, problems like that are best dealt with in private where misplaced aggressions, hasty acts of frustration and making a big public spectacle are kept from harming others, whether the original frustrated member aims to do just that or not. We prefer to keep the ordeal between the involved parties and mediate it for the better.

We are not hiding anything, nor do we expect a vow of silence - we simply want to deal with the scenario as cleanly as possible. Things done in private between the moderators and members will become public, it is expected - people talk and others listen, the parties involved content in that they have nothing to hide, but we prefer to leave this to the decision of the involved parties whether or not they'd like to disclose what happened instead of holding it out for all the world to see, personal feelings may be involved or other things best kept private - in that manner we respect the user's decision.

So what does that mean if you want to address a concern about the community in public to get others opinions on it?

Nothing, go ahead - if a thread is closed it's simply to prevent a violent outburst from the community, if your concerns are valid and not addressed in a manner that isn't inflammatory it's simply a discussion, and discussions are the main point of a forum, thus it is encouraged. The difference between what gets closed and what doesn't is simply a matter of how it's addressed.

Now if your problem is with a specific user then your problem is best addressed either:
-Directly and privately with said user
or
-Bring it to the Community Managers in private

We choose our Community Managers as people we see as effective in dealing with conflicts between members, they are the mediators as mentioned earlier. The idea being to get a calm, unbiased outside source to weigh in on the issue and help resolve it in some way the both of you come out content. Note this doesn't mean every case will be sunshine and rainbows, sometimes if a party is directly in the wrong they will be dealt with as such.

It's simply that if your problem is with a specific user, or a group of specific users, it doesn't need to get the entire forum involved in dealing with it, it is between you specifically, it's not everyone else's problem.

And note when a thread is deleted, it's not truly removed.
I generally unnapprove said inflammatory threads so while they still show up in the forum they're out of the public eye, they can easily at any time be re-approved and thus return to public. In this manner there's always a clear record of what has gone on with the site, if the thread was closed unrightfully if you bring it to the attention of the mods with a vallid reasoning it can easily be re-opened for discussion.
Click to expand...

Foxytail;123410 said:

I'd also like to add that some of you have expressed concern about approaching the community patrol for various reasons, so I hope the next few points will ease these concerns for both new and old members alike.

1 ) Someone might find out I said something.

Everything told to us is in complete confidence. Unless it's completely obvious, no one will ever know what you say to us unless you give us your permission to, and even then only to relevant parties (other community patrol members and possibley admins if needed). We never spread secrets and everything is kept in confidence as much as possible. I must say that there are extreme circumstances in which we cannot stick to this, but they are only in extreme circumstances.

2) What I say criticises the staff.

As community patrol, it's our job to express the concerns of the community, both good and bad, including the staff. If you feel we've done something wrong, or that we could be improved in some way, please don't hesitate to tell us. We are chosen for our maturity and ability to remain neutral. We will address everything told to us and we appreciate it when you tell us when there's some way we can improve. We run this site for your sake, so please get involved.

3) A moderator won't listen to a little guy like me.

This couldn't be further from the truth. It's the little guys that mean most to us. We talk with a lot of members, but there's still places we miss, people we look over for some reason or other. We do our best to avoid this, but we're only human. If you feel forgotten or there is something to tell us, please send us PM or talk to us on skype. We try to make time for everypony. We were all little guys once, we know how it feels. Your voice can and will be heard, so don't silence yourself before you speak. What you say could change the future of everypony!

I hope this has put some minds at ease and I look forward to talking to you guys in future!

~Foxytail
Click to expand...

Told you there'd be a lot of text. But I'm not finished yet.

Quite a few times I see people post about how the moderation staff should 'be more brony', 'think of what the show teaches', 'what happened to love and tolerate?' and similar. To put this in its extremes, this would be the rules list if we were to do so:

Trolling: Tolerate.
Spamming: Tolerate.
Rude Behaviour: Tolerate.

You get the picture.

You can't realistically moderate a forum using a system like that. There has to be lines drawn and they have to be enforced. You'd be surprised how much we actually let go in the staff room, but we can't always be like that or there will always be runaway trolls who do everything they can to push those boundaries. We can't and we won't allow that.

Things have changed in my time here. Things will continue to change. But one thing that will never change is that we will do our best to give you guys a happy, safe, friendly place to hang out, chat, listen to some tunes and have some fun.

Foxy out.

Sep 29, 2012

Saikyo Sep 29, 2012
The bottom line is, my friends: We as staff have an obligation to help you. We have an obligation to make sure that this place is a safe and friendly place to be.

My (And ultimately everyone else's) goal as staff is to make sure that everyone can enjoy this place. We've all heard that this place isn't like it used to be. People have come and gone. People won't be coming back. Some, because we've made mistakes. Some, because we didn't do enough in time.

I want to change this, as does everyone else.

As a moderator of this site, as a fellow user, and as a friend to you all, I want everyone to work together to make this place like it used to be. We're all weary of arguments and these people leaving. Let's all put aside our differences and make this place a haven.

I'm only sorry that I couldn't do more beforehand.

You guys are my family, my second home. I come here every day because I know that there are people here who care for me and for each other. That is what makes this place so special.

I love you all. Thank you so much for giving me something to be happy about again.

Yours, Always

~Ramza
Glorious Rex's Apostle Sep 29, 2012
Sorry, I didn't read it all, but I think I get the gist that there is unrest about what gets deleted and what doesn't it, and you pretty much summarize it by saying that the more people there are the less likely it is that all will be pleased. A simple matter of probability, like you said. I was gonna say something else, but I forget...
Rarit E Sep 29, 2012
I'd add something if i could, but Ramza pretty much covered it. :derpe:
Tech Tea Sep 29, 2012
Normally I'd be "Tl;dr." but it seemed important so I did this time
You guys, as staff, do a lot. However it is almost impossible to make everyone happy. As such, even if most people are not happy, I will still thank you guys for working as hard as you do, when you have almost no credit at some times.
Miggy Sep 29, 2012

and as a friend to you all
Click to expand...

lol

/10char
Radaboy Sep 29, 2012

Miggy;bt2640 said:

lol

/10char
Click to expand...

inb4 the you-know-what hits the fan
B-Dog1996 Sep 29, 2012
This is all perfectly acceptable. Although I've probably annoyed the members of staff at least once in the past. So for that, I'm sorry.
Saikyo Sep 29, 2012
I love you too, Miggy. <3
Glorious Rex's Apostle Sep 29, 2012
Hm. I just read Ramza's comment. Most moderators just do their job and don't integrate themselves into the community. A good moderator will.

Take this as you will.
Miggy Sep 29, 2012
^ Because we're not VIPs bro.
Saikyo Sep 30, 2012
Miggy, I don't know what your problem with me or anyone else is. I don't really know where we went wrong or what I've done to anger you or make you indifferent.

What I do know is that your behaviour is unfounded and rude. If you have a problem with someone, take it up in private. Nobody wants to hear your biased drivel.

I'm serious. Every time I try to say something positive, you have to come out of nowhere and make a sarcastic remark. What went wrong?

You used to be a great guy. And now you're becoming more and more distant with the community.

If you want to talk, bring it to me instead of hiding behind false brovado on the internet. Really.

In the meantime: I'm working on something very special for the community right now. So let's keep going!
Echoax Sep 30, 2012

Ramza;bt2632 said:

As a moderator of this site, as a fellow user, and as a friend to you all, I want everyone to work together to make this place like it used to be. We're all weary of arguments and these people leaving. Let's all put aside our differences and make this place a haven.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to tell you, but that is impossible and will never happen. This site nor the fandom overall will never be able to be what it was.
Saikyo Sep 30, 2012
While we may not be able to get that far, the very least we could do is make it better.
There is always room for improvement, and while we may not get a chance to make it as it once was, we can always improve and make it a better place for everyone. Is that not enough? It's negativity like that that makes this impossible, Echo.
Miggy Sep 30, 2012

Ramza;bt2657 said:

. Is that not enough?
Click to expand...

No.

/10char
Grey Knightmare Oct 1, 2012
<3 Derpy
@Ramza - Well said!
Aynine Oct 1, 2012
Everyone seems to forget we're people like everyone else. I don't know about anyone else, but I have a strong investment of my time and interests into many things beyond my duties. I don't actively post somewhere unless I feel I can contribute something meaningful to a thread.

The rules should not be a problem to anyone--they're meant to be followed to ensure a good environment and aside from slip-ups, the only people who should ever be concerned by them are those who blatantly skirt or break them.

As Foxy, and previously Derpy have stated, we're not out to get you. It just seems that our status is intimidating, but the is more than one of us were you to have a problem.
Echoax Oct 1, 2012

Ramza;bt2657 said:

While we may not be able to get that far, the very least we could do is make it better.
There is always room for improvement, and while we may not get a chance to make it as it once was, we can always improve and make it a better place for everyone. Is that not enough? It's negativity like that that makes this impossible, Echo.
Click to expand...

You guys could make it better. How? There is always talk about making this place better, like it was before. When everything is said and done, more was said then done.

As for is it enough? Yeah, if I could see the improvment.

it's negativity like that that amkes this impossible, Echo
I'm afraid I don't understand. Are you saying that negativity is far greater then being positive. I think there are maybe 5 or 6 people that would be like me. So out of 100 active members, 5-6 stop the whole thing from happening? Being positive should mean you have confidence that you'll make it better and with 94 members feeling the same 6 should not be able to tear it down.
Gabachi Oct 2, 2012

Echoax said:

it's negativity like that that amkes this impossible, Echo
I'm afraid I don't understand. Are you saying that negativity is far greater then being positive. I think there are maybe 5 or 6 people that would be like me. So out of 100 active members, 5-6 stop the whole thing from happening? Being positive should mean you have confidence that you'll make it better and with 94 members feeling the same 6 should not be able to tear it down.
Click to expand...

I think that's exactly what he's saying Echo.

The saying goes, a few bad eggs can spoil the whole bunch. I don't think this is any different. A lot of people here have had rough pasts which only makes any negative posts that much worse. On top of that, you have 16K posts which makes you one of the biggest voices on EP.

I'd leave that negative out if I were anyone. I don't care if you are a realist. The fact is, this site needs to stay positive and we all need to rely on each other, even when the world may fail us.
Echoax Oct 2, 2012

Gabachi;bt2726 said:

I think that's exactly what he's saying Echo.

The saying goes, a few bad eggs can spoil the whole bunch. I don't think this is any different. A lot of people here have had rough pasts which only makes any negative posts that much worse. On top of that, you have 16K posts which makes you one of the biggest voices on EP.

I'd leave that negative out if I were anyone. I don't care if you are a realist. The fact is, this site needs to stay positive and we all need to rely on each other, even when the world may fail us.
Click to expand...

If something is truly bad and spoiling the bunch, remove it. Don't let it sit around.

As for me having 16K posts and being one of the biggest voices here, that is just asinine. My post count should have no bearing on how big my voice is.
Gabachi Oct 2, 2012

Echoax said:

As for me having 16K posts and being one of the biggest voices here, that is just asinine. My post count should have no bearing on how big my voice is.
Click to expand...

The fact is, that's the way it works. On all forums. People tend to look up to those who have higher post counts. There's obviously other ways of making yourself heard but the fact still stands.
Dilly Star Oct 3, 2012
Thanks for having so much faith in the users, Foxy. It's you and the rest of the team that make it all possible.
Echoax Oct 3, 2012

Gabachi;bt2729 said:

The fact is, that's the way it works. On all forums. People tend to look up to those who have higher post counts. There's obviously other ways of making yourself heard but the fact still stands.
Click to expand...

Man, people look up to the dumbest things then. I'm not trying to be rude, but really. My post count makes me no different then anyone else. Other then the fact that I never seem to leave.
Liokin Oct 3, 2012
So why shouldn't other ponies look up to people who are plugged into this site like you guys? -lol

If anything I think its just senior respect.

Respecting Ecohax-sama. They look at your post count and say "Oh shi-" This guy knows some stuff.

Just saiyan.
Liokin Oct 3, 2012

Dilly Star;bt2743 said:

Thanks for having so much faith in the users, Foxy. It's you and the rest of the team that make it all possible.
Click to expand...

As for you I think its probably like I stated before as well. Why bother questioning the guy with 16k post?

That just shows how plugged into this site you are.

Not a bad thing. Meaning enjoy the respect. Cause when your on the internet respect is something that's darn near extinct.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you~

Have your cake...and eat it too~

Don't fix it if it ain't broke~
SoulEmber Oct 4, 2012
Liokin, did you mean to quote Dilly?
Echoax Oct 4, 2012

Liokin;bt2754 said:

So why shouldn't other ponies look up to people who are plugged into this site like you guys? -lol

If anything I think its just senior respect.

Respecting Ecohax-sama. They look at your post count and say "Oh shi-" This guy knows some stuff.

Just saiyan.
Click to expand...

I just never leave. Doesn't mean I know anything. I'm just a boring person that honestly has nothing better to do.
Dilly Star Oct 4, 2012

Lightning_Mustang;bt2765 said:

Liokin, did you mean to quote Dilly?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I wondered that as well. :O
Legion Oct 6, 2012
Personally, I see no problems with the ruleset. Or the staff. I never have, through all the complaining that has been done against them. They have never made me want to leave. I don't see what grounds anyone has to hold such a grudge against them.

I'm going to be frank. It's comments like these

and as a friend to you all
Click to expand...

lol

/10char
Click to expand...

that really make me want to leave. I just can't believe that anyone would react that way to this kind of blog post. Absolutely mind-blowing.

Honestly, the staff are just people. They AREN'T out to get us, and I don't know where any of you have gotten the impression that they are. If you got in trouble, you probably deserved it. So instead of complaining about how biased or unfair or elitist the staff are, how about you work on trying to fix what you're doing? And if you just can't bring yourself to act maturely and deal with the rules and the consequences of breaking them, then you SHOULD leave. It'll be easier for the staff, you, and the rest of us that way.

Thank you.
Liokin Oct 6, 2012

Lightning_Mustang;bt2765 said:

Liokin, did you mean to quote Dilly?
Click to expand...

Eeee nope

-lol
Liokin Oct 6, 2012

Echoax;bt2776 said:

I just never leave. Doesn't mean I know anything. I'm just a boring person that honestly has nothing better to do.
Click to expand...

Cripe your depressing guy -lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPaLaKygHBo

This is what I get from talking to you.^

Ya down play yourself a lot.

For the most part any one who knows you knows you spend ample time here. But versus saying you've just spent your fair share of time you basically say you have no life out side of this site. Which I know isn't true. Because you are also an aspiring artist.

Take the compliment I was trying to give you and don't debate me yo >:3

"Pixel-sama = Wise and knowledable form being here so long"

Nuff' said.