PMs from Mods - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**sdpiggylvr** · #1 11-01-09, 09:10 pm

I wanted to suggest to the moderators that when PMing newbies, don't list the things they did wrong, instead PM them a polite note saying something like: "We noticed something in your post/thread that didn't follow the rules. Please (insert what they should do next time), and review the community rules again. Thanks for your consideration."
I've received one or two PMs saying you did this wrong, you did that wrong, don't do it again, etc. Overall, not a very pleasant note. I would rather get a note that was polite and kinder than listing the things they did wrong. Makes me feel kind of bad and doesn't exactly make me excited to come back.
Just a suggestion, don't have to take it seriously or jump on me or anything. Just read and consider, please.

**blackarrow** · #2 11-01-09, 09:15 pm

This is precisely the kind of thing best taken up in a PM if you don't want people to "jump on" you. It's in your power.

**vicky2** · #3 11-01-09, 09:23 pm

Well, it's kind of their job. Besides, if you don't want those kind of pm's, don't do anything wrong in the first place.

**Kipsie** · #4 11-01-09, 09:25 pm

This is what they do on an 'all ages' game I play on. The problem is that they warn you (being as vague as possible) and they freeze your account without you knowing exactly what you did wrong.

**sdpiggylvr** · #5 11-01-09, 09:26 pm

Sorry, I was only making a suggestion. People can't jump on me for making a suggestion. I didn't say anything bad so what can people say about it?
This part of the forum is for suggestions, so I posted a suggestion. I'm doing what this part of the forum is for - no one can jump on me for that.
I see your point, though.

**sdpiggylvr** · #6 11-01-09, 09:28 pm

I'm just saying that a more gentler PM would be a little better.

People make mistakes.

**vicky2** · #7 11-01-09, 09:29 pm

No one jumped on you.
There is Kip's experience on a forum using your suggestion. The end result wasn't very pretty.

**blackarrow** · #8 11-01-09, 09:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdpiggylvr

People can't jump on me for making a suggestion. I didn't say anything bad so what can people say about it?

Well, I have no idea, you're the one who said people shouldn't do it. If you thought they couldn't, it seems like kind of an empty admonishment.

**Seonta** · #9 11-01-09, 09:36 pm

To play devil's advocate here, this could be taken as: you basically told the mods they were doing it wrong. You know, telling them to do their job. That usually doesn't go over well with people who are of a higher authority than you, especially when you do it in public.

**Pulsepoint129** · #10 11-01-09, 09:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicky2

No one jumped on you.

Hey Vick! *wave*

I don't think she was implying that anyone is jumping right now, per se... I think what she probably meant to say is that no one would have any reason to retort to or otherwise rebuke her suggestion in a "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" or some other under-the-radar, subtle remark that one would find condesending.

Of course, there are a majority that will probably nevertheless state their differing opinion with a tone that could entirely be misconstrued by those who remain highly sensitive; only to claim that it is all in a matter of the way folks perceive whatever is said. And of course, the reverse is also true--those that may feel easily offended by a blunt difference of opinion can feel that the delivery was tactless.

**Ly&Pigs** · #11 11-01-09, 09:39 pm

Our infraction system works well for us. We do try to be as nice as possible but getting infractions isn't nice business to start with. The person getting it has broken a rule so we want them to know what they did wrong so they won't do it anymore. It kind of defeats the purpose of getting an infraction for capitalization if you don't tell them that it's for not capitalizing their I's on posts if that's what they aren't doing.

I do have to agree with Blackarrow that this would have been better suited as a private message to one of us moderators. I do not want this to turn into a "mod" bashing thread. Edit: I don't want this to turn into any kind of bashing thread.

The best way to avoid infractions is to not violate the rules or behave in an unacceptable manner.

**vicky2** · #12 11-01-09, 09:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ly&Pigs

I do not want this to turn into a "mod" bashing thread.

Isn't there a mod suck up thread?

**Kipsie** · #13 11-01-09, 09:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicky2

No one jumped on you.
There is Kip's experience on a forum using your suggestion. The end result wasn't very pretty.

I made another account.

They didn't IP ban me yet.

**Ly&Pigs** · #14 11-01-09, 09:52 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicky2

Isn't there a mod suck up thread?

Yeah, but it's pretty old and no one sucks up anymore. And it does not keep anyone from getting infractions.

**sdpiggylvr** · #15 11-01-09, 10:05 pm

Ly&Pigs, I see your point. I agree that your system does keep things running smoothly. I guess what I was trying to say is that everybody hates to admit the things they did wrong! I know that getting a PM isn't a good thing in the first place, and you're probably not going to get a friendly, happy note if you've broke a rule.
I guess you're right, I probably should have sent this in a PM. Sorry if I hurt your feelings or the other Mods' as well. I wasn't starting a mod bashing thread and I wasn't bashing you guys at all. Just offering a suggestion. I don't think anyone's going to be bashing mods anyways in this thread.
Thanks for clarifying, Ly&Pigs!

**twiztedlilfae** · #16 11-01-09, 10:11 pm

I feel that they are very polite when giving warning. I was given one for capitalization and using ellipses in a post. There was nothing rude said to me just that I needed to reread the rules and why I was given this warning. I was given an infraction awhile back for improper gallery photos. The pm I got wasn't rude it was just informing me that they didn't allow those kinds of photos here. I think it all has to do with how often you're doing what they're giving you a warning about. If they have to tell you more than once it would seem to me that they'd have to get increasingly "aggressive" because you're being told more than once. That only makes sense, since if you're a child you're told once not to go into the cookie jar by your mom going "no no, not before supper!" and if you continue you end up with your hand smacked for disobeying.

**Ly&Pigs** · #17 11-01-09, 10:28 pm

Even if we have to send multiple infraction notices for the same rule violation, we still try to do it as nicely as possible, sometimes we do have to get a bit "meaner" but not often. Most people correct their mistakes and read the rules when they get the first notice.

I did not say anyone was bashing mods or anyone else but just that I did not want this to turn into that kind of thread since there are many others already. Trust me, I have a pretty thick skin, I have to because you don't survive long as a moderator here without it.

You did not hurt my feelings, sd. I know you were only making a suggestion. The thing about mistakes is that they make you a better person. One just has to learn from their mistakes and move forward. Oh and by the way, you can call me Ly instead of Ly&Pigs.

**Tessa Bea** · #18 11-01-09, 11:24 pm

I agree with twizted- I've been PMed by a mod before and it was very polite. I don't believe that they try to "jump" on anyone or be less than "gentle" when enforcing the forums rules.

I can also understand that someone who continued to disobey forum guidelines or get increasingly upset or aggressive would require an increase in "modular" force. I don't think that the mods are "out to get" anyone, nor do they have "favorites", and I do in fact think that they follow proper protocol for their positions.

**princesspoppy** · #19 11-02-09, 07:37 am

Yup i agree with Tessa. My first few days on the site I got a few infractions, Ahem....even for teling a naughty Irish joke in chat .oops. My grammer and paragraphs got me into trouble and i believe it was Paula to who had to walk me through spaces after a full stop. I hadn't a clue (Thanks Paula) Even now I still make many mistakes and I'm forever editing my posts. My quotes,oh my gosh I won't even go into it. But SD, if members are in the wrong or doing something wrong it's the mods that put us right.
Praise the mod's

**fridzalone** · #20 11-02-09, 08:14 am

I got some PM's from mods before (quite a lot actually).
Here's one of the PM that i got :

Dear fridzalone,

This a friendly heads up about one of your posts that is outside of our posting guidelines.

The reason is: Capitalization

Please be advised that we require proper capitalization on all posts you make on the forum. This includes capitalizing the first letter of each sentence, all your I's and words like I'm, I've, I'd, I'll, etc. along with proper names/places and anything else that needs capitalizing.

Here's the post we're referencing:
(the link)

We know you may not have had a chance to review the guidelines before posting, but you may want to take a few moments and review this summary (the link).

Thank you for your continued contributions,
The GPC administration

I think the message is very polite. I didn't see the part where the mods says "you're wrong" or something like it. I think it's great when people know their mistakes, because usually people don't read the forum rules in the first place.

"Thank you, sdpiggylvr, for this useful post," says:
Onetwo (11-02-09)

"Thank you, blackarrow, for this useful post," say these 8 members:
Ibbet (11-02-09), katiewilson (11-03-09), Peggysu (11-01-09), rabbitsncavyluv (11-03-09), Seonta (11-01-09), Tessa Bea (11-01-09), vicky2 (11-01-09), WheekiePiggy123 (11-02-09)

"Thank you, vicky2, for this useful post," says:
Peggysu (11-01-09)

"Thank you, Kipsie, for this useful post," says:
Tessa Bea (11-01-09)

"Thank you, sdpiggylvr, for this useful post," say these 3 members:
CavyLuver516 (11-03-09), Onetwo (11-02-09), trump_cinnamon (11-02-09)

"Thank you, Seonta, for this useful post," says:
Ibbet (11-02-09)

"Thank you, Ly&Pigs, for this useful post," say these 10 members:
Amsley246 (11-01-09), blackarrow (11-01-09), Ibbet (11-02-09), katiewilson (11-03-09), MapleSyrup (11-02-09), Peggysu (11-01-09), princesspoppy (11-02-09), Rnd210 (11-01-09), sdpiggylvr (11-01-09), Tessa Bea (11-01-09)

"Thank you, twiztedlilfae, for this useful post," say these 2 members:
Ibbet (11-02-09), Tessa Bea (11-01-09)

"Thank you, Ly&Pigs, for this useful post," say these 2 members:
Ibbet (11-02-09), sdpiggylvr (11-02-09)

"Thank you, Tessa Bea, for this useful post," says:
princesspoppy (11-02-09)

"Thank you, princesspoppy, for this useful post," says:
Tessa Bea (11-02-09)

"Thank you, fridzalone, for this useful post," say these 4 members:
Ibbet (11-02-09), juliaaa (11-02-09), princesspoppy (11-02-09), Tessa Bea (11-02-09)