i'm tickled to report i've also received several pms in the past short while from people who'd like to know if and how they can help.
it would help very much if one or two people would volunteer to moderate the General ChitChat section for us. you don't have to be a 'puter whiz to do it. we can explain anything you need to know about the specific steps for each task. the primary qualifications would be:
-you're a regular visitor to the GCC anyway
-you have attention to detail and quality control
-you promise to check the section at least each morning and each evening (say ... before or after dinner). it helps if you're willing to do this for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, while you're on vacation, and at 2am if some sicko decides to plaster pornography all over the place because you hope you can find and delete all of it before somebody has a heart attack during their morning cruise.
-you have to be prepared to accept abuse and accusations. the overwhelming majority of our members are absolutely adorable sweetypies, but a few can get pretty viscious when they don't get their own way.
-the wisdom of Solomon and the patience of Job are helpful but - c'mon - let's get real. just promise to do the best you can. :wink:
sounds pretty dire, i suppose. but the upside is that you'll meet wonderful people from around the world. you'll hear "thanks" often enough to keep you going through most of the hard times - usually just at the moment you need it the most. uncanny, but true. :P
any volunteers?
if you're unable to add such a major commitment to your daily to-do list, here are some things you can do instead:
-remember that this board is about "us". not about "you". not about "me". not about "i". or "them". it's about "us". every decision and change that's ever happened here has been a sincere attempt to serve the needs of the group.
-read ALL of the rules ... the general rules you can link to from the bottom of the page AND the special guidelines for each section.
-review ALL of the rules periodically to check for changes.
-follow ALL of the rules even if you think they're goofy. if something confuses you, just ask. we'll be happy to clear it up.
-suggestions are always welcome when they are presented logically, calmly, pleasantly, and with the needs of the group in mind. "i want", "i need", and "i don't like" are not reasons for change. only a well reasoned concensus is good reason to consider a change. (mobs with pitchforks and torches should please stay home.)
-please accept that there will always be a need for limits. respect them. don't ignore them, or test them, or search for loopholes.
what we need right now are some simple, clear suggestions we can use to redefine the limits. we tried our best to set limits that didn't embarrass anybody, or make them feel unwelcome. the whole point of being so strict and extreme was to avoid singling out any one person or type of person. so much for that idea. too many cats are now out of the bag. for each example Admin was forced to present, there's bound to be at least one member out there somewhere hurt, humiliated, and crying. that causes me more pain than the attacks on me have done.
as i read through, i gathered that Admin feels comfortable giving pet pics and stories a "go" for return to General ChitChat. clear. easy to interpret. therefore, easy to moderate.
i believe the same has been agreed upon for vacation stories and pics. again ... clear. easy to interpret. therefore, easy to moderate.
if it generates a smile it's probably safe. if it'll make us laugh, but not blush, it's probably safe - provided we can ever agree to which is the no-no notch on the blush-o-meter. (i gotta tell ya, that one gives me the willies.) :roll:
do you see where i'm headed? specific, clear suggestions. and, yes, it's ok to suggest would shouldn't be there. just, please, be diplomatic about it.
if you have some unhappy news you sincerely believe most of the members will want to hear, please send a pm to either Admin or me so we can figure out whether or not it should be posted and then present the news on your behalf. that way, we know what's going on and you don't have to worry about accidentally crossing a line even we have a hard time seeing.
let's not rush to post anything yet. let's talk some more and build our working list. (again, i stress, not written in blood or chiseled in stone. a place to start.) when Admin gets back, we can present it for his consideration and he can let us know which he approves and which he doesn't. it's just a few more days. (you can use the time to round up and scan all those pics you've been itchin' to post. :wink: )