The Promotions

Frankly, I have a few issues with them. The main issue is that regular members almost never have a chance to become staff. By saying this, I am in no way saying that I deserve to be staff (I'm not nearly active enough to give a fuck), but I do think it's a bit unfair to other members.

I'm a bit tired of seeing old staff and MSN buddies getting the promotions before anyone else. I understand that the old staff can be trusted and already knows how to do the job, but in all honesty, they left, should it be that easy to come back? (Don't mention the "voting in" process that staff does because that is just as much bullshit. Friends vote for friends. End of that.) I believe there are dozens of people on here that are more than trusted enough to be staff and would do a much better job at it as they are in certain sections more. I'm in no way trying to defame the staff that currently exists, as I believe some of them are doing a good job. I'm also not objecting to the recent promotions of ex-staff or anything like that. I'm merely stating that other members deserve the same chance at becoming staff as anyone else. Everyone has to have a first chance, and yet, no one receives one.

That's just my opinion on the subject, what does everyone else think?

You may all point and laugh if you please. Literacy should be a requirement on this site.

 

Well, think about it like this. Would you like a mod that was a mod before who you can trust and that knows what they are doing, or someone that could be untrustable and not knowing what they are doing at all?

 

I've been thinking about it and sort of agree with you. I haven't seen a "regular" user being promoted to staff in ages...

 

It's harder to trust the average, unknown member due to the sheer amount of people who scam. Every week the staff see scammers, gurus or higher, who were deemed trusted. It's very hard to deliver what you're asking.

 

Or would you prefer some fresh blood? I find many of the long been mods way too cynnical and unhelpful. I believe new staff members would be a much needed youthful spark and would really contribute and help other users.
As well, don't you think that users who become staff members would help other users more because they have been in their place?
Personally, (not saying i'd become mod) I've been trying for days to get my guide verified. E-V-E-R-Y mod says no. Even runescape mods. As well, they are completely unhelpful if i ask for tips on who to ask, etc. If i was to become a moderator, I'm sure I would bend over backwards to help users get their guide because I know how it feels. (this is an example)

 

You have a point, but current staff are not going to give moderator status to some nobody who doesn't have a clue what they are doing. Again, who would you rather have moderator; a clueless nobody, or someone that you can trust and can be trusted with moderator status?

 

When did I say it would be clueless nobodys? I'm talking about trusted, relatively long time users who have been recommended by many people including staff.

 

Take a look at all the recent promotions (besides unbannned). Each of these new moderators had no more than a few mod friends, if any at all. Everyone has a chance to become moderator, but we're not going to nominate someone we have no idea about.

 

I'm not completely clueless about this. I understand where you all are coming from but I see the same thing week after week: "So-and-so leave forever!" next week: "So-and-so has returned and is completely trusted!"

I do see why you're so hesitant, I just think anyone can scam at anytime, regardless if they've been staff before or not; everyone has a price, eh?

I guess I'm just a bit cynical and don't trust authority, but I'm beginning to think that staff is an insider club that only a select few can be in, regardless of ability. I may be wrong, but that's just the vibe I get from it.

 

Egh, internet is being a dick today. Double post so I'll use this to address MegaMatt.

I'm not just talking about recently. I assume you mean the 10/29 promotions. That's the first time I've seen regular members become staff since I've been here (may be wrong, but that's all I remember).

I'd also like to add in Giddy to your unb4nn3d. I have no problems with either of them, nor am I saying they are not deserving, I'm merely saying that it's getting a bit exclusive.

 

This is true in my case, I didn't have any sort of connection to any staff on a personal level, I may have messaged them a few times to change titles, etc... but that was it. I didn't even find out about my promotion until someone messaged me on msn.

It is very hard to find mature and trustworthy members, especially on a runescape forum, that can handle the responsibilities.

 

Yes, but the system is becoming more "hereditary" than... "American dream".

 

I find it a bit odd that they didn't ask, lol.

But I wholeheartedly agree that you deserved the rank. You were the first case of this happening in a long, long while and you've done more than enough to prove that regular members can be just as trusted.

 

Everyone on staff was, at some point, a "regular member". However, the site is always understaffed, and we have no reason to turn away needed help when we know we can trust it. Doing so would be impractical - not to mention, there is nothing wrong with a mod taking a prolonged break from their responsibilities on the site every once in a while.

As for why the site is understaffed, it would be easier to find new mods if the average member - the one you suggest we promote - weren't a scammer, or prone to corruption. Given the ban rate, I consider it to be rather impressive that we've had so few serious problems with our moderators (and our MM's) in the past year.

 

This.

Look at me. I'm not joking when I say I literally never talked to a single mod before I was promoted.

 

Yes, but in general what I said above.

 

Friendship only allows a slightly higher chance of becoming a mod. If you were job hunting irl, having a friend that is trusted, vouching for you, would be better than if you just found an average member. It mostly depends on luck and how the community sees you as. Also, if you were very active, posting in every forum for years and got to know some mods, they should be given a mod rank, instead of picking out an average person who uses sythe once in a while to buy/sell.

 

Hopefully there's no such system where mods are selected because they talk with other mods on MSN until all hours. I also think there are plenty of people that could be excellent mods without touching the blackmarket section (a place to gain a lot of trust) but as they've said you have to have some reason why they can validate you as a mod type. Never been a mod, so everything I just said could be wrong. lol

 

I understand everyone's points of view; it's all obvious, but it still appears to me like a popularity contest. I think the main thing I was getting at is opportunity for advancement. Not many people have the opportunity to become mods, nor will they ever have the opportunity.

I suppose I'm thinking too Utopian with this. I forget that this is Sythe; where cheating is the golden rule, even if it means you cheat the other cheaters.

I have no suggestions for improvement, just my thoughts.