2 replies to this topic

[Karen]

Hi,

I read on the forum for European owners that Allison is thinking about adding a Dutch forum but would need a moderator. I'm wondering why.

Many online forums are the perfect places to practice small-scale democracy. If one particular post or participant is offensive to the rest of the community then there is usually a discussion about the issue and something is removed if necessary. That is where the moderator comes in.

My son has been going to a democratic (Sudbury) school since he was seven. Interestingly, these schools generate a lot of interest and support in Northern Europe, especially Belgium and the Netherlands. Kids in these schools, aged 4 - 19, are able to run their schools fairly and competently. Why not us?

Cheers,
Karen

[Allison]

Offensive posts are not the issue. It is more about organizing, so that the search feature remains useful. Someone would need to volunteer to be the organizer, or secretary.

I may spend several hours translating. It's not very efficient.


It seems a mute point, anyway, as they have started their own, and do not require an expanded service from us.


We also have had two other moderators. One just recently got a new pup, so I hope she'll come back to help. She took over a couple forums, and that reduced my work time, significantly.

If you are interested in taking over a forum, as moderator, let me know. I see you certainly have the skills required.

[aidogs]

Karen, on Mar 17 2008, 10:06 AM, said:

Hi,

I read on the forum for European owners that Allison is thinking about adding a Dutch forum but would need a moderator. I'm wondering why.

Moderating is needed in all forums to greater or lesser degrees. Most of it is answering questions and moving topics to make sure they are in the appropriate forum; an announcement of an event belongs in the event forum, not the squirrel room, for example. Moderators also provide act as a guide to keep people focused on a thread, redact inappropriate content, and try to keep the peace. The best reason for need Nederlander to moderate is that we are far from fluent in Dutch (Online translators are terrible at converting Dutch to English). This makes answering questions difficult to those member who cannot read English.

Quote

Many online forums are the perfect places to practice small-scale democracy. If one particular post or participant is offensive to the rest of the community then there is usually a discussion about the issue and something is removed if necessary. That is where the moderator comes in.

Absolutely. The best way to accomplish this is to have moderation staff that is representative of the members. I'm always looking for new victims...er...volunteers.

Quote

My son has been going to a democratic (Sudbury) school since he was seven. Interestingly, these schools generate a lot of interest and support in Northern Europe, especially Belgium and the Netherlands. Kids in these schools, aged 4 - 19, are able to run their schools fairly and competently. Why not us?

Cheers,
Karen

Adults aren't as smart or as flexible as kids, at least, that what kids tell me...