Complaints Go Here

[J-Max]

Thanks Fusion for the shoutout, means a lot to me man. Being relieved of my Mod duties was probally one of the best things to happen to me here. Too much stress due to RL stuff too.

 

As for the subject at hand. I see no 'we'. The team is supposed to work as a unit and I see no teamwork. With the shitstorm that happened recently with Dae and the issue that happened with Enguin, the mod team as a whole needs to improve. Can we give you time? Sure we can. I don't have any beef with any mod apart from Sakura. You need to come out of the shadows.more. The fact that we can't see when you are online means that we have no idea when you are available to PM and the like.

 

Also STOP just locking threads on a whim and even worse delete perfectly reasonable posts. Sorry to be like that as we go way back, but I had to relay my problems.

 

We also need some fresh people on the team. Maybe a month trial to see who fits the bill. Or how about a fresh take on recommendations. I'm sure that a lot of people have ideas for who would be a ideal candidate for the position.

 

Just my 50 pence. 

[Phelphor, of the Deep]

Members like to PM me about how much the mod team sucks. One person regularly does it and a handful will chime in here and there. I want a better picture though so I figure I'd open it up to the whole forum.

 

If think the team sucks use the space below to tell us why. I will be over seeing the thread to make sure things don't get to crazy. If you'd rather say something in private my PM inbox is always open.

You can thank me and many others like crow crow and j-max (Somehow I really fan the flames......)

 

I am glad we can get this out and in the opening to where we can resume the communications with the mods to create a better environment for us here on YCM.

[Flash Flyer - Sakura]

Sakura: What happened? I sometimes feel Sakura's mental health has been damaged. Not an attack, just a concern, they seem more stressed, more snippy, and less agreeable than they once were. They tend to get more defensive and have become a hell of a lot more rigid with rules that are, honestly, still very wobbly. I've already talked in my thread how bad this Dae stuff was, though forgot to mention that the locking of his threads showed that even that's not enough to get answers.

 

I got no excuse for what happened with the last couple incidents, even if I did have my own problems outside this site that plays a role in why I'm a lot harsher than usual.

 

Most of them pertain to either having to hear parents arguing about what one of my relatives on the mainland is doing sticking her nose into our business, and having to deal with internal arguing with parents at times or ranting about mundane home problems. There are some issues that piss me off at work (which usually pertains to customers/park guests at the water park being impatient/complaining in a similar vein), but those are rare. I have no control over this because yeah, things happen.

 

Couple that with several complaints / member problems from 2016-2017 and yeah, it doesn't mix well for handling general site matters...at all. 

 

(Custom Cards does not have this issue; I need to ask myself "why can't I be more open in general site stuff like I am when I manage my own section".)

 

Dae was owed an explanation with the name change, but at the time it was done, I could not render an immediate one. One should have been given upon returning, or rule 12 shouldn't have been invoked, given the circumstances. His threads were locked because the matter could've simply been taken up over PM (and I even quoted the rule that explained his name was changed), though an in-thread response was needed.

 

Well

I don't have a complaint with any specific mod, but I think the past couple years and the last 4-5 shitstorms I can think of all related to some sort of communication issue and the mods ultimately accepting responsibility and saying they should have handled the event better. That has been one recurring pattern, and the other is that there's a large, vocal dissatisfaction amongst the members with how things are.

 

I haven't gotten the sense that the mod team as a whole wants to address those concerns, it's more about riding out the storm behind an action taken or not taken. I've seen individual mods express their concerns and I myself have no personal issues with any of the mods right now, but I don't think those individual concerns carried out to the actions of the whole team. Like if I'm complaining to my Senator, they can help placate my concerns and I do believe that they are listening to me, do care, and want to help, but it's a matter of working with all of the other Senators to make something happen.

 

I suspect part of that is that it's always the same people participating in the discussions and demanding/suggesting change. It doesn't matter whether they're voicing absolutely legitimate concerns that should be considered or total bullshit, I think subconsciously there may have been a feeling amongst mods thinking "they're impossible to satisfy" and "it doesn't matter what we do" so there's little to no motivation to make an effort to work something out. It's become a vicious cycle created over time where members overreacted harshly albeit with good points and mods tried to make peace against the harsh tone and defend their new mod or tried making up for their mistake and meeting in the middle never quite worked out for either side. 

 

I guess what I want is for each mod to be honest with themselves and ask: do you still care?

If you don't, that is okay.

It is perfectly okay if you stopped giving a sheet about a Yu-Gi-Oh! forum, that's more than okay! It's expected! You think any of us jackasses are gonna be here in 15-20 years? Why the hell would we? That's not crapping on YCM, it's just very unrealistic for this crowd to still be around when we're in our 30s and 40s. It's a phase of our lives and a phase in yours, do you want to be a mod here in 10 years? (If you do that's cool, I address that further down) I have seen generations of YCMers come and go at this point, people I talked with every day have moved on from this site for many years now and that's completely acceptable and the way life goes.

 

But if you do understand how you feel and accept you don't care anymore...move on and step down! Whether you go tend to real life or stick around the forum, there is no shame in not being a mod anymore. Just today, no one told Smear to not let the door hit him on the way out, they thanked him and left it at that.

Not being a mod anymore doesn't invalidate who you are, it shouldn't.

Like my buddy Black, he got on just fine after not being a mod anymore. You know who else did? J-Max, Icy, Striker, Yankee, Koko, Opal, Yui, Pika, Rinne, funking Crab after getting banned, I think evilfusion and Roxas are doing fine after recently stepping down, same with Rai and Aix I'm assuming they're having a good life somewhere. I could go on.

 

If you do still care, and you want better for the forum, you have to show it. Actions speak louder than words.

Maybe that'll involve bugging your fellow mods to come online for a group meeting at this time or next week or whenever. Or it can be including an ETA like with the Birdie thing, "I understand you all are rallying for Birdie to rejoin, please give us about a week to get back to you." Even if you're telling someone they need to wait and it'll be another week because you need to hear from 3 more people, it's better to receive some form of acknowledgement than nothing at all. 

Maybe I'm underestimating the difficulty in doing this and rallying the troops. But I've seen ex-mods criticize the status quo like Black, Koko, Yui, and Roxas, so I believe their experience lends the perspective that change is doable, but isn't being done.

If you do care about being a mod and YCM, and you envision yourself being here a few more years and beyond, I ask that you not take the role for granted just because there's some unspoken tenure and recognize that members are feeling shunned and not really being listened to. 

 

And take note of this: all these members that come into these threads every time something happens care about the site and want to make changes to better the community and foster site growth. I can understand how it's difficult to separate the good intentions behind posts and only feeling attacked and that they're ungrateful. I work in customer service, I seriously get it. It can be a thankless job sometimes.

 

There is a generation ready to pick up where you left off. It's not about driving you out, it's about letting them step up and a chance to assess your priorities. YCM has members with ideas, community involvement, and the 

--->time and activity

that the job demands. I think they should get a shot if the position doesn't make a difference to you.

 

If you really do want to do something about this negative climate that's pervaded the site, please start making strides. If not, you can step aside and be rest assured someone will step up in your place. That's not giving up, it's prioritizing your life. My friends won't give me sheet for never beating a video game if I'm taking time out of my life to do something else instead, they let me live my life.

 

This whole essay (I actually wrote a damn essay sheet...) is directed at each mod, but not out of any personalized context. I haven't been active lately, I don't know what that name-change drama's about and I don't give a sheet. I don't know who's been doing what, who's in favor and who's not. 

 

Think hard about what you want to do...and go do it.

 

For the most part, a lot of the reason why things aren't spelled out directly for you is derived from having to deal with the multiple complaints. Some of you do have legitimate ones (such as my major shortcomings), but even if we do implement changes and explain to you WHY they need to be changed, a couple of you aren't satisfied even with those. 

 

Recall what I mentioned in the other thread, albeit in a harsher tone than it should've been. If you don't continually argue with what we're trying to tell you (and it is legitimate), then we'd be more open to trying to work out a compromise between you want and what we want. Some complaints are fine, but not when it's on a daily basis and it's only one member doing all of it. 

 

With ABC's one, I addressed his suggestions and noted certain things that I could look into, but a few things cannot be moved due to general standards. I didn't make ALL the suggested changes, but at least the major ones that I said I would compromise on. At this point, I wasn't mad at him because he does have legitimate points and I conceded the fact that Casual is rather harsh for newer members, even though it was never intended to be. I do need to look over a few things though like I said I'd do earlier on.

 

=====

I really want to be a much kinder mod like I was in the past and live up to the expectations as a Super (which I promised I would do when I got this role), but it also relies on you not volleying complaints every so often about the site as a whole, especially when it becomes a forum-wide drama.

 

I don't like it when these events escalate to a full-blown drama thread, whether it's an individual decision or a group one. I honestly still care about this site, but to be blunt, having to read the complaints from the same users / trying to reason has made me get harsher on certain cases, and I don't like how that turned out on my end. 

 

Might have to reread through some of the other posts, but I think it's best to at least answer this one right now.

 

 

I'd say you're a chicken without one. I was saying this to Winter in a status update this morning, but I frankly don't think there's really anyone in charge at the moment. Because Evilfusion was in charge, but while you and Sakura are both Super Mods, I'm not sure I could say either of you live up to that position the same way.

 

There was something a while ago when the general mod team was restructured, and some mods were demoted from Super Mods to regular mods. Though it wasn't because there were any problems, so much as the team really did just need a restructuring. I think there needs to be something similar now. Not necessarily removing or adding new mods, and I certainly have no interest in asking any particular mods to step down. More that I believe the current "hierarchy" of the mod team, such that it is, needs to be reevaluated.

 

I'm not thrilled with my performance either, and like Yui already mentioned to me privately (and I addressed accordingly), I have a lot of work I need to do in being sociable. 

 

To answer J-Max's concerns:

 

Incognito mode

 

Unless it's during school hours, when I'm checking on this site during HW or definitely late night when I am sleeping, most of the time, I am online. Again, if you need to PM me, then you can just do it and I will get back to it when I am available or if I get to my box.

 

 

Locking threads

 

Pertaining to that thread pertaining to Enguin's ban that got locked, it was dealt that way because (1) the matter was already dealt with, and (2) it was pointless bumping to complain about how it was done, in the midst of another incident. 

 

=========

 

Honestly yeah, I've made a sheet ton of mistakes during my modship (whether they were minor kinds of things or the massive headaches) and I am not pleased about any of them. I made a promise that I wouldn't screw up, but I already did it multiple times and it reflects horribly on me. I got no excuse for this, and that's something I need to fix, and definitely soon.

 

I need to improve on being more vocal about announcing decisions we make, either individually or as a team, especially if I am to be seen as one of the members leading this place while YCMaker is absent. Even if

 

That, and be more rational in overall decisions instead of acting on partial impulse. Finally, actually be able to take criticism. I'll admit that I don't particularly like it much, especially when I am trying to do my best with whatever I have to work with, but I'd rather have you guys PM me privately (or even get Flame/Night to relay it) instead of turning it into a massive complaint.

 

 

That being said, even if I admit that a lot of the sheet I did was wrong and demonstrate resolve to go back to the old me that wasn't plagued with so much crap, there's far more that needs to be done. I won't sugarcoat this.

 

I'm not happy with the mod team being fractured as-is, myself included for not speaking up more and definitely getting myself into these messes. 

 

======

As for restructuring, Smear's demotion was being talked about amongst ourselves for a while, but just never brought to full light until recently. Flame and I both encouraged him to post a resignation thread as opposed to him being auto removed without taking care of final affairs. Or least I reached out to him last night about the matter. Yes, this should've been dealt with earlier. (Once Saturday comes around, the demotion proceedings will be finalized)

 

Quite honestly, I do wish that more of the staff would come on and weigh in on discussions, and getting fresh blood is always welcome.

 

Granted, we (or least I) have said that any mod selections are off until a thread comes up, but like I noted above, it's for us to get our own affairs in order before accepting a new colleague. This does involve getting the other active mods involved (because on average, it's usually Dad, Flame and myself talking about things on average; Broke. N contributes a bit nowadays) and then figuring out "what sections require a moderator or additional support" and figure out potential choices. This takes time, and I honestly cannot give a definitive ETA on when a decision can be rendered.

 

Hopefully it can be in a timely manner.

[Flame Dragon]

I suspect part of that is that it's always the same people participating in the discussions and demanding/suggesting change. It doesn't matter whether they're voicing absolutely legitimate concerns that should be considered or total bullshit, I think subconsciously there may have been a feeling amongst mods thinking "they're impossible to satisfy" and "it doesn't matter what we do" so there's little to no motivation to make an effort to work something out. It's become a vicious cycle created over time where members overreacted harshly albeit with good points and mods tried to make peace against the harsh tone and defend their new mod or tried making up for their mistake and meeting in the middle never quite worked out for either side.

 

This is a point I feel rings very true. As Sakura said we've been talking about Smear stepping down for some time. In fact, I'm pretty sure it predates when everyone started talking about it by a couple days. I honestly believe part of the reason it got delayed is because of stubbornness and not wanting to seem like team was giving into the mob.

 

There was something a while ago when the general mod team was restructured, and some mods were demoted from Super Mods to regular mods. Though it wasn't because there were any problems, so much as the team really did just need a restructuring. I think there needs to be something similar now. Not necessarily removing or adding new mods, and I certainly have no interest in asking any particular mods to step down. More that I believe the current "hierarchy" of the mod team, such that it is, needs to be reevaluated.

The restructuring was more or less creating a new hierarchy. The ways Mod/Super Mod worked was if you were the "Video Games" Mod you could only moderate posts in VG while a Super has the ability to do it in all sections. It was changed so all Mods basically became Supers and Supers were given increased access to the Admin CP. The Supers were also the ones that had more weight in various mod discussions. If memory serves we normally only had 2 Supers.

[(GigaDrillBreaker)]

Some complaints are fine, but not when it's on a daily basis and it's only one member doing all of it.

Cherry picking this right here.

 

I'm tired of hearing this.

 

This has been said by you a decent amount, it's been said by Zai a ton, and evilfusion brought it up occasionally as well. You talk about how the member base wouldn't be happy no matter what you do, but you have nothing to back this up. This isn't a case of "members being mad no matter what the team does". This is members being mad because the team does the exact same thing again and again. Before you complain about how no amount of improvement would satisfy the member base, try improving a nonzero amount.

 

And to say that these compaints are from only one member is absurd. This thread proves that more than just a minority can see the mistakes the mod team is making. Hell, multiple people who were on the team recently echo that it's just as bad on the inside, and current team members echo the overwhelming lack of internal communication.

 

So no, I'm not going to stop pointing out when faults are made. I'm not going to act like all the concerns people bring up are overblown. If you want to stop being criticized, stop giving people so much reason to criticize you.

 

If they bring up an issue that isn't really a problem, don't tell them. Show them.

[Ryusei the Morning Star]

Literally what?

 

The Enguin thing wasn't dealt with. You guys justified his ban to start saying he already had a temp ban and that he didn't learn.

 

Newflash, he didn't have a temp ban, and the mod in question told him the temp ban was wrong and revoked. 

 

ie, you guys lied about your initial justification for banning him. It's closed if we take you guys saying "deal with it" as an acceptable answer. Something that is doubly uncertain given how flimsy your initial case was

 

---

 

There have been a ton of necros that have been locked. You know what hasn't happened to them? Hiding post that make the mod team look bad.

 

 ^^

 

That's what it looks like was going on here, not a procedural necro lock. If it was procedural, Dad would not have responded with "WTF" when Black and I confronted him about your actions

 

You clearly didn't consult the team or anyone before acting, and now you're acting like its our fault for daring to call you out.

 

---

 

I also don't appreciate this excuse about your behavior being a recent phenomenon. We were talking pretty amicably right up till you decide to unload on me after evil gave everyone cover for banning me last year sakura. There's a ton of defense you can mount, but trying to pass off this phase of poor transparency as a recent phenomenon is dishonest.

 

Again, if life is super busy and stressful, I don't get why you guys insist on struggling in life and doing shoddy jobs as mods? 

 

---

 

Finally, there's no reason to be passive aggressive, name the "one person" who's been going for your head in this. It certainly wasn't me even post Dae's sig change. In fact I was the person who noted the name change was likely innocent given you used to do the same thing to my sig. You're really making me regret standing up for you with this self pity act

 

---

 

Proof:

 

 

I don't know who used to do it, and I really didn't mind, but someone used to add El-Shaddoll Construct to my profile and type in "Free Construct"

 

I love shaddolls, miss construct, and agree with the sentiment, but someone used to do it without asking me

 

I can't help but think that Dae's name change was done without malicious intent, but regardless, they should have asked for his permission given he no longer was part of the fun times thing

 

[Phantom Roxas]

I'm not thrilled with my performance either, and like Yui already mentioned to me privately (and I addressed accordingly), I have a lot of work I need to do in being sociable.

 

I can settle for that. As I've already said, I like the idea of each mod improving their PR skills, and being more sociable would help. They're not quite the same thing, but I believe social skills would do well to serve for PR. Think of them as short and long term goals.

 

The restructuring was more or less creating a new hierarchy. The ways Mod/Super Mod worked was if you were the "Video Games" Mod you could only moderate posts in VG while a Super has the ability to do it in all sections. It was changed so all Mods basically became Supers and Supers were given increased access to the Admin CP. The Supers were also the ones that had more weight in various mod discussions. If memory serves we normally only had 2 Supers.

Right. I think that restructuring was good, and while the current team is much different than the team at the team, both in the exact roster as well as pure quantity, something similar should be done here, albeit on a smaller scale.

 

Essentially, maintain the idea of all mods basically becoming Supers, but the actual Supers are my major point of concern here. I can't really argue with what you said about there only being 2 Supers, but I do think that should be the case right now.

 

I think at least one of the Supers should be demoted to the rank of a "regular" mod. I'm not quite asking for calling someone's head completely, but a new hierarchy does need to be established now. I don't think it'll fix everything, but I think we need at least a stepping stone.

 

For me, it's less about getting new blood on the team or what have you, but getting the current team to actually step up their game. Adding or subtracting mods doesn't matter if the structure is inherently wrong.

[Ryusei the Morning Star]

Having a new team of players that are more willing to accept criticism without going defensive would work too. We obviously need an Evilfusion like figure that's willing to slap down the team when they act on their worse impulses

 

But starting over given the constant strife that's gone on with this team might not be the worse idea. No sakura, it's not one member. There are multiples in this thread alone, and they're not my cronies

 

At some pt one needs to accept maybe the problem is internal. Not sure how many more people need to leave or quit the mod team because of how you guys have been acting for y'all to accept this

 
I can settle for that. As I've already said, I like the idea of each mod improving their PR skills, and being more sociable would help. They're not quite the same thing, but I believe social skills would do well to serve for PR. Think of them as short and long term goals.
 

Right. I think that restructuring was good, and while the current team is much different than the team at the team, both in the exact roster as well as pure quantity, something similar should be done here, albeit on a smaller scale.

 

Essentially, maintain the idea of all mods basically becoming Supers, but the actual Supers are my major point of concern here. I can't really argue with what you said about there only being 2 Supers, but I do think that should be the case right now.

 

I think at least one of the Supers should be demoted to the rank of a "regular" mod. I'm not quite asking for calling someone's head completely, but a new hierarchy does need to be established now. I don't think it'll fix everything, but I think we need at least a stepping stone.

 

For me, it's less about getting new blood on the team or what have you, but getting the current team to actually step up their game. Adding or subtracting mods doesn't matter if the structure is inherently wrong.

Night basically doesn't exist 

 

---

 

Sidenote:

 

It's honestly super disappointing that only Flame and Dad have so far not responded with "well you guys suck too"

[Phantom Roxas]

Night basically doesn't exist 

 

I mean, the solution I could offer there is to just demote Night entirely, and then Flame and Sakura can be our two Supers, but that seems a little extreme, so I'd rather not actively push for that just yet.

 

To play devil's advocate for a moment, the issue with the mod team is that, as far as the team is concerned, nothing they do will ever be good enough. Putting aside whether or not you believe that, I think the best course here is to at least offer more restrained demands. It wouldn't be making concessions on what we actually want when all is said and done, more just trying to meet them half way.

 

You want something done? Okay, now understand why the mods might be reluctant to agree to that. For example, if the suggestion were to kick Night off the team entirely, but the team doesn't want to kick him off, I think one "compromise" (If you can call it that) is to reduce Night to a regular mod. It doesn't completely remove Night from the team, but I think it placates any mod who at least wants Night to stay on the team, while also perhaps opening the door to Night leaving the team entirely.

 

Maybe not a good example, or one I explained very well, but generally, I have to wonder if the team thinks people are just demanding way too much. So, I don't know, maybe break things down into a smaller, step-by-step process, and try to at least get through Step 1 before asking what a mod might end up treating as Step 7?

[Dad]

Maybe not a good example, or one I explained very well, but generally, I have to wonder if the team thinks people are just demanding way too much. So, I don't know, maybe break things down into a smaller, step-by-step process, and try to at least get through Step 1 before asking what a mod might end up treating as Step 7?

 

Let me go a step further and admit that this is bullshit.  It's not too difficult.  We just haven't actually done anything regarding those demands yet.

 

These complaints are (for the most part) perfectly just.  People feel stepped on.  They feel like their voices aren't be heard, but instead, ignored.  That's why things haven't gotten to this point yet again.  And I'm part of that problem.  Arguably I'd like to think that's minor but if one of us takes the blame I think we all should.  One of us should've checked the other when it comes to sheet like Dae's situation.  But we didn't.  And look where we are again.  It's time to switch it up like switches in a 64' impala.

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

I mean, the solution I could offer there is to just demote Night entirely, and then Flame and Sakura can be our two Supers, but that seems a little extreme, so I'd rather not actively push for that just yet.

 

To play devil's advocate for a moment, the issue with the mod team is that, as far as the team is concerned, nothing they do will ever be good enough. Putting aside whether or not you believe that, I think the best course here is to at least offer more restrained demands. It wouldn't be making concessions on what we actually want when all is said and done, more just trying to meet them half way.

 

You want something done? Okay, now understand why the mods might be reluctant to agree to that. For example, if the suggestion were to kick Night off the team entirely, but the team doesn't want to kick him off, I think one "compromise" (If you can call it that) is to reduce Night to a regular mod. It doesn't completely remove Night from the team, but I think it placates any mod who at least wants Night to stay on the team, while also perhaps opening the door to Night leaving the team entirely.

 

Maybe not a good example, or one I explained very well, but generally, I have to wonder if the team thinks people are just demanding way too much. So, I don't know, maybe break things down into a smaller, step-by-step process, and try to at least get through Step 1 before asking what a mod might end up treating as Step 7?

From what I've gathered there was a point where Night was demoted to regular mod but then he came back and idk what happened but he became super again.

[Phantom Roxas]

Let me go a step further and admit that this is bullshit.  It's not too difficult.  We just haven't actually done anything regarding those demands yet.

 

These complaints are (for the most part) perfectly just.  People feel stepped on.  They feel like their voices aren't be heard, but instead, ignored.  That's why things haven't gotten to this point yet again.  And I'm part of that problem.  Arguably I'd like to think that's minor but if one of us takes the blame I think we all should.  One of us should've checked the other when it comes to sheet like Dae's situation.  But we didn't.  And look where we are again.  It's time to switch it up like switches in a 64' impala.

 

The problem is that solutions are offered, agreed to, and then apparently rarely followed up on. So, yes, it is time to switch it up. The question is, will you actually do it?

 

From what I've gathered there was a point where Night was demoted to regular mod but then he came back and idk what happened but he became super again.

 

...Well then.

 

Not sure why Night became a Super again, but given what I've been talking about, that sounds like a decision that may need to be overturned.

[Ryusei the Morning Star]

By Sakura's own admission. Only 3 mods even discuss stuff. There's a lot of fluff that can be trimmed and replaced

 

I also have serious problems with Sakura and his ability to interact with the public. Zai atleast does lip service before vanishing.

 

We have been moderate? Or atleast most people have. Cow and Giga shut down my call elections. Birdie for mod got stalmented. Cowcow for mod got lost in PMs. Downgrade enguin's ban was ignored despite the prosecutions case falling apart. Now is the era for change

 

We also need mods who will follow the rules to the letter. So far that's just flame

[Dad]

If you want to be blindly obeyed, look for another forum. If Flame was the only one following the rules to a T, we wouldn't have individual voices.

 

Perfection doesn't exist. It won't happen. If the rules could be followed perfectly, this mod team wouldn't exist. But that's not case nor will it ever be.

 

You should prepare yourself for that.

[Ryusei the Morning Star]

If you want to be blindly obeyed, look for another forum. If Flame was the only one following the rules to a T, we wouldn't have individual voices.

Perfection doesn't exist. It won't happen. If the rules could be followed perfectly, this mod team wouldn't exist. But that's not case nor will it ever be.

You should prepare yourself for that.

Flame was the only one that expressed any discontent with ignoring the ban shedual for Enguin and jumping to perma. The rest of you were happily sharpening the guillotine while feeding us bs that he was already repeated banned

 

We're not talking about minor leverage here. You guys lied, and justified your actions on lies.

 

If you can't uphold your word even to a modest degree. Don't agree to sheet. No one forced you all to accept the Giga-Cowcow reformed rules. Hell, you personally even cited them when justifying my ban saying ignoring them was a special case for me. Another issue is you guys tell us stuff and never follow through. Night on Zai is an example. The stalled reforms are another. Honestly not sure what you guys are doing.

 

It's not like we're losing our sheet over one incident. You guys funk up near daily, and then some of you have the gall to blame us for being "mean"

[Dad]

And everyone partook in your ban. You're looking for somw perfectly ideal Winter approved team whose going to agree with you and never have fault.

 

But that's fictitious. You're never going to get a moderator who always follows the rule. And you can gripe and moan about imperfection but that will not change.

 

Enguin's ban is being discussed for the umpteenth time in the mod forum. There is zero obligation for Supers to overturn it. But if they do, it's because they made a decision together (and because i told them point blank that you can be agreed with but you don't get a final say in this particular decision). If it happens, it happens. If not, you're just gonna have to either live with it or leave.

[Ryusei the Morning Star]

That must be why I supported Cowcow and Yui as mods. Yui was practically salivating about banning me again by the end of 2017. Two people that actually supported my ban. You can try to spin this as much as want as me putting in loyalist, but that's just dishonest

 

Dude. Always follow the rule is like Hina. I'm not asking for that really. Basically every argument you gave at the time got bunked, and you guys are still stubborn.

 

The only obligation is your word. W happens becuase x, y, z is what you said

 

X, y, z have been debunked, and yet you guys stand firm on w

 

All this shows is that the innitial rationale was just some fodder for rubes

[Dad]

I wouldn't have put my word behind Hina if she always followed the rules. She would be a great moderator except she's invisible like Night and that's problematic. You see what I'm talking about.

 

You keep floating around arbitrary nonsense about ALWAYS following the rules. That's physically impossible. Even by being caught up with life, if Hina have us no word or warning about her disappearing, we would be down a member twiddling our thumbs. That's already failing us.

 

And for the record, I would still vote for her.

[Tourmaline]

Let this be known, my dearest Dad: I check the site numerous times a day, and should activity be required of me, it shall be bestowed magnanimously and zealously, like the firebrand's daunting determination.

 

[Blake]

Winter. You're going in too hot, which only gives (some) validity to Sakura's sweeping statements, and shows that the concerns others have brought up are perfectly valid. It doesn't help, it's no better than said sweeping statements. Back off for a bit.
 
To clear up the Night thing: Last year, either shortly before or shortly after Aix resigned (wanna say before, but can't be sure, though my first post in that thread makes me think I did go first) and critiqued the mod team and the site, I did my own critique in the mod forum. Of these, I suggested... I forget if I suggested removing Night entirely, or if I simply suggested bumping him down from Super.
 
Either way, Evilfusion ended up agreeing and bumped him down to a regular mod for the time being. He appeared less than 24 hours later wanting his position back.
 
Aix thread, for reference:
https://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/360841-plans-for-the-future/
 
----- 
 
Moving on... I want to reiterate once more that the team needs someone willing to think actions through, but also to take action when things go awry. Of course people on the team are going to make mistakes, but that doesn't mean you accept that as a fact and never try to fix or understand them.
 
While I don't think someone who was contrarian to the point that Alfred was is necessary, by any means, I do believe that you need someone willing to stop things from going through if they won't beenfit the site. Such as this impersonation rule, which does absolutely nothing. Or the overly strict sexual content rule that almost was. Or many of the earlier attempts at punishing Winter, which I was not exempt from. Evilfusion was the one that knocked sense into me in regards to him, because he served as this voice of reason that slowed the process around July or August of 2016.
 
And doing that task honestly seems like a waste of energy. Towards the end of my modship in early 2017, I probably would have tried my best to keep working on the team, even with mom's sickness. But I just gave in to that feeling of wasting my energy on something that would never change, and decided to drop it entirely, because I wouldn't be adding anything of worth. Yes, it worked out because mom needed me, but I gave in to that hopelessness that the team would ever improve, as a member of the team. As did Nai. Aix. Yui. Koko. Etc. It's easy to give in and decide that it's not worth your effort.
 
But... It's clear that it is absolutely something the team needs. The past year has been rife with failures in this regard, and I'm not saying it's due to my absence. The team has been much smaller in the past year, so something was lost when the team began to rapidly shrink, which led to the now stagnated condition it's in. A small team is better than a huge one, but I believe it's caused an echo chamber effect more than helped.
 
Now, the members are not without fault, but... Right now? This is the most concerted and civil I've ever seen the memberbase be in regards to issues. People who hate each other are on the same side, people who would generally support the team happily are either keeping their distance or weighing in... And it's absolutely wrong to sweep that up with "You'll never be happy, it's the same people, same complaints". There are big problems going on, and it is unfair to everyone involved to try and make it sound like you're being bullied.
 
The site has honestly gotten increasingly more civil in regards to these matters. Even the bit with BrokeN's promotion (which hasn't been a problem yet) and Zai (in general) reaching from late November to late December was handled much better than the site has been known to do so in the past, and it was met with someone telling the members to funk off. It brought up false promises from the team, and just generally left things in a worse state, because the end result was a giant shrug and move on.
 
-----
 
I'm gonna go over the mod team, too.
 
Broken: Shrug? You haven't funked up yet, even if I disagree with your direction for TCG. Just keep not funking up, and ideally help the team get on track.
 
Zai: I already said it all. You're a detriment to the team. I could go on and on, but what's the point?
 
Dad: Honestly? I was opposed to your return to the team. Your instability bothered me, and you were very vicious in your time away from power. You carry yourself better as a moderator than you did during your break, but... It still felt like that should have been taken into consideration before bringing you back with open arms, especially with Yui being meant as a replacement. You've proven me wrong for the most part, though, so keep on keeping on.
 
Flame: You are definitely the closest thing to a leader, but... The team is moreso a chicken without one. You're definitely the most trustworthy member of the team, though, because I've never known you to say a bad word about anyone, even when they've done such to you, and it definitely feels like you listen. But people are correct that you just... feel like you can't change things. Who know, maybe you're in the same boat as those who resigned in hopelessness. I've said it many times, but the best way to sum you up is "grandpa".
 
Night: Absent. I don't think it's fair to have him pop up when something happens to assert his position then move on. Even if he shows up in the mod forum, members and mods alike have acknowledged that isn't enough. My experience on the team says that didn't happen much either, though. Doesn't merit a Super spot, at the very least. Fine dude, but liking someone doesn't mean they're good at modship.
 
Sakura: You're the biggest issue I have after Zai. You lash out at the members whenever we try to make a change, regardless of how civil we are, and you refuse to communicate with people when they come to you. Hell, when the sheet was going on in Nov/Dec, I had a constant PM going with you and FD, which you constantly glanced at and ignored. Flame did his best to keep a line of dialogue going, especially since I came in private to hopefully lessen the burden happening on the site itself, and... You just couldn't be bothered. Yeah, you replied to the later one sent to all three supers, but that's too little too late.
 
I know you dislike me for being your critic. Same with Giga. And others. It's not unknown that you oppose them in the mod forum with all of your might, and you have the right to oppose people you think are being unfair. But you don't stick your head in the sand and refuse to listen/blame others.
 
I had high hopes for you, because you had really started shaping up. But since becoming a super... Even a little bit before... You've done nothing but slip back. You're back to being "robotic", except there's now hate mixed into it, so it's even worse than before when people didn't want you in a position of power. Maybe it's life, maybe it's the stress of the position, who knows. But a number of your posts lately... boil down to "funk you" in a pretty format. They ignore wrongdoing or downplay it, citing rules that people don't even find fair, which you also ignored.
 
-----
 
The point of making the team smaller was to make better decisions, be better at communicating, and all around shaping up. Yet here we are at 6 moderators, with two of them opposing communication, one of them being absent, one being new, and two doing the best they can, given the situation. That's... sad. Not the mocking insult, I mean it is actually disheartening.
 
And it's not fair to say it's the same people over and over. There have been multiple threads with people coming together, regardless of normal stance, to tackle issues. Of course the same people will often show up if their concerns weren't addressed. That's completely natural.
 
I think that the team needs to grow again. I think it needs restructuring, too, but... There's 5 active mods and Night. Restructuring is mostly a pretty word at that point, no matter how much it does actually need to be done.
 
We had an excess before, but I think the team should probably hover around... I dunno, 7-9 members? The 13 we had before was way too much, but having 6~ active mods lends itself to this level of stagnation that the team hasn't seen... Ever. It's been a year of the same thing happening over. And over. And over. And over again. No lessons were really learned. Nothing really improved. Even decisions with positive outcome, like Yui's promotion, were handled really poorly, which we thought would lead to progress... But Broken's promotion was a straight-up repeat.

I understand that you're worried about members with power... I do get that, there are a lot of members I wouldn't put on the list. But there have been plenty of members like that, from all sides, throughout the site's history, and many of them ended up working out. I don't believe in the eagerness to join the team being a requirement like some, but I do believe that an earnest desire to improve the site is important, above all. To this day I maintain that the mod team should be leaders or fill a specific role.

I think that's all I've got for now.

 

Note from Proofreader(s): "He needed to change instances of 'hopelessness' to 'despair'."

[Simping For Hina]

Hell, I'd be a great mod on this site and yet I am one of the biggest offenders of the rule. Winter has good ideas, but his premise is leading on a regime and setting this site as a precedent for what is important in people's lives, priorities. This site should always come last to anything else in life; It is not a volunteer service, it is not a job, it is not anything but a children's website where adults funk around on. 

 

The thing is that we do choose to spend our time on here and want things to work better for us while we do spend our time on the site. The mods have no foundation to what their rules and responsibilities are in their own forum, or in their respected area of connectivity. Being a mod is difficult. It is, I know that, but that doesn't mean you should make excuses or not have the ability to interact with the members appropriately. When you lack that ability, you lack the ability to be a mod. 

[Phantom Roxas]

I think that the team needs to grow again. I think it needs restructuring, too, but... There's 5 active mods and Night. Restructuring is mostly a pretty word at that point, no matter how much it does actually need to be done.

 

Can't really comment on anything else, so I'll stick with this. I agree on both counts, and it comes down to the order for approaching this. The team needs to grow and be restructured, but I think it would be more important to go with the restructuring first. Establish a new structure for the mod team, and then add new mods to that team. Otherwise it might just be adding new mods, and then almost immediately shaking things up before those new mods would have time to adjust.

 

So I think there needs to be a shake-up of the team, and preferably one that does leave room for new mods. Quite frankly, Flame is the only current mod I actually trust to be a Super right now. Sakura and Night should both be reduced to normal mods. We should have more Supers than just Flame, but I really don't know who else I'd want for that role.

 

Unless things have changed, then based on what Flame said, this would essentially mean Sakura and Night would have limited access to the Admin CP, and would have less weight in mod discussions. While it's only a baby step, I think that agreeing on baby steps is all we can manage right now, otherwise it feels like these arguments are going to stagnate.

 

We should just expect the team to be downsized anyway. They haven't made up the difference from eliminating the PR mod position, and I think the current team should just be more clearly delegated to more specific roles if they won't make up any other differences.

 

When that previous restructuring was done, there was a clear association between specific mods and their personal sections. There should be a similar list now, of who is the mod of which section. And it should be clear if there are voids that need to be filled. They need not be an invitation for new mods to step up, but the mods should at least be open about their limits. Give us a coherent list of which mods are managing what.

 

As a bit of a thought experiment, let's try something. Assuming Sakura and/or Night were to be demoted to regular mods, what would "their" sections be? What roles would they still have? Could they do with some help in those sections?

[(GigaDrillBreaker)]

As a bit of a thought experiment, let's try something. Assuming Sakura and/or Night were to be demoted to regular mods, what would "their" sections be? What roles would they still have? Could they do with some help in those sections?

CC and showcase, of course.

 

Whether Sakura needs help in CC is more for him to say than myself. He seems to have a good handle on it, though.

 

Showcase is dead beyond repair, but having an equally dead mod isn't doing it any favors.

[Phantom Roxas]

I'm okay with Sakura having CC.

 

No matter how dead Showcase may be, that doesn't exactly mean it's okay for Night to disappear.

[(GigaDrillBreaker)]

Sakura already has CC. He's been the sole mod of it since Gadj stepped down.

 

Also, as for structure before additions, I agree. I don't think a fully realized structure could be figured out with the current staff, but taking full stock of what they have and what everyone brings to the table is important, so that they actually know what they need when bringing someone new on.