So as everybody sees, there is yet another thread on Site Discussion hating on us. I'd like to chat a bit about our side of things.
We often get attacked by members over certain issues, comments, news articles or actions by ourselves and moderators. As example I'd like to bring up the current FUCK YOU thread (not to be confused with last week's FUCK YOU thread).
This thread was created by a member who is obviously upset about the current poll regarding skiing with polls or not. Now I realise this is a touchy topic, since this not the first negative thread about our poll. However not once did any member ask us politly to change or remove the poll, or even tell us nicely that they didn't like it.
Most members seemed to have not cared and just entered a vote. But some seem to think the poll is part of a larger plan to control skiing's direction and claim this publically. It is to these members that I direct my following comments, as they need a reality check.
We run this site for over 70,000 people. Every month over 70,000 viewers come on NS and read what we and the members have to say. We realise we have the distinct advantage of being able to moderate what gets said and what becomes more prominent. We struggle every day to come up with a balance that lets members have their way, while still allowing us to have personal opinions and manage site content that should be neutral. It's difficult, we try, and sometimes we fuck up.
With 70K people it's hard to keep everybody happy. No matter what gets said, it will obviously hit a nerve with somebody. If this happens we appologise. But instead of posting about how much you hate us, try telling us what you didn't like. Then we'd be more inclinded to fix it. Starting an engaging thread in Site Discussion will go a much longer way than just posting threads about how much you hate the site.
Members often complain that certain threads are wrongly removed and that moderators have a hidden agenda. If there are any problems with moderation, this is surely not one of them.
As most members have noticed, we currently don't have a terms of use for the forums. It's not always clear what is and isn't allowed. NS has about 30 moderators and currently their instructions are simple; remove spam, posts containing porn, unverified rumours, and threads that offer no constructive commentary and are simply there to start flame wars.
Although NS has mods online almost 24/7, they can't possibly catch everything. If you see something you find offensive, tell a moderator (most in are green). If a mod won't do anything for you, contact one of us in red.
Sometimes items are removed that members feel shouldn't have been. As there are no offical rules, and most moderators rely on instinct, sometimes this happens. Mods don't do this purposely to be mean, it's often just a mistake or bad judgement. There is no need to post nasty messages talking about how much you hate the mods. If you think something was wrongly removed, make a plea in Site Discussion and it will get reviewed.
We also often get accused of removing content that reflects negatively on site sponsors. This is an issue we take seriously, and we DO NOT bow down to sponsors. You can go post negative comments in park updates, team udates or whatever. The whole point of those areas is so the sponsors can see what people have to say about their services, both good and bad. It helps them improve, which in turn helps everybody!
Members also often falsly accuse us of removing press releases & news from the forums. We noramally won't have a problem with companies posting news in forums, as long as these companies contact us FIRST. We won't allow just anybody to advertise their business in the forums without getting consent. Business news in the forums are there because representatives were nice enough to contact us and ask permission.
Many times reps have tried posting stuff without first obtaining our permission. We will usually remove the content in question and notify the creator that we like to be notified. Some have gotten very upset and posted negative comments about us out of spite, then get very agitated with us and claim we are not being cooperative.
We have in the past removed controvertial threads because of legal problems. Every time it really pains us to do so because members think we do so to protect sponsor money or whatever, when really we just don't have the money to pay lawyers, even when we are in the right. For this we appologize.
We are working on NS all day every day all year round. Even in the middle of summer I spent almost every day working on new site areas, while CK & Doug were up in Whistler working at High North collecting photographs, talking with members and working on site sponsorships and contests for the coming season.
On a regular week, NS requires about 75 to 100 hours of work from CK, Doug and I just to stay opperational. Tasks include writing news stories, managing journalists, working with resorts and companies for press releases & news, managing Park & Team updates, running radio shows, covering events, moderating forums, planning new site sections, answering member e-mails & PMS and managing member requests for colour & name changes, manageing the server, backus, etc.
In the end we are really just three skiers trying to support a community we belive in and are a part of. We always keep our members in mind throughout every decision we make.
We always welcome feedback, but you will have less of an impact if you post about how much you hate us or the site. If you want to see things improve, ask honest questions, provide constructive feedback and be vocal about your opinions.
Now I've got to go get Classifides working again.
~Paul
We often get attacked by members over certain issues, comments, news articles or actions by ourselves and moderators. As example I'd like to bring up the current FUCK YOU thread (not to be confused with last week's FUCK YOU thread).
This thread was created by a member who is obviously upset about the current poll regarding skiing with polls or not. Now I realise this is a touchy topic, since this not the first negative thread about our poll. However not once did any member ask us politly to change or remove the poll, or even tell us nicely that they didn't like it.
Most members seemed to have not cared and just entered a vote. But some seem to think the poll is part of a larger plan to control skiing's direction and claim this publically. It is to these members that I direct my following comments, as they need a reality check.
We run this site for over 70,000 people. Every month over 70,000 viewers come on NS and read what we and the members have to say. We realise we have the distinct advantage of being able to moderate what gets said and what becomes more prominent. We struggle every day to come up with a balance that lets members have their way, while still allowing us to have personal opinions and manage site content that should be neutral. It's difficult, we try, and sometimes we fuck up.
With 70K people it's hard to keep everybody happy. No matter what gets said, it will obviously hit a nerve with somebody. If this happens we appologise. But instead of posting about how much you hate us, try telling us what you didn't like. Then we'd be more inclinded to fix it. Starting an engaging thread in Site Discussion will go a much longer way than just posting threads about how much you hate the site.
Members often complain that certain threads are wrongly removed and that moderators have a hidden agenda. If there are any problems with moderation, this is surely not one of them.
As most members have noticed, we currently don't have a terms of use for the forums. It's not always clear what is and isn't allowed. NS has about 30 moderators and currently their instructions are simple; remove spam, posts containing porn, unverified rumours, and threads that offer no constructive commentary and are simply there to start flame wars.
Although NS has mods online almost 24/7, they can't possibly catch everything. If you see something you find offensive, tell a moderator (most in are green). If a mod won't do anything for you, contact one of us in red.
Sometimes items are removed that members feel shouldn't have been. As there are no offical rules, and most moderators rely on instinct, sometimes this happens. Mods don't do this purposely to be mean, it's often just a mistake or bad judgement. There is no need to post nasty messages talking about how much you hate the mods. If you think something was wrongly removed, make a plea in Site Discussion and it will get reviewed.
We also often get accused of removing content that reflects negatively on site sponsors. This is an issue we take seriously, and we DO NOT bow down to sponsors. You can go post negative comments in park updates, team udates or whatever. The whole point of those areas is so the sponsors can see what people have to say about their services, both good and bad. It helps them improve, which in turn helps everybody!
Members also often falsly accuse us of removing press releases & news from the forums. We noramally won't have a problem with companies posting news in forums, as long as these companies contact us FIRST. We won't allow just anybody to advertise their business in the forums without getting consent. Business news in the forums are there because representatives were nice enough to contact us and ask permission.
Many times reps have tried posting stuff without first obtaining our permission. We will usually remove the content in question and notify the creator that we like to be notified. Some have gotten very upset and posted negative comments about us out of spite, then get very agitated with us and claim we are not being cooperative.
We have in the past removed controvertial threads because of legal problems. Every time it really pains us to do so because members think we do so to protect sponsor money or whatever, when really we just don't have the money to pay lawyers, even when we are in the right. For this we appologize.
We are working on NS all day every day all year round. Even in the middle of summer I spent almost every day working on new site areas, while CK & Doug were up in Whistler working at High North collecting photographs, talking with members and working on site sponsorships and contests for the coming season.
On a regular week, NS requires about 75 to 100 hours of work from CK, Doug and I just to stay opperational. Tasks include writing news stories, managing journalists, working with resorts and companies for press releases & news, managing Park & Team updates, running radio shows, covering events, moderating forums, planning new site sections, answering member e-mails & PMS and managing member requests for colour & name changes, manageing the server, backus, etc.
In the end we are really just three skiers trying to support a community we belive in and are a part of. We always keep our members in mind throughout every decision we make.
We always welcome feedback, but you will have less of an impact if you post about how much you hate us or the site. If you want to see things improve, ask honest questions, provide constructive feedback and be vocal about your opinions.
Now I've got to go get Classifides working again.
~Paul
