Actually, as a former moderator who knows what backstage recently has looked like, I'm inclined to actually disagree that backstage is actually NOT being abused (unless things have changed in the past few days). Because there are many threads regarding different things on how to run the site (e.g. whether not moderators have read the mod guidelines, what should be done about the submission standards, the development of cB4, moderator usernames in preparation for cB4, appointment of people staff to forums, etc.), I feel that to fully contribute to this discussion, you'd have to be there for an extended period of time. It's like the debate forum; you can't just go in, give your two cents, and leave without waiting for the counterargument or considering originally presented proposals. But that's just me.

whatever. you care.

then why is it kept on hush if that's all it contains?

I don't think it's so much "kept on hush" as it is just not that relevant to the public/regular members. When moderators feel that the community's input is needed before a decision is reached, someone usually creates a thread about said topic in feedback. Again, if you're only there for a day, you wouldn't be able to continue your arguments for x discussion, making it sort of counter-productive in terms of reaching a decision.

I could go out on a limb and say that moderators are wary about their chit-chat topic, but I don't see why they should be. The shit-talking has highly diminished if not completely disappeared (well, that's probably arguable but hey, everyone's human). There's a (revised) rule in place backstage that's pretty much stressed every time someone brings up a member that they should only be talking about a member in terms of moderating actions and not whether or not they're being tedious/obnoxious/stupid/etc. I personally never really participated in the chat topic, but I admit that it is the fastest moving thread backstage (not surprising).. and again, that could be why people are wary.

Also, there's a trust/credibility factor of who the potential "moderator for a day" tells about what's backstage. Yes, there are threads about a few problem members or about specific debatable threads, and the moderators talk throughout the topic to try and reach a fair outcome for the member/topic in question.. So what happens if/when the "moderator for a day" spills everything to the public or just to a friend? Eventually word gets out; it's always like that. I know from personal experience as it was always more fun having the risk of being caught backstage because I wasn't supposed to be there. Now, it's not somuch fun backstage because the shit-talking has stopped.

Everything Azareal said makes a very strong argument that I really can't see be shut down by a counter-argument. In the military there is a reason you are sworn to secrecy in regards to certain things, as well as there being a reason for enlisted personnel not being allowed to fraternize with officers. Granted CreateBlog isn't a militaristic organization, a certain degree of secrecy is required in some regards. It seems "Most" of the Mods do a good job and are fair-minded and keep us informed of what we should be informed of.

Just thought of another analogy :D
Of course to a much lesser extent, us being allowed backstage could lead to similar things that happen when say the media buts its nose into Governmental/Military issues that aren't needed for the public to see and are used to sway the opinion of the public away or towards a political party.

Not seeing backstage isn't going to compromise the purpose of this website. It's an online blog that's moderated by a few individuals to keep it on track. Giving everyone a say in what's going on and letting everyone backstage could only result in negative things due to human nature and immaturity.

i didn't assume, i just figured that if it's a top secret place, obviously something is being violated with its purpose.

obviously, there is also a lot of good that comes out of backstage. did i say you all were close-minded, idiots that talked behind our backs? no. i said i dont understand why it's a big deal that the moderator for a day shouldn't be allowed to see it. if their judgment is trusted to mod, their judgment to do as they wish with the information should also be trusted in hopes they do the right thing.

There isn't anything being violated. It's just a place where we can discuss the future of Createblog and the best way to introduce new ideas. Letting people see that randomly would take some of the fire out of the surprises and possible ideas. Also, there is a lot of heart-to-heart conversation between mods back there too... encouragement, emotional support, you know, best friend stuff... and we help each other moderate the best way each of us can possible.

Hope that makes things clearer as to why viewing backstage could be an issue.

Backstage sucks anyway.

so be it, but if you're quick to pass judgment about us not being allowed to see it, doesn't it seem kind of odd to you, too, from a members stand point?

yeah yeah yeah i read that.

give me my own backstage then that i can keep confidential.

is that what you think?

I should run for it

Totally agree

Say if the member of a day is really good, and the current staff like it, would that be considered as a hiring?

Go write in your diary. Grow up while you're at it. You suck at arguing, especially when you contradict yourself in the same paragraph.

nevermind, you're not worth it.

that wasn't a contradiction, anyway.

Haha, while I do agree I didn't really mean to imply that everything was perfect in the "olden" days. I was simply stating that I had more fun and felt a lot more trust between members/mods within the community than I do now. I think this point is emphasized when you call it the "regime" (I know those are the words you use to describe it but you get my point.)

It really does.

In any case, it's the same reason why companies/businesses get hush hush about their future plans with the outside world. Because if word gets out to any competitors, then their competitors will now have a one up on them.

That's why one of the prizes for ____ of the month were taken away. It used to be that if you won, you would get access to backstage. When I tried to invoke that, the reward was taken away because micron had second thoughts. Not because it was me that was asking for backstage privelages but he realized that if he let EVERYONE who won backstage, there could be very bad consequences.

Sometimes people who were actually a part of Blogring (Are they even still around?) would win Xanga of the Month. There's no way micron would be comfortable letting that person backstage so he/she could share his secrets with Blogring.

I wasn't calling it a regime, I was kind of poking fun at all the 'mods are nazis' crap people come out with...

And yea, I know what you meant, I'm just a little jaded with the whole thing right now.

What the hell do you know about the "olden days?" Even with all the stupidity that happened then (I take responsibility for some of said stupidity as well), it beats the shit out of right now.

Plus the mods suck. What a piece of shit.

Damn. Relax.

^Seriously. It's definitely not that serious.

I'm afraid you'll stab me in the back again if I do.

I wasn't aware I had already done it before? Anyway, you don't have to put a damper on everything.

Youll throw your back out first from all those D's u been throwin

I guess that's what happens when you drink that much kool aid.

I don't really like this, party because I have the feeling that as soon as the winner is appointed mod for a day, there'll be spamfests everywhere.

Not that I would join in, of course, but still.

If this were to theoretically take place, how would said winner be decided anyway? Anyone come up with any ideas yet?

I think the problem with having people apply to be a moderator for a day is that, as regular modding, there requires a lot of deliberation on behalf of the staff (and even moreso among the heads/admin/mentors).

remember when all we had to worry about was Blogring jackasses stealing our shit and how much of a bitch everyone thought I was when I was a mod? (Not that people still dont think i'm a bitch now.)

The good old days.


Sorry, that might have been off-topic.

Why not just kind of like combine member of the month and this together?

Like if you win member of the month then you automatically get the staff member of the day and you can choose the day you would like to be on staff for the day?


not so much as a hassle, but still keeps the good idea alive.

But mods have the final say in who wins MOTM.

I, personally, think that would work out better than anything else. but idk.

^Yea thats what I was thinking was the mods have the final say in that so I don't see how it couldn't be a bad alternative.

I think if we were going with the MOTM winner.The staff would have to now factor in the responsibility level of the winner when selecting that MOTM.As suzzette said sometimes its seems like people arent being serious with their nominations.

Durring a hiring session you wouldent want to pick someone who barely has posted on here or constantly spams even if they are funny oneliners.You dont usualy see someone hired on staff if they are a known troublemaker.

So yeah....theres my 2 cents.

Speaking of hiring sessions, didn't you guys eschew the hiring session last time?

Well I'm sorry to hear that the member of the month isn't taken seriously but I still don't see how it wouldn't work since the staff has the final say, unless the staff doesn't care about who gets it and just finds it to be a big game.

The problem with verbal warnings is that they are supposed to be recorded in a thread backstage... which proves problematic with the lack of backstage access.

Wait, why not access to the queue? Wouldn't it be beneficial for the winners (community members) to learn how the layout accepting/rejecting works? Very sorry if this was said before in this thread; if so, ignore me, I'm a moron.

And Backstage is obviously not there for the mods to talk crap about people in; that's stupid. We're not hiding anything, we're just taking care of site matters. Like CB4, we were talking about it Backstage for a while and we didn't want to let it out because that way it's a surprise. Why is that bad?

I only read a few posts after mind.

But I hate to say this, but I think it would be to much of hassle to have something like this happen. I mean there are just so many things that you would have to disable the person from doing. The only thing they could really do is like move topics. If they have any other ability it could be a bad thing if you didn't trust them enough.

Viewing backstage, warning people, viewing the que.

I mean come on your taking away everything there is to being a mod if someone had to experience it, it wouldn't be any different from being a regular member.

Hm. I think I like the idea. Maybe the fairest way to choose is having all people with the best qualifications apply then be randomly chose per week.. would that work?

just used the failed hiring session method...

the staff picks or nominates who they think would be best for the job and then those chosen people are given a day or week to become the mod.

The problem is the staff isn't really to be trusted to make these decisions, or even be on staff at all.

^Well I don't think you can say that about all of the staff. I mean there are a few up there that really show some caring side for this site and understand it fully and deserve to be on staff. I can't say that about all of them but I can say it about some.

I suppose the only way this will work is for there to be a thread in announcements and people can just apply for it and the staff can go through it just like a hiring session. To be quite honest though, I don't see the point in even having it anymore. There wouldn't be any great side to becoming a mod for a day, all you would do is just be a normal member and have the ability to maybe move topics? I think thats about all their giving you.

There are always exceptions, but the time used finding those could be highly unpractical.

^exactly.

sounds fun

Yeah. Might as well forget about it.

i think this idea is neat...though i think it'll be to much work

It really wouldn't be a bad idea if not for human error

Once again, mod over regulation defeats a potentially fun thing.