Honestly,it's been weird from a staff member point of view. At least it's been weird for me. Pretty much anything goes (as far as spam is concerned) in the VIP Lounge (there are VIP guidelines that go more into depth about that) but The Lounge is generally the area that people tend to spam the most in. Part of me thinks that we should just get rid of the VIP Lounge, especially since people are spamming in The Lounge anyway. That way only advertising, porn (>PG13 content), bash threads, things of that sort would be moderated. There's just no reason to have two free for all areas. It seems superfluous. I've seen sort of a true "Random" area work on other forums and I'm wondering if something like that would work here. There are already specific Community Center areas that people need to be specific in. Why not let people be completely random in The Lounge?

Actually, we use the VIP Lounge to talk about people behind their back. It should stay.

I was under the impression that the Lounge is generally not modded.

i like how most of the newer people staff [i.e. nathan] is doing a lot of nothing.

i think you're overstaffed.

TIME TO START THE DOWNSIZING.

^I agree with the merging topics thing. I mean to just delete a topic for no good reason, is just silly in my opinion.

My oh my. Where to begin? ***long winded post warning***

I'll start with Natalia, since she's been getting the majority of recent feedback. A couple of things are happening that concern me. While I think that people are being a tad hard on her (and quite mean at times) however, I do agree that her responses could have been handled differently and that perhaps the manner in which she presents herself could be improved upon.

Something that I tried to emphasize during interviews is that when you're a mod, you're on instant scrutiny. Sometimes the criticism is warranted (very warranted at times), sometimes people tend to target an individual and nitpick , sometimes it's a combination of both. The thing is, as a staff member you have to develop thick skin and learn to deal with feedback. Even if you do not agree with the feedback you are given, we're (staff) are here to help the Community and as such, you need to respond to them with a certain level of dignity and respect.

Spamming and The Lounge. The Lounge is supposed to be a random area but that doesn't mean it's a big spam free for all. The VIP Lounge is there for that sort of thing. Jusun wanted The Lounge to be more lenient than other areas of the Community Center so that people feel comfortable and to create a free enough environment so that people can chill and have fun.

Honestly,it's been weird from a staff member point of view. At least it's been weird for me. Pretty much anything goes (as far as spam is concerned) in the VIP Lounge (there are VIP guidelines that go more into depth about that) but The Lounge is generally the area that people tend to spam the most in. Part of me thinks that we should just get rid of the VIP Lounge, especially since people are spamming in The Lounge anyway. That way only advertising, porn (>PG13 content), bash threads, things of that sort would be moderated. There's just no reason to have two free for all areas. It seems superfluous. I've seen sort of a true "Random" area work on other forums and I'm wondering if something like that would work here. There are already specific Community Center areas that people need to be specific in. Why not let people be completely random in The Lounge?

What? Is there some miscommunication on what the rules are? Of course the lounge is modded. It's always been modded. Moderators move and close topics in the lounge occasionally, if not often. Moderators edit out threads, ask people to stay on topic, etc. And even when all the drama happened, moderators went around modding, or at least the active ones did. Go to anonymous shoutouts and once in a while you'll see a moderator bitching complaining about "staying on topic" and "keep it anonymous" or something.

Where did that impression come from? Just wondering. Maybe you have this confused with the VIP lounge?

As for activity, so what? VIP lounge is only viewable to official members/promoters/designers, so of course it's not going to get as much activity. Anime forums barely gets any activity anyways, especially since some moderators don't even bother to check certain subforums.

^ That is because the lounge is for topics that don't really fit within other said categories (subforums), which is why they are left in the lounge. But usually threads have to promote some kind of discussion, not just blatant spam, even if the thread starts out with spam -- it would probably get closed. There are exceptions, i.e "what are you doing this weekend?" "anonymous shoutouts" etc. Why do you think topics like "OMG HAI YANLIN!" get closed or maybe even moved to VIP Lounge.

Oh and FYI, topics that are considered "off-topic" in that they don't beloing in a certain forum, should be moved to a different subforum, not closed. Same goes for duplicate topics -- Merge button is your friend.

Oh and FYI, topics that are considered "off-topic" in that they don't beloing in a certain forum, should be moved to a different subforum, not closed. Same goes for duplicate topics -- Merge button is your friend.

You can have Thomas and we'll keep the VIP Lounge. Problem solved.

eh, I think "off-topic" (in terms of Lounge description) means things that don't exactly fit into subforums. imo, true chatty spam should be in the VIP. I don't have a problem with a couple "off-topic" posts in an off-topic thread, just that there is a line between blatant spam and the occasional conversation tangent.
EDIT. 3000 :)

her nominal amounts of spam really pale in contrast to what you and prince do, so chill. occasional spam is OKAY/TOLERABLE, it's when it gets out of control COUGH that it crosses the line.

dat funni... u sayy modd dizz n dat.. soo litt hurr summ namee plzz...