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A message to potential moderator applicants

Mooclan

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Hello,
A lot of members who browse the forums intend to apply for the Moderator position. Some already have, some are in the process, and others are biding their time.

But before you do that, there are a few things that sometimes go overlooked. Some Mod applicants do consider these things, but others don't. To those of you who don't, please rethink it.

I don't mean to discourage people from applying for Mod. Please, by all means, apply and go after your dream. I do, however, want to make sure that you make a choice that is good for both MCG and you.

-1- You will have less personal time. This one is a big, obvious one that all Mods know, and it's fairly self-explanatory. When you're a Moderator, you'll have to dedicate time to moderating the servers, TS, and Forums. Maybe not all three, but you'll have to put in work. This leaves you with less time for yourself, family, friends, and even pets. Obviously, the amount of time that is taken away will depend on how dedicated you are to being a Mod and how much time you choose to spend doing your role.
If you're on TeamSpeak, you WILL get a ton of pokes. Even if you have full iron, diamond sword in Death Match and the other two people both have leather gear and wooden swords, you'll have to /kill yourself and go check out that "h4x0r in AU22 who has 360noscope hax"
This can also take away from homework time, something which I know 8/10 parents will hate.
As you have less time to do things, you'll probably end up talking to your family less. They might notice that you grow a little bit distant. This won't happen to all people, but I do know a few cases in which it has. And considering that it was a good two fifths of the Moderators that I know well, that's not particularly good numbers.
I'd also like to stress to forumers who are aiming for Mod - Do not expect to maintain the same degree of forum-activity that you normally have once you become a Moderator. I've seen the vast majority of Mods decrease their forum activity in exchange for Mod-activity. Off the top of my head, I cannot think of any Mods except for Moose and duckluv321 who are still as forum-active as before, and I mean of all time, not just right now. I can only assume that most other forum-mods either dedicated their time to in-game/TS activities, or decided to start doing more behind-the-scenes things like handling report abuses.

-2- You will have to restrict what you say and express. This one isn't as obvious to as many people at first, but Moderators can't go around being nice to their friends and then secretly flipping off their foes. It doesn't work that way. While some of us (lol you know who you are) do this as regular members, if you were to become a Moderator you could risk your rank and maybe even get banned if you are reported doing something like that. Not only are you harming yourself and your personal reputation, but you're also harming the reputation of the MCGamer Staff Team.
You are expected to maintain the highest standard of behavior and morals when publicly representing the MCG Staff Team. Even when off-duty, as long as you have the [Mod] tag or red name, you have to behave. (Unless you're in private. I know plenty of mods who jack around in private, it's actually sort of funny.)

-3- You can't always tell people your opinion. Sometimes you can, yes, but only if it doesn't conflict with the views, opinions, or dogma of the MCG Staff Team. For example, if player A was a Mod and said "I don't really like the staff team, they seem mean," they would probably get warned (maybe even demoted, if it was a repeated thing). However, if person B is a regular player and said the exact same thing, they might have a few other people come and debate with them, but they wouldn't be risking a ban (unless a senior mod+ took it super offensively, which shouldn't happen.)
In addition, if you are constantly causing friction and debating a different view among the staff, there is a history of people like that being demoted or pressured to resign. Whether it be something like the rule on deleting evidence or constantly bugging the senior staff about unfair bans, annoying the higher ups never ends well, even in real-life corporations. This is not official, but rather this is a personal statement that I've heard from at least four ex-staff and two current staff members who will remain unnamed.
(Then again, last time I said that I would keep someone unnamed in something like this I got dragged into a Senior Mod channel at 1:30 AM and lectured for an entire half hour, plus threatened with a permanent ban, and Chad came in with a cigarette in one hand and his phone in the other, sitting in his hot tub. Let's not repeat that, shall we? That was rather awkward.)



I'm 100% positive that I had a -4- and -5-, but I can't remember what they were, because I got sidetracked by two simultaneous conversations and a phone call. GG.
If anyone would like to help me remember what #4 and #5 were, that'd be fantastic. <_< This is driving me mad but I don't have enough time to stagnate in front of my computer for another 30 minutes brainstorming.

And in case anyone is wondering, yes these are three of the larger reasons that I don't apply for Mod.
I don't mean to seem cocky or arrogant, but a number of people were expecting me to apply for Mod as soon as the new 1-year ban rule was put in place, and I was asked "Why?" multiple times. So to those of you who asked me that question before... here's your answer.

Wooh I just checked the length of this thread - It's a full two pages! :D
 
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Zaex

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True. I'll say that much. It will take up a LOT of your time, effort, and recourses w/ your hardware.
 

Giggity69Goo

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Another great thread Moo! It's always great to see helpful threads like this for the whole community.

Anyways, to all new potential mods if you didn't really read the thread

Moo's thread too long? TL;DR ? If you become mod a lot of time will be taken up along with your opinions not being able to get expressed along with restricting what you say.
 

evil_gnome123

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wait whats the one year ban rule thing u mentioned at the end iv never heard of it.
edit: i figured it, been a long time since i last read the application process.
 
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BitoBain

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Awesome thread! I have contemplated about what would happen if you became a mod, Mooclan, and for some reason the idea doesn't appeal. I think you may actually do more good for the community as just a member, as once you become a moderator, you can't be totally honest with people and you have less time to inspire people to do good. (Less posts from the cow king? NO!)

I've never really known any mods though, so I don't have a whole lot to say on the matter, just that what Mooclan just stated is true. This thread should hopefully get word out about what it is like to be a staff member. It's usually not fun and games.
 

OhFancy

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Great thread Moo, it certainly states some good points. I have always wondered why you hadn't applied as soon as the 1-year ban bypass rule came into play. I would still like to see you among the Staff Team one day- alongside me ;). But in all seriousness, I will take these into account the next time I apply. I love your threads Moo, I still can't manage to type as much, but I try. Being on an IOS device doesn't make it any easier. :)
 

Mooclan

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All I got from this is, Chad SMOKES!?
Apparently. ChadTheDJ?
Keep in mind that this was probably like 9-12 months ago, and he may have quit.
But no, I wasn't joking when I said that he had a cigarette in one hand. I was being completely, 100% serious. I was a bit surprised, too.

wait whats the one year ban rule thing u mentioned at the end iv never heard of it.
edit: i figured it, been a long time since i last read the application process.
For anyone who doesn't know about it (I know you figured it out):
If you have a ban that is over one year old, they will no longer prevent you from applying for Mod. However, it will still count towards your application in the sense that it will weigh against you when they consider your application and during your interview.
If that makes no sense to you and you are left wondering "wtf did moo just say i dont understand cow jargon speak thingy", then you probably should wait a few years before applying for Mod and go through middle school.

But seriously Mooclan does Chad smoke?
ye
refer to post above

But you get a red name doe
But you get demoted if you're bad doe

Awesome thread! I have contemplated about what would happen if you became a mod, Mooclan, and for some reason the idea doesn't appeal. I think you may actually do more good for the community as just a member, as once you become a moderator, you can't be totally honest with people and you have less time to inspire people to do good. (Less posts from the cow king? NO!)

I've never really known any mods though, so I don't have a whole lot to say on the matter, just that what Mooclan just stated is true. This thread should hopefully get word out about what it is like to be a staff member. It's usually not fun and games.
I used to want to be a Mod, but then I looked at it more realistically, and decided that it would not be in my best interests.
 

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