How is IRC OP and forum moderators picked?

[Domaldel]

Hello, I'd like to know more about how these individuals are chosen for their role and who oversees these roles in the community.
Any information would be appreciated.

[capivara]

Why?

[Domaldel]

Is the question unreasonable?
This is a open source community driven project, presumably there should be transparent way of organizing the project, coders, moderators and OPs alike, no?

[Pierre]

Generally speaking, the person is an active member of the community,
& who has been pro-active in assisting others, with their issues.
- probably for at least, for a couple of years,
and has expressed a desire to assist the MintTeam.

everyone is a Volunteer - that is un-paid - and gives of their time / expertise / bandwidth
- in order to assist other users of both the IRC & the Forum itself.

[capivara]

Well, most times I hear that question, it comes from people who are power hungry and want to become an OP. Not saying you are one of those BTW, but experiences in the past make me suspicious every time I see that question.

If it works the same as on another IRC network where I was an OP for many years, it might go like this: you've been a positive, helpful contributor for years, there is a 'job' opening for your time zone, and someone will ask you.

[Moem]

Is the question unreasonable?

No, but I'm still (also) curious about why you want to know this. And surely, asking that is not an unreasonable question, either.
You don't need to be so defensive about it, you can just explain your reasoning, right?

[karlchen]

Hey, folks.

Asking this question is perfectly legitimate. Therefore I would seriously like to suggest not to speculate on Domaldel's reasons for asking.
Pierre has given an answer to the question. Telling from experience, too, this is how forum moderators and IRC moderators are chosen by the existing moderator and administrator team.

Best regards,
Karl

[Domaldel]

Thanks all.
That said, what I really had in mind wasn't joining the OP/forum mod community.
It was intended as more of a "who watches the watchmen" kind of question.

[BigEasy]

They are not Big Brother's employee.

[GreyGeek]

Hey, folks.

Asking this question is perfectly legitimate. Therefore I would seriously like to suggest not to speculate on Domaldel's reasons for asking.
Pierre has given an answer to the question. Telling from experience, too, this is how forum moderators and IRC moderators are chosen by the existing moderator and administrator team.

Best regards,
Karl

As a former admin on Kubuntuforums I can say your response bodes well for this forum and aligns perfectly with the meritocracy that exists in the GPL/FOSS community.

[r00t]

who watches the watchmen

The other watchmen We all work together to moderate the forums/IRC and we oversee each other.

[Domaldel]

who watches the watchmen

The other watchmen We all work together to moderate the forums/IRC and we oversee each other.

I see...

[Domaldel]

Hey, folks.

Asking this question is perfectly legitimate. Therefore I would seriously like to suggest not to speculate on Domaldel's reasons for asking.
Pierre has given an answer to the question. Telling from experience, too, this is how forum moderators and IRC moderators are chosen by the existing moderator and administrator team.

Best regards,
Karl

Thanks for your response.
Would you mind if I send a private message later?

[karlchen]

Would you mind if I send a private message later?

What would be the point? There is nothing which I could tell that I must not post publically, too.

[Pjotr]

A sidenote: being a moderator isn't heaven on earth.... It's a considerable amount of work and you get a lot of (mostly unfounded) criticism about your moderations.

Even when attacked and insulted unjustly in public or by PM, a moderator always has to reply in a restrained and civil manner. And "behind the scenes", in the hidden moderator part of the forum, discussions and criticism can be very harsh and painful. Usually no restraints there.... Been there, done that.

So I'm very glad that there are enough volunteers around on this forum, who have taken this necessary but unthankful job upon themselves. I surely wouldn't want to do it myself.

[Crewp]

A sidenote: being a moderator isn't heaven on earth.... It's a considerable amount of work and you get a lot of (mostly unfounded) criticism about your moderations.

Even when attacked and insulted unjustly in public or by PM, a moderator always has to reply in a restrained and civil manner. And "behind the scenes", in the hidden moderator part of the forum, discussions and criticism can be very harsh and painful. Usually no restraints there.... Been there, done that.

So I'm very glad that there are enough volunteers around on this forum, who have taken this necessary but unthankful job upon themselves. I surely wouldn't want to do it myself.

+1

Here's a vote of THANKS, to all our Moderator's who give of there time and talent. thank you all.

[killer de bug]

It's a considerable amount of work

It's some work,that is true. But I'm happy to do it. Nevertheless, I have observed that since I am a mod, I don't necessarily have time to answer some posts. I finish the moderation first and then sometimes I don't have time to answer anymore.

and you get a lot of (mostly unfounded) criticism about your moderations.

On this board, it's honestly ok. Sometimes you get a complain but it's not that often.

in the hidden moderator part of the forum, discussions and criticism can be very harsh and painful. Usually no restraints there...

This part of the forum is actually helpful. We exchange information there to help each others. Especially when we are in doubt. On the Linux Mint board, I have not seen any harsh discussions between team members. It's always nice and respectful.

To be honest, what I find difficult is managing myself and my emotions. At the end of the day, we are all humans. We have our bad days where we are tired or unhappy because of a random event. That's where it becomes difficult. You need to be careful when you take a decision. Are you taking it because you are just tired? Is it useful? Is it justified? That's the critical part. In case of doubt, I always ask the others team members and apply the conclusion of the discussion.
But as I said, we are human. We can always take a bad decision. This may happen. If that's the case, just let us know. Dialog is always good.

[karlchen]

Would merely like to underline what killer de bug has written in his post above. Could not have expressed it any better.