GLAD to see the site back up!!!

[ronbo 613]

I sure didn't realize that there was so much going on behind the scenes. Mostly, I figured this was a place where people talked about computers with a little chit-chat around the edges.
With nearly 30,000 members, I suppose you can expect just about anything. I don't know what kind of legal action could result from what's going on, but it's another reason to choke a lawyer. I'm sure there are a lot of people who visit ABX to get some computer advice or information, not much more, they should not be forgotten.
Glad to see that everything has stabilized and ABX is back in action.

[SubZero]

Well put pointreyes!

[Bofinn]

I've gotten several PM's asking me a computer question. I always tell the person to start up a thread instead, so that all can participate and share.

I can't imagine how many PM's PcBruiser and Seirra would receive if they were visible all the time...

[Ozzie]

That exactly what I do too Bofinn...this is a place to share information, so why do it in pm's where nobody knows?

I'll have to say sometimes I wonder why members use invisible mode.
In days of old, we had some experts contributing to the forums that were with major manufacturers and didn't want members to know their affiliations.
Those were fun days that I got to be a part of.

[Rick_EE]

I am active on a site where I had a much higher profile and more expertise. I got PM's all the time asking for help. I can't imagine what it is like for someone on a site with this much traffic.

Suprised invisible mode changes the level of PM's.

Don't take this the wrong way, because I am genuinely curious. Why does a mod need to be visible or not? What is the advantage of knowing if a mod in online or not? If there is a problem, doesn't it get reported and a mod takes care of it? Or am I missing something?

[polonyc2]

Originally Posted by pointreyes

Interesting. Notice your usage of wording.
Cloak and dagger
Klingon invicibility

yeah...you're right...I take that back...actually it should say Klingon invisibility...not Klingon invincibility...

my wording was used more as a joke...never even crossed my mind about "super powers with demented intent"...that sounds like something straight out of Justice League

[StarTraveller]

Originally Posted by Rick_EE

I am active on a site where I had a much higher profile and more expertise. I got PM's all the time asking for help. I can't imagine what it is like for someone on a site with this much traffic.

Suprised invisible mode changes the level of PM's.

Don't take this the wrong way, because I am genuinely curious. Why does a mod need to be visible or not? What is the advantage of knowing if a mod in online or not? If there is a problem, doesn't it get reported and a mod takes care of it? Or am I missing something?

Well, people PM high profile members/mods because they want a fast response and from someone they know have good chance of being able to help. If the person isn't online (or at least appears not to be) then it's less attractive to use the PM system.

As for the benefits of mods establishing an online presence, you can sort of compare it to patrolling police. Suppose a spammer wants to slam us with junk posts. Seeing a mod online will ward off most of those because they know that their posts will be gone in a few minutes (sometimes even seconds ). If no mods are online then the junk posts have a better chance of receiving exposure before a mod arrives to take care of them. And that's just one example of a benefit.

[polonyc2]

geez...everyone that responded still doesn't get my main point...I'll re-phrase my point and I'll put it in italics this time to highlight it...

being the Invisible Man is fine...the problem with some of the last mods was that they were invisible 100% of the time...100%...not 99%, not 68.43%, not even 49%...but 100%=every time=every day=every minute=all the time...I think mods in particular should not use the Harry Potter cloak every time

[StarTraveller]

Originally Posted by polonyc2

geez...everyone that responded still doesn't get my main point...I'll re-phrase my point and I'll put it in italics this time to highlight it...

being the Invisible Man is fine...the problem with some of the last mods was that they were invisible 100% of the time...100%...not 99%, not 68.43%, not even 49%...but 100%=every time=every day=every minute=all the time...I think mods in particular should not use the Harry Potter cloak every time

I disagree with your assesment. Arguments have been given supporting that even 100 % invisibility is okay in some instances. You have posted that you think it's wrong to be invisible all the time. That it is or at least was a problem. Why do you think it's a problem that some mods choose to be invisible all the time?

As long as there's a visible mod/admin presence most of the time - and there usually has been - then I don't see the problem with allowing a few mods the privacy to keep their inboxes from exploding more than they have to.

[polonyc2]

Originally Posted by StarTraveller

I disagree with your assesment. Arguments have been given supporting that even 100 % invisibility is okay in some instances. You have posted that you think it's wrong to be invisible all the time. That it is or at least was a problem. Why do you think it's a problem that some mods choose to be invisible all the time?

As long as there's a visible mod/admin presence most of the time - and there usually has been - then I don't see the problem with allowing a few mods the privacy to keep their inboxes from exploding more than they have to.

it's based on principle alone---they were given a position of power here...with that new position comes greater responsibility to the members...I doubt that they are getting hundreds of PM's every hour...is the inconvenience of reading a few more PM's really that backbreaking?...I sometimes get PM's that I just let sit in my Inbox until I have more time to really respond to them better...there is no law that says that you have to read to and respond to every PM within a certain period of time...

plus when choosing to be invisible all the time you are in essence saying that you wish never to be seen and it sends a more impersonal message about that person...they seem less connected to the members and are viewed as more aloof...it's almost as if they are saying "do not ever PM me or contact me"...perception is often reality...the fact that PCB and Sierra are the guys that chose to be invisible 100% of the time and they both are no longer mods/members here and created a lot of uproar might well be a coincidence but then again...maybe not...knowledge is all well and good but with that knowledge you have to have the interpersonal skills to go along with it

if a moderator has the right to ban people and edit someone's posts then I think the inconvenience of being "online" should override their ability to go unseen all the time

[Rick_EE]

Originally Posted by StarTraveller

As for the benefits of mods establishing an online presence, you can sort of compare it to patrolling police.

I guess that I have never considered a forum a real-time thing. Problems well eventually be dealt with. I guess it is a matter of perspective.

I am not trying to defend the invisibilty practice. I just want to understand why it is a problem for some. I can be persuaded.

polonyc2 has a real point. If you want to be a mod, there are some pitfalls to go with the position.

[SubZero]

I disagree with yout polonyc2... First and foremost we are normal people with normal jobs (which sometimes kill us) and normal everyday drama.

There are good times and there are bad times. WHen in the bad times there is litterly so much you can take or handle. It is good somtimes to take a bit of a backseat and be invisible and take care of your REAL life priorities for a change.

Oh... and I would like to think that our mods have DESERVED their position and they were all asked.

But I see your last three words are italic so I'm sure you don't think it should be outlawed completely.

I am not in favor of being invisible all the time... I am in favor of using it when you feel there are other and more important priorities to take care of.

Just my $ 0.01

[Deer Slayer]

I've been bombarded with private messages before, and I'm not even a moderator! It can be a little annoying, and I could imagine the volume the moderators must get with their names placed conspicuously as if they should know it all. It's gotta get old, but that's part of being a mod. If they want to use invisible mode, they should be allowed to.

Then again, there has been a major "big brother" type presence here, making everybody feel uncomfortable. This should have NEVER gotten that bad, now people want to know when the mods are here, and don't want them using invisible mode. Well, after things calm down, and the new mood sets in, I think people will relax. You should NEVER be afraid of a moderator "lurking" in invisible mode because you should never be afraid for a mod to see what you're doing. Things have gotten out of hand where mods have jumped on people for minutia, and created a paranoia. Hopefully, the new ABX moderators relax a little, and take the edge off of the mood here! So, polonyc2, relax, and see if things calm down, and you won't have to worry about "big brother" lurking, ready to jump on you for something ridiculous!

[polonyc2]

Originally Posted by Deer Slayer

So, polonyc2, relax, and see if things calm down, and you won't have to worry about "big brother" lurking, ready to jump on you for something ridiculous!

this makes me feel better coming from the master of conspiracy theories and self proclaimed "paranoid crackpot"!!!...this coming from the guy who thought there was a connection between Nvidia, ATI, AGP cards, world oil, Sadaam Hussein and JFK's assasination

[fvbounty]

I'm so glad that everybody is getting along.... :eek: